Did the Nain Rouge put a Curse on Detroit?

In the Weekend Roundup yesterday I listed Marche du Nain Rouge as one of the things to do in Detroit this weekend. The purpose of the Carnival-style event is to banish the Nain Rouge or “red dwarf” from Detroit and to instill a new sense of life and rebirth in the city.

Who or what is this Nain Rouge?

From Nain Rouge by Josef Bastian:

The Nain Rouge is as old as the city itself, maybe older. Legend tells of a devilish creature whose appearance foreshadows terrible events within the city limits. The creature is said to have been attacked in 1701 by the first white settler of Detroit, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. Cadillac threw him out of the Fort Pontchartrain settlement, only to have the dwarf come back as a harbinger of doom. Ever since that time, Lutin has appeared in Detroit just before an impending disaster.

This may be the first you are hearing of the Nain Rouge but I heard about it a few months ago. Josef Bastian wrote a young adult book about this evil dwarf called Nain Rouge. The book is set in Detroit and mentions many local landmarks and institutions. Mr. Bastian sent me a free copy (full disclosure) to read it and review.

Here is the synopsis:

Evil is afoot in the Motor City.
The times are hard and getting harder by the minute. An urban legend tells of the Nain Rouge, who appears as a harbinger of doom. The sightings are growing more frequent every day.

What will two unsuspecting teenagers do when they come face to face with source of all this trouble? What will Elly and Tom do when they meet the mysterious and dangerous Nain Rouge? Is it too late to save the city and themselves?

The book is aimed at young adults so it’s pretty short and easy to read (for an adult). The characters of Tom and Elly are very likable. Elly is a great role model for girls; she’s the smart one. In fact, she reminded me a bit of Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter books. Tom is described as a free spirit and confident. He gets into minor trouble from time to time.

I have to say what I loved most about the book is that it is set in Detroit. Tom and Elly live in Royal Oak and attend Royal Oak Middle School.

The story starts out with the kids at the DIA where they first encounter the Nain Rouge. Throughout the story they travel to Hart Plaza and down Jefferson Avenue, the Joe Louis Fist is mentioned as well as the Spirit of Detroit. The story ends at the Michigan State Fairgrounds.

Being able to visualize the city and follow the kids on their travels draws you in. These are places I see all the time, they are fresh in my memory and I felt like I was walking right behind Tom and Elly.

When I first started reading Nain Rouge I was thinking to myself that the ending would be obvious. But you know what? I was surprised. I shouldn’t have been, I should have figured it out but I was enjoying the ride so much I didn’t have time to ponder the end.

The story was intriguing and with all the vampire, werewolf, and magical books out right now this little, red, evil dwarf with his “high pitched hissing laughter” might just fit right in with today’s teenage sensibilities.

As much as I liked the story of Nain Rouge, I did feel the dialogue was a bit clunky at times. Keep in mind, I don’t have kids and haven’t been around any teens or preteens lately. I have no idea how they actually talk but the dialogue didn't flow off the tongue.

Some of the timing of annual events in Detroit were skewed. International Freedom Festival (River Days) fireworks on July 23^rd? Mr. Bastian took creative license in a few places; it doesn't hurt the story but it won't ring true to Detroiters.

What I find most interesting about the book Nain Rouge is the opportunity it has to open up a dialogue between parents and kids. It’s a great discussion starter not just about places in Detroit but about what is happening right now in our community and what can be done to make it better.

As far as the urban legend that is the Nain Rouge? It’s a good myth but the truth is a red dwarf isn’t the cause of Detroit’s problems. Yeah, it would be nice to blame our troubles on this banshee. But we can’t.

Real live people were responsible for our successes and caused our problems. Decisions were made, good and bad, over the last 300 years. It's up to the people of today to stop bickering over boundary lines, class, race and a million other things and start finding solutions.

I’m all for banishing Detroiters’ fears and doubts and bringing new life and hope to Detroit. That part I really like.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

HELLO! Oh, I’m sorry, was that loud? I didn't mean to shout. Are you a bit hungover today? Ah, I see. You were out celebrating the luck o’ the Irish yesterday. No worries, I’ll whisper.

You see, for the first time since I can remember, I didn’t go out on St. Patrick’s Day. Well, when I was living in England I only celebrated it the first year. It’s not as big of a deal over there.

So, I guess I should rephrase that. It was the first time I can remember that I was on American soil and didn’t go out on St. Patrick’s Day. And you know what? I’m bright-eyed and bushy-tailed today. Well, I don’t really have a tail. That would be weird.

Weekend Roundup

1. The Red Riding Trilogy at the Detroit Film Theatre at the DIA - The trilogy, which was originally adapted for British television, tells 3 different tales that are set in different years about the search for the “Yorkshire Ripper.” The films share the same screenwriter but 3 different directors. March 19-28.

2. Shrine Circus - Go under the big top for an action-packed experience, featuring mischievous elephants, prancing horses, flame-throwing gaucho dancers and the high-flying, death-defying Sun Chinese acrobats. Now at the Hazel Park Raceway. March 18-21.

Devin Chandler, Ringmaster for the Shrine Circus.

3. Marche du Nain Rouge - The “Nain Rouge,” also known as the “red devil of Detroit” and “the red dwarf,” is supposedly a creature that has been spreading its evil spirit throughout Detroit. The hope of this parade and street theater event is to banish the Nain Rouge and bring new life and hope to Detroit. March 21. (Come back tomorrow to learn more about the Nain Rouge.)

4. Ford FREE Funday at the Detroit Science Center - Enjoy free admission and experience SciQuest, the Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash, and get a sneak peak at the Detroit Children's Museum. March 21st.

5. Obscura Day at the Heidelberg Project - Obscura Day is an international celebration of curious places happening around the world sponsored by Atlas Obscura. Several knowledgeable docents will be available at the Heidelberg Project during the day to lead mini-tours of the project. March 20th.

Do you know of a great event going in on Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!

No Leprechauns Here! Photos from Dublin

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Detroit Moxie!

In previous years, I would be at my favorite Irish pub, Dick O’Dow’s, to secure my bar stool. Maybe I’m old but the amateur drink fest doesn’t really appeal to me this year.

I might go out for a pint later. Or, I might not. We’ll see what the day brings.

Today I am sharing pictures of Dublin from that fateful first trip abroad. Please note that these pictures were taken in 2003 with a point and shoot film camera.

Sláinte!

Trinity College, Dublin.

Looking down the River Liffey, Dublin.

Across the Liffey. After I moved out of my lovely hotel I moved into the Abbey Court Hostel (the blue building).

The Guinness St. James Gate Brewery. You can't go to Dublin without stopping here!

Inside the Guinness self-guided tour.

Groupon Detroit: Buy Local & Save Money

Do you like to get a great deal? Do you want to support local metro Detroit area businesses? Are you looking for new things to do in Detroit? If you answered yes to any of those questions then let me introduce you to Groupon.com. 

Groupon deal of the day.Groupon launched on March 1^st in Detroit and delivers great deals every day on Detroit dining, services, spas, and special events buy using collective buying power. The site negotiates special deals with local businesses that are only activated if enough people decide to buy. This encourages Groupon users to tell their friends and family about the deal.

From their website:

How It Works:

1. Each day we feature something cool to do at an unbeatable price.

2. You only get it if enough people join that day… so invite your friends!

3. Check back the next day for another awesome Groupon!

Groupon will help drive dollars to local businesses by showcasing them to thousands of new customers. And we look forward to saving those customers money on their favorite things to do.

Recent deals in Detroit include $15 for a two-person wine tasting at Vintner’s Cellar of Royal Oak ($30 value) and $35 for $100 of hair services at Flip Salon.

Yesterday’s deal was $65 ($185 value) for a complete car detail at Hands On Mobile Auto Detailing. Last I checked, 133 people snatched up this deal.

These are savings of 50-90%! I think this a great way to check out new places while saving money. Plus, you’re supporting the local economy.

Groupon launched in November of 2008 in Chicago. Since then it has rolled out to other major cities and plans to be in 80 cities by the end of 2010.

So head on over to Groupon.com to catch the local deal of the day! Oh, and there’s an app for that too.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

I have a confession; I’ve never had a Shamrock Shake™. Many years ago, I did imbibe in the green beer. I was young and in college. In those days we thought green beer was cool. Now? Not so much.

St. Patrick’s Day is next Wednesday, so get ready for a crazy weekend. Sláinte. And be careful out there!

Weekend Roundup

1. St. Patrick's Day Parade in Corktown - The 52nd annual parade begins at 2:00 p.m. on Michigan Avenue at Sixth Street. We had a great time at the St. Patrick's Day Parade last year! March 14th.

2. J. Chris Newberg - Originally from Birmingham, Michigan, this guitarist/songwriter/comedian will be rocking the Magic Bag in Ferndale. March 13th. (check out this video of J. Chris Newberg in a previous Weekend Roundup)

3. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - This production is being presented by The Park Players, one of Detroit's oldest community theater groups. Go, go, go, Joseph! March 12th through 27th.

4. "New" Technology - 1930 vs. 2010: It's All Relative - The Detroit Science Center is presenting this workshop at the Lorenzo Cultural Center. The hands-on workshop demonstrates that the people in the 1930's had the same technology that we have today, only slower. March 12th.

5. Food Wars Coney Island Taste-Off - The new Travel Channel show is asking fans to gather at Lafayette and American Coney Island at 5:15 p.m. They'll then march down to the Old Shillelagh for the blind taste-off. Layfayette Coney is the clear winner in Detroit Moxie's eyes! March 12th.

Don't forget that Daylight Savings Time starts this weekend!

Do you know of a great event going in on Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!