Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 3:52PM | Becks Davis
Um, I don’t mean to alarm anyone but someone stole autumn. I swear that I saw it last week and now its vanished. The chilly temperatures are trying to lure us into an early winter and I’m not having it. I’m going to keep looking for autumn; maybe it’s under my bed or in the back of the closet. In the mean time, here are some events going on this weekend in metro Detroit to keep you occupied.
Weekend Roundup
1. Avedon Fashion Photographs 1944-2000 at the DIA - This much anticipated exhibit of Richard Avedon's fashion photographs opens this Sunday at the Detroit Institute of Arts. October 18, 2009 through January 17, 2010.
4. The Rocky Horror Show - This cult classic will be live on stage at Clutch Cargo. "It's just a jump to the left, and a step to the right, with your hands on your hips, you bring your knees in tight..." October 16-17.
5. Night Terrors - This haunted thrill park offers 6 attractions including Alien Caged Clowns and The Ultimate Haunted Barn. Weekends through Halloween.
Do you know of a great event going in on Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 4:02PM | Becks Davis
The Detroit Derby Girls, with players like Racer McChaseHer and Sista Slitchya, are a hot ticket in Metro Detroit. Many of the players were in Drew Barrymore’s new movie “Whip It," which was filmed in the Detroit area.
In 2001, roller derby had a rebirth across the nation and the Detroit Derby Girls (DDG) were established in 2005. The team is all-female owned and operated and known to be one of the hardest training derby leagues in the nation.
We went last Saturday and saw a double header at the Masonic Temple in Detroit. The first bout was the B-team, Motor City Disassembly Line (MCDL) vs. Team Unicorn. The second bout was our Detroit Derby Girls vs. the Dairyland Dolls from Wisconsin.
The rink was packed with spectators and the beer was flowing. The crowd was very diverse: bikers, hipsters, suburbanites, toddlers, and teenagers all in one place. We were ready to witness the skillful skating and hard-hitting action that is roller derby.
This is flat-track roller derby, so the rink isn’t banked as it was in the movie. Watching the first game helped us understand the rules. Basically, a “jammer” from each team is behind the pack and has to skate her way through the other players. The first one through becomes the “lead jammer.” She then scores points for each opposing team player that she passes. The jams last a maximum of 2 minutes but the “lead jammer” can end it early.
Got that? Maybe this video will help:
The first bout was fun to watch and a good opportunity to learn the rules. The MCDL beat Team Unicorn 122-69.
The second bout, in comparison, totally rocked! The Detroit Derby Girls are awe-inspiring. They beat the Dairyland Dolls 275-76. Seriously, watching these women skate, maneuver, and hit, you’d think you were watching the Detroit Red Wings.
Racer McChaseHer made it look so easy! I’d love to try roller derby, but I bruise easily. It certainly made me want to hit the rink again; I spent much of my youth at Skate World of Troy.
This was a unique way to spend my 40th and the husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the night out. We'll definitely be going back to see another bout.
They do have an upcoming bout on October 24th: Chumps vs. Champs where The Detroit Pistoffs and The Pistolwhippers take on the Devil’s Night Dames and the D-Funk Allstars at the Masonic Temple.
Since 1876, Yates Cider Mill in Rochester Hills has been producing fresh cider from Michigan apples. They can produce 300 gallons of cider per hour! A trip to the cider mill in the fall has become a tradition for many families in the fall, including mine.
Yates Cider Mill in Rochester Hills, Michigan
This is the cider mill my family took me to when I was young and I have fond memories of playing on the trails like any true tomboy. Somehow, the donuts and cider just taste better here.
The first time I took my husband to Yates did not go as planned. First of all, it was a very cold fall day and he wasn’t dressed appropriately. This was 4 years ago and we visited the cider mill either just before or after our wedding. Secondly, being English he just didn’t get the concept of our cider. He was expecting hard cider, something like Magners, Strongbow, or Scrumpy. Not quite the same.
The apple press at Yates.
Yesterday, my husband took me to Yates as a surprise (and to get me out of the house so my family could set up a surprise birthday party for me).
It was absolutely packed and brimming with family activities. Besides the usual cider and donuts there was also a petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkins, and fudge. Enjoy a walk along the river viewing the beautiful fall foliage or relax and have a picnic.
We came home with a dozen donuts, a gallon of cider, and 4 slices of Frankenmuth fudge. They didn’t last long.
Yates Cider Mill will be featured on the Food Network show, Unwrapped! The “Fall Favorites” episode will air on October 19th at 9:00pm EST. Tune in and see a local favorite!
Yates Cider Mill is open in the fall, Monday-Friday 7am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-7pm. It’s located at Dequindre Road and Avon Road (23 Mile Road).
If you haven’t been following along with the posts this week, it’s my birthday weekend. This makes me very happy. And even though the baseball season is now over for the Detroit Tigers we have hockey and the Detroit Red Wings to look forward to. The Red Wings make me happy too! It also time to start carving pumpkins and figuring out your Halloween costume.
Weekend Roundup:
1. Izzi Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch - I mentioned a corn maze a month ago that featured a Red Wings logo and I think this one deserves a mention too. Izzi Farm's theme for their corn maze this year is "Pure Michigan." I love it! And don't forget to pick out a pumpkin. Weekends, now through November 1st.
3. Ferndale Grub Crawl - Ferndale has a great selection of independent eateries and this culinary event will let ticket holders sample favorites from the participating restaurants. October 10th.
4. Northville Oktoberfest - Celebrate autumn with family-friendly activities, a beer tent, classic cars, and entertainment. October 9-10.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 3:13PM | Becks Davis
For my 40th birthday, I give you this. 40 fabulous things to do in Detroit. This list is not exhaustive or complete, just a starting point. Some are kind of obvious, but have you been to them recently? Others, I hope, are new to you. I haven't been to all of them but they are all on my list. Get out there and see Detroit before you die.
1. The Guardian Building - This fabulous Detroit skyscraper features Art Deco architecture and Pewabic tiles. Free tours are offered Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
2. The Detroit People Mover - The automated transportation system circles downtown Detroit. Take a ride for just 50 cents and don't forget to check out the art in the stations.
3. Mexicantown - Go for the food but be sure to take a look at the local shops and public art. Also, they have taco carts!
4. Eastern Market - Stop by on a Saturday to pick up fresh produce and soak in the atmosphere.
5. The GM Renaissance Center - This iconic fixture of the Detroit skyline offers free tours Monday through Friday at 10 a.m, noon, and 2 p.m.
7. Campus Martius Park - Billed as Detroit's Gathering Place, this small park celebrates Detroit's diverse culture. It's also exactly 8 miles from 8 Mile Road.
8. The Heidelberg Project - Tyree Guyton's colorful outdoor art installation is known worldwide.
9. The Whitney - The impressive former mansion is now an upscale restaurant. Ohhh, and they say it's haunted.
10. The Spirit of Detroit - Also known as the Jolly Green Giant, this sculpture by Marshall Fredericks sits in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center and looks best when donning a Red Wings jersey.
11. The Joe Louis Fist - This memorial to the Brown Bomber is located on Jefferson Avenue at Woodward.
12. Hart Plaza - Sitting on the banks of the Detroit River, this plaza is home to festivals throughout the summer as well as Noguchi's Dodge Fountain.
13. The Detroit Zoo - Actually located in Royal Oak, the zoo sits on 125 acres and is the largest family attraction in Michigan.
14. Pewabic Pottery - Founded in 1903, it is known for its tile and pottery in unique glazes.
15. Motown Historical Museum - Hitsville U.S.A includes the original recording studio, Studio A, where many Motown hits were recorded.
16. The Fisher Building - Albert Kahn designed the Art Deco skyscraper that contains the Fisher Theatre.
18. Michigan Central Station - This is extreme urban decay and pictures of the once beautiful building are everywhere but it is worth seeing in person.
19. The Dequindre Cut - The Cut is an urban recreational pathway built on the old Grand Trunk Railway lines. Before the transformation earlier this year, graffiti artists were known to tag in the desolate location. Much of their work has been preserved.
20. Detroit Institute of Arts - This Beaux-Arts building houses over 100 galleries. Vincent Van Gogh's Self Portrait and Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry fresco cycle are two if it's most famous pieces.
21. Greektown - It's always bustling in Greektown. Try your luck at the casino and then relax with some flaming saganaki. Opa!
22. Hamtramck Disneyland - This little bit of folk art is tucked in an alley near Caniff and Klinger.
23. Holocaust Memorial Center - Free guided public tours are offered Sunday through Thursday at 1 p.m. and are 2 hours. The Sunday tour ends with a half hour talk by a Holocaust survivor and visitors are encouraged to ask questions.
24. Lafayette Park - Designed by Mies van der Rohe, the 26 buildings are his only works in Michigan and his largest collection. Completed in 1960.
25. Ford Rouge Factory Tour - This is a self-guided five-part tour that includes viewing the final assembly process of the Ford F-150.
26. The Royal Eagle - Located on the grounds of the St. Sabbas Orthodox Monastery in Harper Woods, this Eastern European restaurant is unique. Only open for dinner on Thursday nights, call for reservations as they are often booked in advance.
27. Baker's Keyboard Lounge - This is the oldest jazz club in the world, they celebrated their 75th anniversary this past May. Miles Davis, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, and John Coltrane have all played here and they have great mac and cheese. Enough said.
28. Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy - Only open on Friday & Saturday nights, this place is uniquely Detroit. Part French café, part neighborhood joint, and part funky. Sshh, it's a secret.
30. The RiverWalk - Enjoy the almost 3 miles along the Detroit River with splashing fountains, pavilions, a carousel, and many special events.
31. Detroit Historical Museum - Experience over 300 years of Detroit history. It isn't a secret that I love Detroit; I enjoy learning about the city and sharing it with others. This is the place to start to learn more about our hometown.
32. Belle Isle Ice Tree - You'll have to wait a few months to see this odd formation but if the weather is right it's well worth it.
33. Cocktail Hour at Michael Symon's Roast - You've heard of Roast, right? One of Detroit's most talked about restaurants? Well, Monday through Friday from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm Roast has a fabulous happy hour with $3 dishes. I'm talking mac n' (goat) cheese, beast of the day taco's, and a burger served on an English muffin with a fried egg and bacon. 3 bucks! Also, drink specials.
34. Cranbrook Campus - An Art Museum, a Science Museum, all on a gorgeous suburban campus with House and Garden tours, as well. Check out Rock Around the Dome and Michigan Sky Tonight. More info about the Science Museum.
36. Cadieux Cafe - Belgian beer, mussels, live music, and featherbowling. Featherbowling? It's kind of a cross between horseshoes and bocci. And this is the only place you can do it in the United States.
37. Majestic Theatre Complex - Bowling, bars, pizza, music, pool, and a restaurant. How can you go wrong? Why would you want to leave?
38. The Russell Bazaar - Located in the Russell Industrial Center, a converted Albert Kahn designed factory, is inspired by the street markets of Europe.
39. La Dolce Vita - If you don't know about this place, you won't know about this place. It's kind of hidden and kind of wonderful. Sunday brunch. Bottomless Mimosa's. Sounds good to me.
40. Cliff Bell's - Swanky is how I describe this art-deco night club. Stop by and enjoy some jazz while sipping on a martini.
My birthday isn't until Saturday and I hope you enjoy my gift to you. I am in the camp that birthdays are the most wonderful day of the year. And if there is one thing I like just as much as birthdays, it's Detroit. But I really like birthdays.
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 3:52PM | 
