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Tag: Detroit

  • Detroit Tree lighting at Campus Martius

    Karen and I headed Downtown for another fun event: the tree lighting at Campus Martius.

    We started the evening by quickly dropping into D’Mongo’s on Griswold.  It’s a quirky, retro, funky place that’s worth a visit.  They’re only open on Fridays this time of the year, but open on Saturdays during the summer.

    We ventured down to Campus Martius, stood around for some singing and skating performances, then cheered as Mayor Cockrel lit the huge tree.

    Next, worked our way over to Foran’s to split a couple beers and fish & chips.  We jumped next door to Eph’s, which is now open in the evenings – Woo hoo.  We visited with Bil Lusa who was holding his 5-day old son Spencer and John Gannon who gave us the inside scoop on the deli scene.

    On the way back to the car, we chatted with Chuck Gadica and Josh at the Urban Bean.

    It was a cheery evening downtown.

    The Detroit News has coverage of the event as well.

  • Visiting the Birwood Wall in Detroit

    After the presidential election, I enjoyed watching teary-eyed Americans, many of who said they never expected this after struggling decades for civil rights.  What a great milestone.

    A few days after, I biked down to the Birwood wall in Northwest Detroit.

    From the Associated Press, May 17th, 2006:

    The wall was built in the early 1940s when a developer wanted to build homes for middle-class whites but found that the U.S. government would not back mortgages because too many blacks lived in the neighborhood, said Blight Busters founder John George.

    The developer proposed putting up a wall to show that whites and blacks would not be living together, George said. It worked, and federal officials approved the loans.

    I just don’t understand how anyone thought this wall was acceptable.  And it’s also a reminder to temper those glowing stories of how Detroit used to be a paradise.  Walls like this wouldn’t get built in my vision of paradise.

    The wall still stands today.  Parts of it are tagged, while others have been covered in an elaborate mural.

    During my visit I spoke with one of the wall’s neighbors.  He grew up here and recalled how he used to walk along the wall when he was a kid.

    We gave a fist bump to celebrate Obama’s recent victory.

    I hopped back on the bike and headed home.

  • Theatre Bizarre

    On the morning of October 27th, 1953, in a home within the grounds of an abandoned amusement park, a gruesome discovery was made.  The bodies of 47 victims lay desecrated in varying stages of decay…

    Edgar Joseph Torrent… spent years in seclusion toiling away at his macabre obsession.  Edgar was able to evade capture by fleeing through the maze of maintenance tunnels connecting to the carnival’s funhouse.

    He was never found.

    And that is the backstory behind Theatre Bizarre, hidden along the south edge of America’s oldest state fair.

    To get into the party, costumed guests must walk through Edgar’s home and workshop before existing through the same tunnels that aided his escape.  The Theatre Bizarre scenery defies description.  It’s scary retro with incredible detail.  It’s obvious that many put a significant effort into making this one of the most unique events one could ever attend.

    Here’s our documentation: 2008 Theatre Bizarre photos

    For more fun, turn out the lights and watch this…

  • Detroit/Windsor Marathon Photos

    Local cheerleaders encouraging the runners along Lafayette Boulevard
    Local cheerleaders encouraged the runners along Lafayette Boulevard

    I recently uploaded photos from this past weekend’s Detroit/Windsor marathon.

    A group of us rode downtown from Royal Oak and elsewhere to cheer on our friends who were running.  It was a chilly ride down, but no injuries were reported.

    We were starving midway through the ride, so I coerced the group into ordering crepes at Good Girls go to Paris.  It was very convenient that the marathon course went right past the crepe shop.

    On the way back we stopped at the Woodbridge Pub for a beer.  Then we made another beer and bathroom stop at the Stonehouse Bar.

    Photos: Detroit/Windsor Free Press Marathon

  • Detroit Derby Girls off to Eastern Regionals

    I waved goodbye to Diesel Doll and Del Bomber as they pulled out of the driveway and headed out of town.  They’re on their way to Madison, Wisconsin for the East Regional Championships called Derby in Dairyland.  The top 12 roller derby teams from the east conference will compete for the championship and a chance to play at the nationals.

    Last year Detroit was the cinderella story and finished fourth to earn a spot at nationals.  They’re hoping to do the same this year.

    The home season begins November 1st when the Detroit Pistoffs take on the Devil’s Night Dames.  Diesel’s next game is December 13th when the Pistolwhippers take on the D-Funk Allstars.  All home games are at the Detroit Masonic Temple.  The full derby schedule is on-line.  Tickets are available at TIcketmaster, the Fox Theatre box office, Danny’s Irish Pub (Ferndale) and Detroit Threads (Hamtramck.)

    But to whet your appetite until then, make sure you check out this video of New York taking on Texas.  Beyonslay is one amazing derby player.  She executes a perfect booty block 16 seconds into the video but then completely takes out of Rick Rocket — a hit that is now a part of derby legend.