Auto Show Blog

Category: Charity Preview

Charity Preview: Why does it end so early?

For what is Detroit's biggest night -- the city's night to shine -- man, Charity Preview sure does end early.

The event begins at 6 p.m. and wraps up at the all-too-early hour of 9 p.m. 9 p.m.? Most weddings don't even get cooking until 9 p.m. 9 p.m.? Headlining bands at concerts usually don't come on until 9 p.m. So why doesn't Charity Preview go from, say, 7-10 p.m., or 7-11 p.m.? This is a huge night -- guys wear tuxes, women get their hair did and put on fancy dresses and uncomfortable shoes -- so why not make it last? People have already hired the sitter, right? Just seems like a waste is all, and very un-rock of Detroit Rock City.

Also, there should be monster trucks, but that's another story.

Category: Charity Preview

The Doobie Brothers are no Barenaked Ladies

Like the Barenaked Ladies did last year, the Doobie Brothers played a concert at Cobo Arena immediately following Charity Preview. But where the Barenaked Ladies drew a solid crowd of several thousand, the Doobies pulled in only a fraction of what the Ladies hauled in, and an eyeball estimate put the crowd at around 600-800. That's a lot of empty seats for songs like "Takin' it to the Streets" and "Jesus is Just Alright" to be bouncing off of. At least you can say this: It was easily the best-dressed crowd the Doobies have played to in some time, barring any senior proms they might have played in recent years that we're not aware of.

When it comes to concert events tied to the Charity Preview, the Jonas Brothers concert Sunday at Joe Louis Arena is clearly the hot ticket, while the Doobies seemed like a place to stop while people waited for valet parkers to pull their cars up.

Category: Charity Preview

Jesse Palter keeps the mood jazzy at DADA party

Next door to the show floor in the Riverview Ballroom, the Detroit Auto Dealer's Association threw a swingin' soiree where local jazz songbird Jesse Palter played three 45-minute sets. Folks milled about and sipped cocktails while enjoying a stirring view of the Windsor waterfront. "The mood is good, attendance is strong, everybody is focusing on the good things Detroit has to offer," said Jason Huvaere, who produced the DADA event. "This is about bringing the best out of the basics. This is a great room with simple decorations and good people. The focus is on enjoying the Charity Preview for what it is, seeing old friends and supporting a good cause."

Category: Charity Preview

Charity Preview fashion: Comfort above all

Like many, Gail Fisher of Southfield wore a floor length black dress to the Charity Preview, but unlike many, she wore white tennis shoes on her feet. With inserts.

"I can't do heels!" Fisher explained. "But listen to this. You see all those girls walking around in little six inch heels? In about three more hours, they're gonna be looking at me and going, 'God, you're smart.'"

Fisher says she wears her tennis shoes to the Charity Preview every year. She said she noticed attendance was down this year, and thinks the Charity Preview folks should have done something more to goose ticket sales.

They sort of did, by tying in a Jonas Brothers concert Sunday at Joe Louis Arena, but Fisher said she wasn't interested. Her response when asked if she would be attending the show? "Ah, no."

Category: Charity Preview

Charity Preview a litte more modest, but still good looking

"The ambiance was gentler, the cars more responsible, and the people still looked fabulous." - Bill Hartman of Grosse Pointe, the design principal at Gensler, an architecture and design firm in Detroit

Category: Charity Preview

Downsized but still kicking

Detroit Winter Blast producer Jon Witz said the same economic realities that are hitting home for the Auto Show and the Charity Preview are affecting Winter Blast, as well, and will likely continue through to other events he works on, including the River Days festival and the Chrysler Arts, Beats and Eats festival.

But that doesn't mean they're closing up shop, they're just... retooling.

"These great events will continue, they just face some minor adjustments," he said. "There's still a great crowd, they're still raising millions of dollars for charity. The spirit of Detroit has to go on."

As for the Charity Preview itself, "there's not quite as many afterparties to look forward to," Witz said, "but we're excited to be here."

Category: Charity Preview

'This is the happiest group of people I've been around in a long time'

"To be honest with you," said Diana Boesky of West Bloomfield, "this, collectively, is the happiest group of people I've been around in a long time." Boesky, who was working as a makeup artist with WDIV (Channel 4), said the economy and the job situation in the area has had people feeling down lately, "but this is absolutely refreshing. It's a breath of fresh air right now to see so many people happy and enjoying themselves. It's fun, and everybody is smiling."

Category: Charity Preview

Dennis Archer is optimistic -- even about the Lions

Former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer was among those in attendance at the Charity Preview, and he could barely walk five feet with shaking a hand, nodding in recognition at someone, or shooting a wink someone's way.

Archer said that despite the noticably thinner crowds, the night is still "an outstanding tribute to the generosity of the community." Yes, the aisles weren't as jam-packed as in year's before and yes, the displays aren't as large in years past, but Archer says the Auto Show is still incredibly important to the community, and he said he read positive coverage of the Auto Show during the week while traveling in Washington, D.C. and Charlotte, N.C.

In addition to the auto companies' recent bailout, Archer thinks the Detroit Lions might have received a bailout, too, with the hiring this week of their new coach. "He comes from a winning team, and he may not have the experience of others, but if what you're looking for is talent, the talent is there, and you can always move up."

And hey, it's not like the Lions can go down any further, right?

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Category: Charity Preview

Barenaked Ladies

One of the two lead players in the band Barenaked Ladies said he toured the auto show during the Charity Preview and went up to one of the models carrying an "Ask me about Barenaked Ladies" sign. The model had no idea he was indeed one of the Barenaked Ladies.

The show was a big hit, although some of the older tuxedoed guests fell asleep despite the pop music. A funny bit was when the group played their hit "If I had a Million Dollars" and substituted Maserati for K-car in the lyrics.

Category: Charity Preview

Random thoughts

* Seemed like there were more people but fewer celebs than usual. Only celeb I know of was Ross, the intern from "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."

* There were 400 cases of Mumm Napa sparkling wine on hand, according to an Aramark representative.

* One of the attendees not drinking any sparkling wine was Jen Stevenson, 30, of Royal Oak, who is seven months pregnant. "It's baby's first Auto Show," Stevenson said. She said fellow attendees were very complimentary to her and she was able to stay comfortable all evening because of her shoes, which had a wedged heel. "Comfortable shoes, that's the key," she said.

* "This is exciting because it's like a family reunion," said Detroit City Council woman Martha Reeves. Reeves wore a black knitted floor length mink coat and a crocheted pink gown.