Category: Event news
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 12:29 PMLittle Black Dress event benefits Capuchin Soup Kitchen
The Little Black Dress Charity Soiree is a chance for local singles to mix and mingle, while raising funds for a good cause. The event takes place Friday, Nov. 13 at the Ritz Carlton in Dearborn, and benefits the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.
The party includes a wine tasting from Little Black Dress wines, casino games, fashions, giveaways, and dancing with a DJ.
Tickets cost $35 and $65 for VIP. Tickets include gift certificates, chips for the casino games, and access to hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Buy six tickets and get one free. According to promoters, more than 500 guest attended the event last year. Visit www.littleblackdressevent.com for more information.
Category: Event news
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 2:29 PMExplore the DIA with Detroit's Young Professionals
Art After Dark is a fun after-work party put on by the Detroit Young Professionals group. This Friday, Nov. 6, DYPs are invited to view the Detroit Institute of Arts' latest exhibit "Richard Avedon Fashion Photographs (1944-2000)."
The party goes from 6-9 p.m. and coincides with the DIA's Friday Night Live, which includes live music, tours and drop-in workshops. Tickets to the Detroit Young Professionals event are $15 and include admission, desserts, access to a cash bar, and an exclusive invite to the afterglow at a nearby club.
Visit http://artafterdark.eventbrite.com for more information or to purchase tickets.
Category: Event news
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 12:13 PMRodriguez and other musicians to put on free show to help Donovan's Pub survive
Donovan's Pub at 3003 W. Vernor is a family-owned, friendly Detroit watering hole that has been hit by hard times in the recent years due to the Ambassador Gateway project. The construction of the project has made it hard for patrons to access the pub.
This Monday the bar will host a benefit show with performances by folk/rock songwriter Rodriguez, John Linardos of Motor City Brewing Works and songwriter Alison Lewis. The event is also a celebration of Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican-American celebration of family and friends who have died.
There is no cover, so use that savings to tip well and buy an extra round for friends. The music is set to start at 9:30 p.m. For more information call Donovan's Pub at (313) 964-2267.
Category: Event news
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 12:08 PMDetroit Science Center hosts "Science Rocks!" with Zoos of Berlin and more
Today the Detroit Science Center announced a fun upcoming event called "Science Rocks!"
On Nov. 19 the museum will host a performance by a handful of local indie-rock bands to remind older kids and adults how cool the Detroit Science Center is.
The evening includes a special showing of the IMAX film "The Alps." Indie-pop group Zoos of Berlin will play live along with the film. After the film there will be live sets by New Grenada, Lightning Love and I, Crime.
Tickets cost $20 ($15 for Science Center members), and include drink tickets. Woodward Avenue Brewers will be on hand with their craft beer. Visit www.detroitsciencecenter.org or call (313) 577-8400 ext. 467 for more information.
Category: Around Town
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 3:15 PMPJ's Lager House celebrates two years on Friday
It's been two years since PJ Ryder took over the Lager House in Corktown and slapped his name and a fresh coat of paint on it.
The celebration takes place Friday with a line up of local musicians performing songs by (and dressed as) bands such as Devo, the Velvet Underground, the Cramps, Modern Lovers, the Ramones, T-Rex and more. Cover is $5 and the fun starts at 9 p.m.
PJ's Lager House is at 1254 Michigan Ave. in Detroit. Call (313) 961-4668.
Category: Beer News
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 12:24 PMDetroit Beer Week kicks off today
In September, it was all about Detroit Restaurant Week. Now some of the city's best bars and brewpubs get the spotlight for Detroit Beer Week.
Today through Oct. 24 expect deals and beer-centric events at places like Slow's Bar BQ, Foran's Grand Trunk Pub, Park Bar, Motor City Brewing Works, Traffic Jam & Snug, Atwater Block Brewery, Detroit Beer Company, Wolfgang Puck Grille, Michael Symon's Roast, 24 Grille and Fender's Pub.
The crown jewel of Detroit Beer Week is the Harvest Beer Festival, which takes place in Eastern Market from 1-6 p.m. on Oct. 24. Tickets cost $35 in advance and $40 at the gate. Visit www.michiganbrewersguild.org for more information.
Category: Beer News
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Fri, Oct 9, 2009 at 5:21 PMBill to allow late-night and Sunday liquor sales is a good idea for Michigan
I was excited to read this article in The Detroit News this week about the state entertaining the passing of a law that would allow bars and retailers to sell alcohol until 4 a.m., and to allow Sunday morning alcohol sales. As a bar owner -- I'm a partner at Small's Bar in Hamtramck -- as someone who writes about bars, and as someone who was born and bred in Michigan, I find this to be a fantastic idea for multiple reasons.
First, it could generate $13 million-$14 million annually to the Michigan Futures Fund, which helps local police and fire services, something that is needed in many neighborhoods (I know it's needed in mine).
From a business standpoint, the more hours you have to serve your customers, the more money you can make. I'm not just talking about the owners, either.
Bartenders and servers who can work until 4 a.m. or before noon on Sunday will inevitably make more in tips. Being open later also could make it possible for bars and nightclubs to hire more live entertainment, which would mean more money and more jobs for entertainers. (Full disclosure: I'm also a musician.)
If this law passes, an establishment can, if they so choose, purchase a $1,500 a year permit that would allow them to extend sales to 4 a.m. and begin sales at 7 a.m. on Sundays.
According to The Detroit News article once the law passes both the house and the senate, the permits must be approved by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and local governments. That means bars or restaurants that have had violations in the past may have difficulty getting a permit to extend sales.
In my opinion, the law should go even further to allow liquor sales on Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day. Currently, it is illegal to sell alcohol from 9 p.m. Dec. 24 until 7 a.m. Dec. 26 (unless Dec. 26 is a Sunday, then it's noon). No other holiday has a booze restriction, and not everyone celebrates Christmas. I believe the current law is outdated.
However, the biggest argument against this new law is from people concerned the extended sales hours will increase incidents of drunken driving. While I don't think this "con" should be taken lightly, I do think the law's benefits are great enough to give it a try.
But one can't assume that people who stay at a bar until 4 a .m. will get drunk. Consider other workers in the service industry or those on the midnight shift. They may get off work at 1 a.m. and want to get a drink. Not everyone keeps 9-5 hours.
Because we haven't experienced this in Michigan yet, we really can't say what will happen. Many other cities, such as New York, which allow alcohol sales until 4 a.m. have greater access to public transportation.
Drunken driving is still illegal, however, and so is serving an intoxicated person.
People who are careless enough to drive drunk are going to do so regardless if last call is at 4 p.m. or 4 a.m.
Category: Beer News
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 4:41 PMBudweiser announces a 55 calorie beer
To one-up Miller's MGD Lite 64, Budweiser has come out with Select 55, a 12 ounce beer with just 55 calories and 1.9 carbs. To compare, Bud Select is just 99 calories and 3.1 carbs. A regular Budweiser is 145 calories and 10.6 carbs.
So how bad can it taste? I'm not sure yet. Select 55 is not yet widely available. According to www.budweiserselect55.com, the closest place you can try it is the Hooters restaurant at 32976 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville.
Category: Concert news
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 1:33 PMLive Nation offers two tickets for the price of one on Wednesday only
Live Nation is having another ticket blitz. Starting Wednesday morning at 12:01 a.m. and ending at midnight on Wednesday night, fans can get two-for-one tickets to upcoming concerts at the Fillmore Detroit.
Some of the concerts included in the deal are Hanson (Saturday), Paramore (Sunday), the Used (Oct. 17) and Dethklok (Oct. 21). Visit www.livenation.com to purchase tickets or get more information.
Category: Beer News
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 4:41 PMMichigan beers do well at the 2009 Great American Beer Festival
Over the weekend the 28th Annual Great American Beer Festival took place in Denver, CO. The fest invites beer industry professionals from around the world to blindly taste beers from a variety of categories and judge them. The GABF features more than 1900 beers from 400 breweries across the country.
Here's how Michigan's breweries did in this year's competition.
Gold Medal: Arcadia Ales' Cereal Killer Barleywine in the category of wood- and barrel-aged strong beer.
Silver Medals: Big Rock Chop House & Brewery's Red Rock in the category of Belgian-style lambic or sour ale.
Shorts Brewing Co.'s Bloody Beer in the category of experimental beer.
Redwood Brewing Co.'s Cream Stout in the category of sweet stout
Bronze Medals: Bastone Brewery's Saison Du Bastone in the category of French- and Belgian-style saison.
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales' Bam Bier in the category of session beer.
Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.'s 4th Dementia Old Ale in the category of old ale or strong ale.
