Why Warped Tour? Why?

For years I have attended Warped Tour in Detroit at the Comerica Park parking lot and it was and still is the perfect spot. Comerica, home of the Tigers. I can’t help but remember sound of the bellowing speakers as I walked closer and closer to the stadium and the feeling of the ground rumbling at my feet. This is what sent a chill down my spine every time. The excitement that possessed me as I imagined the havoc I was about to partake in. But that excitement was killed. Banished. Buried. Why this year they decided to move the event to The Palace is beyond me. I'm sorry, but I dislike almost every concert I have ever attended at The Palace. Carrie Underwood, Fall Out Boy, Lil Wayne...now that I see this in black and white, maybe that has nothing to do with the venue itself and everything to do with the "musicians" I wasted my precious hours viewing. Poor judgment and teenage haziness play a huge part in those choices. I'm sorry. This is a late apology solely to my present, much more musically appreciative self. Then again, the bands at Warped Tour have also reached the level of The Palace. Conformed, poppy and commercial. Comerica should not, I repeat, SHOULD NOT have been replaced by The Palace. Whether I attend or not is not the issue at hand, but the change in location. I loved that this took place right smack dab in the middle of downtown Detroit. Grabbing a bite to eat at the Hockeytown Café, getting lost and scared in the city and the local hobos singing us songs and playing instruments for a little bit of cash are all only memories now. The Palace is too secluded, too…safe. Much like the current music industry. 

The Everlasting Feeling of the Detroit Zoo

What kid does not love the zoo? As a matter of fact, what adult does not love the zoo? The Detroit Zoo is the highest paid family attraction in Michigan! It has at least over a million visitors a year! With that said, I'm sure many would also agree with me when I say that the zoo has been one of my favorite places of all time. The penguins, the lions, tigers and bears, oh my! Yes, I just recited one of the world's greatest cliché sayings of all time. Now, to revert from that comment, the way you view the zoo as you get older really changes, but the way it makes you feel kind of remains the same. That gitty, excited feeling you feel when you enter the gates and listen to all the animal noises coming from every end of the zoo, that’s called your inner child. For only 14 bucks a person, you are given the opportunity to witness the lifestyles of creatures you don’t see everyday. Peacocks walking past you as you conjure up every possible way to get them to spread their beautiful tail feathers, the creepiness of the snakes, iguanas and crocodiles slithering in the reptile house, the undying hope that you will get to hear the fierce roar of a lion at least once as you visit their den and the awe as you watch the polar bears swim above your head in the polar passage. So many memories are created at the zoo. There is one memory I will never forget from when I was little girl when a butterfly landed on my hand. There is a picture of this moment lingering somewhere in this world and I wish I could find it, because it was one of those once in a lifetime moments; it has never happened since. I try every time I visit the butterfly room and fail miserably. I have an obsession with capturing the perfect pictures when I visit any place that is special to me. So, the last time I visited, I was determined. Usually, when I visit the lions they just lay there, lifeless, but my luck changed. This was no butterfly picture, but it was pretty damn close.  

Am I a dork for loving the fact that I captured this moment? It doesn't even matter, because I am so happy about it. If you love this as much as I do, there are jobs available for zoo photographers! Also, if you're an animal lover, there are endless volunteer opportunities, if you just visit http://www.detroitzoo.org/volunteers/volunteering-detroit-zoo and just fill out an application, you'll be in! The zoo never gets old, there are always new attractions for kids and so many animals for them to marvel at! During my research, I found this Detroit Zoo commercial and just wanted to leave you off with a little taste of the 80's. 

Save Detroit!

For way too long, Detroit has been viewed in a negative light. And by negative, I mean "murder capital of the US", "the ghetto" and "not worth visiting anymore."  Years and years have gone by, as well as Detroit's visitors/occupants. The rundown homes, the increase in crime and poverty have risen substantially, reaching about 90,000 vacant homes. Every time I drive around down there I try to ignore, but can’t help but stare in sadness at the abundance of home, deteriorated. The shattered windows, chipped paint, broken-down porches, and complete and utter emptiness are all so impossible to overlook.

 I was down there a week ago with my mom (she hadn’t been down there in years) and she couldn’t help but gasp at the scenery we drove by. “This is so sad,” she said. “I can’t believe this happened.” From other older people, I’ve heard “Detroit used to be my home; it used to be so beautiful.” “I remember playing as a kid, running around in the streets without a care. That doesn’t happen anymore.”  When I see all of this or hear all of this, it makes me sad. It makes me wonder, where it all went wrong. What can we do to fix it? I know there has to be a way. This is my way of thinking…If you can build a whole city the way every city has been built then you can fix one too. The question is what is being done? So far what I’ve heard is news of this renowned business man named, Dan Gilbert. 

I guess he is very well known for his business tactics. He is the founder and chairman of Quicken Loans Inc. I know many people my age (23) or around my age know or know of someone who works there. It is a huge business that distributes loans. He recently started one of these company buildings right out of Detroit for the sake of bringing about a young, innovative population into the city. Right now, he is our hope and our possible salvation. He has the assets and the brains to do so. He now owns about 17 buildings in Downtown Detroit, as well as parking structures. He is planning on renovating the Greektown Casino, because of its loss of money and customer base. It is the smallest of all the casinos in Detroit, therefore he is brainstorming new ideas to make it just as, if not more appealing than MGM and Motor City Casinos. He recently gathered 400 business and civic leaders to discuss the renovation of the city. He is clearly determined to fix years of damage and lost hope. If you ask me, he looks like a good candidate for next mayor of Detroit. He would have my vote!

Detroit Restaurant Week!!

I'd like to find and kiss whoever thought of restaurant week. Now, I've been to the one in Royal Oak and the one in Troy, but never in Detroit and it's coming up so soon! Starting Friday the 19th to Sunday the 28th! If you've never been to a restaurant week, you should definitely jump on the band wagon this year, it's awesome and just 30 bucks a person for three huge course meals. The fact that it is going to be held in Detroit this year only makes it that much more exciting. I know what you're thinking, ugh Detroit, it's too scary down there. No need to be fearful its right in the heart of downtown and only offering fine dining, such as Brizola, Cliff Bell's (as I wrote about in one of my previous blogs), Fountain Bistro, the infamous Roast and finally The Whitney. I'm sure some of these you have heard of them and some of them not, but I assure you there are worth a shot and for only 30 bucks!

Brizola is a new restaurant located in the Greektown Casino, overlooking the city with its eyeopening window space.

Fountain Bistro is modern, yet fancy bistro located right at Campus Martius Park, you won't miss the fountains streaming outside of it.

 Roast is a huge restaurant, about 8,000 square feet, deemed restaurant of the year and appeared on the Food Network several times. I would say this ones a no brainer on trying.

 

 The Whitney was voted best restaurant for romance in 2012, it looks just like an old three-story victorian mansion. If you want to feel like Jack and Rose during that fancy dinner on the Titanic, try this place, its breathtaking.

To make reservations, or sign up visit http://www.detroitrestaurantweek.com.

The Heidelberg Project

How many types of art can you say attracts all types of people? Young and old? Rich and poor? If you ask me, not much. This is the type of art that evokes awe in anyone who lays their eyes upon it. It is not displayed within the confines of a museum, art gallery or school. It is displayed on the streets within a two block radius in a rundown neighborhood of Detroit. 3600 Heidelberg Street to be exact. They call this "The Heidelberg Project." It is an outdoor art gallery in an urban community, open for the world to see. Founded by Tyree Guyton for the purpose of free expression. To entertain, to intrigue and speak through the art of symbolism. They take what most people would believe is trash and create their own masterpiece. Who are they? They are local artists hoping to spring some color and happiness into the streets of Detroit. They are trying to influence others to also want to make a change in the broken down streets of our home.

Many of the pieces displayed are attempts at telling stories, usually stories of currents events and issues in our society. For this, there was a bit of a cause for controversy, which resulted in a demolition of Guyton's art gallery twice, both in 1991 and 1999. Now, who would do such a thing? One of the many unanswered questions of life. The only thing I can tell you is to get your butt down here and check out this ever-changing, ever-blooming and ever-colorful FREE art gallery. Visit the website, there are many ways to get involved and help out!

A 30's Time Warp

Small space, antique decor, good music and good vibes makes up everything that Cafe D'Mongo's is. During winter of last year, my boyfriend and I decided to watch his friend Steve play at this little place. I had no idea what to expect, but as much as I love music and trying to new things, I couldn't pass this up. In secluded area on 1439 Griswold street sits a little hip place called Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy. Yes, I said speakeasy and that's exactly what it looked and felt like. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by a nice little old lady. It was tiny, but full of people. All kinds of people. Old. Young. Trendy. Plain. Everyone was so different, yet encompassed one similar attitude. Carefree. Happy. Ready to relax, sip on some whiskey, wine, beer, any drink of their choice. We tried to find a place to sit and no seating area was the same as the other. There were antique gold couches, bar stools and picture frames set upon overbearing, deep green walls. Every inch of these walls were covered in random toys, guitars, frames, maracas, trumpets; if you can play, its on the wall.

Although, it was a bit run down, it was so authentic and fun you barely notice it. As Steve started playing, everyones eyes fell upon him. Everyone was engulfed in the music, as were we until a waitress approached us asking if we wanted food. She did not take our order, she asked if we wanted food. FREE FOOD. Never in my life have I been offered free food at a bar/restaurant. This is now my favorite place. They asked us if we wanted spaghetti with marinara sauce or fettucini Alfredo. 

We were happy, but a little weary. If they were giving out free food, how good can it taste? They brought us our food and we braced ourselves before we dug in. Pleasantly surprising it was actually really good. For free food, we had absolutely no complaints. The bar was swarmed with people screaming out their favorite drinks, while we sat enjoyed the music, scenery and people watching. Word on the street is, Larry Mongo, the owner of the place was offered a roll in Ryan Gosling's new movie (shot in Detroit) called "How to Catch a Monster." He decided he did not want to get paid for the roll, yet to donate his payroll to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Another reason to visit this place. The owner is obviously very generous! Overall, I fell in love with this place. It was the perfect depiction of a speakeasy. I would most definitely go back again. It was different. Nothing like you'd find in the suburbs. It screamed culture and I love that.

Carnivore Heaven

Every time I had visited Detroit, I would pass by this place in awe. Not that there was anything overtly special about the outer appearance, but to a meat-lover like me, it looked like a heaven. I always heard good things about Brazilian foods and their meats on swords and what not, but I did not expect the experience to be so memorable when I finally ventured out. My boyfriend decided to take me out for a birthday dinner, but he wouldn't tell me where. As we strolled down Woodward Avenue, I took in the scenery until I saw a huge sign that stole my complete attention. 

I felt a rush of excitement take over me as we approached the place I would finally get to try! But we kept going...that rush was quickly replaced with disappointment. "I would love to try this place one day." I said I pouted like a 10-year-old girl. "Good, cause that's where we're going." He replied as he grabbed my hand and pulled me back to the door. My face immediately lit up. "You're just a little trickster, aren't ya?" He shot a prideful smile, knowing he'd done well. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted as if we were guests of utter importance. "Good evening. Welcome to Texas De Brazil." The manager also greeted us, making us feel as comfortable as we could feel, being newbies and all. The staff was obviously very well-trained. As we sat down, we were given a spiel to inform us of how the restaurant worked. First, we are served these wonderful doughy, bread balls. I'm not sure what they were filled with, but they were buttery, soft and amazing. Next, we were given caramelized plantains, as we generously fill our plates with anything and everything from the all-you-can-eat salad bar. This salad bar was the most equipped of any salad bar I have ever seen. The Alpha of all salad bars. It gave a whole new meaning to ALL-you-can-eat. I truly thought I was in heaven, but I hadn't reached there yet. There were the obvious choices of soups and salads, but those were trumped by the display of sushi, shrimp, purscuitto, fruits, veggies, mozzarella balls, scalloped cheesy potatoes and much much more. As soon as we went back to our seats, our napkins were refolded! Talk about a prompt staff. We We went back to the salad bar at least 2 more times. We were tempted and we gave in. We were full before the main course, but that did not stop us. 

Then, it was time for the real buffet. The meats on swords I kept hearing about! 

We were informed that servers would come by, one after the other with a different meat on their sword. We had at least 7 different meats. Sausage, Ribeye, ham, honey steak, ribs, more types of beef I don't remember and my favorite, bacon wrapped chicken breast! Not only, do you get this non-stop supply of meat, but mashed potatoes and more plantains! You are given a cardboard coin type thing, which is green on one side and red on the other. When you leave it on the green side, that means you want to keep being served, when it is on the red side, you've given up for a while until you are ready to indulge again. As you can see below, he was content at the moment. The meats were cooked to perfection. Now, we were in heaven. 

Finally, we decided to fit in one last thing, because everything else was so perfect, we had to try desert. Plus, it was my birthday! We did not receive a free dessert, which is completely fine, but they didn't let my special day go unnoticed. 

So cute! Being the cheesecake fiend that I am, I can be a little hard to please in this department, but they did not disappoint. This cheesecake was phenomenal. I was beyond full and ready to explode, but I ate the entire thing. They also gave me something to fill out so that I would receive a free meal on my next birthday! My overall opinion on this place is that it was out of this world! I rarely ever say that about restaurants, but this fit the bill. At 40 bucks a plate, for non-stop service and great service at that, the manager checked on us at least 3 times and was very personable, I was overly satisfied. Physically and mentally. The only problem was, we could barely walk back to the car, we were so fall we couldn't stand straight, but it was worth it!