Yea, when Richard Florida talks Creative Class, his presentations are on Technology, Tolerance and Talent.  But having witnessed his pre and post presentation activities, what is practiced but not preached is the big ‘P’ - Party!  While it has been a while since Maxim made the call ranking Detroit number 7 on its top 10 party cities, The Detroit Regional Chamber reminded the development community in their e-newsletter today that there are more reasons to come to Detroit than just our engineering and design brilliance - you can party like Kid Rock too!

Another celebration of urban living is happening again this Friday at Willy’s Lofts, 444 West Willis in Midtown. Illuminate highlights recent urban residential developments in Detroit. Starts at 7, lasts till at least Midnight, and showcases food, music and art - what more do you need?

Making it happen: Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit, Slow’s BBQ, Majestic Cafe, R. Hirt Jr., Cost Plus wines and music courtesy of Detour Magazine.

$10 at the door helps StandUp for Kids and CAID. If you can’t afford the ten bucks, volunteer - Detroit Synergy can still use help on the day of the event.

Formerly known as TasteFest, this re-engineered music and food event that draws huge crowds downtown is also sporting a new Gallery Preview Party in the Fisher Theater lobby tonight at 8. Eleven artists work will be featured, kicking off a 5 day, 4 stage, 40 restaurant eating, drinking and merry making time. CityFest highlights the ‘D’s musical and entertainment diversity with local rock, rap, R&B, jazz, and more in the main music categories. Highlights include Weird Al and lots of local talent, including Revolva, displaying her exotic hoop routines & leading the way with the World Hoop Day July 7th (who knew the hoola hoop could get upscale!) If food, drink, music & entertainment aren’t enough, their is a skateboard exhibition area, the Detroit Derby Girls, and way more that you can see on the site. Head down to the D!

Actually we are talking Quatro De Mayo first, followed by the more traditional May 5th Mexican holiday. In it’s 3rd year, the Bash is being held at Cheli’s Chili Bar in downtown Detroit. With over 5,000 attending last year, and a stellar lineup of talent, not to mention some awesome Margaritas, this event will be THE way to spend this weekend in Metro Detroit! One day, two day or weekend / VIP passes are available online or at the door. Starting early Friday afternoon - 3pm - 20,000 feet of tequila swigging space, including Cheli’s rooftop will be available for your enjoyment.   Jody Raffoul,  That 80’s Band,  Killer Flamingo’s  and assorted DJ’s will  be providing latin themed and more current flavors of hot and spicy music to mix with the burrito eating contests and other great excuses to eat, drink and be merry.  Click the event website above for  all the sordid detail & to get tickets.

Come to FD Lofts from 7pm to 2am to experience the ‘D’s eye candy. ‘LAUNCH’, an event created by Sabra Sanzotta, Sarah Lurtz and Sarah Lapinski focusing on hot new Detroit fashion, concept cars, artwork, music - and of course food! This Creative Class Party will provide a celebration of Detroit’s fashion, music, urban loft living, and people connecting across regional boundaries. Talent not only from Detroit, but also from Toronto & Chicago will be strutting to a DJ in 10,000 sq. feet of party space.

Click the links above for additional information on the event, or click below to purchase your tickets.

Location: FD Lofts, 3434 Russell St, Detroit 48207 - in the Eastern Market.  Advance tickets $25 here

Passionate Detroiters have taken the winter doldrums and turned them into a reason to celebrate! The third annual Motown Winter Blast wrapped up at 9pm tonight, after kicking off Friday afternoon with DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan kids taking the first shot down the 200 foot long winterblast sledding hill. Jon Witz, organizer of the event & Mayor Kilpatrick were there to catch them and start the event. The weather was cool but cooperative this weekend, with dog sledding, skating, sledding, snowshoeing along with great music and food to keep everyone happy. Hope you made it down to the D!

DM Films are still looking for talented actors and actresses to co star alongside Clifton Powell , Rah Digga , Trick Trick and the original cast of Project 313 in DM Films new movie “The Bricks”. Auditions will be held Feb. 10th at Hoop City Grill. 25333 W. 12 mile, Southfield, Mi 48034. Auditions will start promptly at 3:00 and will stop taking applicants at 6:00” STAY AND NETWORK @ THE AFTER PARTY. FROM 10 til 2 AM

At the Rattlesnake this evening I got to bump elbows with the rock stars of the GM auto design world, people like Wade Bryant, Design Manager for Concept vehicle interiors (and other cool interior work), Therese Tant, Lead Designer for the new Cadillac Escalade and interior design team member of the hottest concept car at the auto show this year, the GM Volt.
But the real headliner, the lead designer for the Volt is a soft spoken native of Nigeria and ‘94 alumni of CCS, Jelani Aliyu. Jelani was excited and tired at the same time, having just completed a 10 month marathon sprint to bring the Volt to the show floor in time for the auto show.

The marathon started with tough competition amongst 8 designers and their concepts that were developed in 2 short months, with 7 of the 8 scale model concepts reviewed and eliminated.  Jelani’s model was selected to develop for the show.  Then the real work began with less than 8 months until showtime.  His design incorporates many design elements to complement the electric technology driving the car as well as his love of nature and the ergonomics of a vehicle one can enjoy nature in.  In that short time the diverse team took the original scale model to the well detailed series of full scale concept units and frame cutaways that are in the GM area of the show now. (more…)

CreateDetroit proudly presents - Connect Four

If you’re involved or want to be involved in any of the following fields >  Arts & entertainment, architecture & design, advertising & marketing, and media. < Then swing by Pulse Next Thursday. Shake some hands, exchange ideas and connect.
Thursday, October 26th - 5:00pm to 8:00pm

Pulse Martini Lounge - 156 Monroe - Detroit

Cash Bar / Appetizers Provided

Bringing the Creative Class Together

Connect Four Sponsors:

Picture by Velvet S. McNeil / The Detroit News
Eric Walsh serves drinks at Cliff Bell’s, a wood-paneled Detroit bar that opened for the Super Bowl and remained, unlike many businesses.

Months after Big Game, nightspots bet on Detroit

David Josar and Lisa M. Collins / The Detroit News

DETROIT — More than four months after Super Bowl XL came to downtown Detroit and left, most of the businesses that sprouted for the game are gone, but a handful of entrepreneurs have opened up to stay between the vacant storefronts.

These business pioneers say downtown Detroit is finally getting the makings of a top-notch destination strip for drinking, entertainment and food.

“There’s starting to get the feel of a restaurant district with people willing to drive two blocks off Woodward,” said Scott Lowell, 39, who opened Cliff Bell’s behind the Fox Theatre during the Super Bowl.

“It may not happen until I’m old and gray, but it’s going to happen.”

See the full article HERE