The Best Dates are in the City

So my boyfriend and I recently acquired his 21 year old son who moved back from Sweden. We’ve been showing him everything! He’s loving it so far but we noticed we don’t have so much alone time anymore. In response, we created ‘Date Night”. One night a week we’re going to go out and do some activity. Our first venture was so fabulous I decided to blog about it.

Date No. 1: Belle Isle
Now I’ve been going to Belle Isle regularly ever since I moved to Indian Village 18 years ago. I rollerblade and bike it regularly…by myself. The other night we decided to take the motorcycle over there. The sun was just setting and the sky changed from orange to blue-gray and there were some purple clouds hanging around. The green of the grass made me notice how well manicured the lawns were. People were everywhere enjoying the island.

We first cruised around the western tip which boasts the Scott Fountain designed by Cass Gilbert. It so lovely at dusk. Then we headed east past the Casino with it grounds where Cricket is played, past the deep-water fish habitat and Flynn Pavilion which is a great party rental location. When we got to the south pier, he asked if I wanted to stop! I was so excited. I hadn’t been on a pier in a while and quickly said yes. We walked just about all the way out to the end where another couple was watching the sunset but we left them their privacy. As we headed back in after taking in the views, a couple was fishing. As we said hello, the line pulled and we waited to see how good that first catch was. It came up empty but we wished them good luck for the rest of their evening.

We jumped back on the bike and worked our way past the Coast Guard, the driving range, the beach, waterslide and numerous picnic shelters with barbecues going. It was so exciting to see the island taken advantage of. There is a little traffic most summer nights now and the police do kick you off about 10PM but that keeps the island from getting trashed overnight.

Try Belle Isle on your next date night. Or on a date day – you could also take in the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, ride the giant slide (it’s more painful as an adult- but still fun) and soak up the Botanical Gardens. Sundays you can play kick-ball with pick-up teams on the baseball fields. The city is sponsoring movie nights in the band shell, too.

Its so worth it. Go.

Inside Detroit covers the 2010 Imagine Fashion Show

Click here to see the video!
2010 Imagine Fashion Show

Music, Cars, Sports, The first Street Light in the world, Art, Design, and now Fashion…Detroit’s ain’t nothing to mess with.

My love for this city has no bounds, her citizens are chock full of talent, ambition, dreams, innovation, pride. They are humble beings that are hard working, with ethics and principals; they believe in what they do. We all have what we love about this place. Personally, I have always leaned toward the music and the arts here. I’ve remained loyal for the past 15 years because there is plenty of room to flourish with my own music and art. Everyone you meet has a familiar gleam in his or her eye. With our strong DIY standard of living we are kindred spirits in a nationally underestimated environment. Each and every day is viewed as a new page upon which to write. We don’t have to look far to find something to revitalize our interests and passions.

One example of this transpired Wednesday, April 28th. I had the pleasure of being Inside Detroit’s Event Correspondent to the 2010 Image Fashion Show. The high profile event was hosted by the International School of Academy and Design and emceed by Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh with legendary musical guest The Contours!

With the show being set with the awe inspiring Fox Theater as the backdrop, there was no place I would have rather been that night. The Fox, architecturally, is my hands-down favourite historical venue in the city. This palace of theaters was built in 1929 by famed architect C. Howard Crane. With room for 5,000 comfortable rumps it comes second in size only to Radio City Music Hall in New York City and has the added appeal of being the very first theater in the world to be built with the capabilities to play film with sound. All of this and its in my own backyard. There’s something very exciting about that to me. And to be able to see some of our area’s top future clothing designers show their works at such a venue was heartwarming.

Here’s a bit of foreshadowing for you, I was floored. The pride and admiration that arises whilst catching some of Detroit’s musical greats such as the Henchmen or Misty, or brilliant area artists like Andy Krieger and Gerome Ferretti, was re-awakened. I was like “well, well, what do we have here?”

After a year of laborious work, more than 30 of the Academies top students showcased works ranging from their takes on the little black dress, street wear, wearable art, children’s wear, men’s wear, after 5 a Detroit inspired theme. Being one who adores fashion, I walked in a bit cynical about what was about to transpire. All doubts faded however, soon to be replaced by a swell of Detroit pride’ as one by one, an array of catchy and innovative clothing compositions caught and held the eye of the viewer while embracing their senses. The number of pieces alone was outstanding. The necessary skill was on a whole other level. The innovative garments were illuminated by flashes of stage light and camera, the movement of the pieces further emphasized by some of the areas most interesting and graceful models. Kudos to the hair and make up crew, as well as to the lighting team, everyone looked just fabulous.

The highlight of the evening was the intro to the after 5 line. A Las Vegas themed, no holds barred performance, with some of the areas most talented drag artists paying homage to glamorous women of the ages. It was jaw dropping; no one could deny the brilliant little quirks of the show. This line was beyond luxurious. With rich colours and unforgettable textures, these timeless treasures stroked my senses and the theatrics left an impression that will not soon fade. The classic wedding dress finale with a twist – it was made of paper! Absolutely stunning.

All in all, the judges definitely had their work cut out for them. They included Bessie Sneed from Saks, artist and designer Cynthia LaMaide, Natalie Robinson, shoe designer Tom Carbone, and Detroit’s very own men’s suit designer William Malcolm. Obvious to us all, was the love put into these pieces. And the pride on the artist’s faces engaged us as their models of all shapes, sizes, walks of life, attitudes, and passion decorated the catwalk with an excitable vibrance. The crowds ooohs and ahhhs added a nice tickle to the ear, and a tight performance by the legendary Contours, featuring Sylvester Potts, wraps the evening up, leaving all with smiles. Another layer of respect from me for what Michigan has to offer the world, and a lasting memory of getting to soak all of this in luxury at the Fox.

I’m proud to say that just as in music, art, sports and cinema, our designers are a force to be reckoned with my friends. A very stylish force.

I can’t wait till I see what they have up their sleeve next year.

A portion of the proceeds went to The Ronald McDonald House of Southeast Michigan If you would like to read more about this years finalists and winners or how to sign up for classes, please visit The International Academy of Design and Technology Online at: http://www.iadtdetroit.com/

Sandy Hopkins