Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

As of last night, our Detroit Tigers are in sole possession of first place in the AL Central with 7 games left in the regular season. Let’s savor this moment. Go Tigers!

From a poetry reading by a Pulitzer prize winner to a street art segway tour, there are tons of things to do in Detroit this weekend. If you’re looking to celebrate the beautiful fall season, be sure to check out our post on cider mills, corn mazes and beer festivities.

Get out there and enjoy Detroit!

Weekend Roundup

1. Phillip Levine reading - The Detroit-born urban poet, Pulitzer prize winner and 2011-2012 U.S. Poet Laureate will read from his works at the DIA. September 27th.

2. Fall Flavor Weekends in Greenfield Village - Taste the flavors of the season with cooking demonstrations, Local Roots product samples and more. Can you smell the simmering pork chops and freshly made biscuits? Mmmm. September 29—30, October 6—7.

3. Detroit Restaurant Week - Make your reservations! Enjoy a three-course meal at 17 Detroit restaurants including Atlas Global Bistro, Roast and La Dolce Vita. September 28—October 7.

4. Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds - It's the perfect time of year for a horror flick! Catch this Hitchcock classic on the big screen at the beautiful Redford Theatre with a special appearance by Tippi Hedren. Plus real butter on your popcorn and an organ concert! September 28—29.

5. The Gritty Segway Tour - Zoom around Detroit while standing! This tour focuses on street art and takes you through downtown, Eastern Market, the Dequindre Cut, the Heidelberg Project and the East side. September 30th.

Bonus: This is last weekend of the Michigan Renaissance Festival

Double Bonus: Plymouth Restaurant Week

Triple Bonus: The Carhartt Workshop with Phil Cooley, Chazz Miller & Mike Score

Do you know of a great event going on in Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!

Detroit Fall Fun: Cider Mills, Corn Mazes & Beer

Left: Franklin Cider Mill Right: Tashmoo Biergarten

The leaves in Detroit are beginning to change color and the air is slightly crisper. Boots and sweatshirts are given pride of place in the closet and football can be heard in the background. Yes, the fall season has arrived in Detroit!

With fall comes seasonal activities that only come around once a year. I’m talking about cider mills, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and great occasions to drink beer. Yeah, I know, you don’t really need a special occasion to drink beer.

In the metro Detroit area and all throughout Michigan we take cider mills for granted. When I lived in Milwaukee and Chicago, I would ask the life-long locals where the nearest cider mills were only to be greeted with blank stares. Embrace the cider mills, people! And the corn mazes! Especially, the beer!

Cider Mills

Yates Cider Mill – The big red barn, the trails and the water-powered apple press remind me of my childhood. Add in the pony rides, petting zoo and other activities and make a day of it. This is a great place to bring the kids or go on a romantic date. September through November.

Franklin Cider Mill – Nestled in quaint Franklin Village, this little gem seems miles away from the hustle and bustle. I love this cider mill because it’s only a few miles from home and I can stop by for cider and donuts anytime without making a day of it. Besides cider and donuts, they offer pies, pumpkins, roasted corn, jam, cheese and beef jerky. September through November 25th.

Blake Farms – An orchard where you can pick your own fruit and vegetables plus hayrides, a haunted barn, straw mountain, petting farm, corn maze, train rides and bunnies! This is a place that you can enjoy all day and take home some tasty treats.  Through October.

Miller’s Big Red – Fun for the whole family begins with cider and donuts and ends with a petting farm, straw mountain and corn maze (free during the week). They also have haunted hayrides that begin at dusk. Through Oct. 28th.

Corn Mazes

Izzi Farm Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch in Ira Township will delight with a corn maze, moonlight maze and pumpkin patch out in the country. Pack up a picnic basket and bring your friends and family along for a lovely day. September through October 28th.

DeBuck’s Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch, located in Belleville, boasts 13 acres of trails, a giant corn maze and a pumpkin patch. For added fun check out the pedal go-karts, corn cannons and a super slide. September through October 28th.

Charles L. Bowers School Farm in Bloomfield Hills offers a beginner, intermediate and advanced corn maze plus a haunted maze. They also have wagon rides, farm animals, pumpkins, smore’s and donuts. September 29th through October 28th.

Beer

The Dakota Inn Rathskeller – Bring your chicken hats, Oktoberfest is in full swing at this Detroit institution. It just doesn’t get any better than beer, German food, an oompah band and chicken hats. Through October 27^th.

Tashmoo Biergarten – Having just started last year, Tashmoo is the new fall tradition in Detroit. Head to the West Village and enjoy our very own European style outdoor beer garden on three weekends in October. Weekends only, October 13­—28th

Blocktoberfest – The aforementioned Tashmoo teams up with Detroit’s Atwater Brewery to celebrate 15 years of brewing in the Rivertown district. Beer, food, and community. October 20^th.

Detroit Beer Festival takes over Eastern Market for the fourth year in a row. Over 50 Michigan craft brewers are expected to offer 300 different beers. Plus local bands and food. October 26—27.

What are your favorite fall places and events in metro Detroit?

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

For the record, fall—or autumn to you super-formal types—is my favorite season. Yes, it has a little to do with the fact that my birthday and anniversary fall in fall. Mostly though, I love fall because you get to wear sweatshirts and jeans and marvel at the beautiful changing colors. Cider and donuts (or is it doughnuts?) don’t hurt either.

But…I had to scrape ICE off of my windshield yesterday morning. September 19^th is technically still summer, Mother Nature! That was uncalled for and I won’t have any more of it. Get with the program and let us enjoy this beautiful season.

Now, get out there and enjoy all the wonderful things to do in Detroit!

Weekend Roundup

1. Eastern Market After Dark (Facebook link) - The market isn't just for fruit and veg anymore! Take a self-guided tour of the creative side of Eastern Market including Red Bull House of Art, Signal Return, Salt & Cedar and OmniCorp Detroit. September 20th.

2. Detroit Design Festival 2012 - 60 events, over 70 venues and 300 designers featured in 5 days! The DDF brings the community together to execute ideas using retail, technology and design to improve quality of life in and around Detroit. Full list of events. September 19—23.

3. Park(ing) Day (Facebook link) - Head to the Cass Corridor and transform metered parking spaces into public places. The idea behind this global event is to create more places for humans instead of cars. September 21st.

4. Hopscotch Detroit - From Campus Martius to the Wayne State University campus, 4 miles of Detroit will be turned into a (hopefully) world record setting longest hopscotch. Hop on over and create your own chalk art! September 22nd.

5. Joe Louis Arena Open Skate - Have you ever dreamed of skating on the same ice as the Detroit Red Wings? Now is your chance! (Tickets are limited and the only slot left is 9am-10am.) September 22nd.

Bonus: Detropia (Now playing at the Ren Cen 4, Main Art in Royal Oak & the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor.)

Super Bonus: The Detroit Party Marching Band Bus Crash

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

Would you like to see a cool, new business in Detroit? Hatch Detroit is offering one of 10 lucky entrepreneurs a chance to win $50,000 to start their dream business. How about kayak rentals on the Detroit River, vegan food, a wine bar, or a permanent space for Tashmoo Biergarten?

Cast your vote for your top four choices and one of these ideas could become reality in Detroit. Do it! And then get out there and enjoy Detroit!

Weekend Roundup

1. DIY Street Fair 2012 - Ferndale hosts one of my favorite fests of the year this weekend featuring arts and crafts, food, music and craft beer. If that's not enough for you, walk across the street to the Funky Ferndale Art Show. September 14—16.

2. 313 Scavenger Hunt - Do you think you know Detroit? Test your smarts about Detroit's historical and cultural institutions while having a fun time with your friends. September 15th.

3. Battlefield 3 Double XP party (Facebook link) - Calling all gamers, this one is for you! Trinet's Division-G gaming center in Ferndale and Icrontic are teaming up for this gaming extravaganza. September 15th.

4. Belle Isle Aquarium Grand Reopening - The Albert Kahn designed aquarium originally opened in 1904 but closed its doors in 2005. It will now be open on Saturdays from 10am-3pm and admission is free! September 15th.

5. Detroit Cornhole Championship 2012 - Head to Roosevelt Park and put your skills to the test! Are you a cornhole talent? Toss your bean bags and see how you fare. (Registration ends on Thursday, 9/13.) September 16th.

Bonus: Tour de Troit (Registration is closed but 100 riders will be accepted the morning of the ride.)

Do you know of a great event going on in Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

The Detroit Lions open the season at Ford Field this Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. We’re hoping for an even better season than last year. Of course, college football is happening and the Tigers are still battling for a playoff berth.

Get out there and enjoy Detroit!

Weekend Roundup

1. Detroit Navy Week - Celebrate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 when the Navy comes to town! Meet sailors (hubba hubba) and learn about the Navy, free tours of ships, Navy Band performances and a tribute concert. Through September 8th.

2. Rochester Arts & Apples Festival - Michigan's second largest juried fine art fair plus live entertainment, food, kids activities and more. September 7—9.

3. Michigan Renaissance Festival - Meat on a stick, need I say more? Step back in time to the 16th century and enjoy sword fighting, jousting, juggling, crafts and FOOD. Weekends through September 30th.

4. Fairy House and Terrarium Workshop - Visit the fairy tale exhibit at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, sit down for a story at Josephine's playhouse and craft your own fairy out of natural materials. September 8th.

5. Dally in the Alley - Head down to the Cass Corridor for this annual music and art street fair that is uniquely Detroit. September 8th.

Bonus: The Dennis Coffey Group at the DIA

Double Bonus: Old Car Festival

Do you know of a great event going on in Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!