Your City 5: Fun Things To Do In Detroit For The Weekend Of April 20-22

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The weekend is almost here, and I am really looking forward to it. I hear the weather is actually going to feel spring like, so that’s exciting.

This weekend is also my 6th wedding anniversary. So we will be hitting the highway for a little road trip for a few days. We were originally going to head north, but after all that snow this weekend I’m going to take a hard pass. Who know’s where we will end up, but I’m up for an adventure.

So anyway, let’s get back to this week’s City 5. There are a ton of great events happening this weekend. I had a hard time narrowing them down, so I threw in a bonus.

Let’s get down to business.

Whiskey Experience 2018

I know, I know I had another Whiskey event in City 5 last week. But you know what, I don’t care because I really like whiskey. Plus, this event is for a good cause so it deserves to be here.

The Whiskey Experience is a benefit for the Luella M. Harden Foundation. The foundation is a local organization that raises money for college scholarships and also contributes to the Leukemia Society.

This event has everything; educational whiskey sampling, industry expertise, the Whiskey Experience 2018 Guinness Record Highball glass filled with Jim Beam and Faygo Ginger Ale, and an all you can eat buffet.

If you’re not in the mood for sampling whiskey they will also have some different cocktails available.

General admission tickets are $60 per person. Want the VIP treatment? Those tickets are $80. They also have discount tickets if you are the designated driver, so pick one of those up too.  You can pick up tickets here. All proceeds will go to the Luella M. Harden Foundation.

This should also go without saying but this event is 21 and over. Get a babysitter or drop those kids off at your mother in law’s house.

When: Friday, April 20 from 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Where: Eastern Market Shed 5 2934 Russell Street Detroit, Michigan 48207

The Chug-A-Lug

Do you like running? Do you also enjoy tasty cold beers? Do you ever think that the only think that would make a 5 mile run better is to make stops along the way to have a beer?

If this sounds like you, then you should sign up for the the 5th Annual Chug-A-Lug.

This event celebrates Detroit Champions’ Week. If you want to learn more about Detroit Champions’ Day and Week head over to the News Byte. Jer spoke with the organizer of the events last week.

Anyway, back to the Chug-A-Lug.

The fun run will start out at Nancy Whiskey and will end at McShane’s.

Just a few quick things. Drinks are not provided during the race, so be sure to bring some cash. You only have a limited amount of time at each bar. So no need to get slowed up with plastic. Also, bring your ID with you because this is a 21 and over event.

It’s too late to get a shirt, but you can still sign up for this free run here.

When: Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Where: Nancy Whiskey 2644 Harrison Street Detroit, Michigan 48216

Record Store Day

If you are a lover of music then you should probably already know that this Saturday is Record Store Day. This annual event is a celebration of the independent record stores around the world.

There are plenty of great indie record stores in Detroit and Hamtramck, so why not check one of them out.

Many of them will be participating in Record Store Day by having specials, new records, and live performances.

Some of our favorite record stores in Detroit and Hamtramck are: Peoples Records, Hello Records, Third Man Records, and Detroit Threads.

When: Saturday, April 21 

Where: Multiple locations 

Belle Isle Park Spring Clean-Up

Hopefully this weekend is nicer than last weekend because it’s time for the Belle Isle Park Spring Clean-Up!

Come out and celebrate Earth Day by polishing up Detroit’s Jewel.

The cleanup is island wide, so they can use all the volunteers they can get. If you do go to help out be sure to bring your own rake and work gloves. The DNR will supply lawn bags, but will have limited rakes and gloves.

Have a large group of 15 or more? Want to help clean up the canals in a kayak? Have a large truck and want to help out? Email Genevieve Nowak at the Belle Isle Conservancy to let her know you’re coming.

Recreation passport requirement will be waived for Spring Clean-up volunteers.

This year the Spring Clean Up registration and hot dog lunch will be located at the Belle Isle Athletic Complex.

When: Saturday, April 21 Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. and the island-wide clean up will go between 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 

Where: Belle Isle Athletic Complex on Belle Isle State Park 

Corrado Parducci-The Man Who Made Detroit Beautiful

I have had a long love affair with the work that Corrado Parducci did all over the city of Detroit.

If you love the ornamentation of the Penobscot Building, Guardian Building, Buhl Building, Masonic Temple and David Stott Building then you too are a fan of Parducci’s work.

This Sunday the you can see Jennifer Barross and Jack Johnson’s film Corrado Parducci: The Man Who Made Detroit Beautiful at the Masonic Temple.

You can check out the trailer to the film below.

As someone who has seen this film, I have to say it is pretty great.

There will be a tour before the film for people who purchase the VIP tickets.

Stick around after the film to hear the panel discussion with Barross, Jackson, and a Masonic Temple Historian. There will also be an organ performance after the panel.

General Admission tickets for the film are $10 but you can also get VIP Tickets for $25.  You can buy tickets here.

When: Sunday, April 22 the film starts at 3:00 p.m.

Where: The Detroit Masonic Temple 500 Temple Street Detroit, Michigan 48201

Bonus

Pewabic’s Member Appreciation Days

This week is the Member Appreciation Days at Pewabic. If you are a member already, I’m sure you already know this.
But if you have been toying with the idea of getting a membership to one of Detroit’s most iconic potteries I suggest getting it this week.
During the Member Appreciation Days members get up to a 20% off discount of Pewabic giftware purchases.
Pewabic’s Glaze Development Specialist Alex Thullen will be giving an artist’s lecture on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday artist Susanne Stephenson will give a gallery talk and popup at 1:00 p.m.
When: Pewabic’s Member Appreciation Days is Thursday, April 19 through Sunday, April 22.
Where: Pewabic is located at 10125 E. Jefferson Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48214