It's the Cat Days of Summer at Detroit Animal Care and Control

Throughout the past year we have told you about some great dogs available at Detroit Animal Care and Control. Well, did you know that DACC also has cats? This weekend, they are moving their focus to the cats that are in their shelter with Cat Days of Summer. This Saturday and Sunday, August 1st and 2nd, the adoption fees will be waived for cats and the Friends of DACC will be allowing you to come indoors to meet the cats. However, only 1 family at a time will be allowed in the room to meet the cats and social distancing will be practiced. Also be sure to bring your mask and a driver license or state ID in case you find a great match. 

Detroit Animal Care and Control is located on the I-75 south service drive at 7401 Chrysler Dr. They will be open from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. this weekend. No appointment is needed, just ring the back doorbell and let the volunteers know that you are interested in adopting a cat. 

~C

See the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Perform Outdoors for Free this August

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has announced a new Summer Series of socially distant concerts that will take place all over the City of Detroit this August. Each performance will feature a mixture of musicians from the orchestra and very strict social distancing practices. This will include temperature checks at the door and wearing a mask. Tickets to attend the show are free, but there will not be more than 100 people allowed to attend so that everyone can keep 6 feet of space from one and another. This means that if you want to attend, you need to get your tickets in advance! Click on the date you want to attend and reserve your tickets today!

Wednesday, August 5 at 7 p.m. - Sosnick Courtyard
Sunday, August 9 at 12 p.m. - Robert C. Valade Park
Wednesday, August 12 at 7 p.m. - Sosnick Courtyard
Sunday, August 16 at 12 p.m. - Dequindre Cut Freight Yard
Wednesday, August 19 at 7 p.m. - Sosnick Courtyard
Sunday, August 23 at 12 p.m. - Gabriel Richard Park
Wednesday, August 26 at 7 p.m. - Sosnick Courtyard

~S

Vintage Eastern Market - Your New Favorite Antique Shop

A trip to Eastern Market never seemed complete without a stop at Eastern Market Antiques. You never knew what you would find when you stepped in side the two story treasure trove. That's why were really sad to hear that they were closing their doors this past fall. The closure came about when a new developer purchased many of the properties in the Eastern Market District. Due to the new ownership, many market staples were forced to close.

However, if you travel just a few blocks up the street, there is a new antique shop that you can add to your weekend ritual. Vintage Eastern Market actually opened its doors earlier this year, however we just discovered the shop last weekend. We had noticed some antiques outside of the storefront on Division Street during our last few visits to the market, but we finally decided to stop and check it out. What appeared to be a small little shop from the outside was actually so much more when we stepped inside.

Vintage Eastern Market is the new home of many of your favorite vendors from Eastern Market Antiques. The shop is actually a few rooms, not just the one small room that we first thought. It is like a slightly smaller, cleaner, and newer version of our old favorite. This time, the spaces are all spread across one floor and there were even some items out in the backyard, in addition to the sidewalk. You can find anything from antique furniture to vintage postcards and sports memorabilia at the booths inside.

We highly suggest that you make a stop at Vintage Eastern Market if you haven't already. The market is located at 1515 Division St., just down the street from the Eastern Market parking behind Shed 4. Their hours are Tuesday thru Friday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop on items available and happenings at the shop. 

"Purple Rain" Showing at the Cinema Detroit Drive-In

A few weeks ago, we told you that drive-in movie theatres are making a comeback. Since regular movie theatres currently aren't allowed to reopen, moviegoers are looking for other ways to see a flick on the big screen. Well, since drive-ins are getting so much business, some other businesses and venues are getting in on the action.

This Friday, July 24th Cinema Detroit will be hosting their own drive-in movie. They will be showing Prince's Purple Rain at 1151 Taylor Street in Detroit. Cars will be spaced out with 6' between them and you must wear a mask when you leave your car. Tickets for the show are $15 a person or $12 for Cinema Detroit Members. You can purchase your tickets online here. The gates will open at 8 p.m. and the movie starts at 9:30, no late arrivals will be admitted. For a full list of rules and additional information, visit the Facebook event page.

Tickets for this one are going fast! So don't wait to buy yours!

~C

It's FREE to Take a Walk at the Cranbrook Gardens this Summer!

Everyone needs an escape from the daily grind, especially after being locked down for the last 4 months. But, it's been hard to find "safe" places to visit. All of the uncertainty around me has made me feel extra anxious so I decided to try something new. This weekend, I hopped on my bike and made my way to the Cranbrook House and Gardens to see what it was all about. I am happy to report that I found one of the best social distancing destinations around, so I wanted to share it with all of you!

The Cranbrook House and Gardens are 40 acres of impeccable walking trails, flowers, statues, fountains, lakes, and streams. There are gorgeous buildings to look at, trees to relax under, and Instagram worthy places to get that perfect shot for the gram. I even got to hear the church bells echo through the gardens as I strolled around the butterfly garden. Yeah, there is a butterfly garden, and it's only one of 30 different things to see as you walk around the space. You can peep a full map of everything here. There are also different flowers blooming throughout the season so the gardens will keep changing as the season progresses. To see a full list of flowers that are currently in bloom click here. The only drawback to visiting during COVID-19 is that there are no bathrooms and there is no water running through the water features. So, make sure you prepare yourself to not need to use the facilities when you are walking around!

Cranbrook House and Gardens are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. seven days a week. It is free to visit and walk around through October 31st. You can park (for free courtesy of PNC Bank, All Seasons Independent Living, fleurdetroit, and Roberts Restaurant Group) or chain up your bike at the entrance and then explore. If you need to get out, I highly recommend that you visit Cranbrook, the beauty will give you a much-needed boost! I left smiling ear to ear and feeling a lot less restless.

~S

"Movie Nights in the D" are Back

This past weekend, movies in the park returned to Campus Martius. There's nothing quite like watching a movie under the stars in the summer. So we are excited to see that Movie Nights in the D are not cancelled for the season. Of course, due to COVID-19 things are going to be a little bit different this season.

First, and most importantly, you can't just show up to Campus Martius to watch a movie this summer. Instead, to maintain a safe environment and allow for social distancing, attendees must first register online. To still allow room for plenty of people to attend, the organizers have added an afternoon showtime, in addition to the evening showing. So now there are 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. showings. When you go online to register here, you will have the option of what movie/date you would like to attend, what time, and if you plan to bring your own blanket or chairs, or if you would rather use park seating. Even though registration is required, the movies are still free to attend.

This Saturday, July 18th, Harriet is the featured film. Check out the rest of the schedule for the summer below.

July 25: Knives Out

August 1: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

August 8: Frozen II

August 15: Oceans 8

August 22: Ford v. Ferrari

August 29: Back to the Future - 35th Anniversary

~C

Help Keep Belle Isle Beautiful this Saturday

Over the past few months during this pandemic, many of our favorite places haven't been open. Until recently, most restaurants and stores were closed, and so were most museums. Casinos, movie theatres, bars, and venues all still continue to be closed. But, one thing that was open through it all were our parks. Like most, we have spent a lot of time out in nature lately, going for walks and bike rides, or having picnics. Parks are a great way to get out of the house and have a change of scenery, while still maintaining social distancing.

One of the area's most beloved parks is Belle Isle, and over the past few months, it has definitely seen its share of visitors. This Saturday, July 18th, Belle Isle needs you to be there for it, like it has been there for you during this difficult time. There is a monthly public cleanup taking place from 9:30 a.m. until noon. The group will be meeting up outside of the Belle Isle Aquarium. The cleanup efforts will take place outdoors and mainly on land, although those with kayaks or water vessels are encouraged to bring them. The group will be collecting trash and helping to "prevent plastic pollution and other littered items from polluting our park and its waterways". Gloves and bags will be provided and CDC recommendations will be followed to keep everyone safe.

If you can't make it to this Saturday's cleanup, there will be other opportunities coming up on August 15th and September 19th. For more information on this event, head over to the Facebook event page.

~C

The Night Market Returns to Beacon Park

Photo from Beacon Park's Facebook Page

After months of businesses being closed and events being canceled due to COVID-19, things are beginning to reopen. Of course, the summer of 2020 doesn't feel quite like our past summers, but there is still fun to be had. In fact, one summer favorite made its comeback this past weekend, the Night Market at Beacon Park.

The Beacon Park Night Market features shopping, food, and craft beverages all from local vendors. It will also feature live music from local acts! All of this will be done while keeping social distancing in mind. To do so, the park has released the following guidelines:

1. Stay home if you feel sick
2. Masks or face coverings are required
3. Maintain 6ft of physical distance between others
4. Frequently use hand washing stations located in every park

The Night Market is currently set to take place every Saturday until the end of August. The event runs from 7 p.m. until midnight and admission is free. For a list of vendors that will be on-site at the market this Saturday, visit the Facebook event page here. For updates on the Night Market and who will be there, keep an eye on Beacon Park's Facebook page.

~C

The Vegan Film Festival Goes Virtual for 2020

2020 was supposed to be a big year for the International Vegan Film Festival. After two successful years, they were going to take the show on the road to preview the 2020 films in different towns and cities across the globe. COVID-19 put a wrench in their plans, but it didn't stop them from making a plan B. The team @ IVFF adapted and took this year's festival virtual to create an online event where vegans and non-vegans from all over the world can gather to celebrate a plant-based lifestyle and to learn a little bit more about what veganism is and why people choose to live animal-free. 

This Saturday, July 18th We Animals Media and IVFF will be premiering the five short films that were going to be part of this year's show. Then, they will be hosting a Q & A with Founder and Director of WAM (We Animals Media), Jo-Anne McArthur, and Filmmaker and Multimedia Producer, Kelly Guerin. The evening will include showings of Gold Doesn't Rust: The Failing Standard of Animal Testing and Its Alternatives, Reclaim, Promises, Undercover, and The Farm in My Backyard. You can see previews of all the films here.

Tickets to attend the virtual event are only $10 and they can be purchased here. The show will start at 8:30 p.m. EST this Saturday, but don't worry if you can't tune in live. Ticket holders will be able to replay the event in its entirety for a few weeks after the live show.

​WAM's mission is to bring visibility to hidden animals worldwide through compelling photography and film. This virtual event is only one of the ways that they are showcasing and supporting the vegan community. They are also currently hosting a photo essay content that you can enter through August 31st of this year. You can find out more about that content here.

If you are wondering what veganism is, this is a great place to find out a little bit more from the privacy of your own home. Tune in!

~S

The Motown Museum is Reopening!

Smokey Robinson and a Friend in front of Motown Museum in 1967

Arts and culture are the lifeblood of Detroit, but thanks to COVID-19 many of our public spaces have been shut down for most of 2020. Thankfully, we are beginning to learn how to live in this new world and some of the city's best places to take in art and culture are ready to open back up. The DIA and Michigan Science Center reopened last week with new practices in place to protect their patrons when they visit. This includes reduced capacity, reduced hours, and enhanced cleaning practices, as well as requiring everyone who visits to wear a mask. The Motown Museum will join them and reopen this week on July 15th, 2020.

The Motown Museum was once home to Motown Records, a massively successful record label started by Berry Gordy in the late 50's and early 60's. It is the home of the Motown sound, a sound that changed the world and put Detroit music on the map. Motown was the first African-American-owned record label to reach widespread national acclaim. The record label broke down racial prejudice by becoming the most successful independent record company in history and the most successful African-American-owned business in America. It is now home to an extensive array of Motown artifacts, photographs, and other memorabilia. Patrons get to learn more about the music and the magic that made Motown the special place that we know today.

The museum will be open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Visitors will need to purchase tickets in advance and when they arrive they will be taken on a one hour guided tour of the space. Tickets can be purchased up to 21 days in advance.  Mask are required and tours will be limited size so that everyone can keep their space. The best part about reopening? You will be able to take photos of EVERYTHING in the museum for the first time in history. So, make sure that you bring a camera to capture the moment while you are there. Tickets range from $10 - $15 a person and can be purchased online here.

~S

Playground Detroit Presents "Change of Plans"

Playground Detroit's latest gallery is called a Change of Plans, a scenario that we have become all too familiar with thanks to COVID-19. This interruption of our daily routine has caused distress for some, while it has been a period of growth for others. So Detroit artist Sidd Finch and illustrator Anna Orletski collaborated to capture this moment in time.

Together they have created a photo series that captures individual Detroiters' experiences during a time of global unrest. Their show will open on Thursday, July 30th and it will feature 80 photos of Detroiters that were taken between April 8th and June 9th, 2020, during the stay-at-home order. The photos have also been compiled into a book that will be available for purchase at the show. You can also pre-order Change of Plans the book here.

Jewell. Photo by Sidd Finch, Change of Plans series, 2020. 

Jax Anderson. Photo by Sidd Finch, Change of Plans series, 2020.

Motorkam, Photo by Sidd Finch, Change of Plans series, 2020.

This will be the first COVID-19 gallery that Playground has held so it will be a little different then what you are used to. If you would like to come to see the show, you will have to make an appointment. You can schedule your time to come through here. Playground Detroit asks that you wear a mask and keep at least 6 feet of space between you and everyone else while you are at the show.

~S

Bissell Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters Returns!

If you've been thinking about adopting a furry friend, Bissell Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters event returns July 10-12. During those three days, BPF will be sponsoring adoption fees at many local shelters, bringing the cost down to just $25 for the adopter! That means that depending on the shelter, you could be saving a hundred or even a couple hundred dollars! That's a lot of money that you can spend on treats and toys for your new pet instead!

There are a lot of shelters in Michigan that are participating in this event. Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control is the shelter that we have partnered with in the past to bring you our "Hip Pup of the Week", and their shelter is pretty full! So make sure you take a peek at their adoptable pets here. Other popular groups like Detroit Dog Rescue and Oakland County Animal Control are also on the list. See the full list of participating shelters here.

Remember, this event runs July 10-12! So we are giving you plenty of time to get your house in order before bringing home a dog or cat next weekend. Let's get some of these shelter pets into loving homes!

~C

Have You Missed the Detroit Zoo?

If you're looking for a fun way to get out of the house and spend the day outside, consider planning a trip to the Detroit Zoo. The Detroit Zoo just recently reopened its gates after being closed since March. However, if you take a trip to the zoo now, it won't be quite the same as a normal zoo trip was in the past. The Zoo has some new guidelines and protocols to help ensure the safety of their animals, employees, and visitors.

First, the Detroit Zoo is only allowing a limited capacity. The good news about this is that it isn't going to be packed, like on a normal summer day. It will be a much more intimate experience without crowds of people around. In order to achieve this, the zoo is requiring guests to make reservations for their visit. Reservations can be made online here. If you're pretty open on the date and time, you can usually get a reservation fairly quickly and sometimes even on the same day. However, early entry on the weekends seems to sell out faster. So if you want to spend the entire day on a Saturday or Sunday at the zoo, book in advance.

Once you arrive at the zoo, things will seem familiar and different at the same time. You'll still be a the same zoo that you know and love, however it will be a little more empty and some attractions may not be open. For instance the train isn't running, however it seems as though there are more benches set up around the zoo if your legs get tired from all of the walking. If you're worried about the cleanliness of the benches, there are employees going around the zoo sanitizing and cleaning surfaces all day long. Also, some of the indoor attractions may not be open, while others are. You can still go inside to see the otters swimming and diving, limited amounts of guests can also go inside the Great Apes of Harambee exhibit, the reptile house, the aviary, and some other indoor areas of the zoo. However, other favorites like the indoor exhibit at the Arctic Ring of Life and the Prairie Dog Bubbles are closed to the public. It is important to also mention that masks are required when going indoors at the zoo and patrons are asked to wear them outdoors as well.

As far as facilities that are at the zoo for your convenience, on our latest visit most restrooms were still open. Doors are propped so you don't have to worry about touching the handles on the way out and the zoo has switched back to paper towel for the time being. Drinking fountains were not available, but some water bottle refilling stations were. There are also hand washing and hand sanitizing stations set up throughout the zoo. If you're hungry, some outdoor stands and cafes such as American Coney Island and the Dippin' Dots stands were open, while the Arctic Cafe was closed. The new Buddy's Pizza that opened last year is also open daily. Check out a list of eateries that are open here. If you plan to bring a lunch or a snack, there also seemed to be more picnic tables available than in the past.

Overall, things are definitely a bit different at the Detroit Zoo, but in this case different is good. It was nice to visit the animals, get outside, and stroll through the 125 acres that the zoo has to offer. Based on our visit, if we could make any suggestions to make your trip easier, it would be to bring water with you and maybe a snack, and wear comfortable walking shoes. Other than that, it was really nice to get back to the zoo and see the animals that we love.

~C