(P.S. You still have time to win a pair of tickets to Drink Michigan's Sip of Michigan party this summer!)

Weekend Roundup

1. Movement Festival & DHM Renovation Kickoff - The Detroit Historical Museum is closing for major renovations and to install new exhibits—but first come down for a party to celebrate the enhancements and to kickoff the Movement fest with live DJ's, a cash bar and more. Free admission. May 24th.

2. Red Bull House of Art Detroit (Facebook link) - This collaborative art project celebrates eight undiscovered artists from metro Detroit. Gallery Grand Opening: May 24th. Open to the public: May 25—28.

3. St. Mary's Polish Country Fair - Head out to the beautiful grounds on Orchard Lake and enjoy carnival rides, Polish food, polkas, a Vegas tent and more. Read more about Orchard Lake St. Mary's. May 25—28.

4. Movement Electronic Music Festival - Hart Plaza will be jumping as over 70 international artists and DJ's take over multiple stages for 36 hours of music. May 26—28.

5. Thai Temple Sunday Market - Step out of your comfort zone and explore authentic Thai food and culture. This is the real deal—homecooked Thai food and street food. May 27th.

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

In case you didn’t know, Drink Michigan celebrates all of our local wine, beer and spirits in a friendly way. They’re not drink snobs, they won’t crinkle up their nose and judge you on your poor taste of beverage. (Well, they might if your sipping on a Bud Light.) Nope, they just love Michigan and all of the magical beverages that are made here.

Sip of Michigan promises to be the biggest party of the summer featuring the best beer, wine and spirits from our lovely state plus fabulous food from The Rattlesnake Club and live band karaoke. Oh, and just so you know, this isn’t your mama’s karaoke. Nope, you’ll be singing along with a live, rocking band.

The proceeds from the event benefit First Step in Wayne County.

The mission of First Step is to reduce the incidence of domestic and sexual violence and to provide services to individuals affected by these crimes.  Prevention of domestic and sexual violence through education, advocacy and appropriate intervention is the ultimate goal of First Step. This is a cause that Audrey and I believe strongly in – they provide an invaluable service to women, children, and men in Wayne County who are trying to escape negative situations and create new lives. ~Trisha Verma

Tickets for Sip of Michigan on July 13^th are $50 and include 35 drink tickets (1 ticket per 2oz. sample/3 tickets per full pour). All that plus the heavy appetizers and the live entertainment.

Would you like to go to this fine event for FREE? Yeah, I thought you might. Well, you’re in luck. Detroit Moxie is giving away 2 tickets to the event to one lucky reader.

How to enter:

Add a comment to this post with your favorite Michigan brewery, winery or distillery. You must leave your email address when leaving the comment or you won’t be eligible. (Your email won’t be published; I just need to contact you if you win!)

For an additional entry, tweet the following:

I want to win tix to @DrinkMichigan’s birthday bash from @becksdavis & Detroit Moxie. http://bit.ly/KblsK4 #drinkmoxie

For the additional entry, you must have posted a comment. Did you read that part? You can’t enter by tweeting without leaving a comment first. Capiche?

The contest ends on Friday, May 25, 2012 at noon, ET. The winner will be selected at random using random.org. The winner must be 21 years of age.

So, who makes your favorite Michigan drink of choice?

Suzanne Vier at Tashmoo Biergarten in 2011.

Buy flowers, drink beer, adopt your next best friend and enjoy Detroit!

Weekend Roundup

1. Detroit4Detroit's Crank up the Cause - Do you want to give to your favorite Detroit nonprofits while having a great time? Of course you do! Buy a ticket for $10 and head to Bert's Warehouse. They'll give you the $10 back to give to a nonprofit of your choice. Plus food & music. May 17th.

2. Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo - Woof! Hundreds of dogs, cats, kittens and puppies will be available for adoption in this collaboration between the Detroit Zoo and the Michigan Humane Society. May 19—20.

3. Tashmoo Biergarten Spring Fling 2012 (Facebook link) - We've been waiting all winter for this fabulous biergarten to come alive again. Tashmoooooo! Craft beer, games and food all in community setting. (More info on Tashmoo Biergarten.) May 19—20

4. Motor City Comic Con - Kapow! If you love comic books and pop culture then this is the place to be! Stars of the comic world collide with the likes of Lieutenant Uhura, Batgirl, Howard Hesseman and The A-Team van.  May 18—20.

5. Eastern Market Flower Day - Calling all green thumbs! This Detroit tradition is now in its 46th year and brings over 200,000 people to the market to buy plants and flowers. May 20th.

Bonus: D:hive is offering free tours of Detroit next week.

Double Bonus: Yelp's Passport to Midtown.

Triple Bonus: College for Creative Studies Student Exhibition & Sale.

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

Weekend Roundup

1. Baconfest Happy Hour (Facebook link) - Yes, bacon! Make your way to the Rattlesnake Club for a happy hour with complimentary hors d'oeuvres (featuring bacon, of course) and cash bar. May 10th.

2. Craft Revival - Stuck for what to get your mom for Mother's Day? Stop by The Loving Touch in Ferndale for handmade goodness. May 12th.

3. Motor City Muralism - Hop on two wheels and explore Detroit's murals with Detroit Synergy & Detroit Bikes. Also, take part in a discussin of the Diego Rivera murals at the DIA. May 12th.

4. Ford Free Sundays at the DIA - Get your art on for free! Also, what a great way to spend time with your mom on Mother's Day. Many family events scheduled. May 13th.

5. RiverFront Canine Club - Fido wants to take a walk and see our fabulous Riverfront! And, even if you don't have a dog, you're welcome to attend. May 13th.

Bonus: Mother's Day brunches in metro Detroit.

Double Bonus: Yelp's Passport to Midtown starts May 14th.

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

On Saturday, there’s going to be a supermoon! What’s a supermoon? It’s like any other moon only more so. OK, actually it’s when the full moon is at its best and brightest. Yeah, I took out all the scientific gobbledygook for you.

So, get out there and enjoy Detroit this weekend but don’t forget to look up and enjoy the superfragilisticexpialidocious moon!

Weekend Roundup

1. Green Street Fair - Think green! The fifth annual fair celebrating green, organic and eco-friendly products hits the streets of Plymouth. May 4—6.

2. St. Florian Strawberry Festival - Polka time! This fest includes Polish food including pierogi, kielbasa and city chicken plus their strawberry bakery. Entertainment, a tour of the church and more! May 5—6.

3. Cinco de Mayo - Start the party on Saturday at Cinco in the City featuring food trucks, entertainment & tequila tastings. On Sunday, head to Mexicantown in Southwest Detroit for a traditional Cinco de Mayo parade starting at 12pm with festivities afterwards. May 5—6.

4. Grandmont Rosedale Communities 7th Annual Neighborhood Open House - Are you looking to move into a great neighborhood in Detroit? Check out this diverse community. May 6th.

5. Cranbrook Contemporary: A Tour of Recent Architecture - Take a bus and walking tour of 5 contemporary buildings on the Cranbrook campus led by Reed Kroloff, Art Director and Campus Architect. May 6th.

Bonus: Royal Oak Restaurant Week continues through May 6th.

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

Photo credit

Thank you to Brandon Inge for giving it his all every time he hit the field and for being a fantastic Detroit ambassador. You will always be a Detroit Tiger.

Weekend Roundup

1. Totally Awesome Fest 8 (Facebook link) - Enjoy a weekend in Ypsilanti filled with music, live painting and more. April 27—29.

2. Day out with Thomas - The little ones are going to want to head to Greenfield Village to spend the day with their favorite tank engine. Storytelling, live music and, of course, train rides! April 28—29 and May 5—6 and 12—13.

3. James Cagney Double Feature - You dirty rat! Enjoy The Public Enemy and Angels with Dirty Faces on the big screen at the Redford Theatre. They have real butter for your popcorn too! April 28th.

4. Detroit Revealed: Photographs 2000-2010 - If you haven't seen this photography exhibit at the DIA, you'd better hurry! The last time you'll be able to see this decade of Detroit photos is this Sunday. Through April 29th.

5. ZooZoo - A mashup of artistic acrobatics, creative costumes and fantastical imagery complete with polar bears, penguins and bugs. [Editor's note: I worked with Imago Theatre many moons ago and they are a delight!] April 29th.

Bonus: The 2012 Detroit Music Awards

Double Bounus: Detroit Restaurant Week wraps up and Royal Oak Restaurant Week begins.

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

El Guapo food truck

Speaking of spring, it's Earth Day on April 22nd. Plant flowers or a tree and clean up your corner of the world.

There are tons of good eats going on in the city this week. Fill your tummy and get out there and enjoy Detroit!

Weekend Roundup

1. Dine & Drive in the D - In need of a break from the office for lunch or an early dinner? Head to the New Center area for a food truck rally and get your grub on! April 20th.

2. Detroit Restaurant Week - The sixth incarnation of the Detroit feeding frenzy features 21 restaurants offering a 3-course menu for $28. April 20—29.

3. Fifth Annual Dossin Rowing Regata - The Detroit Rowing Club will take on two crews from Toledo, Ohio on the Detroit River. April 22nd.

4. Oregon Shadow Theatre's Thumbelina - Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale is updated by taking Thumbelina through the flower power and music of the 1960's & 70's. April 22nd.

5. Motor City Bike & Brew Tours: Prohibition History - Enjoy a bike ride from the Traffic Jam and Snug to Belle Isle and back while learning about Detroit's bootlegging, rumrunners and gangs during prohibition. April 22nd.

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

I'm still on vacation in Bournemouth, England. We head to London Monday morning. But...even after a stumble yesterday, the Detroit Tigers are off to a fantastic start of the season. And our Red Wings are going to need some extra cheering to pick up a win in Music City.

Get out there and enjoy Detroit!

Weekend Roundup

1. Detroit Moth StorySLAM - The theme this month for the 5-minute story extravaganza is "Silver Lining." You know, always look on the bright side of life and such. Also, did you know you can now by Moth tickets in advance? It's true! April 12th.

2. 2012 Michigan Pinball Expo - Are you a pinball wizard? Over 100 pinball and video games are featured (no quarters needed, play is included in admission) and/or you can play in the tournaments. This is a family friendly event. April 12—15.

3. Jay and Silent Bob Get Old! - Film icons Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes perform live at the old Redford Theatre as they record their popular podcast. April 13.

4. Pewabic Pottery Staff & Student Exposition - The opening reception for the 41st annual event showcases the diversity and creative range of Pewabic Pottery. April 13th.

5. Greenfield Village - Step back in time as the historic village opens for the season. From Henry Ford's Model T to Edison's original light bulb and the Wright Brothers' Cylce Shop, Greenfield Village has something for everyone. Opening for the season: April 14th.

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

Paws and Detroit Moxie!

I’ll be missing the game as I’m jetting off to England today but GO TIGERS! May you all have a good Easter and Passover. Now, get out there and enjoy all the cool things to do in Detroit!

Weekend Roundup

1. Detroit Tigers Opening Day - Play ball! It's time for the first pitch of the season as our Tigers take on the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Don't have tickets? Check out these opening day parties. April 5th.

2. Opening Day Food Truck Rally - You need some food to go with your baseball, right? Head to Campus Martius for some cool eats and live music. April 5th.

3. Marshmallow Drops - What's better than thousands of marshmallows dropping from the sky? Um, nothing! There are two marshmallow drops in Wayne County and one in Southfield. April 6th.

4. The Shrine Circus - Step right up and enter the bigtop for all sorts of family fun in Hazel Park. Clowns, big cats and more. April 6—8.

5. Bunnyville at the Detroit Zoo - Hop on down to Bunnyville featuring costumed characters, a live musical, games, crafts and the Easter Bunny. April 7th.

Bonus: The Incredible Shrinking Man

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

I love that this letter comes from Briggs Stadium. I love that there aren’t any zip codes and that “City” is enough to let the United States Postal Service know where to deliver it. And I love that they call him Bob. He's always been Bob.

But what I love most about this letter is that it is addressed to MY DAD. He was quite the ballplayer in his day and besides playing in the Detroit Public School league, he also would bus up to Pontiac during the summer and play up there.

You have been recommended as a future professional baseball player to the Detroit Tiger Organization.

How awesome is that? Can you even imagine this letter dropping in your mailbox?

Also, think about how far away Detroit and Pontiac were in 1959! I-75 was just a glimmer in the Department of Transportation's mind.

This letter is a mystery and a love letter all rolled into one.

My dad was a left-handed pitcher and THE DETROIT TIGERS asked him to tryout for their baseball team! Back then they didn’t rest a pitchers arm. Hell, even when my brother played little league in the 70s, you pitched as many innings as needed.

There have been many myths circulating through the family—and my mind—about what happened on August 15, 1959. “Did he go?” was just the beginning of the rabbit hole that the mind will take you down.

He went. He didn’t make the team. My parents didn’t meet until 1964 so it’s pretty safe to say that I wouldn’t exist if he made the team. After all, we all know what baseball players are like.

My dad has told me two different versions of the story. One version was recited over 10 years ago—possibly over beers—and the other just this last August. I won’t tell you all the details because, well, it took me 30 to 40 years to find out what I do know and I’ve enjoyed the mystery.

I will tell you one thing, my dad and Willie Horton were contemporaries in the Detroit Public School league. My dad went to Pershing and Horton was with Northwestern. In fact, Horton is just 3 days older than my dad. When I pressed my dad about Horton last August he confessed, he pitched against him in the DPS league and walked him with the bases loaded. D'oh!

My dad as a young boy in Detroit, ready to play ball.Since that isn’t the way this story was is supposed to end, I’ll tell you another myth about my dad. He lost all his teeth when he was 18 and has been wearing dentures ever since. My dad is the eldest of six children and my grandparents weren’t rich. He had to get adult dentures before he was really ready for them so his high school graduation picture—with the big white teeth and the widow's peak—looks a bit like Dracula. Or a vampire, which would be totally hip and trendy today.

What I still don’t know is how he lost his teeth. It was either a baseball, a baseball bat or a hockey puck. Really, that’s all I know. And I’m OK with that. What I do know? My dad is pretty awesome.

P.S. My mom may or may not have dated a local Hamtramck boy—BEFORE she met my father—who has gone on to be associated with another Major League Baseball team. My mom is pretty amazing too!

Ah, the mystery!