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Sunday, March 29, 2009

Final Four Round-Up

Okay guys. Listen up. We have visitors coming. For one weekend, JUST ONE WEEKEND, can you little brats just shut your mouths and stay in your rooms so our guests can believe that we are an actual real city? That we are civilized, even? Barbara, I WILL take that tiara away. Don't push me. Monica, I will have that flight turned right back around and take you right straight BACK to Jerusalem or Venezuela or Lithuania or wherever it was you went to on the city's dollar for "research." Only this time you're flying COACH. Yeah, I said it.

As for the rest of you, we're going to need you on your BEST behavior for our guests. For just ONE weekend, we are going to stand together and act like a REAL GODDAMN FAMILY. Afterwards, mommy will go back to screwing the married politician and daddy will go back to taking generous "gifts" from the city and little Johnny will go back to petty theft and vandalism, but just for this ONE WEEKEND, let's sweep it all under the carpet, m-kay? I knew I could count on you.

(Don't worry, you'll get your chance to get slobberingly drunk and act like fools on April 10th--Opening Day, the third biggest drinking holiday in Detroit.)

Friday, March 27th

Know Before You Go Final Four Bar Tour

The NCAA Final Four is fast approaching so be sure to “Know Before You Go” with Inside Detroit’s Basketball Bar Bounce Bar Tour on Friday, March 27 from 8:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. The tour will start at Bookies Bar & Grille located at 2208 Cass Avenue.

The ‘Know Before You Go’ Series was designed to help people feel more comfortable about coming into the city for a large event. The series has become one of Inside Detroit’s most popular tours because participants get to meet the owners and staff of each at each stop and enjoy exclusive shot and drink specials.

“We chose to begin at Bookies Bar & Grille because the NCAA designated them official fan bar of the Eas! t Region al team that advances to the Final Four, and it’s their Grand Opening Party.” said Jeanette Pierce.

Other bars on the tour are: Beaubien Street Saloon, Anchor Bar and Park Bar.

Tickets for the “Know Before You Go” tour can be purchased in advance for $15 or for $20 the day of the event. All tour participants must be 21 years of age or older.

Inside Detroit has hosted its "Know Before You Go" Series for other major events with the most recent one being a St. Patrick’s Day Bar Tour that brought 30 people to Corktown. Other events have included America’s Thanksgiving Parade, Winter Blast, Auto Show and the World Series. In total over the three years of this series hundreds of people have participated.

Inside Detroit Tours & Outings is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. They offer the Downtown Highlights Tour which offers a chance to see and learn about major landmarks, new development and great historical sites. These tours take place every Monday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. for $10 per person. Inside Detroit also offers the Downtown Entertainment Tour every Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for $10 per person.

For more information about the tours or to schedule a personalized tour visit http://www.insidedetroit.org/, call 313-268-6562 or stop into Inside Detroit’s Downtown Welcome Center located at 1253 Woodward Avenue between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Where: Bookies Bar & Grille (start), Detroit
When: 8:00PM-midnight
Tix: $15.00 advance, $20.00 same day
http://www.insidedetroit.org/

Wednesday, April 1st

Hoop it Up Flash Mob

Detroit Synergy and Inside Detroit have the inside scoop (of course!) on when the basketball teams will be arriving at their hotels, and the folks on the pla! nning co mmittee want to make sure that they feel welcomed when they arrive. When their arrival times and locations are announced, you’ll receive an email telling you when and where to show up.

Come on down, whoop it up, cheer on the team, wave a sign and then clear out. That’s it. That’s a flash mob. There’s no obligationâ€"come if you can; if not, no worries.
Send an email with the subject line “flash mob” to info@insidedetroit.org to sign up today!

http://www.detroitsynergy.org/



Friday, April 3rd
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Sneaker Project at the YMCA

In conjunction with the NCAA 2009 Men’s Final Four tournament weekend, The Boll Family YMCA will host its second annual multi-media basketball exhibit, called The Sneaker Project. The four-day event opens Friday, April 3 at 6PM with a reception and runs through Monday, April 6, and celebrates the influence of the sneaker in basketball, design, and as a major cultural influence with today’s youth.

This year’s event also includes an exhibit on the YMCA as the birthplace of basketball and highlights 100 years of creative sneaker design, with sneaker collectors and designers from around the country. Visitors to the exhibit will be able to see a pair of original Chuck Taylor shoes from the early 1900s, a collection of all 23 Air Jordans, a group collection of rare and collectible sneakers owned by local sneaker freaks and win a pair of Dwayne Wade signature shoes.

“What was once strictly a functional shoe has penetrated into all! facets of mainstream America,” explains Gillian Eaton, executive director of Y Arts Detroit. “More than a work shoe, athletic shoes are a major fashion statement. The involvement of artists and designers in customizing sneakers has extended the creative possibilities of the form both on the court and the street.”

In collaboration with the College for Creative Studies, the Boll Family YMCA will also showcase sneakers designed by CCS students. During the fall 2008 semester interdisciplinary design teams consisting of Product Design, Graphic Design and Photography students worked to create innovative basketball shoes for several Michigan-based schools. Nike's Studio Director, Ginny Hopkirk and Global Basketball Design Manager Ron Wright worked closely with the students throughout the project. The final shoe concepts were inspired by the team dynamics, rituals, geographic location, local culture, team history and goals.

With the purchase of a $5 raffle/entry ticket, attendees can win sports memorabilia, meet sneaker collectors, learn about the YMCA as the birthplace of Basketball, get information about shoe design as a career and watch a display of 3-D Shoemaker. Proceeds from the four-day event benefit the YMCA Strong Kids Program. The exhibit will be open from 6PM to 10PM on Friday April 3rd and 12 noon to 5PM on April 4th 5th and 6th

The Boll Family YMCA is located at 1401 Broadway in Detroit, Next to the Broadway People Mover station and just two blocks from FORD FIELD.

For further information call 313-223-2751
Where: Boll Family YMCA, Detroit
When: 6:00PM-10:00PM Friday, noon-5:00PM Saturday-Monday
Tix: $5.00
http://www.ymcametrodetroit.org/

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Monroe Street Madness

Happening all weekend long in Detroit's historic Greektown, this will be Detroit's biggest block party. A daily line up of bands, DJs, food &a! mp; drin k will fuel this four day festival! Watch the games on our 20'' Screen! Ticket giveaway to the Final Game!

* April 3rd, 5:00pm - 2:00am, SPIRIT OF `76 & Guest DJS
* April 4th, 12:00pm - 2:00am, THE REEFERMAN & 95.5 BOMB SQUAD DJS
* April 5th, 5:00pm - 2:00am, SPONGE wsg ASHES OF SOMA & THE DIRTY AMERICANS
* April 6th, 3:00pm - 12:00am, BANDS & DJS

Where: Monroe Street in Greektown

When: See above
Tix: $5.00 per day, $20.00 weekend pass
http://www.monroestreetmadness.com/


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THE BIG DANCE

The Big Dance® is a multi-day music and entertainment event held in conjunction with the Final Four tournament in Detroit. Riverfront is located just east of the Renaissance Center.

Dates: April 3-5
Location: Detroit Riverfront (Just east of the GM headquarters)
Tickets: FREE

Schedule:
Friday, April 3
AT&T Block Party
An evening of live music, food and festivals brought to you by AT&T.
Hours: 6-10:30 PM

Saturday, April 4
Big Dance Saturday
An evening of live music, food and festivals.
Hours: 11 AM - 11 PM

The Pussycat Dolls
- Their first album PCD achieved worldwide success, debuting at No. 5 on the U.S Billboard 200 Chart, and produced the No. 1 hit "Don't Cha" and Grammy-nominated "Stickwitu." The Dolls' 2008 follow up, Doll Domination, included hits "When I Grow Up" and "I Hate This Part."
Gavin DeGraw â€" In a few short years, this musician has become on! e of tod ay's premier singer-songwriters. He's done it the old-fashioned way â€" on the merits of his creative abilities, perseverance and a healthy, homegrown perspective. He has established himself as a magnetic voice in popular music and is best known for hit songs, "Chariot," "In Love With a Girl," "Follow Through," and "I Don't Want to Be."

Sunday April 5 - Fergie headlines and Seacrest Hosts
My Coke Festâ„¢
An evening of live music, food and festivals brought to you by Coca Cola®.
Hours: 2 - 9 PM

Emceed by Ryan Seacrest, My Coke Fest will culminate with headliner and popular music diva, Fergie, who will showcase her singular blend of pop, hip hop, and R&B. First gaining musical fame as vocalist for the Black Eyed Peas, Fergie's solo debut album, The Dutchess, produced five top 5 singles (two of which, "London Bridge" and "Big Girls Don't Cry," went to No. 1) making her just the seventh female artist to achieve that feat. As part of the Black Eyed Peas, Fergie has contributed to three Grammy Award winning songs, including "Let's Get it Started." Also featuring Staind, Gym Class Heroes, Janelle Monáe, and Parachute.


Saturday, April 4th

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Final Four Presents the Official Playboy Party

Final Four Special Event is the official Playboy EnergyParty of the Final Four. Hosting the event are Playmates of the Year Kara Monaco (2006) along with 5 of her Playmate friends, Jessica Burciaga (Miss February 2009), Tiffany Selby (Miss June 2007), Lindsay Wagner (Miss November 2007),and 2008 Cyber girl of the year Jo Garcia. Speci! al guest DJ of the night is Playboy model DJ Kay Jay. The highlight of the night will be the Bikini Fashion Show with 20 of the sexiest models in the United States. Don’t miss the acrobat ceiling performers, amazingMiami go-go Dancers and the Metromix Dance Hall. A limited number of tickets will be available to the public.

Where: South Beach Ultra Lounge, Detroit
When: 9:00PM-2:00AM
Tix: $25.00
http://www.finalfourpresents.com/

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An American Dream of Michigan Athletes

What: An upscale charity event hosted by Jimmy King of the Fab Five benefiting the Charles H. Wright Museum. Come join us as we celebrate some of the greatest athletes that have transpired from Michigan collegiate and professional sports for one evening that is sure to go down in history. The Sounboard inside the Motor City Casino Hotel will be transformed into a club-like atmosphere with various surprises happening throughout the evening. Please note that the venue will open at 6:00 PM for you diehard basketball fans to be able to watch the games on the three Big Screens in the comfortable leather seating in the Mezzanine of the Soundboard. For those of you that wish to watch the basketball games will have an opportunity to leave the venue to change your clothes for the evening.

Festivities Include:
Highlights of the Greatest Moments of Collegiate & Professional Sports
A Silent Auction

Special invited guests include: Charlotte Bobcats, Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings and many more.

Dress Attire: Dressed to Impress, No Jeans, No Athletic Gear, No Boots or Tennis Shoes

Where: Sound Board inside Motor City Casino
When: 6:00PM-2:00AM
Tix: $40.00 general, $60.00 VIP, $400.00 VIP booth
(All tickets include strolling buffet)
http! ://www.n eptix.com/

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Dance After the Big Dance

Dance! After the Big Dance: Final Four After Party: presented by Six Degrees & Vital Productions at The Andiamo Champions Club (formerly Asian Village). Join us for 1 night only as we re-open The Andiamo Champions Club, formerly the hotspot Asian Village. Overlooking the waterfront, with numerous celebrity performances and appearances directly adjacent, this event promises to be Metro Detroit's and the Final Four's Premier Social Event!

For table/bottle service reservations please contact Dawna at 248.566.4499 or info@vital2u.com

Where: Andiamo Champions Club (formerly Asian Village), Detroit
When: 9:00PM-2:00AM
Tix: $15.00