Recently in Detroit Category

On July 31 and August 1, MAKE Magazine brings its Maker Faire to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. If you've got a passion for play, a tendency toward tinkering, or an itch for innovation, this is the festival for you, and the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit is your home base just a few minutes away.

The Faire will feature several hundred exhibits ranging from the simple to the incredibly complex. Find out how to build your own 3-D plastic printer, learn what it takes to make a skeeball table and other games, see how Ford is developing technology interfaces for its cars, and just be awed by all the neat stuff happening around every corner, from robots to rockets to sculptures. And unlike a lot of events, you can interact directly with the objects and their creators. Control that robot, play that bizarre musical instrument, ride that steam-powered go-cart. Heck, you might even get an opportunity to shoot a dart gun at a target while riding a unicycle. Check out video from its recent stop in San Francisco to get an idea of the wonders you will witness.

MAKE's sister magazine, CRAFT, is hosting its own CRAFT Faire alongside the Maker Faire, with 40 vendors selling their handmade wares, and your admission to the Faire also gives you access to the Ford Museum itself. It all adds up to one inspiring weekend.

Detroit's Motown Historical Museum resides in a plot of neighboring houses where Berry Gordy built his storied musical empire, with more than a little help from Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, the Temptations, the Four Tops and many, many more of America's most soulful artists. The city of Detroit reveres this spot so much that, in 2007, it re-named the stretch of West Grand Boulevard that it is on to Berry Gordy Boulevard.

Besides the collection of archival photographs, art and recordings, what makes the Motown Historical Museum a step above what it could be, is the obvious family-style love and attention to detail put into it, from maintaining the old candy machine (and letting patrons know which chocolate bar was Stevie Wonder's favorite) to allowing us to experience what it feels like to be in the legendary Studio A, where many hits were made. Although, eagle-eyed continuity experts might surmise that not every artifact in Berry Gordy's old apartment (which is on the property and part of the museum's charming tour) may be authentic, the overall look and feel is enough to transport you into that golden era of melody. Motor on over from The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, which is a short drive from Hitsville USA.

Memorial Day Weekend is an ideal time to visit Detroit as this city on the river is buzzing! First off, Stanley Cup madness is in the air as the Detroit Red Wings begins playing Game 1 of the Stanley Cup tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Joe Louis Arena. Hockey fans are everywhere, even though it's 70 degrees and quite sunny this Saturday morning. Then, there's also the little matter known as the third game of the Detroit Pistons vs. the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Basketball Finals. The series is currently tied at 1-1. On top of all of this, Saturday kicks off the 3 day music bonanza known as Movement 08: Detroit's Electronic Music Festival. Since 2000, held outside in the vast Hart Plaza, on Detroit's International Riverfront and just down the road from the Sheraton Detroit Riverside Hotel, it has been the international techno festival that music lovers discuss the other 51 weekends of the year.

Why? Simply because of its ability to curate a thorough selection of artists spanning the globe that together comprise a varied electronic sound. The festival has always been full of local talent, which is one of the reasons it's always been such an attractive event to visit. The history of techno and Detroit are synonymous in music history as it was in this city in the early 80s where producers Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson began releasing their first records that coined the term. The initial techno sound was comprised of keyboard and synth sounds that fused together: a space jazz replete with soul and funk, a futuristic compliment to this city of Motown. Over the decades, the music has spread worldwide. Each Memorial Day weekend, techno and music lovers from around the world converge to celebrate this electronic funk and eat a lot of Sweet Water Tavern ribs.