[Model D] Our guide to select holiday shopping destinations

Tiki mugs at Hugh in Midtown. 

Last week we brought you a guide to pop-up retail happenings and events. It's such a handy list to clip and save (as if we still needed to do that) that we thought we'd re-run the story in this week's Development News column.

The guide below points you in the direction of many of Detroit's top permanent retailers and art galleries offering unique holiday shopping opportunities. While no means comprehensive, this list highlights a wide range of local retailers, including many that just opened within the last year.

Read more.

[EID EVENTS] Repeal Day through New Year's Eve

There are plenty of boozing opportunities all throughout the holiday season, but don't forget about the shopping: the Holiday Marketplace at Campus Martius, Holiday Merriment at Ponyride, and the Signal-Return Holiday Party and Market are all going on this weekend with more next weekend. Read about these events here.

TONIGHT (Happy Repeal Day!)

The Empowerment Plans First Annual Fundraiser at the Madison Building, Downtown, December 5
Food from Slows, drinks, and an auction of jackets designed by Detroit artists, followed by everyone at this event heading straight to the Sugar House afterwards (one assumes, and probably correctly).

Repeal Day 2013 at the Sugar House, Corktown, December 5
Celebrate the 80th anniversary of Repeal Day at the Sugar House with live music, door prizes, and dranks.

The Speakeasy Project Party at Tommy's Detroit Bar, Detroit, December 5
Also coincident with the 80th anniversary of Repeal Day, Preservation Detroit is unveiling the results of their research and archeological dig on the historic building at 624 Third Street - now Tommy's Bar - built in the mid-1800s and serving as a number of different businesses over the years, including a speakeasy.

Breakout the Hooch with Detroit Pleasure Society at Cliff Bell's, Downtown, December 5
Another Repeal Day party. Period cocktails, swing music, and dinner specials. Period attire encouraged.

Repeal Day: 80th Anniversary of the Ratification of AMD. XXI at Kuhnhenn Brewing Company, Warren, December 5
They'll toast the repeal at 3:00 p.m. and then every 21 minutes thereafter you should expect "something really awesome" to happen (until it gets too busy). Beer.

THIS WEEKEND

Drinks of Walkerville, Walkerville (Windsor), December 7
Walking in a winter Walkerville. This is a booze tour of historic Walkerville, which includes a visit to the Canadian Club "Heritage Centre." (Spelled "-re,"  because Canadians!)

Noel Night, Midtown, December 7
There are just so many things. 

Detroit Detour, Downtown, December 7
A booze bus thing. This bus is a little less Motor City Brew Tours and a little more drunk co-eds on a party bus, methinks. (I mean, Neptix. C'mon.) Advance tickets are sold out but you can get same day tickets for $40. 

Oyster Club at Forest Grill, Birmingham, December 8
Ersters. 

AND BEYOND

December Food for Thought - Regionalism at Trinosophes, Eastern Market, December 9
FoodLab Detroit presents this conversation on the regional food movement.

Riviere28 Holiday Happy Hour at Goodnite Gracie Jazz + Martini Bar, Royal Oak, December 10
A fundraiser for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. 

Motown Macdown at the Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, December 12
It's a benefit for Justin's Vision. 

Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe at Imperial, Ferndale, December 12
Imperial's version of an early Christmas party and charity event.

Pop-Up Restaurant to Benefit the Children's Center, Midtown, December 13
From the folks behind the Detroit Three, this event is a benefit for the Children's Center (held at the Children's Center) and features a five course menu by the accomplished Chef Brad Greenhill, plus beer and wine.

4th Annual Detroit Holiday Food Bazaar at Coffee and (____), Jefferson Chalmers, December 13-14
Now held over two days, enjoy edibles from a wide variety of local artisan producers and pick up some unique gifts for the holidays.

Rodin's One-Year Anniversary, Midtown, December 14
Hosted by WDET's New Soul Sunday DJ Nick Austin and featuring a DJ set by Dwele. $10 at the door.

The Three Days of Winter Solstice at Kuhnhenn Brewing Company, Warren, December 19-21
The Winter Solstice is technically just the one day (Dec. 20), but the Kuhnhenn celebrations have expanded into three: the pre-party, the actual party, and the post-party bottle release. Hell, next year they'll even be able to spread the party out over two different locations. Beer.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

I'll update this continuously; remember, all of these events have limited capacity and WILL sell out, so make your decisions and reserve your spots quickly!

New Year's Eve at the Oakland, Ferndale, December 31
Food from Corridor Sausage, Komodo Kitchen, Pinwheel Bakery, and more; booze by ALL OF THE BOOZE but especially Buffalo Trace, St-Germain, Campari, and more; something called "dusty shots," and highly discounted highly allocated spirits. $50 each; must purchase in advance.

New Year's Eve at the Sugar House, Corktown,  December 31
Live music, door prizes, drink specials, and a champagne toast at midnight. Select bar or table seat, and please purchase group tickets together to ensure you sit together. $75 each; must purchase in advance.

[Model D] Holiday retail happenings

Shopping local this holiday season? So are we, so we want to share with you some of the temporary pop-ups and one-night-only events that bring together a fantastic group of local artisans in one place, many of which don't have storefronts of their own. Make your list, check it twice, then check out some of these upcoming happenings.

Read more. 

[EID EVENTS] November 21-December 5

 

TONIGHT

The American Cheese Plate, Zingerman's Creamery, November 21
Cheese.

New Holland Beer and Whiskey Dinner at Toast, Birmingham, November 21
Celebrating Toast's fifth anniversary featuring six dishes ending with their beer barrel bourbon. 

An Evening with MillKing It Productions at Thomas Magee's, Eastern Market, November 21
A special tapping of RAY fresh/wet hop ale made with a whole farm's worth of Michigan hops, plus AXL on tap and tallboys of BRIK and SNO, at the brand-new Thomas Magee's Sporting House and Whiskey Bar.

Third Thursdays at Eastern Market, Eastern Market, November 21
Part of the new Third Thursdays evening market series, this month's event features a soup and chili cook-off competition between four Eastern Market vendors. 

Detroit Gypsy Kitchen at SocraTea, Midtown, November 21
SocraTea is expanding their hours and food options, and tonight are highlighting new teas and a fall menu from Detroit Gypsy Kitchen.

THIS WEEKEND

Craft Beer and Grilled Cheese Tastings at Star Lanes, Royal Oak, November 22
Admission includes 15 beer samples plus all the grilled cheese and chili samples your little heart desires. $25 advance/$35 day of.

Tree Lighting and Christmas Wonderfest, Downtown, November 22-December 22
The annual tree lighting is this Friday as is the opening of Christmas Wonderfest, a European-style Christmas market that really needs to get a new website. I almost didn't include this as a passive aggressive punishment for shitty web design. But there's a beer garden. So I included it.

One-Eyed Betty's FestivALE, Ferndale, November 23
Everything you need to know about this very beerie holiday party is here.

AND BEYOND

Thanksgiving Market at Eastern Market, Detroit, November 26
Prepare for the big day with a very special Thanksgiving Market at Eastern Market, featuring a wide variety of local growers and producers all set up inside the heated Shed 5. This one-time offshoot special event will also be the final Tuesday market of the year.

Kung Food + Detroit Gypsy Kitchen at St. Cece's Pub, Corktown, November 26
Pop-ups!

Thanksgiving at the Whitney, Detroit, November 28
The Whitney is starting the day with Thanksgiving brunch and VIP parade seating ($59 adults, $39 kids), followed by Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 6 p.m. ($49 adults, $29 kids).

America's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Detroit, November 28
Now with an expanded route and nine brand-new floats!

OTHER THANKSGIVING DAY THINGS!!!! November 28
The Turkey Trot, the ice rink at Campus Martius opening, handegg, and more.

Champagne and Potato Chip Tasting at the Whitney, Midtown, December 1
What? It totally works. Try it, you'll see.

The Empowerment Plans First Annual Fundraiser at the Madison Building, Downtown, December 5
Food from Slows, drinks, and an auction of jackets designed by Detroit artists, followed by everyone at this event heading straight to the Sugar House afterwards (one assumes, and probably correctly).

Repeal Day 2013 at the Sugar House, Corktown, December 5
Celebrate the 80th anniversary of Repeal Day at the Sugar House with live music, door prizes, and dranks.

The Speakeasy Project Party at Tommy's Detroit Bar, Detroit, December 5
Also coincident with the 80th anniversary of Repeal Day, Preservation Detroit is unveiling the results of their research and archeological dig on the historic building at 624 Third Street - now Tommy's Bar - built in the mid-1800s and serving as a number of different businesses over the years, including a speakeasy.

[HOT LIST] Thanksgiving events

In the interest of all things in one place (not to mention hayZeusFUK Thanksgiving is in two weeks), here is a list of various tasting events and such to get you started on your holiday planning, as well as some events happening on Thanksgiving Day and other stuff happening in the next two weeks just for funsies. From wine tastings with pairing suggestions to cheese tastings because, hi, cheese, these are some great pre-Thanksgiving tastings (and one post- because, hi, cheese) to help you plan your holiday dinners. Or to just carry on like normal and go to fun tastings and brunches because they're fun and it's just this thing that you do. Also, everyone loves a parade. And shopping. And whatever. Here is a list of whatever. There will be another as the day of the Fat Man and Little Boy approaches. (It's okay to reference nuclear warheads in jest when speaking of Santa and the baby Jesus???)  #holidays2012

Friday, November 9
Art for the Holidays at the Detroit Artists Market, 5-9 p.m.
What it sounds like. You know what's better than an impersonal gift card or trying to guess another person's pant size and personal taste? Art. Just go buy art. $10-20.

Saturday, November 10 (and every Saturday through the end of the year)
Weekly Wine Tastings at Toasted Oak Grill + Market, $10.
Like what you tried? Buy it at the market. Might as well pick up a house-made charcuterie or Michigan cheese platter while you're there, or maybe some of Chef Steve's famous bacon caramel (that's a pretty unique gift, eh?).
Nov. 10 - "Birds and booze" (Thanksgiving-friendly wines served with brie and country terrine)
Nov. 17 - Holiday tasting (15 wines hand-selected for holiday pairings, gift-giving and value, plus meats, cheeses and house-made accoutrements from the market)

Tuesday, November 13
Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co. "Sparkling wine will get any party going, ja*," 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Sample several dry sparkling natural wines and be speechified by two of my favorite wine guys, Antoine Przekop and James Cadariu. Snacks. $40.

*"ja" added for emphasis.

Thursday, November 15
The Wine Garden's Nouveau Day 2012, 5-8 p.m.
The third Thursday of November is traditionally known as "Nouveau Day," when French producers rush to get their Beaujolais nouveaus released. There won't actually be any Beaujolais nouveau at this tasting, but there WILL be plenty of other lovely French wines as well as roast turkey so you can see for yourself how it all pairs. Free.

Hugh Grand Opening, 8-11 p.m.
Detroit's Original Pop-Up(TM) is celebrating the grand opening of its permanent location in Midtown. With refreshments, naturally. Check it out for masculine housewares and gift items from proper beer glasses to vintage Playboys. Also: refreshments. Free.

Friday, November 16
MotorCity Wine November Wine Tasting, 6-8:30 p.m.
18 different wines to try before you buy, paired with cheese, charcuterie and antipasti. $25.

Paper Ink + Earth Launch Party, 5-8 p.m.
A pop-up within a pop-up. Comment l'avant-garde! Snacks and wine and shopping. Free.

Thursday, November 22

Thanksgiving Brunch at Atlas Global Bistro, 8 a.m. - parade ends
Watch the parade from their windows while drinking Bloodys and eating bacon. $40 adults, $20 kids 10 and under, $15 extra for bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys.

Thanksgiving Brunch at the Majestic Cafe, 7 a.m. - noon
Breakfast buffet and prime parade seating. I've done this a few times and while the food pretty much sucks, it's still a fun experience. $20 adults, $15 kids.

Wednesday, November 28
Go Wisconsin! at Zingerman's Roadhouse, 7-10 p.m.
A Wisconsin cheese tasting paired with Death's Door cocktails. Because, hi, cheese. $50.