Category Archives: Events

Celebrate National Wine Day at the GMRENCEN

white wine

What’s red, white or sparkling, yet sometimes dry or sweet? Wine, of course! For National Wine Day on May 25, we’re highlighting three dining destinations inside the GMRENCEN with varieties of vino you’ll *cheers* to!

 

Andiamo Detroit Riverfront

 

 

Andiamo offers authentic Italian fare made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Here, you’ll enjoy a glass of wine while taking in views of the Detroit Riverfront.

 

We spoke with Corporate Sommelier and Staff Trainer with Joe Vicari Restaurant Group, Andrée Lux, about which wines pair with the perfect Italian dish.

 

If you’re new to wine, she recommends something soft and fruity, like the 2019 Meiomi Pinot Noir. For the more experienced wine drinkers, she recommends a Super Tuscan or a Barolo wine.

 

During your next visit to Andiamo, try these dishes and wine pairings recommended by Andrée:

 

  • Pair Andiamo’s Frutti de Mare, made with seared scallops, mussels, shrimp, calamari, garlic, white wine, tomatoes, and homemade pasta, with a glass of Renaissance Rosé.  This Sangiovese Rosé is fresh and elegant with refined red fruit flavors that cuts through the seafood’s richness, making it the perfect pairing.
  • Enjoy Portabella al Forno with tenderloin tips while sipping a glass of Celani Family Vineyards’ Robusto wine. The tannins in the red wine complement the meat, creating an enjoyable flavor.

Wine tip: When tasting wine, the first sip is to prep your palate. When you take your second sip, take in air through your nose and savor the sip for a complete flavor profile.

 

If you’re looking for wine-related events, Andiamo hosts wine tastings with some of the top wineries in the country. You can also schedule private tastings for a fun group activity. For more information, visit AndiamoItalia.com.

 

Joe Muer Seafood

 

 

Fresh seafood and wine, that’s exactly what you’ll experience at Joe Muer. Located along the gorgeous Detroit Riverfront, Joe Muer serves the highest quality fish, lobster, crab, sushi and more.

 

Joe Muer has an expansive wine menu, making it a destination for National Wine Day, Sunday brunch or a night out.

 

When dining at Joe Muer, start with one of their delicious appetizers, like the Fried Calamari, or Oysters Rockefeller. Pair these with white wine or champagne, as it will act as a palate cleanser for rich dishes, like seafood.

 

Next, the main course. Joe Muer’s menu is filled with tasty dishes like steaks and seafoods – and there’s so much to choose from!

 

Here are a few dishes and wine you should try at your next visit:

 

  • Dover Sole a la Meuniere, complete with Herbs de Provence, lemon and brown butter, should be paired with the Peter Michael “La Carriére” Chardonnay. The white wine goes perfectly with the brown butter, creating a flavor you won’t forget. And Dover Sole a la Meuniere is filleted tableside! Who doesn’t love dinner and a show?
  • Wagyu Short Rib, braised and served with whipped potato, Swiss chard, baby carrots, cipollini onions, demi glaze and a diablo executive shrimp – yum! Pair this dish with red wine like a Pride Mountain Merlot to complement its flavors.

Wine tip: When smelling wine, twirl the glass around and take short sniffs inside the glass. The short and frequent sniffs allow you to pick up the wine’s notes more completely.

 

To make a reservation at Joe Muer, visit JoeMuer.com.

 

Highlands Detroit

 

 

 

Get ready to sip vino in the sky. From cabernets to chardonnays, Rosé and champagne – Highlands Detroit offers specially prepared dishes, unforgettable views, and of course, your favorite wines!

 

Michael Reiman, general manager of Highlands recommendations pairing Highlands Alaskan Halibut with a glass of Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc. If you’re selecting a meatier dish, he recommends trying the Australian Lambchops with the 2015 Chateau Branaire Ducru.

 

To make a reservation at Highlands, visit HighlandsDetroit.com.

 

When you visit us for National Wine Day, you have three incredible dining destinations and unmatched views for the day’s celebration to choose from. Before you visit, please visit our safety blog to learn the procedures and precautions now in place at the GMRENCEN.

Namaste Detroit: Rooftop Yoga at the GMRENCEN

Rooftop yoga is a community and building favorite here at the GMRENCEN.

 

In partnership with RenCen Fitness, the GMRENCEN hosts free rooftop yoga classes throughout the summer. Rain or shine, morning or afternoon, enjoy a fun, relaxing yoga session on the rooftop of the Beaubien Place Parking Garage overlooking the Detroit River.

 

Why yoga? Yoga is an ancient practice, good for the mind, body and spirit. Here’s what GMRENCEN rooftop yoga classes can do for you:

 

1. Start your day right.

 

 

2. Concentrate on your body and your needs.

 

 

3. Focus on your breathing.

 

 

4. Build strength.

 

 

5. Increase flexibility.

 

 

6. Improve your mood.

 

 

7. Challenge yourself.

 

 

8. Change your perspective.

 

 

9. Refresh after a long workday.

 

 

10. Rejuvenate.

 

 

11. Unwind through movement.

 

 

12. Ease physical, mental and emotional tension.

 

 

Free rooftop yoga wraps up this month, so be sure to join us for one of the final classes of the season. Registration is required, so sign up here.

 

If you can’t make it, RenCen Fitness has classes all year.

 

Have you been to rooftop yoga? Share your photos with us in the comments below.

Rockin’ on the Riverfront with Marriott

Attending this year’s Chevrolet Rockin’ on the Riverfront concert series? Enjoy the encore and don’t worry about the drive home by booking a room at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.

 

Conveniently located on the famous RiverWalk in downtown Detroit, the 70-floor hotel is just steps away from the main stage.

 

Gaze out on downtown, the Detroit River and Canada through floor-to-ceiling windows in its spacious hotel rooms and suites.

 

The GMRENCEN is a perfection staycation spot for visitors of the city, with more than 25+ dining options, a newly-renovated GM World and its convenient distance from downtown activities.

 

What more could you ask for? Book your room by visiting marriott.com/dtwdt.

Sweat in the Sky with Rooftop Yoga at the GMRENCEN

Practice makes perfect! Rooftop Yoga is back for another summer at the GMRENCEN. The complimentary classes, hosted in partnership with RenCen Fitness, take place weekly this summer, so get ready to stretch! Break up your day with a yoga class from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during lunch, or strike a pose after work with one of our 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. classes.

 

All classes will be held atop the Beaubien Place Garage, weather permitting. Before a class is cancelled we’ll work to find a room to host the class indoors, and an email will be sent to all registered participants. All attendees must register through Eventbrite pages created for each yoga class.

 

Schedule

 

 

Our Rooftop Yoga classes begin in May and run through September.

 

May

June

July

  • July 2 – 5 p.m.
  • July 11 – 11:30 a.m.
  • July 18 – 5 p.m.
  • July 25 – 11:30 a.m.

August

September

  • Sept. 5 – 11:30 a.m.
  • Sept. 12 – 5 p.m.
  • Sept. 19 – 11:30 a.m.

New Instructor

 

 

Yoga instructor Amanda is ready to take Rooftop Yoga by storm! Amanda recently moved to the Detroit area from Minnesota and she brings more than ten years of experience honing her practice with her. She joined RenCen Fitness’ staff last fall and she is ready to take Rooftop Yoga to the next level!

 

Are you planning on attending Rooftop Yoga this summer? Let us know your favorite pose in the comments!

6 Things You Didn’t Know About the Detroit Riverfront

Nearly three million people visit the Detroit riverfront each year and it’s no surprise why. With 3.5 miles of scenic RiverWalk trails along the Detroit River, beautiful parks and months of entertainment, the Detroit riverfront has so much to offer.

Whether you’re visiting the riverfront for the first time, or come down every weekend, here are six things you might not know about the Detroit riverfront:

Detroit Riverfront History

Riverfront before and after
Photo: http://www.detroitriverfront.org/riverfront/after

The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy opened the East RiverFront RiverWalk and Rivard Plaza to the public in June 2007. The unique and family-friendly area boasts a custom designed carousel, a glass map of the St. Lawrence Seaway and a granite map of the Detroit River. Work is still being done to the Riverfront, but it has come a long way since its grand opening, ten years ago.

Live the Riverfront

Riverfront Run
Photo: http://www.detroitriverfront.org/riverfront

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy team up each summer to host multiple activities that promote fitness and healthy living. Some of these activities include Walk the RiverWalk Wednesdays, weekly fitness classes and Moonlight Yoga. Interested in getting fit this summer? Visit their website for more information.

Reading & Rhythm on the RiverFront (R3)

Reading and Rhythm
Photo: http://detroitriverfront.org/readingandrhythm

Keeping children interested in reading and the arts can sometimes be difficult, but General Motors and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy are here to help. The two paired up to provide, R3, an interactive early literacy program. This unique program gives children free books and rides on the Cullen Family Carousel, along with the opportunity to see live entertainment and hear stories read by celebrities. In 2006, R3 handed out more than 3,800 books to children and their families across southeast Michigan.

GMRENCEN Riverfront Tours

Riverfront Tour

Next time you stop at the GMRENCEN, go on one of our free one-hour tours. Not only will you have the opportunity to explore the building and learn its history, you’ll also get to stroll down to the RiverWalk. Tours meet at Pure Detroit and run Monday through Friday at noon and 2 p.m.

Eastern Market

Eastern Market
Photo: http://easternmarket-dc.org/our-outdoor-vendors/

Saturdays in Detroit are best spent at Eastern Market exploring vendor booths and chatting with locals. The Dequindre Cut, located between Mack Avenue and Atwater Street, is just a mile away from Eastern Market. End your Saturday with a walk or bike ride along the RiverWalk then stop at the GMRENCEN for a bite to eat.

Pet Friendly Events

Canine to Five
Photo: http://caninetofivedetroit.com/dog-friendly-detroit/

Dogs are welcome on the Riverfront, in fact, they are encouraged! Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Canine to Five Detroit offers a guided pack walk through the RiverWalk paths. The event is completely free and gives dogs, and their owners, a chance to socialize and enjoy the scenic views of the riverfront.

What is your favorite thing to do along the riverfront? Tell us in the comment section below!

Everything You Need to Know About Detroit’s QLINE

All aboard! The highly anticipated QLINE is up and running on Woodward Avenue. We took an early ride to answer all of your questions about the newest addition to Detroit’s transportation scene. Here’s what we found out:
 

Where are the stations?

 
The QLINE has 20 stations at 12 stops on a 3.3 mile span down Woodward. The QLINE starts at Penske Station on Woodward and Grand Boulevard and drives south on Woodward to its last stop on Congress to charge for 3 to 5 minutes then turns around to head back north.
 

 

How much does it cost?

 
The QLINE costs $1.50 for single fare tickets, ride all day for $3, monthly passes are available for $30 and annual passes are $285. Discounts are available for seniors, students and others.
 

What are the hours?

 
Hours of operation are:

  • Sunday-Thursday 8 am – 8 pm
  • Friday-Saturday 8 am – 10 pm

During these hours, cars will run every 8 to 12 minutes.
 

 

How does it work?

 
The QLINE is a modern streetcar operated by a driver who controls the car. The cars run on-wire between Henry and Canfield and off-wire on a fixed rail. Cars have a special street light that allows them to get a 30-second head start before all other traffic.
 

How can drivers and pedestrians stay safe near the QLINE?

 
As the first streetcar in years, getting used to this transportation will be an adjustment so pedestrians and drivers are encouraged to pay close attention to their surroundings. Although the car only reaches speeds up to 30 mph, it weighs 87,000 pounds so it takes longer for it to come to a complete stop.
 

 

What’s the closest stop to the GMRENCEN?

 
The last stop on the QLINE’s route is Congress and it’s only a couple blocks away from the GMRENCEN. Now it will be much easier for people who work and stay in the building to get to midtown for games, shows and other events.
 
For more information about the QLINE, visit qlinedetroit.com.
 

Are you excited to take a ride on the QLINE? Have you already taken a ride? Let us know about your experience in the comment section.

 

I spy the #GMRENCEN on the Q Line ?. . . . . #ReflectingDetroit #wemovedetroit #scenefromdetroit

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GMRENCENLOVE

 

So many couples get engaged, married and have romantic dates right here near the GMRENCEN, and since February is the month of love, we wanted you to share your love stories with us. We asked couples to share their love with the world for the chance to win a prize.

 

Here are some of our favorite submissions:

 

“Romance is the language of love. It is the way that you show your partner that you care about them. Every person has their own idea of what they might consider romantic. There is no way to know what is romantic without knowing the person. Romance is created by the feeling that you are genuinely cared about. All romance has one thing in common; it must show the other person that you care enough to find out what is meaningful to them. And after 41 years of discovering what our view of true romance is, it has come to this; being together and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. One of our most favorite is Detroit and all it has to offer along the Riverfront with the Ren Cen being the center of our activities.” -Josephine Rohloff

 

Before you say “I do,” you have to say, “I will.”

 

gmrencenlove entry

gmrencenlove facebook entry

 

 

 

“I met my fiancé when I was in my last semester in college. I had already accepted a job at GM, so when we met it was known that I would be moving to the Detroit area. After about a year of long distance, he moved down here with me. Since then Detroit has been a special part of our relationship. We’ve been Detroit Lions season ticket holders for 3 years, and we enjoy coming down during the summer for Tigers games, and even play softball at Belle Isle! So not only is the RenCen my place of work, it’s an icon for our favorite city! So when it came time to do our engagement pictures we knew we had to come downtown and get some pictures with the RenCen. I’m so excited to marry my best friend on 6/3/17!” -Stephanie C.

 

Saying “I do” is a special moment and we love being a part of your special day!

 

Married my love in downtown Detroit #gmrencenlove

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What’s love without a little fun?

 

gmrencenlove facebook entry

 

 

bernice-johnson-2

Your love doesn’t have to be romantic to be real ❤

 

Show off your GMRENCEN love! Share your photos with us on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #GMRENCENLOVE.

Discover the Riverfront (In Photos)

When was the last time you took a walk down the Riverfront? If it’s been a while now’s the time to take a stroll and discover something new. The Detroit Experience Factory (DXF) hosts a variety of experiential tours of the city and Discover the Riverfront is one of them. This walking tour is perfect for the budding photographer or Instagram pro as it stops at some of the most beautiful spots in Detroit. The GMRENCEN overlooks the Detroit River and the view can be breathtaking.  If you think you know everything there is to know about Detroit, think again. DXF will share some fun facts along the way that will surprise even the biggest Detroit history buff. If you haven’t had a chance to take the tour, what are you waiting for? Sign up today and unlock some amazing city treasures. Here are some highlights from the tour:

Did you know that Canada has a statue similar to this one on the other side of the river?

Gateway to Freedom Statue on Detroit Riverfront
The Gateway to Freedom Statue

The DXF tour guides share great historical facts about the statues, monuments and art installations that line the riverfront.

Discover details about Detroit landmarks and architecture including the Guardian Building and Hart Plaza.

Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain at Hart Plaza
Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain at Hart Plaza

We see these buildings all the time in photos and articles but the history behind them will blow your mind!

Learn more about the nature surrounding the Riverfront.

GMRENCEN from park

You can go on a nature walk right on the riverfront and walk through Michigan’s first urban state park.

Impress your friends with all of your newfound knowledge about Detroit.

Landing of Cadillac
Landing of Cadillac

Take in some beautiful scenery.

Views of the GMRENCEN

Snap photos of Michigan’s tallest building.

GMRENCEN

Play #ISpyGMRC and share your photos of the GMRENCEN with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

These free tours are every Tuesday through October starting at noon. So, grab your walking shoes and a camera and sign up today!

Have you been on a tour of the riverfront? What did you learn? Let us know in the comment section!

The Detroit People Mover, a True Hidden Gem

The Detroit People Mover has been a staple of the city of Detroit since it first opened to the public on July 31, 1987. Now almost 30 years later the People Mover is still going strong. The system is made up of 12 driverless vehicles that are automated and computer controlled going across a 2.9 mile radius, which equals a nearly 15 minute ride round trip. Of the 13 stations, 8 of the stations, like the GMRENCEN have been built into an existing building providing ease for those who work in downtown Detroit to get around.

People Movercompressed

With 13 stations across the system, the People Mover makes stops to some of Detroit’s most famous attractions, including:

  • Times Square, this station acts as home base for the People Mover.
  • Grand Circus Park, the sports and entertainment district. You can catch a show at the Fox Theatre or a baseball game with the Detroit Tigers. Grand Circus Park station features the famous, Catching Up piece by J. Seward Johnson Jr.

Grand Circus Parkcompressed

  • Broadway, the home of the state of the art YMCA recreational center.
  • Cadillac Center, which features shopping and other amazing attractions.
  • Greektown, which houses many authentic Greek cuisine restaurants, unique bakeries, and of course the Greektown Casino, which by the end of 2016 will be referred to as, Jack Detroit-Hotel Casino Greektown.
  • Bricktown, where you can find different eateries, pubs, local art, and even jazz clubs.
  • Millender Center, featuring the Courtyard Marriott Hotel.
  • Financial District, where architect lovers find paradise, featuring buildings like the Penobscot, Guardian, and Ford buildings and home to Detroit’s major financial institutions headquartered in this area.
  • Cobo Center where you can find the North American International Auto Show among many other trade and specialty shows throughout the year.
  • Fort/Cass, this station is for the news lover. With many news/media outlets in the area it’s sure to capture any true journalists’ heart. This station also features the ‘World’s Largest Book Store’—John King Used & Rare Book.
  • Joe Louis Arena home to many concerts, sporting events, and family friendly entertainment.

Joe Louis Arenacompressed

RenCen Stationcompressed

 GMRENCEN Station Fast facts:

  • In 2014 the GMRENCEN was the second most heavily trafficked stop for the People Mover, coming in at 487,758 passengers.
  • The GMRENCEN station features art, funded by GM and created by two artists by the name of George Woodman and a Michigan artist by the name of Marshall Fredricks.
  • The tile mural, Path Games, is a replacement for the first tile mural created by Woodman, Voyagers Come to Detroit when the Renaissance Center station underwent some construction changes.
  • The tile work by Woodman contains 2,625 pieces and features Detroit’s historic Pewabic tile.

Tile RenCen Stationcompressed

We know that the station stops on the People Mover all feature unique artwork, tile work and statue pieces, but did you know…

Originally all the stations were supposed to all look the same, featuring absolutely no artwork?

In 1984 Irene Walt and the Downtown Detroit People Mover Art Commission, a volunteer committee, formed because they wanted to incorporate a little diversity and beauty into each station. Now, each one of our People Mover stations features some of the most beautiful public art pieces in the country.

Since then the art featured in each of the People Mover stops has been published in a book by Irene Walt herself, entitled Art in the Stations.

art-stations Book Cover

Go on an adventure and experience Detroit in a new way by catching a ride on the People Mover! Share with us your favorite piece of Detroit People Mover art in the comments below!