Metal Leaves Studio
  • Home
  • Profile
  • Contact
  • Editorial
  • MUSIC Gallery
  • Event Services
  • EVENT Gallery
  • Portrait Services
  • PORTRAIT Gallery
  • Blog

Bocce at Ottava Via

5/26/2018

0 Comments

 
Now that Spring finally showed her smiling face--- lawn games are back in a major way. 

Bocce is the best of all (because its my fave). And while there's a few places in Detroit that offer this game of drunken skill and chance--- the spot I love is Ottava Via. 

This Italian restaurant is luxe on the inside and chill on the outside. Let's focus on the outdoor space since the weather is nice. 

This is the place that screams late-night date night. Beautiful plants and flowers are spilling from everywhere on the patio. Grab a seat around a table in a cute selection of mis-matched retro chairs that,  once upon a time- belonged in a classroom. Check out the wood-burning brick oven in the corner, nice touch.

Now let's get down to business: The bocce court. Grab your drinks and that lady by the hand because you're playin' bocce now. Toss that clay ball to the other side. Help her with her form. Twinkling lights are strung above the bocce court for added ambiance. 

​Ottava Via 
1400 Michigan Ave.
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 962-5500
Pro Tip: Weekdays. Bocce is available on a first-come, first served basis. We've been here during the day and night. It's generally easier to snag a spot in the daylight hours, plus- then you have the added bonus of day-drinking. But we've also been here at night when nobody is playing- it's all about timing. 
0 Comments

Art in Detroit | Part II: A Sculptural Adventure

5/22/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Time to get out of that cave you call home and explore some sculptures that are chillin' around town- kinda waiting for you to check them out. Detroit has a ton of pieces created by world renown artist. 

All you need are your Adidas and some time, and you'll be ready to rumble- art style. 

Here's a map of some contenders to get you started.

"Gracehoper"
Another sculpture located within walking distance, also located on the grounds of the DIA is the ”Gracehoper."  Created by artist Tony Smith, this massive piece was created in the early-seventies, in the minimalist style.  
​

“Spirit of Detroit”
Sculptor Marshall Fredericks’ “Spirit of Detroit” is located in downtown Detroit. He’s the mascot of the city. Sitting on Woodward between Jefferson and Larned, this hulking green giant made of bronze is here to keep steadfast even as the times change around him. The best part is when he dons a jersey in support of the local sports teams.

“Helios Trail”
“Helios Trail” can be found at Wayne State, College of Engineering. This modern piece was created to signify the future. The stainless steel sculpture resembles a bolt and was made by Bruce White and installed in the late-eighties.

“Untitled”
Detroit artist Ed Sykes made “Untitled” in 2001. This modernistic creation can be found on the intersection of West Warren and Anthony Wayne Drive. This sculpture is amazing in structure and design. The piece was commissioned in commemoration of Wayne State Professor Andrzej Olbrot. 

“Monument to Joe Louis” 
The “Monument to Joe Louis” was created by Robert Graham. This larger-than-life piece is suspended from dual triangles. “The Fist”  was created in honor of the infamous boxer, and is located in close proximity to Joe Louis Arena, in downtown Detroit. The art is located on Jefferson Avenue at Woodward Avenue.

“The Thinker”
Auguste Rodin’s “The Thinker” sculpture is one of eleven statues in the United States cast of the same figure. The sculpture is made of bronze and sits in front of the Detroit Institute of Arts on a pedestal. 
​

Related: Art in Detroit | A Sculptural Adventure  
​
0 Comments

Belle Isle Koi Festival

5/7/2018

0 Comments

 
It's all fun & games until someone loses an eye. Which didn't  happen. Even though sword-fighting was involved.  Lots of swords and armor. It was great.

This all went down at the Koi Festival on Belle Isle. In it's second year, the fest was bigger and better than the inaugural event held last year. The Koi Festival celebrates Asian culture, specifically the traditions of Japan. The festival takes the place of the unique Detroit tradition of the Koi Transfer, which isn't happening because the fish have a heated pond now, stay tuned for their feature on Cribs, Aquatic Edition.

So no buckets required, but still an awesome time. There were live performances courtesy of the Great Lakes Taiko Center Drum ensemble and an action-packed  demonstration of traditional combat-fighting styles from the Detroit Kendo Dojo Martial Arts.  Those were the squad with the swords. They were bamboo- not metal--- but they still packed a punch and you could def hear when someone got hit. 

The Belle Isle Conservancy knocked themselves out this year, introducing a ton of traditional Japanese games for kids, and new things to discover-- Ikebana! The Japanese floral designs were in the Conservatory- the perfect spot for flowers. 

So although I'm kinda sad about not scooping our  Koi friends up into buckets--- I am totally excited to visit the Koi in their permanent home and celebrate them at the Koi Festival. See ya next year!

​Related
: Koi Transfer at Belle Isle 
0 Comments

    Author

    All images & text ©Nicole Wrona

    Categories

    All
    Art & Design
    Celebrations
    Detroit
    Event
    Music
    New York

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    October 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    October 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009

    Picture
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.