Royal Oak could get more walkable, bike-friendly - with your help
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Detroit MI, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Urbane, eco, life, technology, travel, trends
Do you find it difficult to walk or bike some areas of Royal Oak? Well now is the time to speak up. Residents have organized a Non-Motorized Plan Open House and want to hear from you. Mark your calendar for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28 at the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market, 316 E. 11 Mile in Royal Oak.
The event is open to all and offers a chance for residents to discuss possibilities like bicycle boulevards, road diets, bike lanes and more. Tom Regan helped bring the issue to our attention here at The Urbane Life. He’s been working with fellow Royal Oak residents Todd Scott and Melissa Demashke as part of a city commission-appointed task force to explore the possibility of creating a non-motorized plan.
“Cities that create non-motorized transportation plans are much more likely to qualify for government and private grants for infrastructure improvements to make biking and walking safer,” said Regan. “At the meeting we will gather ideas from Royal Oak residents on where they bike and walk and where they wish they could bike and walk.”
Specifically, they’d like to hear answers to the following four questions:
- Where do you bike and walk?
- Where do you wish you could bike and walk?
- Can your child safely walk or bike to school?
- How can we improve your transit experience in Royal Oak?
The task force was created in an effort to enhance safety for walkers and bicyclists in Royal Oak. “Riding on sidewalks is very dangerous; most of the cyclists who are hit by cars in Royal Oak are hit while riding from sidewalk-to-sidewalk,” said Regan. “Motorists must share the road. We need to make is so safe that more children walk and bike, especially to and from school.”
The matter earned the commission’s attention after the death of a cyclist on Woodward in 2008, Regan said, which was closely followed by the death of a pedestrian in downtown Royal Oak. As a resident who rides his bike around town and is a proponent of the environmental benefits both biking and walking can bring to the city, Regan believes a non-motorized transportation plan can help enforce the necessary safety and encourage more people to choose alternatives to driving.
Royal Oak’s Pamela Foster responded to the questions noting she’d like to be able to bike from 13 Mile and Woodward to Ferndale and possible from 13 and Woodward to downtown Detroit. There is no safe bike route to Wayne State University, she noted, adding that she’d like to see more bike lanes in the area.
Regan had a few ideas as to where improvements could start too, of course. Namely, Crooks and Main.
“Because of the way the railroad track and golf courses cut up streets in Royal Oak it is difficult to find north-south routes on side streets,” said Regan. “Those are also the two streets that could lead cyclists to the high school and middle school, if they were bike-friendly.
“We could put both streets on a ‘road diet’ – reduce them to 3 lanes (the middle lane is a turning lane) with bike lanes on both side. Cars would still move plenty fast, students could bike to and from school, and everyone could easily bike to and from downtown.”
What are your thoughts on biking and walking in Royal Oak? Do you find it challenging or unsafe? Which streets are most dangerous or could use a road diet, in your opinion?
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: Apartments Berkley, Apartments Birmingham, Apartments Clawson, Apartments Detroit, Apartments Ferndale, apartments in metro Detroit, Apartments Royal Oak, Bike Lanes, bike safety in Royal Oak, biking and walking in Royal Oak, city of royal oak, Non-Motorized Transportation Plan, road diets in Royal Oak, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Farmer's Market, urbane apartments, Urbane Life
Urbane welcomes you to the vitaminwater hydration gallery this weekend
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Arts & Culture, Birmingham MI, Clawson Neighborhood, Cool People, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, art, life
Staying in town this Labor Day weekend? Maybe you’re planning to check out all the festivities metro Detroit has to offer? Maybe you just want to kick back in town with friends. We wanted to let you in on a little secret.
OK, maybe it’s not-so-secret. If you’re into art and looking for a spot to relax in Royal Oak, the public is welcome to stop by the vitaminwater hydration gallery – opening today through Monday at Suite 202, 612 S. Center Street in Royal Oak.
One of our Urbane Apartments has been temporarily transformed into a chic lounge atmosphere, thanks to help from sponsors like vitaminwater for providing an array beverages to quench your thirst and Sharpie for all the tools you need to spark some creative inspiration.
Four easels will be set up around the lounge. When the mood strikes create something cool. Enjoy music provided by Livio Radio or just kick back on the couches and enjoy the experience.
Some of the artwork created over the course of the weekend will be chosen for display at the Royal Oak Music Theatre lobby. Or, if you prefer, you can take your art with you.
The vitaminwater hydration lounge will be open daily throughout the weekend from 1-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday and 1-6 p.m. Monday.
Social media types can check out the Facebook event and stay tuned to Twitter for updates by following @vitaminwater @sharpiewhit @sharpiesusan @livioradio and @urbanelife as well as the hashtag #vwdet and foursquare users will want to be sure to check in to “vitaminwater hydration gallery” when they arrive.
Which vitaminwater flavor is your favorite? Leave a comment and let us know!
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: Apartments Berkley, Apartments Birmingham, Apartments Clawson, Apartments Detroit, Apartments Ferndale, apartments in metro Detroit, Apartments Rochester Hills, Apartments Royal Oak, Apartments Troy, Labor Day 2010, Labor Day Weekend in Royal Oak, Livio Radio, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Music Theatre, Sharpie, urbane apartments, Urbane Life, Urbane Lobby, vitaminwater, vitaminwater hydration gallery
Royal Oak prepares for Arts Beats & Eats
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Arts & Culture, Detroit MI, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, events, music, people
So which is it - what appeals to you most about Arts Beats & Eats? Is it the fact that the event draws fine artists from all over to showcase and sell their wares to the public? Is it the mix of local and national acts who perform on multiple stages that this year will be spread out around downtown Royal Oak. Or is it the food? Oh the food. Metro Detroit’s best restaurants come together to serve up some of their signature dishes and keep us in good spirits?
I’d have to say after 13 years of Arts Beats & Eats – it’s all three that makes this festival tick. It’ll be interesting to see how the location will breathe new life into an always vibrant festival. With so much going on for the holiday weekend, so many choices, curiosity will definitely bring the crowds to Arts, Beats and Eats.
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Sunday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday. Keep an eye out for fine artists like Drew Hine, Cynthia Mann and Thomas Bland.
The music lineup is huge. When it comes to national acts on the Michigan Lottery Stage, lookout for Sponge Friday night, Mayer Hawthorne on Saturday, Macy Gray Sunday and Clint Black on Monday. I’m personally excited to see Silverghost, The Hard Lessons, The Mydols, His Name is Alive, The High Strung and The Orbitsons – a few of Detroit’s finest. And if you’re in the mood for a Beatles tribute, it doesn’t get better than Dig a Phony. Don’t miss them at 11 a.m. Friday if you’re in the neighborhood.
As always, there will be plenty of children’s entertainment and performances by youth theater groups as well as the Detroit School of Rock. Yes, parking will be a challenge. I personally plan to walk from my Ferndale apartment – a perk of living nearby. But the folks at Arts, Beats & Eats plan to make parking your bike or car and getting to and from the festival as painless as possible. Check out this guide and check Twitter for real time parking updates.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: Apartments Berkley, Apartments Birmingham, Apartments Clawson, Apartments Detroit, Apartments Ferndale, Apartments Royal Oak, Apartments Troy, Arts Beats and Eats, Labor Day Weekend in Detroit, Labor Day Weekend in Royal Oak, Royal Oak Arts Beats and Eats, urbane apartments
Get your candy fix with Michigan’s own Hard Luck candy vodka
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Detroit MI, Ferndale MI, drinks, events
If you live around metro Detroit and you’ve got a sweet tooth, chances are you’ve heard of Hard Luck Candy Flavored Vodka. Born at Grosse Pointe Park’s Hard Luck Lounge as an array of sweet candy infused vodka flavors, founders Mike Mouyanis, Chris George and Rob Nicholl are now making these delicious libations available all around town.
The time to celebrate is now. Hard Luck has already launched two flavors – Red Fish and Root Beer Barrell – with more flavors to come. Drink them chilled straight up, or add a shot to a mixed drink for a sweet treat. These have even been used in barbecue sauces or marinades.
“Hard Luck Candy Flavored Vodka took years in the making to get the flavors just right, as well as the packaging and distribution and we’re so excited to launch this new hometown brand right here in Michigan with our ultimate goal of taking Hard Luck Vodkas national,” said Mouyianis.
Want to try them for yourself? Stop by the Hard Luck Candy Vodka Launch Party at 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19 at The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Let us know what you think.
Hard Luck Candy Vodka is bottled in Temperance, Mich., distilled from grain through a three tower distillation process and is 70 proof (35 percent alcohol by volume). It is available at retail liquor stores and sold in bars and pubs throughout Michigan. Hard Luck Candy Flavored Vodka is distributed by General Wine & Liquor.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: apartments in metro Detroit, Ferndale apartments, Hard Luck Candy Vodka launch Ferndale, Hard Luck Lounge, metro Detroit apartments, Royal Oak apartments, The Loving Touch Ferndale, urbane apartments
Wanna get more work done? Bring your dog with you
Posted by ericafinley | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, life, pets
It’s no secret: At Urbane, we love pets. Whether you’re a resident of one of our apartments or co-working at the Urbane Space, pets are an important part of the Urbane experience.
And there’s even more good news: Pets, specifically dogs, can actually improve productivity.
Research out of our state’s own Central Michigan University sought to determine whether or not the presence of a canine in the office would help people collaborate more effectively.
The details of the university’s two experiments, led by Christopher Honts, were recently laid out in The Economist. The first experiment included 12 groups of four individuals who were charged with developing an advertisement for a fake product — and the groups had to decide on only one final ad.
Some of the groups had dogs in the environment while others did not. When asked afterward about how they felt about working with their human counterparts, those who had a dog around rated their teammates more highly than those who did not.
In the second experiment, researchers used a game known as “the prisoner’s dilemma.” A total of 13 four-member groups were involved, and each member of the team was “charged” with a crime. Players had to decide whether or not to snitch on their teammates, and the fate of the individuals was dependent on those choices. The results? Those volunteers who had a dog around were 30% less likely to snitch than their dog-less counterparts.
We’ve all heard the other research that tells us that owning a pet can help lower blood pressure, that pets encourage people to exercise, which can help with stress management and overall health, and that having a pet can even help us increase our social circles (How many times have you been stopped by a stranger who wants to pet your dog?)
Keep in mind that with pets comes great responsibility, but if you’ve got the time and patience, the benefits of unconditional love make it all worthwhile.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and the Urbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: benefits of pet ownership, christopher honts, dogs improve productivity, pets at urbane, pets decrease stress, Urbane, urbane apartments, we love pets
Join the Champagne Cruise in Berkley, support Forgotten Harvest
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Arts & Culture, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts
If you’re headed to the Woodward Dream Cruise Friday, you may want to make a pit stop in Berkley.
From 6-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, Westborn Market will play host to The Champagne Cruise, an elegant affair with a mission – to drive hunger out of metro Detroit. For the eighth consecutive year Westborn Markets are working with Forgotten Harvest, metro Detroit’s largest mobile food rescue organization. Last year, The Champagne Cruise raised enough money to provide more than 600,000 meals to the community.
Let’s see if we can surpass it this year.
“Each year, cruisers think about that nostalgic drive up and down Woodward Avenue, but for us, each day we think about our cruise of 25 trucks along the streets of Metro Detroit to rescue millions of pounds of food each year to provide to families in need,” said Susan Goodell, president and CEO of Forgotten Harvest. “The Champagne Cruise has been a great way for us to celebrate a day distinctly Detroit’s, while benefiting people in need.”
Participating eateries this year include:
- P.F. Changs
- Peabody’s
- Westborn Market
- Brio Tuscan Grille
- The Henry
- Dirty Dog Jazz Café
- What Crepe
- Blazo’s Pie Shoppe
- Shriners Silver Garden Events Center
- The Cupcake Station
- Pointe Dairy
- The Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company
- ENVO
- Rochester Mills Beer Co.
Guests are of course treated to chilled champagne, live music by the Sun Messengers, and a chance to participate in a live or silent auction featuring weekend getaways, VIP tickets and more.
Tickets to The Champagne Cruise are $150 each ($100 of which is tax deductible) and are available online at www.forgottenharvest.org or by calling Cindy Corey at 248-967-1500 ext. 115.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: apartments metro Detroit, Berkley Apartments, Forgotten Harvest, Royal Oak apartments, The Champagne Cruise, urbane apartments, Woodward Dream Cruise
Just when you thought you lost your neighborhood record store… Ferndale gives you Hybrid Moments
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Detroit MI, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts
Ferndale residents have long lamented the loss of Record Time on Nine Mile. Just recently Dye Salon has taken over the space and made it their own, catering to the stylish set. For those of us who remember as far back as Sam’s Jams and long for the days of thumbing through dusty vinyl, get ready. Today marks the grand opening of Hybrid Moments at 22730 Woodward Ave, between Nine Mile and Troy. Doors open at noon today.
The shop sells a wide array of media. We’re talking records, tapes, CDs, books, magazines and more. Wander in and you’ll also find vintage clothing and goods by indie designers. In honor of the grand opening, expect live music by Alright Class from Oakland, Calif., the Summer Pledge, Ronny Tibbs and Superdeath.
In addition, Ferndale can look forward to the following shops coming soon:
What addition are you most looking forward to in the neighborhood? Tell us about it (On a personal note, I had a chance to meet Mark Heggie, owner of soon-to-be Signature Tattoo yesterday, and the shop looks like it’s going to be amazing.)
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: Apartments Ferndale, Apartments Royal Oak, Hybrid Moments Ferndale, new shops in Ferndale, opening in Ferndale, shopping Detroit, Signature Tattoo Ferndale, Urbane, urbane apartments
Maker Faire Detroit makes over The Henry Ford for a full weekend
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Detroit MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, UrbaneTV, events, life
The Motor City to Maker City transition is complete. This past weekend crowds descended upon the parking lots of The Henry Ford to take in the area’s first ever Maker Faire and experienced everything from hands-on robot and guitar-assembling exhibits to DIY events of all kinds. I think it’s fair to say so much was packed on the grounds it was virtually impossible to experience it all without at least a full day devoted to the event.
There were plenty of chances to get hands-on and even toss some paint at Maker Faire.
I found myself drawn to the life-sized color mouse-trap and anxiously awaiting the mentos-and-coke waterfall demonstration, though I admittedly stood far from the spray. In the heat of the day, the water swings looked absolutely refreshing. Imagine swinging through a sprinkler and you get the general idea.
Robots-in-the-making at Maker Faire
I was partial to the Handmade Detroit craft tent of course, where I located so many amazing DIY finds I could’ve shopped for hours if I’d had the time. I did score an amazing copper cuff bracelet and some cards I can’t wait to send to friends – courtesy of Ann Arbor’s Nicole Ray and her line, Sloe Gin Fizz (which I first stumbled happily across on Twitter). My friend Diana and I cooed over this Hooked on You card.
All my standard favorites were there - City Bird and Glass Action – But I also found some great newcomers including Burnt Desserts, a Michigan-based company that makes adorable hair clips and accessories reminiscent of cupcakes and strawberries. It’s really adorable (and calorie-free).
And some of the best finds were hidden near the fire arts:
What was your favorite part of Maker Faire? Tell us about it.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: DIY, first time in Detroit, Maker Faire Detroit, makers, The Henry Ford, Urbane, urbane apartments, Urbane Life
You might skip this ‘Dinner for Schmucks’
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, movies
It seemed promising to pair the always affable, handsome Paul Rudd once again with his Anchorman and 40-Year-Old Virgin co-star and comic go-to Steve Carell. Director Jay Roach’s comedy Dinner for Schmucks, though poorly titled, was adapted from the French film The Dinner Game, derived from the Francis Veber play of the same name.
So here we meet corporate climber Tim Conrad (Rudd), working hard to make his way up in the world and convince his gorgeous girlfriend to marry him. All that seems to stand in the way of these goals, you ask? Well, he’s been invited to a secret dinner at his boss’s home. He need only find one perfectly unusual person – that his boss and co-workers can make fun of for the balance of an evening. If he wins their favor, he wins the promotion.
Enter Barry (Carell), an IRS worker by day and an artisan by night. He collects dead mice, stuffs them, dresses and sets them into elaborate scenes of his choosing. Yes, that’s his hobby. And it comes across perfectly bizarre and a bit charming, right down to the fact that Barry looks rather like a mouse himself, with large protruding teeth, wiry hair and giant buggy eyes. From the moment Tim mows him down with his Porsche, Barry enters his life to stay – and to screw nearly everything up.
Dinner for Schmucks starts out like a promising, light-hearted comedy. It has all the necessary elements. The dialogue begins quick and witty. Performances include some truly talented comedic actors. There is one particularly hilarious physical comedy moment in which Tim throws his back out and walks in a manner no human should manage. Carell also creates a sweetly annoying and believable character in Barry.
But Jemaine Clement (The Flight of the Conchords) seems doomed to movie roles that cast him as the same bizarre outcast. Though Zach Galifianakis earned some laughs for wearing an orange dickie turtleneck and getting a few good lines, his character had minimal, if pivotal screen time. Same goes for Larry Wilmore. I’d liked to have seen more of him.
It takes far too long for Dinner for Schmucks to make it to the actual dinner table. Instead we spend the bulk of this almost-2-hour endeavor watching Tim’s life systematically unravel. Yes, there are laughs. But much of them are won out of tension and an oh-no-what-now? sense of dread. It’s a formulaic comedy without much to offer. A dinner you might skip and opt instead for some take-out. After all, we only have a few episodes left with Carell on The Office. Dinner for Schmucks opens today in metro Detroit theaters. It is rated PG-13.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: 40-Year-Old Virgin, Anchorman, apartments in Detroit, Dinner for Schmucks, Jay Roach, movies, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, Steve Carell leaving the Office, Urbane, urbane apartments
Savor summer on Detroit’s RiverWalk and take a ride from Wheelhouse Detroit
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Detroit MI, Urbane, drinks, food, life
Last weekend I finally made it down to the RiverWalk and for the first time had a chance to wander the 2.5 mile span from Cobo Hall where there’s an amazingly majestic view of the Ambassador Bridge to just beyond the spot where the Dequindre Cut begins.
Detroit’s Riverfront may never rival New York’s High Line park or the beaches that encircle Chicago just beyond the Magnificent Mile. But it’s still fairly amazing to wander through Hart Plaza, festival or no festival, pass the towers of the Renaissance Center and feel the breeze off of the water as the sun begins to set.
There’s also something special about knowing you’re a short waterway from another country, a brief trek from exploring downtown Windsor’s restaurants and nightlife too if you remembered your passport.
On this particular night, though, I was content enough to explore the Detroit RiverWalk. From the friendly passersby to children frolicking in the fountains, it’s really a thoughtful addition to the downtown area.
Next time, I’m coming prepared for a stop at Wheelhouse Detroit. I’m currently bike-less and my car is a bit too tiny to transport a bicycle downtown anyway, which is what makes Wheelhouse a perfect solution. They rent cruisers, hybrids, tandems and road bikes. Prices started around $10-$15 for 2 hours and they offer specials for lunch break rides and more.
Wheelhouse Detroit also sells bikes and bicycles related goods and services. And they book bicycle tours, which is an amazing way to see any city – Detroit included.
As if that isn’t enough to entice you, Wheelhouse Detroit has joined forces with Discover Detroit Dining this weekend to host a brunchtime bike tour of Eastern Market. At 1 p.m. Saturday, July 31, participants can meet at Wheelhouse Detroit in Rivard Plaza and ride Dequindre Cut to the market. Stops are set at Gabriel Import Co. for samples of olives, feta cheese, meats, spinach pies, tabbouleh and hummus. Then, hop back on your bikes and head over to R. Hirt Jr. Co. to learn about cheeses from an expert and sample crackers and salami, among other treats at this old-fashioned general store.
From there, the troops head to Vivio’s for Bloody Marys with a beer shooter and a sampling of five kinds of mussels. The dining tour costs $40 per person or $50 with bike rental. Tickets available at www.wheelhousedetroit.com. There will also be plenty of time for shopping around the market.
Let us know if you go. It sounds like an amazing way to spend a Saturday in Detroit.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: Ambassador Bridge, apartments in Detroit, Cobo Hall, Dequindre Cut, Detroit, Detroit apartments, Discover Detroit Dining, Eastern Market, RiverWalk, Urbane, urbane apartments, Wheelhouse Detroit
‘The Kids Are All Right’ is the summer indie flick you’ve been waiting for
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Cool People, Detroit MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, movies
One of the most unexpected and delightful movies to hit the screen this summer, The Kids are All Right, could pass you by. Don’t let it. The family dramedy stars an amazing ensemble cast led by Annette Bening and Julianne Moore who portray a lesbian couple and parents to Joni and Laser, played by Mia Wasikowska (most recently seen in Alice in Wonderland) and Josh Hutcherson. When they decide to seek out the sperm doner who made their lives possible – played by a scruffy and loveable Mark Ruffalo – the entire family turns a bit upside down.
Writer-director Lisa Cholodenko weaves a truly engaging tale and allows us to peer into this loving family in a way we haven’t really seen on screen before. Jules and Nic are a loving couple who gave birth to their own children, through the aid of a sperm donor. They’ve managed to create a loving home and kept their family well-intact through trying teenaged years. And now, as their eldest daughter Joni is in her last days before college, their son, Laser has secretly asked her to find out who this man was. When Paul – the man in question – agrees to meet his biological children, he feels a connection and becomes a small part of the family. Not without some serious confusion.
With a soundtrack that includes tracks by Vampire Weekend and MGMT, The Kids are All Right allows a glimpse into family life like we’ve really never quite seen before. Writer-Director Lisa Cholodenko (Laurel Canyon) masterfully crafts a tightly woven story with relatable characters.
We’ve all been there. From the student about to leave home for college to the ups and downs of a relationship or the ache of wanting to be in one, these characters mirror different parts of our lives and do so in a way that makes us feel every bit of emotion.
We’re pained when Nic discovers Jules might be cheating or when she tries so hard at dinner to win Paul over with her embarrassing rendition of a Joni Mitchell song. But there are plenty of light-hearted moments in the film, too. Trust me. Go see it. And tell us what you think. It’s playing at the Landmark Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: Apartments in Royal Oak, Landmark Main Art Theatre, movies, Royal Oak, The Kids Are All Right, Urbane, urbane apartments
Shakespeare returns to Starr Jaycee Park in Royal Oak July 22
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, events, life, marketing
Water Works Theatre Company is celebrating its 10th anniversary season this summer, and presenting the Shakespearean classic The Two Gentleman of Verona. Nothing says summer quite like an engrossing Water Works production at Royal Oak’s lush, green Starr Jaycee Park. If it’s something you haven’t experienced yet, I highly recommend grabbing a ticket. From the sunset and open air to the heart-felt performances to the candle-lit path post-show, it promises to be a memorable night out.
The Two Gentlemen of Verona tells the tale of two best pals who chase the same women around Italy only to find that the woman they left behind has donned a man’s suit and sought out behind them to find the truth. An ensemble cast includes Water Works veterans Sara Cathryn Wolfe as Julia and Rusty Mewha as Proteus, as well as Berkley’s own Stephen Blackwell taking on the role of Thurio. The play is directed by Barton Bund, founding artistic director of Ann Arbor’s Blackbird Theatre.
In addition to The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Water Works will present a daylight family show – for the second year – Lane Riosley’s The Commedia Tales of King Arthur. Bring the whole family for the discounted price of $6. It’s showing at 7 p.m. Tuesday or Wednesday or 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from July 27 through Aug. 8, 2010.
Two Gentleman of Verona runs 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sundays from July 22 through Aug. 8. Tickets are $18 at www.waterworkstheatre.com.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: Berkley, open air theatre, Royal Oak, Shakespeare, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Urbane, urbane apartments, Water Works Theatre Company
