The Detroit News

DVoice



Exploring Detroit’s revival with those who live, work and play here

DVoice

Exploring Detroit’s revival with the people who live, work and play here.

Apr 23, 2015, 3:46 pm Events | Music

In Detroit, passports more than a trip to Canada

  • By Natalie Bruno
  • comments

Deborah Voigt in The Merry Widow at the Detroit Opera House

Natalie Bruno

Natalie Bruno

  • Tweet

On my way back from Chicago last weekend, I was checking to make sure I had everything…phone charger, dress, and passport….check, check, and check. Only, I wasn’t heading to Windsor. I was on my way to see The Merry Widow at the Detroit Opera House with my passport (provided by Detroit Passport to the Arts) in hand.

A few of my favorite things about this passport set-up include:

1. My date to see the opera was set months ago.
2. I trust that I will be seeing a great production, thanks to those who organize the DP2A season.
3. I know I will see many friends and meet many new people.
4. I paid for my passport back in September, so the night out feels “free”, complete with an after party.

Welcome to Detroit Passport to the Arts. I was compelled to leave my family in the Chicago area to make it back in time for the fifth of six world-class performances by cultural organizations in our city. But not before eating dinner at one of Detroit’s newest dining establishments.

Cauliflower Appetizer at Gold Cash Gold

Cauliflower Appetizer at Gold Cash Gold

Okay, so embarrassing moment… I had just enough time before the opera to meet a friend last minute for dinner. I was driving; so with no (safe) access to google or yelp, and only my memory to rely on, I threw out Gold Cash Gold. For those who track marketing…thank you “word of mouth”. I walked into this gorgeous space in Corktown, and wasn’t quite sure I was in the right place. In fact, I asked the waitress where I could find the games; bowling and such. After a puzzled look, she said, “You might be thinking of Punch Bowl Social“. Ah, click! So, after my moment of confusion about where I was, and which new Detroit restaurant I was visiting, I settled in. And this is what I found:

Looking up at Gold Cash Gold

Looking up at Gold Cash Gold

Looking out at Gold Cash Gold

Looking out at Gold Cash Gold

I was so happy to have figured out where I had landed. Between the cauliflower appetizer, vegetable soup, spaetzle dish, and trout, my friend and I were loving every bite. This new restaurant, adding charm, sophistication, simplicity, authenticity, and flavor to the offerings in Corktown, had become an immediate favorite. Check them out here: Gold Cash Gold.

Then….on to the opera. I love opera, at least I do now. It can be an acquired taste to be sure. As a 20-year-old playing trumpet in the Arizona Opera Orchestra, I very quickly learned to suspend all belief when taking in operatic story lines; and instead I listened to the glorious music and marveled at the spectacular sets. 17 years later, not much has changed about the way I enjoy opera. I say this lovingly. 

Passport holders (all 200 of them) were treated to one of the all-time great sopranos, Deborah Voigt, who sang the lead role of Hanna Glawari in The Merry Widow. This woman is to opera what Oprah Winfrey is to soulful television. Star-power is a big deal. But, so too are incredible sets and costumes, which The Merry Widow delivered upon, and then there were spectacular singers like these folks, that made me melt in my seat:

Amanda Squitieri and Adam Blake in The Merry Widow at the Detroit Opera House

Amanda Squitieri & Adam Blake in The Merry Widow at the Detroit Opera House

….and dancing scenes that made us laugh, and an all-around air of culture, to remind you that you are indeed at the opera. And how again? Oh, right, Detroit Passport to the Arts, a program geared toward young professionals (45 and under) which provides an introduction to 6 cultural organizations in the Metro Detroit region. This was the fifth, and once again, a great choice.

If you’re a passport holder, your evening doesn’t end with the great art that attracted you in the first place. Your night ends with an after party. And, not just any after party. Take this one, for example:

1. It was held at Detroit’s YMCA, a great venue in and of itself, and just walking distance from MOT.
2. It’s a great opportunity to connect with friends, meet new friends, and discuss the opera.
3. In addition to drinks, dessert, and music, there were entertainers with fire in hand (whoa!)

Music and Fire: DP2A after party

Music and Fire: DP2A after party

So, remember, my day started in Chicago…and it ended in Detroit. Two incredible cities. With my passport, I experienced the opera, an awesome after party, and the bonus of a new restaurant, all within a span of 5 hours. This happens 6 times a year. Your evenings are planned for you. You get to check out six cultural organizations, you have to do nothing except buy a passport and decide where you’re going to have dinner, and you’ll encounter new friends, whether they be passport holders, or artists. Take for example…the singers from MOT that attended “the Y” Saturday to sing “Happy Birthday” to one of the chorus members…in glorious four-part harmony. Pretty amazing. Convinced yet? It’s time to join DP2A.

Natalie Bruno
Natalie Bruno is the Director of Talent & Organizational Culture at Mango Languages, a business that enriches lives through language and culture, via cutting-edge language-learning software. Prior to this appointment, she was the Chief Operating Officer & Vice President for Development with Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings, Eisenhower Dance, and the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival. In 2009, she launched Detroit Passport to the Arts with a group of young professionals and was named one of Crain’s Detroit Business 2010 “40 Under 40” honorees for her work in attracting audiences to cultural organizations. A native of Chicago, Natalie has made Metro Detroit her home since 2003. She remains active on the board of Detroit Passport to the Arts, and also serves on the board of Challenge Detroit. Follow her @NatalieBruno11.
Tags: Adam Blake, Amanda Squitieri, Deborah Voigt, Detroit Opera House, Detroit Passport to the Arts, Detroit YMCA, Gold Cash Gold, Michigan Opera Theatre, Punch Bowl Social, The Merry Widow
Previous Post In search of ‘The Great Detroit Film’
Next Post Powermoves @ Detroit

Join the Conversation

The Detroit News aims to provide a forum that fosters smart, civil discussions on the news and events that we cover. The News will not condone personal attacks, off topic posts or brutish language on our site. If you find a comment that you believe violates these standards, please click the "X" in the upper right corner of the post to report it.

  • Policies
  • Community Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Related Posts in Uncategorized on DVoice

  • Oct 19, 2015, 3:08 pm

    Come Friendraise with Hatch Detroit Winner Live Cycle Delight!

    For those who have heard about or followed the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest in recent months, this year’s winner Live Cycle Delight and its founder Amina Daniels have been on a roll since taking the … Continue Reading →

  • Sep 24, 2015, 4:14 am

    Mix and mingle with Detroit’s best-dressed

  • Aug 14, 2015, 12:00 pm

    A New Online Platform For Michigan Entrepreneurs

  • Aug 13, 2015, 4:41 pm

    The Irrelevant Relevance of the Charles H. Wright Museum

  • Aug 7, 2015, 3:43 pm

    Interview with Charlie Wollborg, Curator of TEDxDetroit

  • Aug 4, 2015, 3:46 pm

    My Detroit Bucket List – part II

  • Aug 3, 2015, 11:00 am

    Five Events for Detroit Entrepreneurs in August

About DVoice

DVoice is home to some of Detroit's most influential and active community members. Our contributors are professionals who live, work, or play in the city on a regular basis - and love it!

DVoice will offer commentary about Detroit events, trends, restaurants, bars, entrepreneurial businesses, the arts, real estate and much more. We hope it will tell the story of our city and what it is becoming.

We're happy you found us! Stay awhile, and come back often! And keep up with our daily posts by following us on our Facebook page and on Twitter @DVoiceBlog.

Index

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Contributors

These are the voices of DVoice

  • Josh Andrew: Detroit Public Schools
  • Orlando Bailey: C.O.D.E. on Mack
  • Margarita Barry: Founder, I Am Young America
  • Derrick Bollin: Detroit Creative Circle
  • Natalie Bruno: Mango Languages
  • Kaitlyn Buss: The Detroit News
  • Lauren Cavanagh: SMZ Advertising
  • Challenge Detroit: Fellows
  • Katy Cockrel: Ignition Media Group
  • Emily Dabish: Office for New Americans
  • James David Dickson: The Detroit News
  • Kale Davidoff: Founder, Woodwords Blog
  • Kerry Doman: After 5 Detroit
  • Tatiana Grant: Infused Public Relations & Events
  • Evette Hollins: Detroit Regional Chamber
  • Russ Keberly: Photographer
  • Cornetta Lane: Detroit Dialogues
  • Philip Lauri: DetroitLives!
  • Jeanette Pierce: We Know Detroit
  • Gareth Potts: New Barn Raising
  • Ciarra Ross: Heal Detroit
  • Paul Ruth: East Detroit High School
  • Steve Tobocman: Global Detroit
  • Nathaniel Wallace: Communications Professionals, Inc.
  • Stefen Welch: Grant Associates Inc.
  • Sommer Woods: M-1 Rail

Blogs from The Detroit News

  • Dodge + Burn
  • DVoice
  • Geek Watch
  • Going Home
  • The Good Life
  • Parenting
  • Overdrive
  • Joyrides
  • Politics
  • Nolan Finley
  • Wine

Sports Blogs

  • College Sports
  • Lions + NFL
  • Pistons + NBA
  • Red Wings + NHL
  • Tigers + MLB
Visit the blog index
ADVERTISEMENT