I stuck my head out this morning and it was snowing again, so here I am back under the blankets and pretending I’m in Havana or San José (Costa Rica) or anywhere that these sandy beaches, palm fronds, and drinks with little umbrellas might actually exist. Somehow that sounds better than more snow plowing and pothole damage.

I did come out from hiding long enough yesterday to attend Lafayette Market’s Edible Wow open house. This was really pleasant, not just because it was warm in the market, but because Phil May provided a nice musical backdrop to the tasting of the excellent wares of numerous local merchants. Everything from jams to hot sauce to cakes, toffee, beer, and wine were being grazed by the fairly large herd of locavores who showed up.

It’s February in Michigan and we don’t have a lot of events to cover at the moment (ok, there were a couple of freeeeezing ones that we could have covered if we had a polar bear for a photographer), but we also know that this is the calm before the storm. Spring is around the corner (it is, isn’t it?) and there will be more happening in SE Michigan than anyone could hope to do. We’re looking forward to seeing you all out there in T-shirts and shorts, sweating in the hot sunlight. I’ll come out from under the blankets then.

Well, Memorial Day has come and gone and everyone is pretty much back to their summer routine until the next holiday that provides an extra day off. There are very few days off for festivities during the Michigan summer, however. Now that spring has finally exerted its dominance over the lingering frosts of Old Man Winter, the outdoor fun is in full swing. Gardens are being planted, lawns are being mowed, the rain is beating the heck out of all of it, and everyone wishes they had done a slightly better job of raking up the leaves last fall. Ok, perhaps that last one is my projection on the rest of you.

Outdoor festivals and events proceed apace. We just wrapped up Flower Day at Eastern Market, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum Grand Re-Opening media preview, the Grand Opening of the Gallery on the Boulevard in Pontiac, the Saint Mary’s Polish Country Fair, and the Waterford Township Memorial Day Parade; all during the past two weeks. Suddenly we’re looking towards Royal Oak’s Baconfest (this weekend), the Waterford Peacefest at the L.A. Café (also this weekend), evening garden parties at the Whitney in Detroit, and many others. 

A quick reminder, tomorrow is the first Friday that the new Lafayette Market in downtown Pontiac is holding its “Friday Summer Concerts on the Patio.” Lunch BBQ & Music is from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM and Dinner BBQ & Music is from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM, with a beer and wine service available during the dinner. The Lafayette’s flyer informs that there will be grilling outside on a charcoal bar-b-que using the Market’s “finest ingredients.” This sounds too good to pass up and Detroit Metro Mashup will be there for one or both of these on the first day. These Friday events will take place at the Market from May 31^st through August 30^th, so you have plenty of opportunity to get to Pontiac and check out this great addition to Oakland County.

If you don’t have tickets to Baconfest, I understand it is already sold out. Sorry. Perhaps there is a way to get tickets, but I don’t know what that way would be. We’re supposed to make it down there and provide some coverage so, hopefully, we’ll have some photos that will smell like bacon for your vicarious pleasure.

If you don’t have Baconfest tickets, the Waterford Peacefest is always fun, with artists and vendors on the grounds (and sometimes off the grounds) of the L.A. Café. You should try to get there, support the artists, and try one of their specialty coffee drinks and fabulous sandwiches. 

Forget the rain, enjoy your weekend!