It’s the beginning of a new month, and you know what that means: plenty of opportunities for fun in the D over the course of the next few weeks. For many of us, the holiday season means that our schedules are going to start filling up with family fun and festivities, but don’t forget to add a few of the following extracurriculars to your calendar as well.
Here, in no particular order, are “November’s Necessary Nine Happenings in Southeast Michigan”:
M-Brew, 177 Vester St., Ferndale, is conveniently located a hop and a skip away from my office, perfect for the occasional coffee break or lunch outing. If you haven’t been to M-Brew yet, you’re going to want to get there soon. In addition to the craft beer and homemade food, there’s an arcade in the basement. Also, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. tonight, M-Brew is hosting its first Pinball Tournament! There will be about 30 contestants participating, and if you haven’t signed up, you can at least go and watch the action. If you’re a pinball wizard, keep in mind that a five-week pinball league begins in January.
Whiskey Business takes place at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. 11 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, on Friday, Nov. 7. Now is the time to sample over 100 whiskies from all around the world! Sample your favorites like Jack Daniels and Jim Beam, and don’t miss out on Michigan offerings like those from Two James Distillery, New Holland Brewing and Grand Traverse Distillery. The event runs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and general admission tickets cost $50 (which includes a tasting cup and 10 tasting tickets). You can also purchase a VIP ticket for $70 (which gets you into the event an hour early with 15 tasting tickets), or a designated driver pass for $15.
B Spot Burgers, 310 S. Main St., Royal Oak, makes its grand opening on Monday, Nov. 10. You may be familiar with award-winning chef Michael Symon’s other restaurant in town, Roast. (Well, it’s in Detroit, but close enough). Voted Best Burgers in America at the Sobe Burger Bash four of the past five years, you can expect a great meal. Try the Fat Doug (a burger with coleslaw, pastrami, mustard and Swiss cheese) or the Fun Guy (with grilled onions, mushrooms and bleu cheese).
Sip, Savor, Stomp also takes place at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. 11 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, on Saturday, Nov. 15. This is a great event for wine connoisseurs, as well as those who want to gift a bottle of vino for the holidays. Over 90 different wineries will be represented, with more than 150 varieties of wine to choose from. There will be live entertainment and food samples on hand, including cheese and chocolate pairings. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and goes until 11 p.m. Grand tasting tickets cost $45 (for 15 tasting tickets), and VIP tickets cost $65 (for 20 tasting tickets and early admission). Designated driver tickets are available as well, for $15. If you’re planning to purchase a ticket, know that discounted tickets are available for purchase at all Westborn Market locations!
Beer & Waffles Brunch is set to take place at Sava’s, 216 S. State St., Ann Arbor, on Saturday, Nov. 15. Normally I don’t start my day with beer and waffles unless it’s at a tailgate, but in this case I’m willing to make an exception. Head to Sava’s at noon, and you’ll enjoy a four-course meal with a different Short’s beer pairing with each. Tickets cost $40.
One Eyed Betty’s FestivALE will take place at the restaurant, located at 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale, on Saturday, Nov. 22. The event runs from noon to midnight and includes the best beer, food and music around. A heated tent will line Troy Street, where you can enjoy live music, while Christmas trees, bonfires and performers will fill the street. Don’t miss out on the numerous beer stations, including a Christmas Beer Booth and Michigan’s Best Beer Booth. The interior of One Eyed Betty’s will hold over 20 pinball machines for the day! Tickets cost $30 in advance or $35 at the door.
100 Years of Broadway hits the stage at the Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit, on Sunday, Nov. 23. Neil Berg’s musical features a cast of Broadway stars in a show that celebrates Broadway’s best shows ever. It features moments from shows including “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables” and “Cats,” amongst others. Tickets cost $19.50 to $44.50 and the show begins at 3 p.m.
America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is something most of us have enjoyed since we were kids, and no November event list would be complete without it. The parade takes place in downtown Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, of course, and this year marks its 88th year. If you plan on staking out a seat along the route, the procession begins at 9 a.m. on Woodward Avenue and Kirby Street and at the end of Woodward Avenue and Congress Street. Don’t forget to layer heavily!
The Nutcracker kicks off the Christmas season at the end of the month at the Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway St., Detroit. The BalletMet Columbus’ production begins on Friday, Nov. 28 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 30. The show features over 100 cast members and the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra performs the score. There will be five performances throughout the course of the weekend, and all three days feature family matinees. During the matinees, Santa and the Nutcracker arrive before the show and those attending can enjoy a buffet of Twisted Mac & Cheese, Chicken Florentine Alfredo, Chicken Fingers and more. Tickets cost $38 to $68 depending on seating.
Whether you’re looking for a weekend activity to enjoy with the family, or an evening of beverage sampling with your friends, there is plenty to do in Metro Detroit throughout the month of November. Remember to mark these on your calendar so you don’t miss a beat!