LetsSaveMichigan: The city is a playground for creatives

The Nain Rouge march that happened two weekends ago is just one example of how available Detroit can be to its residents. A few Detroit champions put out a word and 300 costumed Detroiters show up to burn a 300-year-old red devil. And who says Detroit is boring? As the LetsSaveMichigan web site says, Detroit is a playground for these creative types (and just about anyone looking to make something happen).

Excerpt from LetsSaveMichigan.com:

Francis Grunow, a champion of Detroit if ever there was one, pulled together a group of friends and organized a revival of the March du Nain Rouge, where people were asked to dress up as alter egos and help banish a personified version of the evil dwarf.

What started out as an off the wall attempt among friends to revive a long forgotten tradition turned into a brilliant event that brought out some 300 costumed people on a beautiful afternoon to march through Detroit's Cass Corridor . . . . which is certainly not one of the city's more vibrant stretches. The revelers were merrily led by the rogue Detroit Party Marching Band to Cass Park in front of the Masonic Hall, where speeches were made and the Nain Rouge was eventually burned in effigy in a steel drum, ringing in spring and hopefully bringing good fortune to Detroit for the coming year.

For those who weren't there I'm sure it sounds silly or simply absurd, but it was more significant than that. The Marche du Nain Rouge proved a couple things. Firstly, quality of place isn't always about "brick and mortar" establishments. The desirability of city goes beyond the coffee shops, restaurants, and public spaces. While those are important, it is also about the community and the people that make up the city, and the events that bring them together.

Read the entire article here.
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