DEARBORN PAINTS GOOD FOOD PROJECT
Follow artist Janet Kondziela, the creative force behind the “Dearborn Paints - Good Food!” project as she continues to move around Dearborn with easel, palette and brushes capturing all that’s delicious in local restaurants, markets and bakeries. Follow her to the upcoming locations to see and taste for yourself what each has to offer:
September 10, 2010 (Sept 17 Rain Date) - Cedars Coney Island, 22443 Michigan Ave (in ACO shopping center) 1:00 PM
September 13, 2010 - Kowloon Restaurant, 22905 Michigan Ave, 11:30 AM
September 15, 2010 - Taste of Dearborn East, Habib’s Cuisine, 14316 Michigan Ave, 5:00 PM
September 23, 2010 - Lile’s Ham Sandwich Shop, 13800 Michigan Ave, 9:30 AM
October 1, 2010 - the Fish Market, 4355 Schaefer Rd, 10:30 AM (hot food)
October 30, 2010 - Westborn Fruit and Flower Market, 21755 Michigan Ave, 10:00 AM (prepared food)
This is a new and very exciting project and one in which you are invited to participate! Beginning May 2010, Janet began going into Dearborn restaurants, markets and other places to paint on site. You’re invited to see her there as she attempts to capture, in paint, their unique dishes or products. It’s also going to be an opportunity for you to check out some of Dearborn’s fabulous eateries.
In Septembor of next year (2011), there will be a solo show of these paintings at the Padzieski Gallery in the Ford Performing Arts Center. Check back here often to see where in the world of Dearborn’s Good Food places she will show up next!
Also view her website here.
EDDDA CONTINUES EXPLORATION OF ARTS DISTRICT
The East Dearborn Development Authority (EDDDA), in partnership with the City of Dearborn, is exploring a new and creative approach to a potential economic development project with Artspace, the nation’s leading nonprofit real estate developer for the arts. The Artspace mission is to create, foster and preserve affordable space that serves the needs of artists and arts organizations of all disciplines. These activities contribute to the continued growth of the arts community thus enhancing the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding community. This results in these nationwide projects being community driven.
On June 22 and 23, 2010 the EDDDA hosted Artspace who conducted an intense Prefeasibility Visit to provide preliminary feedback about the feasibility of creating a live/work, multi-use or other arts facility development. They explored five areas of consideration: project concept, artist market need, site suitability, potential to fund and sustain a project and local leadership. A public meeting was held to determine community support and inform the public of Artspace’s work. The Prefeasibility Visit is the first step in the process that can lead to an Artspace project.
In order to develop a project that meets the true needs of artists, it is vitally important that we receive feedback from a large cross section of the artists in the community. The next step of the Artspace project will be to reach out to as many artists and arts organizations as possible with a survey created specifically for this project. The survey will provide us with statistical information including such things as: artist housing needs, affordability ranges, rental vs. ownership preferences, artist studio-only needs, location preferences, design requirements based on household sizes and arts disciplines, and arts organization space needs.
Visit the Artspace website at www.artspace.org.to learn more about the organization and its success in other communities. The scope of this project requires a comprehensive strategy in order to move forward. Community involvement from all sectors: financial, civic, arts and culture are all part of the mix that leads to a successful project!
Stay tuned to our website for updates!
TASTE OF DEARBORN EAST WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15!
Save the date and your appetite!
The EDDDA has teamed up with the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce to indulge participants with the unique and cultural tastes of East Downtown Dearborn with a Taste of Dearborn East on September 15th, 2010 from 6-10pm. We are thrilled to be a part of this successful event that will showcase the diverse variety of flavors that our local restaurants have to offer.
Cost is $25 and reservations are required by September 10, 2010. Ticket price at the door is $30. You can register online at www.tasteofdearborn.com or download the online registration form and fax to 313-584-9818. Participants must be at least 21 to participate and will receive a wristband during the check-in process at the EDDDA office, 13750 Michigan Avenue, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Seventeen restaurants participate in this first annual Taste East event throughout East Dearborn and the Fairlane Town Center complex.
The wristband is to be worn by all “tasters” so restaurant workers will be able to distinguish them from regular patrons. Tasters sample free appetizers, purchase drink specials if they choose, then catch one of the passenger vans available for transportation to the next participating restaurant of their choice. Transportation is available to participating restaurants until 10 p.m.
This is a delicious way to enjoy all the great restaurants that East Dearborn has to offer. For more information contact Peggy Richard, Event Manager at 313-584-6100 or Melissa Kania of the EDDDA at 313-943-3141. Register online TODAY at www.tasteofdearborn.com.
Participating restaurants include:
360 Lounge
Adonis Restaurant
Alcamo’s Italian Market
Amani’s
Avenue Bar & Grill
Bravo! Cucina Italiana
Country Restaurant
Fuddruckers at Fairlane
Fuego Mexican Grill
Habib’s Cuisine
Joe’s Top Dog
PF Changs China Bistro
Prestige Café
Roma Bakery
Roman Village Cucina Italiana (at check-in)
Schmoocheese Cheesecakes (at check-in)
Shelby’s On Warren
Come taste the diverse restaurants in East Downtown Dearborn right at their locations!
EDDDA EXPLORING ARTS DISTRICT
The East Dearborn Development Authority (EDDDA), in partnership with the City of Dearborn, is exploring a new and creative, approach to a potential economic development project with Artspace, the nation’s leading nonprofit real estate developer for the arts. The Artspace mission is to create, foster and preserve affordable space that serves the needs of artists and arts organizations of all disciplines. These activities contribute to the continued growth of the arts community thus enhancing the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding community. This results in these nationwide projects being community driven.
Dearborn has a deep rooted and well established arts and cultural community with many existing cultural resources. Included in these are: the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Dearborn Youth Symphony, Artist Society of Dearborn, Fair Lane Music Guild, Berkowitz Gallery, Padzieski Art Gallery and Dearborn Community Arts Council. Dearborn is home to amazing attractions and destinations like The Henry Ford, the Arab American National Museum and the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center that draw thousands of visitors each year.
The arts and cultural industry is one of growth and has a direct economic impact on the community. Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations support more jobs then other fields such as accountants, lawyers, public safety officers or teachers. The arts and culture industry attracts audiences, increases tourism, spurs business development and generates revenue. The arts mean business! The arts are a business!
With its distinct and vibrant marketplace of people, food and cultures as well as the $70 million mixed use development under construction at Michigan and Schaefer, the EDDDA is well positioned to support an innovative and creative project such as the proposed Artspace.
Visit the Artspace website at www.artspace.org.to learn more about the organization and its success in other communities. The scope of this project requires a comprehensive strategy in order to move forward. Community involvement from all sectors: financial, civic, arts and culture are all part of the mix that leads to a successful project!
This is a unique opportunity to blend the oft-perceived divergent worlds of art and economic development into a powerful, unified force to achieve sustainable job creation and retention. We must focus on sustaining our community by capitalizing on assets including: the international presence of our diverse ethnic groups, a well defined arts/cultural heritage, and access to substantial economic development resources.
Feel free to contact Melissa Kania of the EDDDA with questions or comments at: 313-943-3141 or by e-mail at: mkania@ci.dearborn.mi.us.
EDDDA OFFICE WAS WARM WITH HOLIDAY SPIRIT!
Over 100 people visited our Holiday Open House on December 16, 2009; amongst the many attendees were district merchants and residents, business partners, stakeholders and City of Dearborn officials. It was a great opportunity for district merchants and residents to connect with the EDDDA and learn what we do and what we can do to help support and promote our businesses and the downtown area.
The atmosphere was festive and very welcoming. Local business owners were happy to meet the Acting Director Melissa Kania, as well as new EDDDA clerical assistant Dee Alkarawy and other City of Dearborn Officials. Everyone was impressed by all the accommodations made to make everyone feel comfortable and enjoy the holiday cheer.
Our guests enjoyed tasting ‘the world in a mile’ from the long buffet that was filled with food from several of the diverse restaurants just along our downtown strip. We would like to thank the various restaurants including JB Bamboozles, Amani’s, Jim’s Place, Lile’s Ham Sandwich Shop, Red Star, Alcamo’s and Habib’s Cuisine for sponsoring and supporting our event.
We hope to add more EDDDA Open Houses in the future as a way to keep communication open with our district merchants and residents.
Acting Director Melissa Kania welcomes guests
- Open House guests enjoy food from local restaurants
- Acting Director Melissa Kania chats with guests
- Acting Director Melissa Kania talks with EDDDA Board member Rose Khalifa
- Acting Director Melissa Kania chats with local residents
EAST DOWNTOWN DEARBORN HAS IT ALL!
Eclectic shopping, ethnic food stores, a world class museum, retro retailers and great restaurants.
And holiday shopping is easy with a collection of independent retailers that range from the greatest depth in any comic books in town, an independent record store with hard to find labels, to a locally owned music store with instruments to beat the band.
Talk about ethnic foods, you have the world at your door in East Downtown Dearborn. From homemade Italian sausages to fresh cooked fish to-go, you’ll find it all here.
From Middle Eastern to Polish, fine dining to small diners and sandwich shops, East Downtown Dearborn has the best food around.
Culture? The largest Arab Museum in the country resides here, introducing you to the wonders of the Middle East.
All of your service needs can be met here, from accounting and insurance, beauty salons and a large variety of medical services.
It’s where Michigan Avenue meets Schaefer Road, a place where you can see the world in one mile.
Check out our business directory here.
JAZZ ON THE AVE CONCERT SERIES A SUCCESS!
The East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority is pleased to announce its second year of summer Jazz On The Ave outdoor concert series was another overwhelming success in the neighborhood! Over 1500 people attended the very well recieved free concerts!
The EDDDA partnered with Smooth Jazz V98.7 HD2 and WWJ Newsradio to present Jazz On The Ave, which will be East Downtown Dearborn’s signature event in summertime for years to come.
The series drew significant attention to the neighborhood, home to eclectic restaurants and retailers, as well as an array of professional services.
For next year’s concert series, the EDDDA is planning additional ways to involve local merchants to assist them in realizing the opportunity for new customers.
Stay tuned to our website for next year’s concert dates!
Special thanks to V98.7 Smooth Jazz HD and WWJ Newsradio, along with series co-sponsors including Oakwood Healthcare, the Dearborn Community Fund, the Times-Herald, Press & Guide and Metro Times newspapers.
So as well as the Jazz On The Ave concert series, this year we’ll be putting on a Taste of Dearborn East event on September 15! View the story on our website here.
Stay tuned here for any updates and always feel free to contact us!
