The Detroit Public Library houses a pretty decent collection of new releases and classics, all at no cost. If you rent the movie on a Thursday you can keep it until Tuesday. Plan to spend at least 15 minutes browsing, as it has grown in popularity and both college students and families alike are taking advantage of this service. VCR owners (those of you still out there) can browse the DPL’s still impressive collections of VHS tapes.
The DIA offers free admission on Fridays for Detroit residents. Have you been to the DIA lately? They’re doing a lot to stay fresh and interesting. It’s a perfect date idea or when having a get-together. Only problem is once you’ve kind of gone through the exhibit, there isn’t much left to do. There is a great cafeteria.
The Be There Lounge, 15410 W. Chicago (off Greenfield), offers some of Detroit’s best jazz, blues and R&B artists in one spot on Wednesday nights starting at 9 p.m. There is no cover charge. The audience is treated to a jam session that includes trumpeters, saxophonists, guitarists, singers and a few surprises.
I think we are slowly moving towards a world that values active participation to passive viewing. The number of families owning a Nintendo Wii or a Playstation 2 is growing. Not only, according to a recent report are they outselling the souped-up Playstation 3, but games are starting to be viewed as an “all-ages entertainment,” as it should be.
Let’s face it. Video games are creating some of the most engaging, innovative movies around (“Grand Theft Auto IV” is a fine example). They have already surpassed Hollywood storytelling with narratives far superior to the recycle bin we call the movie theater.
If you prefer to go “old school,” sans game controller, MJR Theaters (with locations in Southgate and Allen Park) offers the best deals, hands down. Free popcorn on Tuesdays and ticket prices are always very reasonable. If you feel somewhat cheated by your Star AMC experience (as I do these days), give MJR a spin.
MJR reminds me of going to the movies in the late ’80s and early ’90s with my family. Those simpler times, when piling in the car to go to the movies was considered “an outing.”
I can recall the theme music to “Mortal Combat” drifting from the arcade, and the smell of popcorn and hot butter. My fist clutching my ticket stub like it was a passport to another world.
In the end, it’s all about changing the “change game,” you might say — putting more money in your pocket and enjoying life, making the recession work for you.
This is hardly an exhaustive list of things to do either very cheaply or for free in the metro Detroit area. I welcome some of your personal picks and choices. Send them to cfortune@michronicle.com.
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