Metro Detroit Events and Things to Do in April, 2013

When: Depends on the School District
Where: Throughout the Metro-Detroit Area

The kids are home for Spring Break and have no where to be for a week! Here are a few ideas for things to do with the kids over Spring Break in Detroit.

When: Home Opener 4/5/13 (vs. Yankees)
Where: Comerica Park

Baseball, hot dogs, pizza pie and summer days go hand in hand at Detroit's Comerica Park. In addition to a relatively new ballpark, lots of food choice, and activities for the kids, the Tigers keep things interesting. 

When: 4/7/13 from 4 PM to 5 PM
Where: Along Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor

Festifools started off as a University of Michigan student project in 2007 but has since evolved into a community-building, public-art parade that showcases huge, papier-mache puppets.

Note: A second pageant/parade called Foolmoon is scheduled on 4/5/13 from dusk (7 PM) to midnight. Foolmoon is a night-time parade/pageant that is filled with illuminated sculptures, paper lanterns, shadow puppets and candlelight. It starts at one of three locations: the Farmer's Market at Kerrytown, UMMA or Slauson Middle School. All three routes end up at Washington and Ashley Streets in Downtown Ann Arbor.

When: 4/14/13
Where: Monroe Street, downtown Detroit

The Detroit Greek Parade was originally started in World War II to raise money to help American-ally Greece,  but it was successfully resurrected in 2002 and now serves as a celebration venue for Greek churches and organizations across Metro Detroit and Windsor. The parade runs along Monroe Street and ends in Greektown. The parade is also the occasion on which the Hellenic Heritage Award is presented.  

When: 4/19/13
Where: The Fillmore, downtown Detroit

In recognition of Detroit-area musicians, the 22nd annual Detroit Music Awards is presented by The Motor City Music Foundation. Award recipients are determined by local musicians and music industry professionals. Award categories include Blues, Jazz, Gospel, Country, Classical, Rock/Pop, R&B/Hip-Hop, Electronic, World and Folk/Acoustic.

When: 4/20/13 and 4/21/13
Where: The Detroit Zoo

At any given time, The Detroit Zoo hosts special zoo events that showcase zoo animals and offer special activities for children and adults. As the days warm and Detroit slips into spring, the zoo hosts GreenFest (its ode to Earth Day). There will be live entertainment, yoga lessons and a rock-climbing wall.

When: 4/19/13 through 4/28/13
Where: Throughout the City of Detroit

The event should probably be named Detroit Restaurant Week and a half. Over 10 days in April, Detroit celebrates its restaurants in style. Close to Twenty fine-dining restaurants in Corktown, Downtown, Eastern Market, Midtown and New Center will offer a special three-course dinner package for $30.

The restaurants include 24Grille, Andiamo Detroit Riverfront, Angelina Italian Bistro, Atlas Global Bistro, Brizola, Cliff Bell's, Coach Insignia, Cuisine, Da Edoardo Foxtown Grille, Detroit Seafood Market, Fountain Bistro, Iridescence, La Dolce Vita, Rattlesnake Club, Roast, Roma Cafe, Santorini Estiatorio, The Whitney, and Wolfgang Puck Grille.

When: 4/28/13
Where: Various locations throughout Metro Detroit

March of Dimes sponsors walks over over the Metro-Detroit area in late April. Most take place on 4/28/13 (including the walk at Wayne State University in Detroit), but there are a few walks that take place on 4/27 (Hines Park) and 5/5 (Kensington Metropark, Hudson Mills Metropark). The funds raised support programs in furtherance of full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.

When: Throughout the next couple of months
Where: Metro-Detroit Theaters and Concert Venues

At any given time, Detroit hosts a variety of shows and concerts, including music concerts, Broadway plays, comedians, rodeos and circuses.

When: Throughout the year
Where: Detroit Institute of Arts, downtown Detroit

Arts Alive!: After six and one-half years of renovations, the New Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) opened its doors in 2007 to show off its new design and galleries. The DIA is always brimming with events, including films, exhibits and music.

When: Throughout the month
Where: Parks in and around the Metro-Detroit area

In the spring months, both state and metro parks host lots of activities to help you embrace the warmer weather, including Easter-egg hunts, hikes and bike races. Check out the calendar of events:

• State Parks in the Metro-Detroit area include Maybury State Park in Northville, Seven Lakes State Park in Fenton, Dodge #4 State Park in Waterford, and Proud Lake Recreation Area in Commerce Township.
  
  
• Huron-Clinton MetroParks in and around Metro Detroit, including Metro Beach near Mt. Clemens and Kensington in Brighton.

When: Throughout the month
Where: Metro-Detroit area

At any given time, several conferences, expos or shows are open to the public in the Metro-Detroit area.