D-scene: Oct. 22-28

(Credit: Kelli Marshall)

Photos:

Access Detroit
Whether it’s been a while since you’ve explored downtown Detroit or the dirty D is your regular hang, celebrate the opening of the Westin Book Cadillac while discovering (or revisiting) some of city's greatest treasures.

Following a 24-year-slumber, the historic downtown landmark reopened this month after a $200-million renovation. Access Detroit’s welcome back bash includes a block party Friday night and a grand opening gala Saturday with music and dancing in the Club Cadillac Lounge aka the Woodward Ballroom.

“It is a night for everyone to check out Detroit and have fun making history as we usher the Book back to the boulevard,” says Kerry Doman, event organizer.

The free block party includes live performances by the Killer Flamingos, Trick Trick, a DJ spin off between Paxahau DJs, giveaways and more. Spike from Channel 955 will host and street artists will be on site.

Saturday night's black-tie gala also includes cocktails at the brand new  Motor Bar. For more information, visit www.accessdetroitevent.com.

Block party, 8:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, Washington Boulevard, Downtown Detroit.

Grand opening gala, 11 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, Book Cadillac, 1114 Washington Blvd., Detroit. $100.

Set this Stage on Fire
Wordsmiths put down the pens and paper and prepare to spit your best game at Set This Stage on Fire at Envy this Friday.

Designed to provide a stage for local artists to display their talent in front of a captive audience, Set this Stage is a spin off from the Detroit Hip Hop Showcase, a monthly that ran for more than a year and a half before ending early last year.

“I feel it’s important for artists to mix and mingle with other artists,” says promoter Daishawn “Jelly” Franklin, CEO of Jelly’s World. “It allows artists to collaborate to make better product. It also allows artists to support each other in terms of purchasing each other’s music or utilizing services that one may be able to provide for another.”

There will be live performances by Black Guvernment, Jinx from Detroit-based Skull’E Records and more.

“It is important that the grassroots movement of hip-hop is maintained and there is a stage that an artist can show the fruits of their hard work,” Jelly says. “Reality is most artists won't sign a million dollar record deal, but to get on that stage and showcase your talent to your peers and other music lovers to some is just priceless.”

9 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday, Envy, 234 Larned, Detroit, 313.962.3689.  $10. 18+

Detroit Erotica Ball
Gothic settings, vampire themes and modern and vintage fetish will marry this Saturday to form the second annual Erotica Ball at Bert's Warehouse.

“The Detroit Erotica Ball is an upscale masquerade ball with a fetish and erotic twist,” says organizer Stephen Boyle. “If you are not comfortable with basic human interest in erotica then this event may not be for you.”

With live entertainment, vendors, psychics, exotic art exhibits and more, this sensuous shindig provides the perfect opportunity to let those inhibitions go and indulge in a fantasy or two. Fetish and Halloween dress code will be enforced.

“It is about sensuality, teasing, flirting, foreplay and fun with sexuality,” Boyle says. “It is not about sex, pornography or explicit copulation.”

Participants my enter a fetish fashion show for $30 for one outfit and $10 per additional outfit. Money collected from entrance fees will be the prize with half the money collected going to the first place contestant. The runner-up will be rewarded one quarter of the collected contest fees.

“Halloween parties are known for costume contests yet this isn't exactly a Halloween party,” Boyle says. “We are stepping it up a notch and inviting fetish fashion designers and the like to create fetish fashion outfits for an on-stage contest.”

For more information, visit www.detroiteroticaball.com.

9 p.m.-4 a.m., Saturday, Bert’s Warehouse, 2739 Russell, Detroit, 313.393.3233. $10 advance at wantickets.com, $20 at the door. 21+

Zombie Walk
Their hunger for fresh brains is just one part or their motivation. The other? To help raise food for those in need (and we’re not talking human limbs).

Detroit’s second annual Zombie Walk will take place in downtown Ferndale this Saturday as flesh eaters walk to benefit the Ferndale Food Bank and Gleaners.

“We have more than one walk each year, but this is the first benefit. The others have been solely for fun,” says Kelli "Von Zombie" Marshall, founder of Zombie Walk Detroit. “Since we're hosting the walk in Ferndale, we wanted to make sure that a portion went directly to the city's food banks. Gleaners was kind enough to work that out for us, so after the walk, a credit will be applied to the three Ferndale Food Banks' accounts.”

World Zombie Day, a global food drive with about 50 participating cities, is held Oct. 26 and organized by the It's Alive Show in Pittsburgh.  

“Obviously (people) should participate this time to help bring in donations of food and funds for the food banks,” Von Zombie says. “The walks also provide enjoyment for those not participating -- especially when they don't know we're coming. It's one of our favorite things -- seeing the surprised looks and big grins on people's faces as we shamble by. They love it.”

Registration is at 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.zombiewalkdetroit.com.

3-6 p.m. Sunday, downtown Ferndale.