It's the SoHo of
Michigan
innovative galleries,
good grub and
11111fr pulsing clubs.
LYNNE MEREDITH COHN STAFF WRITE
Trendy but
timeless: The
Velvet Lounge's
martinis and
cigars.
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62
n New York City, you walk south of Houston
Street and in minutes stumble upon dynam-
ic, cutting-edge art galleries and unique bistros.
It's called SoHo.
In Michigan, it's called Pontiac.
At least part of the suburb that years ago ranked
among the top 10 most dangerous cities in the na-
tion has emerged from the shroud of bad raps and
become the metro Detroit neighborhood with the
most character.
And it's'the kind of place that attracts every
kind of person for every kind of evening.
Dates: Colangelo's, Bistro Allegro, dancing at
Clutch Cargo's, the Velvet Lounge, Diamonds &
Spurs. A gaggle of preppy college grads: Bo's Bistro
and Brewery. Trendy college grads: Industry. Your
parents: Colangelo's, art galleries, Beale St. Blues.
First dates: a two-hour gallery stroll, dinner, loud
music. Girls' night .out: Bistro Allegro, clubbing.
Guys' night out: Bo's, clubbing.
For about four blocks along the main drag (Sag-
inaw Street), galleries, restaurants and clubs are sandwiched between massive park-
ing lots. It's brightly lit and well-patrolled, with the business sector extending behind
and around.
Clubs and bars range in cost from free to $5 cover, and most of the food and drink
prices are reasonable. Even the nice places.
Which is the nice thing about Pontiac. Not to mention its proliferation of art.
Whether it's known as furniture or functional art, glass or sculpture, the galleries
of Pontiac are owned by individuals who hope to make this Midwest suburb into "a
high craft center unequaled in America," according to D. Scott Patria, director of Gallery:
FunctionArt (21 N. Saginaw).
In Mr. Patria's opinion, many of the Pontiac art enclaves — several of which are in
the same building, 7 N. Saginaw — are among the best in the nation.
"The top glass gallery in the nation, the creme de la creme in studio glass" — Ha-
batat Galleries; Shaw Guido Gallery is top in ceramics; Gallery: FunctionArt falls
in at least the top 10 furniture showings, and the Anderson Gallery is a textile and