From scrumptious summer desserts and
chic fashions to outdoor art fairs and spicy
salsa moues, here's a look at hot summer
trends and activities in metro Detroit.
We're calling it 2004's Summer Delights.
A letter-by-
for Summer Desserts
la Who
says hot
chocolate is only for
chilly winter nights?
This summer,
chocoholics can
enjoy their favorite
winter beverage as
a cool treat. Maribel
Lieberman, founder
of MarieBelle Fine
Treats and
Chocolates in
trendy Soho New
York, calls her chocolate a "sensual experience."
Her famous MarieBelle Aztec Hot Chocolate (an
Oprah favorite) can be whipped into frosty concoc-
tions. Try this recipe: Aztec Iced Chocolate: In a
blender, mix 1 cup of Aztec Hot Chocolate Crème
de Chocolat (see above) and 1 cup of ice. Blend
until smooth. Makes two glasses. MarieBelle Aztec
Hot Chocolate comes in four decadent flavors -
Aztec Original, Aztec Dark, Aztec Spicy (with
chipotle, nutmeg and cinnamon) and Aztec Café
Negro (with Venezuelan coffee). Find MarieBelle
at Neiman Marcus, Papa Joe's Gourmet Market in
Birmingham or visit www.mariebelle.com .
is for Detroit Zoo
Cool off in the Arctic Ring of Life, a
state-of-the-art, $14.9 million interac-
tive exhibit about the North Pole.
Experience the Polar Passage, a 70-
foot long tunnel where you can watch
the underwater activities of polar bears
and seals. New this summer is Deep
Sea-The Ride, a motion-based film
simulation ride that shows life beneath
the ocean's surface. You'll plunge into
the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean
in search of a giant squid and sperm
whale. The Wild Adventure Simulator
uses NASA flight simulator technology
and digital surround sound. Visit the
Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak from 10
a.m.-5 p.m. daily through October.
Call (248) 398-0900.
12 •
JUNE 2004 • PLATINUM
etter guide
for Movies
for Unmentionables
Pretty lingerie and loungewear are
trendy, both in and out of the bedroom.
For once, comfort is key, with designers showing
matching sleep sets in ribbed cotton or silks. Instead
of thong bottoms, try a boy short or Capri pant. Yoga
pants are still hot,
but try pairing them
with a floral tank or
beaded top for a
more feminine look.
Even outerwear is
lingerie-inspired.
Designers like Dolce
and Gabbana and
Calvin Klein have
embraced this trend
by featuring exposed
bra straps, corsets
and silk tanks edged
with lace. At
Anthropologic in
Birmingham, find a
lingerie-inspired slip
dress by Eloise in pretty pastels — perfect for a wed-
ding shower. At West Bloomfield's Ruby's Balm, look
for matching sleep sets from Eberjey, Cosabella and
On Gossamer.
for Enjoy the Arts
Summertime abounds with
cultural opportunities like outdoor
music festivals and dozens of art fairs.
The granddaddy of them all is the Ann
Arbor Street Art Fair, one of the nation's
most competitive art exhibits. Browse
pastels and oil paintings, alongside clay
sculpture, jewelry and glasswork from
July 21-24. Chrysler Arts, Beats and
Eats is Oakland County's premier enter-
tainment festival with 200 artist booths,
hundreds of bands and tons of food in
downtown Pontiac Sept. 3-6. Catch the
Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform-
ing at Henry Ford's Greenfield Village
over Independence Day weekend. The
DSO's "Salute to America" is a patriotic
tribute under the stars.
No, we're not talking the local megaplex.
This summer, catch a flick outdoors at
America's largest drive-in theater, the Ford-Wyoming
Drive In, 10400 Ford Road, Dearborn. The Ford-
Wyoming has nine screens showing first-run movies
and room for over 3000 cars. Use the old-time speakers
or plug in with your own FM car stereo. Wednesday is
bargain night — only $7.50 per carload. Call (313) 846-
6910. Try a twist on the traditional movie date with
Friday Flicks in the Rock Garden of Rochester's
Meadow Brook Hall. Enjoy a 1930s Hollywood classic
(usually a romantic comedy) shown under the stars on
August Fridays.
Admission is
$25 per person,
which includes
a picnic basket
filled with
gourmet hors
d'oeuvres, wine
and chocolate.
Reservations
are recom-
mended. Call
(248) 370-3140.
for Love Your Pet
The American Pet Products Manufacturers
Association reports Americans are spending
more money than ever on their furry
friends. Spending in the pet industry has
doubled in the last decade from $17 billion
in 1994 to a projected $34.3 billion in 2004
— outranking both the toy industry and the
candy business. From designer collars to pet
beds and clothes, there seems to be no limit
to what Americans will buy for Fido or
Fluffy. Coach recently launched its line of
novelty dog collars in lightweight leather
with brushed nickel bone charms. Available
in various colors and styles (548 and up). At
Royal Oak's Uppity Puppy doggie palace,
you can find the latest summer clothes for
pooches — doggie tank tops, bikinis, ruf-
fled dresses and Hawaiian shirts.
is for Improv
Just because Detroit's
Second City is taking the summer off
to move into new digs in Novi doesn't
mean Detroiters will be starved for
laughs. Check out these rising stars at
improv troupes around town:
• Totally Unrehearsed Theatre, a hilari-
ous improvisation and sketch comedy
group, performs free shows every
Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Mark Ridley's
Comedy Castle in Royal Oak. Call
(248) 542-9900.
• The Improv Colony performs $5
shows at 8 p.m. Monday nights through
August at the cozy Planet Ant Theatre
in Hamtramck. Call (313) 365-4948.
• Motor City Improv does weekly
shows at 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Joey's
Comedy Club in Livonia. Tickets are
$3. Call (734) 261-0555.