Rivière28, the volunteer group within the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy that is working to engage the growing number of active professionals in downtown Detroit, is continuing its summer season of events with its second annual Soirée on the Greenway on Thursday, July 18 from 6 – 10 p.m.
Set within the Dequindre Cut Greenway, this engaging event will feature live music by the Gabriel Brass Band and DJ Emmett Burkes, performance art, food from the Green Zebra Food Truck, city chic cocktails and beer. Guests will also have a chance to contribute to a community art project through Street Culture Mash, with paint provided by Plutonium.
The Dequindre Cut, well-known for its unique graffiti art work, is a 1.35-mile recreational path used by walkers, runners and bicyclists. The Cut was once the site of the former Grand Trunk Railroad line and now offers a pedestrian link between the Riverfront, Eastern Market, and many other residential neighborhoods in between.
“We are thrilled to expand upon our success last year and celebrate our beautiful greenway in style,” said Kristin Lusn, co-chair of Rivière28. “The Dequindre Cut exhibits the unique flavor and culture of our city and makes Soirée on the Greenway a truly one-of-a-kind event.”
Tickets for Soirée on the Greenway are available online for $25 and $50 and can be purchased at DetroitRiverfront.org/Riviere28. The $25 tickets include food, entertainment, a cash bar and two drink tickets. The $50 dollar ticket option includes food, entertainment and an open bar. All net proceeds benefit the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy.
Parking for the event is available at the north end of the Dequindre Cut, just off Gratiot before E. Vernor. Guests who ride their bike to the event will be treated to free bike valet sponsored by Wheelhouse Detroit.
For the latest information about Rivière28 and updates on the two planned events, please visit DetroitRiverfront.org/Riviere28 or “like” the community group “Rivière28 presented by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy” on Facebook.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 with the mission to develop public access to Detroit’s riverfront and serve as an anchor for economic development. As the permanent stewards of the riverfront public space, which includes the RiverWalk and the Dequindre Cut, the Conservancy is responsible for raising the funds needed for the construction, operation, maintenance, security and programming of these public spaces.
The Conservancy’s ultimate vision is to develop five-and-a-half miles of riverfront from the Ambassador Bridge on the west to Gabriel Richard Park, just east of the MacArthur Bridge to Belle Isle. The first phase of the project, three-and-a-half miles along the east riverfront, is now 80 percent complete and spans from Joe Louis Arena to Gabriel Richard Park. In the summer of 2012, the Conservancy launched the final construction phases needed to complete the east riverfront development project and connect the RiverWalk and its associated green spaces, plazas and parks. Visit www.detroitriverfront.org for more information.
The Rivière28 Planning Committee includes: Austin Black II, Jade Burns, Katherine Cockrel, Phillip Cooley, Katie Dirksen, James Feagin, Peter Fezzey, Bria Gillum, Julie Howe, Mitra Jafary-Hariri, Lorron James, John James, Heather Kazmierczak, Kristin Lusn, Elizabeth (Liz) McClure, Tony Prainito, Phil Rivera, Beth Stallworth, Carly Strachan, Drew VanTongeren, Jessica VanWert and Marja Winters.
The name “Rivière28” was inspired by the history of Detroit, which was first developed from a French fort and missionary outpost along the banks of the Detroit River, a river that spans 28 miles in length.