Comments on: Metroblogging the DIA: The Grand Opening Today!

By: Abster

Abster — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 22:33:02 +0000

I thought that the opening weekend was amazing. My eyes really popped when I first pulled up and saw a line – a line! – surrounding the place. What I would really like is for the DIA to realize that this ‘party’ they had to celebrate the opening drew so many people, many of them being the type that wouldn’t go for a stodgy museum crowd on a normal day, but came out in droves this weekend. I hope to see the DIA hold events like this from time to time just to drum up the excitement! The crowd was just so mixed-up in so many ways that it was a really exciting event to be at.

By: Scotter

Scotter — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:09:50 +0000

I completely agree with both of you. It was a great couple of days for Detroit and was wonderful to see so many people go through the building. Being packed like sardines is always better than being nearly deserted.

I too came to Detroit from another brightly-lit big city, Washington, DC, and I can honestly say that the National Gallery doesn’t have much on our DIA.

By: brimcmike

brimcmike — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:25:49 +0000

The Grand Re-Opening of the DIA seemed like a real glimpse of hope for The D. I’m new to the area (to the state, even – a resident at the DMC from Southern California), I have so far lamented the locals not appreciating the possibilities and the opportunities right under their collective noses – with a Big City like Detroit right here!

There’s absolutely no need to go to Chicago or New York and certainly not L.A. (a lame, sprawling collection of almost 4 million with no center, and no soul). The whole world-class, Bright Lights/Big City thing is here, if you want it.

Last night, the streets around the DIA were filled with foot traffic at all hours – just like a real, Big City! The DIA was packed with everybody that makes up Metro Detroit – everybody, including the suburbanites!

Welcome Suburbanites! Keep coming back! People are the pulse of a great city. When you stay away it makes the city anemic and sickly, an abandoned, uninviting place. Coming back is like giving a patient who is in shock an IV, a transfusion. Become part of the healing!

Things are happening. Things are afoot. Get out of your cars. Walk around.

Come back to the DIA, the DSO, the MOCAD, New Music Detroit, the Opera, performances at Wayne State, the theater district, the microbreweries, the restaurants, the bars, the sports. Whatever, just come back and keep coming back!

Forget the past! The future is now!

By: Tommy

Tommy — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 07:19:24 +0000

Hearing Soulja Boy and seeing people dance to it in the middle of the DIA was rather surreal. Also, hearing Beastie Boys play was classic.

I couldn’t believe how crazy it was, though. The whole area was parked solid, and the galleries were all packed in too.

I can’t wait to visit again on a more, I suppose, “normal” day.