On Friday, November 18th around 320 yelpers convened on Belle Isle for Yelp Detroit’s largest bash to date, Yelp’s Greatest Show on Earth at the Detroit Yacht Club! This three-ring circus had sideshow thrills, bombshell burlesque, sexy dancing unicorns and more treats than you could juggle into an entire evening!
Our wonderful hosts, the Detroit Yacht Club showed us to their beautiful ballroom overlooking the Detroit River. Inside, lighting by Tobin's Lake Studios set the scene of Yelpy décor and helped show off our fabulous vendors and performers.
Beverages were provided by Michigan made Hard Luck Vodka (who shared some of their signature candy flavored libations like Red Fish, Root Beer Barrel, Orange Dream, and Lemon Drop), Piece of Cake Liqueurs (who showed off their decadent Chocolate Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, and Pineapple Upside Down Cake liqueurs), and Pearl Vodka who warmed things up by spiking some tasty hot apple cider with their delicious Caramel vodka–tasty treats that were all “delicious and dangerous” as Elite yelper Maureen M raved. For something just as delish but booze-free Vitaminwater was on hand keeping folks hydrated and satisfied!
The Detroit Yacht Club treated guests to spectacular eats like shrimp canapés, tandoori chicken skewers, grilled vegetables, and a variety of extra fancy deviled eggs topped with the likes of caviar and Maryland crab. Local sponsors were on hand to bring the sweet treats and they certainly delivered! Peteet's Famous Cheesecake left Kristin F floored with their “smoove as butta” sweet potato cheesecake, while Pink Elephant Cupcakes wowed the crowd with a variety of bite sized sweets (like yelper favorite chocolate peanut butter!) and chocolate chip cookies, while Treat Dreams whipped up a brand new flavor of ice cream special for the occasion—a “creamy, boozy” concoction made with Hard Luck’s Red Fish vodka that caught Carole H hook, line and sinker!
In between tasting all these magnificent eats and drinks guests were treated to a myriad of entertainment options including face painting by Curlie's Face Art (many a moustache and glittery eye were to be seen!) and old timey midway games like Big Mouth Clown and Milk Bottle Toss that tested yelpers’ skills to win larger bits of Yelp schwag like shot glasses, bike bells, and fingerless gloves. T-Mobile showed off some of their great new techy products and raffled off some of their finer wares, while Ann Arbor’s DJ Chuck Sipperley cranked out some funkadelic tunes right there in Motown!
Up on stage the bombshell gals of the Detroit Dizzy Dames tantalized our Elite yelpers during a VIP burlesque hour. Tickled Fancy Burlesque Company out of Ann Arbor also brought a bevy of beauties who caught our guests’ eyes with playful numbers featuring a mermaids and sailors dance off, sexy comic book vixens, and prancing unicorns. Further dazzling our guests was the Doppelganger Circus Sideshow who wowed the crowd with tricks featuring a bed of nails, straightjackets, and stairs made from blades!
Keeping track of all the festivities was Doug Coombe Photography while Shutterbooth set up shop to let you take home some of your very own photobooth pics. You may have also seen Scott Allen running around with a camera. He’ll be bringing us a very wonderful video in the coming weeks so stay tuned!
Most importantly, our generous yelpers helped us raise $1,251 for Operation: Kid Equip, a local non-profit providing school supplies to local children in need. That’ll pay for one truck full of supplies for these kids so give yourselves a pat on the back if you dropped in some money that evening. Didn’t make it but still want to give? Hit this.
Thanks again to the Detroit Yacht Club, all their AMAZING staff, and all our wonderful sponsors and performers. Our evening would not have been nearly as fantastic without your help! Speaking of help–thanks so much to Bobie C, Heidi M, Jordan G, Jeff K, fabulous Minneapolis CM Annie D, and the legendary Denver CM Tiffany N for all their help throughout the evening.
Want to relive the festivities or check it out if you weren’t there? Photos can be found over yonder. To check out what our fabulous guests are saying (or to write a review of the evening yourself) check out the page over here.
Until we meet again!
SYOY,
Annette J
Community Manager Yelp Detroit
