MICHAEL BOLTON'S AMERICAN DREAM DOCUMENTARY SCREENS MAY 15 FOR ONE DAY!

The comeback of Detroit is poised to be the greatest turnaround story of American history. American Dream: Detroit illustrates why the history and the future of Detroit matters in the global landscape.

Grammy winning singer Michael Bolton celebrates the golden age of Detroit - featuring its native entertainment legends like Francis Ford Coppola, Jerry Bruckheimer, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Alice Cooper, John Varvatos and many more - and reveals the landscape of the new Detroit being built by young visionaries as well as entrepreneurial moguls.

Told through the eyes of Bolton's own discovery, this important story has remained until now largely obscured by mainstream media's preference to portray only the devastation of the city's downfall. This is the story of the American Dream.

RK John Varvatos Michael Bolton and Alice Cooper

A few years back I went to the grand opening of John Varvatos' Clothing store on Woodward in Downtown Detroit. Michael Bolton was there with John and Alice Cooper. I wondered then why Michael was there. Not who I would expect to see at a Detroit Rock Fan's (Varvatos) store opening.

Michael Bolton's documentary illustrates why the history and the future of Detroit matters in the global landscape. Told through the eyes of Bolton’s own discovery, this important story has remained largely obscured by mainstream media’s preference to portray only the devastation of the city’s downfall, until now. This is the story of the American Dream.

The documentary features insights from Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Francis Ford Coppola, and Alice Cooper. Can’t wait? Here’s a preview.

Tickets go on sale through Fathom April 13. True Michael Bolton fans can order them at his website April 11.

From Michael Bolton:

Some of you may remember when I set out to make my album Ain't No Mountain High Enough: Tribute to Hitsville, back in 2012, I made my very first trip to Hitsville Studio A! And that's where this journey of exploring Detroit's incredible history began.

Over the past 5 years, I have met some of the most amazing people who are all driven by a common mission, to bring back the new Detroit and with it to rebuild the American Dream. I will introduce them to you over the next several weeks and share with you our collective journey -- in cinemas on MAY 15!

I could only capture a window into all that is going on in the new city of Detroit but I hope you get a chance to visit yourself! And most importantly, I hope you get inspired by this film to create your own American Dream wherever you may live.

Here's a private link for you to pre-order tickets to the world premiere of AMERICAN DREAM: DETROIT, in a theater near you on MAY 15 ONLY!


Much Love, MB

MITCH ALBOM'S DETROIT WATER ICE FACTORY IS OPENING TODAY!

Columnist Mitch Albom is subsidizing the venture, which will support the needy and provide job training for Goodwill Industries youth trainees.

Albom's new Detroit Water Ice is combining a sweet, cool treat from his own childhood with inspiration from actor Paul Newman to open a new, downtown business (in the old Ben & Jerry's) that will benefit the city and residents who need help.

The Detroit Water Ice Factory is set to open at 11 a.m. today in the former Compuware building.

The shop, which set up to look like an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, will sell water ice, a colorful new dessert for Michiganders.

“Water ice is sort of like Italian ice, but it’s a little bit different,” Albom said, reminiscing about how it was one of his favorite childhood desserts. “The consistency is different, the flavors are much different — and the only place you can really get it in this country is in Philadelphia and South Jersey. For whatever reason they don’t make it anywhere else.”

The proceeds from the business, he said, will go back into the enterprise and support his charity, S.A.Y. Detroit. READ MORE ON THE FREEP

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

S.A.Y. DETROIT INTRODUCES A RETAIL DESSERT SHOPPE

DESIGNED TO BENEFIT NEEDY DETROITERS

Detroit, MI -- August 4, 2015 … The Detroit Water Ice Factory opens its flagship location at 1014 Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit on Tuesday, August 4th at 11:15 AM. The first 300 customers will receive free D-ICE or Motown Twist.

The brainchild of writer/philanthropist Mitch Albom, follows the “Newman’s Own” model, offering a premium product while helping others - every dime raised benefits needy Detroiters.

The venture is a partnership between Albom's S.A.Y. Detroit family of charities - a 100% dollar-in-dollar-out philanthropic entity - the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, Bedrock Real Estate Services and Meridian Health.

The store features 17 D-ICE flavors, all with a distinctly Detroit tone (Vanilla Temptations, Woodward Watermelon). “The Motown Twist,” is layered with vanilla, chocolate (or both) soft serve ice cream.

“I grew up loving water ice,” said Albom, who hails from the East Coast. “But I’d never seen it here. It’s fat, preservative, cholesterol and dairy-free. In looking for a way to do good, have fun indulging in the best dessert ever, it all came together. We’re here to create jobs, raise funds, do good – with the coolest dessert ever.”


The Factory will make fresh water ice daily using closely guarded recipes donated by Jon and Adriana Adams, owners of Primo Water Ice in NJ, considered the birthplace of American water ice.

Bedrock Real Estate Services/Meridian Health is providing the location rent-free, in the highly trafficked section of the Central Business District.

“Mitch Albom and S.A.Y. Detroit are doing wonderful work in our community. We are proud to be part of this effort,” said Dan Mullen, executive vice president, Bedrock Real Estate Services. “The Detroit Water Ice Factory will benefit countless Detroiters while providing another cool, unique destination people will only find downtown.”

The “D-Icers” (servers) will be members of Goodwill Industries’ youth training programs or graduates of S.A.Y. Detroit partner programs, providing jobs for Detroit’s challenged young people.

About S.A.Y. Detroit

S.A.Y. Detroit, formed in February 2006, is a 501(c) (3) charity aimed at improving the lives of the needy citizens, through shelter, food, medical care, volunteer efforts and education. It serves as the umbrella for ongoing projects including A Time to Help, S.A.Y. Detroit Family Health Clinic, Working Homes/Working Families, and funds dozens of projects for Detroit-area agencies. Learn about S.A.Y. Detroit: mitchalbomcharities.org