Motor City Momentum

Written By Robert Alcantar

This week’s episode of The Detroit Download is packed with pulse and power. From Pistons playoffs to cultural pride and the city’s tech future, “Motor City Momentum” captures the spirit of Detroit in motion.

  • Headlines

  • Pistons drop Game 3 at home but the series sits 2-1 after Detroit’s skid-breaking road win in Game 2.

  • 60 th Annual Cinco de Mayo Parade lights up Southwest Detroit on May 4, theme “Past, Present & Future.”

  • Michigan Strategic Fund green-lights the $60 million evergreen Michigan Innovation Fund to fuel early-stage startups.

Arts & Culture

  • 88 th DPSCD Student Art Exhibition at the DIA—500 K-12 works on view through May 25.

  • Last chance for “Tiff Massey: 7 Mile + Livernois” (closes May 11).

  • MOCAD opens The Gun Violence Memorial Project & CODE SWITCH on May 2.

  • DIA Inside|Out replicas and Nick Pizaña’s new riverfront mural bring art to the streets.

Tech & Innovation

  • $60 M Michigan Innovation Fund launches—returns recycle into fresh capital for Michigan founders.

  • Toronto startup NxLite moves U.S. HQ and manufacturing to Canton Township, investing $9 M.

  • Detroit-based Grounded kicks off electric-RV statewide demo tour, showcasing local EV momentum.

  • Community Impact

  • Detroit’s Right-to-Counsel program: 95 % of fully represented tenants avoided eviction last year.

  • Rx Kids cash-prescription program expanding into Wayne County cities like Dearborn and Pontiac.

  • City rolls out 65 new speed humps—residents can comment or opt-out until May 16. 

  • Motor City Makeover weekend clean-ups return with free supplies for registered blocks.

What’s On

Apr 26 – AWOLNATION; Women Rock! (DSO through Apr 27)

Apr 28 – DJO at Masonic

Apr 30 – AC/DC first U.S. show in 9 years

May 2 – MOCAD dual opening; Machine Head + In Flames

May 4 – Cinco de Mayo Parade & Clark Park festival

May 7 – Gleaners Women’s Power Breakfast

Playoff Watch

  • Game 4: Sun Apr 27 – Little Caesars Arena, 1 p.m. ET (ABC)

  • Game 5*: Tue Apr 29 – MSG, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)

  • Game 6*: Thu May 1 – LCA, time TBD

  • Game 7*: Sat May 3 – MSG, time TBD
    (*if necessary)

Fan activations: rally towels, pre-game parties, Pistons legends, downtown viewing spots (Highlands, McShane’s, Second Best, The Congregation). Bring the noise—home-court energy could swing the series.

Coming Up Next Episode

• Deep dive on Detroit riverfront renaissance (Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park).

• Your summer-festival mega-preview.

Robert Alcantar
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