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New Arabian Party Loosens Up MGM Grand's Ignite
Curious MGM Grand Detroit casino patrons may look up from their penny slots on Friday nights this winter to wonder why a mob of well-dressed individuals is clamoring by the elevators leading up to Ignite Sushi Bar and Lounge.
But if they follow the diverse crowd into the lush, colorful atmosphere, they’ll find Arabian Night, a trendy new event with a seemingly otherworldly mix of exotic music, food, belly dancing and pulsating party music.
The club’s red, purple and orange color theme is well-suited for the event as are the floor-to-ceiling windows and the actual flames that shoot from fixtures along Ignite’s walls. Some of the reserved seating areas are draped with colorful sashes to create an elegant boudoir effect that hints at privacy.
“This is beautiful!” says clubgoer Wally Peto of Sterling Heights, who attended the debut of Arabian Night. “It’s way better than any other place. You have food, hookah, and you can also go downstairs and gamble.”
Aside from providing a place to let loose and lower inhibitions, promoter Samer Zahr, of Luxury Live, says he wanted to do an Arab-themed night in downtown Detroit to show non-Arabs the lighter side of his community.
“People think Arabic people are problems, or radicals, and we want to show people that we can have fun,” he says. “We love this country. … There are a lot of great people who want to be out there and show what Arabic (culture) is all about.”
In general, the mood is carefree and fun-loving. Talking to friends or strangers is effortless and the upbeat music makes it really easy to get your hips shaking.
The DJs provide pulsating Arab music that mixes club beats with traditional-sounding vocals and rhythms. Though the dance floor is small, the vibe is so chill patrons could dance just about anywhere.
DJs aren’t the only entertainers. Keeping with the theme, Arabian Night has belly dancers moving about through the crowd and live music as well. Popular Jordanian singer Emad Batayeh and his band played on opening night.
Adding even more essence to the event, hookahs, traditional Middle Eastern smoking devices that allow one or more people to smoke flavored tobacco filtered through water, are available. And there’s a private cigar room, as well.
For the hungry, Ignite offers a special Arab menu with hummus, shish kabob, grape leaves, tabouli and fatoosh. Patrons can still order from the club’s regular sushi menu.
“It’s something amazing and totally different,” says Zahr, who says they had reservations from people from as far away as Toronto and Toledo for the kick-off event.
“Our (Arab) community here in Michigan is very big,” he says. “A lot of places have Lebanese or Arabic night, but I wanted to have a night that gets everyone together to enjoy the culture, the music and the food.
“I picked MGM Grand because Ignite is a very beautiful place and it’s got the theme I’m looking for. It’s also a very safe, secure location and everyone feels comfortable to drive there.”
Ferndale resident Brynn Stevenson, who attended with some friends who work at the casino, calls Arabian Night “a great event for MGM.
“It is a nice way to incorporate the fire theme of Ignite,” she says.
Melody Baetens
The Detroit News