Detroit, MI
Detroit ‘Bridgerton Ball’ turns out to be Willy Wonka, Fyre Festival-style ‘scam’ — with strippers and Kit Kat bars
Dearest gentle readers, these belles of the ball were scammed, bamboozled, hoodwinked and lead astray.
A “Bridgerton Ball” held in Detroit, Michigan, tuned out to be a disaster, with many comparing the fiasco to Fyre Festival and the Willy Wonka Experience fail.
The Regency Era Dance was described as a chance for fans to “step into the enchanting world of the Regency era…for an evening of sophistication, grace, and historical charm…filled with music, dance, and exquisite costumes.”
Tickets to the event were anywhere from $150-$1,000 depending on experience packages and photo opportunities, according to local outlet WBCK.
But the reality of the event — which took place on Sunday, Sept. 22 at The Harmonie Club — was a disorganized debacle with attendees resorting to sitting on the floor eating Kit Kats sold by vendors and watching a stripper for the night’s entertainment.
WBCK reported that things started to get suspicious when the event, hosted by Uncle N Me LLC, got postponed to Sept. 22 just three days before the original date, Aug. 25.
The event website also raised some eyebrows. It’s a simple two-page website: One page with basic contact information and short paragraph about the event, and another page with slightly more detail on the event, though exactly what would be offered to guests was unclear.
“Come enjoy our Bridgerton Themed ball with prizes, giveaways and more. You’ll also get the chance to win the ‘Diamond of The Season.’ Suitors in attendance will have a chance to win $2,000 cash for best dressed,” the description read.
But attendees shared online that the event was nothing like they expected — and didn’t even live up to the “Bridgerton” theme.
One took to TikTok to share with her followers the experience as she “found out she got scammed,” sharing that many people were already leaving not even an hour into the event and there was no security, no check in and no organizers present.
She added that there was no food, no drinks, not enough chairs or tables, no performers, and instead of the “instrumental performance” the guests were allegedly promised, the event organizers hired a stripper to perform. Attendees also alleged that the chicken being served was raw and cups were being reused.
The creator added in the comments that they “were also promised alcoholic drinks and drinks period and got NONE. they had a mini bar set up that was SELLING Kool aid… keep in mind cheapest tickets were $100.”
Other attendees in the comments section shared they had similar experiences, and one person wrote that they drove in for the event from Kentucky while another shared that they brought their grandfather with them.
Another person shared their experience on Reddit, detailing how disorganized the event was.
“No one asked for our tickets so we just walked in. All attendees looked absolutely decked out but there was zero direction. We essentially followed the crowd to the third floor where we saw LOCAL FREAKING VENDORS selling goods like we were at a local festival. Look I love Japanese KitKats just like the next person but not at a Bridgerton Ball. I saw a guy walk by with a sparkling beverage and say, ‘no alcohol.’ After seeing people sitting on the floor in disappointment, my wife and I left. Luckily we met some other disappointed patrons in the elevator and went to The Candy Bar where we all had a much better time,” the comment said.
Another attendee told local ABC affiliate WXYZ that the event was described as a “Bridgerton evening” with classical music, “good dinner,” a play and a “Diamond of the season.”
“It’s heartbreaking,” she said.
Event organizer Uncle N Me LLC on Tuesday released a statement to WXYZ saying: “We understand that not everyone had the experience they hoped for at our most recent event Sunday night at The Harmonie Club, and for that, we sincerely apologize.”
“Our intention was to provide a magical evening, but we recognize that organizational challenges affected the enjoyment of some guests. We take full responsibility and accountability for these shortcomings. Please know that we are working diligently to address all concerns to ensure that all guests have the enjoyable experience they deserve …we are committed to doing everything in our power to make this right.”
Detroit, MI
Handgun, credit cards stolen from truck on Detroit’s west side, police say
Police in Detroit are asking for the public’s help after they say an individual stole a handgun and credit cards from a truck on the city’s west side last month.
According to investigators, the suspect, identified as a male of undisclosed age, broke into a GMC Sierra between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. on the 1400 block of Holden Street on Feb. 15. He stole the gun and a black bag, which contained medications, eyeglasses and the credit cards, officials said.
Police said the male then left the scene in a white Chevrolet Tahoe.
Anyone who recognizes the male, the Chevrolet or has any information about the incident is asked to call the agency’s 3rd Precinct at 313-596-1340 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-773-2587, or submit a tip here.
This is a developing story.
Detroit, MI
Detroit Mercy basketball two wins away from NCAA tournament bid
UDM is two wins away from its first NCAA tournament berth since 2012.
Detroit Mercy basketball’s Orlando Lovejoy on Horizon League semifinal
Detroit Mercy basketball’s Orlando Lovejoy on Horizon League semifinal at Calihan Hall in Detroit on Friday, March 6, 2026.
Calling what Detroit Mercy basketball has done this season a resurgence may be an undersell.
UDM (16-14, 12-8 Horizon), the No. 3-seed in the Horizon League Tournament, is playing No. 2 Robert Morris (22-10, 13-7) in the conference semifinals at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis on Monday, March 9. The game is scheduled to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN2.
For a team that went 8-24 in the 2024-25 season, and a program-worst 1-31 in 2023-24, that the Titans are just two wins away from an NCAA Tournament appearance represents nothing short of a rebirth. That possibility looked distant even on Jan. 24, when a 95-87 loss to rival Oakland brought the Titans to 8-12 overall.
Watch Horizon League tournament on Fubo
But UDM responded by winning seven of its last nine regular-season games, including a 95-89 win against Oakland at the O’Rena to secure the team’s first 16-win season since 2016.
“We all found out who we were as players and as people. So now we know what positions to put the right people in at the right time,” said Titans senior point guard Orlando Lovejoy of the team’s late-season surge. “Once we figured that out, it was game on.”
The Detroit native Lovejoy has put up exceptional numbers in his senior season with the Titans, putting up a career-high 33 points in a 74-70 win over Green Bay on Feb. 22 and 29 points on 13-for-16 shooting against Oakland in the regular-season finale.
“He scores in phases. He can score on the fast break, he can post up, he can get to his spots,” said UDM coach Mark Montgomery. “He also brings the, ‘Gimme the ball in the biggest moments, and I’ll take over.’”
Lovejoy might have to take over more than usual against a tough Robert Morris team. The Colonials are the defending Horizon League champions and have beaten the Titans twice this year, with an 85-77 win in Detroit on March 2 and a 73-62 win at home on Feb. 25.
“We turned the ball over in key moments in those games, and then we have to keep them off the offensive glass,” said Montgomery of the Colonials. “We’re gonna get down to Indy, we’re going to enjoy a day, and then we’re going to lock in and know it’s one-and-done time.”
As for Lovejoy, who only gets four tickets to give to friends and family for the upcoming game, he expects to have a big travelling crowd to support him and the local team.
“I don’t know who I’m not bringing to Indianapolis,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of people coming to support as they did ever since I started playing basketball.”
Detroit Mercy basketball time vs Robert Morris in Horizon League semifinal
- Date: Monday, March 9.
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET.
- Location: Corteva Coliseum, Indianapolis.
UDM is looking for its fourth conference tournament win and first since 2012.
Detroit Mercy basketball channel vs Robert Morris in Horizon League semifinal
- Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET.
- Channel: ESPN2.
- Streaming: Fubo.
Monday’s Horizon League semifinal game featuring UDM and Robert Morris will be televised on ESPN2 and can be streamed on Fubo, which carries ESPN channels.
Watch Detroit Mercy-Robert Morris on Fubo
Horizon League tournament results
- Play-in: No. 11 Cleveland State 101, No. 10 IU Indianapolis 93.
- First round: No. 5 Green Bay 64, No. 6 Purdue.
- First round: No. 1 Wright State 90, No. 10 Cleveland State 61.
- First round: No. 2 Robert Morris 68, Youngstown State 53.
- First round: No. 3 UDM 84, No. 8 Milwaukee 63.
- First round: No. 7 Northern Kentucky 85, No. 4 Oakland 84.
- Sunday, March 8, Second round: No. 5 Green Bay vs No. 7 Northern Kentucky, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+).
- Monday, March 9, Semifinal: No. 1 Wright State vs TBD, 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU).
- Monday, March 9, Semifinal: No. 2 Robert Morris vs No. 3 UDM, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
- Tuesday, March 10, Final: TBD vs TBD, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).
Detroit Mercy NCAA tournament history
UDM hasn’t made the NCAA tournament since the 2011-12 season and has only made the tournament six times in program history..
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
Detroit, MI
Multiple tornadoes reported in Southwest Michigan amid severe weather
At least two tornadoes were reported in Southwest Michigan on Friday amid severe weather, according to CBS Detroit’s Chief Meteorologist Ahmad Bajjey.
Two of the tornadoes were reported in Union City and Three Rivers, while a possible third tornado may have been in St. Joseph County. Bajjey says the tornadoes caused significant damage. According to Consumers Energy, more than 3,200 customers are without power as of 7:40 p.m. on Friday.
Official reports of fatalities or injuries are unknown, but CBS-affiliate WWMT in Kalamazoo reports that the Branch County medical examiner is on scene in Union City.
The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response to the storms in Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties. The department says the center will be supporting local requests for assistance.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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