Tag: Detroit events

Dear Beloved, Detroit Loves You Back: GIVĒON’s Soulful Night At The Fox

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Detroit didn’t just show up for GIVĒON; it dressed up! By the time doors opened at the Fox Theatre, the lobby looked like a red-carpet extension of heartbreak chic. Silk blouses, monochrome suits, and dress shoes glinted under the chandelier light. If heartbreak had a dress code, this was it, and Detroit understood the assignment!

And maybe that’s fitting. Detroit is, after all, the birthplace of Motown, a city that practically invented how soul and sorrow can dance in the same rhythm. From the days of Marvin Gaye and The Supremes, Detroit has always carried music with both elegance and ache. So when GIVĒON walked into the Fox with that deep, honey-soaked baritone, it felt like a homecoming. His sound, refined but raw, vulnerable but grounded, felt perfectly tuned to the city’s legacy of timeless emotion.

The Mood: Soul Meets Style

The stage matched the tone effortlessly. Layers of ivory drapery hung like clouds behind him, glowing with soft gold and lavender lights. The live band added depth; bass lines you could feel in your chest and piano chords that hit just a little too close to home. GIVĒON didn’t just perform; he lingered in each note, as if each lyric carried an unfinished memory.

Between songs, he shared small pieces of himself, his upbringing, his lessons, his humor, and suddenly, the grand Fox Theatre felt intimate. He wasn’t talking at the crowd; he was confiding in it. You could tell he cared about the words, not just the applause.

When The Crowd Became Part Of The Story

Midway through, the energy shifted. GIVĒON called a fan on stage for a “date night” role-play, and chaos (the good kind) unfolded. The crowd screamed like they were watching a rom-com unfold live; teasing, laughing, cheering. It’s a segment that’s become a staple of his shows, but in Detroit, it hit different. There was an easy warmth to it, the kind that makes you root for strangers you’ll never meet again.

Then came the inevitable…‘Heartbreak Anniversary.’ The moment those first few notes rang out, the crowd erupted, and you could see every phone light flicker up like little constellations. Couples held hands. Singles swayed. Everyone sang, almost defiantly, as if heartbreak could sound holy if enough people sang it together.

The Energy: Classy, Chill, And A Little Bit Painful

There’s a quiet confidence to the way GIVĒON moves through a setlist. No dancers. No distractions. Just him, the mic, and a voice that feels both centuries old and freshly wounded. His pacing mirrored the stages of heartbreak: denial (‘Still Your Best’), resentment (‘Lost Me’), longing (‘For Tonight’), and nostalgia (‘Heartbreak Anniversary’). Each transition was seamless, almost cinematic.

It’s rare to see an artist this young commit to restraint. The live band added richness without overcomplicating things, giving his baritone room to breathe. Every song was proof that simplicity, when done right, feels luxurious!

A Night That Felt Like A Letter

If Dear Beloved is GIVĒON’s letter to the people who broke him (and maybe to the ones he broke too), then Detroit got the signature edition: honest, classy, and painfully beautiful. When the final notes faded, fans didn’t rush to leave. They lingered, taking photos under the glowing Fox marquee, still humming, still holding on to the softness of the night.

GIVĒON doesn’t just sing about love; he autopsies it, dresses it in satin, and hands it back to you gently. And in Detroit, a city built on soul, that felt exactly right!

Image Source: Courtesy of Epic Records

Which city are you stopping by on the DEAR BELOVED tour? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below or over on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook 🐝

Want more live exclusives? Look here honey!

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Asia M.

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October 30, 2025
The Black Canon preserves Detroiter’s lifelong collection of Black history

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A century’s worth of Black film, art, literature, music, and cultural history tucked away in a warehouse just outside of Detroit will soon be shared with the public.

Collected by late Detroiter James E. Wheeler, the extensive archive of over 40,000 artifacts from the 1910s and beyond includes books, vintage posters, lobby cards, vinyl records, photographs, magazines, and more.

After his passing in 2022, Wheeler’s children Alima Wheeler Trapp and Ali J. Wheeler have stepped up with dreams of making their father’s archives accessible to the world.

“We talk about this as a responsibility and a privilege,” Alima says. “Our father committed his life to building this work, and it was very important to him. We want to continue that vision. My brother and I both have sons and the goal is that this is generational. This is a legacy that started with him that we can maximize.”

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James E. Wheeler at his desk in 1986, surrounded by vintage Black film posters.

Alima and Ali founded The Black Canon in 2019, inspired by the definition of canon — a body of influential works in music, literature, or art. Through their parent company and its newer nonprofit arm The Black Canon Collection, they are working to preserve and share their father’s collection.

According to the family, The James E. Wheeler Collection “represents one of the largest Black film and memorabilia collections in the world.”

On October 13, the siblings will host Art of the Ages, a curated exhibition from the collection and inaugural fundraiser featuring brunch, cocktails, a panel discussion, and more. The event will be held at Taylor’d Garden in Livonia, in collaboration with local artists and organizations.

“This, we do feel, is one of the greatest collections never heard of,” Alima says. “I think we have something very special and I think that it should be important to the community … I just feel like this should be a gem of the city.”

While Ali and Alima grew up in Detroit, their father’s love for Black films began in Arkansas, where their grandparents ran a juke joint — an informal bar centered in Black culture and entertainment.

“At the time, you had Hollywood films, and then you had some African Americans and Black people that were making their own films. They had to self-distribute these films,” Ali says, adding, “These films were showing Black people in professional roles as doctors and lawyers, the same type of things you would see in the mainstream movies, but with us in it.”

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Courtesy photo

A metro Detroit warehouse is packed with Black historical artifacts, which Ali and Alima are working to organize.

James’s fascination with Black media started at a young age, a passion which only grew after he and his family moved to Detroit during the Great Migration. By the time he passed away, James had filled three storage units, his basement, and various other spaces with his collection.

“My father had collected all these items, but they really weren’t organized in a manner that allows you to utilize it to its fullest potential,” Ali says. “We consolidated it into this warehouse right now, and now we’re going through the overwhelming process of archiving to understand what we have.”

Over the years, The James E. Wheeler Collection has been shown at institutions like The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, The University of Texas, Harvard University, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Now, his children hope to expand its reach, making the collection accessible for public education, exhibitions, and research. Their goal is to partner with educators, students, filmmakers, libraries, and anyone else interested in preserving and promoting Black cultural history.

The siblings hope to share their father’s collection with the world through exhibitions at major museums, traveling displays, and digital platforms.

Detroit is just the starting point for The Black Canon’s vision.

The upcoming Art of the Ages event will feature The Black Canon’s first self-curated exhibit of artifacts from the 1910s through the 1990s, illustrating how Black media representation has evolved across decades and artistic mediums.

“We thought it was interesting, when you look at some of the album covers from decades ago, the Black artists weren’t even used in the photography or in the artwork,” Alima says. “They weren’t allowed to be on their own cover. They didn’t think it would be marketable if they were on the cover of the album.”

In addition to the exhibition, attendees can also enjoy silent auctions, brunch, a DJ, and a panel discussion featuring emerging Black artists across literature, film, and music. Motor City Cinema will also screen select films from the collection.

Following the event, Alima and Ali hope to expand the exhibit to larger spaces or even showcase it digitally.

“We’re really looking for the first domino to fall. We’re very flexible,” Alima says. “We’ll continue to build as the archive grows.”

The significance of The Black Canon Collection extends beyond the Wheeler family, however, representing an important contribution to Black cultural history.

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Warren LeMay, Flickr Creative Commons

James E. Wheeler was working to display his collection in Detroit’s former National Theatre, but the project never took off. The building was demolished in 2024.

In 1999, James planned to restore Detroit’s National Theatre as a place to show historic films, host film festivals, and display his collection, according to Historic Detroit. Though the plan never materialized and the theater was demolished in early 2024, his children continue to carry a similar torch.

“They actually sold him the National Theatre for like $1 to house the collection,” Ali says. “I’m not sure where everything went wrong after that point, but there was a point where they were going to look at this as ‘OK, we can have the city of Detroit house this.’”

He adds, “We’re rebranding, but we do have some of that same vision, and ideally, this could be a resource for all to enjoy.”

Down the road, a permanent gallery space to house the archive in its entirety would be ideal. For Alima and Ali, Art of the Ages represents just the first step toward broader recognition for their father’s collection.

“We would love the community to come out and support,” Alima says. “We would love to build our network as a result of investing in this exhibit and experience and we would love to have more support on sustaining the collection, whether that be through exhibits or through sponsors or donations.”

Looking ahead, the siblings are focused on completing the archiving process, creating a searchable database of the collection, developing partnerships, and securing funding to fully preserve the collection.

Their long-term hope is for The Black Canon Collection to become a resource for generations to come.

More information on The Black Canon and Art of the Ages can be found at black-canon.com.

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Layla McMurtrie

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October 1, 2024
Detroit Historical Museum opens new Detroit Lions exhibit

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The football season is just around the corner, and this upcoming art exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum promises to get Detroit Lions fans even more excited.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, the same day as the first Lions home game of the 2024-25 season, the museum will debut Detroit Lions: Gridiron Heroes, an exhibit celebrating the Lions’ championship seasons of the 1930s and 1950s, as well as memorable moments from recent years.

“We couldn’t be prouder than to have the Lions’ team history highlighted at the Detroit Historical Museum as we launch the 2024-2025 season,” Emily Griffin, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Brand for the Detroit Lions, said in a press release. “There’s something remarkable to uncover in every era and it was a lot of fun to pour through our archives looking for artifacts to share. We hope the fans will have just as much fun discovering them as we did.”

The museum’s new permanent exhibition space, the City of Champions Gallery, will be filled with Lions memorabilia, thanks to a partnership between the Detroit Historical Society, the Detroit Lions, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Among the artifacts on display are trophies from the 1930s and 1950s, historic uniforms, a showcase of every Lions Hall of Fame player, and rare items from the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Lions’ archives.

The exhibit also features the Lions’ 2024-2025 Game Day Uniforms.

In Legends Plaza, visitors can measure their hands against the handprints of Lions greats Barry Sanders and Lomas Brown. Plus, a special pop-up display highlights the 2024 NFL Draft held in Detroit, with artifacts including a large “DET” sign signed by thousands of locals and visitors from the record-breaking crowd.

This part of the exhibit was made possible through the Gilbert Family Foundation and Visit Detroit.

“The Draft was a moment of pride for the whole city of Detroit,” Chris Moyer, Senior Director, Communications and Public Affairs for Visit Detroit, said. “Visit Detroit was pleased to play a part in bringing it back to life in a small way at the Detroit Historical Museum.”

The public opening of the exhibit on Aug. 24 will feature family-friendly activities including NFL Draft coloring pages, a selection of unique vintage Detroit Lions merchandise, and more.

More information is available at detroithistorical.org.

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Layla McMurtrie

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August 16, 2024
‘Suit Up Sunday’ event aims to empower Detroit men with free professional attire

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This unique upcoming community event will provide local men with free suits, dress pants, shirts, and other resources to support their professional success.

“Suit Up Sunday,” a collaboration between The Right Productions Inc., Van Dykes Menswear of Southfield, and Mix 92.3, is free and open to the public, set for Sunday, Aug. 25 from 1-7 p.m. at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater.

The event aims to provide professional attire to high school and college students, as well as men in or entering the workforce, by boosting their confidence and empowering them to dress for success.

“Suit Up Sunday is about more than just clothing; it’s about equipping the men in our community with the knowledge and resources they need to help them thrive in all aspects of life,” Shahid Mausi, president and CEO of The Right Productions, said in a press release.

In addition to professional attire, Chase Bank and Family Assistance for Renaissance Men (F.A.R.M) will be present to provide financial literacy resources and services to assist fathers.

“Partnering with The Right Productions and other sponsors on this event aligns with our mission to make a positive impact in our community,” Walter Shannon of Van Dykes Menswear said in a statement. “We are excited to help men look their best and feel confident, knowing that it’s not just about the clothes but the opportunities they represent.”

Attendees must register in advance. More information is available at thearetha.com.

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Layla McMurtrie

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August 13, 2024
Michigan’s largest South Asian street food festival returns to Royal Oak

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Named after the beloved Indian condiment, the Chutney Festival is set to return to the Royal Oak Farmers Market on Friday, August 23 from 4-11 p.m.

Coined as Michigan’s largest South Asian and West Indian street food festival, this year’s event promises an even bigger experience than its debut last year, ending with an exclusive after-party at a secret location from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

The festival will kick off with a yoga and meditation session open to all levels. The rest of the night will feature live DJs spinning Bollywood, Bhangra, South Indian, Dancehall, Afro Beats, and Reggaeton music. Attendees can also enjoy henna, shop from various vendors, and watch dosas being made fresh at a live dosa station.

Food vendors include Charminar Biryani House, Royal Oak Masala, Nu Deli, Delphine’s Jamaican Restaurant, Deccan Delights, and Nepal Flavors, among others.

This year, the festival is introducing a new “enhanced” VIP experience, offering skip-the-line entry, a VIP lounge, complimentary food samples, two free drink tickets, and exclusive chair massages. VIP ticket holders will also receive a Chutney Festival keepsake and entry to a VIP-only afterparty.

Tickets for the celebration are available now on Eventbrite, with free entry for children under 10.

More information is available at chutneyfestival.com.

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Layla McMurtrie

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August 7, 2024
Sabrina Nelson brings the spirit of James Baldwin to Detroit

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Detroit artist Sabrina Nelson says that during a trip to Paris in 2016, she met the spirit of James Baldwin.

Since then, she has become deeply acquainted with the iconic writer and activist, and has drawn him over 100 times. She often does it from memory, and at this point, she says she could easily do it with her eyes closed.

Currently, dozens of unique pieces — sketchbook drawings, detailed works on canvas, projected videos, collaborations with poets, and augmented reality experiences — are on display at Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

The show, titled Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin, is curated by long-time creative collaborators of Nelson, Ashara Ekundayo, and Omo Misha.

Since debuting in Baldwin’s birthplace of Harlem, New York in August 2023, the collection has traveled to New Orleans, Oakland, and Chicago before arriving in Nelson’s hometown of Detroit on Baldwin’s 100th birthday — August 2, 2024.

The journey to get here, however, has been a long one.

Around eight years ago, Nelson was invited by Detroit’s poet laureate jessica Care moore to create drawings of Baldwin at the International James Baldwin Conference in Paris.

She had no idea how big of an impact the trip would have.

“I learned so much, and spiritually, I feel like [Baldwin] tapped me on the shoulder,” Nelson says. “When I started drawing his image, I felt something physically and spiritually that I had never felt before, and I just kind of left it there in Paris.”

Back in Detroit, when #Inktober came around in October — challenging artists to draw the same subject for 31 days — Nelson decided to join in on the fun with her students. She chose Baldwin as her muse, and instead of drawing him for just a month, she went on for 91 days.

“I could draw from reference in the beginning, but now if I sit down and just do a quick gesture of Baldwin, I know the essence of his eyes, his mouth, the gap in his tooth, the hair, the coiliness of the kinky hair, and I think about his brilliance and how to draw that,” Nelson says. “I know a lot of people can draw his likeness in the reality of realism, but to be able to have the essence of him in all of his colors and all of his layers, I think I got that.”

The artist describes Baldwin’s “essence” as layered, intellectual, sharp, loving, family-oriented, and overall “super fly.” She also calls the writer, in an effort to describe him to young people, “the Kendrick Lamar of his time.”

“He’s not limited to one dimension,” Nelson says. “He was a man who grappled with his identity, who grappled with what it is to be an American, who grappled with what it is to be a Black American in this country, what it is to be a gay Black man, what it is to be a writer, a son of this country who didn’t treat him well. I just think many of us are like that, and we can identify with what he went through.”

She adds, “This work is really talking about remixing him, if you will, bringing him back. I am just doing the work as the messenger.”

At the local exhibit, viewers are able to bring Baldwin to life through the Black Terminus AR app. Holding a phone camera over art pieces on the wall prompts Baldwin’s voice and moving pictures for a modern multi-sensory experience.

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Sabrina Nelson has drawn James Baldwin over 100 times.

The title of the show, Frontline Prophet, was thought up by Ekundayo, a Detroit- and Oakland-based curator who founded the international platform Artist as First Responder.

To Nelson, the name is fitting.

“Thinking about the Civil Rights Movement where you had to use your platform for people to pay attention to things that were happening, James Baldwin was a first responder, and he was an active, active activist,” Nelson says. “He wasn’t writing behind the scenes. He was there. He did his own research. He asked, went on the streets, and asked people what was happening and what could we do about it, so it wasn’t just somebody who saw what was happening, but someone who came up with a plan to address it. He was a doer. He was definitely a maverick and definitely a prophet.”

Describing herself and the show’s curators as “Detroit daughters,” Nelson is very proud, emotional, and ecstatic that the collection of work is finally being displayed in her hometown.

“It was worth the journey of the five cities before I got here,” Nelson says. “It’s just been a long journey coming, but to celebrate his 100th birthday is such a beautiful thing here in Detroit. He came here. He had a lover here. He had a place that he called his home here, and so we have a small piece of Baldwin in our community, and it’s nice to just bring that small piece back home.”

Over the coming months, events surrounding the exhibit will happen at The Wright and other spaces throughout the city. In conjunction with the show, tiny libraries will be place in multiple Detroit neighborhoods, sponsored by City of Detroit ACE. Nelson also plans to host events at local coffee shops and high schools, and hold a reading at Liquor Basket Gratiot — the art gallery inside a liquor store on the city’s east side.

The artist wants her work to be accessible to everyone. “Planting seeds” in those that come after her, through teaching and inspiring, is as important to Nelson as displaying her work.

“In my practice of art, I’m not just thinking about the physical pieces, the journey that I am on, I am taking folks with me. I am lifting folks up,” Nelson says. “I am celebrating those who are around me and who also influence and teach me. I think I’m very layered, very much like James Baldwin.”

For more information on Nelson and the exhibit, plus updates about events surrounding the show, visit thewright.org.

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Layla McMurtrie

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August 5, 2024
Belle Isle Art Fair returns to Detroit with renowned artists and new activations

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No one can deny that Belle Isle is a gem to Detroit year-round, but the Belle Isle Art Fair is a time when it really shines.

The annual event returns August 3-4, offering art activities for all ages and welcoming some of Detroit’s best creative minds alongside artists from across the country.

Artists will gather around Belle Isle’s James Scott Memorial Fountain to offer work ranging from under $20 to over $10,000 in various mediums, including painting, printmaking, woodworking, metalwork, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and more.

“There’s really nothing more iconically Detroit than a sunny summer day on Belle Isle,” the art fair’s director Mark Loeb said in a press release. “The Belle Isle Art Fair is a perfect way to revisit and enjoy Belle Isle, to meet and learn from artists in person, purchase their work and express your own creativity through art projects and wonderful music, not to mention enjoy all the activities the beautiful island has to offer.”

This year’s Belle Isle Art Fair poster was created by Detroit-area artist Ashley Menth, who won last year’s first Belle Isle Poster Contest. Menth is known for her hyper-colorful, impressionistic landscapes, especially those of Belle Isle. Her vision of Belle Isle’s McArthur Bridge against a pink sky won the contest, and 50 signed and numbered copies of the poster will be available at the festival.

The artist will also be displaying original artwork and additional prints for sale.

A new addition to this year’s fair is the Secret Art Garden — an opportunity to relax in Adirondack chairs, see art, and learn how to engage with the outdoors. The area will feature programs on birding, beekeeping, and the beauty of urban trees, with participants including The USDA Forest Service, Belle Isle Nature Center, Detroit Bird Alliance, Detroit Parks and Recreation, Michigan Wildflower Farm, Detroit Wildflower Nursery, and the Detroit Food Co-op.

Another special highlight of this year’s event is the Heritage Artist Tent, which will host well-known Detroit-area artists who have “long-standing stellar reputations and do not often participate in art fairs,” according to a press release.

Notable artists participating in this year’s art fair include Charlene Uresy, who paints colorful designs based on African symbols on reclaimed furniture, and Donald Calloway, known in Detroit for his vibrant masks and sculptures. Renowned jewelry artist Milton Bennett will also be present, along with Jimmy King, known for wearable African-inspired textiles.

The Belle Isle Art Fair also partners with an array of local organizations to offer hands-on art for people of all ages. Activities include paper mosaic art projects with the DIA, quick-drying clay with the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, animal art with The Detroit Zoo, and book giveaways from The Detroit Public Library. Plus, the Mint Artists Guild will feature the work of young emerging artists from metro Detroit for sale and offer more hands-on art activities.

The festival will also feature food trucks and booths, as well as musicians performing throughout the fair. Performances include folk rock artist Mark Reitenga, and Vladimir Gorodkin, who plays the Tsimbali, a string instrument similar to an autoharp from his native country Ukraine.

The Belle Isle Art Fair will run from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission and parking is free. A Michigan State Park pass is required to enter Belle Isle and can be purchased for $11.

For more information, see belleisleartfair.com.

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Layla McMurtrie

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July 18, 2024
Midtown Detroit, Inc. to host family-friendly Saturday street fairs starting this weekend

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It’s summer in Detroit, and if you haven’t been having fun this season already… it’s time to start.

Local nonprofit Midtown Detroit, Inc., is here to help. Known for organizing the wintertime holiday festival Noel Night, the organization has just announced a series of Saturday street fairs over the next three weekends to amplify summer fun in the city.

The free festivals will feature a variety of local food served on restaurant patios, accompanied by live entertainment. There will be music, DJs, and dance performances, as well as activities for kids, fashion displays, and interactive games for all ages.

“Midtown is home to 256 vibrant businesses, retailers and restaurants that people come back to again and again, once they’ve walked in and experienced them. That’s the beauty of a street festival experience,” Maureen L. Stapleton, interim executive director of Midtown Detroit, Inc., said in a press release. “We’ve selected three key locations to showcase these businesses to new and existing customers, in a fun, family and festive environment.”

The goal of these fairs is to bring together residents, metro Detroiters, and visitors to support local businesses.

The series will kick off with “Celebrate the D on the T” on July 20, celebrating Detroit’s 323rd birthday, which is July 24. The street fair will take place at the intersection of Willis and Cass from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (The streets form the letter “T.”)

The event will include face painting at Kitab Cafe, free dance instructions, artist demonstrations, and street performers, among other activities. Local business specials will feature happy hour and drink offers at Cobbs Corner, an all-day sale at ArtLoft, 10% off at burger restaurant Royale with Cheese, an ice cream giveaway at Source Booksellers, and more.

The following Saturday will feature the Canfield Street Fair, happening between Cass and Third streets from noon to 5 p.m. Third Man Records will host live DJs spinning vinyl on the patio and Rosemarine Textiles will host a drop-in indigo dye workshop at City Bird and Nest. RUNDetroit and Carhartt Canfield will have special activations, and treats will be available from Blank Slate Creamery at the Bon Bon Bon store and HattieGirl Ice Cream at the Shinola retail store.

For the first two Saturday street fairs, parking will be available on the street and in Wayne State Lot 71 at Canfield and Cass.

The series will conclude with the Fairytale Festival at the Fisher Theater on Aug. 3 from 1-7:30 p.m.

Coinciding with Broadway in Detroit’s double performance of Shrek, the Fisher Building will host an indoor fairytale celebration. The day will feature a themed vendor market, food and drink, a costume contest, and live entertainment. A Fairy Door Hunt will be held with businesses in the Fisher Building hiding “fairy doors” in their shops. Visitors who collect passport stamps for finding the doors can redeem a fully stamped passport for a prize.

Participating businesses include Mature, Shy vs Bold, Peacock Room, Pure Detroit, MG Studio Salon, Russell’s Pharmacy, Promenade Artisan Foods, Stella Good Coffee, and the Fisher Theatre’s Broadway in Detroit. Parking will be available in the Fisher lot and on the street.

For updated information on the three Saturdays in the series, see MidtownDetroitInc.org.

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Layla McMurtrie

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July 16, 2024
Detroit’s annual African World Festival is back at Hart Plaza to celebrate the African diaspora

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Nearly 20,000 people are expected to gather from July 12-14 at Detroit’s Hart Plaza to celebrate the beauty, strength, and spirit of the African diaspora at the 41st Annual African World Festival.

Presented by The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the festival will feature Afro-centric performances, vendors, food, clothing, health products, visual arts, live demonstrations, community resources, and more.

This year’s music headliners include internationally-recognized talent such as Jamaican reggae-fusion band Third World, American hip-hop lyricist Rapsody, South African singer Thandiswa Mazwai, and New Orleans funk band Dumpstaphunk.

Other performers include Fyütch, Mokoomba, Larry Lee, Vox Sambou, and Detroit talent Charity, Drey Skonie, Allen Dennard, and the Mosaic Youth Theatre. The TeMaTe Institute for Black Dance and Culture, an organization dedicated to dance justice and cultural equity, will also perform.

While the entire festival is family-friendly, performances by Fyütch, Mosaic Youth Theatre, and TeMaTe are specifically tailored for children.

Members of the Wright Museum receive free admission to the African World Festival. For non-members, tickets are available for purchase now, with daily passes priced at $10-15 and weekend passes at $20-35.

For more information on all featured artists, a schedule of performances, and tickets, see thewright.org/africanworldfestival.

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Layla McMurtrie

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July 2, 2024
Free movies will screen at Detroit’s New Center Park every other Friday this summer

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New Center Park is bringing back its Friday Night Film Series this summer.

Detroiters can once again enjoy a mix of old and new movies every other Friday for free in the open-air outdoor green space, owned and operated by Midtown Detroit Inc.

The “Movies in the Park” series, sponsored by The Kresge Foundation, will run through August and is just the first of many summer events planned for the park.

The program kicks off on June 21 with the R-rated late-’90s queer comedy But I’m A Cheerleader. Other screenings will feature family-friendly favorites including Guardians of the Galaxy on July 19, King Richard on Aug. 2, Barbie on Aug. 16, and 2023’s The Color Purple on Aug. 30 to end the summer.

Gates open at 7 p.m. for each event, with the film starting at sundown. Concession snacks will also be available for purchase.

In case of inclement weather, any cancellations will be communicated via New Center Park’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Location Details

New Center Park

2990 W. Grand Blvd., W. Grand Blvd. & Second Detroit

(313) 784-9475; (313) (FAX)

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Layla McMurtrie

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June 13, 2024
Detroit’s Apotheculture Club delivers a high-class mix of cannabis, cuisine, and culture

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For five hours during the night of Friday, May 17, I felt like I was a part of a secret cool kids club. I had a fancy dinner at a private residence and saw an opera with a group of strangers. Most importantly, though, all of us were high.

Behind the event was the Detroit-born Apotheculture Club, a cannabis-infused dining experience co-founded around a year ago by stage director and weed enthusiast James Blaszko. Through his own life, Blaszko, who is from Harlem, New York, found that seeing opera and classical music performances while stoned highly elevates the experience. So, he started the club with hopes of destigmatizing weed consumption in these spaces, and to share his fun findings with others.

Detroiters who attended the club’s last local event understood that Blaszko could be on to something, myself included.

Honestly I was nervous, partially because I’m nowhere near a stoner, and also due to fear about socializing with strangers. But the experience sounded one-of-a-kind, so I wanted to try it. Luckily, my nervousness was eased from start to finish, and one-of-a-kind the night was.

The evening began at a private residence on the city’s east side, a building I drive by every week that no one would know is secretly a home. I was slightly confused, yet extremely wow-ed as soon as I walked in. The place was beautiful and covered in art, mostly created by the homeowner, and featured stunning design and detail inside and out. The home’s owners were not present, but Blaszko says they have allowed him to use the space on multiple occasions as they are passionate about Apotheculture Club’s mission.

Upon arrival, I was welcomed by Blaszko and other guests immediately, quickly easing my social anxiety. We were led just a few steps away outside to a courtyard with a seating area and photo opportunities where everyone introduced themselves to each other and mingled before dinner.

The group featured a mix of people of different ages and backgrounds, all dressed to the nines. For most people in attendance, like myself, this was their first Apotheculture Club experience, with just two individuals who had previously been, and clearly enjoyed the experience.

By the end of the night, we all understood why.

One of my favorite parts of the event was Cecelia Sharpe, a Detroit radio host and musician who co-hosted the event alongside Blaszko. The two had only just met in person that day, but the collaboration was done with ease and intention.

In the courtyard, Sharpe offered all of the guest’s drinks, either water, sparkling water, or cannabis beverages by sponsor Mighty Kind that were either 5 mg or 10 mg. I opted for the 5 mg option. The root beer-flavored beverage tasted like a La Croix, so it could have used more flavor, but also wasn’t bad.

Additionally, during the beginning of the evening, Sharpe continuously repeated everyone’s names like an elementary school teacher, and she did tell us she used to be an educator, so it makes sense. This small detail was super helpful to get everyone acquainted and comfortable.

Sharpe then had each of us fill out menus for dinner that asked how much cannabis we’d like in each course. For the first course, you could choose between 0 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg. I chose 5 mg. For the second, you could choose between 0 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg. I chose 7 mg.

These choices allow the event to accommodate all cannabis tolerance levels, and I appreciated it.

Soon, Blaszko told us to head to the dining room where guests had assigned seats at a long dining table. People who came together sat across from each other and the hosts sat at the heads of the table.

The dining room table was covered in tablecloths crafted by Detroit clothing brand David Vintage, who the night’s chef told us he works closely with. I thought this aspect helped bring in an essence of Detroit artistry and it made me happy that local artists were being supported and promoted in just this small way.

While the guests sat at the table, Chef Artist J was finishing up crafting our dinner behind us in an open kitchen, and we were promptly served.

The first course was charred watermelon sashimi with gastrique Brussels sprouts and seared golden berries. The second was a BBQ chicken coxinha with smoked jicama nest and sweet potato confit.

Both dishes, which utilized Monster Xtracts’s cannabis-infused olive oil, were displayed beautifully, with unique flavor and amazing taste overall. Plus, the theme of the meal was somewhat connected to the opera we would be viewing later in the evening, and the chef explained his process to the group.

Everything was done with intention.

At the dinner table, the conversation was upbeat and smooth. People from different generations talked about their unique first experiences with marijuana and Blaszko told us about his first-ever high opera experience. Then, everyone discussed the harsh realities of the plant not being legalized at the federal level and how events like this can help create small change. The “curated conversation” seemed natural and engaging, so much so that I completely forgot it was curated.

Following our meal, the group was ushered into a private bus where the hosts took headcount to assure everyone was present. We arrived at the Detroit Opera House around 15 minutes later.

First and foremost, we all know the Opera House is stunning, so I was already in awe as soon as I walked in. Heading into the venue, the Apotheculture Club all sat together in two rows. The woman sitting next to me, who was the most long-time Apotheculture Club member, said the seats were the best they’ve had yet. “It just keeps getting better and better,” she told Blaszko.

The show, titled The Cunning Little Vixen, began shortly, and there was no more time for socializing. I believe this was my first time actually seeing an opera, so it was interesting to say the least.

The family-friendly story merged animal and human worlds, following a clever fox who tries to outwit her captors. The coolest part about the performance was the mix of acting and animation, as real people popped through holes in the screen to belt their lines. It felt like you were watching a film, being transported from the real world to fantasy in the process.

click to enlarge

James Blaszko

The Detroit Opera House mirror selfie from Apotheculture Club’s event on May 17.

During the show, I honestly wasn’t sure if the weed had kicked in or not. I felt super tired, but also super focused. Other times, I would zone out and miss what was happening. So, I feel like that means it somewhat hit me for sure, but I could have definitely gone for a higher amount.

Following the show, we all took a group mirror selfie before leaving the Opera House and heading back to the bus where we discussed our thoughts on the performance throughout the drive home.

When we returned to the private residence, we were served a dessert crafted by Chef Amy Hang. The dish, named Citrus Forest, was a lime moss cake with lemon cream, orange, blueberry, strawberry, and pomegranate. It was prepared beautifully, with the perfect amount of sweetness.

By the end of the night, though, many of us had the munchies and could have gone for many more servings of food.

During and after dessert, the group had some last-minute conversation, many of us exchanging Instagram handles and contact information before leaving for the night, making new friends through the shared unique memory.

Overall, Apotheculture Club was a great experience that exceeded my expectations. It felt that every aspect of the night was carefully thought out and the mix of hospitality with entertainment and conversation made for an amazing energy that I hope to eventually experience again. I encourage others to attend an Apotheculture Club event and support the group if you get the chance.

Tickets for Apotheculture Club events are usually around $200, but the group encourages individuals who have previously been incarcerated for, or exonerated from, marijuana-related offenses to reach out via email or Instagram to learn about unique perks and privileges.

Apotheculture Club will be back in Detroit, but no date has been announced yet.

You can follow them on Instagram @apothecultureclub to stay up to date or email [email protected] to get on the group’s mailing list.

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Layla McMurtrie

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May 29, 2024
Your guide to Movement Festival 2024 pre-parties and after-parties

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As Memorial Day weekend approaches, techno heads are gearing up to set out for Detroit’s Hart Plaza for the annual Movement Music Festival, happening May 25-27. However, most know that the true essence of the celebration comes alive after hours. For those who want to keep the techno spirit alive beyond the festival, we’ve compiled a list of the best Movement pre-parties and after-parties happening around Detroit. There’s a long list of official and unofficial events, so get ready to have some fun.

A few have sold out already, so if you’re interested, you should snag a ticket quickly.

Friday, May 24

Glitterbox: Official Movement Opening Party
From 8 p.m.-2 a.m.; Spot Lite, 2905 Beaufait St., Detroit; ra.co; $45

100% Live Techno / 2024 / Opening Party
From 9 p.m.-6 a.m.; venue TBA; ra.co; $50

Meta Ta Physika
From 9 p.m.-6 a.m.; Leland City Club, 400 Bagley St., Detroit; ra.co; $68.55

FriDAY Backyard Bash Part 4
From noon-midnight; The Gold Bar, 293 Eliot St., Detroit; ra.co; $40

Razor-N-Tape Takeover
From 3 p.m.-2:30 a.m.; MotorCity Wine, 1949 Michigan Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $17.15 or $28.55

Blueprint
From 9 p.m.-6 a.m.; Red Door Digital, 7500 Oakland St., Detroit; ra.co; $34.30

[something clever] and Infiltr8: Celebr8 present Prelude 2024
From 6 p.m.-2 a.m.; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; ra.co; no cover

Incorrect X Farris Wheel: Movement Pre-Party
From 4 p.m.-4 a.m.; Orchid Theatre, 141 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; ra.co; $25

Bang Tech 12 presents “Bang The Book 2024”
From 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Bookies Bar ’N’ Grille, 2208 Cass Ave., Detroit; facebook.com; no cover

smartbar Chicago presents smartmove
From 9 p.m.-5 a.m.; Tangent Gallery, 715 E. Milwaukee St., Detroit; ra.co; $45-$50

Soul Skate: The Set Up
From midnight-5 a.m.; The New Rink, 50625 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; eventbrite.com; $22

Official Movement Pre-Party: Dr. Fresch presents House Call Records Takeover
Starts at 9 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; ticketweb.com; $30-$40

More Than You Can Bear
From 7 p.m.- 4 a.m.; TV Lounge, 2548 Grand River Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $45.70

(unofficial): a Movement pre-party by Dolls Night
From 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; The High Dive, 11474 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; ra.co; $11.45

Rat City with ADULT. (live), Anthony Parasole, and Coffintexts
From 8 p.m.-4 a.m.; Lincoln Factory, 1331 Holden St., Detroit; ra.co; $38

daytime: Free Open Air Block Party 2
From 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; The Belt Alley, Detroit; ra.co; no cover

Haute to Death pres: CRUISE CONTROL
From 6 p.m.-4 a.m.; Marble Bar, 1501 Holden St., Detroit; ra.co; $54.30

Synergy: A pre-Movement dance party with AKIN, COZYCOLE.G, STACYEJ, WRCKLÉS, and XTRMAYO
From 8 p.m.-3 a.m.; Featherstone Garden, 600 Plum St., Detroit; eventbrite.com; $20

Saturday, May 25

Official Movement After Party: DOM DOLLA + SKREAM
From 11 p.m.-5 a.m.; Russell Industrial Center, 1600 Clay St., Detroit; prekindle.com; $50-$70

FOXGLOVE in the Garden (all vinyl)
From 12 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. North End; ra.co; $45

Neptunian Influence: Detroit Brunch Journey’s End
From 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.; McShane’s Irish Pub, 1460 Michigan Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $20

Babies R Stupid Bowel MOVEMENT Warehouse Party
From 6 p.m.-11 p.m.; venue TBA; ra.co; $9.99

Deep Detroit #14
From 10 p.m.-5 a.m.; Red Door Digital, 7500 Oakland St., Detroit; ra.co; $28.55

Tresor 313
From 10 p.m.-10 a.m.; Tangent Gallery, 715 E. Milwaukee St., Detroit; ra.co; $70

L.A.U.R.A X PHAASER x Darkroom Bureau present GROUND CONTROL
From 9 p.m.-6 a.m.; Secret Location, Detroit; ra.co; $45

Prophecy 01: Omen Showcase
From 10 p.m.-8 a.m.; Secret Location; ra.co; $50

Official Movement Afters w/ Meduza.
Starts at 11 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; ticketweb.com; $45-$55

Bored Lord with BEIGE, Cherriel, Auntie Chanel, and Sapphyree in Detroit
From midnight-6 a.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $20

Texture
From 10 p.m.-10 a.m.; Lincoln Factory, 1331 Holden St., Detroit; ra.co; $81.40

Soul Skate: The Get Down
From midnight-5 a.m.; The New Rink, 50625 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; eventbrite.com; $22

Detroit Love x Defected Records Official Movement Afterparty
Starts at 11 p.m.; Spot Lite, 2905 Beaufait, Detroit; wl.seetickets.us; $40-$60

Liquid with Planet of the Drums
From 9 p.m.-9 a.m.; Marble Bar, 1501 Holden St., Detroit; ra.co; $54.30

Induction: Keith Worthy, Patrice Scott, Thor, DJ 3000, Luke Hess, Joshua Harrison, Henry Chow
From 9 p.m.-4 a.m.; Spkrbox, 200 Grand River Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $25

Soul Clap’s House of EFUNK 10-Year Anniversary (Day 1)
From 11 p.m.-11 a.m.; TV Lounge, 2548 Grand River Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $80

Science of Sound: 12 Hour Party
From midnight-noon; call 313-380-0353 for the address in Detroit; facebook.com; $30

Yel 3.5 Official Movement Afterparty
Starts at 11 p.m.; Leland City Club, 400 Bagley St., Detroit; wl.seetickets.us; $60

Club Toilet
Menjos, 950 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit; instagram.com

Underground & Black Detroit 2024: Motortown Revue (day party)
From 2 p.m.-9 p.m.; Spot Lite, 2905 Beaufait St., Detroit; ra.co; $40

Brooklyn Sway(s) into Detroit Part 2
From 9 p.m.-8 a.m.; venue TBA (private loft); ra.co; $30

Motion Group (day party)
From 2-10 p.m.; Moondog Cafe, 8045 Linwood St., #2, Detroit; ra.co; $15

Automate: Ft/Diskull – Special UKG Set
From 9 p.m.- 2 a.m.; Old Miami, 3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $5

Mercy’s Best: A Hardcore, Breakcore, VGM, Jungle, and Club Kinda Party
From 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; The High Dive, 11474 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; ra.co; $12.50

Viva La Resistance: 10 Years of Rocksteady Disco
From 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; MotorCity Wine, 1949 Michigan Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $25

Sunday, May 26

ReSolute Goes Detroit with The Ghost, Liquid Earth, Sibil, Mayell, and Zeina
From 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Exodus Lounge, 525 Monroe St., Detroit; ra.co; $40

Observe Scene
From 9 p.m.-7 a.m.; Leland City Club, 400 Bagley St., Detroit; ra.co; $102.85

Liquid Dancehall
Starts at 8 p.m.; 215 West Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; facebook.com; $25

Smoke and Mirrors
From 8 p.m.-8 a.m.; Lincoln Factory, 1331 Holden St., Detroit; ra.co; $70.55

A Detroit Yacht Party 7
From 12:30-4 p.m.; Diamond Belle, 1340 Atwater St., Detroit; rituals.thebloxoffice.com; $55

Bassment BBQ 24
From 4-9 p.m.; The Bassment, 20516 Russell St., Detroit; ra.co; $28.55

D-LiFE 2024
From 2 p.m.-2:30 a.m.; MotorCity Wine, 1949 Michigan Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $45.70

Sampled Twenty Two
From 7 p.m.-6 a.m.; Marble Bar, 1501 Holden St., Detroit; ra.co; $57.15

Soul Clap’s House of EFUNK Detroit 10-Year Anniversary (Day 2)
From 11 p.m.-11 a.m.; TV Lounge, 2548 Grand River Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $80

Detroit Underground Showcase
From 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; ra.co; $25

The Ritual: Official Movement Afterparty
From 11 p.m.-5 a.m.; Spot Lite, 2905 Beaufait St., Detroit; wl.seetickets.us; $40-$60

Elixir 2024
From 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Nancy Whiskey’s, 2644 Harrison., Detroit; ra.co; $30

Terminal Velocity: Mija and DJ Topgun
From 10 p.m.-4 a.m.; Big Pink, 6440 Wight St., Detroit; ra.co; $30

STOMP the HOUSE
From 6:30 p.m.-2 a.m.; Bookies, 2208 Cass Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $20

Official Movement After Party w/ Kevin Saunderson + Justin Martin
Starts at 11 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; ticketweb.com; $45-$50

Shigeto presents… It’s Over 9000
From 3-9 p.m.; Spot Lite, 2905 Beaufait St., Detroit; ra.co; $32.90

Excursions: Detroit 2024
From 9 p.m.-5:30 a.m.; Andy Arts, 3000 Fenkell Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $28.55

12th Annual DRUNKBRUNCH
From 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; MIX Bricktown, 641 Beaubien St., Detroit; eventbrite.com; $20-$250

Into The Woods LA x Interference Detroit
From 8 p.m.-3 a.m.; El Club, 4114 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; ra.co; $28.55

Up & Down feat. John Acquaviva & Kate Simko
From 8 p.m.-5 a.m.; Spkrbox, 200 Grand River Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $30

Monday, May 27

Official Movement Afterparty w/ Gordon City + Goldie
From 10 p.m.-5 a.m.; Russel Industrial Center, 1600 Clay St., Detroit; prekindle.com; $45-$60

Lot Mass
From noon-10 p.m.; Tangent Gallery, 715 E. Milwaukee St., Detroit; ra.co; $25

I.T. presents The Bunker
From 10 p.m.-6 a.m.; Tangent Gallery, 715 E. Milwaukee St., Detroit; ra.co; $60

Detroit Vinyl Room presents…
From 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; MotorCity Wine, 1949 Michigan Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $20

JUDY – Memorial Day Edition
From 3-9 p.m.; Spot Lite, 2905 Beaufait St., Detroit; ra.co; $27.45

ReSolute presents: Can You Jigit
From 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Lincoln Factory, 1331 Holden St., Detroit; ra.co; $40

House Your Life: Official Movement Afterparty
Starts at 10 p.m.; Spot Lite, 2905 Beaufait St., Detroit; wl.seetickets.us; $50

Waste Management
From 6 a.m.-4 a.m.; Marble Bar, 1501 Holden St., Detroit; ra.co; $54.30

In The Mood 10-Year Anniversary: Movement After Party with Nicole Moudaber, Layton Giordani & Chris Liebing
Starts at 10 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; ticketweb.com; $45

Cryovac Threads
From 1:30-8 p.m.; Detroit Threads, 10238 Joseph Campau St., Hamtramck; ra.co; no cover

Aliens on Mushrooms present: The Breakfast Brunch
From 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Exodus Lounge, 525 Monroe St., Detroit; ra.co; $22.85

Day to Moonlight
From 3-11 p.m.; Moondog Cafe, 8045 Linwood St., #2, Detroit; ra.co; $11.45

End of the Line
From 9 p.m.-9 a.m.; TV Lounge, 2548 Grand River Ave., Detroit; ra.co; $45.70

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Layla McMurtrie

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May 17, 2024
Black women-owned cannabis cultivator Calyxeum opens its first dispensary in Detroit

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Detroit-based cannabis cultivator and processor Calyxeum is getting ready to open its first retail dispensary this Saturday, April 20, the biggest day of the year for the cannabis industry.

The company has partnered with Michigan cannabis retailer Moses Roses to unveil Moses Roses Powered By Calyxeum, which will open its doors at 6237 Federal St. in Southwest Detroit with a celebratory grand opening.

Calyxeum is owned and operated by native Detroiters Rebecca Colett and LaToyia Rucker, who have been business partners since launching in 2019. As the company currently operates two cannabis growing facilities — one in Detroit and one in Lansing — plus one processing facility in Lansing, this retail dispensary is the final piece of the puzzle in Calyxeum’s vertical integration plan.

The adult-use store will showcase a diverse array of premium offerings including boutique flowers, Michigan brand gummies, and Calyxeum’s signature dessert gummy line and rosin-infused pre-rolls.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to take this next step in the expansion of our business and building the Calyxeum brand,” Colett, Calyxeum CEO and co-owner of Moses Roses Powered By Calyxeum, said in a press release. “Being a Black woman-owned and operated, vertically-integrated cannabis company in our hometown of Detroit truly means a lot to us and it’s an achievement that we’re very proud of as we help redefine the cannabis experience.”

For years, Colett and Rucker, alongside the rest of the Calyxeum team, have actively advocated for cannabis reform in Detroit, throughout the state of Michigan, and nationwide, as the industry moves closer to federal legalization. As Detroit natives and successful business leaders in the community, Colett and Rucker hope to “continue giving back to Detroit and the neighborhoods they know, love, and generously serve.”

“We’re very happy to see this moment arrive for us as a company and as trailblazers for other minority women in the cannabis industry,” said Rucker, Calyxeum COO and co-owner of Moses Roses Powered By Calyxeum. “Our work in the community and cannabis space is far from finished as we’re fully aware of the challenges that still exist for minorities who want to enter the industry. Let’s take this special day on 4/20 to celebrate our accomplishments and then we’ll continue leading the way for others who also want to make their mark in cannabis.”

At the 4/20 grand opening, customers can expect product and pricing specials, a live DJ, free food, comedy, and more.

Hours for the new dispensary will be 10 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week.

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Layla McMurtrie

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April 18, 2024
Foxglove Detroit hosts music and art fundraiser ‘Radyo Ayoon: Boostan’ for Palestine

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Back in September 2023, new venue Foxglove Detroit provided the city with a lowkey urban garden for vinyl-only listening parties. Since then, the space has held many cool events and continued expanding its beauty. This Saturday, Foxglove is hosting “Radyo Ayoon: Boostan,” a fundraising and mutual aid event for Palestine. The event will include musical acts, a pop-up market, and a silent art auction with all proceeds supporting the Palestinian people. Radyo Ayoon, the event’s presenter, is a radio show and podcast showcasing the struggles of the Arab diaspora through music. The musical lineup will include Radyo Ayoon hosts Bana and Fana, plus one of Foxglove’s creators Dru Allan, local audiovisual artist Otodojo, and local DJ Salar Ansari. For the pop-up market, local vendors will sell a variety of items from clothes to art to jewelry to household knick-knacks and more. The collection of art that is part of the silent auction is currently live and can be viewed online.

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Layla McMurtrie

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April 3, 2024
The pARTy music and art festival will raise money to support local artists

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A party isn’t a party without art, and this nonprofit music and arts festival, dubbed “The pARTy,” emphasizes that. The event is happening at Detroit’s Tangent Gallery from April 18-20, featuring interactive music and art, educational workshops, and other immersive “creative experiences.”

The pARTy, organized by metro Detroit art collective The Gallery Society, will raise money for Michigan artists through the festival’s partner nonprofit Art In Session. All of the funds raised will go toward initiatives that include opening a nonprofit art gallery and community workshop space in metro Detroit, as well as establishing educational grants for local artists.

At the festival, there will be close to 50 featured artists, muralists, and musical performers, including The Alejo, Eccentric Danny, Martina Sanroman, Burg Ink, and Art Night founder Nathan Karinen.

Ahead of the festival from April 16-18, Art In Session is hosting a three-day private workshop series focusing on creative and professional growth. All artists involved in The pARTy, plus VIP guests, will have access to the summit.

During the festival, there will also be workshops so all attendees can learn art and wellbeing skills for themselves. Workshops will include “Progress over Perfection: Mental Health for Creatives,” “The Instrument Garden,” “Deliberate Creation Station & Manifestation,” “Double Hoop Hybrids 101,” “B&W Forest Painting Tutorial,” “Ecstatic Dance Playshop,” “Chaka Yoga Flow,” and “Resolume 101.”

The pARTy is sponsored by Michigan cannabis companies New Standard, Element, and butter, a way to celebrate 4/20 with art, music, culture, community, and cannabis.

To close The pARTy on Saturday, April 20, there will be a fashion show celebrating the work of local designers, with music by local DJ Raedy Lex. The show will begin around 9:45 p.m., featuring pieces by A Bazaar Universe, Ethereal Fiber, Harmonic Threads, and The Plush Revolution.

Organizers held a “pre-pARTy” on March 8, which served as a fundraiser for The pARTY and featured an Art Night Detroit takeover with live artists and art supplies, a night of dance music, and open discussions regarding how money raised at the festival could directly support local artists.

This is the festival’s second year after hosting its inaugural event in April of 2023.

More information on The 2024 pARTy’s day-by-day schedule, along with three-day and one-day tickets for the festival, can be purchased online now at theticketing.co/e/theparty24.

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Layla McMurtrie

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April 3, 2024
What’s happening in Detroit on 4/20?

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For cannabis enthusiasts, April 20 marks one of the best holidays of the year, justifying indulging in marijuana from dusk until dawn. Fortunately, this year, 4/20 falls conveniently on a Saturday, and in Detroit, a plethora of exciting events are already planned for the day. While not all are specifically tailored to the 4/20 theme, the variety offers opportunities to embrace the spirit of the day as you see fit.

4/20 Drag Brunch
From 12-2 p.m.; The Emory, 22700 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; eventbrite.com
Ferndale’s #1 drag brunch is hosting an event with comedy, food, and drinks. Smoke before the event so you’re ready to eat lots of good food with local queens.

4/20 Blunts and Brunch
From 12-2:30 p.m.; 9427 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; eventbrite.com
Bring a loved one to this event to enjoy two mimosas, two prerolls, and a great meal by a private chef.

High Fashion at Not Sorry Goods
From 1-6 p.m.; Not Sorry Goods, 22963 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; instagram.com
Ferndale’s stylish retail shop is hosting an event featuring a stoner snack bar, pop-up vendors, and freebies from local dispensaries. The first 20 guests will get a free 4/20 iron-on patch. The event is free to the public.

4/20 Puff and Paint
From 1-7 p.m.; 12511 Woodward Ave., Highland Park; eventbrite.com
Smoke, chill, and get creative with a painting. No experience is necessary and supplies are provided.

Cannabana Music Festival
From 2-9 p.m.; White Star Night Club, 9819 Conant St., Hamtramck; eventbrite.com
This large indoor festival will feature three floors of performances, vendors, food, and 4/20 fun.

The Vision Open Mic
From 5:30-8:30; The Commons, 7600 Mack Ave., Detroit; eventbrite.com
While there’s no smoking allowed inside, this free monthly community open mic just happens to fall on 4/20. You can sign up to perform, make some art, or just chill and enjoy a great show.

Sweet Spot Burlesque
Starts at 6 p.m.; Garden Theater, 3929 Woodward Ave., Detroit; eventbrite.com
This high-energy, heart-pumping burlesque stage production celebrates sexiness in over 30 cities and will luckily for us be in Detroit on 4/20. The event features poets, burlesque dancers, live music, and comedy for a great night and a great way to celebrate any occasion.

4/20 Learn and Sesh
From 6-10 p.m.; Location TBD; urwellnessllc.com
Detroit’s ganja clergy is hosting a welcoming event for anyone to come learn how to consume marijuana, roll up some weed, or smoke a bowl. This is a chance for new consumers to get fundamental knowledge about the cannabis plant and its consumption from experienced members of the local cannabis community.

A Dinner Party with a Twist
From 6-10:30 p.m.; Location TBD; eventbrite.com
Detroit-based Cooking with Chef Meech is hosting a dinner on 4/20 including eight dishes infused with cannabis, plus infused cocktails, a smoke bar, a comedy show, and more. The location will not be revealed until 48 hours beforehand.

4/20 Weekend Buzz Banger
Starts at 7 p.m.; Ziggy’s, 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; facebook.com
Warhorses, Royal Sweets, Angel Of Mars, and Along With Ghosts will be performing for a

The Nicki Minaj concert
Starts at 7 p.m.; Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; ticketmaster.com
We never thought we’d be spending 4/20 with Nicki Minaj but it’s a pretty cool opportunity. The “Anaconda” rapper announced the dates of her 2024 “Pink Friday 2 World Tour” in December, after teasing the tour on social media along with the release of her new album Pink Friday 2. Read more here.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra performing the music of Pink Floyd
From 8-10 p.m.; Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit; dso.org
Imagine an epic orchestra and rock band teaming up to play Pink Floyd’s biggest hits. This mashup will be a reality when the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs the music of Pink Floyd in Detroit’s Orchestra Hall. We’re not encouraging anyone to get high and go to the DSO given the date… or are we? Read more here.

The Sh*t Show Open Mic
From 11 p.m.-1 a.m.; The Independent Comedy Club, 2320 Canniff St., Hamtramck; eventbrite.com
By the end of 4/20, you will probably be ready to sit down and see some comedy or you will have turned into a comedian yourself. So, this is the perfect spot to get on stage and make a fool of yourself for a great end to the night, or enjoy a great show.

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Layla McMurtrie

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April 1, 2024
Ann Arbor’s eccentric FoolMoon festival returns with following FestiFools parade

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Music, artists, street dancers, and hundreds of luminary sculptures will fill the streets of Ann Arbor for the annual FoolMoon festival on Friday, April 5. Organizers announced that this year’s theme is “FoolBloom,” which will bring the spirit of spring to the city through unique sculptures inspired by flowers.

Two days later, on April 7, the connected parade FestiFools will take over Ann Arbor with a one-hour-only event from 4-5 p.m., showcasing tons of new paper mache puppets crafted by University of Michigan students and community volunteers throughout the winter. The larger-than-life puppets, made from cardboard, tape, bamboo, and other materials, are based on the theme “FestiFables” and will parade down Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor.

During the FoolMoon festival, participants will gather at one of three different “Constellation Stations,” including Slauson Middle School, the front lawn of UMMA, and the Kerrytown Farmers Market. At 8 p.m., everyone will dance through downtown, winding past restaurants and through neighborhoods.

This year’s festival will feature a huge live music dance party led by The Ruckus, an ensemble of jazz and funk musicians from the U-M School of Music, Theater, and Dance. Detroit DJ Problematic Black Hottie will also be featured, playing funky and tropical dance beats hailing from the African diaspora.

Additionally, attendees will hear Groove, a non-traditional percussion and performance group at the University of Michigan. Plus, the Detroit Party Marching Band, an ever-evolving collective of 20+ Detroit area musicians, will also join the street party.

Ann Arbor brewpub Grizzly Peak will be offering a special FoolBrew and a cocktail menu exclusively for FoolMoon celebrants, with a portion of the proceeds donated to help keep FestiFools and FoolMoon free to the public.

Ann Arbor’s FestiFools first paraded the city’s streets in 2007 and quickly became an Ann Arbor tradition. The light-filled community FoolMoon festival was added in 2011. For the first time this year, FestiFools and FoolMoon will feature U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell as the “Honorary Grand Luminary.”

For more information on FestiFools and FoolMoon 2024, you can visit FestiFools Studio on Facebook.

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Layla McMurtrie

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March 26, 2024
MAP Fest returns for a second year with goals to grow and highlight ‘the beauty of the hood’

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In 2023, MAP Fest debuted in Highland Park’s Avalon Village, blending music, art, and poetry for a day-long community festival. By all accounts the event was a success, drawing nearly 1,200 attendees, 60 vendors, and over 60 performers.

This year, the festival is set to return on July 27, and organizers have hopes of growing with more sponsors, interactive activities, and community partners, with a goal to double the turnout.

“If this was a TV show, that was our pilot episode,” says Kwesi Huffman, co-founder and 2024 Map Fest head director. “This year, the goal is to expand everything and to make everything much more fun and organized. We had no experience, we were just trying to make it happen.”

Huffman, who was promoted from marketing director to head director, joined the MAP Fest team shortly after the idea was thought up by co-founders and local musicians Koron Wilkerson and Anthony Young Jr., who goes by AyeWhy. Wilkerson is also the founder of the local arts and entertainment group Jewels of Detroit and owns Rock Local Entertainment Cafe in Highland Park, so MAP Fest is basically a culmination of all the work he does to showcase Detroit talent.

Despite little festival experience, MAP Fest 2023 was a win. The team worked hard and gained tons of positive community feedback, plus secured high-level sponsorships from cannabis retailers Jeeters and JARS and event company Crowd Freak.

“With all odds against us, our sponsors still decided to work with us,” Huffman says. “Collaborations were important because it showed that we had credibility. For a lot of people, especially in the city of Detroit, especially if you’re doing something that’s different in a location that people already have a negative stigma about, people just won’t show up based on caution going off in their brain, being scared, or whatever they think.”

He added that many people told him to not even have the festival in the location it’s in because no one would show up, but clearly, they were wrong. If you’ve ever been to Avalon Village, you know it’s a gem.

Avalon Village is a nonprofit eco-village that has brought blighted lots on Avalon Street in Highland Park back to life, now providing a safe space for the community with youth programs, holistic healing, activity spaces, and more.

This year, beyond more sponsors, the plan for MAP Fest is to better utilize the space on Avalon Street with things like bigger stages and larger activations.

“We just want to have more things for people to do and make it an event that you can stay at the entire day and not get bored,” AyeWhy says. “Carnival games, or more painting activities for the art district, whatever it may be to just keep people entertained, even on the basketball court.”

For AyeWhy, the main mission of MAP Fest is to give local artists a platform to gain recognition, so he hopes to show performers even more love this year. “I think that the artists that perform need to have a longer set and actually understand that we care about them and we want them to shine with this festival,” he says.

click to enlarge

Courtesy photo

The inaugural MAP Fest brought around 1,200 attendees and over 60 performers.

Not only does MAP Fest provide that platform to local artists, but Huffman says he is also glad that the festival showcases “the beauty of the hood.”

“We’re trying to change the stigma of the hood actively inside the hood… For me, growing up, I didn’t think that doing anything like this on your own with the limited resources that we have was possible. So MAP Fest, being in the hood, being in this location, gathering large amounts of people, creates that type of experience and it’s positive,” he says. “We are products of the community creating something for the community and we’re also inspiring the community as a whole to do what you want to do. No matter if it’s music, art, poetry, if it’s business, if it’s getting off your ass — do something, be an impactful part of your community.”

To get people ready for MAP Fest, the Jewels of Detroit hosted MAP Con during the week of Valentine’s Day with a series of music, art, and poetry events held at Rock Local. The idea started with the group’s visual artists wanting to do a gallery show, but it quickly grew into something bigger, making the space a gallery all week long. MAP Con featured a karaoke night, an open mic, R&B and neo-soul nights, and an open gallery day to meet the featured artists.

Organizers hope to have a few more events leading up to MAP Fest that continue to build excitement around this year’s event. In the future, AyeWhy says the vision is to take the festival to other cities and countries, but for now, getting ready for another hometown success is at the forefront.

“I just think it’s important for people to take July 27 off, be completely free, and have nothing going on, no babysitting, no work, none of that,” AyeWhy says. “Just be prepared for a whole day of extravagant events, music, basketball, poetry, everything.”

A lineup of performances for MAP Fest will be announced closer to the event date. Tickets will be on sale in the coming weeks. You can follow @mapfest on Instagram for updates.

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Layla McMurtrie

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March 14, 2024
Award-winning Detroit musician Audra Kubat hosts songwriting workshops and performance at the DIA

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Detroit-born musician Audra Kubat will be at the Detroit Institute of Arts this weekend, not only to perform, but also to share her songwriting knowledge with others.

On Saturday, March 16 during two sessions at noon and 1 p.m., the award-winning singer-songwriter, composer, and educator will allow guests to become contributors to her art. The workshops will be a collaboration between Kubat and guests to write a song inspired by select artworks within the DIA, mainly created by women artists.

The guided songwriting process will start with a creative discussion, developing observations into lyrics, and finally being paired with a melody that will become a cohesive, reflective lyrical piece of music. Through the collaborative activity, participants will gain some understanding of how to turn visual inspiration into a song.

The songs created during the workshops will be performed by a group led by Kubat at the concert that follows at 2 p.m. The family-friendly show will feature favorite songs from Kubat’s catalog, plus the new tracks, with the artist joined by celebrated musicians Emily Rose and Ozzie Andrews.

The workshops and the concert will take place in the DIA’s Rivera Court. Admission is free for residents of Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties.

Limited spaces are available for the workshops, so early registration is required. Anyone interested in participating can register now online at dia.org.

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Layla McMurtrie

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March 11, 2024
Tamponpalooza event showcases local artists to raise feminine hygiene products for metro Detroit women in need

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Tamponpalooza, an annual metro Detroit event created by Ken Brass in 2014, serves as a platform and fundraiser to address the need for feminine hygiene and hair care products among homeless and low-income women and girls.

Although Brass is not a woman himself, the local community organizer, who is also the host of Detroit’s Soundoff Sundays open mic night, started the event with the mission of using art to spread awareness about women’s health. Since its first event in 2015, Tamponpalooza has continued to grow with more donations and new sponsors each year.

This year’s installment is scheduled from 7-11 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 at the D Loft in Hamtramck.

Held during Women’s History Month, Tamponpalooza showcases women in various ways, featuring local women poets, singers, illustrators, and more. Among others, the upcoming event will include performances by Ari B, Beezy Brown, Bella Sweets, Chani the Hippie, Lucy Ghavalli, P Tha Poet, and Vee Marie. Plus, the night will be hosted by Detroit musician Kay Bae and radio host Melody Freshh. There will also be vendors selling an array of food, art, and handmade products.

Brass also collaborates with many women to organize and promote the event, including long-time sponsor and Detroit influencer Randi Rossario, who highlighted Tamponpalooza’s significance in a recent Instagram video.

“Could you imagine not having pads or not having tampons? Some people don’t have to imagine it because it’s a reality,” Rossario said. “Every single year, my brother Ken and I do an event called Tamponpalooza with a bunch of other sponsors. It’s a fundraiser for female hygiene products. You’d be surprised how many people actually need this. So, if you in the metro Detroit area, please get with us.”

Admission to Tamponpalooza is free with the donation of essential items such as pads, tampons, hair brushes, shampoo, conditioner, undergarments, purses, diva cups, soap, body spray, and other basic supplies crucial for women’s well-being. Without a donation of products, attendees can instead contribute a monetary donation of $10 or more.

All proceeds support various shelters across metro Detroit, including the Detroit Rescue Mission, Alternative for Girls, South Oakland Shelter, and Creating Opportunities To Succeed.

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Layla McMurtrie

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March 8, 2024