Three years ago, “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X” sold out shows at the Detroit Opera House for the first time in over a decade.

Now, the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer behind that success is back in Detroit. 

Anthony Davis returns this month to present “Central Park Five,” a gripping opera that tells the true story of the wrongful convictions of five Black and Latino teenagers in the assault of a white female jogger in Central Park in 1989. 

It’s a case that involved President Donald Trump, who at the time became an outspoken voice for convicting the teens. He spoke with WDET’s Ryan Patrick Hooper about the politics of bringing an opera like this to the stage, and how it feels to be back in Detroit.

Performances will take place on May 10, 16 and 18 at the Detroit Opera House. Visit detroitopera.org for tickets and more information.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

This week, we’ve got local markets for every occasion, from Mother’s Day to Cinco de Mayo. Plus, new art exhibits, live DJ sets from your favorite WDET hosts and an immersive Star Wars cantina experience. Read on to learn more.

Shop around

On Saturday, May 3, Swanky Lady Couture is partnering with Wayne County Community College to present an early Mother’s Day Market. There will be a flower bouquet bar, a permanent jewelry station, professional family portraits and more to inspire Mother’s Day gift ideas. Food trucks will be available on-site. Admission is free and the event goes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

Also on Saturday, May 3, Batch Brewing is hosting a “Derby de Mayo” celebration featuring a Mexican market, lucha libre wrestling, and themed food and cocktail specials for both Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby. The market will highlight local vendors selling everything from jewelry to juices from noon to 6 p.m., then wrestling is scheduled for 7–9 p.m. Food trucks from Taqueria El Rey and La Sultana will be on-site starting at noon and guests can watch the derby in the taproom. For more information, visit Batch Brewing Company on Facebook.

The 7th Annual Urban Arts & Eatery Expo returns to Eastern Market on Sunday, May 4 from 2–6 p.m. Visitors can enjoy beverages and street food from around the world while exploring over 60 local vendors offering unique and handmade goods. Early bird tickets are $3 online. For more information, visit urbanartsexpo.com.

See a show

On Saturday, May 3, Spot Lite Detroit is throwing a 39th Birthday Bash & Fundraiser for the Heidelberg Project, one of the longest-running outdoor art installations in the city. Starting at 7 p.m., there will be live DJ sets from Kenjiro, Liz Warner (host of Alternate Take Thursdays at 8 p.m. on WDET), Shigeto (host of The New Music Show Saturdays at 8 p.m. on WDET), Turtle Bugg and Waajeed (host of The Boulevard Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on WDET). Tickets are $23 online. For more information, visit ra.co.

From Wednesday, May 7 through Sunday, May 11, the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn is hosting the 18th Annual Arab Film Festival, featuring the best critically-acclaimed and award-winning films of the Arab and Arab American world. Genres include drama, comedy and documentary, in both short-form and feature lengths. Each film is subtitled in English and can be watched either in-person at the museum or virtually. Tickets can be purchased separately for each screening, or passes are available for the full festival. For more information, visit aanmfilmfest25.eventive.org.

Explore an exhibit

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History’s newest exhibition, “Luminosity: A Detroit Arts Gathering,” celebrates 60 years of The Wright with over 60 artworks from present-day Detroit artists, long-departed masters and the museum’s archive. Spanning painting, sculpture, photography and more, “Luminosity” illuminates Detroit’s creative spirit through shared histories, personal reflections and bold artistic exploration. The exhibit is on display now through March 2026. For more information, visit thewright.org.

One of MOCAD’s newest exhibitions, “Code Switch: Distributing Blackness, Reprogramming Internet Art,” explores the relationship between Black cultural production and the legacy of computation as a mode of creative inspiration. The exhibition builds on an archival timeline of radical visions from Black makers and thinkers and brings together an intergenerational roster of contemporary artists to unpack the correlation between body and machine, informed further by the “age of the internet.” The exhibition opens on Friday, May 2 and will be on display through August 10. For more information, visit mocadetroit.org.

Detroit Historical Museum’s newest exhibition is “Heroes vs. Villains: Detroit’s Comic Book Story.” Opening on Saturday, May 3, the exhibition highlights Detroit’s contributions to the world of comic books and the generations of local creatives and fans that brought the world of comics to a wider audience and created fandom as we know it today. For more information, visit detroithistorical.org.

The DIA is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with special programming throughout the month of May. In collaboration with AAPI community groups and professional artists, the museum will showcase a dynamic mix of traditional and contemporary dance, music, visual art and more. This year’s celebration includes elements from Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Mongolian, Taiwanese and Vietnamese cultures. To see their full list of events and learn more, visit dia.org.

Feel the force

Calling all Star Wars fans! For five days only, Space Dive 313 has transformed Tangent Gallery in Detroit into a fully-immersive intergalactic cantina. Guests are required to arrive in full costume in order to maintain the Detroitooine experience. Tickets are $60 and still available for Friday, May 2, Sunday, May 4 (May the fourth be with you), Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10. The bar is open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information, visit Space Dive on Facebook.

In 1938, two young Jewish kids decided they wanted to tell a story of an invincible man, who could move faster than bullets and was a hero to all. 

Superman took flight that year, first appearing in America Action Comics #1. Kal-El, Clark Kent or Superman was representation needed during the rise of fascism in Germany. 

The superhero was created to defeat The Third Reich and Nazi’s plot to take over the world. In American culture, comic books have been a way for readers of all ages to see themselves, in one way or another, as superhuman. 

From the friendly neighborhood Spiderman to the Green Hornet — which was a Detroit Radio program before appearing in comics — these stories told the hardships, joys and sorrows of life through the lens of these fantastical characters.

William Wallwinkel is the lead curator of “Heroes vs. Villains: Detroit’s Comic Book Story,” opening at Detroit Historical Museum on Saturday, May 3, which is also Free Comic Book Day. He joined The Metro along with Vault of Midnight owner Curtis Sullivan to talk about comic book culture here in Detroit and southeast Michigan. 

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

In order for us to move forward, we must consider the foundation that we stand on. The shoulders of those who have done the work. On this episode of The Boulevard, we do that. We honor the story of Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale, the Godmother of House.

In this special interview, Hale talks about her musical upbringing on Detroit’s west side, being one of the few female DJs in the early ’80s and winning the Motor City Mix competition as a student at Lawrence Tech.

“In the last 10 years, I look back and go, ‘You were setting the pace.’ I was just being me.” — Stacey Hotwaxx Hale

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

The Boulevard Playlist for April 30, 2025

• “The Boulevard” – Waajeed
• “Fly Away (feat. Alexander Hope)” – Blaze
• “You Lift Me Up (Cats N’ Dogz No Hope Remix)” – Sweetness
• “Panoramica (Hyenah’s Raw Beat)” – Hyenah & Pablo Fierro
• “Took My Love (Jacobin & Domino Remix)” – Fabe
• “Body Sound (Life Recorder Remix)” – Jay Sound
• “Synthphonica” – Henrik Schwarz
• “Still Hope (Waajeed’s Searching Dub)” – Secret Sundaze
• “Baby Powda (Tedd Patterson Edit V2)” – Doug Gomez
• “Forget (Extended Mix)” – DJ Minx
• “Riley’s Song” – Moodymann
• “Helldorado (Original Mix)” – Aki Bergen
• “It’s In Your Mind” – Kyle Hall
• “The System (Original Mix)” – Angelos
• “Dynamic Move” – Dompe
• “Da Fonk (feat. Joni) [Dub]” – Mochakk

Respect the Architect – Interview with Stacey Hotwaxx Hale

• “Down to Love Town” – The Originals
• “I Believe In Miracles” – Jackson Sisters
• “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” – Chic
• “Contact” – Edwin Starr
• “Flashlight” – Parliament
• “The Boss” – Diana Ross
• “Out Come the Freaks” – Was (Not Was)
• “Jam On Revenge (The Wikki Wikki Song)” – Newcleus
• “Din Daa Daa” – George Kranz
• “I Wonder If I Take You Home (with Full Fore) [Full Force Remix]” – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
• “Rain Forest” – Paul Hardcastle

Listen to The Boulevard with host Waajeed Wednesdays from 8–10 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

What’s up family? Chris Campbell here with The Progressive Underground, and it’s time for this week’s Pick of the Week. We’re shining the spotlight on Irene Renee — a vocalist, songwriter, and Detroit native whose journey through music is as rich as her voice.

She’s been singing since childhood, coming up in church choirs at Northwest and Glad Tidings COGIC in Detroit. She later took that love for music to Michigan State, where she danced, performed and eventually toured with MCM and the Hype Crew. After moving to New York, she hit the Apollo stage, sang at Café Wha?, and even plaudits and props from the New York music community.

Life took a few turns — motherhood, detours, comebacks — but the music never left her. Irene Renee re-emerged on NYC’s open mic scene, claimed wins in karaoke battles, and became a featured performer at the Sugar Shack and Zuppa Lounge. All of that led to the release of her independently produced debut album, “Serendipitous Experience.”

Her sound? Think Jill Scott meets Anita Baker with a twist of Cassandra Wilson — sultry, grounded, lyrical and real. We’ll dip into her musical vault and check out one of her signature singles. Here’s Irene Renee with “Smooth Step,” and its my Pick of the Week.

That was “Smooth Step” by Detroit native and soul songstress Irene Renee. If you’re feeling music like this, don’t miss The Progressive Underground — Saturday nights at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET. We serve up soul, nu-jazz, rare grooves, and b-side magic just for you. For the Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell and until next time, stay soulful and stay tuned.

Singer-songwriter Valerie Salerno started her ambient noise-rock/alt-country solo project — Dick Texas — about five years ago, building up to this Spring’s release of her debut full length LP “All That Fall“ (on Fred Thomas’ LifeLike Records). Salerno visited WDET Studios to talk about the new album and her upcoming show at Third Man Records next Saturday, May 10, with Winged Wheel.

Prior to Dick Texas, Salerno was in the Grand Rapids-based alt/noise-rock group Sojii (which recorded its debut album with the late Steve Albini). Salerno started Dick Texas when she moved to Detroit in 2019.

“Catharsis is in almost everything that I make,” Salerno said, remarking upon one of the most distinctive qualities of “All That Fall” — which involves reverb-splashed guitars that go from resonant twangs into purposefully dissonant crescendos. “And that’s what draws me to a lot of the music that I like. I think in this project — and especially what comes out on this album — my biggest goal as an artist is to just write better and better songs…and I think a lot of that came out in my guitar playing.”

“All That Fall” certainly has some elements of alt-country-conjuring twang to it, and a proclivity toward some grittier textures, but I’m hooked by these primal and honestly satisfyingly abrasive circuitous guitar phrases that singe the edges of each composition. Most of all, the album attains its radiance from the subtle yet spellbinding lead vocals of Salerno, weaving gracefully through those stormy guitars.

Put succinctly, Salerno said: “I do like exploring the extremes of dynamics…”

But we also asked about how these songs, in the best way, seem to take their time — following slowed tempos that stretch tracks into the six-minute mark. “I have low blood pressure” Salerno said, following with a self-aware chuckle. “And I think that slow…it’s a good experience to explore. And if you listen to my old band, Sojii, it was hard and fast and intense, and I think that was a big energy to my early 20s. And, now, I think life in the last few years, I dunno, this slow universe has been really nice…”

Salerno was joined in studio by band member, multi-instrumentalist/audio-engineer Adis Kaltak, who added more anecdotal exposition about the recording process, particularly the vocals for a track we listened to, “Flies,” from “All That Fall.” Stream it for the full interview.

Along with an interview with Salerno, we premiered a lot of new music by local artists this week (as we often do, on MI Local). We started the show with the brand new single from Grand Rapids-based indie-pop ensemble Phabies, along with the Detroit-based alt-country duo Neu Blume, who have a release party coming up on May 31 with Bonny Doon and Conor Lynch at UFO Bar.

Speaking of new releases, we heard the latest from indie-rock/power-pop auteur Ryan Allen, who has an album release party coming up on May 16 at Bowlero Lanes Lounge, and the four-piece ’70s-tinged psych-rock band The Dusty Rose Gang also premiered a song on this week’s show — they have an album that’s also out on May 16 titled “A One from Day One.”

And that’s not all! We heard a new industrial-leaning goth-shoegaze soundscape from Stormfeldt, the latest dream-pop ballad from the duo known as Bluhm, and an indie-rock cut from the band My Time In The Arctic who — like so many other locals of late — have a new album out in the world!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

MI Local Playlist for April 29, 2025

• “Bloodletting” – Phabies
• “Cold Strange” – Neu Blume
• “Preybirds” – Rabbitology
• “Take It Back” – Jake LeMond
• “When You Come Over” – Bluhm
• “Eastern Palace Identity Crisis” – My Time in the Arctic
• “Lost in a Daze” – Ryan Allen
• “Low Animal” – Stormfeldt
• “Person of Light” – The Dusty Rose Gang
• “Flies” – Dick Texas
• “Long Dirt Driveway” – Dick Texas

Kicking off the show with new music from BADBADNOTGOOD, who are coming to the Masonic Temple on May 13 with Baby Rose, plus fresh selections from Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke, Smerz, Bon Iver, The Bug Club and more.

And a very happy birthday to one of the greatest Motown voices of all time — Tammi Terrell!

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for April 29, 2025

• “Found A Light (Beale Street)” – BADBADNOTGOOD & V.C.R
• “Why Am I Alive Now?” – ANOHNI
• “You’re All I Need to Get By” – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
• “California Soul” – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
• “Right On” – Marvin Gaye
• “Wholy Holy” – Marvin Gaye
• “Silver” – Say She She
• “I’ll Be There” – Bon Iver
• “If Only I Could Wait (feat. Danielle Haim)” – Bon Iver
• “Flames shards goo” – ML Buch
• “Gangsters” – Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke
• “Roll The Dice” – Smerz
• “Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me (Long Version)” – Peter Brown
• “Storm” – Rare Silk
• “Lightworks” – J Dilla
• “Kaytranada_Waitin_115 Bpm (KAYTRANADA Remix)” – Kelela & KAYTRANADA
• “LITE SPOTS” – KAYTRANADA
• “Do the Astral Plane” – Flying Lotus
• “Need U (100%) [feat. A*M*E] [Radio Edit]” – Duke Dumont
• “You got time and I got money” – Smerz
• “Bitter Sweet Symphony” – The Verve
• “I Think I’m in Love” – Spiritualized
• “Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds” – The Beatles
• “First Wave Intact” – Secret Machines
• “Comfort Eagle” – CAKE
• “The Distance” – CAKE
• “How to Be a Confidante” – The Bug Club
• “Legal Man” – Belle and Sebastian

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

Lots of back-to-backs today, spotlighting new stuff and old stuff from artists and comparing the results/the growth/the whatever.

That included starting things off with the White Stripes, who became the 22nd Detroit act to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last night. That’s huge! Congrats! And major points to friend of the show Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press for this depressing statistic about the long-held gender inequity within the Hall of Fame and one of its major backers Rolling Stone Magazine: Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987. Gross!

I also spun back-to-backs from The Beths, Girls of the Internet, Perfume Genius, Nilüfer Yanya, the Magnetic Fields and more, plus new music from Lansing’s own Rodeo Boys.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for April 28, 2025

• “Little Room” – White Stripes
• “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” – White Stripes
• “Speedway” – Rodeo Boys
• “Expert in a Dying Field” – The Beths
• “Metal” – The Beths
• “A Tune For Us” – DjRUM
• “Morning Light feat. Andreya Triana (Extended Version)” – Andreya Triana & Quantic
• “Water Me Down (Pamcy Remix)” – Vagabon
• “Sound Asleep” – Girls of the Internet
• “The Middle (feat. Allysha Joy) [Outro]” – Girls of the Internet
• “Back 2 Me (feat. Sadie Walker)” – Girls of the Internet
• “Nite” – Gossip
• “South (feat. Lex Amor)” – Wu-Lu
• “Garden” – Maria Somerville
• “Alone (Four Tet Remix)” – The Cure
• “To be a rose” – Jenny Hval
• “Queen” – Perfume Genius
• “On The Floor” – Perfume Genius
• “Cold Heart” – Nilüfer Yanya
• “Like I Say (I runaway)” – Nilüfer Yanya
• “Be Honest (feat. Madison McFerrin)” – A Song For You
• “Supernatural (Extended Mix)” – We Are KING
• “Mohabbat” – Arooj Aftab
• “Bless the Telephone” – Labi Siffre
• “Castles Made of Sand” – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
• “Dark Blue” – George Freeman & Chico Freeman
• “Can’t Say Nothin’” – Curtis Mayfield
• “Night Bus” – The Flying Hats
• “Marmalade Toast” – Marcel Borrack
• “Ride Me High” – J.J. Cale
• “The Book Of Love” – Magnetic Fields
• “I Don’t Want To Get Over You” – Magnetic Fields
• “You Must Be Out Of Your Mind” – Magnetic Fields
• “Buena” – Morphine
• “Decades (feat. Laura Groves & Samuel T. Herring)” – Wilma Archer
• “Baby” – Brittany Howard
• “I Feel for You (Acoustic Demo)” – Prince & the Revolution

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café, New Orleans singer-songwriter Joy Clark joins us this week in the studio to play songs from her national debut “Tell it to the Wind.” Joy thrilled the folks back in January at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival.

Also this week, cool archived performances from José González, Rhiannon Giddens, Ben Ottewell (of Gomez) and more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for Apr. 27, 2025

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Letter To The Past” – Brandi Carlile
• “When This Old World Is Done With Me” – Elton John (& Brandi Carlile!?)
• “Cozy You” – aron!
• “Higher” – AHI
• “Sugarcoat” – Ben Ottewell (2015 in-studio performance)
  
• “Let It Be” – Lucy Kaplansky
  
• “One Step In The Right Direction” – Joy Clark (Acoustic Café in-studio guest)
• “Shine” – Joy Clark (Acoustic Café in-studio guest)
• “You mean Too Much To Me” – Penny & Sparrow
• “I’ll Be There In The Morning” – Maya Delilah
• “fever call” – vraell
• “El Invento” – Jose Gonzalez (2021 in-studio performance)
  
• “I Think I Love You Again” – Carla Thomas
• “Where You Gonna Go” – Drew & Ellie Holcomb
• “Let’s Go” – Sierra Hull
• “Eileen” – Jason Isbell
• “You’re The One” – Rhiannon Giddens (2022 in-studio performance)
  
• “Mystery Of Love (demo)” – Sufjan Stevens
  
• “Big Deal” – Lucy Dacus
  
• “Talkin’ Bout A Revolution” – Tracy Chapman
  
• “Set In Stone” – Martin Sexton (2015 in-studio performance)
• “Divide & Conquer” – The Devil Makes Three
• “Lesson” – Joy Clark (Acoustic Café in-studio guest)
• “Guest” – Joy Clark (Acoustic Café in-studio guest)

NEW YORK (AP) — First-time nominees Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper, the hip-hop pioneers Outkast, the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden.

Salt-N-Pepa, the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status, and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award. The late record producer Thom Bell, pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award.

The late Cocker, who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends,” had the backing of Billy Joel, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Pete Thomas, a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, who argued that Cocker is “about as rock and roll as it gets.”

Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination. They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Can’t Get Enough” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy.”

The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker, a former head of Warner Bros. Records who signed Prince and R.E.M., and had a part in records from Madonna, Randy Newman, the Doobie Brothers, Rickie Lee Jones, Paul Simon and Gary Clark Jr.

Some nominees that didn’t get in this year include Mariah Carey, Phish, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, the Black Crowes and Oasis.

Checker’s recording of “The Twist,” and subsequent “Let’s Twist Again” are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn’t been granted entry before, including telling the AP in 2014: “I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old. I’ll tell them to drop dead, so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling.”

Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” and went on to win a Tony Award for “Kinky Boots.” OutKast, made up of André 3000 and Big Boi, have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as “Seven Nation Army.”

Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction. The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall.

Nominees were voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. The selection criteria include “an artist’s impact on other musicians, the scope and longevity of their career and body of work, as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique.”

Last year, Mary J. Blige, Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton all were inducted.

–Reporting by Mark Kennedy, Associated Press entertainment writer

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, Lady Blackbird (pictured above), new songs from Bon Iver, Robert Randolph and Natalie Bergman (new on Third Man Records) and much more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for Apr. 26, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Like A Ship (Without A Sail)” – Leon Bridges & Keite Young
  
• “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled” – Lady Blackbird
• “I’ll Be Okay” – Michigander
• “Wildfire Season” – Jobi Riccio
• “Be My Own Man” – Phillip Michael Scales
• “Isn’t She Lovely” – Stevie Wonder
  
• “Like A Rock” – Bob Seger
  
• “Ziplock” – Penny & Sparrow
• “Luke & Leanna” – Craig Finn
• “Ride” – B-52s (Kate Pierson turns 77!)

• “From” – Bon Iver
• “There She Goes” – Curtis Harding
• “Gunslinger” – Natalie Bergman
• “Flowers” – Durand Jones & The Indications
• “Lord Have Mercy” – Durand Jones (Acoustic Cafe performance, 2023)
• “What Was That” – Lorde
• “Witness” – The Wood Bros.
• “Staring” – Renée Elise Goldsberry
• “Shine” – Joy Clark (Acoustic Cafe performance, 2025)
• “Stuck In Reverse” – The Swell Season
• “Novelty” – Jensen McRae
• “Big Women” – Robert Randolph
• “Sex And Drugs And Rock & Roll” – Michael Franti & Spearhead
• “Still Bad” – Lizzo (Lizzo turns 37!)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org.

I’m a pretty curious person about a lot of things, and architecture has always fascinated me for many reasons.

Architects design the structures where we live, work, gather, eat, etc., and contribute to how we feel — or the mood — when we enter and experience the spaces they create. 

But there is so much more, which Detroit architect Leo Mendez shared with me in a recent interview for Essential Music.

Currently serving as vice president of planning and design for Olympia Development of Michigan, Mendez has designed projects all around the globe, including many in his hometown of Detroit.

Some of his work as an architect includes everything from the Motown Museum, Honey Bee Market, the shed at Robert C. Valade Park, the Eddystone building and Basan restaurant, the Detroit Tigers spring training facility in Florida, and the Fox Theater seats upgrade that took years to complete — which we talk about during our conversation.

We also discussed his new book of poetry and photographs, “Random Deep Feelings: Within a Burst of Time,” and why he published some of his deepest thoughts and observations; along with his history, the beauty of Detroit architecture, and what goes through his head when he enters a building.

Mendez will be signing copies of his book at Source Booksellers from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, for National Independent Bookstores Day.

Use the media player above to listen to our conversation.

This week, we’ve got art experiences centered around students, cover concerts honoring some of Detroit’s biggest stars and unbeatable bargains from produce to paperbacks.

Plus, some eco-friendly entertainment for your belated Earth Day celebrations. Read on to learn more.

Art experiences

The Detroit Institute of Arts’ 88th Annual Detroit Public Schools Community District Student Art Exhibition is open online and in-person now through May 25. This annual exhibition is the longest standing continuous relationship the DIA has with an educational organization and features imaginative works created by DPSCD students in grades K–12, ranging from paintings, prints, drawings and photography to ceramics, video, jewelry and more. The exhibition is on view on the first floor in the Wayne and Joan Webber Education wing and is free with museum admission, which is always free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. For more information, visit dia.org.

On Friday, April 25 from 5–8:30 p.m., teens ages 13–19 are invited to the DIA to join renowned Detroit artist Tiff Massey for a jewelry-making workshop. Participants will explore Tiff Massey’s “7 Mile + Livernois” exhibit, take part in a wire-wrapping activity and engage in conversation with the artist herself. All supplies and dinner are provided. This event is free with general admission, but registration is required. For more information, visit dia.org.

Cranbrook Academy of Art’s 2025 Graduate Degree Exhibition is also on display now through Sunday, May 4 in Cranbrook Art Museum’s Upper Galleries. Featuring innovative works from the next generation of architects, artists and designers, the Degree Exhibition showcases pieces that are the culmination of two years of studio work from a diverse group of graduates as they launch their careers. For more information, visit cranbrookartmuseum.org.

Cover concerts

This weekend, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra presents the latest concert in their PNC Pops series, “Women Rock!” In this special show, the DSO and guests will perform rock hits by Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Pat Benatar and more. Tickets start at $20 at performances are scheduled for Friday, April 25, Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27. For more information, visit dso.org.

On Saturday, April 26, The Loving Touch in Ferndale is hosting Detroit x Detroit XIII. This annual celebration of Detroit music features local artists performing 3-song cover sets of other local artists, ranging from The Supremes to The White Stripes. Highlights include Skonie & The kLOUDs as Marvin Gaye, Vaega as Mike Posner and Lauren Blackford as Madonna. Tickets are $10 and doors open at 7 p.m. For more information, visit detxdet.com.

Unbeatable bargains

Hey Y’all Detroit, a local organization that provides resources for disenfranchised communities, is back with their first Free Farmers Market of the season on Sunday, April 27. Community members can pick up free produce at Rosemont-Acacia Park in Detroit between 12:30–2:30 p.m. For more information, visit @heyyalldetroit on Instagram.

Bookstock, metro Detroit’s largest used book and media sale, returns to Laurel Park Place in Livonia this weekend for its 21st year. From Sunday, April 27 through Sunday, May 4, visitors can shop for over 300,000 pre-sorted gently-used books, records, DVDs and more. Proceeds benefit Detroit-area education and literacy programs, and all leftover books are donated to local nonprofits and charities. The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit bookstockmi.org.

More Earth Day celebrations

On Saturday, April 26, the Detroit Parks Coalition is holding a Belle Isle Earth Day Spring Cleanup, where participants can pick up litter at their own leisure while exploring the park. At the end of the cleanup, participants will weigh the litter they collected and document the impact they made on Belle Isle and along the Detroit River. The cleanup goes from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and starts and ends at the Belle Isle Aquarium. For more information, visit detroitparkscoalition.com.

Then on Sunday, April 27, People for Palmer Park is hosting an Earth Day celebration that puts some creativity into spring cleaning. During “Art in the Trees,” participants can search for Aziza fairy doors as they pick up trash, enjoy art installations and live musical performances throughout the park’s old growth forest, and even create some eco-friendly art of their own. Light refreshments will be served, and participants are encouraged to bring their own trash bags, tools and gloves if they have them. The event goes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

Singer-songwriter Carmel Liburdi joined me in the studio this week during MI Local to talk about her busy Spring, full of upcoming live performances, Tarot and more!

Liburdi is a crafty wordsmith with a knack for dynamics and vocal inflection, along with a sensibility for uniquely toe-tapping alt-indie-folk arrangements; she’s been writing, recording and performing around the local scene for more than a decade (she got started in high school!) and has released several albums since then, including last year’s “Linwood.”

But Liburdi, like so many creative residents of metro Detroit, is a multifaceted artist who works in more than one medium; she’s also an artist, particularly in illustration and graphic design, and she’s one of 22 artists featured in an upcoming group show inspired by the mystical divination of Tarot!

The House of Tarot is an immersive art installation featuring the work of 22 artists, each offering a unique representation of one of the 22 Major Arcana Tarot cards.​​ The opening reception is this Friday night, beginning at 5:25 p.m., hosted at Building 7 within the Herman Kiefer Complex, featuring the recently opened Container Globe performance space. Visitors to the House of Tarot will receive a reading upon arrival and set off on a unique Fool’s Journey through the works, from room to room across four floors. It is an invitation for reflection, disorientation and reorientation.​ The formal art reception wraps up by 8:30 p.m., but live music will proceed throughout the night until at least midnight.

I was also joined by Tim Price, who’s been around and passionately involved in the Detroit art and music scene for decades. He’s currently working with a number of organizations, like Passenger Recovery in Hamtramck, and the Detroit Music Conservancy. Price described his role in The House of Tarot as one of wearing many hats, but predominantly fitting under the banner of production manager and “guy behind the scenes.” Both Price and Liburdi shared a lot about what to anticipate at The House of Tarot this Friday; find more info here.

Another treat during this week’s show was Liburdi’s live in-studio performance of “Hell’s Bathroom Floor,” which, as you’ll hear during our interview, has a connection to Tarot.

I also premiered brand new music from Detroit-based four-piece punk-rock group FEN FEN, from their upcoming full-length vinyl LP “In Yer Sights,” but that energy was mixed with the softer folk vibes of other premieres from local artists like folk singer Anthony Retka!

I also gave a spotlight to two big local music events happening this weekend, including the Detroit X Detroit showcase at the Loving Touch in Ferndale, where local bands perform cover sets of any artist that came from Detroit, be they contemporary, or past legends!

It’s going to be a busy weekend! Have fun out there!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

MI Local Playlist for April 21, 2025

• “Shellshockt” – FEN FEN
• “Seeing Double” – C.A.D. & the Peacetime Consumers
• “Cool Guy Walk” – meek
• “scry” – Fling II
• “Something” – Vaega
• “MasonJars” – The Vig Arcadia
• “Realities” – James Simonson & Blair French
• “Disappearing Things” – The Codgers
• “Grateful” – Anthony Retka
• “First Day of Spring” – Carmel Liburdi
• “Hell’s Bathroom Floor” – Carmel Liburdi
• “Ceti Alpha Six” – Disc System

We waited 16 years for The Cure’s latest album — and it was well worth the wait. Fans and critics alike praised “Songs of a Lost World,” and it’s been in heavy rotation on In The Groove since its release.

Now, The Cure are extending the life of their latest release with a massive collection of remixes called “Remixes of a Lost World” (out June 13 via Fiction) from folks like Paul Oakenfold, Deftones lead singer Chino Moreno, Mogwai, Twilight Sad and Four Tet, who I’ll focus on today.

I love the way that Four Tet’s remix of “Alone” slowly lets this build, eventually bringing in Robert Smith’s vocals half-way through and keeping that wonderfully distorted guitar in the mix, like this wonderfully crunchy entity hovering above all the clean, warm chord changes.

Four Tet’s remix of “Alone” is one of the first tastes of this remix project and I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out to be one of the best. 

Listen to the In The Groove song of the week below.

Starting off the show with brand new music from Madison McFerrin, who is getting ready to release her sophomore album “SCORPIO” in June. Plus a dose of J-Pop (Japanese pop) from Lamp and Mei Semones, and The Cure just announced a massive remix album with folks like Four Tet, Mogwai, Paul Oakenfold and others interpreting their songs from last year’s “Songs Of A Lost World” album.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for April 22, 2025

• “I Don’t” – Madison McFerrin
• “Bittersweet” – Lewis Taylor
• “Unwind (feat. Melanie Charles)” – Butcher Brown
• “Timeless (feat. Lianne La Havas)” – Oscar Jerome
• “Adagio” – Σtella
• “Despectiva caridad” – Los Piranas
• “Projections” – José Junior
• “Canned Funk” – Joe Farrell
• “Last Train At 25 O’clock” – Lamp
• “Body Rap” – Badly Drawn Boy
• “Once Around The Block” – Badly Drawn Boy
• “It’s All Around You” – Tortoise
• “Not Right Now”– LL Burns
• “Life Is A Movie (Water From Your Eyes Version)” – Vundabar & Water From Your Eyes
• “I Miss My Dog” – Mhaol
• “Alone (Four Tet Remix)” – The Cure
• “Dominique” – Ela Minus
• “Penthouse Samba” – Marina Zispin
• “Deadly Valentine (Soulwax Remix)” – Charlotte Gainsbourg
• “I Can Change” – LCD Soundsystem
• “Moanin’ and Groanin’” – Bill Withers
• “OUT OF MY HANDS (feat. Maeta)” – SiR
• “Am I Your Girl (Dance Version)” – Peach Pit
• “Speechless (feat. Magdalena Bay)” – TV Girl & George Clanton
• “Tenderly” – Luiz Bonfá
• “Zarigani” – Mei Semones
• “Slip Away (feat. Menahan Street Band)” – Charles Bradley
• “Consulate Case” – Surprise Chef
• “Lansana’s Priestess” – Donald Byrd
• “Mamasong” – Lawne
• “South of the River” – Tom Misch
• “Ruma Jhuma (Dub Colossus D&B Mix)” – Transglobal Underground
• “Ansumana” – Susso
• “Locked” – Four Tet
• “VIBRAÇĀO” – Alexander Flood

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

What’s up family? Chris Campbell here with The Progressive Underground, and it’s time for this week’s Pick of the Week. We’re shining the spotlight on Al Lindsey — a Detroit soul singer with a voice as smooth as velvet.

Born in Virginia and raised in Michigan, Lindsey first hit the stage while serving in the military, opening up shows for none other than Jimmy “J.J.” Walker from “Good Times.”

After his service, he came back to Detroit and broke out on his own, dropping solo projects since the late ‘80s, always keeping that classic soul vibe alive.

His latest single is called “It’s Gonna Be Alright” — and its my Pick of the Week. 

That was Al Lindsey with “It’s Gonna Be Alright” — pure grown folks soul for your spirit.

If you’re feeling music like this, don’t miss The Progressive Underground — Saturday nights at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET. We serve up soul, nu-jazz, rare grooves, and b-side magic just for you! I’m Chris Campbell. Stay tuned, stay soulful.

More from The Progressive Underground: 

• Pick of the Week (April 8): ‘Touching Toes’ by Olivia Dean
• Zo!, Tall Black Guy transcend genres with synergetic ‘Abstractions’
• Pick of the Week (Mar. 29): ‘2 Step in the Living Room’ by Terrace Martin & Alex Isley

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café, we’ll look into the burgeoning L.A. retro-soul scene with The Altons, making their Daptone Records debut with the album “Heartache In Room 14.” They join Thee Sacred Souls, The Sinseers and others making music that sounds a lot like vintage Motown (but it’s brand new!).

Also this week, cool archived performances from the legendary Janis Ian, Marcus Mumford in 2023 and more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for Apr. 20, 2025

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Automatic” – The Lumineers
• “I’m A Sad Guy” – Q
• “The Wrong Way” – Alison Krauss & Union Station
• “Confessions” – Denison Witmer
• “When The Silence Falls” – Janis Ian (1995 in-studio performance)
  
• “It Isn’t Perfect…” – Olivia Dean
  
• “Your Light” – The Altons (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guests)
• “Tangled Up In You” – The Altons (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guests)
• “Superlover” – Allison Russell & Annie Lennox
• “Monochrome” – Mumford & Sons
• “Only Child” – Marcus Mumford (2022 in-studio performance)
  
• “For Keeps” – Lucy Dacus
• “Dirt” – Julien Baker & TORRES
• “Take Me To The River” – Seth Walker
• “Carry me Through” – Maren Morris
• “Today” – Abraham Alexander (2023 in-studio performance)
  
• “Sweetness Follows” – Kathleen Edwards
  
• “Love Is All Around” – R.E.M.
  
• “Ghosts In The Garden” – Kris Delmhorst
  
• “Buckets Of Rain” – Jeffrey Foucault (2004 in-studio performance)
  
• “Show You Love” – The Altons (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guests)
• “Float” – The Altons (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guests)

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music we featured a new album of covers from Smokey Robinson, now 85, coming out next week. JR JR has announced an upcoming local show, The War and Treaty and much more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for Apr. 19, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Son Of Sam” – Elliott Smith (Figure 8 released 25 years ago this week)
• “People” – Galactic + Irma Thomas
• “Be Thankful For What You Got” – Smokey Robinson
• “Call It A Draw” – Uwade
• “Back To The Land” – JR JR
• “Day One” – Bon Iver
  
• “What To Make Of Me” – Olive Klug
  
• “I Don’t” – Madison McFerrin
• “World’s Worst Girlfriend” – Shura
• “Love Me Any Ole Way” – Valerie June
• “Garden Grove” – Jakob’s Castle (Jakob Nowell)
• “Ride” – Loren Kramar
• “Henry, Come On” – Lana Del Ray
  
• “Learn To Let Go” – The Doobie Brothers

• “Bottom Of A Barrell” – Julien Baker & TORRES
• “The Giver” – Chappell Roan
• “Late Night Get Down” – Southern Avenue
• “Can I Get An Amen” – The War and Treaty
• “Above Water” – Nick Piunti & The Complicated Men
• “The Black Dog & The Wandering Boy” – James McMurtry (2025)
• “Fuller Brush Man – James McMurtry (1995)
• “Lady Liberty” – Galactic + Irma Thomas
• “Boneyard” – Jon Cleary
• “Tangled Up In You” – The Altons (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Because” – Elliott Smith (Figure 8 released 25 years ago this week)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org.