This week, we’ve got arts and culture events to get you in the Movement mindset ahead of the festival this Memorial Day weekend.

Plus, your chance to win tickets to the festival itself! Read on to learn more.

Music festivals

Cartoons & Stereo festival (put together by stoop lee) — Free skateboarding music festival with a pop-up skatepark, live music, a vintage clothing market, a 9-foot rim dunk contest and local food trucks. Performers include Zelooperz, Pink Siifu, stoop lee, Datsunn with LOCAL ORGANIC, Curtis Roach, Rob Apollo, Pia the Band, Shaii David and Leo Pastel. The event goes from 2-11 p.m.

Freak Press Ball — The Freak Press Ball returns to Spot Lite Detroit on Wednesday, May 21, for another star-studded performance from IANFINK.CPT. This 12-piece ensemble is led by keyboardist Ian Fink in collaboration with some of Detroit’s greatest performers and musicians, including Cecille, Salakastar, Jamiliah Minter, Salar Ansari, Sasha Kashperko, Dez Andrés, Marcus Elliot, Jake Shadik, Tim Shellabarger and Caleb Robinson, and WDET’s own Shigeto. The skilled and eclectic Saylem Celest will be on the decks alongside exciting young selector, Dej.y, followed by master producer and DJ Scott Grooves to close out the night. New Freak Press apparel, vinyl and other merchandise will be available for purchase as well as exclusive visual art by Scott Grooves. 

Movement prep

Amp Fiddler Ave. unveiling — The city of Detroit has partnered with the Amp Fiddler Estate to honor late Detroit musician and producer Amp Fiddler with his own street name. “Amp Fiddler Avenue” will officially be unveiled at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 16 —  the second annual Amp Fiddler Day — at the corner of 7 Mile Road and Revere Street. The unveiling will be hosted by WDET’s own Chris Campbell.

Vibe & Dye: A Movement Festival Prep Party at Detroit Dye House — Detroit Dye House is hosting a special tie dye experience and pre-Movement party at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. The event will offer opportunities to make summer festival apparel with a special phosphorescent dye that glows under a black light, with live music from DJ Darren Shelton.

Record and book fair at Spot Lite — Spot Lite Detroit will host a curated day of vinyl, books, local vendors, coffee and cocktails from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. The event is free to attend.

WDET x Movement — WDET is again partnering with Paxahau as an official media partner for Movement, returning to Detroit’s Hart Plaza for three days of electronic music over Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26. Want a chance to win VIP passes to this year’s festival? Make a donation to WDET from noon on Friday, May 16 through Wednesday, May 21 and you’ll be entered into the drawing! Learn more at wdet.org/movement.

Comic Con

Motor City Comic Con — Michigan’s largest comic convention returns to the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi this weekend, May 16-18, featuring appearances from notable actors and celebrities including Bill Nye, Angela Kinsey, Rainn Wilson, Jeremy Renner, Sean Astin and more. 

Bowie tribute

Blackstar Symphony at the DSO — David Bowie’s final album, “Blackstar,” will be reimagined on Detroit’s Orchestra Hall stage Thursday, May 22, for Blackstar Symphony — a celebration of and tribute to the late artist. Performed with the original “Blackstar” band, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will bring the critically-acclaimed album to life alongside other Bowie classics like “Space Oddity,” “Life on Mars,” and “Heroes.” Tickets available at dso.org.

Outdoor activities

Labyrinth walk at Gabriel Richard Park — Set your intentions and join Detroit Zen Center for a guided walk through the labyrinth at Gabriel Richard Park from 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. The event is part of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month. Register at detroitriverfront.org.

Movie night at the park — Enjoy the family classic “Inside Out” while spending time outdoors along the Detroit Riverfront at Milliken State Park next week. The free event, sponsored by Huron-Clinton Metroparks, kicks off at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 20. More info at detroitriverfront.org.

River Rouge cleanup — The city of Farmington Hills is hosting its largest annual volunteer cleanup event at Heritage Park on Saturday, May 17, for Rouge River Day. Volunteers are sought to help remove trash and debris from the river, clear invasive species, plant native wildflowers and maintain trails at the park from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Flower Day at Eastern Market — One of the most popular market days of the year returns to Eastern Market this Sunday, May 18, featuring flower vendors and growers from across the Midwest. Flower Day will run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the market. Additional Flower Tuesday Markets are planned for May 20 and 27 in Sheds 5 and 6. Find more information at easternmarket.org.

Art exhibition

CCS Student Exhibition — Detroit’s College for Creative Studies is inviting the community to its annual Student Exhibition Opening and and Sale from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 16, showcasing more than 3,500 from students and alumni in various mediums. The exhibition will be on view and open to the public through May 30. Find more information at ccsdetroit.edu.

This week, we’ve got some family-forward events to celebrate Mother’s Day, including wildflower walks, bike rides and crafting sessions.

Plus, award-winning productions, art fairs and your last chance to see a Detroit-inspired exhibit. Read on to learn more.

Mother’s Day activities

Huron-Clinton Metroparks are celebrating Mother’s Day this weekend with themed walks at three of their parks:

• Kensington: A guided stroll through the Kensington Nature Area is scheduled for Saturday, May 10 from 10–11 a.m. and 1–2 p.m. Registration is $5 for adults, $3 for kids and free for children under 2. RSVP is required.
• Lake Erie: A guided stroll through Lake Erie Metropark is scheduled for Sunday, May 11 from 2–4 p.m. An interpreter will point out signs of motherhood in insects, birds, mammals and more. This walk is suitable for ages 8 and up and includes frequent stops. Registration is $5 for adults and $3 for kids. RSVP is required.
• Stony Creek: When visitors hike through Stony Creek’s wildflowers on Sunday, May 11 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., they can receive a certificate and a flower to take home and plant from the nature center. Admission is free and pre-registration is not required.

On Saturday, May 10, the Detroit Public Library is also celebrating Mother’s Day with gift-making workshops at three of their branches:

• Wilder Branch: Visitors can make a unique gift using craft materials like foam, stickers and the library’s Cricut machine from noon to 1 p.m. Admission is free and RSVP is required.
• Knapp Branch: Visitors can make their own wind chimes from 2–3 p.m. Admission is free and RSVP is required.
• Jefferson Branch: Visitors can make their own bracelet from 1–2 p.m. Admission is free and RSVP is required.

On Saturday, May 10, Terra Joy Castro and Socially Chrissy are kicking off a new monthly series, Family Bike Rides on the Detroit Riverfront. This month’s ride starts at Cullen Plaza at 10 a.m. and will end with coffee and snacks at the Riverwalk café. Bikers of all ages and abilities are welcome, and the goal is to explore the Riverfront together on two wheels and to get moving as a family. Participants are asked to bring their own bikes, helmets and water, but Wheelhouse Detroit will be on-site for bike rentals. Admission is free and registration is required. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

Creative collections

Art Birmingham, originally known as the Birmingham Fine Art Festival, returns for its 44th year this weekend. On Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11, the street surrounding Shain Park in downtown Birmingham will showcase 150 juried artists from across the country, featuring paintings, sculptures, photographs and more. There will be live music, food and drinks available for purchase, and a kid’s art activities tent. For more information, visit theguild.org.

The 57th Annual Political and Pop Culture Show will take place this week at the Skyline Hotel in Romulus. Collectors from across the country will gather to share and sell memorabilia from political campaigns from throughout American history. On Friday, May 9, there will be a reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by an auction at 7 p.m. On Saturday, May 10, over 50 dealer tables will be on display between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the hotel. Admission is $5. For more information, visit apic.us.

New productions

Detroit Public Theatre is closing its 10th anniversary season with the world premiere of “Soft Target,” a play about childhood, guns and the wounds we can’t see. The production centers 9-year-old Amanda and her toys — stuffed penguin Jonah, American Girl Doll Molly, trusted Diary and weighted emotional support bunny Ugly — as their once-peaceful world is thrown into darkness and chaos. Performances take place Wednesdays through Sundays now through June 7. General admission is $50, and $25 tickets are available on Thursdays. For more information, visit detroitpublictheatre.org.

Detroit Opera’s latest production is “The Central Park Five,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning true story adaptation of systemic discrimination. The opera follows the wrongful convictions of five African American and Latino teenagers in the assault of a white female jogger in Central Park. Despite racial injustice, resilience and redemption emerge as the five men fight for freedom. Performances take place Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets range from $30–$145. For more information, visit detroitopera.org.

Exhibition ending

This weekend is your last chance to see Tiff Massey’s 7 Mile + Livernois at the DIA. The exhibit, inspired by the neighborhood where Massey grew up, features fashion accessories scaled up to the size of architecture, creating sculptures that celebrate’s Detroit’s evolving neighborhoods and the history of West African and Black American culture and style. The last day to see the exhibit is Sunday, May 11. Admission is free for residents of Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties. For more information, visit dia.org.