Normal view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.
Before yesterdayMain stream

MI Local: Mara Wanna Performs ‘Everything That I Love,’ plus new poetry from John Freeman + more

By: Jeff Milo
8 October 2025 at 15:45

Sample every genre under the sun, all from homegrown Michigan artists, on MI Local!

This week, we had two in-studio guests from two perceivably disparate genres and creating music in two distinct styles, giving WDET listeners a bridged perspective from danceable electro-pop to poetic, heartfelt acoustic folk.

Early on, you’ll hear an interview with singer-songwriter and award-winning published poet and essayist Cal Freeman, who writes, records and performs with the Celtic-folk ensemble The Codgers. The Dearborn-based poet recently released his new book of poems and essays, “The Weather of Our Names,” as part of Cornerstone Press’ Portage Poetry Series.

During our interview, Freeman talked about the upcoming release party and live reading at Book Suey in Hamtramck on October 17. We wrapped up with Freeman by treating WDET listeners to a live acoustic performance of “Song For Joe,” inspired by the Codger’s late friend Joe Michnuk’s time working clubhouse security for the Tigers in the early to mid-80s.

At the start of the show, we heard brand new music from Marissa and the Starter Packs, and Issac Burgess. Then, after Freeman, we spun a new single by singer-songwriter Anthony Retka, the title track from his new full-length album, “The In Between,” which is celebrated with a release show this Saturday night at the Anton Art Center. While we stayed in that indie-folk lane, we heard Ypsi-based artist Chris DuPont, spinning with a revamped re-release of his song “Holding It Together,” marking the 10th anniversary of his breakout album, “Outliers.”

We welcomed Mara Wanna to the studio, a multifaceted electro-pop singer-songwriter-musician, who recently released a new single, “Everything That I Love.” Mara has been making music for a while, but released a handful of songs in 2023, along with “The Gag Order” EP. Mara Wanna also released a single in the early summer, “The Beginning,” which we premiered here on WDET.

During our interview, we talked about Mara Wanna’s songwriting and production process, as well as her past endeavors curating live local music showcases in Hamtramck known as Mutual Slay. After that, Mara Wanna performed live, in-studio, treating listeners to an acoustic version of “Everything That I Love.”

Stream the whole show up top for two weeks after it airs, and find the full playlist below!

  • “Let Her Go” – Issac Burgess
  • “Nevermind” – Marissa & the Starter Packs
  • “A Song for Joe” – John Freeman, live in WDET Studios
  • “The In Between” – Anthony Retka
  • “Holding It Together” – Chris DuPont
  • “Madeline” – Payton & Annabelle
  • “Everything That I Love” – Mara Wanna, live in WDET Studios
  • “The Beginning” – Mara Wanna

Support the shows you love.

WDET’s unique music programs are dedicated to exploring the music and culture of our region and the world. Keep the music going. Please make a gift today. Give now »

The post MI Local: Mara Wanna Performs ‘Everything That I Love,’ plus new poetry from John Freeman + more appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

The Metro Events Guide: Poetry readings, outdoor festivals and more

7 August 2025 at 09:00

This week’s events range from relaxing sound baths and poetry readings to high-energy concerts and festivals. Plus, a celebration for a unique Detroit landmark. Read on to learn more.

Upcoming events

Rooftop Rendezvous

📍  Arab American National Museum in Dearborn

🗓  Friday, Aug. 8

🎟  Free with RSVP

An outdoor poetry performance at the museum’s Heritage Garden in partnership with Field Trip, a Hamtramck-based poetry group. Performers include Eleni Sikelianos, Aditi Machado and Jamaal May. The event goes from 6–8 p.m.

Concert: Hail Your Highness with special guests Riot Course, Headless Mary and Normal Park

📍  Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti

🗓  Friday, Aug. 8

🎟  $10

An alternative-indie-rock concert featuring bands from across Michigan. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to public radio. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Milford Memories Summer Festival

📍  Downtown Milford, various locations

🗓  Friday, Aug. 8 through Sunday, Aug. 10

🎟  Free

A weekend-long outdoor festival featuring an art show, live entertainment, carnival food and family-friendly activities. The festival is open from 8 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and from 6:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Detroit’s Annual Ribs and R&B Music Festival

📍  Hart Plaza in Detroit

🗓  Friday, Aug. 8 through Sunday, Aug. 10

🎟  Free, $15

A celebration of National Barbecue Weekend featuring grilled meats and live performances by R&B and soul singers. The festival is open from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. all weekend. Admission is free until 4 p.m. on Friday and until 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. After that, admission is $15. Kids under 12 get in free all weekend.

The Marshalls Good Stuff Social Club: Detroit

📍  BasBlue in Detroit

🗓  Saturday, Aug. 9

🎟  Free with RSVP

A women’s empowerment conference featuring expert-led conversations, guided networking activities and locally-sourced goodies. Themes include financial freedom, finding confidence and building community. The event goes from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and space is limited.

Luminosity Sound Baths

📍  The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit

🗓  Sunday, Aug. 10

🎟  $15 for museum members, $25 for non-members

An immersive sound bath experience coinciding with the museum’s exhibition, “Luminosity: A Detroit Arts Gathering.” There are two one-hour sessions at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Participants are asked to bring their own mat for seating.

Log Cabin Day Festival & Ice Cream Social

📍  Palmer Park in Detroit

🗓  Sunday, Aug. 10

🎟  Free

A family-friendly festival celebrating the history surrounding Palmer Park’s Log Cabin. There will be Civil War-era activities, live musical performances, storytelling, reenactments and free ice cream for the first 500 visitors. Festivities go from 1–4 p.m.

Sounds Like Detroit

📍  Batch Brewing Company in Detroit

🗓  Thursday, Aug. 14

🎟  $25

A musical showcase featuring Detroit’s top Tiny Desk Contest performers of 2025. The lineup includes powerhouse soul vocalist BETH, folk singer-songwriter Corazon Szell, innovative multi-instrumentalist Samuel Nalangira, and jazz fusion group Tariq Gardner & the Evening Star. Gates open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m.

Charivari Detroit Everywhere

📍  Detroit, various locations

🗓  Thursday, Aug. 14 through Sunday, Aug. 17

🎟  $12–$92

A spin-off of the Charivari Detroit Festival featuring over 50 artists and dozens of events across the city in celebration of electronic music culture. Featured artists include Delano Smith, Rimarkable, Jon Dixon, Problematic Black Hottie, Rebecca Goldberg and more. Individual events range from $12–$35, and all-access passes are available for $92.

Support local journalism.

WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

The post The Metro Events Guide: Poetry readings, outdoor festivals and more appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

❌
❌