“You can do the thing that you’re watching…” 

Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Chris Bathgate provided some inspirational words on this week’s MI Local, as we got into a bit of a TED Talk-ish tear about the importance of participating in your community.

In this sense, we spun a ramble on watching YouTube clips instead of actually getting out there and actually doing the thing, yourself! But to a larger extent, we were talking about making sure that you’re showing up to support local music, and especially local music venues. 

Bathgate, who recently released his sixth full-length album (The Significance of Peaches), came to the studio to specifically talk about other musicians, particularly singer/songwriter Cash Harrison, whose new single, “Dog Year,” we premiered at the top of the show.

Bathgate and Harrison are both performing this weekend (Friday, Oct. 10) at The Ghost Light in Hamtramck, with The Go Rounds. 

Along with a brief interview, where we touched on the beauty of Harrison’s new song, as well as an update on Bathgate’s own new writing projects, we were treated to a live performance of the song “In The City,” from Bathgate’s 2011 album Salt Year. 

After that, Ann Arbor-based singer/songwriter and genre-defier Kat Steih, who leads the four-piece rock group known as The Ferals, sat in for an interview and a couple of live performances. Steih is a musician, singer, composer, and educator who has lived abroad for much of her life but always called Michigan home–she’s also continually experimented with her sound and describes, in compelling detail, what motivates her adventurous spirit as a creator. 

Kat Steih and the Ferals are releasing a new album on Nov. 5, Feral Geometry, and we spoke about that, as well as the details around the release party.

Along with a brief interview, we also heard two live performances and the lead single from their new album. You’ll hear guitarist Alex Anest contributing, while drummer Bob Zammit focused on photographic documentation. 

Also on tonight’s show, some premieres of new music from Detroit-based artists Moon Date (indie-pop/new-wave revivalism), Carley Lusk (alt-folk/indie-pop), and a new electronic project from the talented singer/songwriter Annie Bacon, known as Ma Reilly.

Bacon premiered a new single, “Give It Grace,” under the new Ma Reilly moniker, ahead of the Dec. 3 release of that project’s debut album, Exile to Neptune. 

Start out your spooky month with a myriad of events to choose from. Craving a dance night to shake off the work week? Head to Michigan Central for Fridays at The Station.

Looking to listen to amazing tunes? Choose from a Ghost Light benefit night or a performance by Battle Elf. Venturing for something family friendly? Stop by Warren to see Adam wa Mishmish and Waheed the Dinosaur or go wild at Zoo Boo! See all of this and more in this week’s events guide from The Metro.

Upcoming events (Oct. 1-8)

Elmwood Alight 

Elmwood alight 

Oct. 1-3 

$25  

Detroit’s historic Elmwood Cemetery showcases the site’s architecture, monuments, and towering trees in vibrant glowing colors alongside art installations and music. General admission leaves you free to wander at your own pace, but guided tours are available for an additional $10 at check out, with limited space available. 

Fridays at The Station 

Michigan Central Station 

Oct. 2 

$15 

This Friday kicks off the first weekend in October in style with a journey through six eras in music ranging from the 60s to the 2010s. Detroit musicians and vocalists will feature songs from each decade. It is up to you to dress the part! Whether it’s an era you’ve lived or one that features songs you adore, show up in style. Fridays at The Station run from 6-10 p.m. 

The Detroit Flea 

  9850 Rosa Parks Blvd. Detroit, MI 

Oct. 2 

Free 

Do you have a knack for knick-knacks? Are you an aficionado of all things vintage? In search of a Friday fall sweet treat? Look no further than The Detroit Flea! From baked goods to vintage clothes and analogue music, embrace an afternoon of finds. Parking for The Detroit Flea is available on Rosa Parks Blvd, Glynn Ct, and W. Boston Blvd. This is the second to last iteration of The Detroit Flea for 2026. It runs 4-8 p.m. 

Keep the Light On: A Benefit for Ghost Light 

Ghost Light 

Oct. 2
Donation-based starting at $10 

Keep the spirit illuminated! Do you frequent the live music scene in and around Detroit? Love local bands? Be a part of a saving effort for the iconic Hamtramck live music venue, Ghost Light! Across seven hours, you’ll have the opportunity to see 10 different local bands perform amidst the safe, supportive and spunky bar defined by Ghost Light. This Friday night benefit takes place from 7 p.m. to  2 a.m. Donations can be made via Eventbrite or at the door. 

Stories and Songs with Phil Leslie 

Book Suey 

Oct. 3 

Free 

Spend an hour of the weekend at neighborhood co-op staple Book Suey in Hamtramck with Phile Leslie’s silly stories and entertaining skits! This free and open to all ages event runs from 2:30-3:30 p.m.  

We See You, Girl! – The Ultimate Political Girl Brunch 

The Vinyl Society 

Oct. 3 

$15 

Former Michigan Representative Brenda Lawrence will be a guest speaker at this event alongside current City of Detroit Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Director Jade E. Mathis Esq. Are you a natural born leader, campaign professional, nonprofit organizer or advocate in your community? Engage in critical political conversation and celebrate the women in politics that uphold the foundation of democracy. This event runs Saturday from 2-3p.m. Food and drinks are provided with the purchase of a ticket. 

Adam wa Mishmish and Waheed the Dinosaur

Larsa Palace

Oct. 3

$25

The Arabic-language children’s series Adam wa Mishmish comes to town! The voices behind the series bring characters to life through music, storytelling and shared family experience celebrating Arabic language, culture and childhood. There are two showings on Saturday: one at 12:30 p.m. and one at 3 p.m.

Battle Elf Music Collective 

Mike Kelley Mobile Homestead
Oct. 3
Free

As celebration of the Sounding Room residency, music collective Battle Elf performs live in the garage of the Mike Kelley Mobile Homestead. Battle Elf will be performing a blend of krautrock and psychadelia to mark the vinyl release of Sounding Room artists from this past year, printed by Third Man. Former WDET DJ Shigeto is one of the featured artists. Get immersed in the experience of experimental sound from 3-4 p.m. 

Paula Poundstone

Flagstar Strand Theatre

Oct. 3

$40+

Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me’s Paula Poundstone is on tour, and one of her next stops is in Pontiac this Saturday. Join her for a night of laughter and plenty of personality starting at 8 p.m.

Detroit Harvest Fest 

Ralph C. Wilson Memorial Park 

Oct. 3-4 

$5 advance / $8 at the door 

Get festive this fall at the Detroit Harvest Fest! Kids can play throughout the park, gathering candy from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Meanwhile, can adults enjoy live entertainment and full bars. Food trucks are also on-site to make sure everyone has a bite to eat, plus there are costume contests and Halloween movies playing.

Zoo Boo

Detroit Zoo 

Oct. 3-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25

$21-27 

This family friendly event grants full access to the zoo until dusk (around 6 p.m.) to visit your favorite animals before Halloween displays light up the night. Walk the brand new Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails, gather some goodies at Trick or Treat stations, and do some hands-on learning. Not to mention Halloween face painting and live entertainment with magic, puppets, and more. Zoo Boo goes from 3-8:30 p.m. Parking for the event is $8 per vehicle. 

Sketch Sessions 

The Scarab Club 

Oct. 8 

Free for members / $17.85 for non-members 

Spend the evening amongst other artists fine tuning your sketching skills! Thursday sessions focus on gesture drawing, capturing poses and motions. Engage in the 98-year-old space while mastering your craft in drawing to your heart’s content from 6-9 p.m.