Detroiters are celebrating another Pistons playoff victory. The team defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-97 Thursday night in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals. Detroit All-Star Cade Cunningham scored 25 points in the victory. The Pistons have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 3 is tomorrow afternoon at 3 in Cleveland.
Additional headlines for May 8, 2026
Students deal with Canvas hack
A hack of the Canvas academic system has affected students across the country, including many in Michigan. Students at Wayne State tried to access the system Thursday as they prepared for tests and worked to finish papers. But they were denied access. The system was hacked by ransomware, which demanded payment to keep from publishing students’ sensitive information. Canvas says the system is up and running again today.
Senior Olympics return to Detroit
Detroit’s Senior Olympics are returning June 8. The program was started in 1984 to empower seniors ages 50 and older and support healthy living. Seniors will compete in various activities such as swimming, track, golf, and even baking and arts and crafts. Registration as a participant is open through May 15. Athlete registration is $25. For more information or to register, visit the city’s website at detroitmi.gov and search for Detroit Senior Olympics.
Detroit District 1 to hold job fair
Detroit’s Department of Neighborhood Resource Managers is putting on a job fair in District 1 next month. City employers and others will be on-site actively hiring new employees. Project Clean Slate will also be there to help with expungement opportunities. The job fair will be held June 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crowell Recreation Center. That’s 16630 Lahser at Verne.
Juneteenth art contest seeks entries
The City of Hamtramck’s Park Conservancy is now accepting applications for the TSF Juneteenth Multidisciplinary Art Contest for high school seniors. Any senior attending school or residing in Wayne or Oakland counties can apply. The contest is looking for an original activity that honors the legacy of National Baseball Hall of Famer and Negro League Detroit Stars legend Norman “Turkey” Stearnes. The submission must also portray the Juneteenth holiday. For more information about the contest and how to apply, visit hamtramck-stadium.org/juneteenth-contest. The application window closes May 29.
Metro Detroit gas prices remain steady in past week
Gas prices headed into the weekend haven’t changed much in the past few days. AAA Michigan says the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular in metro Detroit is $4.78 today. That’s the same price as Thursday, and just a couple of cents cheaper than last week at this time. Crude oil prices remain near $100 per barrel as the U.S. and Iran reportedly traded fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. Oil tanker traffic in that waterway has not returned to normal, impacting supplies in many parts of the world.
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We like to say that metro Detroit has it all, but you only have so much time to experience it! Every week is a choose-your-own-adventure, and we have some fun options to raise if you don’t know were to start.
This weekend, prepare to laugh with shows like “Shucked” and “Jurassic Park: The Musical”. Celebrate local efforts and learn about food sovereignty with the Detroit Food Commons Fest. You can also take a nice walk through downtown Royal Oak on Mother’s Day looking at everything you could ever need to make your yard a mini-paradise.
Back by popular demand, “Jurassic Park: The Musical” is a retelling of the classic high-stakes dinosaur film—this time, as a prehistoric parody for your amusement with original songs. This show contains mature humor, and isn’t recommended for audiences under 16 years of age. Both showings start at 8 p.m., and this is the last weekend to experience it, so don’t wait!
Join the award-winning Detroit People’s Food Co-op for their second anniversary celebration! They’ll have vendors, food, political education and activities for guests to enjoy. Plus, a bouncy house and fun games for kids! This event is in the North End and will be going from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On May 9 and 10, the Midland Center for the Arts will show the Tony Award-winning musical, “Shucked.” Saturday performances will be held at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday performances will be held at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Admission starts at $49.50. For more information, visit the Midland Center for the Arts’ website.
A long-held Mother’s Day tradition in downtown Royal Oak. Step out and start beautifying your outdoor space with offerings of flowers and plants, statues, decorations, furniture and more. You can add another lawn gnome to your collection, get starter plants for your garden, or make a backyard perfect for attracting birds and butterflies. Food vendors will be there to make sure you don’t go hungry or thirsty either. Stop by anytime from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Arab American National Museum is bringing a world of film to metro Detroit with a curated set of global short films, documentaries, and full length feature. All are subtitled, making a tremendously rich selection of cinematic art accessible for all. Many showings also include discussion and activities to experience film to the fullest. View the showings and buy tickets in advance for this final weekend of films, themed “Remember. (Re)imagine.”
Stroll along the beautiful Detroit Riverfront with local herbalists. As you walk, you’ll learn how to identify and best handle different plants, and be able to take home your own herbal creation. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. This event runs from 5:30-7 p.m.
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This past weekend, Spirit Airlines shut down and ceased all operations after decades in business.
When Spirit travelers entered the Evans Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, or DTW, for their scheduled flights, they were met with an operational update from the airline. Screens on ticket and check-in kiosks read:
“We regret to inform you that Spirit Airlines has ceased global operations. All Spirit flights have been canceled and customer service is no longer available.”
The airline carried more than 1.7 million passengers in 2025 alone. The full impact of the Spirit Airlines shutdown is not yet clear.
Additional headlines for May 4, 2026
Detroit pitch competition
6 Mile Soup is hosting a pitch competition for business owners.
The Community Choice competition takes place this evening and features businesses on West McNichols Road.
Attendees will get free samples from restaurants and cast their votes for their favorite businesses. Three businesses will win cash prizes: $3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place.
The event takes place today, May 4, at Sips on Six, located at 7512 W. McNichols Road in Detroit. Doors open at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced at 8 p.m. The event is free.
Detroit Friendship House gardening event
The Hamtramck-based food pantry Detroit Friendship House is hosting a gardening event.
It is part of an effort to upcycle and recycle goods to create a sustainable garden for the food pantry.
Keep Growing Detroit will lead a Gardening 101 workshop as part of the event and provide free seed packets for households receiving SNAP benefits.
People will also be able to paint planters with Solstice Art. Participants can bring seeds and seedlings to swap with neighbors. They can also take home herbs for their own gardens.
There will also be a native edible plants exhibit by Detroit Friendship House’s Women’s Empowerment Group.
The Community Garden Event takes place May 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Detroit Friendship House, 9540 Conant in Hamtramck.
The City of Detroit and the Board of Police Commissioners are hosting a mental health panel.
The Men’s Mental Health Awareness Panel is being hosted by District 2 Police Commissioner Lavish T. Williams.
Guests include several prominent African American speakers. There will also be a special guest appearance by the Mumford High School marching band.
The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network will provide information, resources and suicide prevention training on-site.
The panel will take place May 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Road in Detroit.
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The Detroit Transportation Corporation, the agency that operates the Detroit People Mover, is selecting a design team for a new transportation hub near Michigan Central.
Officials hope the new hub will expand transportation options in metro Detroit, potentially connecting the region to Chicago and Canada through expanded public transit service.
Michigan Central is located near an existing railroad, which could allow the facility to operate as an Amtrak station.
The project is expected to begin in summer 2026.
Additional headlines for May, 1, 2026
Leland House auction draws single bid
A three-day online auction for the Leland House ended with only one bid.
Mudhish Development Co. LLC submitted the sole bid of $3 million.
A judge still must approve the sale, which could take place next month.
Metro Detroit sees one of its warmest Aprils on record
Last month was one of the warmest Aprils on record in metro Detroit.
Preliminary data from the National Weather Service shows the average daily temperature was more than 4 degrees above normal, making it the seventh-warmest April since recordkeeping began in 1874.
Four of the 10 warmest Aprils have occurred since 2010.
Michigan unemployment rate holds steady
Michigan’s unemployment rate remained at 5% for the fifth straight month.
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget says about 30,000 people have left the workforce since December.
Trade, transportation and utility jobs declined in March, while professional and leisure sectors added jobs.
The event focuses on celebrating Black joy, bodily autonomy and economic freedom.
The program will feature a panel discussion with SisterSong Executive Director Monica Simpson, Global Black Economic Forum President and CEO Alphonso David, and others.
Detroit singer-songwriter Teedra Moss also will perform live.
The event takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, or MOCAD, 4454 Woodward Ave.
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Metro Detroit’s cultural veins are thrumming this week with jazz, spring greenery, and so much more. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Southwest Detroit with local vendors and a sweeping parade, find some new music at the Detroit Vinyl Fest or enrich your mind with a free trip to the Cranbrook Science museum.
There’s a lot to do this weekend for little to no cost… and if you’re thinking you’d like to lighten your wallet, there’s plenty of opportunity to do so while supporting important causes and local business.
Enter a world of discovery at the Cranbrook Science Museum! There are so many exhibits to explore and many hands-on learning opportunities for the whole family to enjoy. Take advantage of free admission and engage your curiosity. Stars, fossils, mammoths and more await you.
The Midtown Jazz Crawl kicks off this weekend with performances by the Xavier Davis New York Quartet, a group of seasoned jazz musicians that bring both city-sophistication and warm inviting tones into a medley of classics and original compositions. Experience a stirring performance that channels the soul of jazz Friday at the Detroit Institute of Arts or Saturday at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Both shows start at 7 p.m.
Join Bailey Park in celebrating the Earth and the arrival of spring. Further your sustainability-skills and knowledge with various demonstrations and resources on site. There will be limited free food, crafts, local vendors, plus the opportunity to plant in the community garden. Revel for the planet! The event goes from 1-5 p.m, with a live performance by the Detroit Urban Orchestra from 3-4 p.m.
The Mexican Patriotic Committee of Metro Detroit invites you to watch a colorful parade down West Vernor Hwy, including Mariachis, schools, local businesses, and the Miss Mexico Pageant Queen and her court among the procession of floats and dancers. Local vendors and entertainers will be around for the Original Cinco de Mayo Fiesta both days from noon to 8 p.m. The parade is on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.
Free Comic Book Day
Various
May 2
Free
Various local shops and libraries are taking part in Free Comic Book Day this Saturday, May 2. Green Brain in Dearborn, Vault of Midnight in Detroit and many more are all offering a variety of experiences, including food, activities and—of course—free comic books to guests. Don’t miss out on the fun!
Calling all music-lovers! Expand your physical media music library at the second annual Detroit Vinyl Fest. Browse vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, music memorabilia and more while DJs set a soundtrack for the day, and keep an eye out for artists offering autographs. The festival is up and running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Arab American National Museum is bringing a world of film to metro Detroit. A curated set of global short films, documentaries, and full length features are available for viewing. All are subtitled, making a tremendously rich selection of cinematic art accessible for all. View the showings and buy tickets in advance.
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 city of Detroit celebrated 10 years of Project Clean Slate with the program’s 20,000th expunged conviction.
Project Clean Slate is a program that removes barriers that limit the economic, social, physical and mental well-being of residents with criminal records. There are multiple benefits that come from expungement. Studies from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce show that companies that give second chances to returning citizens see reduced employee turnover and an overall higher quality of work.
During a press conference this week celebrating the decade-long program, Mayor Mary Sheffield announced her administration will offer a new opportunity for justice-impacted individuals.
“We just recently opened a new Office of Community and Neighborhood Safety. A part of that work will be working with justice-impacted residents through our new Office of Returning Citizens. When we invest in people and when we choose compassion, we don’t just change the lives of individuals, but the entire community,” Sheffield said.
Project Clean Slate currently has 4,000 open and eligible convictions in process and/or ready to be expunged.
Additional headlines for Thursday, April 30, 2026
Michigan gas prices continue climbing across the state
Michigan gas prices are going up again, with some areas seeing prices around $5 a gallon.
The average cost in the state is about $4.58, up about 33 cents from the day before and 71 cents higher than last week. A year ago, the average price was $3.23.
These surges are connected to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran and disruptions involving the Strait of Hormuz, halting multiple shipments of oil.
Some experts say prices should stabilize after today.
Detroit teams face pivotal weekend across basketball, baseball and soccer
Pistons force Game 6
The Detroit Pistons avoided elimination Wednesday night, beating the Orlando Magic 116-109.
Now the hometown heroes travel to Orlando for a must-win Game 6 if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The showdown is set for Friday, May 1. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
Tigers look to climb AL Central standings
The Detroit Tigers face off against the Texas Rangers this weekend.
As the second-place team in the American League Central, they could find themselves in the top spot in the division with a successful weekend.
All three games will be played at Comerica Park.
Detroit City FC returns to Keyworth
Detroit City FC faces Louisville City FC at Keyworth Stadium.
The match is set for May 2 at 6 p.m.
Detroit Vinylfest returns for second year
The second annual Detroit Vinylfest returns this weekend, featuring records, CDs, tapes and more.
The event, presented by the Detroit Bookfest team, will feature more than 70 vendors selling vinyl records, cassette tapes and other music collectibles.
Vendors will also offer music-related posters, T-shirts and other memorabilia for collectors and music fans.
Some musicians will host autograph signings, and DJs will be spinning vinyl throughout the event.
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Highland Park is a small city that once had a relatively large population for its size. At the height of Detroit’s automotive boom, more than 50,000 people lived within Highland Park’s 2.9 square miles. Today, the population is less than 9,000.
WDET’s Crossing the Lines series features conversations with and stories about Highland Park’s people, culture, and history.
Detroit Public Radio’s Citizen Vox project gives residents a chance to express how they feel about their communities and the issues that matter to them.
WDET’s Pat Batcheller spoke with Highland Park resident Ken Bates at a coffee shop on Woodward Ave. on April 10, 2026.
Listen: Highland Park resident says smart planning can reduce poverty
Bates was born in Detroit but moved to Highland Park with his wife more than 25 years ago. They bought a Craftsman-style bungalow in a historic district of the city. Voters elected Bates to the city council in 2018, where he served until 2022. He chairs the board of an energy nonprofit called Soulardarity. Its mission includes installing solar-powered streetlights in Highland Park’s neighborhoods.
Bates shares his thoughts on housing, poverty, community pride, and development.
Ken Bates: We know that there’s a housing crisis, a housing shortage nationally, affordable housing. Highland Park has an abundance of land that is underutilized, that really could be put forth in terms of development. So, we could look at land trusts. We could look at affordable housing, low-income housing, market rate housing, duplexes to grow the population because that’s what we have in abundance.
Manufacturing? I doubt that will ever come back to the extent that Henry Ford and Chrysler and some of the other manufacturers had here. That’s a bygone era.
And so, we have to look into the future as to what will help Highland Park become sustainable. What kind of industries should we count on?
You have to get education on board. You have to get private development. You have to get your government funding all in order, and you have to have a plan and a vision and the expertise in order to do it.
If not, you’re just maintaining the status quo. And year after year, you’re just one disaster away from some financial calamity, whether it be a natural disaster or something like the Great Lakes Water Authority suing us for $19 million and threatening to put it on our tax rolls.
Pat Batcheller: What do you like about being in Highland Park?
KB: Highland Park is centrally located. It’s convenient. There’s a sense of—like with my block, I never expected it to be so diverse. And yet you’ve got immigrants, you’ve got people of different faiths. You’ve got people who are ascribed to different lifestyles. I mean, it just it goes on and on, different political beliefs, and we all live together in the same community, and we’re able to communicate and talk and look out after each other.”
PB: From the conversations I’ve had with you and some of the other folks I’ve talked to, it isn’t really the borders that define Highland Park, it’s the people. Would you agree with that?
KB: Well, yeah, I would say the people do define Highland Park because, because again, they’ve been here. Most have been here quite a long time. And even if you travel outside of Highland Park and talk to people that formerly lived here, many people will tell you, ‘Yeah, my grandparents lived here.’ They remember it as a great city. They’ve had fond memories.
The historical district is obviously something that has gained attention. People are looking at those homes and, if they have the means to renovate them, are coming in and deciding, “well, let’s renovate this home.” Because you can’t rebuild those anywhere for anything that I would consider reasonable.
Highland Park has just had its own identity for a long, long time. And so, I can’t see that changing because it would be so difficult to incorporate us into the Detroit culture. We’re not Detroit. We’re not Hamtramck. We’re Highland Park.
PB: What’s the most pressing issue facing Highland Park right now?
KB: It’s poverty. You’ve got to figure out how to raise people’s incomes up, so to speak, their standard of living. So, whether it be through employment, homeownership, because poverty impacts everything around us. For example, ALDI is usually out of shopping carts because people abscond with them. If you’re running a business, that’s not helpful. We were fortunate in that Foot Locker moved into the old CVS building because CVS, Rite-Aid, and another drugstore left.
Convincing businesses to come here is a real challenge because the landscape has changed. Brick and mortar stores aren’t necessarily how people are going about retail experiences. You would think that we would have a thrift shop or something of that nature in a community like that. We don’t.
So, trying to look at trends that will allow people to be gainfully employed, increase home ownership, educate their children are things that should be made priority.
The appearance of the city has to change because we have a lot of blight. We had a press conference celebrating the announcement of Highland Towers on Woodward being torn down. We’ve got to have news that is uplifting, that is showing progress now. Yes, the building should be torn down because it’s caught on fire sixteen years ago. But we need to be announcing opportunities for growth projects that will bring about change.
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WDET is examining the highlights and history of Highland Park as part of our Crossing the Lines series.
The roughly three-square mile enclave, completely surrounded by Detroit, has many of the same issues as the Motor City. Some Highland Parkers say it’s often hard for visitors to know when they have left one city and traveled into the other.
Those residents include Pastor Leon Morehead, who leads the New Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Highland Park.
He’s a native of Detroit who has lived in Highland Park for about four years.
Morehead says the enclave is taking steps to reverse decades of decline.
Listen: Highland Park pastor says he serves in an ‘enclave of love’
The following interview was edited for length and clarity
Leon Morehead: It is becoming more of a walkable community. Many things are within walking distance right now. I love the tradition. I love the family atmosphere of Highland Park. I can talk to any of my local politicians and it’s just like we’re family. Even if I disagree with what they’re saying, they make themselves easily accessible.
Quinn Klinefelter, WDET News: Do you get the same sense from your parishioners? Does they seem pretty happy with the area?
LM: Yes, we love Highland Park. We even discussed one time about moving and everybody said, “Absolutely not, we will not move from Highland Park.” It’s centrally-located. And there’s so many things that Highland Park is on the brink of doing. There’s some great developments that are on the way. There’s some housing developments, there’s more jobs that are coming online and more community partnerships, which are helping us a lot.
QK: As a native Detroiter, when you come to Highland Park, did you notice much difference between the two?
LM: With Highland Park being inside of Detroit, it’s almost like you’re just riding through one city. Highland Park was built to be a suburb, I was told. I actually grew up in the north end area of Detroit. As a child, we would ride through and we would see the Chrysler plant and the Ford workers that were working in Highland Park. So it’s not really much of a difference for me because I’ve already experienced it.
My children grow up now in an area where everybody knows them. It’s like the old school days. They don’t want my children to get in trouble. They’ll say, “Hey, he came in at eight o’clock at night instead of six o’clock.” Things like that. I love that part of the Highland Park community. It is an enclave. But it’s an enclave of love.
QK: If you suddenly were granted the power to change things to whatever you would like, is there anything you see around Highland Park that you would like to address?
LM: Just like many other places, I wish we could have the roads together. Our roads are not bad. But there are some street roads that I just wish were a little bit better. Especially with the hot and cold temperatures, we all deal with the potholes. We have a good [Department of Public Works] that fixes them. But I just wish we had a way to have self-sustaining roads.
QK: For people who maybe have not been through Highland Park, what would you tell them? What would you like people to know about the area if they haven’t been here before?
LM: Stop at some of our local shops. One of the greatest things we have is our recreation department. We got a really nice park. They have concerts every Wednesday in the summertime. And when you go there, everything is safe. Everybody’s having a good time. Everybody’s just looking at each other enjoying the family atmosphere. So it’s a great thing.
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While camping outdoors requires some equipment and knowledge, those resources are within reach, and the new campground is more accessible than ever, says Amy McMillan, CEO of Huron-Clinton Metroparks.
“One of the great things about these improvements is we have barrier-free camping now, if you have mobility issues or have a stroller you need to push around, it’s absolutely perfect for that.”
A number of education and community events are available for camp-curious metro Detroiters, including a Family Campout Night on July 24-25, and weekend programs for first-time campers to try out equipment for the first time.
“You kind of get that up north feeling being right here next to Belleville,” says McMillan.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.
Support local journalism.
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We’ve got everything from orchestral renditions of Journey’s greatest hits to parties that won’t stop until the sun rises this week in Metro Detroit. The lights may come down in every other city, but here in Detroit, they’re always going up.
Put on your most elegant pair of painter’s jeans and get ready to take a dive into the world of artistic vandalism. From April to August, the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery at Wayne State University will be hosting an exhibition composed of 25 subway drawings created by Keith Harring between 1980 and 1985. “Art is for everyone,” so be sure to take this opportunity to see one of America’s most prolific artists. The gallery is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while the hours shift to 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays.
Break out the strolling shoes, practice your hand-behind-the-back smolder and embrace your inner art critic. Over the course of the next three weeks, Wayne State University will be holding its 2026 undergraduate exhibition showcasing fine arts, art history and design. This collection is an emphasis on the student’s ability to go beyond the confines of what we see as contemporary art. The opening reception will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the gallery being open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
But if that’s just not enough art for you, if you’re a real division 1 yearnerand you’re looking for something more to sink your creative canines into, this Friday, the Wayne State University Graduate Artist Coalition is hosting an open studio and gallery event coinciding with the opening reception of the undergraduate exhibition. In addition to the ceramics, industrial design and paintings, there will also be live music as well as refreshments. The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Caffeine and ample water consumption are going to become your most trusted compatriots this weekend as you fight the urge to pass out with your tenacity to groove. This Friday, Marble Bar is teaming up with Lincoln Factory to bring you a 12-hour set consisting of 4 different stages across both venues. Stages will be both indoors and outdoors, with performances from DOME SURVEY, Ayesha, Matthew Dear, Bruno Schmidt and more. The event is set to begin at 9 p.m. and end at 9 a.m. And don’t forget the five-hour energy.
Normally, I’d say something along the lines of, “house and acid are commencing a takeover this weekend,” but take over where? The location hasn’t even been disclosed yet… I suppose this week’s motto should be “eh, take a chance.” At least you know which horses you’ll be betting on. This Saturday, Chicago native Specter is headlining the Sleep Olympics booth with Sugar, Shigeto, Meftah and 2000 Avalon on deck. The event will begin at 10 p.m. and it will go until 7 a.m. Boy, we are just screwing with your sleep schedule, aren’t we?
The neon beacons and the beckons of R&B are calling you home this weekend, to your true home, with all of us wonderful degenerates in tow. Pull through to Big Pink this Saturday to immerse yourself in 2000s throwbacks and bumping dance rhythms. DJ Selfie, Completd and Chuck Inglish are spinning tracks to get you making questionable decisions until the wee hours of the night, butyou know what Austin Butler’s mother always used to say, “embarrassment is an underexplored emotion, get out there and make a fool of yourself.” This event is set to begin at 10 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m.
But, if stationary art and house shows dont pique your interest, perhaps you’ll feel better suited supporting local filmmakers at Oakland University’s 2026 film showcase. The English, creative writing and film departments have united to bring you a night filled with narrative, experimental and documentary short films. So,make the trek out to Rochester and don’t forget the popcorn. And don’t worry, this event starts at 3 p.m. and goes until 6 p.m. for you “normal sleep pattern” people.
If it wasn’t the music itself and it was simply that it didn’t have enough elegance whilst also reminding you of your father who grew up in the 80s, you’re in for a treat pal. This weekend the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is hosting an orchestral tribute to one of rock’s most notorious bands: Journey. The beauty of this performance is set to make sure you’re the one who’s crying now. The event begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with a 3 p.m. Sunday performance as well.
Or, if you just felt there wasn’t enough grit in your meal this week, New Orleans native Jay Electronica is slated to perform alongside Detroit heavy hitter Boldy James this Saturday in Pontiacand you’re not going to want to miss this.These two emcees are making history this weekend, and I don’t need to give you Exhibit A through C to show you that it’d be pitiful of you to skip out. The concert is set to begin at 7 p.m.
Support local journalism.
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WDET reporters have been visiting the city since March, getting to know Highland Park, its history, and its people. These conversations are part of our Crossing the Lines series, which explores what unites and divides metro Detroit as a region.
Highland Park is a city within a city, an enclave of Detroit. At its peak, more than 45,000 people lived in Highland Park, mostly auto workers. Ford and Chrysler called the city home for years. When they moved out, people left in droves. Today, the population is less than 9,000.
One person who stayed is Glenda McDonald. She came to Highland Park as a child in the 1970s and still lives in the city. Voters elected her mayor in 2022.
WDET’s Pat Batcheller spoke with the mayor about her life in Highland Park and her efforts to make the city better.
Listen: A conversation with Highland Park’s mayor
People, not borders, define the city.
Pat Batcheller: How has Highland Park managed to survive as a city despite enormous financial challenges?
Mayor Glenda McDonald: It’s a place where you come and you’re in a neighborhood, but it’s also a city, so everybody in the city rallies around each other, supports each other. We get our support from our partners, Wayne County, the state of Michigan, and others. And they continue to believe in the city, just like I know that right now, I’m believing in this city, and we’re going to move forward, and it’s going to continue to grow.
PB: What makes you believe in it?
GM: I believe because I’ve been here, I saw what the possibilities are, and I know the endless possibilities for Highland Park. You don’t find a place like this, like the housing stock is 100 years old and it’s still standing and they are beautiful. You don’t find neighbors and community the way you do here. This is one community, and that’s what I use as one of my models, is we are one community, even though it’s 2.9 square miles. I know a person on every single street here. You can’t find it in Detroit because it’s so large.
PB: So, it’s not just the borders that define the city, that make it unique?
GM: It’s the people. The people make it unique. It’s hard to explain that we love each other. We take care of each other when it when it’s necessary, and then also we can disagree with each other and move forward and continue to move forward.
Grow the tax base
PB: No city can survive long without a stable tax base at a stable population. As mayor, what are you doing to keep businesses and residents that you already have here and then attract new ones?
GM: One is to make sure that everybody knows that they’re loved and needed here. That’s one thing we have to do is to make sure that people in those businesses and in this community understand we are a people of unity. And you know, we have to make sure that they all already know, that they’re doing a service for folks that some other people are not willing to do.
And a lot of people stay here because they just love the space, they love the area. They love the fact that Highland Park is just a small community.
Yes, our budget is low right now, but it’s not going to always be that way, and that’s the hope for the future. And people that stay here know that there’s a future.
Fix the infrastructure
PB: Tell me about some of the work that’s going on in Highland Park.
GM: We’re replacing every lead line in this city. We were blessed to get some appropriations from the State of Michigan, and they are having us replace every single lead line in the city. Some of them were over 100 years old. Some were wood. There was, at one time, a lead problem, but there’s not anymore. We have our testing, and our testing show that there’s not lead in the water so. But it’s inevitable that [the lead lines] need to come up, because there’s popping going on.
You know, we have water main breaks, like every other city. And so, at this moment, it’s a great thing to be able to change. And that will help businesses come here, because they didn’t want to come to a failing infrastructure that they would have to replace on their own. Right now, it’s being replaced.
It’s a good opportunity for everyone to come now and start the developments that they would like to see, to start the growth of Highland Park again, get in on the ground floor and be the beacon of light for Highland Park.
A sign breaks down the city of Highland Parks water main replacement project.
PB: This was something that you’d been going back and forth with the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) for years. You were looking, as I recall, at the prospect of maybe having to go through bankruptcy if you couldn’t work all that out.
You did make a deal. As you mentioned, the state came in with $100 million to help pay off not only the debt [to GLWA], but to fix the root cause of the problems. If you had not been able to secure that money, would Highland Park still exist?
GM: I think it would. I mean, we’re resilient. If we couldn’t go in directions that we needed to go, we could always find another direction. We have been surviving now with this water situation for 20 years. It’s been ongoing and ongoing, and I decided, and along with my team, we’re going to put an end to it right here in some kind of way. And so we got that tentative agreement taken care of.
We’re working with the state. We’re working with GLWA, and hopefully we’ll continue that moving forward. I would say that I would have used whatever was necessary for us to do, to survive in Highland Park, to stay alive.
The state took over in 2001
PB: Going back the beginning of the century, the state appointed an emergency manager for the city that lasted about eight years and then state returned control. That fixed some of the immediate problems, but it didn’t really fix all of the financial difficulties. What did the state get wrong?
GM: Emergency management! I mean, I think the biggest issue we had was that eliminating the things that brought people to the city or kept people here caused a flight. And that would be a reason for the decline of revenues.
So, I think if it should have been a different plan of, how do we keep people in the city? What do we do to make sure that the children, the working-class people, the seniors, and everyone else benefit from what we’re about to do? And I didn’t see a benefit in that. I think that especially closing our library, that has been a devastating point for the city of Highland Park.
PB: What kind of shape is the [McGregor Library] in after being closed this long?
GM: Well, we did have an evaluation done, and there are some things that need to be done to it, to get it back in place. And it will take some doing. But it’s not impossible to do.
Attract business
PB: Do you have any businesses coming in in the near future?
GM: Yes, we have, I think, three that’s going to be opening up by the summer. One, there’s a coffee shop coming. Two, there’s going to be a restaurant, and three, there’s going to be a juicing bar, all coming in the same building. One of our developers has a building that has a mixed use at the bottom, and he’s starting to rent it out. So there will be spaces there for them and other businesses that are in the queue.
Here to stay
PB: You say you’ve been here since you were 11. Why did you stay when so many other people left?
GM: Why should I leave? That’s the question. I mean, I own my home. I raised my children here. They were born here in Highland Park. Well, they were born in hospitals, but they grew up here, and it’s beautiful place to me.
It’s the people. You can’t match the people here that stay in Highland Park. They’re resilient, they’re loving, they’re kind, and we take care of each other. Like I said, we have our issues sometimes, but all in all, we love Highland Park, and I love Highland Park.
My children have started to convince me to leave for years, and I will not. I don’t want to go to Atlanta. I don’t want to go to North Carolina. I don’t want to go to where they are. I want to stay right here in the city that raised me and bring it back to where it should be so future generations can feel the same way I feel when they’ve been here 54 years.
Highland Park City Hall sits on Woodward Ave.
PB: What gives you pride in Highland Park?
GM: Everything. The people, the places, the possibility. I have a connection to every aspect of the city, the industry, the auto industry, everything like that, is something that has been a part of my life since I’ve been here. The schools, bringing back the school system, Highland Park Public School System, and we’re still working with the charter system that we have.
We are people who believe in in good things. We are people who believe that things are possible. And I’m one of those people that believes that things are possible if you just put your mind to it. It’s a challenge, but it’s a good challenge. As long as I live here, I’m going to do whatever I have to do to try to make sure that the city survives.
What happens in Detroit affects Highland Park
PB: Even though Highland Park and Detroit are different cities, their fates seem to be intertwined. The things that happen in Detroit have an effect here. We do now see some things, some progress in Detroit. Do you hope that Highland Park will benefit from that?
GM: I know it will. We’re the next leg of the development chain they have developed from Woodward downtown all the way up to the north end in Detroit. And when you’re the nucleus of a large city—and we call ourselves the capital of Detroit because we sit right in the middle—everything affects us. Because you can’t go to Pontiac without coming through Highland Park, leaving from downtown. Even coming through a freeway, you’re going to enter Highland Park off of Chrysler. You’re going to enter Highland Park off the Lodge. You’re going to be connected to the Davidson, which was the first freeway.
We have a connection that is like a bond. What affects them affect us, and that’s why we need to be working together to make sure that every aspect of this is healed, and Highland Park needs to be healed, and that’s what I see for it. I see a healing coming.
PB: Why wouldn’t being physically part of Detroit foster that healing.
GM: Blasphemy! I had to clutch my pearls. I’m sorry [laughs]. Because then it wouldn’t be Highland Park. Most people in Highland Park do not claim Detroit.
I love Detroit. Don’t get me wrong, I go to visit there. But if it’s just looking at Detroit, then you’re missing out on the opportunity to see what Highland Park has to offer, what Hamtramck has to offer. And I’m not advocate. You know, I love Hamtramck too, but my city has a lot to offer, and you miss out on that.
Everywhere I travel, the first thing they say is, “where are you from?” I said, “Highland Park.” “Oh, you’re from Detroit?” “No, I’m from Highland Park. And you need to look that up.”
PB: So, sell me. If I’m looking for a place, either to open a business or perhaps buy a home, what does Highland Park have to offer?
GM: Highland Park has a lot to offer. We have two corridors that are ripe for the picking right now to run a business. You have Woodward Avenue. There’s over 100,000 people who travel up and down Woodward Avenue every single day. And then you have Hamilton Avenue, which is what we used to call the antique row. We had all of these small businesses, and we’re building back that. We have a lot of people ready to build up on Hamilton.
Our housing stock here is one of the best in the country. We have had people travel from across the country to come buy houses. When we’re selling in the auction, we get people from California, from everywhere, who has done the research about Highland Park and the stock here, and why you can’t beat this. For the price of a house that you get here, you’re going to take that house and pick it up and put it in California, and it’s going to be $500,000 to almost $1 million.
So yes, you have to come here. You have to check out what we have. As far as housing stock, it’s amazing. It’s beautiful. We have Craftsmen houses. I live in a Craftsman bungalow. Those houses are very unique. We have Tudors, we have Colonials, we have a variety of housing here. We even have ranches and smaller ones, but they are here. So that’s the uniqueness of Highland Park. There’s every type of house that you imagine.
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WDET is starting a new series of Crossing the Lines reports Monday centering Highland Park. The small city of about 8,500 residents has made a good deal of U.S. history through the decades. It’s also seen hard financial times in recent years.
WDET journalists have been out in the community for weeks—and will be out there for several more—talking to residents about what they want the rest of metro Detroit to know about their city.
WDET news director Jerome Vaughn is leading Crossing The Lines – Highland Park. He says he decided to examine the city more deeply because of its central location.
“It’s a place a lot of people in metro Detroit travel through each and every day, but the majority don’t stop in Highland Park to shop or to get a bite to eat.”
Vaughn started researching the city, looking at census records, Highland Park history, and businesses, before heading out to tour the city over a number of weeks.
WDET will air stories on Highland Park through mid-May. If there’s something about the city you think we should know, drop us a line at news@wdet.org.
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.
We’ve got everything from live Looney Tunes scores to 7 a.m. DJ sets this week, so be ready to brace for that falling anvil and make sure you’ve got your daily intake of coffee because it’s gonna be a wild ride.
Take a journey down to the Hilberry Gateway in Midtown to witness Wayne State’s biblically epic rendition of Erin Shields’ “Paradise Lost.” This performance reimagines one of history’s most tantalizing tales by challenging our general idea of what good and evil are while delving into aspects of oppression, rebellion and knowledge. There are weekday shows ranging from 2 p.m. or 7 p.m., as well as weekend shows which begin at either 3 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.
Come down to the Detroit Artists Market to see the student finalists from Cranbrook Art Academy face off for the opportunity to be awarded the John F. Korachis Scholarship. This is the 60th Annual Scholarship and Awards Exhibition put on by the academy and this year, there are 10 finalists—3 of whom will receive this esteemed scholarship—showcasing paintings as well as sculptures. This event is a month-long and is available to the public between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day.
Take a ride out to Rochester this Friday to immerse yourself in African and Caribbean culture with performances by Oakland University’s African Ensemble and Steel Band, featuring Haruna Walusimbi, royal musician of the Busoga and Buganda kingdoms in Uganda. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and runs until 9:30 p.m.
It may be a few weeks past the end of rabbit season here in Michigan, but fortunately, it’sopened up once again forthis weekend only. Grab your Stormy Kromer hat, your hunter’sorangeand book it down to the Detroit Opera House on the back of a roadrunner because you’re not gonna want to miss this cartoonishly nostalgic performance.
This Saturday and Sunday, 17 episodes of classic Looney Tunes will be played on the big screen while a symphony plays the iconic scores live for your enjoyment. This performance will also feature the world premiere of a new animated short celebrating Bugs Bunny’s 85thbirthday. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Hop on your broom or your griffin and whisk yourself down to the Music Hall Center in downtown Detroit to be enchanted with the sorcerous sounds of the wizarding world. This Thursday, “The Magical Music of Harry Potter” is coming to spellbind you to the edge of your seat as you’re carried through an expedition of your childhood. The event begins at 4:30 p.m.
If you’re looking for something a bit smoother, well, you’ve stumbled upon silk, my friend. DJANGOPHONIQUE is an award-winning project that is nurturing the Hot Club revival right now. The sounds present transport you to another time, one where you’re a bit more centered and perhaps even Parisian. Think of it like Midnight in Detroit and you get to be Owen Wilson. Local Spins even deemed it the “Most genuine manouche jazz that can be heard in Michigan.” Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. as well as 9:30 p.m.
You know the deal. Lace up those Chucks and bolt over to the Eastside’s neon warehouse once again for some of the greatest Afrobeat, Afrohouse and Ampiano this city has to offer. Get ready to grab a drink and shift continents as DJs Yung D, Blakito, Marine and Getboxedspin tracks deep into the night. The event begins at 10 p.m. and ends at 2 a.m.
Hop, skip and jump over to Lincoln Factory this Friday for a legendary performance by New York-based electronic band fcukers as they combine forces with indie rock band Sex Week. This event begins at 8 p.m. and ends at 2 a.m.
Get your caffeine in order and blast off to a currently undisclosed location this weekend as the co-founder of Swedish label Studio Barnhus Axel Boman is set to deliver his solo debut with a three-hour performance that’s sure to leave you floating out of your body by the end, from sleep deprivation, of course... The show will be opened by DJs clairvoyant, Mister Joshooa and Secrets. This event goes from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m., so pack a set of pajamas and a toothbrush.
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.
We’re in a moment of polarization. We’re struggling to see each other, to hear one another and to understand different perspectives.
A 2024 Gallup poll found that 80 percent of adults believe we are greatly divided in our most important values. A more recent New York Times poll found that most voters don’t believe these divisions can be overcome.
There are fewer and fewer people who have faith in one another. Many believe that our democracy will crumble because we are simply incapable of solving problems across the aisle.
The folks working in interfaith dialogue think differently.
Sam Corey spoke with a few of them to understand the promise and limitations of that work.
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.
Many Metro Detroiters were awakened by severe thunderstorms overnight, with heavy rain, lightning and thunder moving through the region in the early morning hours. Tornado warnings were issued for Washtenaw, Wayne and Monroe counties.
Damage was reported to buildings, trees and power lines in Lincoln Park and Ann Arbor. The National Weather Service is expected to survey the area to determine whether a tornado touched down.
The storms made for a difficult morning commute. Flooding on I-75 just north of downtown Detroit forced a freeway closure, with some traffic backups lasting up to two hours. Downed power lines also led to traffic signal outages across Metro Detroit. DTE Energy reported roughly 20,000 homes and businesses without power by mid-morning.
Additional headlines for April 15, 2026
University of Michigan president-elect steps aside after cancer diagnosis
The University of Michigan’s president-elect will not take the job after being diagnosed with brain cancer.
Kent Syverud said he received the diagnosis after not feeling well last week and is now undergoing treatment in Michigan. Syverud, currently chancellor at Syracuse University, was hired in January and was set to become Michigan’s president on May 11.
Instead, he will join the university as a professor at the law school and serve as an adviser to the Board of Regents. Interim President Domenico Grasso will remain in the role while the board searches for a new leader. (AP)
DTE to host community resource fair in Highland Park
The utility says the event will help residents better understand their energy bills and connect them with resources, including the United Way of Southeast Michigan, for assistance.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New Grace Missionary Baptist Church on Ford Street.
Michigan updates air quality alert system after wildfire smoke
Michigan is changing how it communicates air quality issues to residents.
According to Planet Detroit, the state is streamlining its system after smoke from Canadian wildfires affected air quality in Metro Detroit last year and in 2023.
The state will now issue an air quality alert when fine particulate matter or ozone levels reach the “orange” range on the federal Air Quality Index, indicating air that is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Previously, alerts were issued at the “red” level, when air quality was considered unhealthy.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends using an air purifier, running air conditioning and installing a MERV-13 air filter to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke.
Tax Day is here
April 15 is Tax Day, meaning the deadline to file income taxes is just hours away for those who have not yet submitted their returns.
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We’ve got everything from jazz vocalists to Memphis rappers this week, so be ready to put on your cufflinks, but don’t forget the Three 6 Mafia-themed pocket square
We know that last week we let down you house heads and now we’re here to repay our debt. This weekend, electronic music is practically flooding the Eastside and we’ve got your snorkel and flippers. The Saunderson brothers are slinging out house tracks like Waffle House slapjacks in a B2B set with Slimey so lace up those non-slip shoes and get ready to step into the kitchen. This event starts at 10 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m.
Urban Pulse reacquaints with Spot Lite this weekend, bringing the heart of Berlin to Detroit. Headliner Lars Huismann is delivering atmospheric German techno that’s reminiscent of the old days butcontinues to carve a clear path in today’s scene. He’s also joined by DJs Redax, JANSØ, Austin Buck and KHONSHU. Whether you’re sporting a pair of lederhosen or dressing like you’re ready for Berghain, embrace the sounds of the Fatherland and get grooving. This event begins at 10 p.m. and goes until 3 a.m.
Slide down Six Mile over to Hamtramck’s Paris Bar to catch Chicago native Inés spin deep–cut disco vinyl until you can’t remember whetheryou’re in Michigan or France. She’salso joined by an all-femme roster of DJs, including angel baskets, Savannah G and Auntie Chanel. This event goes from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Perhaps last week’s hiatus from house and techno was a breath of fresh air for some folks and don’tworry, becausewe’ve still got you stuck onour minds like spaghetti sauce on a Tupperware container. This Sunday, Oakland University’s Golden Grizzly and Blue Grizzly vocal groups are coming together for an energetic jazz ensemble set to leave your ears as soothed as a massage. This event begins at 7 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m.
Oh and we’re not done with the classics just yet. This weekend, take a rickshaw ride downtown to Orchestra Hallto hear the beauty emanate from the Northern Lights Festival. The performance will be led by Principal Guest Conductor Tabita Berglund as you dive into a Nordic soundscape. The hall will be filled with birdsongs as the violinist Johan Dalene puts his bow to the grindstone in Sibelius’s violin concerto. The event begins at 8 p.m.
This weekend, the manewho’s down for his crown returns to bring that Memphis heat to Southeast Michigan. Project Pat is making a stop in Van Buren Charter Township as part two of his Redemption Tour, so get out there and bring your iced tea… but leave the nine’s and TEC’s at home. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.
If the music isn’t appealing to you this week, sneak out to Ypsilanti for a calm yet vibrant vibe supporting Michigan artists. 22North art gallery is teaming up with Eastern Michigan University to put on their 10th exhibition, “Visceral Soup.” The show will feature work from 11 of EMU’s Master of Fine Arts students exploring the world of ceramics, painting and mixed media. The gallery is open Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Atlanta-based rock band Microwave is making their way to Detroit as they tour with Anthony Green, Hunny and Into It. Over It. They’ve recently released a 10th anniversary version of their 2016 album Much Love, and it’s time to show them how much love our city has to offer. The show begins at 7 p.m. If you’re not there,we’re going to assume you went to see Air Fryer instead and while we don’tentirely condemn that move, we will be judging semi-silently.
The Concrete Boys are back in Detroit this weekend for their This Is Us Vol. 2 tour at Saint Andrews Hall downtown. The group, made up of Lil Yachty, Draft Day, Camo!, Honest and more recently dropped their second album, a sequel to their first project and now it’s time to break out those hard hats and prepare for the mosh pit. The concert begins at 8 p.m.
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.
Slip on your most polished set of loafers and take a trip out to Rochester to experience Oakland University’s Creative Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos. The Ensemble will feature experimental performances, while the Combos will consist of standards from the American songbook. This event begins at 7:30 p.m.
Hike down Michigan Ave this Saturday to immerse yourself in motion pictures at the 11th annual installation of the Detroit International Festival of Animation.
This showing features 19 animated short films from artists across the globe, but also a few from right here in Metro-Detroit. And, if you arrive early before the event, you might just be able to catch the Wurlitzer Pipe Organ pre-show hosted by the Detroit Theater Organ Society. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the showing begins at 8 p.m.
If you’re in the mood to break out your opera glasses and cufflinks, stroll down to Orchestra Hall to witness a performance by Oakland University’s Orchestra and Chorus. This week is already building up to be a bit more in classical fashion, so you might as well embrace the decadence and start off strong. This event begins at 7:30 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m.
Dive into the works of the next generation of architects, artists and designers at Cranbrook Art Museum next week as they host the 2026 Graduate Degree Exhibition.
Perhaps this event will be a look into what the future holds as we hand off the reins to these emerging professionals entering their respective fields. The event begins at 6 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m.
If you’re looking for a break from the “prim and proper” events the city has to offer, or perhaps you just feel more akin to the sound of an engine than a wind section, then we’ve got something up our sleeves for you. Drive over to Commerce Township for the Modded Detroit opening car show. Whether you’re into JDM, Mopar or supercars, it’s all on display here.
With over 2,000 cars, Modded Detroit is one of the largest car communities out there and they’re making sure it’s known. There will be raffles, as well as a foot race with a $500 cash prize. This event begins at 1 p.m. and goes until 7 p.m.
Maybe you’re not drawn to the elegance of the violin or the roar of a 68 Charger. Perhaps you’re looking for something a little more out of the ordinary, maybe something embalmed? If that’s the case, consider yourself Daniel Day-Lewis because you’ve just struck oil.
The World Oddities Expo is returning to Detroit this Saturday, and it’sready to cater toall your lovingly strange needs. Pick up a teacup pig in a jar, a taxidermy antelope, silver jewelry and even walk away sporting some new ink. There will be a plethora of entertainment as well, including live music, painting, burlesque dancers and more. The event begins at 11 a.m. and goes until 7 p.m.
Bend your understanding of how art interacts with music next week at Oakland University’s Pulse and Pixels exhibition. The performance explores the intersection between visual works and song, featuring both traditional and digital art with an electroacoustic accompaniment. The show includes pieces from both faculty members as well as students. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and goes until 8:30 p.m.
At this point, I’d like to think you know the drill. Curate your fit, pre-game at the house, catch an Uber over to the Eastside and stop when you see the pink lights emanating through the darkness. Hip-Hop night returns once again with DJs FLYANA BOSS, PROBLEMATICBLACKHOTTIE and FULLBODYDURAG spinning rap’s greatest tracks until your ankles snap.
But there’s a stipulation this time around: pink means free. Whether it be a flat brim or a pair of StrangeLove dunks, a piece of pink clothing voids the fee this Saturday. Perhaps another drink is in order after all… This event goes from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
But if all of this just seems like a whole lot of noise to you and you’re desperately searching for something more rock-oriented, don’t worry, we wouldn’t dream of leaving you hanging. This Friday and Saturday, Detroit is feeling the effects of mixing vibesand I’m not talking dark and light cocktails, unless that’syou’re kind of thing, of course.
Lager House is hosting the Half n’ Half Festival this weekend, with Friday tackling the indie/ alternative side and Saturday taking on the heavy in a yin-yang of rock. The show will feature local artists such as Ethan Marc, Panda House, Heat Above and more. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the shows start at 7 p.m.
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.
Joyce Manor returns to the mitten this weekend as part of their tour for their recent album I Used To Go To This Bar. The California-based pop-punk band has awarded us withtheir first record in 4 years and it’s time to show our appreciation with a few mosh pits. This time around, they’re also joined by emerging bands Militarie Gun, Teen Mortgage and Combat. So get out there, kiss your partner, throw a few elbows and have a beer as the rock fuels your heart, just don’t have too many, you wouldn’t want a… constant headache. The show begins at 6 p.m.
Take a ride over to Ford Field this weekend tobearwitnesstosuperhuman stunts in round 11 of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship. If motorsports is what you crave, this event has your name carved into it. From high-stakes jumps to whisky-throttle levels of fast-paced racing, if there’sa feat of courage to be accomplished on a bike, it’s going down here. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.
Mexicantown may be on the Westside, but Latin music is practically pouring out of the Eastside this weekend at Big Pink. DJ IZA and SWDEJAY are spicing things up with sounds of Reggaeton, salsa, bachata and more, so kick off your chanclas and lace up those Cortez’s because this set is about to have you grooving to dembow for a week straight once it’s over. The event begins at 10 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m.
Stroll over to Ferndale this Friday and get lost The Back Alley. Preferably the music and not that one spot off 9 Mile and Woodward, but that’s a story for another day. The Chicago indie-rock quintet is on tour and they’re enlisting local band Moravian to help them get their footing. Bring a friend, partner or buy a 12 oz aluminum companion and get set to boogie. The show begins at 7 p.m. and is $5 extra for those under 21.
Channel surf over to TV Lounge in downtown Detroit and get ready to open the Pandora’s box of electronic music. MNTRA is spinning his Detroit debut this Saturday and you’re not going to miss it. From drum & bass to house, get ready for your chest to feel the pulse with some funkadelic, genre-fluid grooves. This set will also be opened by DJs sillygirlcarmen, JMT, Britty and JUNYXX. The event begins at 9 p.m.
If you’re searching for DJ sets but aren’t feeling akin to the sounds of the south, we’ve still got your back. Spot Lite is hosting vinyl sets from Rick Wilhite, Delano Smith, Norm Talley and dej.y this weekend, so be sure to keep a few extra dollars in your pocket in case you see a record in their shopping section and get ready to enjoy a cocktail while the turntable whisks you away to a realm where you don’t have work on Monday. The event begins at 8 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m.
The Oakland University Latin Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band is coming together this weekend in Rochester for a performance encompassing both classic and contemporary big band works. From drums that soothe your soul to horns that ease your mind, the spirit of jazz is proving to be alive and well here in Southeast Michigan. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Relive the 90s this weekend and get the mini touring experience with Sponge. The Detroit-based rock band is throwing three shows across Metro Detroit. Not only does one ticket get you access to all three venues, but you’ll be riding with the band from one to the next on their tour bus! They’re set to hit Kuhnhenns, Diesel Concert Lounge and Firehouse Pub. The event begins at 7 p.m. and the bus is slated to leave from the starting location at 8:30 p.m.
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New York might be the city that never sleeps, but Detroit’s frequently mentioned among the most insomniatic cities in the nation. We’re here to make sure it stays that way with this week’s most tantalizing events.
Embrace your wicked nature and dance for the Demon of the Strait this Sunday. The March du Nain Rouge has taken place in Detroit for well over a decade, but the story of this devlish figure has loomed over the city for more than 300 years.
I suppose it was about time that we showed him some love.
The parade features massive floats, costumed street performers, musicians and more. It’s a day where all glorious freaks, artists and partygoers show out for their supremely devilish leader in pursuit of a sinfully good time. The event begins at 11:30 a.m., with the opening ceremony starting at 1 p.m.
The Ann Arbor Film Festival is back for its 63rd year, showcasing filmmakers from around the globe. The festival highlights experimental, animation, documentary, fiction and performance-based works. It takes place over the course of six days and enlists a wide variety of programs, each of which has several competing films.
Tickets for each screening are $15, while the opening night party will run you $85. So, grab a drink, see a film and hit an afterparty with some newfound friends. Screenings start as early as 10:30 a.m., with some going until 2:30 a.m.
Step into the past at Huntington Place this weekend for a chance to score that perfectly weathered 70’s tassel jacketyou’ve been eyeing, or perhaps even that pair of Heineken dunks you’ve been searching for since ’03. There’s a plethora of vendors selling everything from clothes to vinyl and video games this year; you won’t want to miss this.
And if you’re just getting dragged along by your eBay-loving bestie, don’t worry, there’s free-to-play arcade games and a retro museum for you to drift away to while they hunt for the perfect pair of jeans. The event begins at 5 p.m. on both days.
The Rusty Snails have been carving a name for themselves recently—perhaps you’ve seen their new song “Northern Man” floating around on Instagram.Regardless, I’m proud to announce they’re coming to Ann Arbor this Saturday as a part of The Blind Pig’s Americana and Country Music Showcase. The brother-sister folk duo from Detroit is playing alongside Jen Sygit and Jadyn Savage, making sure to infuse you with all the twang Michigan has to offer. The event starts at 6 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Day may be over, but that doesn’t mean the festivities have to end. This year, we were robbed with a mid-week celebration— but there’s a way to be compensated for your loss. Trek over to the neon lights of the Eastside and get ready to dance like an Irishman as Munch and Blakito spin banger after banger. The event starts at 10 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m.
It’d be easy to chop up Monster Jam to being just a children’s event, butlet’s be honest, everyone wants to see a 6-ton truck dressed like a bull do a backflip. This time around, drivers are competing for the Stadium Championship Series East.
Whether you’re there for family fun or 2000’s nostalgia, we won’t judge. For all you know, I’ll be there with a foam finger and a Grave Digger hat…not that I’m choosing sides or anything. Oh, and make sure to grab a Pit Party ticket to meet the drivers and check out the beasts up close. The event starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Take a stroll over to the DIA for a modern Mediterranean experience as the Hellenic Museum of Michigan hosts a performance by Alkyone, a musician from Northern Greece who melds traditional Greek styles with the ethereal contemporary sounds of indiepop and folk. The event begins at 7 p.m. and go until 10 p.m.
If it’s specifically house music that’s calling your name, we’ve got something up our sleeve for you too. This Friday at the Lincoln Factory, French producer Sweely is headlining with m.O.N.R.O.E, Rakim Under and more in tow. This is Sweely’s first time performing in Detroit and in exchange for our stamina, he’s rewarding us with retro funk and jazz-inspired tracks until the sun comes up. This event begins at 10 p.m. and goes until 5 a.m.
If you’re looking to start somewhere else on Friday and then migrate over to Lincoln, you might want to check out Marble Bar. Breakbeat and Bass are gonna be shaking the windows as Emma DJ, Maara, Jacob Park and more make the dance floor erupt. This event begins at 9 p.m. and goes until 3 a.m.
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.
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