From cookouts to concerts, here are a few ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Detroit this week.

Plus, a chance to attend a live recording of your favorite political podcast — read on to learn more.

Celebrating Juneteenth

Hamtramck’s 3rd Annual Juneteenth Family, Friends and Community Celebration March will take place on Saturday, June 14. This year’s celebration includes a community march, a picnic-style gathering, live performances, and a special tribute to fathers in honor of Father’s Day. The event starts at 10 a.m. and is free to attend, though donations are appreciated. To see the march route and get more information, visit their event page.

Hart of Detroit, AfroFuture and Detroit vs. Everybody will host a Juneteenth Block Party ahead of the annual Hart of Detroit Summer Fest on Thursday, June 19. There will be live performances from local artists, local food and merch vendors, interactive games and community activities. Admission is free for the first 1,000 people, and the event takes place at Hart Plaza from noon to 5 p.m. Afterward, the Hart of Detroit Summer Fest concert kicks off at 6 p.m. and is $12.50 to attend. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

The Hawk Community Center in Farmington Hills will host a Juneteenth Concert featuring local fusion group, Da’Ja, on Thursday, June 19. The group blends jazz, funk, R&B and Latin influences to create a unique sound that bridges generations, races and cultures. Admission is free but must be reserved in advance. The event starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit thehawktheatre.com.

Exploring local talent

From Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15, the Northville Art House Market returns to Northville’s historic downtown. There will be more than 80 artists, local businesses and food vendors. Admission is free, and the event goes from 3–8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit northvillearthouse.org.

On Saturday, June 14, the Detroit Parks Coalition kicks off their 2025 Freedom Arts Festival featuring five original compositions by Marcus Elliot, each inspired by a different Detroit park. Saturday’s composition is titled “Joy, Beauty and Respect” and will be performed at Chandler Park from 2–4 p.m., featuring Elliot on soprano saxophone, Houston Patton on tenor saxophone, Marquis Johnson on drums, Alex Harding on baritone saxophone, Erinn Alexis on alto saxophone, and John Dixon on keys. Admission is free and open to the public. To see the full list of performances and learn more, visit detroitparkscoalition.com.

On Saturday, June 14, Detroit filmmaker Ryan “Tibbs” Wiese will host the world premiere of his new rock opera film, “Shorthand” at the Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac. There will also be a shorts block, a discussion of the upcoming feature, “Get Big Gretch,” and a Q&A. Doors open at 7 p.m. and all are welcome. For more information, visit @ronnytibbs on Instagram.

Exhibiting history

On Saturday, June 14, Black Canon and Motor City Cinema will host Black Film in Focus, a presentation of rare, Black-related prints, all on 16mm film. Admission is $15, and the event will be held from 2–5 p.m. at Newlab in Michigan Central. For more information, visit their event page.

Unjumbling Michigan politics

On Monday, June 16, WDET and Gongwer will host our second-ever MichMash Live event at Go! Comedy Improv Theatre in Ferndale. Podcast co-hosts Cheyna Roth, Altethia Kasben and Zach Gorchow will record an episode in front of a live audience and interview special guests about the latest in Michigan politics. There will be a cash bar and fun giveaways. Admission is $5, and the event goes from 7–9 p.m. For more information, visit our event page.

Detroit’s “largest and oldest literary nonprofit,” InsideOut Literary Arts, celebrated its 30-year anniversary last week by unveiling a new Detroit City Walls mural along the Avenue of Fashion.

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The mural was designed by artist Oshun Williams and inspired by InsideOut student poet Charisma Holly. It features a quote from her poem entitled “If I wake up in Detroit 25 years in the future,” which reads “In the Detroit City, the D has always been for dreams.”

The mural is located on the side of the Yoshi Hibachi Grille on Livernois Avenue along Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion.

“Detroit is where I was born and raised,” Holly said. “I’m so glad I had the opportunity to be a part of this mural project because Detroit is truly the place where I learned to dream big.”

Other headlines for Friday, June 6, 2025:

• Money Matters for Youth is looking for help to keep their student trip to Washington D.C. alive.
• Motor City Pride is taking over downtown this weekend, June 7-8 at Hart Plaza, with the parade beginning at noon on Sunday.
• The city celebrated the opening of the Orchard Village Apartments with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, bringing 48 affordable units across four buildings to the Old Redford neighborhood.
• Michigan’s First Native American Music and Cultural Festival, Vibes With the Tribes, is coming to the Russell Industrial Center this Saturday, June 7, with doors opening at 2 p.m.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

The Detroit Office of Arts Culture and Entrepreneurship appointed its first Composer Laureate in December, Patrick Prouty.

Embracing his role as an advocate for and representative of Detroit’s musical heritage, he’s also working to inspire a new generation of musicians to live and create in the city. 

Producer Cary Junior II spoke to Prouty about how he plans to keep Detroit musicians in Detroit, his career, music and more on today’s episode of The Metro. 

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Pride month is in full swing, and Detroit has celebrations of all sorts, from traditional Pride parades to techno dance parties, gritty rock concerts and even baby raves.

Plus, art fairs and indigenous-led entertainment. Read on to learn more.

Pride celebrations

Motor City Pride returns to downtown Detroit this weekend on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, featuring a free parade and a ticketed festival. The parade kicks off at noon on Sunday and travels from Griswold Street across from Campus Martius through Jefferson Avenue, past Hart Plaza. The festival is at Hart Plaza and goes from 1–9 p.m. on Saturday and from 12:30–7 p.m. on Sunday, featuring live music from local artists like indie-rockers Elspeth Tremblay & The Treatment, DJ sets by icons like Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale, and appearances by drag performers like RuPaul’s Jan Sport and Jackie Cox. There will be food trucks on site and admission to the festival is $5. For more information, visit motorcitypride.org.

After the festival, head to The Magic Stick to experience global dance party Glitterbox on Saturday, June 7. This high-energy, Pride-themed event features a live performance from the iconic Detroit funk trio Dames Brown, plus music from Natasha Diggs, Sillygirlcarmen and Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale in the main room. Out on the patio, guests can enjoy a Judy Takeover as Ladymonix and Rimarkable spin tracks. The party goes from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and tickets are $34 including fees. For more information, visit majesticdetroit.com.

The 4th Annual Queercore Pride Fest is also on Saturday, June 7 at the Regal Beagle in Ypsilanti. This grittier alternative to more mainstream Pride celebrations is hosted by Jessi Hex, featuring live performances by local bands Sudden Death Syndrome, Scum Queens, Meek, Pillow Princess and Black Swan Dive Bomb. Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts at 9 p.m. Admission is $5–$10 on a pay-what-you-can basis. For more information, visit their Facebook event.

For something more family-friendly, head to The Hawk in Farmington Hills for “Babybjörn This Way,” a Pride-themed edition of Rock Around The Hawk. This mini music festival is designed for children 18 months to 5 years old and their caregivers, and will celebrate LGBTQ music idols from around the world. This is the last edition of Rock Around The Hawk until fall 2025. The event goes from 10–11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 6 and is free and open to the public. For more information, visit fhgov.com.

Indigenous-led entertainment

WDET is partnering with the Concert of Colors to present Vibes with the Tribes, Michigan’s premier Native music and cultural festival, on Saturday, June 7 at The Russell Industrial Center. There will be live performances from Native artists like rising rap star Travis Thompson, plus visual art, DJ sets, food, vendors and mocktails. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the event goes from 3 p.m. to midnight. Admission is free and open to all. For more information, visit vibeswiththetribes.com.

Art fairs

Pewabic Pottery’s Annual House & Garden Show returns from Friday, June 6 through Sunday, June 8. Guests are invited to explore the historic pottery with a strolling tour, shop ceramic art, watch wheel-throwing demos and learn about Pewabic’s 122-year history in Detroit. There will also be a fluerdetroit biergarten, food trucks from Eggroll Diva and Tacos Hernandez, and live music by Stereobabe and The Whiskey Charmers. Festivities go from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit pewabic.org.

The City of Farmington Hills’ 16th Annual Art on the Grand returns this weekend on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. Visitors can stroll Grand River Avenue and explore works from over 150 artists across disciplines, including ceramics, jewelry, painting, photography, woodwork, wearable art, glass, sculpture and more. In addition to professional artists, the Kids Art Alley features works from 40 young artists who are in 5th through 12th grade. The art fair is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit artonthegrand.com.

Eastern Market’s Shed 5 Flea returns for its ninth season on Sunday, June 8. This vintage and maker market features refurbished, antique and handcrafted goods from over 80 vendors. Shopping goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit shed5flea.com.

Finding enriching child care options can often be a challenge for parents during the summer months, especially for those looking for programs specifically geared toward the arts.

For the past 12 years, Wayne State University’s “Keys2Life Performing Arts Summer Camp” has provided that outlet to metro Detroit students ages 11–13.

The six-week day camp program, led by Detroit youth nonprofit The Yunion, offers a diverse range of performing arts experiences, led by top Detroit artists, mentors and certified teachers. 

Camp Director Darell Campbell Jr. joined The Metro on Tuesday to share more about what this year’s program will entail.

Registration is now open for the day camp, which runs 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 30 through Aug. 8 on the campus of Wayne State University. For more information, including rates, visit theyunion.org/camp.

—WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

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Now that Movement weekend is behind us, there’s room to explore Detroit’s talents beyond Hart Plaza. This week, we’ve got film screenings, collaborative art exhibits and record release parties that highlight local legends — past and present. Read on to learn more.

Experience Detroit history

On Friday, May 30, the Detroit Historical Museum is premiering the fourth and final episode of their “Tales from the D” series, featuring WDET’s own Don Was (co-host of The Don Was Motor City Playlist Fridays at 8 p.m.). The episode outlines Was’ journey from Detroit to becoming a globally-acclaimed musician and producer. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with host Tino G., producer Tony D’Annunzio and Don Was himself, as well as a live performance from Detroit blues legend Billy Davis. Tickets are $35 for the general public or $20 for Detroit Historical Society members, and the event goes from 6–9 p.m. For more information, visit detroithistorical.org.

On Saturday, May 31, there will be a screening of “The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit” at Aretha’s Jazz Café in Music Hall. Inspired by Mark Stryker’s award-winning book, “Jazz from Detroit,” the documentary explores the extraordinary jazz legacy that came out of Detroit, from Ron Carter to Rodney Whitaker. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with filmmakers Daniel Loewenthal, Roberta Friedman and Mark Stryker. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the screening starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

Shop local

The Palmer Park Art Fair returns to Detroit on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1, featuring 97 juried artists. There will also be art workshops, book readings and live musical performances across two stages. Food trucks and a beer tent will be available on site and parking is free. Admission is also free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit palmerparkartfair.com.

Eastern Market kicks off their 2025 Sunday Market season this weekend on June 1. The market runs weekly from June through September and features locally-made foods, clothes, home goods and more for sale in Shed 5. Vendors are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit easternmarket.org.

Alongside the first Sunday Market of the summer, the 24th Annual Spring VegFest is also taking place at Eastern Market this Sunday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be free samples of plant-based food from nearly 100 vendors, sustainable shopping, cooking demonstrations and more in celebration of all things vegan. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit vegmichigan.org.

See a show

A new two-person exhibition from sculptor LaKela Brown and painter Mario Moore opens this weekend at Library Street Collective in Detroit. “Beneath Our Feet” examines the symbolic intersections of land, economic agency and narrative authorship. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, May 31 from 6–8 p.m., after which the exhibition will be on display through July 30. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit lscgallery.com.

On Saturday, May 31, Detroit-based indie-pop duo Crossword Smiles is having a release party for their new record, “Consequences & Detours” at Trinity House Theatre in Livonia. Nick Piunti will kick things off with a solo acoustic set at 8 p.m. and tickets are $20. For more information, visit their Facebook event page.

Also on Saturday, May 31, Detroit-based alt-country duo Neu Blume is having a release party for their debut album, “Let It Win” at UFO Bar in Detroit. The supporting acts are natural music ensemble Bonny Doon and mid-fi slow country artist Conor Lynch. Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. For more information, visit ra.co.

On Sunday, June 1, local artist Audra Kubat and Marbrisa are hosting a “Queens of the Song Age” showcase at the Detroit House of Music. There will be in-the-round performances from songwriter Libby DeCamp and Kresge fellow poet Jassmine Parks. Tickets are $25 and the event is BYOB. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and seats can be reserved by Venmoing @audra-kubat with the message, “queens.” For more information, visit @queensofthesongage on Instagram.

On Thursday, June 5, soul singer-songwriter Phillip Michael Scales brings his “Good To Be Here” tour to The Ark in Ann Arbor. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $24–$35. For more information, visit theark.org.

This weekend is Movement Electronic Music Festival in Detroit, which means Hart Plaza will be packed with Techno fans and legendary DJs from around the world. In this guide, we’re highlighting some Movement-adjacent events going on around the city, plus some live concerts, ambient art and multimedia exhibitions for when you need a break from the bass.

Plus, juried art fairs and the return of your favorite backyard comedy show. Read on to learn more.

Movement side-parties

Techno Christmas 2 at The Old Miami | Friday, May 23 from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. — A Movement pre-party featuring music from Eddie Fowlkes, Milan Ariel Atkins, Nick Speed b2b Sheefy McFly and more. Admission is $10 or $5 if you come in Christmas attire.

Shigeto presents: Live and Direct at Spot Lite Detroit | Sunday, May 25 from 3–9 p.m. — A day party featuring all live sets spanning funk, jazz, beats and more. Performers include Charles Trees, Salar Ansari, Kenjiro, Pablo R. Ruiz and WDET’s own Shigeto (host of The New Music Show Saturdays at 8 p.m.). Admission is $40 online.

Move! at UFO Bar | Sunday, May 25 from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. — A full-day sonic celebration highlighting Black DJs and producers from all over the country, featuring open DJ workshops from 4–7 p.m., followed by drinks and dancing until 2 a.m. The lineup includes Mike Clark, Huey Mnemonic, Planet KaiA and more. Admission is $29 for the party and $5.50 for the workshops.

Movement Rewind on WDET | Friday, May 23 through Sunday, May 25 from midnight to 3 a.m. — A broadcast of past Movement performances from Huey Mnemonic, DJ Minx, Audion b2b Ryan Elliott, Sama’ Abdulhadi, Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale and Seth Troxler. We’ll also be playing Movement highlights during In The Groove on Monday, May 26 from noon to 3 p.m. Listen live at 101.9 FM, wdet.org/listen-live or the WDET app.

Dive deeper

Waltz of a Ghetto Fly at Wayne State University’s Elaine L. Jacob Gallery | Friday, May 23 through Saturday, Sep. 20 — An exhibition in the gallery’s lower level honoring Amp Fiddler, a prolific musician and producer who left a lasting impact on hip-hop in Detroit and around the world. There will be an opening reception on Friday, May 23 from 5–8 p.m., after which the exhibition will be accessible Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m., Fridays from noon to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m.

Those Who Keep Strange Hours at Wayne State University’s Elaine L. Jacob Gallery | Friday, May 23 through Saturday, Sep. 20 — An experimental multimedia exhibition in the gallery’s upper level featuring Detroit-affiliated artists and collectives whose work spans visual art and music, including pieces by John Ikera, Beverly Fresh, Jeff Mills, Pure Rave and Sterling Toles. There will be an opening reception on Friday, May 23 from 5–8 p.m., after which the exhibition will be accessible Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m., Fridays from noon to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m.

Urban Art Orchestra residency at Cliff Bell’s | Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, May 25 — A four-night celebration of Detroit music coordinated by Grammy-nominated bandleader De’Sean Jones. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. each night. Cover is $35.

More art festivals

The Potluck Detroit at Talking Dolls Studio | Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26 — A free four-day art and music festival intended to create safe spaces for the community to heal together through art, music, poetry and food. Performers include Ideeyah, Tall Black Guy, Joel Fluent Greene and more.

Reset Fest 2025 at Batch Brewing Company in Corktown | Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 at noon — A free two-day festival featuring soothing, ambient music and visual art. Artists include John Beltran, Kevin Reynolds, Robert Guzman and more.

Kensington Metropark Art Fair in Milford | Saturday, May 24 through Monday, May 26 — A three-day art fair featuring 100 juried artists, a ten-ton sand sculpture, food, music and more. Admission is free with a Metropark pass.

Comedy

What’s So Funny About Detroit? at the Old Miami | Thursday, May 29 from 7–9:30 p.m. — WDET’s backyard comedy show returns for 2025 featuring comedians Josh Adams, Brett Mercer, Zech, Mary Spencer, Johnny Mocny and music from DJ Thornstryker. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the venue is 21+. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

Many arts organizations are in a vulnerable position right now. That’s in part because the Trump administration has started canceling National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants and has called for the elimination of the agency. That means something to tons of organizations here in Michigan. 

In 2024, the NEA granted more than $3 million to arts organizations in the state. As of last week, the majority of the funds earmarked for 2025 have been snatched back, leaving hundreds of nonprofits in the red financially, according to reporting from the Detroit Free Press. 

The Carr Center is a nonprofit hub for the visual and performing arts in Detroit focused on promoting and sharing the work of Black artists. The organization’s CEO, Oliver Ragsdale, joined The Metro on Thursday to discuss how they’re navigating the recent cuts to the arts.

“We got an NEA grant, we finished our grant, submitted our report and got our dollars within a couple of days, so we didn’t get terminated and we’ve been fortunate like that,” Ragsdale said.

Still, he said the NEA cuts will likely impact state funding and cause various other challenges, creating “a new normal” for arts organizations like the Carr Center.

“We are staying focused on Black artistic excellence and everything about it. And you know, we’ve been through cycles before, we’ll go through cycles again — I’ve been doing this for a few minutes — and eventually we’re going to be alright.”

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Movement began in 2000 as a grassroots tribute to Detroit’s role in the birth of techno — a massive event at Hart Plaza, with walls of sound pulsing the music of famous artists from across the globe.

Yet it also remains an acknowledgment that Detroit is at the center of it all. The festival has long honored the raw, electrified spirit of the city — where basement beats from the Belleville Three became a global language. 

Movement isn’t just a party. It’s a space where sound, struggle and innovation come together — and where Detroit keeps redefining the future of music.

Sam Fotias, director of operations at Paxahau — the organization that produces the Movement festival — joined The Metro on Tuesday to share more about what’s in store this weekend. And just a heads up that WDET will once again be teaming up with Paxahau as an official media partner for the event.

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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.

Detroit Public School Community District is hosting its 56th annual “Evening of Fine Arts” at the Fox Theatre on Wednesday, highlighting students’ achievement in the arts over the past year. 

The annual event was created to give students an opportunity to perform on grand stages like the Fox Theatre, while showcasing their artistic ability and various arts disciplines offered by the district.

More than 700 middle and high school students will be performing this year, featuring everything from visual art and dance to music and theater.

Andrew McGuire, deputy director of performing arts at DPSCD, joined The Metro on Tuesday to share more about the event. He was joined by William Perkins, a junior vocal music major at the Detroit School of Arts, who spoke about the experience of performing at the Fox.

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7 Mile and Livernois is home to Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion and has been for many years. Thriving businesses line the streetscape with an array of shops, restaurants and art galleries — most of them Black-owned.

Detroit artist Tiff Massey shines a spotlight on this culturally rich neighborhood with her latest exhibit “7 Mile + Livernois” — which has been on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts for the past year. Massey is the youngest artist to have a solo exhibit on display at the DIA.

The exhibition — closing this weekend — features a variety of installations, public art and wearable sculptures that celebrate Black American culture and style. The DIA will host a closing celebration, “7 Mile and Livernois After Dark,” this Friday, with live performances from DJs Kesswa and Donavan Glover. 

Massey joined The Metro on Thursday to reflect on the year-long exhibit before it closes.

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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More stories from The Metro

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

Shop around

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

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

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

See a show

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

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

Explore an exhibit

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

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

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

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

Feel the force

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