By Lisa Bonos
The Washington Post

A sticker on a wall caught Katya Gratcheva’s attention last fall: “No dating or networking. Just breakfast.”

It led the married 52-year-old, tired of the transactional networking she encountered at home in Washington, D.C., to download an app called The Breakfast. For a fee, it pairs strangers seeking deep conversation for morning meals in 17 cities worldwide.

Gratcheva, who is Russian, ultimately matched with a young Ukrainian woman whose willingness to discuss the conflict between their two countries felt transformational. “She was able to see a friend in me even though I represent the nation that bombed her country and killed her friends,” Gratcheva said.

Gratcheva estimates that she’s attended about 30 such breakfasts with strangers in the past nine months. She has lots of company: Apps that offer to connect strangers seeking platonic connections are having a moment. Although they share many features with dating apps, they bill themselves as tools for networking or community-building, not for finding romance, with many like Breakfast targeting isolated remote workers and digital nomads.

In July, the dating app Bumble, which also has modes for networking and friend-finding, completed its acquisition of Geneva, an app designed to help people make new friends to spend time with offline. Bumble CEO Lidiane Jones said on an earnings call that fostering platonic bonds is core to the company’s future business. “What we are hearing from our young users is that they are feeling lonely and disconnected,” she said.

Maxime Barbier, co-founder and CEO of Timeleft, an app that arranges Wednesday night dinners for six-person groups in 170 cities across 37 countries, says fatigue with dating apps is driving people toward in-person, friends-only meetups. “We can see that people are craving something that is not a dating app,” he said.

These services are proliferating at a time when loneliness is common and city dwellers report feeling detached from their local communities.

According to a February survey from Gallup, 1 in 5 workers experiences loneliness. Fully remote workers are more likely to feel lonely (25%), the survey found, compared to those who work fully on-site (16%) and hybrid employees (21%).

A 2023 survey from the Pew Research Center found that urban Americans are less likely to feel they have local connections. Forty-nine percent of city dwellers reported feeling close to people in their local community, compared with 55% of those in the suburbs and 58% of people in rural areas.

Raymond Ou is one of those city dwellers who’s had a hard time making friends. The 41-year-old used to attend tech events to meet people, but since he became a broadcast producer at a local television station whose workday starts at 7 p.m., his evenings are no longer free for happy hours or mixers. “I’ve sacrificed my social life for this job,” Ou said over tofu and veggies, adding that though sacrifice was worth it, he’d still like more friends, especially those with availability during the day.

Ou signed up for the Creative Lunch Club app after seeing an ad on Instagram that promised to connect people in similar industries. In his first three months as a member, he paid $11 to be matched with two others for a small group lunch. On the day of the meeting, one of those Ou was due to meet canceled citing a work emergency — and the other turned out to be this Washington Post reporter.

Ou, who also works as a documentary filmmaker, said he wanted to try the Creative Lunch Club because it offered a space separate from the tech scene. “It’s providing opportunities for different people we want to meet,” Ou said.

Ou told me that he usually eats lunch alone, making him part of a pattern that spurred Klaus Heller, the founder of Creative Lunch Club, to start the app. “I was thinking this could be a good time of the day … to meet other people or to be used better,” Heller said in a phone interview.

Heller, a freelance social media marketer, also had a hunch that people in creative industries would find a lot to connect on. That was true for me and Ou.

Having spent much of my 20s working nights in journalism, I was able to tell Ou that I knew intimately how an unorthodox work schedule can make it hard to have a social life. We also spoke about the challenges of convincing sources to confide in journalists, how we go about cultivating trust with people we’ve just barely met — and bonded over our love of the Japanese clothing brand, Sou Sou. Meeting Ou was enjoyable, but at times I found myself thinking that a larger group would have helped round out the conversation.

Kasley Killam, a social scientist and author of “The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health Is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier and Happier,” estimated in a phone interview that there are now hundreds of apps trying to address the loneliness epidemic by helping people connect with others. Just about every week, she hears about a new one. It’s easy to meet new people while in college or your 20s, Killam said, “but what if you move to a new city or go through a breakup? A lot of people struggle for where to turn for that.”

Damian Jacobs, a 44-year-old lawyer, faced that conundrum after a recent move from Hong Kong to San Francisco. His wife and children are still thousands of miles away, visiting occasionally as the family finalizes its plans to relocate.

Jacobs tried taking himself out to bars and restaurants and striking up conversations with strangers, but that didn’t take. “People at my age tend to be married with kids. They’re not going out to bars on a Saturday night and mingling with strangers,” Jacobs said in a phone interview. “I’ve found that places I’ve gone to, folks are much younger than I am, hanging out with their friends.”

Things felt very different at his first dinner arranged via Timeleft. “Everybody at the table is there to meet strangers,” he said. Jacobs paid $25 to access a month of meetups, which combine a different group each week.

After each dinner, Timeleft picks a place for the group to move on to for an optional after-party. At the dinner Jacobs attended in San Francisco’s Japantown, his dining partners, including this reporter, chose a nearby karaoke bar instead. “If you told me I would’ve ended up at a karaoke bar afterward, I would’ve laughed you out of the room,” said Jacobs, who isn’t normally a fan of the art.

Still, he got up on the stage and mouthed the words to “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by the Proclaimers with the rest of his dinner-mates, later calling the performance “a testament to the power of peer pressure.”

He’s not sure if he’ll see that group again. But he has a three-month subscription to Timeleft and will be going for another dinner with a new group soon.

By Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — The 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards arrived on Sunday.

The awards, presented by the Television Academy, honored the best of the 2023-2024 TV season. The 76th edition of the ceremony came just months after the 75th edition, which was held in January after being delayed by the dual Hollywood strikes.

Here are the winners, including several previously announced at the Creative Arts Emmys.

Comedy series

“Abbott Elementary”

“The Bear”

“Curb Your Enthusiasm”

Winner: “Hacks”

“Only Murders in the Building”

“Palm Royale”

“Reservation Dogs”

“What We Do in the Shadows”

Drama series

“The Crown”

“Fallout”

“The Gilded Age”

“The Morning Show”

“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Winner: “Shōgun”

“Slow Horses”

“3 Body Problem”

Drama lead actress

Jennifer Aniston, “The Morning Show”

Carrie Coon, “The Gilded Age”

Maya Erskine, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Winner: Anna Sawai, “Shōgun”

Imelda Staunton, “The Crown”

Reese Witherspoon, “The Morning Show”

Drama lead actor

Donald Glover, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Walton Goggins, “Fallout”

Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”

Winner: Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shōgun”

Dominic West, “The Crown”

Idris Elba, “Hijack”

Limited series

Winner: “Baby Reindeer”

“Fargo”

“Lessons in Chemistry”

“Ripley”

“True Detective: Night Country”

Limited series / TV movie lead actress

Winner: Jodie Foster, “True Detective: Night Country”

Brie Larson, “Lessons in Chemistry”

Juno Temple, “Fargo”

Sofía Vergara, “Griselda”

Naomi Watts, “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”

Limited series / TV movie lead actor

Matt Bomer, “Fellow Travelers”

Winner: Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”

Jon Hamm, “Fargo”

Tom Hollander,“Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”

Andrew Scott, “Ripley”

Directing for a drama series

Hiro Murai, “First Date,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Winner: Frederick E.O. Toye, “Crimson Sky,” “Shōgun”

Saul Metzstein, “Strange Games,” “Slow Horses”

Stephen Daldry, “Sleep, Dearie Sleep,” “The Crown”

Mimi Leder, “The Overview Effect,” “The Morning Show”

Directing for a comedy series

Randall Einhorn, “Party,” “Abbott Elementary”

Lucia Aniello, “Bulletproof,” “Hacks”

Winner: Christopher Storer, “Fishes,” “The Bear”

Ramy Youssef, “Honeydew,” “The Bear”

Guy Ritchie, “Refined Aggression,” “The Gentlemen”

Writing for a limited or anthology series or movie

Winner: Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”

Charlie Brooker, “Joan Is Awful,” “Black Mirror”

Noah Hawley, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” “Fargo”

Ron Nyswaner, “You’re Wonderful,” “Fellow Travelers”

Steven Zaillian, “Ripley”

Issa López, “Part 6,” “True Detective: North Country”

Writing for a drama series

Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Graham Wagner; “The End,” “Fallout”

Francesca Sloane, Donald Glover; “First Date,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks; “Anjin,” “Shōgun”

Rachel Kondo, Caillin Puente; “Crimson Sky,” “Shōgun”

Winner: Will Smith, “Negotiating With Tigers,” “Slow Horses”

Peter Morgan, Meriel Sheibani-Clare; “The Ritz,” “The Crown”

Limited series / TV movie supporting actor

Jonathan Bailey, “Fellow Travelers”

Robert Downey Jr., “The Sympathizer”

Tom Goodman-Hill, “Baby Reindeer”

John Hawkes, “True Detective: North Country”

Winner: Lamorne Morris, “Fargo”

Lewis Pullman, “Lessons in Chemistry”

Treat Williams, “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”

Talk series

Winner: “The Daily Show”

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

“Late Night With Seth Meyers”

“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert”

Writing for a comedy series

Quinta Brunson, “Career Day,” “Abbott Elementary”

Meredith Scardino, Sam Means; “Orlando,” “Girls5eva”

Winner: Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky; “Bulletproof,” “Hacks”

Christopher Storer, Joanna Calo; “Fishes,” “The Bear”

Chris Kelly, Sarah Schneider; “Brooke Hosts a Night of Undeniable Good,” “The Other Two”

Jake Bender, Zach Dunn; “Pride Parade,” “What We Do in the Shadows”

Directing for a limited or anthology series or movie

Weronika Tofilska, “Episode 4,” “Baby Reindeer”

Noah Hawley, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” “Fargo”

Gus Van Sant, “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”

Millicent Shelton, “Poirot,” “Lessons in Chemistry”

Winner: Steven Zaillian, “Ripley”

Issa López, “True Detective: North Country”

Writing for a variety special

Winner: Alex Edelman, “Alex Edelman: Just For Us”

Jacqueline Novak, “Jacqueline Novak: Get On Your Knees”

John Early, “John Early: Now More Than Ever”

Mike Birbiglia, “Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and The Pool”

“The Oscars”

Scripted variety series

Winner: “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver”

“Saturday Night Live”

Limited series / TV movie supporting actress

Dakota Fanning, “Ripley”

Lily Gladstone, “Under the Bridge”

Winner: Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”

Aja Naomi King, “Lessons in Chemistry”

Diane Lane, “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”

Nava Mau, “Baby Reindeer”

Kali Reis, “True Detective: Night Country”

Reality competition program

“The Amazing Race”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race”

“Top Chef”

Winner: “The Traitors”

“The Voice”

Comedy lead actress

Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”

Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”

Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”

Winner: Jean Smart, “Hacks”

Kristen Wiig, “Palm Royale”

Maya Rudolph, “Loot”

Drama supporting actress

Christine Baranski, “The Gilded Age”

Nicole Beharie, “The Morning Show”

Winner: Elizabeth Debicki, “The Crown”

Greta Lee, “The Morning Show”

Lesley Manville, “The Crown”

Karen Pittman, “The Morning Show”

Holland Taylor, “The Morning Show”

Comedy supporting actress

Carol Burnett, “Palm Royale”

Winner: Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”

Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”

Janelle James, “Abbott Elementary”

Sheryl Lee Ralph, “Abbott Elementary”

Meryl Streep, “Only Murders in the Building”

Comedy lead actor

Matt Berry, “What We Do in the Shadows,”

Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”

Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”

Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”

Winner: Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”

D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, “Reservation Dogs”

Drama supporting actor

Tadanobu Asano, “Shōgun”

Winner: Billy Crudup, “The Morning Show”

Mark Duplass, “The Morning Show”

Jon Hamm, “The Morning Show”

Takehiro Hira, “Shōgun”

Jack Lowden, “Slow Horses”

Jonathan Pryce, “The Crown”

Comedy supporting actor

Lionel Boyce, “The Bear”

Paul W. Downs, “Hacks”

Winner: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear”

Paul Rudd, “Only Murders in the Building”

Tyler James Williams, “Abbott Elementary”

Bowen Yang, “Saturday Night Live”

Television movie

Winner: “Quiz Lady”

“Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie”

“Red, White & Royal Blue”

“Scoop”

“Unfrosted”

Guest actor in a drama series

Winner: Néstor Carbonell, “Shōgun”

Paul Dano, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Tracy Letts, “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty”

Jonathan Pryce, “Slow Horses”

John Turturro, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Guest actress in a drama series

Winner: Michaela Coel, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Claire Foy, “The Crown”

Marcia Gay Harden, “The Morning Show”

Sarah Paulson, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Parker Posey, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Guest actor in a comedy series

Winner: Jon Bernthal, “The Bear”

Matthew Broderick, “Only Murders in the Building”

Ryan Gosling, “Saturday Night Live”

Christopher Lloyd, “Hacks”

Bob Odenkirk, “The Bear”

Will Poulter, “The Bear”

Guest actress in a comedy series

Winner: Jamie Lee Curtis, “The Bear”

Olivia Colman, “The Bear”

Kaitlin Olson, “Hacks”

Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “Only Murders in the Building”

Maya Rudolph, “Saturday Night Live”

Kristen Wiig, “Saturday Night Live”

For a complete list of Emmy nominees, go to Emmys.com.

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©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — The 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards arrived on Sunday.

The awards, presented by the Television Academy, honored the best of the 2023-2024 TV season. The 76th edition of the ceremony came just months after the 75th edition, which was held in January after being delayed by the dual Hollywood strikes.

Here are the winners, including several previously announced at the Creative Arts Emmys.

Comedy series

“Abbott Elementary”

“The Bear”

“Curb Your Enthusiasm”

Winner: “Hacks”

“Only Murders in the Building”

“Palm Royale”

“Reservation Dogs”

“What We Do in the Shadows”

Drama series

“The Crown”

“Fallout”

“The Gilded Age”

“The Morning Show”

“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Winner: “Shōgun”

“Slow Horses”

“3 Body Problem”

Drama lead actress

Jennifer Aniston, “The Morning Show”

Carrie Coon, “The Gilded Age”

Maya Erskine, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Winner: Anna Sawai, “Shōgun”

Imelda Staunton, “The Crown”

Reese Witherspoon, “The Morning Show”

Drama lead actor

Donald Glover, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Walton Goggins, “Fallout”

Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”

Winner: Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shōgun”

Dominic West, “The Crown”

Idris Elba, “Hijack”

Limited series

Winner: “Baby Reindeer”

“Fargo”

“Lessons in Chemistry”

“Ripley”

“True Detective: Night Country”

Limited series / TV movie lead actress

Winner: Jodie Foster, “True Detective: Night Country”

Brie Larson, “Lessons in Chemistry”

Juno Temple, “Fargo”

Sofía Vergara, “Griselda”

Naomi Watts, “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”

Limited series / TV movie lead actor

Matt Bomer, “Fellow Travelers”

Winner: Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”

Jon Hamm, “Fargo”

Tom Hollander,“Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”

Andrew Scott, “Ripley”

Directing for a drama series

Hiro Murai, “First Date,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Winner: Frederick E.O. Toye, “Crimson Sky,” “Shōgun”

Saul Metzstein, “Strange Games,” “Slow Horses”

Stephen Daldry, “Sleep, Dearie Sleep,” “The Crown”

Mimi Leder, “The Overview Effect,” “The Morning Show”

Directing for a comedy series

Randall Einhorn, “Party,” “Abbott Elementary”

Lucia Aniello, “Bulletproof,” “Hacks”

Winner: Christopher Storer, “Fishes,” “The Bear”

Ramy Youssef, “Honeydew,” “The Bear”

Guy Ritchie, “Refined Aggression,” “The Gentlemen”

Writing for a limited or anthology series or movie

Winner: Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”

Charlie Brooker, “Joan Is Awful,” “Black Mirror”

Noah Hawley, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” “Fargo”

Ron Nyswaner, “You’re Wonderful,” “Fellow Travelers”

Steven Zaillian, “Ripley”

Issa López, “Part 6,” “True Detective: North Country”

Writing for a drama series

Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Graham Wagner; “The End,” “Fallout”

Francesca Sloane, Donald Glover; “First Date,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks; “Anjin,” “Shōgun”

Rachel Kondo, Caillin Puente; “Crimson Sky,” “Shōgun”

Winner: Will Smith, “Negotiating With Tigers,” “Slow Horses”

Peter Morgan, Meriel Sheibani-Clare; “The Ritz,” “The Crown”

Limited series / TV movie supporting actor

Jonathan Bailey, “Fellow Travelers”

Robert Downey Jr., “The Sympathizer”

Tom Goodman-Hill, “Baby Reindeer”

John Hawkes, “True Detective: North Country”

Winner: Lamorne Morris, “Fargo”

Lewis Pullman, “Lessons in Chemistry”

Treat Williams, “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”

Talk series

Winner: “The Daily Show”

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

“Late Night With Seth Meyers”

“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert”

Writing for a comedy series

Quinta Brunson, “Career Day,” “Abbott Elementary”

Meredith Scardino, Sam Means; “Orlando,” “Girls5eva”

Winner: Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky; “Bulletproof,” “Hacks”

Christopher Storer, Joanna Calo; “Fishes,” “The Bear”

Chris Kelly, Sarah Schneider; “Brooke Hosts a Night of Undeniable Good,” “The Other Two”

Jake Bender, Zach Dunn; “Pride Parade,” “What We Do in the Shadows”

Directing for a limited or anthology series or movie

Weronika Tofilska, “Episode 4,” “Baby Reindeer”

Noah Hawley, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” “Fargo”

Gus Van Sant, “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”

Millicent Shelton, “Poirot,” “Lessons in Chemistry”

Winner: Steven Zaillian, “Ripley”

Issa López, “True Detective: North Country”

Writing for a variety special

Winner: Alex Edelman, “Alex Edelman: Just For Us”

Jacqueline Novak, “Jacqueline Novak: Get On Your Knees”

John Early, “John Early: Now More Than Ever”

Mike Birbiglia, “Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and The Pool”

“The Oscars”

Scripted variety series

Winner: “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver”

“Saturday Night Live”

Limited series / TV movie supporting actress

Dakota Fanning, “Ripley”

Lily Gladstone, “Under the Bridge”

Winner: Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”

Aja Naomi King, “Lessons in Chemistry”

Diane Lane, “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”

Nava Mau, “Baby Reindeer”

Kali Reis, “True Detective: Night Country”

Reality competition program

“The Amazing Race”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race”

“Top Chef”

Winner: “The Traitors”

“The Voice”

Comedy lead actress

Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”

Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”

Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”

Winner: Jean Smart, “Hacks”

Kristen Wiig, “Palm Royale”

Maya Rudolph, “Loot”

Drama supporting actress

Christine Baranski, “The Gilded Age”

Nicole Beharie, “The Morning Show”

Winner: Elizabeth Debicki, “The Crown”

Greta Lee, “The Morning Show”

Lesley Manville, “The Crown”

Karen Pittman, “The Morning Show”

Holland Taylor, “The Morning Show”

Comedy supporting actress

Carol Burnett, “Palm Royale”

Winner: Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”

Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”

Janelle James, “Abbott Elementary”

Sheryl Lee Ralph, “Abbott Elementary”

Meryl Streep, “Only Murders in the Building”

Comedy lead actor

Matt Berry, “What We Do in the Shadows,”

Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”

Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”

Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”

Winner: Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”

D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, “Reservation Dogs”

Drama supporting actor

Tadanobu Asano, “Shōgun”

Winner: Billy Crudup, “The Morning Show”

Mark Duplass, “The Morning Show”

Jon Hamm, “The Morning Show”

Takehiro Hira, “Shōgun”

Jack Lowden, “Slow Horses”

Jonathan Pryce, “The Crown”

Comedy supporting actor

Lionel Boyce, “The Bear”

Paul W. Downs, “Hacks”

Winner: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear”

Paul Rudd, “Only Murders in the Building”

Tyler James Williams, “Abbott Elementary”

Bowen Yang, “Saturday Night Live”

Television movie

Winner: “Quiz Lady”

“Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie”

“Red, White & Royal Blue”

“Scoop”

“Unfrosted”

Guest actor in a drama series

Winner: Néstor Carbonell, “Shōgun”

Paul Dano, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Tracy Letts, “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty”

Jonathan Pryce, “Slow Horses”

John Turturro, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Guest actress in a drama series

Winner: Michaela Coel, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Claire Foy, “The Crown”

Marcia Gay Harden, “The Morning Show”

Sarah Paulson, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Parker Posey, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”

Guest actor in a comedy series

Winner: Jon Bernthal, “The Bear”

Matthew Broderick, “Only Murders in the Building”

Ryan Gosling, “Saturday Night Live”

Christopher Lloyd, “Hacks”

Bob Odenkirk, “The Bear”

Will Poulter, “The Bear”

Guest actress in a comedy series

Winner: Jamie Lee Curtis, “The Bear”

Olivia Colman, “The Bear”

Kaitlin Olson, “Hacks”

Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “Only Murders in the Building”

Maya Rudolph, “Saturday Night Live”

Kristen Wiig, “Saturday Night Live”

For a complete list of Emmy nominees, go to Emmys.com.

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©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Who’s ready for TV’s biggest night?

Hollywood’s primetime stars are on the red carpet for the 2024 Emmys.

Here’s what celebrities wore for the illustrious event:

In her single earlier this year with Lorde, Charli XCX sings that “it’s so confusing sometimes to be a girl.”

But there was no mystery as to what put the British singer together with Australian mate Troye Sivan — or what made their joint Sweat tour work on its opening night Saturday, Sept. 14, at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena.

The two have some history together, of course, including a trio of songs they’ve released together. But they’re also cut from different parts of the same creative cloth, stylistically and attitudinally — both unapologetically themselves, regardless of how many feathers that may ruffle.

The shared hour-and-50-minute show on Saturday, before a crowd of about 13,000 — including a general admission floor level — was in impressively crisp shape for its first night out. The format, with each singer performing a short segment, then yielding the stage to the other over the course of six “acts” each and 31 songs total — kept things moving and the energy level high.

Each appearance, of course, came with a new outfit, from XCX’s fur coat to Sivan’s shoulder-bearing corset and beyond. And when they did team up — for their 2018 hit “1999” that closed the main set, with the two on a raised hydraulic platform, and the night-closing remix of XCX’s “Talk Talk” — it only served to torque things up another few notches.

XCX and Sivan, singing to pre-recorded instrumental tracks, were strong on their own, too. He and his six mostly shirtless dancers began the proceedings with, appropriately enough, “Got Me Started,” and over the course of the night blended his soul-flecked pop and its EDM underpinnings with a dose of homo erotic choreography — miming fellatio as he sang the closing part of “Got Me Started” and making out with one of the dancers during the high-octane “Rush.”

The ensemble also made full use of the stage, a metallic superstructure that included tiered scaffolding, a plexiglass, cage-like ramp that jutted on to the arena floor and an omnipresent Steadicam operator who Sivan and XCX frequently performed to with the close-ups shown on video screens. The camera also caught the performers in a beneath-stage “underworld” they used to navigate around the set.

XCX, performing alone, managed to be a dominating presence as well — a diva on steroids whose more thumping, four-on-the-floor approach lit the arena up with Movement festival’s worth of ebullience. Never removing her bulbous sunglasses and focusing on “Brat,” her sixth studio album that became a summer sensation this year, XCX sang a couple of songs (“Unlock It” and “Apple”) from elevated walkways on either side of the stage, had the crowd hopping to tracks such as “The 365” (with opening act Shygirl guesting), her Billie Eilish collaboration “Guess” and the interpolations of Toni Basil’s “Mickey” during “Speed Drive.”

It was a case of one plus one equaling at least more than two; the only complaint could have been that there should have been more of XCX and Sivan together, either pulling out their other single (2019’s “2099”) or even adding to each other’s songs. But regardless of whether that transpires over the Sweat tour’s next five and a half weeks, the pair got things off to a solid start on Saturday that certainly had more than a few fans wringing out their drenched clothing afterwards.

Q: How does Social Security define full retirement age (FRA) and how much are the benefits reduced if I apply before my FRA?

A: The FRA is 66 for workers born between 1943 and 1954. The FRA increases by two months per year after 1954 till the maximum age of 67. If you were born in 1957, then your FRA is 66 and 6 months. Anyone born after 1959 has an FRA of 67. A worker receiving benefits at 62 will get a 25% or 30% benefit reduction depending on the FRA of 66 or 67.

Q: Can I receive a tax refund if I am currently making payments under an installment agreement or payment plan for a prior year’s federal taxes?

A: No, as a condition of your installment agreement, any refund due to you in a future year will be applied against the amount that you owe. Regardless of whether you are participating in an installment agreement or payment plan with the IRS, you may not get all of your refund if you owe certain past-due amounts, such as federal tax, state tax, a student loan or child support.

Q: What is the difference of taking Social Security benefits at age 62, at your FRA or at age 70?

A: I will assume that you were born after 1959 and your FRA is 67. If you were to receive $2,000 per month at FRA and you started your benefits early at age 62, then your reduced benefits would be 30% lower at $1,400 per month. If you waited till age 70, your monthly benefits would increase by 24% to $2,480. Additionally, any year that benefits increase due to an inflation adjustment, your benefits will be adjusted.

Q: An insurance agent is trying to sell me an annuity, but I am not comfortable with this investment. What is an annuity?

A: If you are uncomfortable with any investment, never invest. An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company. A fixed annuity pays a fixed rate of interest for a specific period of time and a variable annuity allows you to select investments with your return based on the investment performance. Annuities are not CD substitutes and are not life insurance policies. Annuities are expensive due to the layers of fees (management, administrative and mortality). Additionally, if you cancel the annuity early, you will pay a surrender charge. A glaring disadvantage of variable annuities is the gains are taxed at ordinary rates and do not receive any favorable tax treatment.

Q: What is the five-year rule for Roth IRAs?

A: You cannot take out the earnings of a Roth IRA on a tax-free basis unless the Roth is five years old and you are older than 59 1/2. The IRS defines the five-year rule based on tax years running from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. If you funded a Roth IRA for the 2023 tax year on April 1, 2024, then the beginning date was Jan. 1, 2023. You could take out the earnings without penalties and taxes on or after Jan. 1, 2028.

Q: Can self-employed individuals receive a tax deduction for health insurance?

A: Yes, self-employed individuals can claim this deduction on Form 1040 to reduce their income tax liability. Premiums paid for health insurance covering the taxpayer, spouse and dependents qualify for this deduction. An adult child, under age 27 at the end of the year, qualifies even if the child is not the taxpayer’s dependent.

Q: I worked for a company, but did not receive a W-2 Form. What should I do to complete my 1040 tax return?

A: You need to fill out Form 4852, a substitute W-2 Form. Use your last paycheck to enter the information on Form 4852.

Q: My brother was divorced this year and has three children. Who claims the children on the income tax form?

A: The custodial parent claims the children as dependents. The noncustodial parent could claim them as dependents if the custodial parent makes a written declaration to not claim the children. Sometimes, the final divorce decree will specify who claims the children. If each parent claims the same children, the IRS will send a letter requesting clarification of the custodial parent. To avoid complications, always check with your ex-spouse.

Richard Rysiewski, a certified financial planner, welcomes all questions on tax and financial matters. Send them to Richard Rysiewski, Financial Doctor, 3001 Hartford Lane, Shelby Twp., MI 48316.

Fresh from a trip to Italy, Macomb County restaurateur Joe Vicari is set to open his latest project, the new Andiamo Pasta & Chops, which promises to become one of the most visible tenants at the Mall at Partridge Creek.

Scheduled to open Thursday, the 7,670-square-foot restaurant takes the place of the former Brio Italian Grille space at the front of the open-air shopping center on Hall Road (M-59) east of Garfield Road. Brio closed in January .

At a media event earlier this week, Vicari said the menu will include a mix of Italian cuisine that the Andiamo restaurants are known for along with additional steakhouse options. Diners may choose from meats from a regular menu or all-prime selections, which cost a little more.

“The best thing about this location is there are no true steakhouses in the area,” Vicari said. “We’ll have several grades of quality steaks available at price points we brought down a little bit. We were able to talk to our vendors and they were able to reduce some of their pricing.”

The menu also features Italian breads, free-range chicken, veal, house-made pasta and seafood choices. Entrees will start at at $23 and top out at $155 for 30-day dry-aged tomahawk steak for two. All come with a choice of house salad, soup or a side of angel hair pasta.

The pastas are overseen by Certified Master Chef Daniel Scannell, one of only 72 in the country with that designation, who helps curate menu options that provide fresh, and modern Italian food.

Appetizers include fried calamari, baked clams and char-grilled artichokes and among the side dishes are steakhouse staples such as broccolini, whipped potatoes and steak fries. Steak sauces offered include classic zip sauce, peppercorn cream, pizzaiola, shrimp scampi and blue cheese brulee.

On the drinks side, Andiamo offers 12 signature craft cocktails, with wine-by-the-glass options in the $11-$25 range, and dozens of wine bottles to choose from.

Joe’s wife, Rosealie Vicari, worked with Bloomfield Hills-based designer and architect David Savage to come with a style that brightens the rooms and capitalizes on the tall windows near the mall’s water fountain. She said the eatery becomes a cornerstone of Partridge Creek Mall.

Much of the exterior and interior have been bathed in white with blue trimming. The interior has moved the lounge/bar area to the center of the building, and serves as a focal point, surrounded by two two dining rooms, two banquet spaces for private dining and an outdoor patio.

“I love bars that are at the center of restaurants,” said Rosalie Vicari. “We moved it from the side of the building to the center and now it’s like the pulse of the restaurant. And by moving the bar, we opened access to these windows looking out to the fountain. It’s like having dinner in Italy. This is exactly my vision of the way I wanted it to look.”

The opening comes as the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group celebrates its 35th anniversary. It is the 22nd largest restaurant group in the United States.

The new restaurant also brings another dining option to Partridge Creek, which is in the midst of a revival. Other new tenants expected to open in the next year include a Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. House of Sport that is planned for a portion of the vacant Nordstrom building and an $11 million Powerhouse gym that will occupy much of the former Carson’s that closed in 2018.

Carmen Spinoso, CEO of Spinoso Real Estate Group, which leases and manages the mall, said in a news release he “cannot wait to break bread” at the family-owned eatery.

“After seeing the build out for this incredible concept, we are eagerly looking forward to the grand opening this week,” Spinoso said in the release.

Andiamo Pasta & Chops is located at the mall at Partridge Creek at 17430 Hall Road. Starting Thursday, it will be open 3-10 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 3-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 3-9 p.m. Sunday.

Beginning on Monday, Sept. 23, they will be open for lunch at 11:30 a.m., and offer brunch every Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with dinner service starting at 4 p.m.

For reservations and more information, visit andiamopastachops.com.

The upcoming season of “Survivor” will again feature a local Michigan woman among the new castaways.

Rachel LaMont, a 34-year-old graphic designer from Southfield, is set to compete in Season 47 of the hit CBS show, which premieres with a two-hour episode on Sept. 18.

LaMont, originally from Dexter, has been a fan of “Survivor” for the past seven years. She recalls being instantly captivated by the show the first time her husband turned it on.

“I had never seen ‘Survivor’ before, but as soon as we started watching it, I couldn’t stop. I thought, ‘How have I never seen this show?’ I was hooked,” she said.

For LaMont, the road to getting cast on “Survivor” was a long one. She applied for the show every year for the past seven years, but it wasn’t until recently that she came close to landing a spot. She was nearly part of last year’s cast, serving as an alternate during Season 46, but didn’t end up competing.

That was the season where another woman with Michigan roots — Kenzie Petty, originally from Gibraltar — competed and won, taking home the $1 million grand prize.

Downriver native wins ‘Survivor,’ $1 million prize

LaMont now has her chance at an ultimate test of physical and mental stamina as she joins a new group of castaways on the islands of Fiji. As with previous shows, the latest competitors must form a new society and adapt to their physical and social surroundings while contending with unexpected obstacles and navigating an ever-evolving social game. LaMont said she's ready for the challenge.

"It was always a dream of mine," LaMont said.

Her preparation for the grueling game ahead was intense. LaMont frequented the gym five days a week, focusing on strength training and increasing her muscle mass.

"I knew I had to be physically prepared. The game is mentally and physically brutal, and I wanted to go in knowing I was in the best shape possible," she said.

As LaMont geared up for her "Survivor" journey, she focused on building a strong alliance of trustworthy players, a key component in the game's complex social dynamics. LaMont’s strategic mindset for the game gave her confidence in her ability to play a smart and balanced game. She likens her gameplay approach to the "Goldilocks complex.”

“I think about this Goldilocks complex. You have to be not too smart but not unstrategic, not too physical but not too weak. You have to be just in that middle spot — that is key to winning,” she said.

LaMont’s favorite season of "Survivor" is David vs. Goliath, which she cites as having some of the most memorable gameplay in recent years. "That season had such incredible strategy, and it was inspiring to watch people from all different backgrounds come together and compete," she said.

She said one of the biggest challenges of participating in "Survivor" is the "digital detox" that comes with being cut off from the outside world.

"They took our phones away even before we got to the island, and adjusting was hard," she said. "But being disconnected really forces you to be more present in the game. That’s something I’m hoping to take back with me into my daily life — being more in the moment and less attached to technology."

LaMont’s experience in design also influenced her approach to "Survivor." As a user interface designer, she focuses on creating seamless, intuitive digital experiences that people don’t even notice.

"When you use an app, you don’t think about every button you press. That’s how I want to play 'Survivor.' I want to integrate myself into the game so that people won’t notice me until it’s too late," she said.

While LaMont is driven by her competitive spirit, she’s also excited about the opportunity to challenge herself, both mentally and physically. "I love people, I love games, and I love pushing myself to new limits. And let’s be honest, I love money," she said, laughing.

LaMont said she was pretty unfamiliar with the outdoors prior to the show.

"I’ve never been a big camper, but after 'Survivor' wrapped, I went glamping with some friends, and it gave me a new appreciation for being outdoors," she said.

After filming wrapped, one of the first things LaMont did upon returning home was indulge in a spicy chicken sandwich — a craving she had throughout her time on the island.

"You hear past contestants talk about food all the time, and now I understand why. When you're out there surviving, all you can think about is that first meal when you get home," she said.

To see how LaMont fares, tune in to CBS, starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 for the two-hour premiere of "Survivor."

Editor’s note: The venue for the book signing has changed. It’s been corrected below.

After suffering a sports-related injury during his freshman year at the University of Notre Dame, New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks decided to write his first book on a whim.

“Recovering meant that I couldn’t train over the summer and, while home on break, I moped around the house until my mom got eventually tired of my foul mood. ‘Do something,’ she said, and when I asked her for a suggestion, she suggested that I write a book,” recalled Sparks, 58, of North Carolina.

Sparks — who attended Notre Dame on a track and field scholarship and graduated magna cum laude with his bachelor’s degree in business finance — will sign copies of his latest novel, “Counting Miracles” (Random House $30), at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25 at The J-Detroit, 6600 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield.

“(My mom) wasn’t serious, but because I loved stories — and reading — I asked myself, ‘Why not?’” Sparks continued. “Since I couldn’t train, I had extra time on my hands, so I spent five to six hours at the keyboard for the remainder of the summer writing until the manuscript was complete.”

That was his first novel, which was never published.

“Though it was never published, the process of writing that novel taught me much, and I continued to hone my abilities outside of the classroom,” Sparks said. “I wrote a second novel during my senior year of college, and while it was also unpublished, that effort taught me even more than my first attempt had.”

His first published novel was “The Notebook.” Debuting in 1996, it made the New York Times bestseller list its first week of release and remained there for 56 weeks. It was adapted into 2004’s award-winning movie starring Rachel McAdams (“Mean Girls”), Ryan Gosling (“Barbie”), James Garner (“The Great Escape”), Gena Rowlands (“Gloria”), and Joan Allen (“Nixon”). It grossed $117 million on a $29 million budget. The movie was directed by Nick Cassavetes (“Alpha Dog”), son of the late John Cassavetes (“Rosemary’s Baby”) and Rowlands, who died Aug. 14. Earlier this year, a musical version of “The Notebook” debuted on Broadway.

“The success of ‘The Notebook’ over the years has surprised even me,” Sparks said. “I had high hopes for the novel, but then again, I think all authors have high hopes for their first novel. To have the novel, the film, and now the musical become as successful as they are is something I could never have imagined. I’m both moved and thrilled that people have enjoyed the story for decades — in three different mediums, all around the world. One can only hope (their first novel will do well) but anticipating or expecting success is something altogether different. I definitely fell into the first category.”

Of the 24 novels he’s penned, 11 of them have been turned into movies. “Counting Miracles” has been optioned, but Sparks couldn’t get into detail. He could, however, get into detail about the plot and impetus behind “Counting Miracles.”

“The original inspiration was an image in my mind: I saw an elderly man who’d been injured in the forest with an old dog standing over him,” Sparks said. “I wasn’t sure why he’d been in the forest or how or why he’d been injured, but the image stayed with me and eventually became the starting point for the novel.”

That old man became 83-year-old Jasper. Along with his dog Arlo, Jasper learns that a white deer — a mythical creature — was spotted in the forest. Jasper becomes obsessed with protecting the deer from poachers. His path will soon cross with Tanner Hughes and Dr. Kaitlyn Cooper.

Raised by his grandparents, Tanner becomes an Army Ranger. On her deathbed, his grandmother tells Tanner about the father he never knew who’s living in Asheboro, North Carolina. Tanner travels there and meets Kaitlyn, a single mom. There’s an instant attraction between the two, who don’t want to get too attached to one another.  Kaitlyn has her own baggage and Tanner will be returning to the military shortly.

“Tanner was inspired by the veterans I know — including my cousin — who returned home safely from numerous overseas tours, only to eventually realize that many of their former squad members would commit suicide in the aftermath,” Sparks said. “It’s a tragedy on many levels, and I wanted to create a character that reflected that reality. I began with the question, ‘What would a veteran do when he loses a number of friends to suicide?’ For Tanner, those losses result in a feeling of restlessness, a need to touch base with the families of those he’s lost, and a desire to stay on the move forever.”

Sparks likened “Counting Miracles” as a modern retelling of “The Book of Job.”

“It is a novel that also illustrates how people handle grief in different ways,” he said. “It’s a novel that speaks about the difficulty of balancing work and family. It’s a story about surprise and circumstance and faith, one that reminds us that life will never be quite what one expects it to be. And, of course, it’s a story about the power of love, though a case can be made that all my novels also include this particular theme.”

Kaitlyn proved to be the most challenging character when writing this book.

“Realistically creating and expressing Kaitlyn’s mindset was, at times, difficult,” he said. “She — like all of us — can be contradictory. We say one thing but mean another, for instance, or we feel one way and then a few moments later, our emotions suddenly change. Kaitlyn had reasons to both fall for Tanner and keep him at a distance. Maintaining that balance while moving the story forward was tricky.”

Although Sparks’ books have been published in more than 50 languages and have sold more than 150 million copies worldwide, he said he doesn’t think about how successful his writing career is.

“Most of the time, I’m too busy obsessing over whatever novel I happen to be working on to dwell on (it),” he said. “I will say, however, that I consider myself both blessed and fortunate to have been able to work from home since I had the opportunity to see my five wonderful children grow up. Having success has also allowed me to meet interesting people from all over the world, which I very much enjoy.”

He said he looks forward to coming to Michigan.

“I’m excited to visit the folks at Schuler Books and thrilled that Detroit is part of my book tour. In the distant past, I had signings there and it’ll be wonderful to return,” he said. “I enjoy meeting readers and I enjoy introducing new readers to my work.”

Visit nicholassparks.com.

If you go

Nicholas Sparks will be in conversation with Neal Rubin and sign copies of “Counting Miracles” at The J-Detroit, 6600 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25. For questions or more information, contact Schuler Books at 248-956-1515 or info@schulerbooks.com.

‘The Notebook’ Musical

A musical version of Nicholas Sparks’ “The Notebook” debuted earlier this year on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York City with music and lyrics by Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson (“Little Fires Everywhere”) and a book by Bekah Brunstetter (“This is Us”). It has earned three Tony Award nominations. Visit broadway.com/shows/the-notebook.

On sale 10 a.m. Sept. 13

• Choir! Choir! Choir! Un-Silent Night: Dec. 13, Flagstar Strand, Pontiac, holiday sing-along, www.flagstarstrand.com, ticket prices vary.

• Trans-Siberian Orchestra “The Lost Christmas Eve”: 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 28, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, ticket prices vary.

• ”Golden Girls-The Laughs Continue”: Jan. 16-19, Fisher Theatre, Detroit, ticket prices vary.

Note: Events are subject to change; check with venues for updates. Tickets on sale at 313Presents.com, LiveNation.com, Ticketmaster.com or the XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena.

Beats

• Usher: 8 p.m. Sept. 12-13, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Independence Twp., 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• Old Crow Medicine Show: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13, Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, https://marquee-arts.org, ticket prices vary.

• Jon Pardi, Priscilla Block: 7 p.m. Sept. 13, Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, Sterling Heights, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• Dueling Pianos: 8 p.m. Sept. 13, at The Roxy, 401 Walnut Blvd., Rochester, 248-453-5285, www.theroxyrochester.com, doors at 7 p.m., $25+.

• Charli XCX and Troye Sivan: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• Rumours tribute band, Ghosts in Motion: Sept. 14, The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 248-820-5596, thelovingtouchferndale.com, all ages, doors at 6 p.m., $15+.

• Adel Ruelas: 7 p.m. Sept. 14, The Crofoot Ballroom, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac, all ages, https://thecrofoot.com/events, $25+.

• Songwriter’s Round: 8 p.m. Sept. 14, with Vinnie Paolizzi, Gabe Lee and Jack Mckeon, at 20 Front Street, Lake Orion, 248-783-7105, www.20frontstreet.com, doors at 7:30 p.m. all ages, $32.50+.

• The Sisters of Mercy: 7 p.m. Sept. 14, The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave, Detroit,  www.thefillmoredetroit.com, ticket prices vary.

• Falling in Reverse: 5:45 p.m. Sept. 15, with Dance Gavin Dance, Black Veil Brides, Tech N9ne and Jeris Johnson, Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, Sterling Heights, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• The Shamrock Jazz Orchestra: 7 p.m. Sept. 15, at The Roxy, 401 Walnut Blvd., Rochester, 248-453-5285, www.theroxyrochester.com, doors at 7 p.m., $35+.

• Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams: 7 p.m. Sept. 15, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp: 5 p.m. Sept. 15, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Independence Twp., 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• Freddie Jackson: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, Detroit, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• A Special Tribute to the Blues ft. Dnise Jonson: 7 p.m. Sept. 16, Aretha’s Jazz Cafe, 350 Madison St., Detroit, hosted By Mike Bonner,  doors at 6 p.m., https://jazzcafedetroit.com, $25+.

• Phosphorescent: 7 p.m. Sept. 16, El Club Detroit, 4114 W. Vernor Hwy., https://elclubdetroit.com, $40.11.

• Judas Priest, Sabaton: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17, Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, Sterling Heights, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• Leprous: 6 p.m. Sept. 17, The Crofoot Ballroom, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac, all ages, https://thecrofoot.com/events, $28+.

• The Marley Brothers: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Independence Twp., 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• Stephen Pearcy of RATT: 7 p.m. Sept. 19, Diesel Concert Lounge, 33151 23 Mile Road, Chesterfield, www.dieselconcerts.com, ticket prices vary.

Festivals

• Troy Family Daze: Sept. 12-15, at the Troy Civic Center, 241 Town Center, Troy, featuring family entertainment, food court, children’s activities, 5K Run/Walk is Sept. 15, International Day entertainment is noon-7 p.m. Sept. 15, $5 admission each day, (free admission for ages 10 and younger), amusement rides-ticket prices vary, free parking available at Liberty Center parking garage, 100 W. Big Beaver Road, with shuttle to the festival, www.troyfamilydaze.org. Parade at 10 a.m. Sept. 14, starting at Walsh College, ending at Troy Community Center. Fireworks scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Sept. 14.

• Septemberfest: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 14, downtown Ortonville, vendors, live music, children’s activities, entertainment, food to purchase, car show, Ortonville Lions Club Beer Tent, Sept. 13-15, opening at 5 p.m. Friday with live music at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, brandontownship.us.

• KlezMitten-Klezmer Festival: 2:30 p.m. Sept. 15, International Institute, 111 E Kirby St., Detroit, music, dancing, food to purchase, $20 general admission, free for children younger than 12, https://klezundheit.ludus.com/index.php.

• Funky Ferndale Art Fair: Sept. 20-22, (Friday 4-7:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sunday 11a.m.-6 p.m.), more than 140 juried artists and authors, west of Woodward  on Nine Mile. It is joined by the DIY Street Fair, which is on the east side of Woodward, www.funkyferndaleartfair.com, free admission. Parking at any of the downtown lots or in the DOT parking structure on Troy Street west of Woodward.

• Oktoberfest: 3-10 p.m. Sept. 21 live music from 6-10 p.m. Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2225 E. 14 Mile Road in Birmingham, with Michigan’s premier German band, Die Dorfmusikanten, the Redeemer Brass from 3-6 p.m., dancing, German foods, German beer and wine to purchase, 248-646-6100, www.oslcoktoberfest.com, free admission.

• Annual Art in the Village: Sept. 21-22, (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday), Depot Park, west of Main St. (M-15), Clarkston, juried art show, vintage market, food trucks, children’s crafts, music, presented by Clarkston Community Historical Society, free admission, www.clarkstonhistorical.org. (Paid parking in city lots 11 a.m.-9 p.m., on Saturdays, free parking in city lots on Sunday, PassportParking.com).

• Renaissance Festival: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. themed weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, through Sept. 29, (also Sept. 27), at 12600 Dixie Hwy., Holly, entertainment, jousting, vendors, www.michrenfest.com, 248-634-5552, parking pass required, ticket prices vary.

Theater

• 2024 One Act Fest: Sept 13-15, (8 p.m. Sept. 13-14 and 2 p.m. Sept. 14-15) at Peace Lutheran Church, 17029 W. 13 Mile Road, Southfield, https://rosedalecommunityplayers.com, ticket prices vary.

• “The Yellow Boat”: Sept. 19-22, (7:30 p.m. Sept. 19-21 and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 22), Rochester Christian University, 800 W. Avon Road, Rochester Hills, $5 for students and $18 for adults, www.rcu.edu/rcu-theatre-music.

• “The Book Club Play” by Karen Zacarías: Sept. 20-Oct. 6 (8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays), The Inspired Acting Company, 1124 E. West Maple Road, Walled Lake, 248-863-9953, www.InspiredActing.org, $35 and $30 (under 30/over 65).

• “Memphis the Musical”: Through Sept 22, Birmingham Village Players, 34660 Woodward Ave, Birmingham, https://birminghamvillageplayers.com, $30.

• “Grand Horizons”: Sept. 25-Oct. 20, Tipping Point Theatre, 361 E Cady St., Northville, www.tippingpointtheatre.com, ticket prices vary.

Art

• 2024 Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Awards: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 13, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, (BBAC), 1516 S. Cranbrook Road, Birmingham, https://culturalcouncilbirminghambloomfield.org.

• The Wild Side exhibition: Through Sept. 13, Suzanne Haskew Arts Center (SHAC), 125 S. Main Street, Milford, www.milfordvfaa.org/exhibits. Hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

• Drop In Workshop: Bookmarks is 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 13, noon-4 p.m. Sept. 14-15, Detroit Institute of Arts, Art-Making Studio, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, www.dia.org.

• “Florilegium & Fairy Tales”-Lori Zurvalec: Sept. 13-Nov. 1, opening reception is 2-4 p.m. Sept. 14 with light refreshments, at the gallery, 20919 John R Road, Hazel Park, open 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday, and at other times by appointment and at ColorInkStudio.com. Artist Talk is 2-3 p.m. Oct. 13, 248-398-6119.

• “Future-Proof” series: 6-8 p.m. Sept. 17, at 1001 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Lawrence Technological University will present a second installment of its series, “Future-Proof- Transforming Detroit from Art Deco to AI by 2050,” AI-imaging exhibition.

• “Constructing Futures”: Exhibit through September, 1001 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, demonstration set for noon, Sept. 18. Constructing Futures AI is supported by: College of Architecture and Design, Lawrence Technological University, https://constructingfutures.design.

• Nick Bair: Live chalk-art drawing at the Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, Sept. 18. Times vary. Dates are weather dependent and subject to change, https://detroitzoo.org.

• Birmingham’s Art Walk: 5-8 p.m. Sept. 19, presented by the Birmingham Shopping District in partnership with the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, features local businesses and artists, musical performances, special promotions, ALLINBirmingham.com/events.

• Daniel Cascardo exhibit: Through Sept. 19, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, 1516 S. Cranbrook Road, Birmingham, https://bbartcenter.org.

• Design Day: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 21, at Cranbrook Art Museum, presented in partnership with Detroit Month of Design. Activities include hands-on art-making for all ages, curator-led tours of the exhibition, “A Modernist Regime: Cuban Mid-Century Design” and a panel discussion on graphic design, 248-645-3323 https://cranbrookartmuseum.org.

• “A Modernist Regime: Cuban Mid-Century Design”: Through Sept. 22, Cranbrook Art Museum, Art Lab, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, cranbrookartmuseum.org, general admission-$10.

• Tiff Massey-“7 Mile + Livernois”: Exhibit through May 11, 2025, Detroit Institute of Arts Rivera Court, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, dia.org.

• Thursdays at the Museum: 1 p.m. Thursdays, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, self-guided visit of our collections for adults 55 and older. Groups of 25 or more in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties can receive free bus transportation, www.dia.org/events/thursdays.

• The Hawk Makerspace: The Hawk – Farmington Hills Community Center, featuring craft space, specialized equipment including a laser cutter, 3D printer, and sewing lab. Makerspace users may purchase passes to use the equipment during Open Studio hours. Classes are also offered, fhgov.com/play,-explore-learn/the-hawk/amenities/makerspace.

• Drop-in Design: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, self-guided art-making activities in the Cranbrook Art Museum, Art Lab, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, cranbrookartmuseum.org, general admission-$10.

• University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 South State St., Ann Arbor, 734-764-0395, umma.umich.edu, ticket prices vary.

• DIA Inside|Out: High-quality reproductions of artworks from the DIA’s collection are at outdoor venues throughout Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, through October, https://dia.org/events/insideout-2024. The city of Rochester is participating, for locations visit www.downtownrochestermi.com/dia-insideout.

• Cranbrook on the Green: Artist-designed mini-golf is open during regular museum hours throughout the week in August, and weekends in September. One round of mini-golf is $15 adult non-members, includes admission to Cranbrook Art galleries, $8 for ages 12 and younger, Cranbrook Academy of Art, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, register for a time slot at https://cranbrookartmuseum.org/mini-golf.

Beats, continued

• New Wave Nation tribute: 7-10 p.m. Sept. 20, tribute to 80’s New Wave Music, Wildwood Amphitheater, 2700 Joslyn Ct., Orion Twp., https://orion.events, bring lawn chairs or blanket, no outside food or beverage, $20+.

• December ’63-music of Franki Valli and the Four Seasons: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts- Main Stage, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Twp., www.macombcenter.com, 586-286-2222, $39-$69+.

• Shovels & Rope: 7 p.m. Sept. 21, The Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, www.themagicbag.com, all ages, $30+ adv.

• “A Standard Affair-Supper & Song”: Sept. 21 at Andiamo Bloomfield, 6676 Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Twp. and Sept. 28 at Andiamo Riverfront, 400 Renaissance Center A-03, Detroit, featuring Aaron Caruso and The Cliff Monear Trio, dinner at 6:30  p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $120+, includes a four-course meal. Alcohol is not included, www.andiamoitalia.com.

• Stone Sound Collective Peace Day Concert: 8 p.m. Sept. 21, led by Oakland University Professor Mark Stone, at Varner Recital Hall, 371 Varner Drive, Rochester Hills, in celebration of the International Day of Peace, free admission.

• Zuill Bailey, cello and Awadagin Pratt, piano: 7:30-9 p.m. Sept. 21, Seligman Performing Arts Center, 22305 West 13 Mile Road, Beverly Hills, www.chambermusicdetroit.org/2024-25/bailey-pratt, tickets are $30-$75+. Senior and student discounts available.

• Leonid & Friends: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21, Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W 4th St. Royal Oak, www.royaloakmusictheatre.com, 248-399-3065, ticket prices vary.

• The National, The War on Drugs: Sept. 25, Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, Sterling Heights, ticket prices vary.

• Garth Tribute: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 27, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts- Main Stage, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Twp., www.macombcenter.com, 586-286-2222,

• The Ultimate Queen Celebration: Sept. 27, Flagstar Strand Theatre, 12 N. Saginaw St., Pontiac, 248-309-6445, www.flagstarstrand.com, ticket prices vary.

• Aaron Berofsky & Christopher Harding: 3 p.m. Sept. 29, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 620 Romeo St., Rochester, Harmony in the Hills presents Aaron Berofsky, violin, and Christopher Harding, piano, $20 for adults and $10 younger than 18, https://stpaulsrochester.org.

Books

• Picture Book Launch Party!: 1:35 – 3:30 p.m. Sept. 21, at The Detroit Shoppe, Somerset Collection, Troy, https://setsailpress.eventbrite.com.

Choruses

• Rochester Community Chorus seeks new members: New singers welcome for fall/winter 2024 season. Rehearsals are held at 7:45 p.m. Mondays starting Sept. 9, in the sanctuary of St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Church, Rochester Hills, rochestercommunitychorus.org.

• Troy Community Chorus seeks new members: Registration will take place in the choir room at Troy Athens High School, 4333 John R. Road, Troy, from 6:30-7:30 on Sept. 17, followed by rehearsals from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Rehearsals are held 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays through the season. Cost is $45/individual or $80/couple. Interested singers should enter through the East entrance on John R Road, www.troycommunitychorus.com.

• Dearborn Community Chorus fall season: 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Sept. 10, Henry Ford College MacKenzie Fine Arts Center, room F-113, www.dearbornchorus.com, register at www.dearborntheater.com/events.

• 313 Presents seeks local choirs for holiday shows: Registration is open now for local choirs and glee clubs to perform at select holiday performances of the 2024-25 Fox Theatre Series. To participate, call 313 Presents Group Sales at 313-471-3099.

Classical/Orchestra

• Classical Series-Detroit Symphony Orchestra: 7 p.m. Sept. 17, The Hawk, 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, free, tickets must be reserved in advance, TheHawkTheatre.com, 313-576-5111. Pre-concert activities start at 5:30 p.m.

• Classical Series-Detroit Symphony Orchestra: 7 p.m. Sept. 18, Greater Grace Temple, 23500 W. Seven Mile Road, Detroit, www.dso.org.

• DSO-The Music of Queen: Sept. 20-21, Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit, dso.org, $20-$77+. Conductor Brent Havens, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and a full rock band.

• European Salon Recital: 3-4 p.m. Sept. 22, “Beautiful Music by Women Composers” Cranbrook House: 380 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, https://housegardens.cranbrook.edu/events/2024-09/european-salon-recital-beautiful-music-women-composers, ticket prices vary.

Comedy

• One Night Stans: Ben Jones-Sept. 12-14, Billy Ray Bauer-Sept. 19-21; at 4761 Highland Road, Waterford Twp., www.onenightstans.club, 248-249-1321, ages 18+, ticket prices vary.

• Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle: Trae Crowder-Sept. 13-14, Anna Akana-Sept. 18; Phil Hanley-Sept. 19-21, at 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak, www.comedycastle.com, 248-542-9900, ages 18+, ticket prices vary.

• Sheng Wang: 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sept. 13, Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W 4th St. Royal Oak, www.royaloakmusictheatre.com, 248-399-3065, ticket prices vary.

• “I’m Not a Comedian, I’m Lenny Bruce”: 8:30 p.m. Sept. 14, at The Berman, 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield Twp., chronicles the life and death of the controversial comedian Lenny Bruce, written and performed by Ronnie Marmo, for mature audiences, https://theberman.org, https://tickets.jccdet.org/im-not-a-comedian-im-lenny-bruce.

• “No Balls” Comedy Ball: 12:30-5 p.m. Sept. 29, Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak, comedy event to raise funds for two local charities, $125 tickets include comedy show and buffet dinner, https://nbcb.weebly.com, for questions, call 586-914-1623.

Concerts in the Park

• Thursday Night Concerts in the Park: 7-9 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 26, LaFontaine Family Amphitheater, 195 N Main St, Milford, www.meetmeinmilford.com, food to purchase, no pets allowed.

• Uptown Friday Night Concert Series: 7-9 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 13, at Macomb Place in front of O’Halloran’s Public House, Mount Clemens, facebook.com/DowntownMountClemens.

• Music is Main & Center concert series: 7-9 p.m. Saturdays, through Sept. 28, downtown Northville Town Square, www.downtownnorthville.com.

• Family Fun Zone Movies and Concerts: 7 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 10, Wildwood Amphitheater, 2700 Joslyn Court, Orion Twp., www.Orion.events, bring lawn chairs or blankets, free admission.

• Live music: 5-9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through Sept. 26; 5-8 p.m. Sept. 14; 2-5 p.m. Sept. 15 and 1-7 p.m. Sept. 21; Festival Park at The Village of Rochester Hills, 104 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, bring lawn chairs and blankets, TheVORH.com.

• Sylvan Lake Summer Concert Series:  The Way Back Machine concert is 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at Community Center, Sylvan Lake, www.sylvanlake.org.

Dance

• Disney On Ice-”Mickey’s Search Party”: Sept. 19-22, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• Flamenco: 2 p.m. Sept. 28, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts- Main Stage, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Twp., www.macombcenter.com, 586-286-2222, presented by Compañeros de Flamenco, learn and participate in the rhythms of Roma culture, free, but tickets required.

Film

• “Vision Quest” screening: Sept. 13, Emagine Saline with screening and Q&A with Actor Frank Jasper at 7 p.m., movie at 7:30 p.m., Meet & Greet with Frank Jasper at 9:15 p.m., at Emagine Saline, 1335 E Michigan Ave., Saline, screening with Q&A – $20 each, www.Emagine-Entertainment.com.

• Sensory-friendly film screenings: Sunday and Wednesday afternoons throughout September, at select Emagine Theatres, Emagine-Entertainment.com, ticket prices vary.

• Farmington Civic Theater, 33332 Grand River Ave., Farmington, www.theFCT.com.

• Milford Independent Cinema: 945 E Summit St., Milford, milfordcinema.org/tickets, $5+.

• Redford Theatre, 17360 Lahser Road, Detroit, redfordtheatre.com, ticket prices vary.

Fundraisers

• #ALLIN for Chris Bowling Fundraiser: 2-5 p.m. Sept. 14, at Classic Lanes, 2145  Avon Industrial Drive, Rochester Hills, www.ALLINforChrisFundraiser.weebly.com, $30 for bowlers, includes three hours of bowling, shoes, two pieces of pizza.

• Shine a Light NF Walk Michigan fundraiser: 9:30 a.m. Sept. 15, Addison Oaks County Park, Leonard, to benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation, www.ctf.org/shine-a-light.

• 20th Annual Vine & Dine Fundraising Event: 6-9 p.m. Sept. 17, The Kingsley Bloomfield Hills, 39475 Woodward Ave., $100 in advance, $125 at the door, and $60 for young professionals under 35, premier food and wine tasting fundraiser to support the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber and Micah 6 Community in Pontiac, www.bbcc.com.

• JARC Annual Fundraising Event: 7-10 p.m. Sept. 18, The Jam Handy, 2900 E Grand Blvd., Detroit, to support JARC, a nonprofit serving adults with developmental disabilities, featuring dinner at 7 p.m. and then an hour-long performance by acclaimed mentalist Oz Pearlman, followed by dessert, jarc.org/2024, 248-940-2617, tickets are $180+.

• Crafts on the Clinton Fundraiser: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 20, Farmers Market Pavilion, Dodge Park, 40400 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, art and food vendors, live music, local breweries and wineries along the banks of the Clinton River. Proceeds support Clinton River Watershed Council, www.crwc.org/crafts. Early bird tickets are $45 and include samples of beer or wine, food, Designated driver tickets are $15. Attendees must be 21+. Clinton River Watershed Council  fall rain barrel sale is through Sept. 16 and can be ordered at www.crwc.org/rain-barrel-sale, and picked up at Crafts on Clinton.

• Shades Of Pink Foundation Annual Comedy Event: 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 1, The Community House in Birmingham, www.shadesofpinkfoundation.org/events-2-1/2024-annual-comedy-event, comedy show, dinner, fundraiser.

• “Dueling Pianos” fundraiser: 6-10 p.m. Oct. 18, at Fraternal Order of Police #124, 11304 14 Mile Road in Warren, tickets are $65 per person or $100 per couple and includes live entertainment, silent auction, raffles, appetizers and guest speakers. Purchase tickets at Thebutterflycollective.org, presented by The Butterfly Collective, a nonprofit organization that helps domestic violence survivors.

Lectures

• Detroit Music Awards Master Class: 7 p.m. Sept. 16, Schaver Music Recital Hall, 480 W. Hancock, Detroit, presented by the Wayne State University Department of Music. Master Class series featuring Martin Kierszenbaum, the Grammy Award-winning founder of CherryTree Music Company and longtime manager for Sting, www.detroitmusicawards.net, $50+.

• Oakland Town Hall 2024-2025 lecture series: The series includes four lecturers including Andrew Och presenting “First Ladies- Influence and Image,” on Oct. 9, and Robert Wittman presenting “Art Crime and the FBI: How Masterpieces are Stolen and Recovered,” Nov.13, at the Iroquois Club, 43248 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills. For registration information, call Chairman Nancy Holan at 248-673-5984 or President Diane Midgley 248-615-1232.

Misc.

• Erebus Haunted Attraction: Sept. 13 opening for the season, at 18 South Perry St., Pontiac, www.hauntedpontiac.com/jobs, 248-332-7884.

• Annual Alliance Picnic is noon-4 p.m. Sept. 14, at Firefighters Park, 1810 W Square Lake Road, Troy, games and activities for all ages to celebrate the growth made by those in recovery from substance abuse and mental health, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJY59Qv2Qm77e3znAVhUUonyxAzO38naDD6xLwSSn3g0AHIQ/viewform.

• Detroit City Distillery 10th Anniversary Party: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 14,  Detroit City Distillery’s Tasting Room, 2462 Riopelle Street in Eastern Market, Detroit, indoors and outdoors, live music and DJs, food to purchase, detroitcitydistillery.com.

• Fall Showcase Fashion Event: 12:30-4 p.m. Sept. 15, Council Re|Sale Store in Berkley, with a special $25 VIP early entry from 11 a.m.-12.30 p.m., pre-register with payment at 248-548-6664, https://councilresale.net.

• Social District Saturdays: 2-8 p.m. 2nd Saturdays through Sept. 14, Centennial Commons and W. Fifth St., Royal Oak, yard games, live music, www.romi.gov/1849/SOCIAL-DISTRICT-SATURDAYS.

• Campus Kids Day presented by Corewell Health: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 15 and Oct. 6, at Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit, downtowndetroit.org/events, free. make and take projects, inflatable water slide, lawn games and more.

• Laila Lockhart Kraner Meet & Greet: Sept. 21-22, Gardner White to host free meet & greet events with Laila Lockhart Kraner, star of Hit TV Show “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” family-friendly event to include children’s activities, music and more. Events are 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 21 at Gardner White, Shelby Township (Hall Road); 3-5 p.m. Sept. 21, at Gardner White Auburn Hills and 1-3 p.m. Sept. 22, Gardner White, Canton. To RSVP to a “Gabby” meet & greet, visit Gardnerwhite.com.

• Summer Eco Sessions Pop-Up Series: 6-10 p.m. Sept. 27, Beacon Park, 1901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, www.facebook.com/beaconparkdetroit, RSVP for music events, yoga and cooking demos.

• Summer Sundays with Beacon Park and Boll Family YMCA: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 29, Beacon Park, 1901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, https://empoweringmichigan.com/event/summer-sundays-with-beacon-park-and-boll-family-ymca. Each class runs for 30 minutes, starting at 11:30 a.m., followed by 12:15 p.m.,with a final class at 1 p.m.

Museums

• Ford House: Historic estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford, 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores, fordhouse.org/events, 313-884-4222. Story Festival at Ford House: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 14, admission is $10 per adult and $7 per child.

• The Zekelman Holocaust Center: 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, www.holocaustcenter.org, 248-553-2400. “Auschwitz. In Front of Your Eyes,” a set of virtual tours to view in-person, 10 a.m.-noon, Sept. 22. Admission is $10 each, registration at www.holocaustcenter.org/Auschwitz.

• Waterford Historical Society Historic Village: Open for the season, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 25, at Fish Hatchery Park, 4490 Hatchery Road, Waterford Twp. Historic Village, Log Cabin, Hatchery House and Fire Station, 248-683-2697.

• Motown Museum, 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, motownmuseum.org, 313-875-2264. Motown Mile outdoor, walkable art installation, “Pushin’ Culture Forward,” open through early fall, along the Detroit Riverwalk, free admission.

• The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, Ford Rouge Factory Tours Monday-Saturday, purchase tickets online, prices vary, thehenryford.org.

• Ford Piquette Plant Museum: 461 Piquette Ave, Detroit. Open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10-$18. Optional guided tours take place daily at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., www.fordpiquetteplant.org, 313-872-8759.

• Dossin Great Lakes Museum: 100 Strand Drive, Belle Isle, Detroit, detroithistorical.org.

• Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum: Seeks volunteer groups from veteran and military groups to assist with restoration. The museum is also seeking building materials and equipment to support the ongoing restoration of its vintage industrial space at 19144 Glendale Ave., Detroit, including floor grinders, clear epoxy and Thinset products for floor repairs, www.detroitarsenalofdemocracy.org.

• Pontiac Transportation Museum: 250 W. Pike St., Pontiac. Admission to the museum is $10, $8 for seniors and veterans, $6 for children ages 6-12, free for children ages 5 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, www.pontiactransportationmuseum.org.

• Detroit Historical Museum: 5401 Woodward Ave. (NW corner of Kirby) in Midtown Detroit, detroithistorical.org. Permanent exhibits include the famous Streets of Old Detroit, the Allesee Gallery of Culture, Doorway to Freedom: Detroit and the Underground Railroad, Detroit: The “Arsenal of Democracy,” the Gallery of Innovation, Frontiers to Factories, America’s Motor City and The Glancy Trains, regular museum general admission is $10.  Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. “Detroit Lions: Gridiron Heroes,” exhibition featuring the history of the Detroit Lions, detroithistorical.org.

• Cranbrook Institute of Science: 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, https://science.cranbrook.edu, $14 general admission, $10.50 for ages 2-12 and seniors 65+, free for children under age 2.

• Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci):  5020 John R St, Detroit, 313-577-8400, www.mi-sci.org. Regular museum gen. adm. is $18+. Standard Mi-Sci films are available as a $6 add-on to general admission tickets. Mi-Sci is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday and until 8 p.m. the first Friday of each month.

• Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm: Drop in tours on Fridays and Saturdays from noon-3 p.m., at 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, with a guided tour of the Van Hoosen Farmhouse at 1 p.m., www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms, museum members-free, non-members-$5/adults, $3/seniors and students, no registration needed.

• Blue Star Museums: Museums offer free admission to U.S. active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, through Labor Day. A list of participating museums nationwide is at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

• The Wright: The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 313-494-5800, open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, closed on Mondays, reserve timed tickets at thewright.org, $30+ gen adm., $20 for seniors 62+, $15 for youth, ages 5-17, free for under 5.

• Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society: Open 1st/2nd/4th/5th Sundays of the month and 3rd Fridays, 1-4 pm, (holidays excluded) with exhibits including “Four Communities” exhibit at The Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake. Admission is free, donations are welcome, www.gwbhs.org, 248-757-2451.

• Meadow Brook Hall offers Guided House Tours and Self-Guided Tours, check available times and purchase tickets at meadowbrookhall.org/tours, ticket prices vary. Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, on the campus of Oakland University.

Submit events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.

When Elliott, played by Maisy Stella, skips a family birthday dinner to take magic mushrooms with her friends in the woods, it may feel like a set-up for a coming-of-age comedy. And on one level, “My Old Ass” is precisely that: a funny look at Elliott at a turning point in her life when she meets Chad, played by Percy Hynes White, just before she leaves her small-town home for college in the big city.

Yet at the Sundance Film Festival this year, audiences were weeping, too. The movie’s hook is that, as she’s tripping, Elliott meets an older version of herself played by Aubrey Plaza, who offers some hard-to-follow advice to her younger self. As old and young Elliott — who manage to maintain a connection even after the drugs wear off – face up to what life has in store, the laughter turns to poignant tears.

The film, in theaters Sept. 13, is just the second by Megan Park, an actor whose acclaimed writing and directing debut, “The Fallout” concerned a high school student (Jenna Ortega) struggling with trauma after surviving a school shooting.

Park spoke by video recently about capturing the language of teens and finding the story in the editing room. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q. Did you start with the idea of a teenager at a pivotal moment or the conceit of the mushroom trip and meeting your older self? 

As a writer, I’m emotion-led. “The Fallout” came from my frustration and anger at the idea of American high school students having to constantly exist with the possibility of school shootings. For this movie, I was home in my childhood bedroom during the pandemic and had had a baby and I was feeling nostalgic. I had that feeling that comes in the scene where Chad talks about the last time you play with your friends as a kid and you don’t realize it’s the last time. That made me want to explore that idea of the older and younger self. The mushroom trip idea came when I was trying to figure out how to make that happen.

Q. Among the movie’s many fantastic qualities is dialogue that’s pitch-perfect for teens. Do you have a natural ear or did you give your young actors input? 

I started out acting, so I’m a stickler for dialogue and when I’m writing I say it out loud to make sure it flows. You have to know what you know and what you don’t know.

I try to ground it and make it authentic, but I’m not 18 so I try to be open-minded and try to really include the actors: “Is that joke funny or is there another phrase you’d say instead?” It’s an open line of communication every step of the way and they’re so helpful and always checking for me how relatable it is.

And we did scripted takes but also a lot of “fun-runs” and the chemistry between Maisy and Maddie Ziegler and Kerrice Brooks as her best friends was really natural and created great moments organically.

Q. Do those improvised “fun-run” moments end up on screen or is it more that they create chemistry that fuels the scripted material? 

It’s both. A lot of times it’s the runway to get the script down but there were moments that stayed in, especially ones that just started with Aubrey saying something and then they’d go off. And it was Kerricet’s first movie but she’s so good that I just kept saying, Put her on her mark and just hit record and see what she says.

Q. What were you looking for in casting for Elliott and Chad? 

We were really lucky because the finance people and producers said find younger Elliott first and didn’t insist on just finding the hottest property. I wanted someone very grounded and very Gen Z, but who had a vulnerability and also a lightness and joie de vivre. Then we cast around her for chemistry with everyone. Percy sent in a self-tape and it was genius and he just understood the humor. When he did the slate with his name, everyone had to show their full body, so he was wearing a nice shirt and then panned down to show nice pants … and bare feet. It was so Chad.

Q. There are plenty of laughs and a very silly hallucination involving Elliott performing as Justin Bieber. How hard was it to find the balance between humor and pathos knowing where the movie is headed?

It was the hardest thing. We had hoped the movie would be heartfelt but the script was lighter and it was that the performances were just so incredible and the location had such a beautiful and nostalgic feel that in the edit the movie became much more heartfelt and emotional than we even expected. So there’s a delicate line and you have to go back through each moment and reverse engineer and think of how much of a door do you open with each scene. Once we really discovered what the movie was, we were able to change things in editing with the advice that Aubrey gives to Maisy in their phone calls.

Q. Did you know the reaction you’d eventually get once the movie started screening?

No. With humor, you can get a gauge as you’re doing it, but with emotion you can’t always tell because you’re in so deep while you’re filming and you’re worrying about things like whether the camera is in focus. Although I did get pretty emotional when we were filming — Aubrey’s performance really killed me.

Still, you don’t know, and in the edit, you watch it 7,000 times so it’s hard to say for sure. Sitting in that audience at Sundance with all genders and ages having such a universal reaction was pretty insane.

Gretchen McKay | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)

Come dinnertime, pasta made with corn, rice, lentils or chickpeas can be a godsend to those with gluten sensitivities. But it also can break their hearts, just a little.

Not only is gluten-free pasta super expensive when compared to “regular” spaghetti, rigatoni and other noodles made with milled durum wheat, but it’s tough to find a gluten-free product that’s not gummy or doesn’t generally taste like mush.

That’s my son Jack’s view, anyway. He’s avoided eating anything with gluten for about a decade due to celiac disease.

As someone who absolutely adores, cooks and eats a lot of pasta, I can’t imagine how hard that must be. So the mom in me is always on the lookout for a tasty alternative he might enjoy.

A great sauce can help disguise the weird (some might say off-putting) textures that are a signature characteristic of gluten-free pasta. But what my kid misses most is wheat-free pasta that not only tastes like the real deal he remembers from childhood, but also boasts the same structural integrity.

This recipe, which couples highly rated Le Veneziane gluten-free potato gnocchi with an easy, cheesy cream sauce kissed with fresh lemon, just might be the answer.

Made with minimal prep in a single skillet, it takes about 15 minutes to pull together and includes one of the healthiest leafy greens, fresh spinach, along with peas, which are loaded with fiber and a great source of inexpensive plant-based protein.

True, the light cream, cheese and butter in the dish add calories and dreaded fat. But so long as you go easy on the serving size and don’t eat the entire pan yourself (Jack, are you listening?), it’s a wonderful occasional comfort food for the gluten-sensitive.

To make it less rich, substitute half-and-half for the cream and add more lemon or chicken broth. It’s best served right from the stove. If you have leftovers, you’ll want to add a little broth when you rewarm it.

You can find Le Veneziane gnocchi on Amazon. Like most gluten-free products, it’s a bit of a splurge, but worth it.

“This is the best thing you’ve ever made me,” raved my kid after I fed him and his wife.

Gnocchi with lemon, peas and spinach

PG tested

• 2 17.5-ounce packages gluten-free gnocchi, fresh or frozen
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 shallot, finely minced
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons corn starch
• 1/2 cup gluten-free vegetable broth
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1 cup light cream or half-and-half
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• 2 or 3 cups chopped fresh spinach
• 1 cup frozen peas
• Crushed red pepper flakes or chopped chives, for garnish

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi according to package instructions (about 2 minutes, or until they float to the top).

Drain and set aside. To keep them from sticking together while you make the sauce, drizzle with a little olive oil or add a bit of butter and stir to combine.

To make the sauce, melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and cook for 1 minute. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Whisk in flour and slowly pour in the broth. Whisk in lemon zest and lemon juice

Pour in heavy cream and whisk to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the heat to medium low and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens a bit.

Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Add chopped spinach and frozen peas and cook for 2 minutes or until spinach is wilted. If you want a thicker sauce, you can cook for a few more minutes, stirring to help it thicken up.

Stir in cooked gnocchi and cook for 1 minute or until heated through.

Plate the gnocchi, spooning the sauce and peas over the top. Garnish with crushed red pepper, basil or chives, and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!

Serves 2-3.

— Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette

©2024 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

We’re used to having music of all sorts playing in the metro area on any given weekend — or any given day, really.

But not so much Klezmer.

The Eastern European mish-mash of styles that dates back centuries and came to the U.S. during the early 20th century has enjoyed something of a global revival, but Alan Posner — director of bands at Bloomfield Hills High School and a member of the group Klezundheit — felt Michigan was missing the mark. “There was no big festival,” he explains. “We wanted to bring a group of people together to chat and spread the joy and love of Klezmer. What better way to do that than a Klezmer festival?”

KlezMitten, Michigan’s inaugural Klezmer festival, takes place from 3-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept 15, at the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, 111 E. Kirby St., Detroit.

Klezundheit will be joined by three other bands — Klezmephonic and Schmaltz from Ann Arbor, and Heartland Klezmorim from Lansing. Posner is excited to offer a concentrated dose of the tradition and he’s confident the exposure will bring new converts into the Klezmer realm.

“It’s a very soulful, joyous music,” Posner says. “There’s a certain rhythm to it, and chords and a tonality that we use that you don’t really find in other music. It has its roots in a lot of things that speaks to all people in a soulful, energetic way.”

313-871-8600 or klezundheit.ludus.com for tickets and other information.

Other music events of note this weekend (all subject to change) include …

FRIDAY, SEPT. 13

• Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top reprise their Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour, with the Outlaws opening, at 6:30 p.m. at Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Drive, Independence Township. 313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com. For interviews with both headliners, visit theoaklandpress.com. Members of Lynyrd Skynyrd will also sign bottles of their Hell House whiskey at noon Friday at Total Wine & More, 1242 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills. 248-466-0662 or totalwine.com.

• Country star Jon Pardi plays at 7 p.m. at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, 14900 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights. Priscilla Block and Meghan Patrick open. 313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com.

• Australia’s Royel Otis and Friko play a sold-out show at the Majestic Theatre, 4140 Woodward Ave. Doors at 8 p.m. 313-833-9700 or majesticdetroit.com.

• The South Korean hip-hop crew Epik High stops by Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit. Doors at 7 p.m. 313-961-8961 or saintandrewsdetroit.com.

• Texas singer-songwriter Matt the Electrician plugs in at 8 p.m. at 20 Front Street in Lake Orion. 248-783-7105 or 20frontstreet.com.

• Enamour leads a dance party along with Nip, Lmuix and Outta Nowhere at the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Doors at 9 p.m. 313-833-9700 or themajesticdetroit.com.

• The hardcore punk group Nails rocks at the Tangent Gallery, 715 E. Milwaukee Ave., Detroit. Doors at 6 p.m. 313-873-2955 or tangentgallery.com.

• The Mason Bays Quintet is joined by guests Roland Chandler Sr. and Matthew Balos through Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, 97 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe. 313-882-5399 or dirtydogjazz.com.

• Guitarist Vlad Tovbin and his Caravan play through Sunday, Sept. 15 at Cliff Bell’s, 2030 Park Ave., Detroit. 313-961-2543 or cliffbells.com.

• Cherry Drop and the Amalgam Jam Band bring the psychedelic to the Cadieux Cafe, 4300 Cadieux Road, Detroit. 313-882-8560 or cadieuxcafe.com.

• Ashes of War, Stedmans Army and Fit For Treason stack up at 7:30 p.m. at the New Dodge Lounge, 8850 Jos Campau, Hamtramck. 313-638-1508 or thenewdodgelounge.com.

• The Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet offers a jazzy night at 8 p.m. at the Trinity House Theatre, 38840 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia. 734-436-6302 or trinityhousetheatre.org.

• Public Memory and Johnstonsons will be hardcore at Small’s, 10339 Conant, Hamtramck. Doors at 8 p.m. 3130873-1117 or smallsbardetroit.com.

• The always amazing Old Crow Medicine Show hits the stage at 7:30 p.m. at the Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor.

• The RFD Boys plays one of its periodic hometown shows at 8 p.m. at The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-1818 or theark.org.

• Ann Arbor’s University Musical Society hosts a sights ‘n’ sounds evening with performances by Infinite River, Monster Island and Dr. Peter Larson at the Ypsilanti Freight House, 100 Market Place. ums.org.

• Virtual: Usher’s new concert movie, “Usher: Rendezvous in Paris,” hits movie theaters just as the R&B star is at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena for a two-night stand. UsherinParis.com for theater and ticket information.

• Virtual: The South Korean boy band Riize’s concert film “Riize Fan-Con Tour ‘Rizing Day’ Finale in Cinemas” opens in theaters worldwide. riizeincinemas.com for theater and ticket information.

• Virtual: JP Soars & the Redhots play at 7:30 p.m. from Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in New Hampshire. Streaming tickets via veeps.com.

• Virtual: The jam band Goose livestreams at 7:30 p.m. from Chicago as well as 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 from Minneapolis and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 from Waukee, Iowa, all free for subscribers to nugs.net.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14

• Get your brat on with Charli XCX, Troye Sivan and Shygirl at 7:30 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit.  313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com.

• Canadian punk rocker troupe Sum 41 brings its farewell tour to the Masonic Temple Theatre, 500 Temple St., Detroit. Doors at 6 p.m. The Interrupters and Many Eyes also perform. 313-548-1320 or themasonic.com.

• Veteran British goth rockers the Sisters of Mercy journey to the Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave. Doors at 7 p.m. 313-961-5451 or thefillmoredetroit.com.

• The Reverend Horton Heat, the Koffin Kats and special guest Big Sandy will raise a ruckus at the Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets are sold out. 248-544-1991 or themagicbag.com.

• New York indie rock band Joywave lets happiness reign at Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit. Doors at 7 p.m. 313-961-8961 or saintandrewsdetroit.com.

• Chicago rapper Cupcakke and Just Shacoi throw down at the Majestic Theatre, 4140 Woodward Ave. Doors at 7 p.m. 313-833-9700 or majesticdetroit.com.

• Current incarnations of the Lovin’ Spoonful, the Buckinghams, the Cowsills and the Shades of Blue are Stars of the Sixties at 7 p.m. in the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn. 313-943-2354 or dearborntheater.com.

• Vinnie Paolizzi, Gabe Lee and Jack Mckeon join forces for a Songwriter’s Round at 8 p.m. at 20 Front Street in Lake Orion. 248-783-7105 or 20frontstreet.com.

• The English DJ duo Eli & Fur does its thing at the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Doors at 9 p.m. Sherif and Girasole are also on the bill. 313-833-9700 or themajesticdetroit.com.

• The Boston EDM duo Soul Clap plays a full night at Spot Lite, 2905 Beaufait St., Detroit. Doors at 9 p.m. spotlitedetroit.com or paxahau.com.

• Latin pop singer Adel Ruelas performs at the Crofoot Ballroom, 1 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac. Doors at 7 p.m. 248-858-9333 or thecrofoot.com.

• Dancepack celebrates the release of a new EP at 9 p.m. at the Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit. Reaches and the Characteristics also perform. 313-500-1475 or thelagerhouse.com.

• The band Rumours has a 10-year reunion show, topping a bill that also includes Ghosts in Motion, Splinters and Final Confession at the Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Doors at 6 p.m. 248-820-5596 or thelovingtouchferndale.com.

• The Black Feathers ruffle at 8 p.m. at the Trinity House Theatre, 38840 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia. 734-436-6302 or trinityhousetheatre.org.

• The Ultimate Doors plays tribute at the Emerald Theatre, 31 N. Walnut St., Mount Clemens. Doors at 7 p.m. 586-630-0120 or theemeraldtheatre.com.

• Veteran singer-songwriter Chris Smither and Cloudbelly perform at 7 p.m. at The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-1818 or theark.org.

• Virtual: Galactic livestreams at 10 p.m. from Tipitina’s in New Orleans, free for subscribers to nugs.net.

SUNDAY, SET. 15

• Willie Nelson’s traveling Outlaw Music Festival Tour includes fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp, along with Southern Avenue, at 5 p.m. at Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Drive, Independence Township. 313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com.

• Gospel icons Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and Detroit greats Marvin Sapp, the Clark Sisters and Fred Hammond bring the Reunion Tour to town for a 7 p.m. show at Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit.  313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com.

• Falling in Reverse rocks hard atop a package with Dance Gavin Dance, Black Veil Brides, Tech N9ne and Jeris at 5:45 p.m. at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, 14900 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights. 313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com.

• New York pop singer Fletcher goes In Search of the Antidote on her latest tour, playing at the Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave. Doors at 7 p.m. 313-961-5451 or thefillmoredetroit.com.

• Soul man Freddie Jackson is on tap at 7:30 p.m. at Sound Board in the MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit. 800-745-3000 or soundboarddetroit.com.

• San Francisco singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt headlines at El Club, 4114 W. Vernor Highway, Detroit. Ethan Daniel Davidson opens. Doors at 7 p.m. 313-757-7942 or elclubdetroit.com.

• New Orleans extreme metal band Goatwhore tops a five-act bill at 7 p.m. at the Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff, Hamtramck. 313-462-4117 or sanctuarydetroit.com.

• The Oklahoma hard rock band Southall and Wight Lighters are at District 142, 142 Maple St., Wyandotte. Doors at 7 p.m. district142live.com.

• The Shamrock Jazz Orchestra puts a Celtic spin on several generations of popular music at The Roxy, 401 Walnut Blvd., Rochester. Doors at 7 p.m. 248-453-5285 or theroxyrochester.com.

• Larkin celebrates the release of a new album, “Make it the Most,” at 7:30 p.m. at the Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Road, Westland. 734-513-5030 or tokenlounge.com.

• BLK Odyssy is joined by Asha Imuno for a Fantasy House Tour stop at the Pike Room in the Crofoot complex, 1 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac. Doors at 7 p.m. 248-858-9333 or thecrofoot.com.

• Scotland’s Tannahill Weavers come across the pond to play at 7:30 p.m. at The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-1818 or theark.org.

• Virtual: Stone Temple Pilots and Soul Asylum air the Indianapolis-area stop of their Jubilee Tour at 8 p.m. Streaming tickets via veeps.com.

• Virtual: Amos Lee livestreams at 10:30 p.m. from Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, free for subscribers to nugs.net.

It’s a busy September for the Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores.

The estate built by Edsel and Eleanor Ford will host a number of events over the next couple of weeks, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 with a Story Festival, a three-hour ticketed event that will feature presentations by award-winning author Jim Gill, educator Kelly Konieczki and Brenda Ban of Built To Thrive, a program that works with children to build social and emotional intelligence through play.

Later in the day, at 3 p.m., the Ford House will break ground for its Shoreline Habitat Restoration Project, an initiative to help revitalize its footprint on Lake St. Clair.

Then, on Sept. 24, the Ford House will launch two special tours.

The Autumn Landscape Guided Tour takes visitors around the grounds, focusing on its landscapes and gardens. The Nooks Crannies Guided Tour, meanwhile, runs through Dec. 31 and includes rarely shown portions of structures, including the third-floor infirmary and an underground tunnel network.

The Ford House is located at 1100 Lake Shore Road. 313-884-4222 or fordhouse.org for reservations and more information.

Loneliness has a significant impact on your health, both mentally and physically. It leads to increased levels of stress hormones, which can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of chronic conditions such as stroke and heart attack.

“Evidence research shows that isolation and loneliness are as bad for your health as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day,” said Sheila Cote, director of the Macomb County Office of Senior Services.

For some seniors, a simple phone call is enough to combat some of the effects of loneliness.

The Macomb County Friendly Caller program links Macomb County residents aged 60 or older with volunteer callers who offer a no-pressure, informal social call. Calls last from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the interest and natural flow of conversation.

Seniors receive a call weekly at a day and time of their choosing. Volunteers, who must be age 18 or older to participate, are provided training on how to use a calling database system that provides security for both parties.

The Macomb County Office of Senior Services, which also offers the Meals on Wheels program, started Friendly Caller in 2020 as a response to the pandemic because seniors were forced to stay home due to restrictions. It was so popular that volunteers have kept it running, as Friendly Caller receives a limited amount of funding.

“The program has been a huge success. The volunteers like it because they can make the phone calls from home. The seniors like it because they have somebody checking in on them and they have someone to communicate with,” Cote said.

Around 250 seniors receive calls regularly from 30 volunteers, including 81-year-old Bev Caperton of St. Clair Shores. Caperton has called 87 people since she started volunteering as a Friendly Caller in April 2023.

She will take notes during calls and refer back to the notes to make sure the conversations keep flowing. She said she enjoys reaching out to the seniors.

“It means a lot to me when they recognize my voice, say my name, and look forward to talking with me,” Caperton said. “It’s so rewarding to step out of your universe and jump into someone else’s, knowing that you’re possibly making them feel important and improving their day, which in turn does the same for you.”

To volunteer for the program, visit the Macomb County Services for Seniors website at macombgov.org/departments/senior-services or call 586-496-5228.

The public is invited to a groundbreaking ceremony for a new cricket field at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Boulan Park in Troy.

The park is off Crooks Road between Wattles and Quarton roads.

Troy residents have been asking the city for a cricket field for years. City officials were open to the idea but didn’t have the funding.

At the urging of state Rep. Sharon MacDonell, D-Troy, the city received a $900,000 grant to develop a cricket field. The area’s cricket community also supported the project, according to a release from the city.

The game resembles baseball but is played on a round field much bigger than that used for football or soccer.

Instead of a bat, the batter uses a flat stick that resembles a canoe paddle to hit a ball.

The game has British origins. It’s popular in India, Pakistan, Australia and other areas that the British colonized.

MacDonell said about 30% of Troy’s population is Asian or South Asian, hailing from countries where cricket is popular.

Don’t understand cricket? Here’s a primer

Cricket fans will finally have proper facility in Troy

AAA report: Michigan gas prices drop to lowest since February

Annual state survey by DNR nets giant lake sturgeon in Lake St. Clair

Friendly Caller volunteer service offers weekly check-ins and conversations for seniors in need 

James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93

By Chris Dong
Special to The Washington Post

It happens all the time: You’ve just arrived at the airport and your flight gets massively delayed.

For many fliers, that means having to kill hours of time by strolling through the terminal or scrolling through your phone. But if you’re savvy, and more than a little lucky, you instead might get yourself on the standby list for an earlier flight — and get to your destination before you’d even planned.

Flying standby can be like a game of airport roulette, in which your time is money, and it comes with fewer of the risks. You’re hoping that a seat may become available on another flight. As long as you’re trying to get on an earlier flight and not a later one, though, you won’t lose your original seat if you prove unsuccessful.

Flights in general are fuller these days, which means fewer spots are available for standby passengers. And travel mishaps, weather delays and mass disruptions like this summer’s CrowdStrike IT outage can hamstring flights’ capacity further, said Gary Leff, founder of the blog View from the Wing.

“Your flight might get canceled, and your airline may not have seats for days,” Leff said. “At peak travel times, other airlines may not have seats available to help out, either.”

In the past, it would be normal to walk up to the gate of any flight headed for your destination and try to get on it. But changes to airline rules in recent years have restricted and complicated standby flying, said Julian Kheel, the founder and chief executive of Points Path, a company that helps people utilize their travel rewards.

Learn these rules and tips to navigate the standby hustle — and give yourself a better chance:

Know airlines’ policies

Standby policies are not the most straightforward, and they can differ from airline to airline. But there are some constants.

Almost always, you can fly standby only on the same day and with the same airline as your original flight, which means your airline has to have multiple flights to your destination. Flying standby also is a very American phenomenon; it’s generally only available when you’re ticketed on a domestic carrier, and the itinerary usually needs to stay within the United States.

“Many European airlines don’t allow it at all, at least unless you have a fully flexible ticket, which most customers don’t,” Leff said.

If your original itinerary has a connection, you may not be able to fly standby for a nonstop flight to your destination, Kheel said. And some carriers, like Delta Air Lines, don’t let customers fly standby if they originally purchased a basic economy ticket.

Another key component is your luggage. Some carriers, like American Airlines, won’t let passengers stand by for a flight if they have checked a bag, unless they have elite status.

“Even for airlines that do allow it, it complicates the process and can mean your checked bag arrives on a different flight than you do,” Kheel said.

How airlines rank standby fliers

With limited seats available on other flights, beating fellow standby hopefuls is part of the game. Kheel said travelers who get that will check for other departures ahead of time and monitor their flight’s status closely. Besides subscribing to notifications from the airline directly, consider downloading a third-party app like Flighty or FlightAware, which can provide up-to-the-minute flight alerts.

It’s not a full-on meritocracy from there, though. By and large, frequent fliers get first dibs when airlines prioritize their standby lists. “Having status with an airline helps, since it puts you to the top of standby lists most of the time, meaning you’ll clear ahead of other passengers trying to do the same thing that you are,” Leff said.

There can be other factors, too, such as what class of service you’re flying in, how expensive your ticket was and whether you hold the airline’s credit card.

Standby rules for paying passengers differ from the rules for airline employees and their companions (called nonrevenue passengers). A bit confusingly, both groups are listed on the same standby list you see on airport monitors and airline apps.

One exception that can upend a standby list’s rules: A nonstatus passenger whose travel was canceled or disrupted typically will get priority over a status-holding passenger who’s just choosing to get on that flight. So, if you’re on a standby list and wonder why so many passengers suddenly jumped ahead of you in the queue, the reason might be a previous flight’s delay or cancellation.

Consider alternatives

When a traveler flies standby, it typically means something made them want to change their flight in the first place. If that’s your situation, there are some other options to consider. Kheel advised checking whether your reservation has same-day confirmed availability, which operates similarly to standby but comes with a guaranteed seat.

“The downside is that unless you have elite status with the airline, you’ll likely pay a fee for a same-day confirmed change, while flying standby is typically free,” Kheel said. United Airlines, for instance, charges up to $75 for confirmed same-day changes if you don’t have Premier status.

It’s important to think ahead because how you book a flight can make all the difference. When flight delays and cancellations occur because of mechanical issues or bad weather, a credit card that includes embedded travel insurance coverage can potentially save the day. In these cases, you’d be able to book a new flight under the terms of the policy — and you won’t have to deal with the airline’s policies directly. To qualify for coverage, a traveler must use that specific card to make their travel purchases and provide proof of a disruption, as with any type of insurance.

For a more advanced hack, consider booking a backup flight using airline miles. Just ensure, if you do, that the backup reservation isn’t on the same airline as your primary flight.

“Most airlines have computer algorithms in place that can spot and automatically cancel duplicate reservations made for the same passenger on the same day,” Kheel said. Also, make sure you’re booking a backup ticket that can be canceled, so those miles can be redeposited free.

So other than that, how was the rest of the show?

Damn good, thank you very much.

Green Day made news on Wednesday night, Sept. 4, when the punk trio abruptly halted its concert at Detroit’s Comerica Park, rushing off the stage during just the fifth song, “Longview.” The crowd of just under 41,000 initially continued singing the lyrics but fell quiet — with some chants for Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff. A “Show Pause. Please standby for details” message eventually appeared on the video screen.”

Detroit police confirmed that an unauthorized drone had entered the baseball stadium’s airspace, with security calling the band offstage. The man flying it was apprehended and Green Day returned after a 10-minute break, with frontman Billie Joe Armstrong asked fans, “How you doing? We’re gonna pick up where we left off.” He also urged them to put their cell phones away, saying, “Pull ’em out later. Let’s be here right now.”

After finishing “Longview” and tearing through “Welcome to Paradise,” Armstrong added, “Ain’t no mother… that’s gonna stop us, I’ll tell you that.” And later in the show Green Day posted a social media message apologizing for the delay, explaining that, “Stadium security had us clear the stage while they dealt with a potential safety issue. DPD quickly resolved the situation, and we were able to continue. Thanks for understanding.

Green Day did not stop for the rest of the night, delivering a characteristically epic — and excellent — two-and-a-half-hour performance that commemorated anniversaries of the group’s two biggest albums, 1994’s “Dookie” and 2004’s “American Idiot”, by playing both in their entirety. Green Day filled out the rest of the concert with a selection of other favorites, including five from its latest album, “Saviors,” and a rendition of “Brain Stew” that Armstrong teased into with guitar licks from Black Sabbaths’ “Iron Man” and Metallica’s “Master of Puppets.”

“Tonight is not about a political party,” Armstrong declared during a ferocious “Letterbomb” from “American Idiot,” a topical takedown of the George W. Bush era that remains wholly relevant 20 years later. “It’s not even a party. This is a celebration!”

But there was certainly a party spirit throughout a night that, via opening performances from Smashing Pumpkins and Rancid that affirmed the continuing potency of alternative rock from the 90s. (The Linda Lindas, which came on first, are more contemporary but cut from the same cloth.) Whether it was “Ruby Soho” or “Today” and “Tonight, Tonight” (or the Pumpkins’ cover of U2’s “Zoo Station”), there was nothing at all dated about the performances by musicians well past their mosh days but still fierce of spirit.

That’s been Green Day’s stock in trade forever, from early 90s club appearances to a 2021 show also at Comerica. Wednesday’s concert was filled with the irreverent attitude and boisterous spirit that’s still dear to Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, drummer Tre Cool — all in their early 50s now — and their three adjunct players. The 37-song set was marked by a Boy Scout jamboree’s worth of fire and pyrotechnics, occasional confetti showers and colorful visuals, and it was preceded by the usual hijinks — crowd singalongs to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop,” the latter led by a crew member dressed in a bunny outfit.

The show did have an interesting kind of restraint, however. There was plenty of energy — the group had the stadium grandstands shaking at several points — but less of the pure schtick Green Day also trades on. The focus was more squarely on the music, the band seemingly more interested in delivering the dynamically sophisticated songs with tight and explosive power — even quieter tracks such as “Are We the Waiting” and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” “American Idiot” was particularly strong, with songs strung together in seamless fashion.

Green Day opened with the new, and on-point, “The American Dream is Killing Me” and was quickly into “Dookie,” pulling out deep cuts such as “Having a Blast,” “Pulling Teeth,” “Sassfras Roots,” “In the End” and “All By Myself,” which Cool sang in a bathrobe. The “American Idiot” recitation similarly brought out less-heard material, including “She’s a Rebel,” “Extraordinary Girl,” “Homecoming” and “Whatsername,” with Armstrong substituting “Michigan” in the title line of “Give Me Novocaine.”

Armstrong also brought a young woman on stage to sing part of “Know Your Enemy” with the band, and he used “American Idiot’s” “Holiday,” which he introduced as “an anti-war song,” as a rally call for fans to vote in November. (The Linda Lindas, however, were the only one of the four bands to reference Donald Trump specifically — and, of course, pejoratively).

Green Day finished per usual, with Armstrong alone on stage, singing its 1997 hit “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” as a lullaby-style send-off. He could rest assured that fans did indeed have the time of their lives, and it’s to Green Day’s credit that the rest of the show eclipsed the drama that happened early on.

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Avril Lavigne was just 17 when she released her first album, “Let Go,” and 18 when she had her first hit, “Complicated.” But she was already invested in a music career long game.

“I have looked forward to having a greatest hits tour since I was first starting out,” says the Ontario-born Lavigne, now 39, who’s in the midst of exactly that kind of trek this year following the release of a new “Greatest Hits” album in June. “I love and am so proud of all the music I have put out over the past 22 years, but there is something super special about having a setlist that is all hits and knowing that these songs really resonated with people not only when the songs were first released, but consistently over the years.”

Lavigne has a lot to show for those years — six more albums and Top 10 hits such as “I’m With You,” “My Happy Ending” and “Girlfriend,” record sales of more than 40 million worldwide, 10 Canadian Juno Awards and an Order of Canada Honor. Divorces and a debilitating 2015 case of Lyme disease have left her unbowed, and Lavigne promises there’s more to come soon.

“I can’t spill too much right now,” she says, “but once I finish this tour I am going to get back in the studio and really map out what I want the next year of music to look like. I know people are waiting for new songs and I am excited to share them, but I really want to make sure it is all perfect first.”

In the meantime, she’s happy to celebrate what she’s done to this point.

“I still feel like a teenager,” Lavigne notes, “and every night when I get up onstage, I am reminded of what an amazing life I have been able to live. I’m just so glad I started as young as I was — ’cause I still feel young.”

Avril Lavigne, Simple Plan and Girlfriends perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 at Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Drive, Independence Township. Tickets are sold out.

Other music events of note this weekend (all subject to change) include …

FRIDAY, SEPT. 6

• Pontiac’s Flagstar Strand Theatre kicks off its fall season at 8 p.m. with the Del McCoury Band and its decades of bluegrass. 12 N. Saginaw St., Pontiac. 248-309-6445 or flagstarstrand.com.

• The Beatles live via 1964 The Tribute, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the group’s first appearance in Detroit, at 8 p.m. at Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-576-5111 or dso.org.

• Columbus, Ohio’s Starset journeys into Wolverine country to bring its Immersion: The Final Chapter tour to the Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave. Doors at 7 p.m. 313-961-5451 or thefillmoredetroit.com.

• Jake Hoot, winner of Season 17 of “The Voice,” performs at 8 p.m. at 20 Front Street in Lake Orion. 248-783-7105 or 20frontstreet.com.

• The KPOP Breakout Tour features Trendz, Craxy, Ichillin’ and U-Chae at 7 p.m. in the Pike Room in the Crofoot complex, 1 S. Saginaw St. 248-858-9333 or thecrofoot.com.

• Nashville’s VEAUX stops at the Lager House for an 8:30 p.m. show with the Foxies and Daydream and Bega. 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit. 313-500-1475 or thelagerhouse.com.

• British goth rock troupe the Mark Violets, Rosegarden Funeral Party and Siamese gather at Small’s, 10339 Conant, Hamtramck. Doors at 7 p.m. 313-873-1117 or smallsbardetroit.com.

• Kind Beast tops a bill that also includes the High Strung, Touch the Clouds and Cherry Drop at the Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Doors at 7 p.m. 248-820-5596 or thelovingtouchferndale.com.

• The Latin-flavored sextet Tumbao Bravo plays through Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, 97 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe. 313-882-5399 or dirtydogjazz.com.

• Kimmie Horne sings jazz at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Cliff Bell’s, 2030 Park Ave., Detroit. 313-961-2543 or cliffbells.com.

• Chicago singer Tony Romiti performs at the Diesel Concert Lounge, 33151 23 Mile Road, Chesterfield Township. Doors at 7 p.m. 586-933-3503 or dieselconcerts.com.

• Hillbilly Knife Fight and Tiffadelic offer a promising start to the weekend at 7 p.m. at the Cadieux Cafe, 4300 Cadieux Road, Detroit. 313-882-8560 or cadieuxcafe.com.

• Sirsy tops a four-act bill at 7:30 p.m. at the New Dodge Lounge, 8850 Jos Campau, Hamtramck. 313-638-1508 or thenewdodgelounge.com.

• The soulful Shemekia Copeland sings at 8 p.m. at The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-1818 or theark.org.

• Virtual: Blue Canvas Orchestra streams live at 8 p.m. Tickets via veeps.com.

• Virtual: The jam band Goose plays at 8 p.m. from Saratoga Springs. New York, and again on Saturday, Sept. 7, for subscribers to nugs.net.

• Virtual: The Disco Biscuits perform at 8 p.m. from Dillon, Colorado, for subscribers to nugs.net.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 7

• Detroit punk rock favorites the Suicide Machines will rock at Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Hey-Smith, Kill Lincoln and Bad Operation also perform. 313-961-8961 or saintandrewsdetroit.com.

• Kaleo comes from Iceland to play blues-rock at the Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave. Doors at 7 p.m. 313-961-5451 or thefillmoredetroit.com.

• Detroit techno legend Kevin Saunderson celebrates his 60th birthday with an All-White Party at Spot Lite Detroit, 2905 Beaufait St. Doors at 9 p.m. spotlitedetroit.com or paxahau.com.

• The Motown Museum gets deep with the annual Detroit Bass Day from noon to 4 p.m. on its Rocket Plaza 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit. Bassists of all ages are invited to jam on 10 Motown classics by the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Rick James, the Four Tops, the Commodores, Teena Marie and Jr. Walker & the Allstars. The event also includes food trucks and vendors. motownmuseum.org for more information.

• Singer-songwriter Chris Tapper appears at 8 p.m. at 20 Front Street in Lake Orion. 248-783-7105 or 20frontstreet.com.

• Arizona DJ Markus Schulz heats things up at the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Doors at 9 p.m. 313-833-9700 or themajesticdetroit.com.

• Syrian singer Omar Souleyman plays a matinee at 1 p.m. at El Club, 4114 W. Vernor Highway, Detroit. 313-757-7942 or elclubdetroit.com.

• Trumpeter Allen Dennard and his Organ Trio blows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Cliff Bell’s, 2030 Park Ave., Detroit. 313-961-2543 or cliffbells.com.

• MC Jahshua Smith performs a “Homecoming” date at 8 p.m. at the Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit. FROSTisRAD, Krissy Booth and Kwaj are also on the bill. 313-500-1475 or thelagerhouse.com.

• The Toby Keith tribute band Ride celebrates the late country icon at 8 p.m. at The Roxy, 401 Walnut Blvd., Rochester. 248-453-5285 or theroxyrochester.com.

• The Ark hosts the Ann Arbor Django Reinhardt Festival, featuring Djangophonique, Christo’s Novelty combo and Erik McIntyre at 8 p.m. 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-1818 or theark.org.

• Virtual: The Weeknd streams his show from Sao Paulo, Brazil, at 8 p.m. via his official YouTube channel, with a live chat to follow.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 8

• Warm up for the Detroit Lions’ home opener with an early evening set by the a capella vocal group Naturally 7 at the Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Doors at 5 p.m. 248-544-1991 or themagicbag.com.

• Grosse Pointe-raised guitarist John 5, now a member of Motley Crue, comes home to play with the Kiss tribute band Strutter and Turning Jane at the Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Road, Westland. Doors at 6:30 p.m. 734-513-5030 or tokenlounge.com.

• Americana up-and-comer Sierra Ferrell brings her vocals, fiddle and more to the Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth St. Doors at 7 p.m. 248-399-2980 or royaloakmusictheatre.com.

• KK’s Priest, led by former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing, will be live — but before midnight — at District 142, 142 Maple St., Wyandotte. Doors at 6:45 p.m. district142live.com. For an interview with Downing, visit theoaklandpress.com.

• Mike Tramp leads the latest version of his band White Lion into the Diesel Concert Lounge, 33151 23 Mile Road, Chesterfield Township. Doors at 7 p.m. 586-933-3503 or dieselconcerts.com.

• Sweden’s Dead By April is joined by Of Virtue at the Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff, Hamtramck. Doors at 7 p.m. 313-462-4117 or sanctuarydetroit.com.

• The Duane Parham Society plays at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at Cliff Bell’s, 2030 Park Ave., Detroit. 313-961-2543 or cliffbells.com.

• Bccording, Zion Polanski, GVN and Swan stack up at 7 p.m. at the New Dodge Lounge, 8850 Jos Campau, Hamtramck. 313-638-1508 or thenewdodgelounge.com.

• The Henhouse Prowlers close the weekend with some bluegrass at The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-1818 or theark.org.