This week, we have tons of seasonal festivities, from tree lightings to ugly holiday sweater skate parties.

Plus, some unique opportunities for holiday shopping. Read on to learn more.

Seasonal festivities

Friday, Nov. 22 is the 21st Annual Detroit Tree Lighting in Campus Martius Park. This free event kicks off the holiday season with live performances by national and local musical acts and figure skaters, holiday shopping, food trucks, unique lighting attractions across Downtown Detroit and more. The festivities go from 4-9 p.m. and are open to the public. For more information, visit downtowndetroit.org.

Friday, Nov. 22 also kicks off the annual Light The Village holiday celebration in The Village of Rochester Hills. The 375,000 square foot outdoor shopping center will be covered with over 800,000 colored lights and offer an evening of family-friendly entertainment, including music, food, a fireworks display and a visit from Santa. The festivities go from 6-9 p.m. and are free and open to the public. For more information, visit thevohr.com.

The Aurora Winter Wonderland forest walk has returned to Glenlore Trails now through Dec. 29. Now in its fifth year, visitors can explore the mile-long trail Thursday through Sunday nights starting at dusk. This year’s attractions include touch-sensitive light installations, motion-triggered displays, enchanted holiday sounds, interactive games and magic wands that unlock hidden surprises along the trail. General admission is $25 and all ages are welcome. For more information, visit glenloretrails.com.

On Saturday, Nov. 23, Visit Detroit and Michigan Lottery are throwing an Ugly Holiday Sweater Skate Party at The Rink in Campus Martius Park. From 6-10 p.m., guests are encouraged to wear their best ugly holiday sweater for this festive evening under the glow of Detroit’s Christmas Tree, featuring holiday tunes from DJ Invisible, prizes for the best ugly sweater and a chance to win instant lottery tickets. General admission is $12 and skate rentals are $6. For more information, visit downtowndetroit.org.

Holiday shopping

Find quality ceramics for bargain prices at Sugar Hill Clay’s 2024 Seconds Sale on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. Seconds are pieces that are experiments, tests, have minor flaws, or pieces that were simply left with the studio. All pieces will be available for purchase at accessible prices, starting from $5. This sale is a fundraiser for the members of Sugar Hill Clay, and all proceeds will be used for the advancement of members’ studio experiences and community building. For more information, visit sugarhillclay.com.

Get your holiday meal prep done at Eastern Market’s Thanksgiving Food Holiday Market on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This special Tuesday market will focus primarily on local food vendors and is a perfect place to find everything you need for your holiday meals. For more information, visit easternmarket.org.

Tactile exhibitions

Saturday, Nov. 23 is the annual Clawson Comic Book and Toy Show at Knights of Columbus. Comic book enthusiasts and invited to buy, sell and trade during this massive display of rare and collectable items. This year’s show also features horror artist Don England and door prizes every hour. Admission is $5, parking is free and the show takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit Facebook.

Related: Detroit cartoonist Martin Hirchak talks Clawson Comic Book Show – The Metro

One of the latest exhibits at Detroit’s College for Creative Studies Valade Family Gallery is Fiber Flux, which pays homage to the innovative spirit and boundless creativity of educators across the Midwest. This exhibition features artwork that offers a compelling glimpse into the innovative spirit of fiber art and textile design. From intricate weavings to avant-garde textile sculptures, each piece reflects the educators’ commitment to pushing the limits of the field. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 12-6 p.m. For more information, visit ccsdetroit.edu.

Related: Detroit fiber professors discuss new CCS exhibit – The Metro

This week, we have interactive cultural experiences, artisanal holiday markets and festive celebrations for our beloved Lions.

Plus, opportunities to spend time with your favorite WDET personalities. Read on to learn more.

Cultural experiences

On Friday, Nov. 15, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company will perform “Moving Justice” at the Detroit Film Theatre inside the DIA. Rooted in the African American experience, DCDC is a company of innovative dance artists steeped in the spirit of Sankofa – retrieving from a rich past while venturing forward. The program will include “American Mo’,” a celebration of the exquisite pride and love that accompanied the marches of the Civil Rights era, and “Nourishing Routes,” a love letter to the ancestors who left breadcrumbs of wisdom for future generations to find, ingest and employ in the long march to justice. This performance is 90 minutes long and begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit dia.org.

Also on Friday, Nov. 15, residents are invited to connect with the rich traditions of Michigan’s indigenous communities for a Celebration of Native American Culture from 7-8 p.m. at The Hawk Theater in Farmington Hills. This dynamic celebration will feature renowned Michigan performers and educators Reg and Marca Pettibone, along with special guests. Enjoy traditional drumming, songs, storytelling and various styles of powwow dance performed by champion dancers. This performance is open to all ages and tickets are $15. For more information, visit TheHawkTheatre.com.

Then on Saturday, Nov. 16, the DIA’s Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures auxiliary invites residents to an enchanting afternoon of culture and flavor with “Spiced Stories: A Celebration of Islamic Coffee, Tea and Cooking.” In connection with the special exhibition “The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World,” this program will feature musicians playing instruments related to the exhibition, presentations about coffee, tea, and cooking cultures from the Islamic world, and delicious samples of food and drink to enjoy. Guests will experience the rich heritage and artistry of the Islamic world through a sensory journey that promises to be both educational and unforgettable. This program is free with museum admission and is open to all ages. For more information, visit dia.org.

Holiday shopping

The Jingle & Mingle Underground Holiday Market returns to Ferndale for its second year this weekend. In the basement of the doT parking garage on Troy Street and Allen, visitors will find a secret society of artists, makers, authors and bakers. This limited-edition market will be open for two days only — Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit undergroundferndale.com.

Related: Jingle & Mingle Underground Holiday Market organizer Mark Loeb joins The Metro

The 9th Annual Royal Oak Market: Art Fair Edition will take place indoors at the Royal Oak Farmers Market on Thursday, Nov. 21 and Friday, Nov. 22. This festive event will feature 60 jury-selected artists, live entertainment, food vendors and alcoholic beverages for those over 21. The market will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. both days. For more information, visit theguild.org.  

This is also your last weekend to take advantage of the DIA’s Museum Shop Double Discount Days. Now through Sunday, Nov. 17, DIA Members are invited to enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on all purchases, as well as free holiday gift bagging for all gift purchases. For more information, visit dia.org.

Lions celebrations

Statler French American Bistro, located just feet from Ford Field, will be hosting a Tailgate Patio Party on Sunday, Nov. 17 as the Lions take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at home. Guests can enjoy BBQ ribs and brisket along with mac n’ cheese, coleslaw and drink specials as a live DJ brings the energy up. The patio will be open starting at 10 a.m. and kickoff is at 1 p.m. There’s no cover charge but reservations are encouraged. For more information, visit statlerdetroit.com.

Then, keep the Lions pride going at the Detroit Historical Museum with their new exhibit, “Detroit Lions: Gridiron Heroes.” In partnership with the Detroit Lions and showcasing artifacts from both the team’s collection and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, this exhibition explores the franchise’s fascinating roots as well as the NFL of the 1930s, the team’s period of dominance in the 1950s, Hall of Fame-level star power players, and the Dan Campbell-led gritty Lions of today. The exhibition is on display now through August 2025 on the second level in the City of Champions Gallery. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, students, active military and first responders, and $6 for children. For more information, visit detroithistorical.org.

Station happenings

Join us on Monday, Nov. 18 for a no-obligation informational session about our upcoming Travel with WDET: Canadian Rockies trip! We’ll discuss travel itinerary and take questions about this once-in-a-lifetime train journey, featuring snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, rushing rivers and the sheer unspoiled wilderness of Canada. The informational session will take place on Zoom at 6 p.m., and attendance does not commit you to participating in the trip. For more information, visit wdet.org/events.

Related: Travel with WDET: Canadian Rockies

Then on Tuesday, Nov. 19, join WDET News Director Jerome Vaughn and a panel of experts for the third installment of Smart Politics, hosted at Shield’s of Midtown. We will reflect on Michigan’s effects on the 2024 presidential election, explore what worked and what didn’t, and take audience questions with our panelists. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and a $5 reservation fee is required to secure your spot. For more information, visit wdet.org/events.

Anyone else in desperate need of an emotional reset? This week, we’ve got some soothing and fantasy-forward events to take your mind off of election results, even if it’s just for an evening.

Plus, a chance to laugh with Peter Sagal, because laughter is the best medicine, right? Read on to learn more.

Soothing art exhibits

“How We Make the Planet Move” is the inaugural exhibition in Cranbrook Art Museum’s Detroit Collection series. Designed to acknowledge the long-standing history of artists who have called Detroit home and the area’s rich and diverse community of practitioners, the Detroit Collection is particularly focused on art from the 1960s to the present in a variety of media. This new, permanent collection is devoted to celebrating and preserving the work of artists and designers in the metro Detroit area, especially works by women, artists of color and LGBTQ+ identified individuals. The Detroit Collection Part I is on display in Cranbrook’s Upper Galleries now through March 2, 2025. For more information, visit cranbrookartmuseum.org.

“The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World” is on display at the DIA now through Jan. 5, 2025. The exhibition brings together 230 works from the Middle East, Egypt, Central and South Asia, and beyond to explore connections between art and cuisine from ancient times to the present day. Paintings of elaborate feasts, luxurious vessels for food and drink, and historical cookbooks show how culinary cultures have thrived in the Islamic world for centuries. Highlighting the relationship of these works to preparing, serving and enjoying food, the exhibition engages multiple senses and invites us to appreciate the pleasures of sharing a meal. This exhibition is free with general admission to the museum, which is also free for residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. For more information, visit dia.org.

“The Journey Collection” is a new art exhibition on display at Farmington Hills City Hall. Featuring works by Novi artist Sukanya Ramakrishna, the Journey Collection includes landscape oil paintings inspired by travels to national and state parks. An opening reception will be held at City Hall on Friday, Nov. 8 from 6-8 p.m., and the collection is on display during City Hall’s regular hours now through Jan. 10, 2025. For more information, visit their Facebook event.

Serene orchestral performances

Bringing their signature chemistry and incisive playing to chamber music, four principal strings from the DSO have joined forces to form the Woodward String Quartet. Concertmaster Robyn Bollinger, Associate Concertmaster Kimberly Kaloyanides Kennedy, Principal Viola Eric Nowlin and Principal Cello Wei Yu make their Detroit debut as a quartet on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in The Cube. Inspired by the East, the program will include selections by Haydn, Debussy and Grammy-nominated Michigan artist Zhou Tian. Tickets start at $25. For more information, visit dso.org.

Sci-fi escapism

Motor City Comic Con returns to Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi from Friday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 10. Pop culture fans can enjoy celebrity meet and greets, cosplay contests, a tabletop game room and more. This year’s celebrity guests include George Takei, John Cusack, Dave Coulier, Joel McHale, Manny Jacinto and more. Tickets range from $30-$250 for adults, and kids’ day passes are $10. For more information, visit motorcitycomiccon.com.

The Color of Sci-Fi is a series celebrating and uplifting the genre of science-fiction and the people of color who create and enjoy it. Located in Detroit, this series includes art exhibitions, author talks, and panel discussions on the power and importance of representation in science fiction and STEM fields, as well as its impact on our city and society. Award-winning authors Steven Barnes (“Far Beyond the Stars”) and Derek Tyler Attico (“The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko”) will headline this year’s event at the Detroit Public Library Main Branch on Saturday, Nov. 9. Festivities go from 2-4 p.m. and admission is free. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

Comic relief

WDET and Michigan Public are thrilled to welcome “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” back to Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 14! Host Peter Sagal will lead a panel of comedians, writers, listener contestants and a secret celebrity guest through a rollicking review of the week’s news. Don’t miss your chance to see this Peabody Award-winning comedy news quiz show live at the Fox Theatre. Plus, when you make a sustaining gift of at least $100/month at wdet.org/give, you could even enjoy drinks and dessert with Peter Sagal after the show! For more information, visit our events page.

This week, we’ve got Día de los Muertos celebrations, live performances and some early holiday shopping opportunities.

Plus, it’s almost Election Day! Read on to learn more about how you can make a plan to make sure your vote counts.

Día de los Muertos celebrations

In celebration of Día de los Muertos, the Detroit Institute of Arts, in partnership with Detroit’s Mexican Consulate, the Southwest Detroit Business Association and Mexicantown CDC, presents their twelfth annual community Ofrendas exhibition. The Day of the Dead is the time when Latin American cultures celebrate the lives of close relatives, friends and community members who have passed away. Objects important to lost loved ones are collected and incorporated into elaborate displays that include pan de muerto (bread of the dead), sugar skulls, candles, flowers, papel picado (paper cutouts) and other decorations. The DIA’s Ofrendas exhibition is on display now through Sunday, Nov. 3. For more information, visit dia.org.

On Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m., there will also be a special discussion with the artists behind the altars on display at the DIA’s Ofrendas exhibition. The event will begin with a presentation by members of the Mexican Consulate, exploring the rich history of Día de Muertos and the tradition of Ofrenda altars. Following this, each artist will share the inspiration and significance of their altar and will be available to answer questions. This program is free with museum admission, and includes ASL interpretation. For more information, visit dia.org.

La Jalisciense Supermercado y Taqueria in Detroit is also hosting their second annual Día de los Metros festival from Thursday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Nov. 3. There will be cultural workshops, themed art activities, live Folklórico dance performances and an interactive graveyard experience. Tickets range from $4-$30 with discounts available for those dining in. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

On Saturday, Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy will host their annual Día de los Muertos Celebration at Valade Park. This free, family-friendly event will feature food, live music, ballet folklórico, vendors, children’s activities and more. Guests can participate in the community ofrenda by leaving a name or message for a lost loved one. For more information, visit detroitriverfront.org.

Live performances

On Friday, Nov. 1, Comedy at the Congregation presents a Chicago Takeover. This show features guest host Ali Ahmed, producer Sarah Lynn, and three of Chicago’s most talented comedians. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. Please note that this event space is not ADA accessible. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

This weekend is your final chance to see Fat Ham at the Detroit Public Theatre. The story’s reluctant hero, Juicy, is a Black, queer, young man just trying to get his online degree in HR when his father’s ghost shows up, demanding that Juicy avenge his murder. But can Juicy do what his father commands? A family cookout becomes a compelling examination of love and loss, pain and joy, and a strange, surprising and often hilarious journey. Remaining performances are on Friday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. For more information, visit detroitpublictheatre.org.

This weekend only, Mark Morris Dance Group will present “The Look of Love” at the Detroit Opera House. This performance is a wistful and heartfelt homage to the chart-topping songs of Burt Bacharach, known for his soaring melodies and unique orchestrations influenced by jazz, rock and Brazilian music. The show features original choreography by Mark Morris and new musical arrangements by Ethan Iverson, performed live by an ensemble of piano, trumpet, bass, and drums, with Broadway star Marcy Harriell on lead vocals. Performances take place on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, visit detroitopera.org.

Holiday shopping

The All Things Detroit Holiday Shopping Experience and Food Truck Rally returns to Eastern Market on Sunday, Nov. 3. Founded by Jennyfer Crawford-Williams of Ask Jennyfer, this event marks the start of the holidays in the city and is the ideal place to shop local. This year’s market features free photos with Santa, hourly giveaways and over 200 small business vendors with a wide range of gifts, from art to accessories. General admission is $5 and is open from noon to 5 p.m., or you can beat the crowd from 10 a.m. to noon for $10. For more information, visit allthingsticketing.org.

Democracy in action

Tuesday, Nov. 5 is the last day to vote in the general election! If you haven’t already submitted your ballot, you’ll want to make a plan to do so on Election Day, as early voting has already ended in some communities. Several nonpartisan organizations are offering free rides to the polls, which will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can learn more about national and local races as well as proposals with our 2024 Voter Guide (available in English y en español). We’ll be posting up-to-date election results once the polls close on our website and social media pages.

Tonight on the Detroit Evening Report, we cover a Boston-based education nonprofit’s expansion to Detroit; family-friendly Halloween activities that won’t break the bank and more.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Education nonprofit Bottom Line coming to Detroit

Boston-based education nonprofit Bottom Line is expanding to Detroit, thanks to a $600,000 multi-year investment from Greenlight Fund Detroit. The organization focuses on getting kids to and through college, providing post-secondary advising to high school seniors and continuing support until students enter “economically mobilizing” first careers. Detroit is the fifth city in Bottom Line’s portfolio, with the organization planning to serve 725 local students per year beginning this summer. It already operates in Boston, New York, Chicago and Dayton, Ohio. 

Free Halloween fun at the library

Halloween is upon us, and there are lots of fun free offerings for the whole family:

• The Elmwood Park Branch of the Detroit Public Library invites kids to “A Not So Spooky Halloween Painting Party” from 4-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
• The Hubbard Branch hosts a Halloween Edition of Story Squad from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday.
• The Duffield Branch’s “Dare to Trick or Treat” is from 10 a.m.-noon. on Thursday, Oct. 31, Halloween day.
• Halloween treats and crafts are on offer at the Chandler Park Branch from 3-6 p.m. on Halloween.
• The Edison Branch has a costume party contest at 3 p.m. and trick or treating at 4 p.m. on Halloween.
• The Lincoln Branch has tricks, treats and games from 4-5:30 p.m.
• The Main Branch’s Children’s library will host its book-themed Halloween party from 4-5:30 p.m. 
• The Bryant Branch of Dearborn Public Libraries is hosting a Halloween tunes-themed Family Dance Party from 4-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. 

Halloween in the D

Halloween in the D’s Trunk or Treat events invite the community into local police stations, fire houses and recreation centers Thursday, Oct. 31. Visit halloweeninthed.org for a list of the 19 locations and event times. 

Our Inner Circle hosting Harvest Festival

For those looking for a different vibe for their Oct. 31 celebrations, the organization Our Inner Circle and Detroit Councilmember Mary Waters are hosting a Harvest Festival in Eastern Market’s Shed 3 from 5-8 p.m.. The event will feature hay and train rides, refreshments, arcade games, crafts and entertainment. Costumes are allowed but organizers request attendees not wear scary costumes. The family-friendly event is free but requires registration. To register, call 313-728-9677. 

Detroit Reparations Task Force hosting public session

Detroit’s Reparations Task Force will have a public session from 2-4 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 2, at Butzel Family Recreation Center, 7737 Kercheval Ave., Detroit. Attendees can join in person or virtually. To join online go to cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/87510091466. 

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

This week, we’re going all-in on spooky season, from creepy concerts to canine costume contests.

Plus, a couple events unrelated to Halloween for the faint of heart. Read on to learn more.

Spooky sounds

This Friday, Oct. 25, Jon Moshier’s Rock & Roll Horror Show is coming back from the dead! Now in its second year at Cadieux Cafe, the show will feature live performances from garage rock royalty The 3-D Invisibles and Eastside Elvis & the Motor City Mafia, as well as tarot readings from Moon Club, featuring our own Amanda LeClaire. Join us for a night of spooks and scares, and wear your best costume to be featured on stage as best dressed! This event is 21+ and tickets are $25. For more information, visit our events page.

Then, tune into WDET on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 4-6 p.m. to hear Jon Moshier’s award-winning Halloween special! Featuring vintage novelty music and freaky film trailers, this is the perfect soundtrack for finishing up your costume or carving pumpkins. Plus, catch an encore presentation just in time for trick-or-treating on Halloween night from 6-8 p.m.

Trick-or-treats

Head to Eastern Market on Saturday, Oct. 26 for their third annual Trick or Treat Market. Customers of all ages are encouraged to shop in costume, and the first 500 kids to visit the Welcome Center will receive a free bag of candy. The market will be open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit easternmarket.org.

Then, check out PAL-oween at The Corner Ballpark on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 2-5 p.m. This family-friendly fall festival focuses on safe and fun trick-or-treating, with activities like bounce houses, tug-of-war, crafts, sack races, corn hole, face painting, a photo booth and more. Admission is free and costumes are encouraged. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

The 11th annual Grand Circus Dog Park Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest is also on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 2-4 p.m. Residents are encouraged to dress up with their doggos for a pooch parade and costume contest, with prizes for Best Costume, Scariest Costume, Most Creative Costume, and the Best Pet & Parent Combination. This annual event features Halloween-themed games and treats for dogs, a live performance by DJ Skeez, and seasonal delights like Pup’kin Spiced Lattes and “Buddy Bones” for the pups, plus pizza and cider for their parents. For more information, visit downtowndetroit.org.

Creative cocktails

For something more subtly spooky, check out The Upright’s Prohibition Cocktail Experience in the basement of Oak & Reel. On Sunday, Oct. 27, guests will be immersed in the mystique of a bygone era, where dim lighting, haunting melodies and period-inspired cocktails set the stage for a thrilling adventure into Detroit’s clandestine past. During this event, guests will savor cocktails from the secretive speakeasies of Prohibition, and uncover fascinating tales of Detroit’s role in the Prohibition era and its underground bars. Guests are encouraged to dress in their best 1920s attire or come as a specter of the past. Tickets are $100 per person, and include a tasting flight of Prohibition-inspired cocktails with light snacks provided by Chef Jared Gadbaw. For more information, visit their website.

Art exhibits

“Spectrum: A vibrant voyage through color,” is the newest art exhibition showing at the Carr Center. Open now through Nov. 8, the exhibition features works from the Amber Collective, exploring color and light. An artist reception will be held on Friday, Oct. 25 from 6-8 p.m. For more information, visit their Facebook event.

This weekend, we’ve got last-chance art exhibits, early holiday shopping and lots of beer.

Plus, 101.9 Day! Read on to learn more.

Sip some brews

This Friday, Oct. 18 is our beer release party with Batch Brewing! Ryan Patrick Hooper (host of In The Groove weekdays noon to 3 p.m.) will be your host for the evening as you get to be the first to try “It’s So Kölsch In The D,” an easy-drinking German-style lager designed to appeal to the masses — just like the programming at WDET. Guests will also enjoy live music from Sugar Tradition, Winestoned Cowboys and the Allen Dennard Trio while cozied up on Batch’s heated patio. Doors open at 6 p.m., the show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $25. For more information, visit our events page.

Related: Winestoned Cowboys perform Live On WDET

Then, keep the brews flowing at the 15th Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival at Eastern Market on Saturday, Oct. 19. Guests will get to sample Michigan-made beers while listening to a lineup of local musicians between 1-6 p.m. Food from Detroit-area restaurants will also be available for purchase. Tickets are $60 in advance or $70 at the door while supplies last. For more information, visit mibeer.com.

Rep your radio station

Saturday, Oct. 19 is also 101.9 Day, which is the perfect opportunity to join Team DET! Show off your public radio pride with a Team DET t-shirt, baseball hat or zipper tote bag when you make a sustaining gift of $10.19 per month at wdet.org/give. Your gift supports Detroit’s legendary public broadcaster during our 75th year of service to the community.

Start your holiday shopping

On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Michigan Makers Market returns to The Hawk in Farmington Hills. This indoor juried art fair features more than 50 local artists across various disciplines, including painting, sculpture, jewelry and other wearable art, fiber art, ceramics, printmaking, and more. This year’s market features an Oktoberfest feel with live music on The Hawk patio and beer, wine and hot pretzels available to enjoy while shopping. The market goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit their Facebook event.

Explore new music

This week through Saturday, Oct. 19 is Edgefest 28, an annual avant-jazz festival at the Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor. This exploration of new music — both improvised and composed — features a diverse roster of innovative international and local artists. Day passes are $60 to $80, and packages are available starting at $200. For more information, visit kerrytownconcerthouse.com.

Catch this exhibit

This weekend is your last chance to see Double ID at The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Through the lens of W.E.B. DuBois’ work, Double ID showcases striking contemporary artworks that focus on the inner self, identity and evolving spirt of Black men. The exhibit features works from the CCH Pounder-Koné collection, where artists across the diaspora capture the images of Black men amid a myriad of influences. For more information, visit thewright.org. 

Walk with purpose

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is holding annual community walks across the country this weekend, allowing people to remember loved ones who died by suicide while also working as a community to create more mental health support. The Metro Detroit Out of the Darkness Walk will take place at Cricket Field on Belle Isle this Saturday, Oct. 19. On-site registration starts at 8 a.m. and the program starts at 10 a.m. For more information, visit support.afsp.org.

Related: Out of the Darkness Walk on Belle Isle aims to shine a light on mental health, suicide

If you or someone else needs support, a trained counselor can be reached by calling or texting the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Save the date

Mark your calendars — The Rock & Roll Horror Show is coming back from the dead on Friday, Oct. 25! Now in its second year at the Cadieux Cafe, the show will feature live performances from garage rock royalty, The 3-D Invisibles and Eastside Elvis & the Motor City Mafia, as well as tarot readings from Moon Club (featuring our own Amanda LeClaire), all hosted by Modern Music’s Jon Moshier. Join us for a night of spooks and scares, and wear your best costume to be featured on stage as best dressed! This event is 21+ and tickets are $25. For more information, visit our events page.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is holding annual community walks across the country this weekend, allowing people to remember loved ones who died by suicide while also working as a community to create more mental health support. 

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Over the past 10 years, the suicide rate has increased 16%. The vast majority of the suicide deaths were men, and most were firearm-related.

To discuss the Metro Detroit Out of the Darkness Walk taking place on Belle Isle this Saturday, volunteers Alicia Lyon and Max Olive joined The Metro.

Olive said the most challenging moment he faced in his life was when his cousin died from suicide, three years ago.

“And going through it at the time, it’s so difficult, right? You wonder how someone could think that way, why that would be an option. And it takes a lot to understand that that is something you’ll never understand,” Olive said. “And what you can do, and what I think it did really well for us, is it galvanized us as a family. So I’m closer with my cousins and my uncle now, more than ever. And I think so highly of him, and my involvement in this is a way to really honor Ryan. And he was such a gorgeous, hilarious soul and owned the room.”

You can register for the walk online ahead of time or in-person beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday. If you or someone else needs support, a trained counselor can be reached by calling or texting the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation with walk volunteers Alicia Lyon and Max Olive.

More headlines from Oct. 14, 2024: 

• New Detroit is a racial justice coalition that formed in response to the ‘67 rebellion. On Thursday, the organization is hosting its third annual Just Lead conference, recognizing community leaders and organizations that are working towards racial equity. New Detroit Director of Transformational Change Rebecca Irby and Director of Community Engagement Marshalle Favors joined the show to discuss the conference.  
• The Tigers lost to the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Division Series, ending a miraculous season for the team. To help us recap the series and look ahead, we’re joined by Tigers staff writer for The Athletic, Cody Stavenhagen. 
• Womxnhouse Detroit is a collection of women creatives in the city who aim to spread their knowledge and crafts with interested folks while welcoming more people to the arts. This conversation is a continuation of an interview we did on The Metro last week featuring the co-founder of Women House Detroit Asia Hamilton, ceramics artist Michaela Ayers and fiber artist Cat Washington.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

There’s a long history of Irish and Mexican people blending together in North America and in Detroit specifically. 

After a 19-year hiatus, the Mexican Irish Festival returns to the Southwest and Corktown neighborhoods on Sunday — celebrating both cultures and how they intersect in the city. 

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Former President of the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation Maria Elena Rodriguez joined The Metro to discuss how the festival started along with the history and cultural fusion of MIrish – Mexican and Irish – people in Detroit. 

There are many commonalities between the two cultures, Rodriguez says. One thing that many Mexican and Irish people share is the Catholic religion.

“Ask an Irish person and ask a Mexican person, the answer may be the same. It’s like if things are going well, ‘It’s God’s will.’ If things are not, you know, if it’s really awful, ‘It’s God’s will.’ You know, so that’s how we kind of look at life,” Rodriguez said. “And we love to party, not to stereotype or generalize. And we have huge family gatherings. I mean, there’s all of that that parallels, not to say it’s exclusive to us, but we embrace it. And so much so that over 50% of the weddings that take place at Most Holy Trinity in Corktown are MIrish.” 

Use the media player above to listen to the full conversation with Maria Elena Rodriguez about Detroit’s Mexican Irish Festival and history.

More headlines from The Metro on Oct. 11, 2024: 

• Poet, educator, Gilda Fellow and lifelong Detroiter Brittany Rogers is releasing her new book “Good Dress” on Oct. 15. She joined the show to discuss the collection of poems and short stories about community, womanhood and the audacity of Black Detroiters. 
• The Detroit Repair Cafe is a band of crafty and creative people that will help you fix your broken items and keep them out of the trash. And at the Halloween Repair Cafe, they’ll even help you make your Halloween costume on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ArtBlock. To talk about the Detroit Repair Cafe we were joined by its founder, Diana Graham. 
• The Detroit Documenters are teaming up with their newsroom partners, including WDET, for a Detroit Public Schools Community Board Candidate Forum on Oct. 15. There are 22 people running for three open seats. One of the moderators, WDET Education Reporter Sascha Raiyn and Detroit Documenters Coordinator Noah Kincade, joined the show to preview the forum.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

Tonight on the Detroit Evening Report, we cover the backlash former President Donald Trump is getting for insulting Detroit during his speech to the Detroit Economic Club Thursday; a chance to see WDET’s MichMash podcast live next week and more.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Trump insults Detroit

Michigan officials and leaders are reacting to comments former President Donald Trump made about the city of Detroit during a campaign speech to the Detroit Economic Club on Thursday. During the event at MotorCity Casino & Hotel, Trump said that if Kamala Harris becomes president, the whole country will end up like Detroit.

“Our whole country will end up being like Detroit if she’s your president. You’re going to have a mess on your hands,” the Republican presidential nominee said.

Many officials and community members took offense to the comments and responded accordingly. Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield in an Instagram post said she found it “deeply disappointing to hear these uniformed remarks. Detroit is a city of strength….of perseverance…of progress…of grit…and our community has worked so extremely hard to overcome challenges and we’ve seen incredible growth.”

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Detroit officials are encouraging individuals and businesses to stay safe online. Cybersecurity highlights the growth of individuals and businesses to take important cybersecurity steps every day to secure your information. The city is encouraging all individuals to take the following steps to increase their protection: Use strong passwords, turn on multi-factor authentication, update software, and recognize and report fraudulent activity online.

Cider in the City 

Starting this Saturday, Oct.12 — and for the next two weekends — Cider in the City is back in Detroit’s Beacon Park. There will be fresh hot cider, pumpkins, caramel apples and other fall staples provided by Blake Farms. Visit ciderinthecity.com for more information.

MichMash Live!

Fans of WDET’s MichMash podcast will have the opportunity to see MichMash LIVE on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Urban Beat in Lansing. The live taping, held in partnership with Gongwer News Service, is also part of WDET’s Smart Politics discussion series about the 2024 election. Come and listen to Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben from Gongwer and Cheyna Roth from WDET share their insights and interview guests about all things politics as the November election nears. Reserve your spot today at wdet.org/events.

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

This week, we’ve got plenty to do that crosses cultural borders — beer release parties for public radio, benefit brunches for the preservation of Black artistry, comedy shows for election season and more.

Plus, where you can best enjoy crisp air, crunchy leaves and apple cider. Read on for details.

Meaningful meals

Join us for the next installment of Ann Delisi’s Essential Cooking at TAKOI on Sunday, Oct. 13. Chef Brad Greenhill will prepare a special 5-course meal with a beverage pairing for guests to enjoy as part of TAKOI’s Ten-Year Anniversary Tour. Located in Corktown, TAKOI is known for modern Thai cooking accented with Michigan seasonality, a DIY mentality and a penchant for local food production. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and seating is at 6 p.m. Limited spaces remain! To learn more, visit our events page.

Then, on Sunday, Oct. 13, The Black Canon is hosting an exclusive brunch and art experience designed to help preserve and elevate Black artistry in its many forms. This inaugural fundraising event will feature a curated art exhibit, a panel discussion with emerging artists, a silent auction, and brunch selections by award-winning chef Rashard Carodine. This benefit brunch will take place at Taylor’d Garden in Livonia from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are $65 and guests are asked to dress in “Black Chic” attire. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

Related: Black film history treasures coming to Livonia – The Metro

Election entertainment

On Saturday, Oct. 12, actor and comedian Tim Meadows (Saturday Night Live, “Mean Girls”) is headlining Comedy Caucus, an evening of stand-up comedy and live music in support of Gretchen Whitmer’s Fight Like Hell PAC. Hosted at the Flagstar Strand Theatre in Pontiac, guests will enjoy performances by nine up-and-coming female comics from around the country, as well as live music by actor/musician Michael Shannon (George & Tammy, Boardwalk Empire) and Jason Narducy (Verböten, Superchunk). Tickets start at $48 and doors open at 6:45 p.m. For more information, visit timmeadowslive.com.

Related: Tim Meadows’ Comedy Caucus coming to Pontiac this weekend – The Metro

Then, keep the election entertainment going at a live recording of our weekly politics podcast, MichMash! In partnership with Gongwer News Service, co-hosts Zach Gorchow, Alethia Kasben and Cheyna Roth will be at UrbanBeat in Lansing’s Old Town neighborhood on Wednesday, Oct. 16 to share their insights and interview guests about all things politics as the November election nears. This free event goes from 7-8:30 p.m. For more information, visit our events page. 

Birthday celebrations

Head to Spot Lite Detroit on Saturday, Oct. 12 for a special edition of House Your Life in celebration of DJ Minx’s birthday! She’ll be spinning tracks from open to close starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 and the event is 21+. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Related: DJ Minx brings deep house delicacies, plus Sun Ra, Marvin Gaye + Rock Steady Disco exclusives – In The Groove

Speaking of birthdays, this year marks WDET’s 75th! To celebrate, we’ve teamed up with Batch Brewing in Corktown to create a custom beer just for you. Join us at Batch Brewing for the official release party on Friday, Oct. 18 from 7-11 p.m., hosted by In The Groove’s Ryan Patrick Hooper. In addition to beer tastings and mingling, there will also be live performances by Sugar Tradition, Winestoned Cowboys and the Allen Dennard Trio. Doors open at 6 p.m., the show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $25. For more information, visit our events page.

Cultural experiences

For the first time in over 10 years, the Mexican Irish Festival returns to Southwest Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 13. This festival brings together two vibrant Detroit sub-cultures, featuring ballet folklórico and Irish step dancing, Mexican mariachi and Irish folk music, and more cultural collaborations (corn beef empanadas, anyone?). The festival goes from noon to 5 p.m. at El Mercado on Bagley St., and is free and open to the public. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Fall festivities

Saturday, Oct. 12 is the third annual Pontiac Harvest Festival, featuring pumpkin bowling, rock climbing, bounce houses, a DJ, and of course, apple cider and donuts. Festivities are open from 1-5 p.m. at Pontiac City Hall, and admission is free. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Then, head over to the Farmington Hills Nature Center on Sunday, Oct. 13 at for a Fall Color Walk. This guided hike will highlight the beauty of the season under a canopy of color through Heritage Park and Woodland Hills. Participants will learn why and how leaves change color and search for animals preparing for winter. The guided hike is open to all ages, admission is $3 and advance registration is required. For more information, visit their website. 

Detroit native Tim Meadows is making a point to bring support to this year’s presidential election. The comedian is hosting Tim Meadows & Friends: Comedy Caucus at the Flagstar Strand Theatre in Pontiac on Saturday, Oct. 12.

The event, supporting Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Fight Like Hell PAC, will include stand-up comedy, live music and a call for people to register and vote in November. 

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Meadows recently spoke with The Metro’s Tia Graham about the event and the importance of voting — especially this election cycle. 

“This election is more than about just, you know, democracy or just another president,” Meadows said. “It’s about women’s rights to choose. It’s about our relationship to other countries; our relationship with each other in this country; and I just wanted…my hope is that we can ease up the rhetoric, and we can ease up and be empathetic towards each other a lot more.”

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation with comedian Tim Meadows.

More headlines from The Metro on Oct. 8, 2024:

• Everyone in this country is expected to get a K-12 education, but funding that expectation falls on the many, not the few. That’s because schools get funded by federal, state and local institutions in America. And in Michigan, schools rely a lot on local millages for funding. So far this year, voters statewide have rejected about half of the 44 bond requests that have been proposed. To discuss this trend, Bridge Michigan Education Reporter Isabel Lohman joined the show. 
• The Michigan Department of Transportation is studying ways to make Gratiot Avenue safer for both drivers and pedestrians. It’s one of the most dangerous streets in the city. Metro Region Planning Manager Matt Galbraith joined The Metro to talk about the study and why Gratiot is so dangerous.
• Story Fest is an event that blends a range of different storytelling techniques — including live podcast journalism, first-person narratives, original scores and other unique performances. The Detroit iteration is coming to the Detroit Film Theatre this Thursday, and it’s not too late to grab your ticket. To talk about the event, Story Fest Producer McCardle Hankin joined the show along with WDET’s Quinn Klinefelter and Metro Times/Model D Media reporter Khan Santori Davison — who will both be presenting stories at the event.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

The sun is shining and the air is crisp — making for a perfect weekend to get into some fall activities. Local foodies will delight at the more than 50 food truck offerings at Detroit’s Harvest Fest & Food Truck Rally this weekend, while music lovers can stroll through Woodbridge and enjoy some plein air live music performed on residential porches throughout the neighborhood.

Plus, catch WDET’s own Quinn Klinefelter on stage at the upcoming Detroit Story Fest at the Detroit Film Theatre, who will be sharing an intimate behind-the-scenes look at his story on how shrinking government budgets are changing the way some municipalities — like Detroit — handle burials of unclaimed bodies.

Detroit Story Fest

WDET is teaming up with Back Pocket Media and other local media partners to reimagine some of our best reporting live on stage at Detroit Story Fest 2024, set for 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Detroit Film Theatre. The event will feature stories and performances from award-wining journalists, musicians, performance artists, writers and podcasters from WDET, BridgeDetroit, Michigan Public, Detroit Free Press, Chalkbeat Detroit, Planet Detroit and others. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at wdet.org/events.

Fall festivals

More than 50 food trucks will be lining the Dequindre Cut from Jefferson to Wilkins this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5-6, for the Detroit Harvest Fest & Food Truck Rally. The family-friendly event will offer live music and entertainment on four stages — including a dedicated kids stage featuring circus performers, spooky science shows, breakdancing demos and more. There will also be activities for kids, like arts and crafts and an inflatable fun park, as well as a pumpkin patch and photo opportunities. Tickets are $5 in advance or $8 at the gate, with free admission for kids under three, seniors 65 and older and active/retired military personnel.

The city of Ferndale is hosting its annual Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 5, at Martin Road Park, 1615 East Lewiston Ave. The family friendly event will feature a host of fun activities for kids, from hayrides and pony rides, to arts and crafts, carnival games, pumpkin painting, a trick-or-treat trail and more. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at bit.ly/ferndalefallfestival.

The Detroit Parks Coalition is hosting the Buffalo Soldiers and Blues Freedom Festival from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Rouge Park, to celebrate the legacy of the all-Black U.S. Army regiments who served in the 19th and 20th centuries. The free event will offer pony rides, games, food, and live music from Big Pete and Friends and others.

Porch concerts

Take a stroll through Detroit’s historic Woodbridge neighborhood and enjoy some live tunes from local artists and performers like The WB5 — an MC5 tribute band — Gabriel Traditional Band, Audra Kubat, Cye Pie and more. The 4th annual Woodbridge Porch Concerts, set for 1-6 p.m. this Saturday, is also being held in conjunction with the annual tapping of Woodbridge Ale, a beer made by Brew Detroit using hops grown in yards and community gardens of Woodbridge. 

Art exhibitions

The Detroit Institute of Arts continues its exhibit of ofrenda altars in celebration of Dia de Muertos through Nov. 3. The DIA partnered with Detroit’s Mexican Consulate, the Southwest Detroit Business Association and MexicantownCDC for the community exhibition, featuring various objects important to lost loved ones, like favorite foods, drinks, mementos and pictures. More information at dia.org.

The Congregation is hosting a solo exhibition titled “Undeniable Joy” by local artist Ashley Menth through the month of October. Featuring vibrant and expressive scenes, Menth’s work will be on display through Oct. 28, with a special reception planned from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 12.

The Detroit Parks Coalition’s Freedom Arts Festival is celebrating the Buffalo Soldiers on Saturday at Rouge Park with a family-friendly blues festival.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Buffalo Soldiers were an all-Black U.S. Army unit that made a name for themselves during the 19th century. The Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association (BSHA) has kept the history of African Americans in the military alive by introducing youth in the community to horses housed in Rouge Park. In 2007, with support from the Friends of Rouge Park, BSHA worked out an agreement with city officials to operate the Rouge Park barn after the Detroit Police Mounted Division relocated. 

Read more: Detroit students follow the path of the Buffalo Soldiers in Yosemite

The Buffalo Soldiers and Blues Freedom Festival will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Rouge Park Horse Barn, 8886 Lahser Rd., Detroit. The free event will offer pony rides, games, food, and live music from Big Pete and Friends and others.

Friends of Rouge Park Program Director Lex Allen and Land Stewardship Manager Antonio Cosme joined The Metro on Thursday to discuss the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and how they’re being honored through this weekend’s event.

Use the media player above to hear the conversation with Allen and Cosme.

More headlines from The Metro on Oct. 3, 2024: 

• Vice Presidential Candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz met on Tuesday for their only scheduled debate of the 2024 election. Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump took the stage in September and are not likely to meet for another debate. We are 33 days away from the election and absentee voting has already started in Michigan. To discuss what young people are thinking about the election and the importance of local media today, freelance reporter Sam Robinson joined the show. 
• Some residents and experts believe that Detroit no longer needs to capture taxes to grow downtown since it is already developed. The Metro Producer Sam Corey spoke with Citizens Research Council of Michigan President Eric Lupher on a new report they published advocating for the phasing out of the tax capture practice.
• Last week, the Michigan House passed two bills that aim to improve reading instruction. They specifically would help schools identify and teach students with dyslexia or other reading difficulties. They would also require that public schools and teacher programs emphasize phonics to teach children to read. American Public Media Reporter Chris Peak joined the show to discuss the new bills. He investigated U.S. reading curriculum for the podcast “Sold a Story.”

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

The fourth annual Woodbridge Porch Concerts are set to take place this Saturday, featuring live music from local artists with connections to the neighborhood. 

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Every year the event grows with more businesses participating. One of the features is Woodbridge Ale, a beer made by Brew Detroit with hops from Woodbridge gardens. 

What’s more, The WB5 — a tribute band to MC5 — will be playing in honor of MC5’s 2023 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Vicky Bash, a member of the Board of Directors for Woodbridge Neighborhood Development, and Dave Nantais, a neighborhood resident and a performer at the Woodbridge Porch Concerts , joined The Metro on Wednesday to chat more about the event.

Use the media player above to hear the conversation with Bash and Nantais.

More stories from The Metro on Oct. 2, 2024:

• The Tigers are good, the Lions are good, but will the Pistons luck change? A lot of fans are wondering if the Pistons are going to be worth following this season.  Recently, the team hosted its media day, which gives everyone a good preview of the upcoming season. Pistons beat writer for the Detroit Free Press and co-host of The Pistons Pulse Podcast Omari Sankofa II joined the show to discuss.
• Detroit Public Theatre just kicked off its 10th anniversary with a new fresh take on Hamlet. WDET’s Ryan Patrick Hooper sat down with Detroit Public Theatre Co-founder Courtney Burkett to learn more about the show “Fat Ham.” 
• Vice President of the Center for Equity, Engagement and Research at Detroit Future City Ashley Williams Clark joined the show to discuss a new report looking at ways to grow the middle class in Detroit.  

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

The Charles H. Wright Museum is hosting a series of carefully curated lectures by both nationally-recognized and local performers.

The series, titled The Wright Performances, kicked off on Thursday with a set of performances from internationally acclaimed actor, playwright and director Roger Guenveur Smith — best known for roles in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” and Ridley Scott’s “American Gangster.”

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Smith began the series with the first of three solo performances, titled “Frederick Douglass NOW.” Smith joined The Metro on Thursday before the show to talk about Douglass and this weekend’s performances.

“We’re in a very extraordinary political moment in this country. And I think that Douglass certainly [would have] a lot to say about this particular moment,” Smith said. “He spoke in 1861 when Fort Sumter was fired upon by Confederate troops. And he saw it as an immediate opportunity for the country to liberate the one-seventh of the inhabitants of the country who were enslaved at that point,.

“He saw the Civil War as an abolition war, and I think that he would see this particular moment as a continuation of that war in which people are fighting for freedom and people are fighting for a certain kind of slavery.”

Smith will perform the second one-man play of the series, “Otto Frank,” on Friday, followed by “In Honor of Jean-Michel Basquiat” on Saturday.

Use the media player above to hear the full interview with Smith.

More headlines from The Metro on Sept. 26: 

• The Federal Reserve recently lowered interest rates to hopefully tame prices, but a new report by the U.S. Census Bureau just showed that Michiganders household incomes are falling behind rising prices. To discuss why this is happening, and what can be done about it, economist Don Grimes joined The Metro.
• A collection of musicians are coming together at the Fox Theater for Smooth Jazz Fall Fest. Founder of Detroit Musix Sam Donald and Co-owner of Anderson and Denham Entertainment Derek Denham joined the show to share more about the event.
• Detroit is full of artists, but many of them are not well known. Art Clvb is a new app that works to connect artists and collectors. And as part of their work, the app is throwing an in-person event called Art Fair at five locations around Detroit starting Friday. The event will include about 200 artists selling their work. Detroit artists Dorota and Steve Coy joined the show to talk about the Art Clvb app and Art Fair event.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

There’s an exciting array of events to check out in the metro Detroit area this week, from a weekend-long celebration of all things floral in Parker’s Alley to a giant block party marking the end of Detroit’s Mural in the Market festival and more.

Plus, the Detroit Black Film Festival continues through Sunday, spanning across five metro Detroit locations. Read on to learn more.

Flower festivals

If you’re looking for Instagrammable moments in Detroit this weekend, look no further than Parker’s Alley in Bloom, a floral festival hosted by Bedrock in partnership with Parker’s Alley retailers and Shinola Hotel. The event, running through Sunday, Sept. 29, features beautiful flower installations, special floral-themed cocktails, a flower truck and bouquet giveaways, live art, vendors and more.

Seasonal celebrations

The Boston Tea Room in Ferndale is hosting an Autumn Equinox Witches Market from noon-7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, featuring more than 30 local vendors made up of small businesses, artists, and makers; as well as food trucks, DJ sets from DJ Sassi Blaque and more. The free event will be held outdoors outside the Tea Room, located at 1220 Woodward Heights, with a rain date planned for Sunday, Sept. 29.

Woodward Corner Market in Royal Oak is hosting its annual Fall Fest from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, featuring an appearance by former Detroit Lion Stephen Tulloch, owner of Circle House Coffee, and a handful of local food and drink vendors. Don’t forget to grab a cider float, courtesy of Blake Farms and Ray’s Ice Cream (while supplies last).

Film festivals

Detroit’s fifth annual Black Film Festival continues through Sunday, Sept. 29 across metro Detroit, showcasing the voices and stories of Black independent filmmakers. Spanning across locations — The Carr Center, Marlene Boll YMCA Theater, DoubleTree Hotel and Michigan State University Detroit Center in Detroit; and Emagine Theatre in Royal Oak — the festival aims to uplift both seasoned and emerging filmmakers that reflect African American experiences, narratives and culture in their work. For tickets and more information, visit filmfreeway.com/detroitblackfilmfestival.

Block parties

The week-long Murals in Islandview (MIIV) public art festival in Detroit’s Islandview neighborhood will conclude this Saturday, Sept. 28, with a giant Design Core Detroit’s Month of Design block party from 1-8 p.m. in front of Spot Lite Detroit. The free event will feature food vendors, a makers market from Design Core Detroit, a 1XRUN print sale, Detroit Electronic Quarterly record fair, and music curated by House Party.

Theater

“Fat Ham,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by James Ijames, opens this Thursday at Detroit Public Theatre, kicking off its 10th anniversary season this year. Called a “hilarious yet profound tragedy smothered in comedy” by The New York Times, the story follows Juicy, a Black and queer young man working to advance his education online when his father’s ghost shows up and demands that Juicy avenge his murder. The show runs through Nov. 3. For tickets and more information, visit detroitpublictheatre.org.

Community development

The 2024 Detroit Food Summit is taking place this Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26-27, at Marygrove College, 8425 West McNichols Rd. The Detroit Food Policy Council’s 13th annual event will offer collaborative conversations on a variety of topics relating to local food systems. The event is being hosted by Orlando Bailey, executive director of Outlier Media. Malik Yakini, former executive director of the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network and co-founder of the Detroit People’s Food Co-op, is the keynote speaker.

Star Trek star William Shatner will be at the Fisher Theatre on Wednesday to present a special screening of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”

The award-winning actor — known to Trekkies as James T. Kirk — will be taking the stage after the film to share behind-the-scenes insights and answer audience questions, moderated by WDET’s own Ryan Patrick Hooper.

I spoke with Shatner ahead of his Detroit appearance to discuss his connection and introduction to the iconic series and its important place in film and TV history.

Listen: William Shatner shares Star Trek insights ahead of ‘Wrath of Khan’ screening

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Ann Delisi: What did you think the first time you saw the first script for Star Trek?

William Shatner: I was in New York. The phone rang, and it was [Star Trek creator] Gene Roddenberry, who said, “We’ve made a pilot, an hour show called Star Trek, with an actor called Jeffrey Hunter — who was a well known and very good looking guy — and we presented it to NBC, and NBC said, ‘We don’t like it but we like this idea.’ And they said we’d like to make another pilot, and spend millions of dollars on it. They want me to recast it and do a whole new pilot.” So they called me and said, “Would you be interested in playing the captain?” And I went back to Los Angeles to look at the pilot that they had made with Jeffrey Hunter. And I thought, my gosh, it’s really interesting. It’s a little pedantic, a little serious; maybe they could lighten it up a little — I made that suggestion — and we made this pilot, and it sold.

AD: So there was not necessarily a playbook for you to go by, because you were creating a character from the future. So what was your thought process when creating that character based on just this pilot that you saw in the script, and nobody really knew what the future of Star Trek was going to be at that time?

WS: The influential factor in Star Trek was a series of books called “Captain Horatio Hornblower.” The writer had written this group of people on a sailing ship going around the coast of America, which wasn’t plotted, so it was unknown. And so here was this captain and his crew sailing the unknown who just happened to be on Earth, but what was over the horizon was unknown. So this character was brave, loved his men, but was so curious about what was coming up that it overcame fear. And I thought that’s a great way to play this character, because you’re in the middle of finding these weird creatures who may or may not be friendly, but isn’t this interesting? Isn’t it curious? Isn’t it actually amazing? And that’s the way I played Kirk, mostly. A source of wow, awe and wonder.

AD: The series, of course, didn’t last very long, but the staying power of its message and its characters did. And then along come the films. Were you surprised that these films came along? Did you, in your mind, sort of write Star Trek off in terms of something that you would work on again?

WS: Well, we were canceled after three years. So there’s 79 hours of Star Trek that I did, and then it was canceled, and that was it, that was the end of the job and everybody went on to other things. Six years later, they decide, for a number of reasons, to make a film, and the film was not that successful — especially at first. It subsequently has made money, but not the kind of money the people at Paramount were anticipating. So they decided. They went through a lot of decisions about making another film, and then they made another film much more cheaply, and harkening back to what Star Trek used to be. And that’s the film I’m going to be showing at the Fisher Theatre. This iconic film, “Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan” and its importance in our film history is that if it hadn’t been as successful as it became, there’d be no Star Trek.

AD: When you see old episodes pop up or you see the film, the films get they get shown, especially the ones that you were in. Do you stop and watch them?

WS: Not at all, exactly the opposite. When a 50-year younger you is on the screen, you’re looking at it thinking my I disparaged the way I looked, I look pretty good there. I wish I felt about myself then the way I feel about that now.

AD: It was so apropos and so poetic that you would end up in space yourself back in 2021. What was it like to be in space?

WS: It was awesome. For me, it became overwhelmingly sad. I’ve been an ecologist for the longest time, pontificating on global warming 50-60 years ago. And now that it’s upon us, while I was up there I saw more acutely than ever the sadness of what we’re doing, and how little time we have left to correct. And that was my overwhelming feeling.

Use the media player above to hear the full interview with William Shatner. For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, visit broadwayindetroit.com/events.

Listen to Ann Delisi’s Essential Music Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET and Sundays 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.

We are more than halfway into our 2024 Fall Fundraiser, and a new day means new incentives to encourage WDET listeners to make an investment in Detroit Public Radio’s future.

Listeners who make a donation during In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper from 12-4 p.m. on Wednesday will be automatically entered into a drawing for two VIP tickets to all events or performances at Spot Lite Detroit for a full year.

Missed Hooper’s show? Tune in to The Boulevard with Waajeed from 8-10 p.m. Wednesday and make a donation of any amount and you will be entered in the Spot Lite drawing.

Those who donate during The Boulevard on Wednesday could also win an unreleased Waajeed vinyl titled Get in the Zone LP — set for release this November — and an Underground Music Academy snapback hat.

Listeners will have one last opportunity to win the Spot Lite passes this Saturday, Sept. 21, by making a gift to WDET during The Progressive Underground with Chris Campbell from 6-8 p.m. or during The New Music Show with Shigeto from 8-10 p.m.

Tune in to WDET at 101.9 FM to hear the latest incentives being offered before our Fall Fundraiser ends Sept. 22.