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.

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. 

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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.