This week, we’ve got arts and culture events to get you in the Movement mindset ahead of the festival this Memorial Day weekend.

Plus, your chance to win tickets to the festival itself! Read on to learn more.

Music festivals

Cartoons & Stereo festival (put together by stoop lee) — Free skateboarding music festival with a pop-up skatepark, live music, a vintage clothing market, a 9-foot rim dunk contest and local food trucks. Performers include Zelooperz, Pink Siifu, stoop lee, Datsunn with LOCAL ORGANIC, Curtis Roach, Rob Apollo, Pia the Band, Shaii David and Leo Pastel. The event goes from 2-11 p.m.

Freak Press Ball — The Freak Press Ball returns to Spot Lite Detroit on Wednesday, May 21, for another star-studded performance from IANFINK.CPT. This 12-piece ensemble is led by keyboardist Ian Fink in collaboration with some of Detroit’s greatest performers and musicians, including Cecille, Salakastar, Jamiliah Minter, Salar Ansari, Sasha Kashperko, Dez Andrés, Marcus Elliot, Jake Shadik, Tim Shellabarger and Caleb Robinson, and WDET’s own Shigeto. The skilled and eclectic Saylem Celest will be on the decks alongside exciting young selector, Dej.y, followed by master producer and DJ Scott Grooves to close out the night. New Freak Press apparel, vinyl and other merchandise will be available for purchase as well as exclusive visual art by Scott Grooves. 

Movement prep

Amp Fiddler Ave. unveiling — The city of Detroit has partnered with the Amp Fiddler Estate to honor late Detroit musician and producer Amp Fiddler with his own street name. “Amp Fiddler Avenue” will officially be unveiled at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 16 —  the second annual Amp Fiddler Day — at the corner of 7 Mile Road and Revere Street. The unveiling will be hosted by WDET’s own Chris Campbell.

Vibe & Dye: A Movement Festival Prep Party at Detroit Dye House — Detroit Dye House is hosting a special tie dye experience and pre-Movement party at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. The event will offer opportunities to make summer festival apparel with a special phosphorescent dye that glows under a black light, with live music from DJ Darren Shelton.

Record and book fair at Spot Lite — Spot Lite Detroit will host a curated day of vinyl, books, local vendors, coffee and cocktails from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. The event is free to attend.

WDET x Movement — WDET is again partnering with Paxahau as an official media partner for Movement, returning to Detroit’s Hart Plaza for three days of electronic music over Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26. Want a chance to win VIP passes to this year’s festival? Make a donation to WDET from noon on Friday, May 16 through Wednesday, May 21 and you’ll be entered into the drawing! Learn more at wdet.org/movement.

Comic Con

Motor City Comic Con — Michigan’s largest comic convention returns to the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi this weekend, May 16-18, featuring appearances from notable actors and celebrities including Bill Nye, Angela Kinsey, Rainn Wilson, Jeremy Renner, Sean Astin and more. 

Bowie tribute

Blackstar Symphony at the DSO — David Bowie’s final album, “Blackstar,” will be reimagined on Detroit’s Orchestra Hall stage Thursday, May 22, for Blackstar Symphony — a celebration of and tribute to the late artist. Performed with the original “Blackstar” band, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will bring the critically-acclaimed album to life alongside other Bowie classics like “Space Oddity,” “Life on Mars,” and “Heroes.” Tickets available at dso.org.

Outdoor activities

Labyrinth walk at Gabriel Richard Park — Set your intentions and join Detroit Zen Center for a guided walk through the labyrinth at Gabriel Richard Park from 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. The event is part of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month. Register at detroitriverfront.org.

Movie night at the park — Enjoy the family classic “Inside Out” while spending time outdoors along the Detroit Riverfront at Milliken State Park next week. The free event, sponsored by Huron-Clinton Metroparks, kicks off at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 20. More info at detroitriverfront.org.

River Rouge cleanup — The city of Farmington Hills is hosting its largest annual volunteer cleanup event at Heritage Park on Saturday, May 17, for Rouge River Day. Volunteers are sought to help remove trash and debris from the river, clear invasive species, plant native wildflowers and maintain trails at the park from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Flower Day at Eastern Market — One of the most popular market days of the year returns to Eastern Market this Sunday, May 18, featuring flower vendors and growers from across the Midwest. Flower Day will run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the market. Additional Flower Tuesday Markets are planned for May 20 and 27 in Sheds 5 and 6. Find more information at easternmarket.org.

Art exhibition

CCS Student Exhibition — Detroit’s College for Creative Studies is inviting the community to its annual Student Exhibition Opening and and Sale from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 16, showcasing more than 3,500 from students and alumni in various mediums. The exhibition will be on view and open to the public through May 30. Find more information at ccsdetroit.edu.

We’re just over a week away from Movement, Detroit’s annual electronic music festival. The event draws techno lovers from across the globe for three days of music, dancing, and for many people — heavy partying. 

While Movement discourages and prohibits illegal or illicit drugs at the event, research from the National Institute of Health shows that electronic music festivals are typically “high-risk scenes for drug use.”

Passenger Recovery is a Hamtramck organization offering recovery and mental health support and sober programming for musicians and/or other individuals in the local music scene.

Bryan Wolf, director of programming at Passenger, joined The Metro on Wednesday to share some resources and outreach efforts planned for Movement weekend. 

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

This week, we’ve got musical performances from across genres, a theatrical performance whose impact goes beyond the stage and food for feminine empowerment.

Plus, your chance to win tickets to see the Tigers on Opening Day at Comerica Park! Read on to learn more.

Music

On Thursday, March 27, Intersections is back at Spot Lite Detroit for a night of soul-stirring sounds featuring a live performance by Dez Andrés. Expect deep grooves, rich rhythms and a unifying vibe. The party starts at 9 p.m., admission is free and guests must be 21+. For more information, visit Spot Lite on Facebook.

For electronic music fans, check out the Official Movement Pre-Party at Spot Lite featuring an extended set from Dam Swindle with special guest Whodat on Saturday, March 29. Doors open at 9 p.m. and guests must be 21+. Tickets start at $24 including fees. For more information, visit wl.seetickets.us.

For those who lean more indie, check out Detroit queer rockers Elspeth Tremblay & The Treatment as they celebrate the release of their new record, ‘Cut Your Losses,’ with an EP launch party at The Old Miami on Saturday, March 29. Elspeth Tremblay & The Treatment are frequently featured on MI Local (heard Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on WDET) and were finalists in our 2024 Sounds Like Detroit contest. The Detroit Party Marching Band and Elephant Den will open up the show, and music starts at 10 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door and guests must be 21+. For more information, visit Elspeth Tremblay & The Treatment on Facebook.

For something with a little more twang, acclaimed country husband-wife duo The War and Treaty are performing at Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit with special guest Tiera Kennedy on Saturday, March 29. Standing-room seats are still available for $40 and doors open at 7 p.m. For more information, visit livenation.com. Plus, be sure to tune into Ann Delisi’s Essential Music (weekends at 11 a.m. on WDET) that day at noon to hear a live in-studio interview with The War and Treaty’s Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter!

And for the jazz lovers, Aretha’s Jazz Café is hosting a Dinah Washington Tribute Show on Monday, March 31 starring Nina Simone Neal as part of their Preservation of Jazz Monday Night Music Series. Neal is an award-winning Detroit R&B vocalist and has represented Dinah Washington in The Satin Doll Revue for the past five years. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $35 online and at the door. Seating is first come, first served. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.

Theater

Friday, March 28 is opening night for “The Prom” at Wayne State’s Hilberry Gateway in Detroit. This high-energy musical follows a group of self-absorbed Broadway stars who discover a small town’s prom controversy and rush to help — and to restore their own reputations. Performances go through Sunday, April 6, and the 8 p.m. performance on Saturday, March 29 will be followed by a Queer Prom post-show event to kick off Wayne State’s Pride Week. Tickets range from $20 to $30, and audience members are encouraged to bring prom attire and accessories to donate to students in need before the show. For more information, visit theatreanddance.wayne.edu.

Dining

Close out International Women’s Month on Monday, March 31 with an Essential Cooking Dinner at Lady of the House featuring a 5-course meal by Chef Kate Williams and wine pairings by sommeliers Paulina Schemanski and Mary Davis. The 5 p.m. seating is sold out but a handful of spots remain for the 7:30 p.m. seating. For more information, visit wdet.org/events.

Up next

The Detroit Tigers will celebrate their Opening Day at Comerica Park on Friday, April 4 as they take on the Chicago White Sox at 1:10 p.m. In honor of the occasion, WDET is partnering with Tito’s Handmade Vodka and our neighbors at Mario’s Restaurant to offer a special drawing for our listeners! The winner will get two tickets to the game, a swag bag, lunch for two at Mario’s, and free parking and shuttle service to and from the game. The drawing is open now through 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 3. To enter and learn more, visit wdet.org/events.

In less than two weeks, humorist and author David Sedaris is bringing his sardonic wit and incisive social critiques to Detroit’s Fisher Theatre. Join us on Tuesday, April 8 for an evening of all-new readings, Q&A and book signing as Sedaris slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness with great skill. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets range from $65 to $90 including fees. For more information, visit wdet.org/events.