Whether it’s strolling through indoor galleries or historic cemeteries, there are a lot of places to explore arts and culture in Detroit. From maker markets to music festivals, here are eight things to check out this week.

Plus, a fun way to support Detroit public radio this Halloween. Read on to learn more.

Upcoming events

Sam Tallent at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle

  Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in Royal Oak

  Thursday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, Oct. 18

  $31

A comedy show featuring “What’s So Funny About Detroit?” alum Sam Tallent. His jokes have appeared on Comedy Central, TruTV and VICELAND, and he’s performed in venues around the world. Comedian Alaina Bamfield will open the show and Genevieve Clinton is the emcee. This event is 18+.

Elmwood Alight

  Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit

  Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18

  $40

A reflective tour through Detroit’s 179-year-old Elmwood Cemetery, highlighting its historic architecture, monuments and green space. There will be lighting displays, music and autumnal sights. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the last entry is at 9:30 p.m.

Reimagine African American Art

  Detroit Institute of Arts

  Opens Saturday, Oct. 18

  Free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties

For the first time since 2007, the DIA is reinstalling its African American galleries, now directly adjacent to Rivera Court. The reinstallation features a variety of media by African American and Black artists, including drawings, prints, photography, paintings and sculpture spanning the 1800s to today. There are four galleries, each exploring a key historical movement — the Harlem Renaissance, Social Realism, the Civil Rights era and the Black Arts Movement.

Michigan Makers Market

  The Hawk in Farmington Hills

  Saturday, Oct. 18

  Free

An indoor juried arts and crafts fair featuring ceramics, decor, illustrations, jewelry, paintings, printmaking and more made by Michigan artists. There will also be live music, and beer and wine will be available to purchase for guests 21+. The market will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bugbee by Sam Friedman and Josh Sperling

  Library Street Collective

  On view Saturday, Oct. 18 through Jan. 14

  Free

A two-person exhibition with painter Sam Friedman and mixed-media artist Josh Sperling featuring new individual works as well as collaborative pieces created jointly by the pair. Color serves as a unifying force in the exhibition, transforming flat supports into immersive experiences through spatial and emotional resonance. The gallery is open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m.

Detroit Bourbon Fest

  Detroit Historical Museum

  Saturday, Oct. 18

  $50–$300 ($10 for designated drivers)

An indoor bourbon festival that features over 100 whiskeys and bourbons, as well as classic cocktails, store picks and a high-end bottle section. There will also be food vendors, live music and merchandise. There are two tasting sessions, one from 1–3:30 p.m. and another from 4–6:30 p.m. This event is 21+.

Show Me What You Got Music Festival

  Candela in Southwest Detroit

  Saturday, Oct. 18

  $25

A 2000s-themed music festival featuring Afro Future International DJ Jeanine Styles and DJ MoBetta. There will be live performances from over a dozen Detroit singers and hip-hop artists, and food and a cash bar will be available. Doors open at 9 p.m. This event is 21+.

CONTAINER Tour: Stop Two

  Irwin House Gallery in Detroit

  Thursday, Oct. 23

  Free

A showcase of Detroit talent featuring live music from R&B songstress Bevlove and art installations from photographer Elonte Davis, mixed media artist Donald Calloway and painter Ijania Cortez. The event goes from 6–9 p.m.

What’s next

Halloween Monster Bash for WDET

  Kuhnhenn Brewing Company in Clinton Township

  Saturday, Oct. 25

  $20

A Halloween benefit for WDET hosted by Modern Music host Jon Moshier and organized by friends of the station. There will be a costume contest, classic horror films and live rock n roll performances by The 3-D Invisibles, The Amino Acids and the F-Hole Wreckers. Doors open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. and the costume contest is at 8:30 p.m. This event is 21+.

Sounds from across the globe are coming to Detroit this weekend as the Concert of Colors music festival returns for its 34th year.

The four-day free global music festival, taking place July 16-20 in Detroit’s Cass Corridor, will feature artists from all corners of the globe — from Africa and the Middle East to the Caribbean, Latin America and more. 

WDET’s own Ismael Ahmed of This Island Earth established the Concert of Colors with New Detroit in 1993, as a one-day event on Detroit’s riverfront. Today, the event draws tens of thousands of visitors to the city, helping to put a spotlight on indigenous music and cultures around the world.

Events will take place across 12 venues, from the DIA to the historical museum, with headliners including legendary R&B/gospel singer Mavis Staples, ’70s soul and R&B group War, New York’s Spanish Flight and more. In addition to music, the festival brings global food and merchandise vendors, movies, poetry, children’s activities and much more to the city.

A full schedule of events can be found at concertofcolors.com.

As a proud partner of Concert of Colors, WDET will be broadcasting special programming related to the festival throughout the weekend. Also, Ahmed joined The Metro to share more about what Detroiters can expect at the event this year.

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.

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