Chinese Lunar New Year is upon us once again, and with it comes a celebration that won’t be forgotten. Make sure to take a stroll down by the riverfront this weekend to catch the festivities and take a dive into Chinese culture.

Upcoming events (Feb. 12 to Feb. 19)

Lunar New Year Celebration 

Robert C. Valade Park 

Saturday February 14th  

  Free with an RSVP

Experience a Lunar New Year Celebration with the Michigan Taiwanese American Organization. There will be a festive parade, dances, arts and crafts, performances by a Chinese orchestra, temporary tattoo stations, and opportunities to learn Mandarin. The event will be held from 12 p.m.- 6 p.m. 

Reflections of Our Ancestors Behind Glass 

Arab American National Museum

Sunday February 15th

  Free with an RSVP

Learn about the acquisition and legacy of Egyptian and Nambian artifacts that inhabit U.S. museums through a series of performances and discussions with the founders of the HERitage emBODYment artist ensemble. The event will be held from 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m

Butterfly Bones: Ceramic Sculptures by Genevieve VanZandt 

Detroit Shipping Company (2nd floor) 

Opening reception, Thursday, February 19th  

Free

Take a stroll over to Detroit Shipping Company to check out Michigan artist Genevieve VanZandt’s solo exhibition of ceramic art reflecting time, change, and the overlap between strength and vulnerability through a series of 3D collages. The gallery’s opening reception will take place between 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Paczki Party

Detroit City Distillery 

Saturday February 14th  

Free admission

Pop into Detroit City Distillery on Valentine’s Day for an afternoon of live music from the Crampton Brothers, ice sculpting, unique Paczki Day cocktails, Polish delicacies, and of course… the shot ski. The event will be held from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. 

Outdoorama 

Suburban Collection Showplace 

February 19th– 22nd

Adults: $12, Children: $6, Multi-Day: $18

Take a trip out to Novi for the Outdoorama outfitters expo to shop for an array of hunting, fishing, boating and camping gear. In addition, there will be snake handlers, an indoor trout pond, deer processing demos, interviews with some of last season’s most successful deer hunters, and the opportunity for Commemorative Bucks of Michigan to score your buck free of charge. 

Julius Caeser 

Hilberry Gateway

February 12th-15th

$15-25 

Peek into ancient Rome through Wayne State’s production of Shakespeare’s gripping political drama about the tyrannical rise and treacherous fall of dictator Julius Caesar.  

Sip and Stroll 

Detroit Opera House  

Thursday February 19th

$35

Take a tour through music history at the renowned Detroit Opera House and enjoy a glass of wine with snacks while you’re at it. This event is 21+, doors open at 5:30 p.m., and refreshments will be served at 6:10 p.m. 

The Jazz Room: A Tribute to Soul 

The Gem Theater 

Sunday February 15th  

$38

Embark on a journey through the history of soul music with an hour-long live performance of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding and more. This event is 21+ and takes place from 6 p.m.- 7 p.m. 

Beethoven, Bignamini and Weilerstein 

Orchestra Hall 

February 13th-15th  

$25+

Renowned cellist Alisa Weilerstein performs a two-hour concerto written for her by Joan Tower, co-commissioned by the DSO. The performance is inspired by Weilerstein’s time growing up in South America, as well as the likes of Beethoven, whose Fourth Symphony will end the concert. The event will be held from 8 p.m.- 10 p.m. 

Cuffing SZN (R&B and Dance Music) 

Big Pink

February 13th  

$23 

Dance all night at Big Pink as DJs Olea and Completd play a mix of H.E.R, Usher, Mary J. Blige, SZA and more. The event is 21+, the first 600 tickets are free, and doors will open at 10 p.m. 

This week’s pick comes from multiple Grammy nominated artist and producer Solomon Fox, who has been steadily building a reputation as one of soul music’s most intriguing emerging voices.

After a much acclaimed mixtape in 2021, he is back with his proper solo debut album “Sweettooth,” loaded with collaborations from rising talents like Duckwrth, Samm Henshaw and Mai Anna.

The cut we are about to get into features vocalist Amaria. Their back and forth on this track is all chemistry and feel, wrapping tight melodies around a warm, future soul groove.

Here is Solomon Fox featuring Amaria with “Fallin’ Back,” and it is my Pick of the Week.

That was Solomon Fox with “Fallin’ Back” featuring Amaria, from his debut album “Sweettooth.”

If future soul sounds like this move you, tune in to The Progressive Underground every Saturday at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET and at wdet.org.