Donald Calloway has worked as an artist in Detroit for more than 30 years, constantly finding new ways to express his creativity. His work spans figures made from found and repurposed wood and metal, as well as portrait paintings and abstract sculptures.

A 2025 Kresge Artist Fellow and College for Creative Studies alum, Calloway has exhibited his work at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the National Conference of Artists Gallery, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

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+.

Bevlove is a Detroit R&B songstress who uses her words to paint pictures over smooth productions.

Bevlove grew up understanding the power of music. Like so many Detroiters, church played a huge role in fostering Bev’s musical curiosities. The fellowship and hallelujah choruses were all building blocks for the way Bevlove performs today.

CONTAINER On The Metro is a new WDET-produced storytelling series that brings Detroit’s creative heartbeat to the airwaves.

CONTAINER is a program created by The Love Building to showcase Detroit’s most promising creative talent across music, fashion, fine arts and food. Done in collaboration with WDET Public Radio with major support from the Gilbert Family Foundation.

Nabeela Najjar is the creative force behind Seamstress Bee, where she works as a costume and fashion designer.

A graduate of the College for Creative Studies, Nabeela uses her vision to create mystical costumes and designs inspired by the dreamworld and nature. She hand-dyes flowy fabrics like silk and chiffon to form one-of-a-kind, ethereal garments.

Nabeela was named a Gucci Changemaker Scholar, and her work has been displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. Her designs range from everyday wear to conceptual pieces you’d see on the runway.

Detroit is overflowing with talent, and this week’s lineup of events proves it. From bands to comedians, from visual artists to storytellers, you’ll get to soak it all in at these eight showcases.

Plus, a cultural convening with an exclusive discount for WDET listeners. Read on to learn more.

Upcoming events

CONTAINER Tour Kickoff

  Cadillac Square Park in Detroit

  Friday, Oct. 3

  Free

A showcase of Detroit talent featuring live music from La Cecille, a DJ set from Darryl DeAngelo Terrell, and fashion activations from Ali Evans, Nabeela Najjar and Taylor Childs. The event goes from 5–9 p.m. and admission is free.

Comedy at the Congregation Second Anniversary Show

  The Congregation Detroit

  Friday, Oct. 3

  $18–$20

A comedy night celebrating two years of the Comedy at the Congregation series, hosted by Sarah Lynn. This month’s comedians are Drew Harmon, Alana Gonzalez, Rio Riojas and Tim Reaburn. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 online or $20 at the door.

Troupe Vertigo with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra

  DSO Orchestra Hall

  Friday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 5

  $20–$119

An acrobatics performance backed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, featuring selections from Star Wars, Star Trek, Disney’s Up and more. Tickets start at $20 and there will be four performances throughout the weekend.

Freak Fest 3

  Downtown Ypsilanti, various locations

  Friday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 5

  $0–$15

A celebration of all things freaky, featuring three days of live music, local vendors and Halloween vibes across multiple Ypsilanti venues. Most of the festival is free and open to the public, but events at Ziggy’s have a $15 cover.

15th Annual Hamtramck Neighborhood Arts Festival

  Hamtramck, various locations

  Saturday, Oct. 4

  Free

A community-organized festival highlighting Hamtramck’s creative community. Participating artists host audiences in unconventional spaces like their home studios, front porches, parks and coffee shops. Admission is generally free and open to the public, but donations are welcome to keep the festival going.

Seen/Scene: Artwork from the Jennifer Gilbert Collection

  The Shepherd in Detroit

  Sunday, Oct. 5 through Saturday, Jan. 10

  Free

An exhibition featuring the work of 36 contemporary artists from Jennifer Gilbert’s private collection. The exhibition is curated by Cranbrook Art Museum Chief Curator Laura Mott and seminal artist Nick Cave, and it explores themes related to how we see each other. An opening celebration will take place on Sunday, Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Shepherd, featuring artist talks, a film screening, interactive workshops and retail pop-ups.

Detroit Story Fest

  The Detroit Opera House

  Thursday, Oct. 9

  $25–$35

A curated night of performance art and storytelling by Detroit artists, reporters and community members. This year’s theme is “No Small Wind Is Blowing,” highlighting stories about immigration, transition and the invisible forces that inspire movement. Stories begin at 8 p.m., and WDET’s Waajeed (host of The Boulevard) will keep the party going with a DJ set after the show.

TéMaTé Institute’s 2025 Convening for Dance & Culture

  The Andy Art Center and Detroit School of Arts Ford Theatre

  Saturday, Oct. 18 through Sunday, Oct. 19

  $95–$120 ($45 with WDET discount code)

An annual two-day convening that celebrates African diasporic traditions and their enduring impact on culture and community through dance workshops, community classes, a signature concert and a vendor marketplace. This year’s theme is “Ritual: Rhythms of Life & Legacy,” drawing on ancestral wisdom, movement and storytelling to illuminate the importance of preserving traditions while creating space for innovation. WDET listeners can get discounted tickets using code WD3T25 before Thursday, Oct. 9.

Taylor’s Creative Journey in Art and Fashion

Taylor has made a name for herself in art and fashion. In 2025, Taylor was named a Kresge Gilda Snowden Emerging Artist. She was also a prominent designer featured in Detroit Month of Design and a standout for the year’s Michigan Fashion Week.

Taylor graduated from the College for Creative Studies and Cranbrook Academy of Art.

The limit seemingly doesn’t exist for Taylor and what she can create. Taylor’s designs are unique in that she practices sustainable fashion.

But as Taylor would tell it, she learned how to create something out of nothing from her family, starting with her grandmother, who made sure the neighborhood was a community.

Detroit’s only eyewear maker is turning heads

When Ali began his journey into eyewear manufacturing, he knew nothing about the industry. With determination, he figured it out and today he stands as Detroit’s only eyewear manufacturer.

His creations are described as dope glasses for local and international audiences, even catching the eye of DJ Kaytranada.

Ali grew up across Metro Detroit and calls himself a man of Michigan and a man of God. His faith, along with his lifelong drive for business, led him to build a vision around eyeglass design and creation.

Meet La Cecille: Detroit’s multi-disciplinary artist

Morgan Hutson, known as La Cecille, is an actress, singer, songwriter, producer, and dancer who weaves ancestral knowledge into every note and performance. Her music moves from R and B to electronic, reflecting the multi-disciplinary style that defines her artistry.

La Cecille has been singing her entire life, listening and learning from Detroit’s greats. Just like her mentors and teachers, Detroit itself has become an essential character in her story.

For many, growing up in Detroit feels almost magical. For La Cecille, it truly was, shaping the artist she is today.

Fried Chicken and Caviar brings fun, flavor and vibes to Detroit

In this episode, we’re saying what up doe to Chi Walker and Nik Renee Cole, the duo behind Fried Chicken and Caviar — or FCC for short.

FCC isn’t just about food on a plate; it’s about creating a vibe. Their pop-up has appeared all over Detroit, from Batch Brewing to 2 Birds and The Congregation. Known for their adventurous food pairings and bold recipes, Chi and Nik use flavor as a way to spark joy and connection.

From their popular Glizzy Parties — featuring hot dogs topped with decadent ingredients — to catering high-profile events like the James Beard Awards, Fried Chicken and Caviar keeps finding new ways to bring fun to food. As Chi and Nik put it, “Fried Chicken and Caviar” is more than just a name.

Activation: Food

Chef Greg is the founder and owner of Smokey G’s Smokehouse, located at Valade Park on Detroit’s Riverfront.

He was a featured vendor during the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, and Smokey G’s became the first smoker ever to appear at the Rocket Mortgage Classic Golf Tournament.

For the last 11 years, Greg has taken pride in welcoming people into his family through food, smoke, and plenty of laughs.

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

Activation: Music

Bryce Detroit is a poet, an artist, a social justice organizer and a musician. And with so many titles on his name, it’s hard to pinpoint what creative endeavor he may be working on at that particular moment, but it’s ALWAYS safe to say he’s doing it for the culture…he’s doing it for Detroit. 

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

CONTAINER On The Metro is a new WDET-produced storytelling series that brings Detroit’s creative heartbeat to the airwaves.

CONTAINER is a program created by The Love Building to showcase Detroit’s most promising creative talent across music, fashion, fine arts and food. Done in collaboration with WDET Public Radio with major support from the Gilbert Family Foundation. 

The LOVE Building’s monthly LOVE@Nite creative showcase series has helped to shine a light on some of the city’s top up-and-coming artists and creatives.

This summer, the organization launched CONTAINER, a homegrown creative residency platform that nurtures and spotlights Detroit-based artists across music, food, fashion, and visual art through performances, mentorship, and a citywide tour this fall.

The goal of the project is to retain creative talent in the city while giving local artists the tools and space to grow. 

The LOVE Building will host its fourth and final LOVE@Nite: CONTAINER Takeover event this Thursday, July 10, showcasing the 12 local artists in the 2025 CONTAINER cohort. The event will also be a part of the closing festivities for the Global Citizen NOW conference in Detroit.

Kwaku Osei, executive director of The LOVE Building, joined The Metro on Tuesday to talk about the final CONTAINER Takeover and what to expect.

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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