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Bill “the dean of Detroit photography” Rauhauser left a lasting impact on both the photography community and cultural history of Detroit.

He documented Detroit through his lens from the 1940s until his death in 2017, presenting to the world the city he knew and loved. He was able to capture the human experience in the city during rapid change and racial divisions.

Not only was he nationally recognized for his work, he helped uplift a generation of photographers, teaching as a professor at the College for Creative Studies for more than 30 years, and a guest lecturer at Wayne State University and the University of Michigan. 

Coup D’état, a boutique store in Detroit’s East English Village neighborhood, will be hosting an exhibit of Rauhauser’s work, titled “Bill Rauhauser: A Retrospective,” beginning at 5 p.m. this Saturday, March 29. The exhibition is a partnership between Coup D’état and Hill Gallery in Birmingham.

Angela Wisniewski-Cobbina, owner of Coup D’état, joined The Metro this week to discuss the exhibit, which will feature 23 of Rauhauser’s pieces that showcase his dedication to capturing raw, authentic moments and everyday life in Detroit.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

More stories from The Metro on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

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

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.

This weekend in metro Detroit is a musical takeover on many fronts, from the eagerly anticipated (and WDET supported) Hamtramck Blowout to celebrating musical legends like The Beatles and The Spinners.

Also, a family-friendly parade of devilry is overtaking the Cass Corridor to welcome spring alongside a Detroit cryptid. Read on for more.

Hamtramck Blowout

For three days (March 20-22) over 25 venues will be showcasing hundreds of local bands and performers across Hamtramck. Check out the show schedule and purchase a wristband online in advance for $35 or at the venue for $40. WDET is also an official media partner of this year’s event. Visit wdet.org/events for more information.

A rooftop festival of colors

Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, is underway. Take your celebration of color, love, and spring to new heights at the Holi Color Fest at the Exodus Rooftop this Saturday March 22. Tickets are for entry only and start at $25.

Blasts from the past

Great music has longevity, and that can be seen in two special performances happening this weekend. The touring show “Rain: A Beatles Tribute” will be making its Detroit stop at the Fox Theatre this Friday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available and start at $25.

The second big-time musical group being showcased is a Motown favorite: The Spinners. The renowned group will be performing at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom this Saturday, March 22.

Marche into spring

The Marche du Nain Rouge takes a little red creature of mishap prominent in Detroit’s local legend and makes him a focal point for a spring celebration of mischief and revelry.

This year’s Marche du Nain Rogue is on Sunday, March 23. The celebration will kickoff with musical performances at the intersection of Canfield and Second. Once the infamous Nain appears, he’ll lead crowds in a procession down to the Masonic Temple, which will host an afterparty from around 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Organizers encourage all attendees to show up loud and Detroit-proud in costumes, prepared to participate in a parade with good humor and high energy. Read more about the event and parking at the Marche Du Nain Rouge website. 

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Fashion in Detroit is more than just a trend, it’s a statement.

Many Detroiters use their attire to reflect their identity, their hustle and their roots. Iconic pieces such as gator boots, fur coats, and “buffs” signal to others where you’re from and the grit that defines you. Whether you’re from the east side or west side, your outfit tells the world who you are. 

For decades, Detroiters have taken pride in what they wear. The city’s fashion reflects a blend of ruggedness and celebrity influence. Legends like Aretha Franklin were known for wearing Dittrich mink fur coats, while rappers made Pelle Pelle jackets a staple of Detroit’s hip-hop scene. Today, young people and blue-collar workers continue to sport Carhartt gear and local sportswear. Gen Z, in particular, has embraced supporting Black-owned brands, further contributing to the city’s ever-evolving fashion identity.

Today on The Metro, we discuss how fashion in Detroit is not just about individual style, but also about the shared experience of living in a city with such rich cultural and historical roots. 

Guests:

• Kahn Santori Davison – A freelance journalist and contributing writer for The Metro Times.
• Monika Sinclair – Wayne State University assistant professor of teaching, fashion design and merchandising.
• Brooklynn Jackson – Owner of Form Fit clothing and a senior Wayne State business student. 

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

More stories from The Metro on March 18, 2025: 

• Adrienne Roberts covers Michigan’s cannabis industry, as well as jobs and unemployment for the Detroit Free Press. She joined the show to talk about Michigan’s cannabis industry and what it means for the state’s economy. 

• Staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan Jay Kaplan joined The Metro to discuss President Donald Trump’s campaign against transgender rights and why it’s relevant to everyone. Kaplan leads the LGBTQ Project at the Michigan ACLU. 

• Michael Ford’s Hip Hop Architecture Lecture Series is taking place from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture and Community Development. The panel discussion will dig into the impact of women on hip-hop. Ford is known as the Hip Hop architect and has designed Hip Hop Museums in The Bronx and Memphis. Ford and jessica Care moore — Detroit’s poet laureate and a panelist in the lecture series — joined the show to talk about the event and the impact of women on hip-hop and design. 

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

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Detroiters celebrated 313 Day on Thursday — a time to reflect on the beauty of Detroit and to celebrate the past, present and future of a city so many of us love.

Artist and educator Sabrina Nelson returned to The Metro to help celebrate the city and encourage listeners to support WDET during the station’s Spring Fundraiser. 

Nelson, a native Detroiter born in the wake of the 1967 Rebellion, is a studio art teacher at the Detroit Institute of Arts and on staff at the College for Creative Studies. During her conversation with The Metro hosts Tia Graham and Robyn Vincent on 313 Day, Nelson shared her inspirations behind her work and why she loves Detroit and WDET so much.

Living in Detroit in the ’80s, Nelson has memories riding the “Iron Horse” — the Detroit Department of Transportation Grand River Bus — and listening to Ed Love on WDET. 

“When I went to CCS, that’s all I listened to,” Nelson said. “Actually, WDET is the first station I heard Me’shell NdegéOcello’s ‘Plantation Lullabies,’ and that was when [former WDET host] Nkenge Zola was here.” 

Detroit touches every part of the world and Nelson is always connecting with people from the city while traveling, she said. 

“Detroit is my home. It is my anchor,” Nelson said. “I fly and yo-yo myself out to Zimbabwe, to Paris. I always come back, because this is home.”

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.

This week, we’re celebrating 313 Day, International Women’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and the start of WDET’s spring fundraiser! It’s people like you who power this essential service to Detroit, so please consider making a gift of support today. There are tons of fun prizes in it for you if you do, so tune in throughout the week to learn how to win!

Give now »

Plus, other fun stuff like drunken spelling bees, DJ sets at the DIA and more. Read on for details.

Detroit Day

Celebrate 313 Day with a celebration at Valade Park on the Detroir Riverfront on Thursday, March 13. This free, all-ages event features live music, local food and Detroit-centric activities, including trivia and comedy with T. Barb, love letters to Detroit with InsideOut Literary Arts, a 3.13-mile run with We Run 313 and a Detroit vendor market from All Things Marketplace. The event goes from 3:13-8 p.m. and is completely free to attend. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

Women’s Day

Celebrate International Women’s Day at Batch Brewing in Corktown on Saturday, March 8. Beginning at 2 p.m., the brewery will have an International Women’s Day Market featuring 13 woman-owned vendors who make and sell things like pottery, candles, vintage clothing, permanent jewelry, art and more. DJ Thornstryker will be spinning tunes from 2-6 p.m. and guests can enjoy a collaborative brew between Detroit Girls Pint Out and the women of Batch Brewing, as well as a collaborative dish with Chef E. For more information, visit batchbrewingcompany.com.

Then the celebration continues in the evening with Best Batch Comedy hosted by local comic Patty Rooney. This International Women’s Day comedy show features some of the city’s funniest women, including Johanna Medranda, Tam White and Melanie Hearn — all of whom have performed at WDET’s “What’s So Funny About Detroit?” comedy show as well. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the show is 18+. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early with Celtic song, dance and storytelling at Orchestra Hall on Sunday, March 9. Led by conductor and co-creator Ernest Richardson, “Celtic Journey” showcases traditional Irish marches, reels, jigs and ballads performed on authentic Irish instruments accompanied by the DSO. This one-day-only performance starts at 3 p.m. and tickets start at $25. For more information, visit dso.org.

Other fun stuff

Over the next week, WDET is on a mission to put the fun in fundraising. We’ll have celebrity guests, special themed episodes and opportunities to win cool stuff every day. Prizes include weekend passes to Movement, wristbands for the Hamtramck Blowout, vinyl record packages, Pistons suite tickets and more. We’ve even got a new insulated water bottle available exclusively to listeners who have never donated before! Tune in to WDET on 101.9 FM, wdet.org/listen-live or the WDET app to learn more about how to win, and make your first gift of support now at wdet.org/give.

On Friday, March 7, the DIA is hosting an After Dark event featuring DJ Problematic Black Hottie as part of Tiff Massey’s exhibition, “7 Mile + Livernois.” Guests can enjoy dancing, music and a cash bar in Rivera Court from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The exhibition offers a vibrant, inclusive view of Detroit, celebrating collective identity, ancestral flyness and beauty. This event is free to attend with general admission to the museum, which is also free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. For more information, visit dia.org.

Friday, March 7 is teacher night at Detroit Shipping Company, featuring drink discounts for educators, music by DJ Heart & Soul and a “Buzzed Bee” for guests to test their spelling skills while under the influence. The event goes from 6-10 p.m. and is hosted by King Jamarr and Sistahaus Community Network. For more information, visit detroitshippingcompany.com.

On Saturday, March 8, Detroit singer, songwriter, artist and storyteller Ideeyah is making their Moondog Café debut. Ideeyah has been active in the city’s music scene for over a decade, working with producers like Theo Parrish, Jon Dixon, De’Sean Jones and WDET’s own Waajeed (host of The Boulevard Wednesdays 8-10 p.m.). To complement the live performance, Detroit DJ and producer Whodat will be on the turntables before and after the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the performance begins at 8 p.m. This event is open to all ages, and tickets are pay-what-you-can with a suggested donation of $20. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

This week, some station favorites are playing live in-concert. Plus, dance parties, costume contests and opportunities for local artists. Read on to learn more.

Hear local music

Starting on Thursday, Feb. 27, Miss Eva’s speakeasy is welcoming The kLOUDs Band as their first Artists in Residence. The Motown-style R&B group will be performing live every Thursday night now through April 24 from 8-10 p.m. We speak from experience when we say they know how to put on a show — The kLOUDs and frontman Drey Skonie performed at our Sounds Like Detroit concert last summer after being fan favorites in Detroit’s Tiny Desk Contest! Doors for this week’s show open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15, no advance purchase necessary. For more information, visit missevasdetroit.com.

Staying at Miss Eva’s, Detroit singer-songwriter Ideeyah is kicking off Women’s History Month with a Saturday Night Unplugged performance on Saturday, March 1. Her music blends electronic with soul, and we got to witness her raw talents up close when she performed at WDET’s studios back in 2023. Doors for this intimate concert open at 7 p.m., the show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $20. The Lobster Pitstop food truck will also be on-site all night long. For more information, visit missevasdetroit.com.

Heading downtown, Detroit pianist and educator Michael Malis is performing a rare solo show at the historic Fort Street Presbyterian Church in Detroit on Wednesday, March 5. Malis recently joined In The Groove to give us a preview of what he’ll be playing and chat about why this venue is so special to him. Doors open at 7 p.m., music starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $25 online. For more information, visit michaelmalis.com. 

Go dancing

On Thursday, Feb. 27, Drag Night returns to Bowlero in Royal Oak. This free monthly drag show and dance party takes place every last Thursday in the Bowlero’s lounge. Hosted by Auntie Chanel, this month’s performers are Drag Chef Kokayne, Valentina Rosé, Doubleho Sevyn and Remy Lafontain. Social hour starts at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. This event is 18+. For more information, visit bowlerodetroit.com.

Then on Sunday, March 2, kick off your Mardi Gras celebrations with Domingo: Carnival Edition at Spkrbox in Detroit. From 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., DJ Iza and DJ Yak will be bumping reggaeton, baile funk, latin house, dembow and afro house. For more information, visit @sprkbox.detroit on Instagram.

Strut your stuff

On Wednesday, March 5, UFO Bar is throwing a Detroit Talent Show where fun is the only skill necessary. Hosted by Auntie Ely, entry is $5 and winner takes the pot.  The show starts at 10 p.m. followed by an afterparty DJ set by Ashton Swinton. Limited spots are available, so email ely@spotlitedetroit.com to sign up in advance. For more information, visit @ufobardetroit on Instagram.

Then on Thursday, March 6, Bowlero is celebrating Day of the Dude with live music, $9 White Russians and a Big Lebowski costume contest. Detroit rock bands The Beggars and Dirty Copper will be playing in the lounge, and WDET’s own Ryan Patrick Hooper (host of In The Groove weekdays noon to 2 p.m.) will be DJing. Music starts at 8 p.m. and the costume contest starts at 9 p.m. This event is 18+ and admission is free. For more information, visit bowlerodetroit.com.

Get involved

On Saturday, March 1, the Detroit Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship is hosting their first city-wide Performing Arts Summit at The Detroit School of Arts. The summit will highlight how our creative workforce can drive a healthy economy and thriving communities, featuring presentations and discussions about resources the city has to offer and opportunities the city has to further support artists. Admission is free and broken up into theatre, dance, music and film sections. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.