This week, we’re highlighting ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, experiences that celebrate Detroit excellence and local markets to kick off your holiday shopping.

Plus, an opportunity to support arts education on the dance floor. Read on to learn more.

Upcoming events

Hockeytown Centennial FanFest

  MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit

  Thursday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 9

  $17.60 and up

A four-day celebration honoring a century of Red Wings hockey featuring alumni appearances, interactive exhibits, exclusive merchandise and more. General admission day passes start at $17.60, and 4-day passes and VIP tickets are also available starting at $125. The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Guest Artist Demonstration: Kelly Church

  DIA Art-Making Studio in Detroit

  Friday, Nov. 7

  Free with museum admission (free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties)

A drop-in workshop led by Pottawatomi/Ottawa/Ojibwe artist and educator Kelly Church as part of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Participants will help create a collaborative woven black ash basket while learning about Church’s process and the history of the materials. The workshop goes from 1–5 p.m.

Carmina Burana featuring Detroit’s Audivi Choir

  DSO Orchestra Hall in Detroit

  Friday, Nov. 7 through Sunday, Nov. 9

  $20.95 and up

A performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Detroit’s Audivi Choir. The cantata, composed in the mid-1930s, is based on a famous medieval collection of poems about worldly pleasures and the ups and downs of fortune. Performances take place at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

We’re Still Here: Fighting Indigenous Erasure in the Media

  Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn

  Saturday, Nov. 8

  Free with registration

A discussion about how to combat anti-Indigenous racism featuring award-winning journalist and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Rebecca Nagle. She’ll break down the lack of accurate representation of Native Americans in pop culture, how that impacts Indigenous rights and how ordinary people can push back. The talk takes place at The Henry Ford’s Anderson Theater and doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Underground Music Academy Fundraiser

  Spot Lite in Detroit

  Saturday, Nov. 8

  $23–$29

A fundraiser to support ongoing construction at Underground Music Academy’s headquarters in Detroit’s North End, featuring DJ sets by Kindle, Disc Jockey George and WDET’s own Waajeed (host of The Boulevard). The party goes from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and is 21+.

All Things Detroit Holiday Shopping Experience & Food Truck Rally 2025

  Eastern Market Sheds 3, 4 and 5 in Detroit

  Sunday, Nov. 9

  $7–$15

A holiday shopping market featuring over 200 small businesses, including local artists, handmade gifts, craft goods and one-of-a-kind pieces. There will also be food trucks on site, Detroit DJs in every shed and photo ops with Santa. VIP ticket holders also get two hours of private shopping, an All Things Detroit tote bag and a surprise holiday gift while supplies last. VIP access starts at 10 a.m. and is $15 online. General admission starts at noon and is $7 at the door.

Downtown Detroit Markets & The Cadillac Lodge

  Cadillac Square in Detroit

  Wednesday, Nov. 12 through Jan. 4, 2026

  Free

A holiday shopping market featuring a curated collection of over a dozen Detroit vendors selling everything from apparel and accessories to snacks and skincare. The market area also includes the Cadillac Lodge, a heated tent that offers warm food and seating. Both the market and the lodge are open Wednesdays through Sundays starting at 11 a.m.

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+.

If you’re a museum enthusiast, you’re in luck. This week, we’ve got new exhibitions, last-chance exhibitions and even an opportunity to chat with two of the city’s top museum directors.

Plus, a physical media swap, a fall art fair and your first chance of the season to trick-or-treat. Read on to learn more.

Upcoming events

100 Years Unbound: The Power of Aging

  The Detroit Historical Museum

  Ongoing starting Saturday, Oct. 11

  $8–$15 (Free for members and children under 6)

A new exhibition celebrating 100 years of the Hannan Center, from its early roots and innovative programs to its vision for redefining aging across metro Detroit. The exhibit features rare artifacts, photographs and art that tell the center’s story. An opening celebration will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. featuring remarks from Hannan Center President & CEO, Vincent Tilford.

Zoo Boo

  The Detroit Zoo

  Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 26

  $21–$27

A family-friendly Halloween-themed attraction at the zoo featuring festive decorations, educational opportunities and plenty of treats. The Zoo Boo pathway is open from 4-9:30 p.m. The animal habitats will not be accessible during Zoo Boo, but zoo admission is discounted on Zoo Boo days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dead Media Swap

  100 Proof in Eastern Market

  Saturday, Oct. 11

  $3

An event hosted by Detroit City Distillery where people can swap cassettes, CDs, VHS tapes, vinyl records and more. There will also be raffles, beer, cocktails and food, including Chef Matt’s famous gumbo. There’s a $3 entry fee, and the event goes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

A2 Artoberfest

  Kerrytown in Downtown Ann Arbor

  Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12

  Free

An annual autumn art fair featuring over 100 juried artists, live music, food, beer, cider and cocktails on the streets of Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown area. The fair opens at 10 a.m. each day and closes at 6 p.m. on Saturday and at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Presenting African American Art: A Talk with the Directors

  The Detroit Institute of Arts Lecture Hall

  Sunday, Oct. 12

  Free with registration

A dialogue between DIA Director Salvador Salort-Pons and The Wright Director Neil Barclay as they explore the evolving role of cultural institutions in preserving, exhibiting and championing African American art, history and culture. They’ll discuss how museums can serve as both stewards of history and platforms for contemporary voices. Admission is free with registration and general admission to the museum, and space is limited. General admission to the museum is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The talk starts at 2 p.m.

Black, Queer, Proud: 30 Years of Hotter Than July

  The Detroit Historical Museum

  Ongoing through Sunday, Oct. 12

  $8–$15 (Free for members and children under 6)

An exhibition celebrating the second-oldest and longest-running Black Queer Pride event in the world. The exhibit features photographs of the festival from over the years, highlighting the festival’s Detroit roots and community-driven mission. The last day to see the exhibit is Sunday, Oct. 12.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the DIA

  The Detroit Institute of Arts

  Monday, Oct. 13

  Free

While the DIA is usually closed on Mondays, the museum will be open on Oct. 13 to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the museum is offering free admission to the Contemporary Anishinaabe Art exhibition and the Native American galleries. Then at 6 p.m., Ojibwe author Angeline Boulley will do a live reading and signing for her new book, “Sisters in the Wind.” Admission to the author talk is also free, but registration is required.

This week, we’ve got tons of ways to engage with art in metro Detroit, from interactive sculptures to intimate concerts. Plus, fall favorites, small business experiences and season premieres. Read on to learn more.

Upcoming events

Season Fair

  Michigan Central in Detroit

  Thursday, Sep. 25 through Sunday, Sep. 28

  $30–$100

Detroit’s first contemporary art fair dedicated to bringing local and international galleries together. Visitors can browse featured artwork, shop for new pieces and attend panel discussions. The fair is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Single day entry is $40 for general admission or $30 for seniors and students with valid ID. VIP tickets are available for $100 and include multi-day entry and access to exclusive events.

Rooftop Rendezvous feat. Kasan Belgrave

  Arab American National Museum in Dearborn

  Friday, Sep. 26

  Free with RSVP

A free outdoor concert featuring saxophonist Kasan Belgrave and his band. Belgrave is a woodwind specialist, recording artist and jazz composer, and he’s the son of legendary Detroit trumpet player Marcus Belgrave. The concert goes from 6–8 p.m.

Hay Ride Central

  Heritage Park in Farmington Hills

  Every Friday, Sep. 26–Oct. 31

  $5–$6

Family hayrides through the trails of Heritage Park in Farmington Hills. Admission is $5, and participants can get cider and a s’more at the end of the ride for an extra $1. Kids under 2 years old ride for free. Rides leave every half hour from 5:30–7 p.m.

Shop Downtown Detroit

  Various locations in Detroit

  Saturday, Sep. 27

  Free

A one-day event promoting downtown businesses, featuring exclusive deals, limited-edition products and interactive experiences. Promotions go from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at participating vendors.

13th Annual Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos

  Detroit Institute of Arts

  Saturday, Sep. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 2

  Free with museum admission (free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties)

The 13th installment of the DIA’s Día de Muertos celebration, developed in partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit, the Southwest Detroit Business Association and Mexicantown CDC. The exhibition features ofrendas by local artists and community members, and is designed to familiarize visitors with the Mexican traditions of the Day of the Dead.

Public Opening Celebration for Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation

  Detroit Institute of Arts

  Sunday, Sep. 28

  Free with museum admission (free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties)

A day of creative and cultural activities to mark the opening of the DIA’s newest exhibit highlighting contemporary Anishinaabe art. There will be a sculpture dedication ceremony, drop-in art making activities, live musical performances and storytelling. All ages are welcome.

10 Years Back, 10 Years Forward: Black Bottom Archives

  Detroit Historical Museum

  Ongoing through Sunday, Sep. 28

  $15

A 10th anniversary exhibit celebrating the Black Bottom Archives, featuring zines, podcasts, photos and interactive displays about the historic Detroit neighborhood.

Here There Are Blueberries

  Detroit Public Theatre

  Wednesday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Nov. 2

  $5–$100

A play based on true events that follows a mysterious album of never-before-seen World War II-era photographs and a shocking truth behind the images inside. This is the first production in DPT’s 11th season. General admission is $52–$100 and select dates feature pick-your-price tickets starting at $5.

Shape Your World Interactive Experience feat. Optik Installation

  Beacon Park in Detroit

  Ongoing through Friday, Oct. 3

  Free

An outdoor installation featuring interactive gyroscopic structures that create unique light displays and abstract sounds depending on the position of the sun. The venue also offers music and curated beverages by Lumen Detroit. The installation is open to the public daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For the first time in 30 years, a major exhibition featuring contemporary Native American art from the Great Lakes region will be on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). “Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation” opens Sunday, September 28, 2025 and runs through April 5, 2026.

While the DIA has an extensive Indigenous Americas collection with artifacts from South, Central and North America, this exhibition stands out as one consisting entirely of contemporary art from Anishinaabe artists.

The exhibition features 60 artists and over 90 works in mediums from textiles to film, all of which were created by Anishinaabe artists and curated with guidance from a council of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi artists.

Curator Dr. Denene De Quintal and museum director Salvador Salort-Pons joined The Metro to discuss the exhibition.

The exhibition is free with general admission to the DIA, which is always free for Tri-County residents. It is also free for visitors and accompanying children with a tribal ID.

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

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More stories from The Metro

This week, we’ve got a global spread of celebrations, from Afrobeats to K-Pop. Plus, bringing it back home to the Motor City with the Woodward Dream Cruise and more. Read on for details.

Upcoming events

Techno In The Parks

  Riverside Park in Detroit

  Friday, Aug. 15

  Free

An outdoor concert celebrating techno music, featuring DJ Deep Sequence with special guests Hazmat Live and Room 131. There will also be food trucks, face painting, games and inflatables. The concert goes from 5–8 p.m.

K-Pop Culture Experience — Dance, Games and Flavors

  The Detroit Institute of Arts

  Saturday, Aug. 16

  Free with museum admission

An immersive celebration of Korean culture, featuring a dance performance by PRISM Cru, games with prizes, food samples, and a tour of the DIA’s Korean Gallery. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. and activities go through 2:30 p.m. Museum admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

AfroFuture Detroit

  Bedrock’s Douglass Site in Detroit

  Saturday, Aug. 16 through Sunday, Aug. 17

  $95–$327

The U.S. debut of a globally-successful two-day music festival showcasing African and diasporic talent. Headliners include Afrobeats superstars Asake and Davido, genre-defying Kaytranada, Brazil’s Ludmilla and Detroit’s own Tee Grizzley. Doors open at 2 p.m. each day.

R&Beach

  The Beach at Campus Martius Park in Detroit

  Saturday, Aug. 16

  Free with RSVP

An downtown beach party featuring R&B music, tequila samples, vinyl record decorating and concert ticket giveaways. The party goes from 6–10 p.m.

Fraser Lions Club Carnival

  Steffens Park in Fraser

  Thursday, Aug. 21 through Sunday, Aug. 24

  Free

An annual fundraiser for the Fraser Lions Club, a local nonprofit that supports blind community members by providing resources like leader dogs. The four-day event features family-friendly activities like carnival rides, games, live music, a petting zoo, fireworks and more. Festivities start at 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, parking is $10 and ride wristbands are $30.

In this episode of The Detroit Evening Report, we cover an upcoming exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts centered around Indigenous artists. Plus, where to hear jazz in the Avenue of Fashion this weekend.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

DIA announces Native American exhibit

The Detroit Institute of Arts has just announced that it’s hosting a Native American exhibit in September. According to the museum’s website, “The Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation” exhibit will feature 60 U.S.-based Anishinaabe artists in the first major exhibition on Native Americans at the museum in 30 years.

The artwork will feature jewelry, basketry and painting. Additionally, there will be pottery and woodworking displays.

The exhibition has been curated with an advisory council of Ojibwe, Ottawa and Potawatomi artists. Gallery text will include Anishnaabemowin, a language of the Indigenous communities in the Great Lakes.

People can see the exhibition Sep. 28, 2025 through April 5, 2026.

Jazz on the Ave returns

Mike’s Fresh Market and the University Commonwealth are hosting a block party this weekend. The 17th Annual Jazz on the Ave festival is a customer appreciation block party on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion, located on Livernois Avenue.

The event takes place Saturday, Aug. 2 from noon to 8 p.m., featuring live music, free food, bounce houses and a parade at 4 p.m. It will also include a car show by Community Services LLC. Jamal Abro, owner of  Mike’s Fresh Market, says this is a way to thank the community.

Learn how to build a rain garden

The City of Dearborn is partnering with nonprofit Friends of the Rouge to host a rain garden workshop next weekend.

Regina Sistrunk is the Community Development Compliance Officer for the City of Dearborn.  She says in a news release that rain gardens are a holistic way to prevent rainwater from entering the sewer system each year. Participants will learn how rain gardens reduce flooding and support wildlife.

The workshop is funded through Dearborn’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds. The “Rain Gardens 101” class takes place on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 10–11 a.m. at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. To register, visit therouge.org.

COVID vaccines still recommended

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends getting the latest COVID-19 shot every year.

Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, says she wants to dispel misconceptions and confusion about the shot, after the CDC stopped recommending it for healthy children and pregnant women.

“Our recommendations at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, after reviewing all of the data and guidance, have not changed. We continue to recommend the COVID vaccine for everyone aged six months and older, including those who are pregnant.”

Dr. Bagdasarian says the state’s recommendations align with national medical groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.