This weekend is great if you want to meet new friends, as there are many community-centered events happening that are perfect for mingling with like-minded individuals. Metro Detroiters are getting ready to host art exhibits, a book club, open mics, a clothing swap, parties, and more.
If you’re looking for even more to do every day of the week, see the Metro Times events calendar, which is free to use if you have something planned that you’d like to advertise to Metro Times readers.
Black History Month Film Fest
When: Feb. 9 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Centric Place, Farmington Hills
What: A film festival
Who: Award-winning Detroit filmmakers
Why: To celebrate the culture and creative talent of metro Detroit’s Black filmmakers and showcase diverse stories through the art of short films. Credit: Google MapsOpen Stage for a Ceasefire
When: Feb. 9 from 6-11 p.m.
Where: Drifter Coffee, Ferndale
What: A night of music, poetry, and speeches
Who: Community members and performers
Why: Support efforts to pass a ceasefire resolution in Ferndale. Credit: Drifter/FacebookBLKLUV: The 10-year Anniversary Show
When: Feb. 9 at 8 p.m.
Where: Aretha’s Jazz Cafe
What: A show of poetry, music, comedy, and more
Who: Hosted by Joel Fluent Greene with beats by Drake Phifer
Why: Celebrate Black History Month and Valentine’s Day at once by supporting local Black performers and vendors alongside your lover. Credit:Facebook, The Satin Doll RevueCrazy in Love
When: Feb. 9 and 10 from 6-10:30 p.m.
Where: Eloise Asylum, Westland
What: A Valentine’s Day-themed haunted house
Who: You and your Valentine
Why: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a scare at one of Michigan’s most famous haunted houses. Credit: Courtesy photoDirty Show ’24
When: Feb. 9 and 10 from 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Russell Industrial Center
What: An international erotic art exhibition
Who: Many artists and burlesque performers
Why: Enjoy over 300 pieces of art by over 200 artists from around the country and across the globe, plus an awesome stage show. Credit: Josh JusticeSTUPOR: Disappearing Act & My Secret Sickness
When: Feb. 9 and 10 from 9-10:30 p.m.
Where: Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck
What: A unique performance and Zine release party
Who: Local writers and performers
Why: The event celebrates a new issue of STUPOR, the “longest-running zine in Detroit.” Credit:Facebook, Planet AntCranbrook Winter Plant Sale
When: Feb. 9 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Feb. 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Cranbrook House & Gardens, Bloomfield Hills
What: A plant sale
Who: Plant lovers
Why: Brighten up your house with some greenery. Credit: Eric Franchy/Cranbrook House & GardensUnion Free Admission Day at Cranbrook Art Museum
When: Feb. 10
Where: Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills
What: A free museum day
Who: Union members
Why: To celebrate hardworking community members. Credit: ShutterstockDilla Family Day
When: Feb. 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Alkebu-Lan Village
What: An annual celebration of musical legacy
Who: Detroit comedian T Barb, Spin Inc., and J Dilla’s spirit
Why: Celebrate the life and legacy of J Dilla with workshops, performances, and more. Credit: Courtesy photoClothing Swap
When: Feb. 10 from 12-4 p.m.
Where: Spot Lite
What: A clothing swap
Who: Detroiters
Why: Bring up to 10 pieces of clothing you’re done with and get new clothing for your closet. Credit: Layla McMurtrieSMPLFD Warehouse Sample Sale
When: Feb. 10 from 12-8 p.m.
Where: SMPLFD
What: A warehouse sale
Who: Anyone who wants some new fits
Why: The Detroit clothing store is selling old inventory at affordable prices. Credit: Courtesy of SMPLFDBlack History Community Open Mic
When: Feb. 10 from 1-3 p.m.
Where: The District Detroit Opportunity Center
What: An open mic
Who: City Wide Poets
Why: Celebrate Black History Month with InsideOut’s Youth Advisory Board at this all-ages community open mic featuring award-winning Detroit poet Galaxy. Credit:Facebook, The District Detroit Opportunity CenterRay Gray art exhibition and reception
When: Feb. 10 from 3-5 p.m.
Where: The Congregation
What: An art exhibit
Who: Ray Gray
Why: Throughout February, former Golden Gloves boxing champion Ray Gray, who turned to art amid a nearly 50-year sentence he maintains was wrongful, is the featured artist at The Congregation. You can meet him at this reception. Credit: Courtesy photoBLACK x Sharp Pens Poetry Showcase
When: Feb. 10 from 6:30-9 p.m.
Where: The Carr Center gallery at the Park Shelton
What: A poetry show in an art gallery
Who: Poetry and art lovers
Why: See the Carr Center’s current Black History Month art gallery, plus support local poetry group Sharp Pens. Credit: Google MapsStripped: Brandon Altman Solo Exhibition Opening Reception
When: Feb. 10 from 6-9 p.m.
Where: Playground Detroit
What: An art exhibition
Who: Brandon Altman
Why: The art explores the concept of fragmentation leading to wholeness using painting, collage, and vintage source images from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Credit:Facebook, Playground DetroitArt on the Riverfront
When: Feb. 10 from 6-9 p.m.
Where: Brix Wine
What: An art show
Who: Over 15 local artists curated by Geno Harris
Why: Support Detroit artists. Credit:Instagram, @onegsirrahAmpersand Book Club: Dilla Time
When: Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
Where: 27th Letter Books
What: A book club
Who: Anyone who has read Dilla Time
Why: Discuss the life and legacy of J Dilla and what you learned from Dilla Time, at this local bookstore’s monthly book club. Credit:Facebook, 27th Letter BooksKawaii Land
When: Feb. 10 from 8 p.m.-midnight
Where: Trumbullplex
What: Music, fashion, food, and more
Who: Local artsy folks
Why: It sounds cool. It’s queer-friendly. There will be alternative rap and R&B music. Plus, you get to support a community organization while having fun. Credit:FacebookCredit: Viola KlockoBUDS: an Open Decks showcase
When: Feb. 10 from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Paramita Sound
What: DJ sets
Who: Sc-Fi Deluxx, Sometimes Sound, and “SHAUNIE”
Why: Hear some new sounds spun by local DJs. Credit: Instagram, ParamitaJerk X Jollof Detroit: Black Love Weekend
When: Feb. 10 from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Big Pink
What: An Afrobeats dance night
Who: You and your lover
Why: Dance with your crush or meet a new one. Credit: Viola KlockoClothing Swap & Mending Party
When: Jan. 13 from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Bloodroot Herb Shop, Ypsilanti
What: A clothing swap
Who: You and your clothes
Why: It’s a chance to update your wardrobe and get rid of some clothes for a new year refresh. Also, if you have clothes that need fixing, bring supplies and do it next to a neighbor. Credit: Courtesy photoMusic of Gideon Klein, Hans Krása, and more
When: Feb. 11 from 3-5 p.m.
Where: The Scarab Club
What: An instrumental concert
Who: Performers include violinists Laura Roelofs and Velda Kelly, violist Scott Stefanko, and cellist Ben Maxwell
Why: The program highlights inventive works written by three composers who were killed in the Holocaust: Hans Krása, Gideon Klein, and Erwin Schulhoff. Credit: The Scarab ClubDining in the Dark
When: Feb. 11 from 5-7 p.m.
Where: Host, Utica
What: A unique blindfolded dining experience
Who: Chefs and foodies
Why: It’s an interesting and interactive dinner with a surprise menu of food. Credit:Facebook, Host Utica
Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...
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