Select events happening in the Detroit area. Be sure to check venue websites before all events for the latest information. See our online calendar for more ideas for things to do, or add your event: metrotimes.com/AddEvent.

Optik More art is coming to Beacon Park with Optik, an internationally touring installation by The Urban Conga in collaboration with Serge Maheu and produced by Creos. The interactive exhibit features six-foot tall gyroscope-like structures made with dichroic film that refracts and reflects light, which can be spun by visitors to make sounds. The multi-sensory, participatory art installation opened on Sept. 2. Opens at 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily through Oct. 3; Beacon Park, 1903 Grand River Ave., Detroit. Credit: Courtesy photo
BLKOUT Walls Street Art Festival A celebration of Black street art and culture, BLKOUT Walls turns Detroit’s North End into an outdoor gallery and block party. Watch live mural painting from artists like Sydney G, James while enjoying music, food, and workshops. From Thursday, Sept. 4-Sunday, Sept. 14; North End, Detroit; blkoutwalls.com. No cover. Credit: Lamar Landers, BLKOUT Walls
In the Life: Black Queerness — Looking Back, Moving Forward Opening this Friday at the Carr Center in Detroit, In the Life: Black Queerness — Looking Back, Moving Forward traces 75 years of Black Queer artistry, honoring a lineage that stretches back to Harlem in the 1920s. Curated by patrick burton and Wayne Northcross, the show features powerful works by April Bey, John Edmonds, Alanna Fields, LeRoy Foster, Clifford Prince King, Richard Lewis, Felicita Felli Maynard, Zanele Muholi, Vernando Reuben, Tylonn J. Sawyer, Pamela Sneed, Bre’Ann White, and Anthony Peyton Young. The exhibition is presented by Mighty Real / Queer Detroit and runs through Oct. 11. Opens 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5; The Carr Center; 15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; mrqd.org. No cover. Credit: “Shantytown Gym Club,” a 2023 mixed-media artwork by Vernando Reuben
The SteelDrivers Downtown Pontiac’s historic Flagstar Strand Theatre is kicking off its fall season with a performance by acclaimed Nashville bluegrass band the SteelDrivers. Founded in 2005, the band once counted the acclaimed country singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton as its lead singer until he departed in 2010. The group earned a Grammy for “Best Bluegrass Album” with 2015’s The Muscle Shoals Recordings, and earlier this year, the SteelDrivers signed with the iconic record label Sun Records. Starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5; Flagstar Strand Theatre, 12 N Saginaw St., Pontiac; flagstarstrand.com. Tickets start at $37. Credit: Courtesy photo
Liquid Red Kink Ball Billed as “Detroit’s kinkiest party,” the Liquid Red Kink Ball is celebrating 10 years of bringing fetish and alternative fashion to the Motor City. A sister party to the Liquid Red Las Vegas show, the event was founded by Michigan native and creative director Megan Halo and features burlesque, a fashion runway featuring goth and alternative styles, DJs, shibari demos, vendors, costume contests, giveaways, and more. For the truly uninhibited: VIP tickets offer the chance to eat at a “human buffet” and even the chance to be leashed and walked like a dog by a lingerie model on stage during the fashion show. Starts at 9 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 6; Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; liquidreddetroit.com. Tickets start at $49.87 for general admission and $87.21 for VIP. Credit: Courtesy photo
Dally in the Alley This block party is a can’t-miss event for Detroiters of all ages, uniting WSU students with long-time boosters for a wonderful afternoon of community in the Cass Corridor. The volunteer-run event features live music on multiple stages, vendors, and beer. It’s the perfect send-off to summer and welcome to the new school year. From 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 6; Cass Corridor, Detroit; dallyinthealley.com. No cover. Credit: Mike Pfeiffer

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Leyland “Lee” DeVito is the editor in chief of Detroit Metro Times since 2016. His writing has also been published in CREEM, VICE, In These Times, and New City.