Kickoff list culled from the MetroTimes. Add your suggestions below.
John Sinclair Celebration of Life
When: April 20 from 2-6 p.m.
Where: The Ralston Project [[Detroit)
What: A celebration of life
Who: Loved ones of John Sinclair
Why: Celebrate John Sinclair’s life with music and community.
Teen HYPE presents Strung
When: April 18 from 7-9 p.m.
Where: Marygrove Theater [[Detroit)
What: A stage play by Detroit youth
Who: Community members
Why: As part of celebrating the organization’s 20th anniversary, Teen HYPE is presenting the stage play Strung, a production centered on the manipulative layers of social media and how they affect self-esteem, addiction, and parental relationships.
The pARTy
When: April 18-20
Where: Tangent Gallery [[Detroit)
What: A music and art festival
Who: Local creative people
Why: To celebrate Detroit’s creativity, plus raise money for the nonprofit Art In Session to open a future community space and provide resources to local artists.
Handcrafters Spring Fling Handmade Market
When: April 19 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and April 20 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Embassy Suites Hotel [[Livonia)
What: A handmade goods market
Who: Local crafters
Why: The market is the perfect chance to stock up on gifts, garden art, seasonal decorations, fashion, and more.
Mega 80’s: Prince Remembrance
When: April 19 at 7 p.m.
Where: Magic Bag [[Ferndale)
What: An 80s dance night
Who: Prince fans and 80s music lovers
Why: Have some drinks and dance the night away with friends to kick off your weekend.
The Real Drag Queens of Bingo
When: April 19 from 8-10:30 p.m.
Where: Grizzley’s [[Wyandotte)
What: A drag show and bingo game
Who: Local drag queens
Why: The show blends standup comedy, drag performances, and bingo for a night of laughter and fun.
Motor City Comedy Festival
When: April 19 at 8 p.m.
Where: Fox Theatre [[Detroit)
What: A comedy festival
Who: Local comedians
Why: Get a laugh in and support local stand-up comedians.
Rod Williams Quartet
When: April 19 and April 20 from 8-11 p.m.
Where: Trinosophes [[Detroit)
What: A music show and celebration
Who: Local jazz musicians including Marion Hayden, Tariq Gardner, and Marcus Elliot
Why: To celebrate Rod Williams’s 70th birthday and hear some great music.
Hot Chocolate Run Detroit
When: April 20 from 6 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: Milliken State Park and Harbor [[Detroit)
What: A marathon benefit
Who: Local runners
Why: The 5k, 10k, or 15k run helps raise money for the Special Olympics. People who finish the race will get a medal, hot chocolate, chocolate fondue, a post-race party, and more.
Spring Cleaning Warehouse Sale
When: April 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Woodward Throwbacks [[Hamtramck)
What: A vintage sale
Who: Vintage and antique enthusiasts
Why: You can shop for everything from locally made furniture to antiques and vintage.
Earth Day Celebration
When: April 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Walking Lightly Refillery & Zero Waste Store [[Ferndale)
What: An Earth Day celebration
Who: Metro Detroiters
Why: Celebrate Earth Day with Metro Detroit's first zero-waste store, featuring a full day of activities, local vendors, sneaker recycling, DIY rain barrel presentation, community donations, and customer discounts.
Record Store Day at Paramita Sound
When: April 20
Where: Paramita Sound [[Detroit)
What: A day of music events
Who: Music lovers
Why: Starting at 11 a.m., support the local record store with drinks and new releases. Then, at 4:20 p.m., a special edition of decks showcase “BUDS” will take place as a 420 Day/Record Store Day party featuring many local DJs. Finally, at 10 p.m., will be the one-year anniversary of the spot’s “JOY” event, featuring a night of music and dance.
OPEN Studios 2024
When: April 20 from 1-5 p.m.
Where: Cranbrook Art Museum [[Bloomfield)
What: A public open house for Cranbrook Academy of Art
Who: Community members and aspiring artists
Why: This event is the only time of year the public can explore the studios of Cranbrook Academy of Art. Student art will be for sale, plus admission to the art and science museums will be free.
Oakland County Earth Day Climate March, Rally, and Fair
When: April 20 from 3-7 p.m.
Where: Royal Oak Farmers Market
What: An Earth Day march, rally, and fair
Who: Environmentalists
Why: Learn what you can do to curb climate change and make your voice heard for climate action. There will be music, speeches, education, a participatory art project, and more.
Reality Gays Podcast
When: April 20 at 7 p.m.
Where: Magic Stick [[Ferndale)
What: A live podcast
Who: Mattie and Poodle of Reality Gays
Why: See the Reality Gays discuss funny topics and reality shows live on stage.
Don't Bring Your Lola: A Night of Filipino Punk Cinema
When: April 20 at 7 p.m.
Where: 27th Letter Books
What: A film screening
Who: Local stoners and film lovers
Why: The one night only film event features the first Filipino stoner film, so its a perfect way to celebrate 4/20.
The Black Crowes: Happiness Bastards Tour ’24
When: April 20 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Fillmore [[Detroit)
What: A concert
Who: The Black Crowes
Why: For the band’s Happiness Bastards Tour.
The Plymouth Stamp Show
When: April 20 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and April 21 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Hellenic Cultural Center [[Westland)
What: A stamp show
Who: The West Suburban Stamp Club
Why: The unique all-ages event will feature beginner stamp collecting classes, information on stamps, and 20 stamp dealers including the U.S. Post Office and United Nations.
Self Care Sunday
When: April 21 from 1-5 p.m.
Where: New St. Mark Family Life Center [[Detroit)
What: A day of self care
Who: Community members
Why: This free, monthly event offers fitness classes, workshops, and resources for well-being. Local vendors and community partners will host activities including yoga, mindfulness, family fitness, nutrition education, breathwork, senior games, youth basketball, hip-hop Zumba, arts, CPR, and first aid training.
