Kickoff list culled from the MetroTimes. Add your suggestions below.
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.
BLKLUV: 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.
Crazy 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.
Dirty 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.
STUPOR: 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.”
Union 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.
Dilla 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.
Clothing 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.
SMPLFD 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.
Ray 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.
BLACK 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.
Stripped: 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.
Art 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.
Ampersand 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.
Kawaii Land
When: Feb. 10 from 8 p.m.-midnight
Where: Trumbullplex 4210 Trumbull, Detroit, MI 48208
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.
Winter Supply Drive + Community Open Mic
When: Feb. 11 from 1-5 p.m.
Where: Bloodroot Herb Shop, Ypsilanti
What: An open mic and winter supply drive
Who: Presented by the Ypsilanti Tenant’s Union and Washtenaw Camp Outreach
Why: See performances by local poets, plus donate to an important cause. It’s free to attend, with a suggested donation of $10.
Music 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.
