Kickoff list culled from the MetroTimes. Add your suggestions below.


Nixon King: A World Premiere Musical Dramedy
Fridays, Saturdays, 8-9 p.m. and Sundays, 3-4 p.m. Continues through Jan. 19
Planet Ant Theatre
2320 Caniff St., Hamtramck Detroit
$30 online, $35 at the door
Musical, Performance, MLK Day
A deadly serious comedy from the mind of Robert P. Young. The 1960 Presidential election was razor-thin, and some claimed Richard Nixon was cheated. One moment loomed large: Nixon’s failure to help Martin Luther King, Jr. escape a potentially fatal jailing. But what if Nixon did try to intervene? In this hilarious and poignant musical, a disguised Nixon embarks on a secret mission to a Georgia prison to save King. Can one night—and one act of courage—alter history, or are some outcomes inevitable? NIXON/KING reimagines a pivotal moment with humor, heart, and what-ifs. [313] 365-4948; [313] 365-0782 [FAX]



Detroit Auto Show
Through Jan. 20
Huntington Place
1 Washington Blvd, Detroit Detroit
Public show $10-$20
Whether you’re a fan of Hollywood’s legendary vehicles, or a classic car aficionado, the Jan. 10-20 Detroit Auto Show has something for everyone, including iconic vehicles like the Ferrari Modena Spyder California from the hit 1986 film, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” as well as a “Detroit Through the Decades” showcase of vehicles. Visitors to Huntington Place in Detroit will see these rare specialty cars, together with vehicles representing 34 recognized, luxury and exotic brands, in addition to a curated showcase of 150+ enthusiasts’ modded cars and trucks. Tickets for the Detroit Auto Show can be purchased at detroitautoshow.com with a… 5865329200



The Straits: A photography exhibition by Andrew Petrov
Jan. 17-Feb. 1
Moondog Cafe
8045 Linwood St #2, Detroit Detroit
Art Exhibition
The Straits, a photography exhibition by Andrew Petrov, captures the evolution of Detroit through large-scale images of the city’s art, industry, architecture, and people. The exhibition accompanies the soft opening of Moondog Café and is on view from January 17, 2025, to February 1, 2025, with a public reception on Saturday, January 18, from 6-10 PM. The city’s name, derived from the French “le détroit” [the strait], reflects its identity as a crossroads—a maritime intersection linking east and west, north and south, and the United States and Canada. Detroit was a crossing point on the Underground railway, a destination of… 313-333-3333



Detroit Symphony Orchestra w/ Rite of Spring
Thu., Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 18, 8 p.m.
Max M. Fisher Music Center
3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit Detroit
Performance
[313] 576-5100



UAW Comedy Jam featuring Honest John
Sat., Jan. 18, 6 p.m. and Sun., Jan. 19, 6 p.m.
Diamondback Music Hall
49345 S. Interstate 94 Service Dr., Belleville Detroit
$35-$320
Stand-up



In-Store Concert with Ryan Allen + Jamiel Dado
Sat., Jan. 18, 7-10 p.m.
Reware Vintage
2965 12 Mile Road, Suite 200, Berkley Oakland County
$5
Live/Concert
An acoustic evening with singer-songwriters Jamiel Dado and Ryan Allen. Suggested donation $5, all ages welcome, and store is open to shop during the show. Downtown Berkley is a social district, get a drink at any local bar & bring it in! Free parking throughout downtown. 249-439-0007



Dave Bennett Winter Brunch Series: Olivia Van Goor featuring Randy Napoleon
Sun., Jan. 19, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
The War Memorial
32 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms Detroit
$35-$95
Live/Concert
Join us on Sunday January 19, 2025 as we kick off the Dave Bennett Winter Brunch and Concert Series with a performance by jazz vocalist Olivia Van Goor featuring guitarist Randy Napoleon. All performances are curated by Detroit Jazz Musician and War Memorial favorite Dave Bennett. Relax and enjoy a spectacular brunch from The War Memorial’s executive chef team, your choice of mimosa or bloody mary, and performance guaranteed to melt winter’s chill. Olivia & Randy will be joined by Bassist Samuel Chase Harris and Drummer Dave Zwolinski. For tickets, visit https://www.warmemorial.org/eventcal...erbruncholivia 3138817511



Historical Speaker Series: The Lost Villages of Macomb County
Sun., Jan. 19, 1-2 p.m.
Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site
49965 Van Dyke, Shelby charter Township Detroit
Free
Discover the hidden history of Macomb County’s lost villages, such as Belvidere, Fredrick, Red Run, and Disco. Join Debbie Remer, a life-long resident of Macomb County with deep family roots dating back to the 1870s. Debbie, a retired science teacher and passionate historian, will guide you through the development of the county and the stories of these ghost towns. Debbie has been a dedicated volunteer at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm since 1988, and she is a current Trustee on the Board of Directors of the Packard Motor Car Foundation. Don’t miss this fascinating exploration of local 586-739-4800



“Common Ground” film on climate and agriculture, with panel discussion
Sun., Jan. 19, 1-3 p.m.
Birmingham Unitarian Church
38651 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills Oakland County
Free
Screening, Q&A/Panel
The award-winning film “Common Ground” presents an alternative to soil-depleting farm practices, and the use of extensive pesticides, herbicides and fossil-fuel based fertilizers to grow our food. Regenerative agriculture seeks to build soil health and curb greenhouse gas emissions by use of no-till methods, cover crops, crop rotation and other approaches. A panel will answer questions and critique advocacy of animal grazing in the film after the showing. Sponsored by SE Mich Sierra Club Climate Team and BUC Environmental Action Team.




Living Room Jazz Night @ Shinola Hotel
Sun., Jan. 19, 5-8 p.m.
Shinola Hotel
1400 Woodward Ave., Detroit Detroit
Free
Live/Concert
On Sunday, January 19, join us at Shinola Hotel for Living Room Jazz Nights. Taking place from 5:00 - 8:00 PM in the hotel’s lobby lounge, dubbed Detroit’s Living Room, the hotel will be hosting award-winning soul, jazz, and R&B artist, Kathy Kosins, for an intimate performance and night of live music. Complete with craft cocktails and elevated bites, the Living Room is the place to be this Sunday funday. [313] 356-1400



Crossing Delancey Opens Jan 17 at Birmingham Village Players
Fridays-Sundays, 8-10:30 p.m., Sat., Jan. 18, 8-10:30 p.m., Sun., Jan. 19, 2-4 p.m., Fri., Jan. 24, 8-10:30 p.m., Sat., Jan. 25, 8-10:30 p.m., Sun., Jan. 26, 2-4 p.m., Thu., Jan. 30, 8-10:30 p.m., Fri., Jan. 31, 8-10:30 p.m., Sat., Feb. 1, 8-10:30 p.m. and Sun., Feb. 2, 2-4 p.m. Continues through Feb. 2
Birmingham Village Players
34660 Woodward Ave, Birmingham Oakland County
$30
Performance
Get a head start on the most romantic time of year by taking your special someone to see “Crossing Delancey,” a delightful and humorous love story playing January 17 - February 2, 2025 at Birmingham Village Players [BVP]. Crossing Delancey runs January 17 to February 2, 2025, at Birmingham Village Players. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8PM. Sunday matinees start at 2PM. Individual reserved tickets are $30 [includes ticketing fee]. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office, 248-644-2075, or by placing an order on the website, www.birminghamvillageplayers.com. 2486442075



The Official Onesie Bar Crawl - Detroit
Sat., Jan. 18, 4-11:59 p.m.
Bookie’s Bar & Grille
2208 Cass Avenue, Detroit Detroit
$15.00
Live/Concert
Bundle up and bar-hop in style at Detroit’s coziest event of the year—our Onesie Bar Crawl on January 18th, 2025! 612-460-0094



Contours: Dustin Cook Solo Exhibition Opening Reception
Sat., Jan. 18, 6-9 p.m.
Playground Detroit
2845 Gratiot Ave., Detroit Detroit
Free
Art Exhibition
PLAYGROUND DETROIT is excited to announce the first exhibition of 2025, “Contours,” Dustin Cook’s second solo exhibition with the gallery, opening to the public on Saturday, January 18th at PLAYGROUND DETROIT from 6-9PM. The shaped canvases in “Contours” redefine the traditional canvas, creating abstract pieces that are as much about the physical form as they are about the interplay of color and texture. Dustin Cook’s abstract paintings invite the viewer to find their own meaning within the interplay of color and form. Dustin Cook [b.1995] is an artist living and working in Detroit, Michigan. 313-649-7741