It’s hard to believe that February 1st is tomorrow!
This weekend is filled with a ton of great events. I’m really excited for most of them. It’s going to be hard to narrow down what I want to do this weekend.
Kickoff to Black History Month at the DIA
The Detroit Institute of Arts will be celebrating the beginning of Black History Month by having a full day and night of programing. In fact, the DIA is staying open until 2:00 a.m.!
There will be a poetry reading by U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith, tours of the museum, artist demonstrations, a musical performance by Mahogany Jones, and a late night DJ.
The DIA has partnered with The Charles H. Write Museum to bring U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith to Detroit for a lecture and reading. Tickets for the reading are free, but you do need to register.
You can find the full schedule of events here.
Admission to the museum is free to residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties.
When: Friday, February 2 from 12:00 p.m-2:00 a.m.
Where: The DIA is located at 5200 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48202
Opening Weekend of The Follies Detroit
If you love musicals like I do, then you need to buy your tickets for The Follies Detroit.
The Detroit Actors Theatre Company will be performing The Follies for the next two weeks. During the show you will hear songs from over 20 shows.
We’re talking shows like Lion King, Hairspray, The Color Purple, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Hamilton.
This is your chance to scratch that Hamilton itch if you can’t wait for the show to come to Detroit in November. (Yes, I’m watching for when tickets go on sale.)
Tickets for The Follies are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. They will also be collecting donations for Freedom House.
When: February 2 and 3 at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Jam Handy 2900 E Grand Boulevard Detroit, Michigan 48202
A Doubleheader Of Babe Ruth Parties
The Great Bambino is turning 123 years old this Saturday.
If you are looking for some fun parties I’m going to suggest two.
The first is Tom Derry’s 31th Annual Babe Ruth Party which will be held at Nemo’s Bar in Corktown.
There will be Babe Ruth memorabilia, hot dogs, and beer.
When: Saturday, February 3 at 7:14 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Where: Nemo’s 1384 Michigan Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48226
The second party is the Tom’s Tavern Babe Ruth Party, which has an alternate location for this year.
Currently Tom’s is closed for repairs, so the Babe Ruth Party will be held at Sport’s Locker in Livonia. Yeah, I know it’s not in the city proper and the City 5 focuses on the city. But for this one, because it’s Tom’s, I’m making an exception.
When: Saturday, February 3 at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Sport’s Locker 30375 Plymouth Road Livonia, Michigan 48150
Shiver on the River
Come spend Saturday on Belle Isle for Shiver on the River.
The annual event is put on by the Friends of the Detroit River and it highlights all of the great things that Belle Isle has to offer.
The main event is held in the Casino. There will be exhibits, displays, refreshments, arts and crafts, and so much more.
There will be an All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast at the Flynn Pavilion. There will be a 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. seating for the breakfast. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children.
I suggest checking out the Shiver on the River flyer to find out all of the events that are taking place on Saturday.
When: Saturday, February 3 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Where: Belle Isle State Park
21st Annual Sphinx Competition Finals
Classical music played such a huge part of my life when I was growing up, and I love seeing young people make that same connection.
The Sphinx Competition is important because it highlights young Black and Hispanic string players.
The finalists will perform with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra.
The finalists get a chance to compete in front of internationally renowned panel of judges.
The winner of the Sphinx Challenge will receive the $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize.
Tickets are $5, but it is optional. You can reserve your ticket for the Sphinx Challenge here.
When: Sunday, February 4 from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
