The Metro Events Guide: Exhibitions, conventions, bargains and more

This week, we’ve got online exhibitions and cultural panel discussions that will make you see the world in a new light.

Plus, staple events like Bookstock and Astronomicon return to Detroit. Read on to learn more.

Exhibitions

Kresge Arts in Detroit’s first online exhibition is now live, featuring the 15th cohort of Kresge Artist Fellows and Gilda Award recipients. The theme is “Flash Your Lights,” a call for solidarity inspired by the iconic 1970s Detroit radio DJ, Electrifying Mojo. Each night, he asked listeners to imagine futures of peace and revolution united by sound, and to collectively “flash their lights” to demonstrate they were listening in solidarity. In this exhibit, 15 local artists submitted new and re-imagined pieces examining how sound surfaces in their practice. The exhibition will be available to view through June 2024. To learn more, visit the Flash Your Lights online exhibition site.

Related: New online Kresge exhibit inspired by Detroit disc jockey Electrifying Mojo »

To see more work from budding Detroit artists, check out the Cranbrook Academy of Art 2024 Graduate Degree Exhibition. Innovative pieces from the next generation of architects, artists and designers will be on display in the museum’s upper galleries now through May 12, featuring projects that are the culmination of two years of studio work from a diverse group of graduates as they launch their careers. General admission is $10, $8 for seniors and Detroit residents, or $6 for students with ID. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday with free admission on Thursdays. For more information, visit cranbrookartmuseum.org.

Discussions

On Saturday, April 13 from 4:30-6 p.m., the Arab American National Museum is hosting a panel called “Decolonizing Tongues, Weaving Features: Indigenous/Arab Solidarity, Creativity and Linguistic Self-Determination.” Indigenous and Arab artists, activists, organizers and educators will convene to discuss the historical links between Native and Arab peoples in the greater Michigan region. They’ll explore how both groups continue to face issues of racial, cultural, economic, linguistic, educational and legal discrimination, and how we can move forward together for a better future. This event is free with registration and can be attended in-person at the museum or live-streamed remotely. For more information, visit arabamericanmuseum.org.

Bargains

Bookstock, Detroit’s biggest used book and media sale, is back this weekend for its 20th run. This year’s event features over 300,000 donated, pre-sorted books and media items for sale at Laurel Park Place in Livonia,. Proceeds from the sale support education and literacy projects in the metro Detroit area and beyond. The sale is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 14. For more information, visit bookstockmi.org.

Or, if you’d rather donate books than get more, check out Birdie’s Bookmobile. In celebration of National Donate a Book Day, they’ll be parked at Eastern Market Shed 2 on Saturday, April 13 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. accepting gently-used book donations. All books will be shared with children and families through school visits, free book fairs and community events in Detroit. To learn more, visit birdiesbookmobile.org.

Related: Birdie’s Bookmobile to collect books for kids at Eastern Market this Saturday »

Then, join us in celebrating National Record Store Day early! We’ve partnered with Third Man Records so that all donations made to the station between April 13-20 will be entered to win five pairs of Third Man Pressing tour tickets and a WDET swag bag. Experience the magic of vinyl production firsthand at this stunning midtown Detroit pressing plant. The tour will take place on May 16 at 4 p.m. and will be accompanied by your favorite WDET hosts. Visit WDET.org/give for your chance to win.

Conventions

One of the area’s leading pop culture conventions, Astronomicon, is back in metro Detroit from Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14. This year’s lineup features a variety of iconic actors, horror legends, WWE Hall of Famers and voice actors. In addition to celebrity meet and greets, guests can also enjoy events and activities including cosplay contests, musical performances and a shopping area with dozens of unique vendors. The convention will take place at Burton Manor in Livonia from Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14. Tickets start at $30. For more information, visit astronomicon.com.

Comedians

This weekend, the Redford Theatre is hosting a Three Stooges Festival on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13. They’ll be screening six of the trio’s classic films for an evening of mischief and mayhem. Tickets are $7 for the general public or $5 for seniors and children. For more information, visit redfordtheatre.com.

Then, join us at the Flagstar Strand Theatre on Saturday, April 13th for an unforgettable night of laughter and wit with comedian Paula Poundstone. You may recognize her from NPR’s Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me, her podcast Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone or one of her several comedy specials. She was also the first female comic to host the White House Correspondents Dinner, and is noted for being one of the most influential comedians of our time. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $40 to $60. To learn more, visit wdet.org/events.