The Metro Events Guide: Soothing art, sci-fi escapism and comic relief

Anyone else in desperate need of an emotional reset? This week, we’ve got some soothing and fantasy-forward events to take your mind off of election results, even if it’s just for an evening.

Plus, a chance to laugh with Peter Sagal, because laughter is the best medicine, right? Read on to learn more.

Soothing art exhibits

“How We Make the Planet Move” is the inaugural exhibition in Cranbrook Art Museum’s Detroit Collection series. Designed to acknowledge the long-standing history of artists who have called Detroit home and the area’s rich and diverse community of practitioners, the Detroit Collection is particularly focused on art from the 1960s to the present in a variety of media. This new, permanent collection is devoted to celebrating and preserving the work of artists and designers in the metro Detroit area, especially works by women, artists of color and LGBTQ+ identified individuals. The Detroit Collection Part I is on display in Cranbrook’s Upper Galleries now through March 2, 2025. For more information, visit cranbrookartmuseum.org.

“The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World” is on display at the DIA now through Jan. 5, 2025. The exhibition brings together 230 works from the Middle East, Egypt, Central and South Asia, and beyond to explore connections between art and cuisine from ancient times to the present day. Paintings of elaborate feasts, luxurious vessels for food and drink, and historical cookbooks show how culinary cultures have thrived in the Islamic world for centuries. Highlighting the relationship of these works to preparing, serving and enjoying food, the exhibition engages multiple senses and invites us to appreciate the pleasures of sharing a meal. This exhibition is free with general admission to the museum, which is also free for residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. For more information, visit dia.org.

“The Journey Collection” is a new art exhibition on display at Farmington Hills City Hall. Featuring works by Novi artist Sukanya Ramakrishna, the Journey Collection includes landscape oil paintings inspired by travels to national and state parks. An opening reception will be held at City Hall on Friday, Nov. 8 from 6-8 p.m., and the collection is on display during City Hall’s regular hours now through Jan. 10, 2025. For more information, visit their Facebook event.

Serene orchestral performances

Bringing their signature chemistry and incisive playing to chamber music, four principal strings from the DSO have joined forces to form the Woodward String Quartet. Concertmaster Robyn Bollinger, Associate Concertmaster Kimberly Kaloyanides Kennedy, Principal Viola Eric Nowlin and Principal Cello Wei Yu make their Detroit debut as a quartet on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in The Cube. Inspired by the East, the program will include selections by Haydn, Debussy and Grammy-nominated Michigan artist Zhou Tian. Tickets start at $25. For more information, visit dso.org.

Sci-fi escapism

Motor City Comic Con returns to Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi from Friday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 10. Pop culture fans can enjoy celebrity meet and greets, cosplay contests, a tabletop game room and more. This year’s celebrity guests include George Takei, John Cusack, Dave Coulier, Joel McHale, Manny Jacinto and more. Tickets range from $30-$250 for adults, and kids’ day passes are $10. For more information, visit motorcitycomiccon.com.

The Color of Sci-Fi is a series celebrating and uplifting the genre of science-fiction and the people of color who create and enjoy it. Located in Detroit, this series includes art exhibitions, author talks, and panel discussions on the power and importance of representation in science fiction and STEM fields, as well as its impact on our city and society. Award-winning authors Steven Barnes (“Far Beyond the Stars”) and Derek Tyler Attico (“The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko”) will headline this year’s event at the Detroit Public Library Main Branch on Saturday, Nov. 9. Festivities go from 2-4 p.m. and admission is free. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

Comic relief

WDET and Michigan Public are thrilled to welcome “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” back to Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 14! Host Peter Sagal will lead a panel of comedians, writers, listener contestants and a secret celebrity guest through a rollicking review of the week’s news. Don’t miss your chance to see this Peabody Award-winning comedy news quiz show live at the Fox Theatre. Plus, when you make a sustaining gift of at least $100/month at wdet.org/give, you could even enjoy drinks and dessert with Peter Sagal after the show! For more information, visit our events page.