CultureShift Events Guide: Movies, music and more

This week, we have classic movies, local music and homegrown comedy to add to your calendar.

Then, starting next week, our events guide is getting a new name as we usher in a new era of WDET programming, including six new hosts, nine new shows and ten more hours of locally-sourced content. Stay tuned for more!

Movies

The Redford Theatre is screening ‘The Color Purple’ (1985) on Friday, Feb. 2. Alice Walker’s classic tale of Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), surviving four decades of abuse and bigotry in the South in the first part of the 20th century, is at once heartbreaking and empowering, thoughtfully directed by Steven Spielberg. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $7 or $5 for seniors and children. For more information, visit their website.

Then, on Saturday, Feb. 3, the Redford Theatre is screening the silent film ‘Seven Chances’ (1925) with live organ accompaniment by Scott Smith. In the film, Buster Keaton stands to inherit a fortune if he can find a bride by 7 p.m. in this popular feature from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Great Stone Face.” One of Keaton’s best short films, “The Blacksmith” (1922), will also be shown. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15. For more information, visit their website.

To kick off Chicano History Week, Nuestra Cultura is hosting a free event featuring a screening of ‘American Homeboy: Portrait of a Street Revolution’ (2023) at the Detroit Senate Theater. This documentary film directed by Brandon Loran Maxwell explores the complex origins of pachuco and cholo culture which sprouted from American soil more than 100 years ago in response to wartime sentiment, social alienation and government discrimination only to become a pop culture phenomenon. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m., followed by a Q&A with the director, live art, prizes and an official Chicano History Week Afterparty at Love & Tequila Detroit. For more information, visit the Senate Theater’s website.

Music

On Friday, Feb. 2, Detroit power pop-punk group Cascade Riot is playing at Smalls in Hamtramck to celebrate the release of their new EP, ‘Life on Venus.’ Special guests include Middle Out, No Vision and Come Out Fighting. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10. This event is 18+. For more information, visit their Facebook event page.

Also playing on Friday, Feb. 2 is Detroit alt-rock band Hung Up. They’ll be playing at the Lager House with special guests Gravy, Elspeth Tremblay & the Treatment, and The Picassos. Doors open at 8 p.m., music starts at 9 p.m. and cover is $10. All ages are welcome but those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. For more information, visit their Facebook event page.

Then, on Saturday, Feb. 3, Ypsilanti rock band Congress will be playing at Ziggy’s with special guests Long Square, Raw Honey and DJ Agent 99. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10. For more information, visit their website.

Stories

This Thursday, Feb. 1 is the next Moth StorySLAM, and the theme is “love hurts.” Prepare your best 5-minute story about the agony of deferred love, the misery of good love gone bad or the anguish of one-way love. Love that “hurts so good” is also welcome. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and stories start at 7:30 p.m. at the Marble Bar. Tickets are $17.50. For more information, visit our events page.

Comedy

Best Case Scenario’s next comedy show is this Friday, Feb. 2 in the basement of The Congregation Detroit. Hosted by Sarah Lynn, this month’s lineup includes comedians Ali Ahmed, Mary Spencer, Richie McLonis and Nazik Najar. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. For more information, visit their Eventbrite.