The Metro Events Guide: Celebrate Black History Month, Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year

Welcome to The Metro Events Guide!

There’s so much to celebrate this week: Black History Month, Mardi Gras, Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day just around the corner. Not to mention WDET’s new programming lineup! We’re still committed to bringing you unique arts and culture events every week, just under a new name now.

Read on to see our picks for what to check out next, from thoughtful exhibits to festive parades.

Celebrating Black history

Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898 – 1971 is the latest exhibit at the DIA honoring the legacy of African American filmmakers and actors from the dawn of cinema, through the golden age, and into the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement. Inspired by and named after an independent 1923 all-Black-cast movie, Regeneration seeks to revive lost or forgotten films, filmmakers, and performers for a contemporary audience. The exhibit is on display now through June 23, and tickets are free with general admission to the museum. For more information, visit their website.

Sky Covington’s Satin Doll Revue is holding a special performance on Monday, Feb. 12 to celebrate Black History Month. Presented by Preservation Of Jazz, this production will feature soulful melodies, timeless classics and a tribute to the rich cultural legacy of Black icons. Attendees who come dressed as their favorite Black icon will receive $10 off their ticket. The show will take place at The Aretha Jazz Cafe at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 and limited seating is available. For more information, visit their website.

Learn more about the Satin Doll Revue »

Jerk x Jollof, a Detroit-based brand celebrating Afro-Caribbean culture, is back in their home city for Black Love Weekend. On Saturday, Feb. 10, they’ll be at Big Pink from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with live music by DJs Blakito and K-Dirty, as well as a portrait station featuring J.Milhouse. This event is 21+ and tickets are $18. For more information, visit their website.

Or, for something more family-friendly, check out People for Palmer Park’s Winter LoveFest celebrating Black history and love on Feb. 10 from 2-5 p.m. The annual pre-Valentine’s Day community event will feature African dancing and drumming, reggae and Caribbean music, and a youth violin performance from Detroit Youth Volume. There will be hot refreshments, Black history games, arts and crafts, and more inside the park’s heated tents. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit their website.

Then, head to The Wright Museum on Saturday, Feb. 10 for an artist talk with Adreinne Waheed and John E. Dowell as part of their Black History Month programming. Each artist has a new corresponding exhibit at the museum. Adreinne Waheed: The Audacity to Thrive is the first museum exhibition of Waheed’s work where she explores the boldness of African-descended peoples, who thrive in the face of challenges. John E. Dowell: Paths to Freedom presents photographs, an immersive installation, and new video work by the Philadelphia-based artist that asks us to consider what it may have been like to pursue freedom during the antebellum period. This event goes from 5-7 p.m. and is free with registration. For more information, visit their website.

Celebrating Lunar New Year

Community members of all ages and backgrounds are invited to The Hawk Theatre in Farmington Hills to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and traditions on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. in celebration of the Lunar New Year. This widely celebrated festival is observed across the world to commemorate the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. This year, the festival marks the transition from the Year of the Rabbit (2023) to the Year of the Dragon (2024). The event will feature family-friendly crafts and live music featuring traditional Chinese instruments. Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. For more information, visit their website.

Celebrating Mardi Gras

Prepare your beads and feathers, because this Friday, Feb. 9 through Sunday, Feb. 11, Mardi Gras is coming to the Detroit Riverfront. Valade Park will have New Orleans-style festivities including carnival outfits, big heads, steel pan drums, a second line parade and more. There will also be Cajun food, BBQ and other refreshments on site. To see the full lineup of events, visit their website.

Skating sessions

The annual Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer fundraiser and ice show returns to The Rink at Campus Martius Park presented by Visit Detroit for the 6th consecutive year on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 6-8 p.m. The free, outdoor event features world-class and local skaters in an effort to raise funds on behalf of the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation and the Detroit-based Karmanos Cancer Institute. This year’s event will be officially emceed by Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton, with select participants having the chance to participate in a meet and greet. For more information, visit their website.

Then on Valentine’s Day, treat your special someone to a night under the lights during the Sweetheart Skate on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at The Rink at Campus Martius Park presented by Visit Detroit. From 6-9 p.m., The Rink will dial up the romance and fun with themed lighting as well as feel-good ballads and classic love songs playing overhead. All are welcome to join this unique celebration of love in the heart of downtown Detroit. Skaters will also have a chance to win tickets to select upcoming productions courtesy of Broadway in Detroit. Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 for children and seniors, and $8 for active military and first responders. For more information, visit their website.

Historic hoops

Forget the fact that the Lions aren’t in the Super Bowl this weekend and focus on a Detroit team that has won championships: The Pistons. Detroit Historical Society’s latest exhibit is Thirty-Five | 20, a celebration of the determination and triumph of the “Detroit Bad Boys” and the “Goin’ to Work” Pistons teams. This dual anniversary exhibition highlights how each team was assembled and how they developed their signature styles of play. Guests can visit the exhibit on the second level in the City of Champions Gallery now through June. For more information, visit their website.