The Metro Events Guide: Rock tributes, record releases and roller derbies

This week, we’ve got lots of local music, from rock to singer-songwriter to emo.

Plus, a chance to grab a beer with our News Director, Jerome Vaughn! Read on to learn more.

Hear local music

Celebrating 30 years of The Reefermen, these Detroit heroes will be returning to the Magic Bag stage with a tribute to the 1968 Rolling Stones Concert film. The Reefermen Rock & Roll Circus will be a star-studded show featuring The Reefermen performing as the Rolling Stones, Corktown Popes as The Who, Tino G. & Dumpster Machine as Jethro Tull, The Hourlies as Taj Mahal, and Jill Jack as Marianne Faithful. The show will also feature an All-Star “Dirty Mac Band” with surprise guests. Doors open at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16 and tickets are $20 online. All ages are welcome. For more information, visit their website.

Detroit trio Shadow Show are playing a double-header record release this weekend at the UFO Factory, featuring two unique nights of music and two unique performances of their new album, ‘Fantasy Now.’ Friday, Feb. 16’s lineup includes Deadbeat Beat, Secondary Colors and DJ Krautmask, while Saturday, Feb. 17’s lineup includes Day Residue, Briggance and DJ Auntie Chanel. Advance tickets are $12 for one night or $20 for both, and are available online. This event is 21+. For more information, visit their Eventbrite.

Read more: Watch Shadow Show perform live inside WDET’s Studio A

On Saturday, Feb. 17, some of Detroit’s angstiest musicians are coming together for RAWR!, a MySpace-themed music and art show. Idiot Kids, Carmel Liburdi, Tears of a Martian and Nina Sofia will each perform an emo/throwback song of their choice and MySpace era attire is strongly suggested for all who come. The showcase will take place at Spread Art in Detroit from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. and all ages are welcome. Tickets are $10-20 on a sliding scale. For more information, visit Carmel Liburdi’s Instagram.

And for the metal heads, The Cult of SpaceSkull is performing at Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti on Saturday, Feb. 17 with special guests ZZvava and Sonic Smut. The show starts at 8 p.m. For more information, visit their Facebook event.

Also on Saturday, Feb. 17, Detroit trio Frontier Ruckus is playing at the Loving Touch in Ferndale with special guests Fred Thomas and Loose Koozies. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $20. For more information, visit their website.

Hear Frontier Ruckus on Acoustic Café Sunday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m.

Celebrate love

On Saturday, Feb. 17, Detroit Shipping Company is hosting their first ever Winterfest celebrating pride, as they work to create a welcoming space for the LGBTQIA+ community year-round. Each guest will receive a welcome cocktail, two food tokens good at any of their six restaurants and a complimentary hot chocolate. Activities include a DJ dance party, a drag show by Slay Entertainment, local artists and vendors, raffles, giveaways, and a friendship bracelet making station. The festival goes from noon to 9 p.m. and tickets are $25. For more information, visit their Eventbrite.

See the season finale

Detroit Roller Derby’s home team season finale and alumni showcase is this Saturday, Feb. 17 at the Masonic Temple. Doors open at 5 p.m. and skating starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $19 online or $20 at the door and children under 12 get in free. For more information, visit their website.

Prep for primaries

Spend Presidents’ Day enjoying some Cosmik Fries and a beer with WDET News Director Jerome Vaughn at our first Smart Politics event of the season. A panel of Michigan journalists from the Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News and the Michigan Public Radio Network will discuss the 2024 presidential election and what role our state will play in it. The event starts at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19 at HopCat in Midtown Detroit. For more information and to reserve your spot, visit our events page.