The Metro Events Guide: Where to spend Movement Weekend in Detroit

It’s Memorial Day Weekend, and in Detroit, that means one thing: Movement. We’ve got your guide for who to see, which afterparties are worth your time and how to win weekend passes (you’re welcome).

Plus, we’ve got plenty of suggestions for if you’d rather avoid Hart Plaza, from art fairs to jazz ensembles. Read on to learn more.

Techno Christmas

Movement Electronic Music Festival is finally here, featuring over 100 artists on six downtown stages over three days. The official festival kicks off on Saturday, May 25 and goes through Monday, May 27 at Hart Plaza. This year’s lineup includes WDET favorites like Dreamcastmoe, Rimarkable, Dames Brown, Huey Mnemonic, DJ 3000, Tammy Lakkis and LADYMONIX (not to mention our own Waajeed!), as well as household names like Ludacris, Carl Craig, James Blake, Masters at Work and Kevin Saunderson. Day passes start at $195, but thanks to our partnership with Paxahau, you could win a pair of weekend passes when you donate to WDET! Everyone who donates to the station during Alternate Take on Thursday, May 23 between 8-10 p.m. will be automatically entered to win. For more information, visit our Movement page.

Hear more Movement special programming from WDET »

Movement festivities

While there’s plenty to do within the Movement festival itself, there are also a ton of pre-parties and afterparties to check out. The Official Movement Opening Party is on Friday, May 24 at Spot Lite. The party starts at 8 p.m. featuring performances by Natasha Diggs, Chicago House music pillar Derrick Carter, queer icon Gay Marvine and Detroit favorite Rimarkable on the patio. Tickets are $55 and the event is 21+. For more information, visit spotlitedetroit.com.  

Or, check out the Annual Prelude Party at Northern Lights Lounge featuring a dozen DJs from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. This event is 21+ and there’s no cover. For more information, visit northernlightslounge.com.

After the first full festival day is over, check out Detroit Defected at Spot Lite on Saturday, May 25. This Official Movement Afterparty features Al Ester, Carl Craig b2b DJ Holographic, Inner City, Shermanology, Stacey Hotwaxx Hale and WDET’s own Waajeed (host of The Boulevard, Wednesdays 8-10 p.m.) b2b King Britt. Doors open at 11 p.m. and the event is 21+. Tickets are $55-$65. For more information, visit spotlitedetroit.com.

Then, on Sunday, May 26, check out It’s Over 9000, presented by WDET’s own Shigeto (host of The New Music Show, Saturdays 8-10 p.m.). This unforgettable day party experience features back to back sets from ZelooperZ, Shaii David, Black Noi$e, Shigeto and Kenjiro at Spot Lite from 3-9 p.m. Tickets are $33-$39. For more information, visit ra.co.

And finally, close out Movement weekend with House Your Life, the last Official Movement Afterparty of the season. This year’s party features special guest Honey Dijon with performers DJ Holographic, DJ Minx, DJ Tennis, Heidi Lawden, Kevin Sanderson b2b DJ Minx, Masha Mar and Sarena Tyler. The party starts at 10 p.m. and is 21+. Tickets are $65. For more information, visit spotlitedetroit.com.

Non-Movement festivities

Or, if driving bass and neon lights aren’t your thing, The Kensington Metropark Art Fair is also this Memorial Day Weekend. This year’s fair features 100 juried artists, hands-on art projects from the DIA and food trucks from local restaurants. Admission is free with a Metropark pass and the fair is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit kensingtonartfair.com.

On Friday, May 24, legendary producer and Detroiter Don Was (co-host of the Don Was Motor City Playlist, Fridays 8-10 p.m.) is bringing his rich musical legacy to life with an exceptional Detroit-based jazz ensemble at Orchestra Hall. Don Was and The Pan-Detroit Ensemble will include long-time collaborators like Blue Note Records artist Dave McMurray on sax and Eminem’s Oscar-winning collaborator, keyboardist Luis Resto. Additional musicians include trombonist Vincent Chandler, trumpeter John Douglas, drummer Jeff Canady, percussionist Mahindi, guitarist Wayne Gerard and vocalist Steffanie Christi’an. Tickets range from $19 to $99 and the show begins at 8 p.m. For more information, visit our events page.

As for the other co-host of the Motor City Playlist, limited seats remain for the next installment of Ann Delisi’s Essential Cooking at Oak & Reel on Wednesday, May 29. Chef and Owner Jared Gadbaw will prepare a 5-course meal with a special wine pairing for guests to enjoy while Nick Austin (co-host of The Metro, weekdays 11 a.m. to noon) provides the soundtrack. This exclusive, private dinner experience has one seating at 7 p.m. Tickets are $200 and directly benefit Detroit Public Radio. For more information, visit our events page.

Plus, Vinyl Tasting is back with another versus, this time between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Guests will listen to tracks from both artists while enjoying a carefully curated 6-course meal and wine pairing inspired by the songs. This dinner will take place on Sunday, May 26 with seatings at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at The Norwood Detroit. Tickets are $95 with the wine pairings or $80 without. For more information, visit their Eventbrite.