Welcome in the new year with plenty of arts and entertainment events in the metro Detroit area. This January, Comedy Castle in Royal Oak hosts comedians Matt Holt, Chris Kattan, and Joe Kwaczala; singer Chaka Khan, the music group Bell Biv DeVoe, and the comedian Mo’Nique perform at Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel; and indie rock band Cold War Kids and podcasters Watch What Crappens Live bring their tours to the Majestic Theatre. Here’s 33 events you won’t want to miss.
Matt Holt
His conversational style and ability to laugh at himself have fueled Holt’s comedic career for almost 20 years. He will be joined by fellow comic and Detroit native Jeff Dwoskin. Jan. 2-4. $10+. Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; 248-542-9900; comedycastle.com
Morgan Wallen
Wallen is known for hits like “The Way I Talk” and “Up Down.” He’ll be joined by Jon Langston and fellow The Voice alum Ashland Craft. Jan. 3. $40+. The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-5451; thefillmoredetroit.com
Motion City Soundtrack
The 2000s alternative rock band toured alongside greats like Fall Out Boy and Simple Plan. Reunited after a three-year break, it’s taking on North America ahead of the release of a new album later this year. Jan 3. $35+. Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; 313-961-8961; saintandrewsdetroit.com
In Conversation: Travel Into Infinity With Artist Chul Hyun Ahn
The artist, who uses mirrors and light to create art of geometric shapes and optical illusions, will give listeners a peek into his creative process. Jan. 5. No cost with museum admission. University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St., Ann Arbor; 734-764-0395; umma.umich.edu
Blithe Spirit
This comedic play follows novelist Charles Condomine as he conducts a séance, hoping to collect material for his next book. He accidentally summons the spirit of his first wife, who seeks to disrupt his second marriage. Jan. 8-Feb. 2. $36. Meadow Brook Theatre, 378 Meadow Brook Road, Rochester; 248-377-3300; mbtheatre.com
Derek Richards
A regular on the Las Vegas Strip, Richards connects with audiences through anecdotes from his blue-collar upbringing. Jan. 9-11. $10+. Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; 248-542-9900; comedycastle.com
The Prince Experience
Gabriel Sanchez, who has been portraying Prince since 2002, and his bandmates recreate the late musician’s iconic blend of rock, funk, and soul. Jan. 10. $10+. The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-5451; thefillmoredetroit.com
The Magical Music of Harry Potter
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will perform the enchanting and recognizable tunes from all eight films of the Harry Potter series. Jan. 11. $19+. Max M. & Majorie S. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-576-5111; dso.org
Chris Kattan
During his eight years as a regular Saturday Night Live cast member, Kattan was best known for his characters Mango, Mr. Peepers, and the head-bobbing Doug Butabi of the recurring Roxbury Guys sketch, which became the 1998 cult classic film Night at the Roxbury. Jan. 12. $22+. Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; 248-542-9900; comedycastle.com
Jonny Lang
The blues-rock musician of 20 years has toured with big-name rockers like Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones. Jan. 12. $32+. Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-309-4700; 313presents.com
The Jungle Book
An orphaned boy named Mowgli is guided by animal friends on a journey of self-discovery in this classic story. Jan. 12. $10+. Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison Ave., Detroit; 313-887-8500; musichall.org
G. Love & Special Sauce
Formed in the ’90s, the hip-hop band is known for its free-flowing sound that fuses blues with R&B. The trio is touring in support of its album, The Juice Glove, set to be released this year. Jan. 14 and 15. $40+. The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-761-1818; theark.org
Bell Biv DeVoe
The R&B group known for the 1990 multi-platinum album Poison released its latest album, Three Stripes, in 2017. Jan. 15. $72+.Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-309-4700; 313presents.com
Joe Kwaczala
The comedian starred in his own Comedy Central Presents special in November and has written comedic pieces for The Onion News Network, ClickHole, and MAD magazine. Jan. 16-18. $10+. Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; 248-542-9900; comedycastle.com
Doughboys Podcast Live
Comedians Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger review chain restaurants across the country on their hit casual dining podcast, Doughboys. Now they are bringing their appetites to Detroit to record a live episode. Jan. 17. $25+. Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-399-2980; royaloakmusictheatre.com
Shen Yun Performing Arts
Since 2006, the Shen Yun Performing Arts Co. has performed elaborate music and dance acts at sold-out venues worldwide. This show features ornate costumes, high-tech backdrops, a large orchestra, and traditional choreography that spans 5,000 years and several Asian cultures. Jan. 17-26. $80+. Detroit Opera House, 1525 Broadway St., Detroit; 844-647-4697; shenyunperformingarts.org
Wonderfully Made: The Artis Collection of African American Art
From collectors Anthony J. and Davida J. Artis, the African American art pieces in this exhibit convey themes of faith and family. Jan. 18-April 12. No cost with museum admission. Flint Institute of Arts, 1120 E. Kearsley St., Flint; 810-234-1695; flintarts.org
Ashanti
The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter best known for smash hit “Foolish,” will showcase powerful vocals at MotorCity Casino’s intimate performance space. Jan. 19. $41+. Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-309-4700; 313presents.com
A Bronx Tale The Musical
It started as a book and one-man show by Chazz Palminteri before becoming a movie directed by Robert De Niro, then premiered as a musical production in 2016. A Bronx Tale tells the story of a young man torn between the allure of life in the Italian mafia and the hard-working family values of his father. Jan. 21-Feb. 2. $29+. Fisher Theatre, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Floor 1, Detroit; 313-872-1000; broadwayindetroit.com
Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party!
Bring the kids to see Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and pals as they lead interactive activities, sing-alongs, and dances. Jan. 22-Feb. 2. $15+. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-471-3200; 313presents.com
Mo’Nique
The comedian is best known for her performances in indie film The Queens of Comedy and the Academy Award-winning Precious. Jan. 23. $38+. Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-309-4700; 313presents.com
Rob Little
The Michigan comic best known for his sketch comedy on The Best Damn Sports Show Period and Last Call With Carson Daly is bringing his upbeat standup home. 18+. Jan. 23-25. $10+. Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; 248-542-9900; comedycastle.com
Watch What Crappens Live
Join internet personalities Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam in recapping, praising, and mocking shows like Real Housewives, Top Chef, and Cash Cab. Jan. 24. $34+. The Majestic Theatre, 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com
Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits
Experience the music of Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone, the frontman of the 1960s beat rock band. Jan. 24. $25+. Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, 7096 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren; 586-268-3200; andiamoitalia.com
Jordan Davis
The “Singles You Up” singer, who melds the sounds of pop and country, is touring in support of his upcoming album, Trouble Town. Jan. 25. $25+. The Majestic Theatre, 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com
A Conversation with Cullen Washington Jr.: The Hope of Abstraction and the Possibilities of the Public Square
The artist will put his work “The Public Square” into conversation, discussing the role of art in the public square. Jan. 25. No cost with museum admission. University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St., Ann Arbor; 734-764-0395; umma.umich.edu
Half Moon Run
The indie rock band is touring in support of its third album, A Blemish in the Great Light, which will be the group’s first in four years. Jan. 25. $20+. El Club, 4114 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-279-7382; elclubdetroit.com
Chaka Khan
The vocals of this 10-time Grammy Award winner carry her across genres, from R&B to country. Over the course of Chaka Khan’s 40-year musical career, she’s released more than 20 albums and worked alongside legends including Stevie Wonder and Prince. Jan. 26. $76+. Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-309-4700; 313presents.com
Snoop Dogg
During his nearly 30-year career, Snoop has given us hits like “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Gin and Juice.” He is now touring to promote his 17th studio album, I Wanna Thank Me. Jan. 26. $57+. The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-5451; thefillmoredetroit.com
Community
Artworks explore themes of social justice, representation, and identity. Jan. 26-April. 19. No cost with museum admission. Flint Institute of Arts, 1120 E. Kearsley St., Flint; 810-234-1695; flintarts.org
Cold War Kids
Alternative rock band Cold War Kids is known for songs such as 2006’s “Hang Me Up to Dry” and 2015 single “First,” which reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart. The California rockers are touring in support of their latest album, New Age Norms. Jan. 28. $30+. The Majestic Theatre, 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com
Dustin Lynch
Since releasing his 2012 debut single, “Cowboys and Angels,” the country star has dropped “Seein’ Red” and “Small Town Boy.” Jan. 30. $25+. The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-5451; thefillmoredetroit.com
Swan Lake
The electrifying Russian National Ballet company will perform Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet. Based on German and Russian folk tales, Swan Lake tells the story of a young woman cursed to live as a swan and the love that might be able to save her. Jan. 31. $30+. Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison Ave., Detroit; 313-887-8500; musichall.org
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