Metro Detroit’s arts and entertainment scene is jam-packed with stage shows, concerts, art fairs, and more for 2024. Check out a snapshot of the biggest upcoming happenings for the year — plus, be sure to check out culture calendar for WDET’s Ryan Patrick Hooper’s curated list of events this month.
Wicked
Telling the tale of The Wizard of Oz from the perspective of a misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West, this musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman is the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history. Boasting three Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, and one Grammy Award, Wicked features beloved music, electrifying performances, and a timeless story of good versus evil. Jan. 24-Feb. 18. $59+. Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway St. Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com.
Blake Shelton
The country superstar and former The Voice coach will embark on the second half of his wildly successful Back to the Honky Tonk Tour this winter with support from singer-songwriter Dustin Lynch and The Voice alum Emily Ann Roberts. Shelton’s most recent album, Body Language, was released in 2021 and featured hit singles “Happy Anywhere” and “Minimum Wage.” Feb. 23. $49+. Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee’s beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a falsely accused Black man and the lawyer who attempts to clear his name comes to life in this stage adaptation by Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin. Directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, the heart-wrenching production will feature Emmy Award winner Richard Thomas in the starring role of Atticus Finch. March 5-17. $46+. Fisher Theatre, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com.
Olivia Rodrigo
At just 20 years old, singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo has achieved what most artists can only hope to accomplish over the course of an entire career: three Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, two Billboard No. 1 albums, five multiplatinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America, and three Grammy Awards. The pop star’s 2023 album Guts was lauded by critics and fans alike for its diverse, genre-bending sounds and its catchy lead singles “Vampire” and “Bad Idea Right?” Singer-songwriter Chappell Roan will open the show when the superstar comes to Little Caesars Arena. March 23. Sold out. Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com.
Bad Bunny
Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny has taken the world by storm since his studio debut just six short years ago. His third album, 2020’s El Último Tour Del Mundo, became the first Spanish-language album to top the Billboard 200 list. The artist also boasts three Grammy Awards, five Latin Grammy Awards, and seven Billboard Music Awards. Hear hits like “I Like It” and “Dakiti” when the phenom’s Most Wanted Tour makes a Detroit stop this spring. April 6. $206+. Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com.
Tchaikovsky and Dvorák
Detroit Symphony Orchestra principal cellist Wei Yu will take center stage for stirring renditions of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beloved Variations on a Rococo Theme and Antonin Dvorák’s boisterous Sixth Symphony. Audiences will also get to witness the Orchestra Hall debut of groundbreaking South Korean conductor Shiyeon Sung — the first female conductor to win first prize at the prestigious Sir Georg Solti International Conductors’ Competition. April 11-13. $19+. Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit; dso.org.
Annie
One of the most enduring and beloved stage productions of all time, this musical by Tony Award winners Charles Strouse, Thomas Meehan, and Martin Charnin tells the story of an orphaned 11-year-old girl desperate to find her family in Great Depression-era New York City. Directed by Jenn Thompson, the sunny show will charm fans old and new with sensationally catchy songs and a touching message about what it really means to have a family. May 3-5. $30+. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com.
Movement
Held in Detroit’s Hart Plaza every Memorial Day weekend since 2006, this annual festival celebrates Detroit’s revered place in techno and electronic music history by bringing together an expansive bill of DJs, artists, and innovators. Last year’s event featured six stages and more than 115 artists, in addition to art installations, vendor markets, and interactive pop-up entertainment zones. While the lineup for this year’s festival has not yet been announced, fans should expect to see some of the biggest names in electronic music. May 25-27. Cost TBA. Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit; movementfestival.com.
Hour Detroit’s Best of Party
Hour Detroit’s Best of Party is back! Grab your dancing shoes and enjoy three floors of food, drinks, live music, and entertainment as we celebrate the winners of our annual reader survey. June 14. $105-$155. Westin Book Cadillac, 1114 Washington Blvd., Detroit; hourdetroit.com.
Leanne Morgan: Just Getting Started
In her inaugural Netflix comedy special, I’m Every Woman, Tennessee-born comedian, actress, and author Leanne Morgan draws hilariously from her experiences as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Her popular online stand-up special, So Yummy, has racked up more than 50 million views on YouTube and even landed Morgan a role alongside Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon in the upcoming Amazon Studios film You’re Cordially Invited. June 22. $58+. Fisher Theatre, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com.
Ann Arbor Art Fair
Featuring nearly 1,000 artists and spanning 30 city blocks, this summer tradition in downtown Ann Arbor is made up of three separate events: the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original; Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; and Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair. As the largest juried art fair in the country, it draws artists from around the U.S. displaying works in a variety of mediums, including paint, ceramics, glass, jewelry, and sculpture. July 18-20. No cost. Downtown Ann Arbor; theannarborartfair.com.
Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats, and Eats
Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders flock to Royal Oak every Labor Day weekend for this annual celebration of art, food, and music. Expect to see hundreds of bands, ranging from local talent to internationally touring acts, along with local and national fine artists and dozens of delicious local food options. The fest also offers kid-friendly activities, pop-up vendors, and alcoholic beverages. Aug. 30-Sept. 2. Cost TBA. Downtown Royal Oak; artsbeatseats.com.
Dining with the Sultan: The Fine Art of Feasting
View more than 200 pieces of dining-related art from Arab, Persian, Indian, and Turkish cultures at this upcoming Detroit Institute of Arts exhibition. Illuminating the significance of food and entertaining in Islamic cultures across the globe, the display will feature lush paintings, ornate dishes and glassware, and even historical cookbooks. Sept. 22-Jan. 5. No cost with general museum admission. Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; dia.org.
Detroit Free Press Marathon
Offering races for all ages and skill levels, this annual event features a competitive 1-mile run, a 5K race, a half-marathon, and a full marathon. There’s also a Kids Fun Run, a Disabilities Division run, and a marathon relay that encourages participants to work in teams. Oct. 18-20. Cost TBA. Downtown Detroit; freepmarathon.com.
This story is from the January 2024 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. Read more in our digital edition.
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