10 Things to Do in Detroit This Weekend to Beat the Winter Blues

Events, exhibitions, and shows to get you up and out of the house
2133

Dhamaal Dance Competition: Dance teams will come from all over the nation for Detroit’s first Bollywood-fusion dance competition. Glittering costumes, bright colors, and Bollywood energy will celebrate South Asian culture and the resilient Detroit spirit. A portion of proceeds are will be donated to Living Arts Detroit, a foundation for youth and teachers in dance programs. Feb. 4. $10+. Music Hall for Performing Arts, 350 Madison St., Detroit; 313-887-8501; musichall.org

The Amazing Johnathan: Laugh off your winter gloom with this eccentric comic magician and his uproarious blonde assistant, Psychic Tanya. The duo has has received wide recognition for their bizarre humor and unscripted antics. Feb. 3-4. $35. Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy, Royal Oak; 248-542-9900; comedycastle.com

The Ferndale Blues Festival: For the 15th year in a row, 18 venues across downtown Ferndale and Hazel Park will host 60 local blues bands to benefit the Ferndale Youth Assistance program.  This year, new venues Otus Supply and Zeke’s Rock and Roll BBQ will join classic Ferndale spots like Como’s, Ferndale Elks, and Dino’s. Jan. 29- Feb. 4. $5+ Downtown Ferndale; 248-721-6434; ferndalebluesfestival.org

Groundhog Day:  Distract yourself from Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of six more weeks of winter with Bill Murray’s wry, wisecracking humor at the Main Art Theater’s midnight movie in which weatherman Phil Collins finds himself stuck in a personal time warp on the worst day of his life while covering small town Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day celebrations in the classic romantic comedy. Feb. 3-4. $7. Main Art Theater, 118 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-542-5198; landmarktheaters.com

Cuisine d’Art: The Detroit Institute of Arts will partner with the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms to present an 18th century inspired small plates and cocktails dining experience. British food historian and author Ivan Day and DIA senior curator Alan Phipps Darr will both lecture on the cultural significance of the dishes. Feb. 3. $25. War Memorial Ballroom, 32 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-881-7511; warmemorial.org

Cate Le Bon & Tim Presely: The rarely performed Tim and Cate Show will be live at Southwest Detroit’s new El Club in Southwest Detroit. Following their respective 2016 solo albums, the two musicians will come together for an energetic and entertaining performance. Pepe Z’s Pizza will be open to serve vegan and Neapolitan style pizza, as well as its craft cocktail menu. Feb. 3. $14. El Club, 4114 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; elclubdetroit.com

The Lion King: The third longest running Broadway show has come to Detroit, and is bringing the bright African sun, detailed animal costumes, and classic The Lion King songs. Awe at the 18-foot-tall colorfully patterned giraffes, are the largest animals in the show, which will appear during “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” Through Feb. 26. $99+. Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway, Detroit; 313-237-7464; michiganopera.org

Sunday Music Bar: With skylights and plenty of live plants, the DIA’s Kresge Court is an ideal place to pretend it’s summer concert season again. This week, Benny Rubin Jr. will honors Detroit’s historical jazz legacy with the music of John Coltrane, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, and other African-American jazz icons. Feb. 5. Free with museum admission. Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org

Cranbrook Time Machine: Twentieth-Century Period Rooms: Travel back in time this weekend at the Cranbrook Art Museum. A naturalistic office, mid-century modern bachelor pad, a 1970s cosmic themed space, and a “semiotic fun house” on display will delve into the artistic and cultural influences of the 20th century on interior design. Through March 19. $10. 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-645-3320; cranbrookartmuseum.org

Folk Remedy Basics: Beating the Winter Blues: Combat Michigan’s hash winter weather by learning the basics of traditional herbal tea blending. The Boston Tea Room provides all the supplies needed to make your own tea blend based on ancient recipes and time-tested remedies for everything from dry skin to seasonal depression. Feb. 5. $40. Boston Tea Room, 224 W 9 Mile, Ferndale; 248-548-1415; bostontearoom.com