Happy May 4… aka, Star Wars Day! Whether you’re celebrating like crazy or not really a fan, consider the famous line, “May the force be with you.”

While there are so many forces around us out of our control, there are plenty of good ones, too: those that emphasize positivity and love. Speaking of love, a friendly reminder that Sunday, May 10 is Mother’s Day, so share some for the holiday or just because. Read more for other ways to give a little this week!

Planning a virtual event, have a tip to share or want to recommend your latest quarantine hobby? Email us at events@detourdetroiter.com.

Explore:

🗺️ Tour Detroit from your couch: Do you miss roaming around Detroit? We sure do! Thankfully, the Detroit Experience Factory is hosting virtual sightseeing tours. Check out The Best of Downtown Tour Wednesday, May 7 from noon to 1 p.m., The Woodward Corridor Tour Thursday, May 8 from 2 to 3 p.m., or the Detroit Art & Architecture Tour on Sunday, May 10 from 1 to 2 p.m. A $5-50 donation is suggested.

Create:

🎨 Leave it all on the page: For some people, a crisis can draws the creative energy out of you — but it’s just as common to feel apathetic, blocked or too busy navigating more urgent problems to make time for self-expression. There’s a class for that! Sidewalk Detroit and art therapist Shazia Siddiqi are guiding artists through this moment with the “Work it Out! Artistic Strategies for Practicing your Creativity” series, where you’ll discover healing methods that let you continue your practice and share your own reflections. On Monday, May 4 at 6 p.m., they’re tackling “Balancing Emotions” — first, register for the Zoom session, then, spend some time getting in the right headspace with a creative prompt. Following classes will be held May 18 and June 1.

Watch:

🎬 Short, snappy and celebrating women: Can’t hang with mom this Mother’s Day? Sit down separately but together and catch the Arab American National Museum’s program of short films directed by women, highlighting Arab American women making an impact. Even cooler? Directors of two of the shorts, Darine Hotait of “Like Salt” and Suha Araj of “Pioneer High,” will be on the line for a post-film talkback. The stream is free, though donations are accepted (RSVP for the link), and gets going Sunday, May 10 at 2 p.m. All films are in English or Arabic with English subtitles.

🎻 A symphonic watch party: The DSO is still bringing music to our ears through Facebook Watch parties. Join in by clicking the Facebook Live link Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. to check out the 2019 Classical Roots Celebration, featuring André Raphel conducting William Grant Still’s “Afro-American” Symphony. This epic show is followed by a DSO audience favorite – John StorgÃ¥rds conducting “Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3.”

🍿 Catch some new flicks: Cinema Detroit, an independent nonprofit community cinema, has a variety of movies to rent via Virtual Cinema Detroit. A film to look forward to on Friday, May 8: A gripping thriller,  â€œA Good Woman is Hard to Find” is about a mother’s harrowing journey as she seeks answers about her husband’s murder. 

Get Your House In Order:

🥫 Keep your pantry in check: Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? Join professional organizer and owner of Utterly Uncluttered Kara Desmond for a free seminar on Tuesday, May 5 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in collaboration with Detroit Together Digital. Desmond, who resides in Berkley, will share her go-to methods to clear out and organize your pantry, while saving those hard-earned dollars in the process. Click here to register.

🌧️ Go green with runoff: Don’t run your tap to wash your car or water the lawn — that stuff comes out of the sky for free. Using a rain barrel to collect water is a great way to be a little more sustainable in your own backyard, manage stormwater runoff and hopefully save a little money, too. You can get a steep discount on one that’s easy to set up and made by a Michigan company this Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. to noon, at Gabriel Richard Park on the Riverfront. Order your barrel in advance for $55, call the Sierra Club at (313) 444-3705 to set up your contactless pickup appointment, then get harvesting. 

Listen:

🎧 Host a dance party in honor of a Detroit DJ: â€œIt was hard to stand still during a Mike Huckaby DJ set,” said Detroit promoter Adriel Thornton in an interview with WDET’s Ryan Hooper. Huckaby, a legendary techno and house music producer, died at age 54 last month after complications related to a stroke. While hospitalized, he also tested positive for COVID-19. Huckaby was committed to teaching music classes at organizations like Youthville Detroit. He also pushed to create more accessible digital music software. While you can’t go wrong with any Huckaby track, Hooper recommends â€œAll By Myself” to get your social-distanced dance party started. For an extended listening sesh, check out Movement’s six-hour epic marathon from the Huckaby archives.

Connect:

📓 Stories from Detroit’s best and brightest: Here’s a perfect excuse to take a pause and think about the narrative you’re spinning for yourself and others. Bamboo Detroit is hosting a discussion today, May 4 at noon with featured speakers Eric Thomas, Chief Storyteller of the City of Detroit, Tapan “Tops” Kataria, Amanda Lewan and David Smith. Join on Crowdcast.

Celebrate Mom:

🥂 Saturday night DIY and bubbly: Why not get the ladies together over Zoom to learn a new skill this Mother’s Day weekend? Make it a gift for mom if you’re stuck on ideas, or just join in for a fun hour of bouquet-making with local florist, Michael B. Anthony. Grab your favorite flowers from a local shop and a glass of bubbly, and tune in Saturday, May 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.

Learn:

💼  What comes next for your biz: Run a small business? Get some help figuring out a plan for reopening, finding resources or steps to take if you’re considering closing permanently. Crain’s Detroit Business reporter Nick Manes is moderating a free webinar (register here) on Thursday, May 7, 4 to 5 p.m. with pros from the DEGC, Small Business Association of Michigan, TCF Bank, Invest Detroit Ventures and TechTown.

🍹🌿 Cocktails with a side of plants: Grab your favorite beverage (bonus points if it includes some greenery) and listen in on a book talk with Christine Buckley. Her newly released book, “Plant Magic,” is a guide for using common healing plants in your daily routine. Hosted by the Detroit Writing Room on Monday, May 4 from 5 to 6 p.m., Buckley will share from the book and answer your burning plant-related Qs. Tickets are $5 — click here to register.

What to Wear:

😷 Not your mama’s mask: Looking for a mask that will keep people a safe distance away? Designer Bethany Shorb, owner of Eastern Market retailer Well Done Goods, created a coronavirus mask inspired by the sci-fi flick “Alien” — they call it “the face-hugger.” Make sure to check out the “Stay back 6 feet” bandana and synthesizer masks while exploring the site.

Giving Tuesday:

🙏 Come together for COVID-19: Consider participating in the worldwide #GivingTuesdayNow, a global response to COVID-19 on Tuesday, May 5. Start here for ideas and motivation to offer your support. Plus, get inspired by a former Mt. Clemens resident: the extraordinary Paul Feig (“Bridesmaids,” “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” Freaks and Geeks”… need we say more?). Feig hosts a daily Instagram happy hour, #QuarantineCocktailTime, featuring dance sessions, cocktail-making tutorials and ideas on where to donate that $$$ if you can.