What to do in Detroit this week: disco, rocker skating, Charlie Brown Christmas and more

Bakpak Durden, whose solo show “I Feel Like I’ve Been Here Before” is currently on view. Via Playground Detroit

From an acclaimed foreign film screening to a Thin Lizzy skate party, Detroit is humming this week — even before you get to the holiday shows and shopping. Here’s what to check out around town.

Wednesday

🏠 Join Detour Detroit Wednesday for a virtual chat about equitable access to real estate development in Detroit with Chase Cantrell and reporter Rhonda J. Smith. During the hour we will discuss how Building Community Value is addressing disparities and training Detroiters on the ins-and-outs of local real estate development while building capacity for neighborhood development that serves the community. Dec. 8, free, info.

🛍 Shop local for a cause at the TechTown Limited Edition Store! With each purchase, you directly support a small business owner in Detroit and help make sure that TechTown has the resources it takes to help them thrive. Shop online here and pick up at TechTown! It’s super easy to support small businesses AND avoid shipping delays. Dec. 8-ongoing, free, info.

🖼 “I Feel Like I’ve Been Here Before” is Bakpak Durden’s solo exhibition, exploring perspective, neurodivergence and intersectional identity. It is currently on display at Playground Detroit and features oil paintings that examine specific experiences that we as humans come up against and have to power through in order to maintain the “normalcy” of life. Bakpak is focused on highlighting Black trans and queer visibility in addition to mental health, neurodiversity and disability advocacy/representation. There are two weekends left to check it out, don’t miss it! Dec. 8-18, free, info.

---

Friday

🤘🏼Strap up those roller skates and head over to the Rollercade on Schaefer this Friday. Rocker skate night is back, this time with a Thin Lizzy theme. Dec. 10, info.

🕺🏽If you’re more of a disco enthusiast, there is a ‘70s-themed night for you too. Put on your sequins and Gimme Gimme Disco at St. Andrew’s Hall this Friday. How can you say no to an ABBA inspired dance party?! Why not take a chance… Dec. 10, $15, info.

🐝 Based on a true story, the drama “Hive” won three major prizes at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival and is screening this weekend at the Detroit Film Theatre. It portrays the true story of Fahrije (Yllka Gashi), who, like many of the other women in her patriarchal village, has lived with fading hope and burgeoning grief since her husband disappeared during the war in Kosovo. “​​A bold, powerful testament to the agency of women everywhere, all the more compelling because it’s based on a true story,” according to one reviewer. Dec. 10-12, $9.50, info.

👑 Join drag queens BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon this Friday for The Return of the Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show, Live at the Majestic and a “post-apocalypse-mas extravaganza certain to make this yuletide gayer than ever.” Dec. 10, $35+, info. 

---

Saturday

⚱️Another opportunity to shop small! This Saturday, check out the Student Sale at Pewabic Pottery. Not only will 30% of proceeds from the sale go directly to Pewabic’s Education Studio, it’s a great opportunity to check out the beautiful space and choose something special and personal for your loved ones! Dec. 11, free to attend, info.

🎄Who doesn’t love “A Charlie Brown Christmas”?! This weekend, watch the classic come to life onstage at The Fox Theatre. “A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage” celebrates the timeless television classic as Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts characters uncover the true meaning of Christmas. Dec. 11, $25+, info.

🎅🏽 If non-traditional holiday cheer is what you’re in need of, look no further than PJ’s Lager House this Saturday. The CULT OF SPACE SKULL Band is holding its third annual Wreck the Halls show in Corktown. Dress in your holiday glam and get ready to “listen to some weird ass punk bands.” Why not? Dec. 11, $10, info.

---

Sunday

👚SMPLFD, a local clothing company, streetwear brand, custom screen printing and embroidery business all under one roof, is hosting a Holidaze Market this Sunday. Check out the warehouse and shop for everything you need for the holiday season — vintage clothing, new duds, patch work, accessories, paintings and more. You can also grab some grub from vegan pop-up Verna. Dec. 12, free, info.

📖 “100 Years of the Detroit Historical Society,” written by senior curator Joel Stone, captures in words and photographs the little-known story of the people who have been telling Detroit’s stories and preserving its material culture for the last century. Join Stone and other Detroit enthusiasts for a book talk and signing at Detroit Historical Museum this Sunday. Dec. 12, free, info.

---

Next week

🎤 Feeling the Monday blues? No longer. Head over to Cadieux Cafe every Monday for a case of the Blues and a big ol’ bowl of mussels. The house band will kick things off around 8 p.m. and then it’s an open jam session. Warm your week up right. Dec. 13, free, info.

🌍 Now showing at the Michigan Science Center: “Other Worlds, There is No Place like Earth.” Jump into the spaceship of the imagination as you journey through our solar system and beyond to explore the unique other worlds in our galaxy. Dec 15-ongoing, $14+, info.

🎒 On Thursday, Dec. 16, we’re cutting class early and heading over to the TCF Center to assist with Pope Francis Center’s annual backpack drive. The organization distributes hundreds of backpacks stuffed with winter essentials for the unhoused community in Detroit. This is part of our third Detour DoGooders event and you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to give back and enjoy the company of your fellow Detour members and new friends. Not a member yet? That’s okay. If you become one today, your monthly donation will be doubled by NewsMatch all year long! Now that is a two-for-one special! Dec. 16, free for Detour members, info.