33 Things to Do in Metro Detroit This January

Add these events to your to-do list
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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 惭辞鈥橬颈辩耻别 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鈥檚 33 events you won鈥檛 want to miss.听


Matt Holt
Matt Holt photograph courtesy of Comedy Castle

Matt Holt

His conversational style and ability to laugh at himself have fueled Holt鈥檚 comedic career for almost 20 years. He will be joined by fellow comic and Detroit native Jeff Dwoskin. Jan. 2-4. $10+. Mark Ridley鈥檚 Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; 248-542-9900;

Morgan Wallen

Wallen is known for hits like 鈥淭he Way I Talk鈥 and 鈥淯p Down.鈥 He鈥檒l 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;

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鈥檚 taking on North America ahead of the release of a new album later this year. Jan 3. $35+. Saint Andrew鈥檚 Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; 313-961-8961;

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;

Blithe Spirit image courtesy of Meadow Brook Theatre

Blithe Spirit

This comedic play follows novelist Charles Condomine as he conducts a s茅ance, 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;

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鈥檚 Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; 248-542-9900;

The Prince Experience

Gabriel Sanchez, who has been portraying Prince since 2002, and his bandmates recreate the late musician鈥檚 iconic blend of rock, funk, and soul. Jan. 10. $10+. The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-5451;

Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Detroit Symphony Orchestra photograph courtesy of the DSO

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;

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鈥檚 Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; 248-542-9900;

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;

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;

G Love
G Love photograph courtesy of Sarah Ewalt

G. Love & Special Sauce

Formed in the 鈥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;

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;

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鈥檚 Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; 248-542-9900;

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;

Shen Yun
Shen Yun photograph courtesy of Shen Yun Performing Arts

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;

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;

Ashanti

The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter best known for smash hit 鈥淔oolish,鈥 will showcase powerful vocals at MotorCity Casino鈥檚 intimate performance space. Jan. 19. $41+. Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-309-4700;

A Bronx Tale
A Bronx Tale photograph courtesy of Joan Marcus

A Bronx Tale The Musical听

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;

Sesame Street Live! Let鈥檚 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;

Monique
惭辞鈥橬颈辩耻别 photograph courtesy of 313 Presents

惭辞鈥橬颈辩耻别

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;

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鈥檚 Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; 248-542-9900;

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;

Peter Noone of Herman鈥檚 Hermits

Experience the music of Herman鈥檚 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;

Jordan Davis

The 鈥淪ingles You Up鈥 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;

A Conversation with Cullen Washington Jr.: The Hope of Abstraction and the Possibilities of the Public Square

The artist will put his work 鈥淭he Public Square鈥 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;

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鈥檚 first in four years. Jan. 25. $20+. El Club, 4114 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-279-7382;

Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan photograph courtesy of 313 Presents

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鈥檚 40-year musical career, she鈥檚 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;

Snoop Dogg

During his nearly 30-year career, Snoop has given us hits like 鈥淒rop It Like It鈥檚 Hot鈥 and 鈥淕in and Juice.鈥 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;

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;

Cold War Kids
Cold War Kids photograph courtesy of Paradigm Agency

Cold War Kids

Alternative rock band Cold War Kids is known for songs such as 2006鈥檚 鈥淗ang Me Up to Dry鈥 and 2015 single 鈥淔irst,鈥 which reached the听 No. 1 spot on Billboard鈥檚 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;

Dustin Lynch

Since releasing his 2012 debut single, 鈥淐owboys and Angels,鈥 the country star has dropped 鈥淪eein鈥 Red鈥 and 鈥淪mall Town Boy.鈥 Jan. 30. $25+. The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-5451;

Swan Lake听

The electrifying Russian National Ballet company will perform Tchaikovsky鈥檚 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;