The Metro Events Guide: Art markets, intimate concerts and vegan food festivals

This week, we’ve got chances to shop from local makers, see performances by rising musicians and explore artifacts from Techno history. Plus, a celebration of vegan food. Read on to learn more.

Upcoming events

Strange Beautiful Music 18

📍  Various locations in Detroit

🗓️  Thursday, Sep. 11 through Saturday, Sep. 13

🎟️  Free, $23–$34

An annual multi-day event celebrating new music in Detroit, spanning a wide range of genres — including jazz, free improvisation, Techno, electronica, Neo-soul, ambient and genre-defiant. Concerts take place at three local venues over three days, including a show at the Detroit Institute of Arts, which is free for residents of Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties, on Friday from 7–8:30 p.m.

Jeff Mills presents Star Chronicle

📍  Spot Lite in Detroit

🗓️  Thursday, Sep. 11 through Saturday, Sep. 13

🎟️  Free, $34–$80

A multi-media artist residency curated by Techno pioneer Jeff Mills, featuring film screenings, live music, and an exhibit of personal art and artifacts. Show doors open each night at 9 p.m. and admission is $34 per day or $80 for a three-day pass. The exhibition is free and open to the public 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Fridays at The Station: Charity and DJ BJ

📍  The Station at Michigan Central in Detroit

🗓️  Friday, Sep. 12

🎟️  $15

A monthly evening event featuring live performances, food and drinks at Michigan Central. This month’s event features a special performance by singer Charity, joined by DJ BJ. The event goes from 5–10 p.m. and music starts at 7:30 p.m.

The Hawk Makerspace 3rd Anniversary Open House

📍  The Hawk in Farmington Hills

🗓️  Saturday, Sep. 13

🎟️  Free

An open house for community members to check out The Hawk Makerspace, a shared technical and creative studio in Farmington Hills. There will be live demonstrations of the studio’s professional-grade equipment, giveaways, refreshments and discounts on studio passes. The event goes from 3–7 p.m.

Common Ground’s 51st Birmingham Street Art Fair

📍  Downtown Birmingham

🗓️  Saturday, Sep. 13 and Sunday, Sep. 14

🎟️  Free

A longstanding fine arts fair featuring 90 juried artists along Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham. The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Ypsi Vegan Fest 2025

📍  Downtown Ypsilanti

🗓️  Sunday, Sep. 14

🎟️  Free

An event celebrating vegan foods in an effort to make veganism more accessible. There will be local vendors, cooking demonstrations and talks by vegan advocates. The event goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to all — vegan or not.

Eastern Market After Dark

📍  Eastern Market Shed 2 in Detroit

🗓️  Thursday, Sep. 18

🎟️  Free

A district-wide night market featuring galleries, open studios, retailers, brand activations and live music. The market is open from 6–11 p.m.