AGP Executive Report

Visual Arts: The Factorié, a contemporary art gallery, opens Oct. 24 in downtown Birmingham. Michigan Talent: Michigan native Bruce Campbell is set for a special appearance in East Lansing, while Motown legend Martha Reeves has released a new remix featuring Fred Schneider of the B-52s. Books & Theatre: The Detroit Jewish Book Fair marks 75 years, and Michigan Tech’s Rozsa Center is the Upper Peninsula’s sole host for the Broadway musical Hadestown. Film: Detroit Public Library joins Manhattan Short, a global film festival. Live Events: Banana Ball returns to Detroit for two games in 2027.

ArtPrize: The Grand Rapids festival wrapped with a closing ceremony featuring actor Bryan Cranston. Live Music: She Wants Revenge has a new single and video ahead of its sold-out Oct. 27 show at Detroit’s Magic Stick; Detroit house icon DJ Minx also teamed with SYREETA on a new club track. Community Events: GRCC’s Fall Fest brings music, games, pumpkin painting and free food to campus on Oct. 24, and it’s open to the public. Michigan Music: Country singer Zach Top brought a ’90s sound to a lively Grand Rapids show. Detroit Legacy: Busta Rhymes reflected on his friendship and musical work with late Detroit producer J Dilla, saying he wants Dilla to get the recognition he deserves. Arts & Culture: A new audio story takes listeners inside northern Michigan artist Gwen Frostic’s Benzie County studio; Michigan Tech’s Rozsa Center is the Upper Peninsula’s only stop for the Broadway musical Hadestown.

Stage & Screen: Michigan’s Rozsa Center is the Upper Peninsula’s only host for Broadway musical Hadestown, while Detroit Public Library joins the global Manhattan Short film festival. Seasonal Fun: A Lansing Halloween display pairs giant skeletons with mini golf, and Screams in the Dark ranks No. 2 statewide among haunted attractions. Music & Culture: Southern Stars is offering a free “Brassy Christmas” concert, and a Michigan event spotlighted Telugu culture and community service. Detroit Arts: Motown Museum is undergoing a major expansion, and a new exhibit traces the century-long history of America’s Thanksgiving Parade. More to Explore: A new Northern Michigan performing arts center has opened, while construction begins on the next phase of Interlochen’s Community Art Trail. Detroit also gets a dose of nostalgia with Dirty Dancing: The Musical.

Music: Eminem defended his collaboration with Kid Rock, saying it reflects their friendship rather than a political choice. College Football: Michigan rallied past Penn State, 21-18, after freshman Tommy Carr replaced Bryce Underwood; Western Michigan also kept the Victory Cannon with a 21-14 win over Central Michigan. Film & Art: Detroit Public Library is joining Manhattan Short, a global film festival, while Sharp Museum will host an Oct. 23 reception for its “Spooks or Spoofs” cryptid art exhibition. Detroit Attractions: The Motown Museum is undergoing a major expansion, and Banana Ball is set to return to Detroit for two games in June 2027 after sold-out appearances.

Film: Detroit Public Library is taking part in Manhattan Short, the global film festival bringing short films to local audiences. Art & History: Flint’s Moss & Marrow Market spotlights art and local history at Whaley House, while a new Detroit exhibit traces a century of America’s Thanksgiving Parade. On Stage: “Dirty Dancing: The Musical” is bringing the beloved story to Detroit; Northern Michigan has also opened a new performing arts center. Coming Up: The Sharp Museum’s “Spooks or Spoofs” cryptid art exhibition holds its reception Oct. 23, and Rivers & Roots Choir performs at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor on Oct. 29. Michigan Sports: The Wolverines rallied past Penn State 21-18 after freshman Tommy Carr replaced benched quarterback Bryce Underwood; the Red Wings also rallied for a 4-3 shootout win over San Jose.

Detroit Music: The Mummp, a longtime teen music venue, marked its 60th anniversary with a celebration Saturday. Eminem also shared how he came up with the name Slim Shady. Art & History: A new Detroit exhibit explores the 100-year history of America’s Thanksgiving Parade, while Flint’s Moss & Marrow Market brings art and local history to the Whaley House. Coming Up: The Rivers & Roots Choir performs Oct. 29 at Lake Michigan College’s Benton Harbor campus. Banana Ball is also set to return to Detroit for two games in 2027. Regional Arts: Interlochen’s Community Art Trail has begun its next construction phase, and the DeVos Art Museum is showcasing artists from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Physical Media: Grand Rapids record shop Flat, Black and Circular is seeing more CD buyers in their 20s and 30s, as younger fans seek a hands-on connection to music. Indigenous Heritage: An MSU Museum panel examined universities’ responsibilities to return Indigenous remains and support tribal stewardship. Detroit Arts: A new exhibit traces 100 years of America’s Thanksgiving Parade, while the Motown Museum is undergoing a major expansion. Live Events: Banana Ball is set to return to Detroit for two games in June 2027. Public Art: A Michigan city is seeking an artist for a $125,000 installation near Bicentennial Gateway.

Arts Investment: Northern Michigan University is proposing a $51.5 million Center for Creative Arts and Entrepreneurship, a major planned addition for the region’s arts community. Choral Music: Four Western Michigan University choirs explore life, death and memory at a Sunday showcase in Kalamazoo, featuring works by Benjamin Britten and other composers. Onstage: “The Rocky Horror Show” brings its time-warp antics back to NMU’s Forest Roberts Theatre. Live Music: Music Harbor has performances scheduled this weekend, while Traverse City singer Katie Greene is building a solo career as she tours with The Rebel Eves. Local Music History: Detroit’s teen venue The Mummp marks its 60th anniversary with a Saturday party. Public Art: Phase two of Interlochen’s Community Art Trail is under construction, and Detroit’s Motown Museum is undergoing a major expansion.

Campus & Community: Eastern Michigan moved Friday’s homecoming parade and campout to University Park because of high winds, replacing its bonfire with patio fire pits while keeping music and games. Red Wings: Detroit beat Philadelphia 2-1 on Andrew Copp’s late goal, handing the Flyers a record ninth straight loss to open the season. Film: The Halaloween Muslim Horror Film Festival brings films and events to Dearborn, Ann Arbor and Detroit throughout October, exploring horror traditions from across the Muslim world. Music: Kid Rock says he used AI on his upcoming album Halfway 2 Jesus; Eminem is no longer on “7 Sins” and appears on another track. Arts & Stage: The Motown Museum’s major expansion is underway, while phase two of Interlochen’s Community Art Trail begins construction. Detroit also welcomes Dirty Dancing: The Musical, and Northern Michigan’s new performing arts center has opened.

Detroit Music: Motown Museum is undergoing a major expansion, adding a new chapter to the city’s musical landmark. Eminem’s 1996 debut, Infinite, is also back in the spotlight: the Detroit rapper’s early record flopped commercially but offers a glimpse of his rise. Tour News: Greta Van Fleet’s 59-city tour for Palace for the People will wrap July 31 in Grand Rapids. Onstage: Sturgill Simpson is set to perform two albums in their entirety in Detroit, while Dirty Dancing: The Musical brings its nostalgia to town. Northern Michigan has a new cultural venue, too, with the Northern Michigan Performing Arts Center now open.

Detroit Live Music: Sturgill Simpson’s Detroit show featured two albums performed in full, while Western Michigan University’s Jazz Masters concert brought tenor greats George Garzone and Jerry Bergonzi together. Stage & Screen: “Dirty Dancing: The Musical” arrived in Detroit, and Northern Michigan Performing Arts Center opened a new stage for the region. Detroit stuntwoman Sara Holden is also bringing her action expertise to horror film “River.” Michigan Art: Ann Arbor’s Artoberfest filled Main Street with artists, and West Michigan Oddfest showcased handmade “strange and unusual” goods. UMMA’s Black Wall Street exhibition connects art, data and the Black experience. Community & Culture: A Detroit feature explores how wheelchair ballroom dancers helped shape the city’s ballroom scene, while a North Michigan calendar rounds up this weekend’s entertainment.

Michigan Music: WKAR has debuted season two of Streetlight Sessions, while Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble’s new Grateful Dead cover and a catalog deal for Verve Pipe frontman Brian Vander Ark keep local music in the spotlight. Art & Culture: Northern Michigan’s DeVos Art Museum is showcasing Upper Peninsula artists, and UMMA’s new Black Wall Street exhibition connects data, art and Black experience. Ann Arbor’s Artoberfest also brought artists to Main Street. Screen & Stage: Detroit stuntwoman Sara Holden brings action to horror film River, and a new horror movie turns a Detroit Airbnb into its setting. Devin Scillian makes his playwriting debut with Bastard at the Purple Rose Theatre; a Garden City actor is also appearing in Dirty Dancing. Local Happenings: Detroit’s Cass Cafe is slated to reopen Nov. 6, and a tour at Elmwood Cemetery celebrates the city’s women and history.

Ann Arbor Comics: The A2CAF Small + Indie Press festival brought cartoonists, zines and independent artists to the Ann Arbor District Library. Michigan Music: The Verve Pipe’s Brian Vander Ark struck a catalog deal covering the Michigan band’s songs, including “The Freshmen” and “Photograph.” New Cultural Spaces: A vacant downtown Cheboygan building is set to become a cultural center and gallery, while Detroit’s Cass Cafe plans to reopen Nov. 6. Art & Heritage: UMMA’s new Black Wall Street exhibition connects data and Black experience, and a WKTV project is preserving Latino stories in West Michigan. Detroit’s Creative Scene: Coverage spotlights the sound of underground techno parties, a liquor store doubling as an art gallery, and murals transforming Mexicantown. Stage & Community: Garden City actor takes the stage in “Dirty Dancing” at The Purple Rose Theatre, while Ann Arbor’s Artoberfest and West Michigan Oddfest showcased local makers.

Michigan Music: Michigan-raised Americana singer-songwriter Chloe Kimes releases her second album, Daredevil, on Oct. 16. Greta Van Fleet fans can also look ahead to the band’s 2027 “Into the Beginning” tour, with presale tickets now available. Stage & Stories: Detroit broadcaster Devin Scillian makes his playwriting debut with Bastard at Chelsea’s Purple Rose Theatre Company, while Detroit Story Fest returns Thursday. Detroit Arts: A feature explores the neighborhoods shaping Black culture in Detroit and the artist helping keep that legacy alive; Ann Arbor’s Artoberfest also brought artists and vendors to Main Street. Live Music: Detroit’s Rhythm Corps reunion leads a weekend of metro-area music, and Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble are taking their Grateful Dead tribute on the road.

Michigan Music: Fenton’s first Bluegrass Festival drew a large crowd for a free showcase of local bands and singer-songwriters. Detroit’s Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble are also bringing a Grateful Dead tribute, “Blues for Allah,” to an Ohio stage. Arts & Culture: Ann Arbor’s Artoberfest filled Main Street with art vendors, while West Michigan Oddfest debuted handmade art and unusual goods. The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts opened its annual silent auction to the public for the first time. Stage & Storytelling: Detroit journalist Devin Scillian made his playwriting debut with “Bastard” at The Purple Rose Theatre Company; Detroit Story Fest also returned with local journalists and storytellers live on stage. Detroit Sound: A look at the underground parties that shaped Detroit techno explores the city’s enduring influence on electronic music.

Campus Music: Wayne State alumni musicians reunited with current students for homecoming, performing with the Warrior Band and singing the school anthem. Michigan Rock: Bob Seger tribute band Against the Wind brings its ten-piece show to White Lake on Oct. 24, marking the 50th anniversary year of Live Bullet. Detroit Stage: Detroit Public Theatre’s new season includes Detroit ’67, a family story of grief, love and legacy. Local Sports: The Lions routed Arizona 45-21, and No. 3 Michigan State hockey swept Northern Michigan, finishing with a 5-1 win.