Hot Chocolate Run, Earth Day cleanups and more events in Detroit

Celebrations are in the air this week, Detroit.

First things first: Your favorite local news service (that’s Outlier, silly 💛) is turning 8. If that’s not enough, keep reading for cannabis-related 420 events, artsy plans at local galleries and opportunities to roll up your sleeves for Earth Day cleanups. Spring is looking good in this city!

Let’s get busy! ♥️

Thursday

🎉 Bring your A-game (and maybe Lady Luck) to Sporcle’s Pub Bingo at Eastern Market Brewing Co. on Thursday night. There will be two rounds at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Wash down your winnings with beers from the taproom. Free.

🎨 The Tangent Gallery in Milwaukee Junction is where The pARTy’s happening this weekend — and no, that’s not a typo. Thursday through Saturday, head to The pARTy, a music and arts festival . The fest will raise funds for national nonprofit Art in Session to create an arts space in metro Detroit and grants for Michigan artists. It’ll also host some intriguing workshops, including ones on “ecstatic dance” with Elise Lyszczyk , juggling with Daniel Alexander and painting with Ania Amador . Are you more Anthony Gatto or Picasso ? Let us know. 18+. Starting at $20 per day.

This weekend

🖼️ Take a gander at Detroiters’ private art collections at the Friday night opening reception of Out of the Vault, Into the Light , an exhibition at Detroit Artists Market. It will include muralist Ijania Cortez , Detroit Clay Co.’s Diana Alva , painter Allie McGhee , The Heidelberg Project’s Tyree Guyton and over a dozen more. Some works will be on sale. Registration required. Free.

🐘 Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! See them all at the Detroit Zoo Saturday and Sunday for GreenFest, a two-day celebration of environmental stewardship . While you’re there, watch the animals do their thing, listen to some live music and wonder at some electric vehicle demos. Need compost for your garden? (If you’re squeamish, skip the next sentence!) The first 250 community groups to arrive each day will have a chance to take home a 2-gallon bucket of “Zoo Poo,” which is exactly what it sounds like. I can’t make this up. Free with zoo admission: $27 for adults, $24 for kids and older adults.

🎶 Update your record collection at the Spot Lite Record Store Day Fair & Swap on Saturday in Islandview. Co-hosted by The Detroit I Love and Rick Wilhite’s Vibes and Visions, bring your own crate of records to sell or swap, then check out what’s for purchase from local vendors. The Gladys Nite food truck will be serving brunch. Free.

🫕 Get up early Saturday morning and feast on chocolaty treats at this year’s Hot Chocolate Run Post-Run Party on the riverfront. From 7 a.m.-11 a.m., you can cheer on racers returning from their 5K, 10K, and 15K runs, dance to the DJ and sip on some tasty hot chocolate (duh!) Free.

🌏 Honor the mother we share on Earth Day with the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy! Help remove litter from one of our most beloved pedestrian and cycling paths at the Dequindre Cut Spring Cleanup on Saturday. Check in as a volunteer, grab your gloves and trash bags and get to cleaning. Volunteers will also receive rakes and pickers while supplies last. Toilets are limited along the greenway, so go before you get there! Free.

🫧 After picking up trash, turn it into treasure Saturday at the Earth Day River Clean-up in Eliza Howell Park. If you find some interesting recyclables in the Rouge River, they may be included in the design of a community-built sculpture led by artist Halima Cassells , to be unveiled in June. Sidewalk Detroit will provide gear and lunch to volunteers. Registration required. Free.

🌿 Take your journey of self-discovery to a new level Saturday at a cannabis and psychedelics workshop . Experts Anqunette “Q” Sarfoh , Julie Barron and Zarah Ackerwoman will share their wisdom and provide guidance for the weed-curious at Detroit Foundation Hotel downtown. $24.20. 😉

🚀 Explore love, robots and outer space on Saturday at Michigan Science Center’s After Dark: Space Love in the Cultural Center. Space travelers can enjoy a laser light show set to music by Bad Bunny then wander around the featured exhibit Above and Beyond. Admission includes one drink. 21+. $45.

👩🏽‍⚕️ Rejuvenate at Self Care Sunday at the New St. Mark Family Life Center in northwest Detroit. Learn CPR and first aid with the Detroit Fire Department, participate in a fitness challenge and nourish your body and mind with healthy food and a range of workshops. Free.

Next week

📜 Treat your inner logophile (read: word lover) to poetic brilliance and some light refreshments Monday at the Detroit Sonnet Slam at Newlab in Corktown. In honor of National Poetry Month, host Satori Shakoor will welcome some of the city’s most talented poets to the stage to compete for the very honorable title of Sonnet Slam Champion. Free.

🎤 Jump around and get down with Cypress Hill and The Pharcyde at The Fillmore on Tuesday. Band members B-Real , Sen Dog and DJ Muggs are taking their Latino American hip-hop to the masses with timeless lyrics, blazing a trail for future artists. Starts at $65.

🏈 Get your Lions gear signed by legendary Heisman Trophy winner and famous running-back Billy Sims at a meet and greet on Wednesday at the downtown Avalon Cafe and Bakery. Prizes and merchandise are also available. Free.

Outlier Media · Hot Chocolate Run, Earth Day cleanups and more events in Detroit