Divine Wisdom, Detroit Roller Derby and The Royce Wine School: What to do this weekend in Detroit

I hope you got your fill last week of pączki and Mardi Gras mayhem — and maybe a few cuddles yesterday too!

Even with football season behind us, there’s still a lot of competition in the air. Things to do this weekend include cheering on your team of choice during the final bout of Detroit’s roller derby season, coming out on top with your latte art skills and mastering your pottery wheel technique at Art in Motion.

Before you’re all done, make sure to check out Detroit Public Library’s (DPL) events calendar , which is just brimming with thoughtful opportunities to explore, learn and celebrate Black History Month.

Let’s get busy! <3

One we’re excited about

♀️ Art lovers, dance enthusiasts and tattoo fanatics are all invited to a free limited exhibition of “Divine Wisdom: Femme Alchemy Through Contemporary Art and Performance.” Curated by native Detroiter Samara Furlong , the exhibition brings together emerging artists Shaina Kasztelan, Sara Nickleson, Olivia Guterson, Dawn Marie Smith and Sedona Cohen in an expansive exploration of feminine strength and occult practices.

“It’s something having these five women that are changing themselves and helping others with personal issues like depression through art,” Furlong said. “Some of them are using meditation, or sexuality, or the art itself … Healing yourself and being aware of what ails you really defines empowerment to me.”

Accompanying the artists’ work are tattoo models styled in lingerie from Supernatural Lingerie , floral art by Four Leaf Clover Studios , aerial silks by Dari Blythe , piano and vocal performance by Chakrubs founder Vanessa Cuccia , a DJ set by FemmeDom Detroit co-founder Petra Steele , and a light installation by Suzy Poling . Furlong said her relationship with each artist and accompanying person is unique, but together, they make for an exciting night.

“It’s a really special experience for viewers and the artists,” she said. “A gallery or museum might not be able to just let them talk about things that they feel that they haven’t been able to have a platform to discuss … It’s been great to watch artists grow and then continue to watch them grow. And that’s why it’s fun to work with emerging artists.”

The limited-run exhibition opens with a reception and performance on Friday at The Jam Handy in New Center from 6-9 p.m. Participants can view the artists’ work and attend their talks on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 1-4 p.m. Free.

Thursday

💕 Grab your love and try your hands at the ceramic wheel at Art in Motion on the Avenue of Fashion. Through Sunday, the ceramics studio is offering a special couples-only art experience that includes wheel throwing, glasses of champagne and roses. Have fun, but try not to recreate that scene from “Ghost.” 21+. $125 for two participants. Registration required.

🍷 Join us, your fabulous friends at Outlier, for From Outlier, With Love , a special postcard writing party and wine tasting, courtesy of Spot Lite. We’re providing cards and postage so you can send love to the places and the people you adore. 21+. Free. Registration required.

🎤 After the love fest at Spot Lite, sing your heart out with Robby Rob at karaoke night at Woodbridge Pub on Trumbull. Drinks and bar bites will be flowing and (hopefully) so will the love ballads. Can’t make it this week? He’s there every Thursday, so don’t be shy! 21+. Free.

This weekend

🌠 Enjoy some virtual stargazing Friday night at Wayne State University’s Planetarium for their free public planetarium shows . There will be seatings on a first-come-first-serve basis at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Doors will open 10 minutes before each show. Stargazers will enjoy a 30-minute full dome film followed by a chat. Free.

🥞 Wanna strut your stuff and get your grub on with up-and-coming artists? Head to Tangent Gallery in Milwaukee Junction on Friday for The Detroit Pancakes & Booze Art Show . Talk about a sweet combo! The event offers art from more than 100 Detroit artists, all-you-can-eat pancakes, live painting and an audiovisual journey. 21+. $15 in advance, $20 the day of the show.

📖 Bring out the writer within your child through a series of free creative writing workshops hosted by 826michigan and Detroit Public Library on Saturdays at its Main Branch. Workshops will continue through May. Free. Registration encouraged.

✍🏿 Join storyteller Gwendolyn Lewis for “The Shoulders We Stand On… The Shoes We Fill,” an interactive family celebration at DPL Parkman Branch on Saturday. Participants will reenact the courageous efforts of several well-known African Americans through stories, poems and music. Free.

🏳️‍🌈 Show your Pride during Winterfest at Detroit Shipping Co. in the Cass Corridor on Saturday! Activities include friendship bracelet making, a dance party, a hot cocoa station, vendors and photo-ops. Drag bingo is available for an additional cost. 21+. $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

🐕‍🦺 Work that Riverfront Pack Walk with Canine to Five on Sunday. Whether you’ll have your best bud on a leash or want to cheer on the pack from the sidelines, this monthly doggie meetup at Valade Park is for you. February will feature Newfoundlands, but all leash-friendly dogs are welcome for a 40-60 minute walk. Free.

🍷 Expand your wine-drinking palette with The Royce Wine School downtown on Sunday. This week’s interactive class is on Sicilian Wines, and according to The Royce, the experience “will be nothing like ‘White Lotus 2.’” Let us know the verdict when you go! Cost of admission includes six wine selections, professional instruction and gratuity. 21+. $60. Registration required.

🛼 Roll out of Valentine’s season with Detroit Roller Derby’s “For the LOVE of Derby” at the Masonic Temple, an all-ages bout (that’s roller derby talk for game/match/round). $19 in advance, $20 at the door. Students and veterans are $15. Up to 2 children are admitted free with each paying adult.

🍺 Whether you attended the bout or not, celebrate the end of roller derby Season with an after-party at Eastern Market Brewery (where they’ll be offering 10% off draft beer for all fans of Detroit Roller Derby) and where they’ll be tapping Hail Skatin, a special black lager. Get it? Good. Sweet and Sticky BBQ will offer some tasty grub. 21+. No cover.

Next week

☕ Indulge yourself in a battle of the baristas at the Latte Art Throwdown at The Congregation, where you can join in the buzz around the coffee artists — and catch a caffeine buzz that might take you from Monday night straight to your next installment of Get Busy! Competing baristas must throw down $5 for each Throwdown round. Free.

🎭 Enjoy An Evening of Black Opera at DPL Main Branch on Tuesday with Detroit Opera performers who will explore the legacies of William Warfield , Leontyne Price , Roland Hayes and George Shirley . A panel will follow the live performances. Free. Registration required.

🎨 Toast to Desiree Kelly’s exhibit “Encore” in the Galleria at DPL Main Branch on Wednesday for a closing reception. You can enjoy light refreshments and music by harpist Maurice Draughn . Free.

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