What's Going On: 9 ways to amuse yourself in metro Detroit this week

Thur, 3/31 - Sun, 4/3 American Ballet Theatre’s The Sleeping Beauty @ Detroit Opera House The classic fairy tale takes a new spin thanks to the University Musical Society and the Michigan Opera Theatre. The two companies partnered to bring the American Ballet Co.’s presentation of The Sleeping Beauty to Detroit. Only taking the stage in five major cities, the remake of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s production will feature more than 80 performers along with live musical accompaniment from the Michigan Opera Theatre orchestra. The reimagined production will be showing in Detroit until April 3, with various showtimes throughout the weekend. Show starts at 7:30 p.m., with additional showtimes Saturday, April 2, at 2 p.m. and Sunday, April 3, at 2:30 p.m.; 1526 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-237-7464; michiganopera.org; Tickets start at $39.

Thursday, 3/31 Dinner with Brent Foster @ Will Leather Goods Midtown’s leather goods shop will venture into the dining industry, with pop-up restaurateur Brent Foster providing the menu for the one-night event. The chef is known for creating dishes based on books, movies, and pop-culture, like the Dr. Seuss-themed brunch he put together for Revolver back in 2013. Will Leather Goods will be hosting the hefty, yet delicious five-course dinner, and various packages are available ranging from $60 to $162. Along with admission, guests will also receive 15 percent off everything inside the shop. Doors open at 7 p.m.; 4120 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-309-7892; app.gopassage.com; tickets start at $60.

Friday, 4/1 - 4/29 Motown Mic: The Spoken Word @ Motown Museum Starting this week, the Motown Museum is offering a space to perform your work every Friday in April and a chance at the title of “2016 Motown Mic: The Spoken Word Artist of the Year.” The winner will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a chance to have their work published in a literary broadside. The event, now in its third year, was created to give local spoken artists a platform to have their voices heard. The event open to the public, and allows anyone to perform original pieces. Doors open at 7:15 p.m.; 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-875-2264; motownmuseum.org; General admission tickets are $10, performers’ tickets are $5.

Fridays, 4/1 & 4/8 Coffee and Conversation @ Will Leather Goods Will Leather Goods is hoping to offer more to customers than just quality leather products. Starting this April, the leather goods shop will host weekly Coffee and Conversation events. The Friday morning chats will feature guest speakers along with a fresh cup of Will’s Special Blend Coffee. The first Coffee and Conversation event will feature Karen Dumas, host of 910 AM’s “The Pulse With Karen Dumas.” The following week will feature Allyson Martinek, a TV and radio host turned author. Martinek will meet and read passages from her new book, Living on Air: A Radiogirl’s Quest for Fairness and Happily Ever After. Events start at 8 a.m.; 4120 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-309-7892; willleathergoods.com; Admission is free.

Friday, 4/1 Norm MacDonald @ Royal Oak Music Theatre Get some giggles at the Royal Oak Music Theatre with Norm MacDonald, a man who David Letterman referred to as “the funniest man in the world.” With several comedic ventures under his belt, including five seasons on Saturday Night Live, guest spots in Adam Sandler movies, and hosting hilarious stand-up showcases, MacDonald has established himself as quite the funnyman. Claiming that his stand-up routines are never identical, viewers are sure to be both surprised and entertained while watching MacDonald’s shows. Doors open at 8 p.m.; 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-399-2980; royaloakmusictheatre.com; tickets start at $34.

Fri, 4/1 - Sun 4/17 How I Learned to Drive @ Two Muses Theatre Having recently relocated to Waterford, the Two Muses Theatre will be premiering the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, How I Learned to Drive, in their new digs. Written by Paula Vogel, How I Learned to Drive is a memory play, which means it’s told in flashbacks that are narrated by the main character, Li’l Bit. Despite its title, the play touches on more mature topics, including an inappropriate relationship between the main character and her uncle, as well as growing up in a rather dysfunctional family. The play ran off-Broadway in 1997 and is now making its debut on Two Muses Theatre’s new stage in Waterford. How I Learned to Drive will feature a Michigander cast, and it will run on weekends from April 1 to 17. Shows start at 2 p.m. or 8 p.m.; 2529 Elizabeth Lake Rd., Waterford; 248-850-9919; twomusestheatre.org; General admission tickets start at $20 in advance, additional $2 at door.

Fri, 4/1 and Sun 4/3 FoolMoon and FestiFools @ Ann Arbor In celebration of April Fool’s Day, Ann Arbor’s annual FoolMoon and FestiFools take place this weekend. Festivities begin with a procession of handmade sculptures carried by participants into the heart of the city. The celebration starts at dusk and runs until midnight, providing revelers a chance to be foolishly merry and celebrate the beginning of April with moonlit treats, drinks, shadow puppet performances, and other spectacular “luminous surprises.” The festivities continue on Sunday, April 3, with FestiFools, Ann Arbor’s enormous public art show. FestiFools provides one last hour of foolish festivities, letting foolish friends frolic the city, ending the weekend with one last hurrah. FoolMoon begins at dusk and FestiFools starts at 4 p.m.; downtown Ann Arbor; wonderfoolproductions.org; admission to both events is free.

Saturday, 4/2 Hash Bash @ Ann Arbor Get high at high noon at Ann Arbor’s annual Hash Bash. The 15th Annual Monroe Street Fair and 45th Annual Hash Bash will, once again, feature musician and actor Tommy Chong. Practice your right to protest against marijuana laws whilst smoking a joint at the always free event. Hash Bash will feature live music, comedy, poetry, guest speakers, and vending. The event starts at noon and goes until 7 p.m. Where else could you spend a Saturday afternoon getting high? Well, anywhere really, but grab some friends, get some joints (or edibles!) and snap a pic with Chong. Event starts at noon; 700 and 800 blocks of Monroe St., Ann Arbor; Admission is free.

Saturday, 4/2 Dance: 313 to the 213 featuring BodyTraffic @ Music Hall Music Hall’s annual “Dance: 313 to the 213” is returning to the Music Hall this Saturday. Last year’s performance showed how Detroit’s dance scene influenced Chicago’s dance style. This year, Los Angeles dance companies will bring their choreography to the Detroit stage. Among the featured dance companies is BodyTraffic. The contemporary dance company was founded in 2007. Despite being a young dance company, BodyTraffic has become internationally recognized and was named the “Best of Culture” by The Los Angeles Times. Paired with Detroit’s own choreographers, “Dance: 313 to the 213” is sure to fill your night with dance stylings from all over the country. Doors open at 8 p.m.; 350 Madison St., Detroit; 313-887-8500; musichall.org; Tickets start at $20.

Sunday, 4/3 All Things Detroit @ Eastern Market Ask Jennyfer’s All Things Detroit festival is back. Entering its sixth year, All Things Detroit is still one of the best networking events for Detroit’s small businesses. All Things Detroit will showcase food, crafts, and entertainment created and provided by fellow Detroiters. More than 150 vendors will be in attendance, setting up shop in Sheds 3 and 5. Tickets are $5 and include entrance and access to face painting and a photo station. Be one of the first 300 attendees and you could win some great door prizes. Event starts at noon; 2934 Russell St., Detroit; askjennyfer.com; Tickets are $5, children under 12 are free.