Events
Michigan Public Events bring the radio to a stage, pub, or local business near you. Each event is different, giving you the chance to interact with Michigan Public personalities, witness live storytelling, hear engaging interviews, and more.
Check out upcoming Michigan Public Events below, or click through the tabs to learn about special events series like Issues & Ale or various travel opportunities.
Interested in joining Michigan Public at one of our events? Click on each event to learn more and register!
Want to know what's going on in your area? Click here for our Community Calendar.
Check out upcoming Michigan Public Events below, or click through the tabs to learn about special events series like Issues & Ale or various travel opportunities.
Interested in joining Michigan Public at one of our events? Click on each event to learn more and register!
Want to know what's going on in your area? Click here for our Community Calendar.
Upcoming Featured Events
Michigan Public Featured Events
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The groundwork is set for the November election, and multiple highly competitive races across top state offices lie ahead.
Join Stateside’s April Baer and a panel of guests to preview this heated election. She'll be joined by Michigan Public's Dustin Dwyer (West Michigan Reporter, Host of The Mids), MPRN's Colin Jackson (Capitol Reporter), Emily Lawler (current Forum & Policy Editor for Crains Detroit, former Politics Editor for the Detroit Free Press), and Jaden Jefferson (Freelance Political Journalist, Former Stateside intern). Together, they’ll dive into the key races, campaign promises, and stakes of this midterm cycle.
This is a free Michigan Public event, but registration is necessary. You can watch in person or online. -
1A Live in Michigan: Beyond the Bellwether
How political divisions shaping American politics show up in The Great Lakes State
This is a free Michigan Public event, but registration is necessary.
Join NPR’s Jenn White for a live recording of 1A, right here in Ann Arbor. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of radio as the 1A team broadcasts a new segment of their “If You Can Keep It” series.
Listen as they dive into the biggest political stories of the moment and what they mean for our democracy, every Monday. Plus, you’ll have the chance to ask your own questions about the stakes, policies, and issues of the current election cycle.
Live at The Ark on Monday, October 19, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m.
There will not be a livestream available for this event. -
You’ve already experienced Bridge Michigan’s award-winning journalism on the page. Now’s your chance to see it in an entirely new context.
Registration opens today for the inaugural Bridge Michigan Issues Summit. The event will bring our nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom’s journalism to you live from the campus of Marygrove Conservancy in Detroit.
The half-day, statewide convening will bring together residents, civic leaders, policymakers and subject-matter experts to examine the key issues shaping Michigan’s future. Panels will draw from Bridge Michigan’s year-long reporting initiative, Bridge Listens, and will be moderated by Bridge Michigan reporters, diving deep into top reporting areas. Panel topics include health, education, the environment and the economy/affordability.
Veteran Detroit broadcast journalist Devin Scillian will be the event’s emcee. Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Henderson will moderate discussions on the races for Michigan governor and the state’s US Senate seat. Panelists will include top minds from throughout the state.
You can experience the Summit — free of charge — in person or virtually. But seating is limited for the in-person option, and we expect the event to reach capacity quickly. -
The Moth Mainstage returns to East Lansing this fall! Join Michigan Public and Wharton Center for Performing Arts for an evening of extraordinary true stories about what happens when there's no clear path—only the courage to keep moving forward.
Storytellers will share tales of balancing without a net, trusting your gut, and taking the leap before you know where you’ll land. The Moth Mainstage features a line-up of writers, performers, and other unique national and Michigan storytellers, each with a ten-minute story to tell live.
The Moth Mainstage takes place on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at Wharton Center for Performing Arts, 750 E Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI.
Public on sale begins on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 10 a.m.
The Moth Radio Hour debuted in 2009 and delights audiences on more than 400 public radio stations nationwide. The Moth Radio Hour can be heard on Michigan Public each Saturday at 12:00 noon and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Moth StorySLAM
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The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night's theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…
MAGIC. Prepare a five-minute story about enchantment. An “abracadabra” in your life that rebuffs logical explanation. The improbable, the impossible, the unbelievable come true—for better or worse. Great beauty, wild coincidence, or a woman sawed in half before your very eyes! Pick a card. Any card. -
The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night's theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…
FRENEMIES. Prepare a five-minute story about the razor-thin line between friend and foe. The relationships that drive you up the wall or the connections you can’t quite quit. Besties turned competitors. Teammates who steal the spotlight. Siblings who keep the score. One-upping neighbors and too-cool colleagues. Love to hate, or hate to love—it's complicated! -
The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night's theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. Prepare a five-minute story about embracing every aspect of the holiday season. From the chaos of family gatherings, an unexpected reunion, or a kick under the table to keep the peace. To the bustling meal preparations or take-out for one. The humor, the heartbreak, the tension, or nostalgia that connects you to your loved ones. Tell us about a moment that reveals what belonging—or not belonging—looks like. Cozy up and share the highs and lows that accompany the festivities. (Holiday stories from all seasons are welcome!) -
The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night's theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…
KEEPING THE FAITH. Prepare a five-minute story about that small, still, inner voice. Tell us about a time when you believed without seeing, threw a Hail Mary pass, or were surprised by a stranger’s kindness. Small miracles, deep rituals, storms weathered, and courses stayed. Were your beliefs sharpened or shaken along the way? -
The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night's theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…
ORIGINS. Prepare a five-minute story about beginnings. Lightbulbs illuminating, shells cracking, cocoons giving way to metamorphosis. Transitions and transformations. Bring us your tales of catalysts big and small, from puberty to graduations or first crushes to experiments. The impetus, the springboard, your backstory. Like every hero, we know you started somewhere. -
The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night's theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…
ANYTHING GOES. Have a story that didn't fit a Moth theme? We're throwing themes out the window! This is your chance to tell a tale about whatever your heart desires. Carte blanche to share from the deep cuts, the archived memories, the untold stories. Everything but the kitchen sink. Was your name not selected from the hat? Does a blank page feel too daunting? Find inspiration from any of our past themes. You decide! -
The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night's theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…
SECOND CHANCES. Prepare a five-minute story about giving it another go. Sometimes another chance opens the door to something extraordinary; other times, do-overs mean “game over.” A moment of redemption after a disastrous first impression. An unexpected act of forgiveness when someone you loved let you down. The time you refused to let an early failure be the final word. Did it pay off to give that friend another shot — or did “fool me twice” prove painfully true? Share your take-twos, redos, and try-try-agains.
Issues & Ale
Issues & Ale is an event series from Michigan Public designed to engage people in conversations about important issues facing Michigan in an informal atmosphere. The events are hosted by Michigan Public reporters and feature experts on the topic. All events are free, and the public is invited to join in the discussion. You can find information on upcoming and past Issues & Ale events on the pages below.
We hold Issues & Ale events at venues all across our listening area. You can share your suggestions for future topics or locations by e-mailing us at marketing@michiganpublic.org.
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Join Stateside host April Baer and a panel of Michigan Public hosts and reporters for a preview of the upcoming midterm election in Michigan, including key races, campaign promises, and the stakes.
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Join Michigan Public’s It’s Just Politics co-hosts Zoe Clark (Political Director) and Rick Pluta (Senior Capitol Correspondent), and guest panelists Simon D. Schuster (Capitol Reporter, Bridge Michigan) and Jordyn Hermani (Policy & Politics Reporter, Bridge Michigan), for a preview of the upcoming Michigan Primary, less than a week before the election! -
Join Senior Environment Reporter Kate Furby and the Beyond the Shore podcast team as they discuss the Great Lakes, what makes each lake so special, and why it will take communities across the Great Lakes region to ensure these inland seas stay great for generations to come. -
Join Michigan Public's Political Director Zoe Clark, Senior Capitol Correspondent Rick Pluta, and their FAQ Squad panelists as they give you the facts of the upcoming election cycle! -
This November is shaping up to be one of Michigan’s most consequential elections in decades. Join Michigan Public's Political Director Zoe Clark, Senior Capitol Correspondent Rick Pluta, and their panelists for our FIRST Issues & Ale: It's Just Politics of the year.
Travel
You can join Michigan Public on-air hosts and reporters for fabulous vacation opportunities to exciting destinations. Through our partnership with select tour operators, you'll enjoy a unique trip, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Michigan Public.
When you travel with Michigan Public, you’ll enjoy a personalized experience accompanied by one of our on-air hosts and carefully selected local guides. You’ll join other travelers who are full of curiosity, are interested in life-long learning…and share a love of public radio. If that sounds like you, learn more about our vacation opportunities below.
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Join Michigan Public in October for an unforgettable African adventure, featuring game drives, Victoria Falls, river cruises, and more! It's a dream come true for nature lovers and adventure seekers. -
Join Michigan Public in May for an unforgettable garden lover’s journey to England, where the beauty of nature and history come alive. Featuring the Chelsea Flower Show, Kent County, Oxford, and the Cotswolds. It's a dream come true for horticulture enthusiasts and lovers of history! -
Join Michigan Public in May to discover a place where age-old legends and monuments intertwine with warm sunshine and island-style living. From the ruins of Athens to the bright rooftops of Mykonos and Santorini — embrace the country at its best. -
Join Michigan Public as our Michigan Public Travelers program heads to Japan to experience the country by bullet train! -
Join Michigan Public on a ten-day adventure to discover the Galapagos Islands to kick off the New Year! Commune with iguanas, snorkel with sea lions, and visit the Charles Darwin Research Center on this extraordinary adventure with Michigan Public. Certified naturalists will enlighten and expand your understanding of the amazing creatures and unparalleled biodiversity of these remote islands! Travel is January 31 - February 9, 2027.
Past Station Events
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Detroit Story Fest, featuring writers from many backgrounds and places in the state, including Detroit Free Press and Michigan Public, will take place October 8. -
The oldest human art form comes to the stage for the Detroit Story Fest – live journalism that celebrates our city. Michigan Public is an official partner. Early Bird tickets are now on sale. -
Join That’s What They Say hosts Anne Curzan and Rebecca Hector for "Grammar Night" — a fun evening discussing our ever-changing English language and your favorite language peeves! -
Join It's Just Politics hosts Zoe Clark & Rick Pluta as they look back on this year in politics ... and look forward to what's on the horizon. Register. -
Join Michigan Public’s It's Just Politics team Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta and a panel of guests, as they dig into what’s happening at the state capitol and take your questions about Michigan politics. -
Join Morning Edition host Doug Tribou, author & sports commentator John U. Bacon, and special guests at The Ark in Ann Arbor, as they discuss the seismic changes college sports are facing today. -
On Thursday, August 14, join University of Michigan English Professor Anne Curzan and Michigan Public’s Rebecca Hector, the hosts of That’s What They Say, at the Encore Theatre in Dexter for "Grammar Night" — a fun evening discussing our ever changing English language and your favorite language pet peeves. -
Join Michigan Public’s It's Just Politics team of Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta in Lansing for our next Issues & Ale on June 4, 2025. They'll speak with a bipartisan panel of lawmakers. -
From fishing and heavy industry to recreational waterfronts and new tech, an array of interest groups are using, and sometimes abusing, Michigan's biggest economic asset. Join Michigan Public’s Environment Reporter Lester Graham and a panel of experts for a fast-paced discussion about The Blue Economy on Monday, May 19 at 7pm, in person at the South Lyon Hotel or online. -
Join Michigan Public’s News Director Vincent Duffy on a grand nine-day adventure through the imperial cities of Central Europe to visit the European Christmas markets.
