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.
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.
Want to know what's going on in your area? Click here for our Community Calendar.
Upcoming Featured Events
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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…
TESTS: Pencils down! Prepare a five-minute story about being put through the ringer. From ‘how do I look in these pants?’ to ‘how do you calculate velocity’, the stress of pass or fail moments where the stakes couldn’t be higher. Testing your knowledge, loyalty, or patience. Regale with tales of examination and qualification. It's all riding on this. -
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. -
After a successful premiere last year, Detroit Story Fest returns to the Motor City for year two at the Detroit Opera House. Join us on October 9th for a night of art, entertainment, and laughter.
Story Fest brings the best of the region’s storytellers to one stage. The event will host journalists from many newsrooms in the area to share their stories and provide a behind-the-scenes look at local journalism. A group of Michigan journalists will give attendees a peek into a world they’ve only observed from the outside.
Mark your calendars and join us for an evening of curiosity and intrigue at the Detroit Opera House on October 9th at 8:00 pm. -
You can join Michigan Public’s Morning Edition host Doug Tribou on an exciting nine-day (seven-night) adventure to Ireland. You’ll visit Dublin, Ireland’s capital city; Killarney, Galway, and so much more. You’ll get to explore the beauty, history, and culture during this Treasures of Ireland guided tour with your fellow Michigan Public travelers. -
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. -
Join Michigan Public’s Mercedes Mejia, host of “The Dish,” as the Michigan Public Travelers program embarks on a vibrant culinary tour of Mexico City, where ancient flavors meet modern innovation.
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 Michigan Radio’s “It’s Just Politics” team of Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta and other political pundits one week before the primary for this special Issues & Ale live event at the beautiful outdoor piazza at Celebration Cinemas Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids on Wednesday, July 27. -
A leaked document indicates that the U.S. Supreme Court could soon overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. What does that mean for Michigan? Michigan Radio’s Zoe Clark led a discussion about the legal and political ramifications of Roe v. Wade possibly being overturned, Michigan's existing 1931 law banning abortions, and even what it could mean for other rights of pregnant women at a fast paced Issues & Ale. -
As the nation prepares to pour billions of federal dollars into rescuing water systems, join Environment Report host Lester Graham at this live online discussion as he talks with reporters from the Great Lakes News Collaborative about the true cost of water in Michigan. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer gave her fourth "State of the State" address on Wednesday, January 26th. The following evening, Michigan Radio's Zoe Clark and a panel of political experts got together to take a look at what's in store for state politics in 2022. -
Debates over virtual vs in-person schooling, school mask mandates, teacher resignations/retirements and more are making it a tough time to be in the education business - or a parent of school age kids. Join Stateside host April Baer at this free, live event as she talks with education experts about the challenges and future of public education.
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’s Mercedes Mejia, host of “The Dish,” as the Michigan Public Travelers program embarks on a vibrant culinary tour of Mexico City, where ancient flavors meet modern innovation.
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Michigan Public's Steve Carmody recaps the station's Costa Rica trip. -
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.
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You can join Michigan Public’s Morning Edition host Doug Tribou on an exciting nine-day (seven-night) adventure to Ireland. You’ll visit Dublin, Ireland’s capital city; Killarney, Galway, and so much more. You’ll get to explore the beauty, history, and culture during this Treasures of Ireland guided tour with your fellow Michigan Public travelers.
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This August you can join Michigan Public and Premier World Discovery for an amazing adventure visiting Yellowstone and the Wild West! Travel is August 22-28, 2025.
Past Station Events
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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. -
Tuesday, April 29th will mark 100 days of the second Trump presidency. Join Michigan Public’s It's Just Politics team Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta for a discussion about covering the president and presidency with NPR’s Asma Khalid and Domenico Montanaro. -
Divided government is back in Lansing. How are lawmakers at the state capital working bipartisanly to get things done? Join the It's Just Politics team for Issues & Ale. -
The Michigan Public Speaker Series welcomes NPR Morning Edition host Leila Fadel. She'll talk with Doug Tribou about her journalism career in an online event on Feb. 20. -
Michigan Public and Michigan Theater will present a live performance of The Moth Mainstage in Ann Arbor on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 8 p.m. The Moth Mainstage features a line-up of writers, performers, and other unique national and Michigan storytellers, each with a 10-minute story to tell live without notes. -
It’s been a year — in more ways than one. We’ve been through a Presidential election, elected two state Supreme Court justices, filled an open U.S. Senate seat, as well as changed the make-up of the state House of Representatives. At our next Issues & Ale, we’ll take a look back... and a look forward at what's to come in Lansing. Join Michigan Public's It's Just Politics team of Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta, and their expert political panel, as they discuss what’s on the horizon and take your questions! -
On October 24, join Michigan Public's Zoe Clark for our next Issues & Ale: It's Just Politics - Countdown to the Election. The event is at 7 PM at Bell's Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo, doors open at 6 PM. Get your political questions answered as the November election approaches. -
Michigan Public will welcome NPR’s popular news quiz show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! to Detroit’s Fox Theatre for a live show on Thursday, November 14, 2024. Special VIP Meet & Greet packages are currently available through Michigan Public. Tickets now on sale.
