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Detroit Opera broadens its stage with new events, $3 million grant

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Detroit Opera broadens its stage with new events,  million grant


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  • Detroit Opera is launching a new initiative called Detroit Opera House Presents to offer a wider variety of live events.
  • The new series aims to activate the venue year-round alongside its traditional opera and dance productions.
  • The company also received a $3 million grant from the Fred & Barbara Erb Family Foundation to support operations and new programming.
  • Upcoming events include “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” and a tribute to Whitney Houston.

Detroit Opera is broadening its profile as a presenter with Detroit Opera House Presents, a new initiative designed to bring a wider mix of music, dance, storytelling and other live events to its historic downtown venue.

The series will run alongside the company’s acclaimed opera and dance productions and aims to keep the opera house more fully activated year-round.

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“For thirty years, this opera house has been home to great entertainment beyond its spectacular opera and dance programming,” said Patty Isacson Sabee, Detroit Opera’s president and CEO. “It has hosted Broadway tours, major concerts, community celebrations — this building has always been a cultural destination for Detroit.

“Detroit Opera House Presents formalizes our commitment to actively programming this incredible venue year-round. Like the city of Detroit and the people who call it home, Detroit Opera refuses to be put into just one box. We’re committed to welcoming people for a variety of exceptional experiences, bringing the Opera House to life more often and inviting new audiences to experience its magic.”

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The move builds on decades of varied programming at the opera house since its 1996 renovation — from Broadway tours and major TV tapings to civic events. Detroit Opera has already piloted the new format this season with a run of high-profile events, including Raphael Saadiq’s “No Bandwidth Tour,” a conversation with author Margaret Atwood, and a sold-out symphonic tribute to Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton and the Detroit Opera Orchestra.

The company continues to push artistic boundaries in its core offerings. This season opened with “Highways and Valleys —Two American Love Stories,” a double bill directed by Kaneza Schaal, and will feature Poul Ruders’ “The Handmaid’s Tale” next month, led by an all-female creative team.

Situated next to Detroit’s major sports venues, the opera house is positioned to tap into the city’s deep musical heritage — from Motown to techno — through Detroit Opera House Presents. More programming announcements will appear on detroitoperahouse.com.

Upcoming Detroit Opera House Presents events include:

  • Bugs Bunny at the Symphony: April 18 at 7:30 p.m. and April 19 at 2:30 p.m.
  • Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán: May 9 at 7:30 p.m.
  • GameSymphonic with Éímear Noone: June 13 at 7:30 p.m.
  • The Voice of Whitney Houston: October 10 at 8 p.m.

Opera receives $3 million grant from Erb Foundation

Detroit Opera has secured a $3 million grant from the Fred & Barbara Erb Family Foundation, funding that will bolster day‑to‑day operations and underwrite a new initiative aimed at broadening the artistic offerings and audience experiences at the Detroit Opera House.

“On behalf of Detroit Opera, I’d like to thank the Erb Family Foundation for its tremendous support and investment,” said Sabee. “Detroit Opera House is more than just a stage for opera — it is a community asset for downtown Detroit that must evolve to meet modern audience needs and financial realities. This funding will give us the flexibility to reimagine and reinvest in the potential of the Opera House and our company as a whole, as we continue our mission to serve the Detroit community in new and exciting ways.”

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The Erb Family Foundation, known for its work advancing environmental stewardship, cultural institutions, Alzheimer’s research, and sustainable business practices, has long been a supporter of Detroit Opera. Including the new award, the foundation has provided $1,481,050 to the organization since 2009.

“Fred and Barbara were deeply committed to investing in the people in their community,” said Melissa Damaschke, president of the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation,“ and Detroit Opera is a perfect example of that principle in action. From its early days as an underdog in downtown Detroit to its recent reinvention as a national destination for progressive opera, Detroit Opera has continuously found new ways to give a voice to the community. The Erb Family Foundation is happy to play a role in its next phase, and we’re eager to see how this company continues to enrich the cultural fabric of southeast Michigan.”



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Dane Brugler Releases Impactful Detroit Lions 7-Round NFL Mock Draft

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Dane Brugler Releases Impactful Detroit Lions 7-Round NFL Mock Draft


The Detroit Lions have been doing their due diligence on several of the top offensive tackles that are available in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler released his latest mock draft, and it included all picks for each of the 32 team’s in the league.

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At No. 17, the Lions stay at their position and chose Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Monroe Freeling.

Mel Kiper Jr. also linked the Lions to the talented lineman in his latest two-round mock draft.

As Brugler explained, “Though he’s inexperienced in areas, Freeling is an ascending player with above-average size and athletic traits. The Lions have short-term options opposite Penei Sewell, but Freeling has the talent to earn his way onto the field at some point during his rookie season.”

At No. 50, Brugler has the Lions landing defensive back D’Angelo Ponds out of Indiana.

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At 5’9 and 170 pounds, some have mocked Ponds in the first-round, given his success with the College Football Playoff champions.

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He recorded a PFF grade of 88.8 overall (8th best among defensive backs), seven interceptions and 31 pass breakups last season.

In several draft previews, Ponds has been compared to current Lions defensive back DJ Reed.

At the combine, the talented defender said he was asked a lot about a play he made against the Oregon Ducks early in the contest.

“The Oregon pick six, which was the first play of the game.” Ponds expressed. “I feel like a lot of coaches asked about this play in the meetings. Every coach really started their meeting off with that play. So, I would say that that was one of them. Just to show my football IQ, how I watch film and study quarterbacks and knowing the ball had to come out fast. Things like that.”

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Some scouts are projecting his skills being better suited as a slot cornerback, but Ponds is willing to play on the outside or in the slot at the next level.

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“I’m willing to play both, whatever the team needs. I’m comfortable at playing both. I played inside in high school. I got the ability to play both, and I can make plays at both. I’m a competitor as well,” said Ponds. “I always look for the best competition, being that I came from JMU to Indiana just to play against the Top competition in big 10. And I’m a winner.

A”ctually, I can count on probably one hand and one finger how many games I lost in my college career. So, I would say I’m a winner, and I just have that winning mindset.”

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Brugler’s Detroit Lions 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft

1.) (17). Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
2.) (50). D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
4.) (118). Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami
4.) (128). Caden Curry, EDGE, Ohio State
5.) (157). Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
5.) (181). Dallen Bentley, TE, Utah
6.) (205). Gary Smith III, DT, UCLA
6.) (213). Owen Heinicke, LB, Oklahoma
7.) (222). Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech

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For more comprehensive Detroit Lions coverage and NFL insider analysis, follow us on X, @detroitpodcast, head on over to our Facebook page and give it a like, follow us on TikTok, subscribe to the Detroit Lions On SI Lone Wolves YouTube Channel

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Tornado Watch issued for SE Michigan into early Wednesday morning

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Tornado Watch issued for SE Michigan into early Wednesday morning


4Warn Weather – The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for all of Southeastern Michigan until 4 a.m. Wednesday morning, April 15, 2026.

As we’ve been highlighting throughout the day, we are in an atmospheric situation where showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop tonight and into the overnight, and severe thunderstorms are likely.

Remember, a Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather, including tornadoes, in and close to the watch area.

Forecast Update

We’re watching thunderstorms forming off to the west of Metro Detroit, which could develop into a line capable of producing damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes late tonight and into the overnight hours.

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Multiple tornado warnings have been issued tonight, with damage confirmed over Southeastern Wisconsin.

These storms are moving into Michigan within the next few hours and will impact Metro Detroit late tonight and into the overnight hours.

What is a Tornado Watch?

A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop across a large region.

Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center, a national forecasting center that monitors severe weather across the United States.

A watch can cover multiple counties or even several states and typically lasts several hours. It signals that the atmosphere has the ingredients needed for severe storms capable of producing tornadoes.

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Think of a tornado watch as a heads-up to stay alert and be ready if storms begin to develop.

However, tornado watches are not issued for every storm that produces a tornado.

Watches are generally issued when forecasters believe there is a greater chance of multiple storms producing severe weather across a broad area.

If tornado potential is expected to be very isolated or uncertain, forecasters may not issue a tornado watch in advance.

That means it is possible and not uncommon for a tornado warning to be issued even when a tornado watch was never in place.

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What is a Tornado Warning?

A Tornado Warning means a tornado is happening or about to happen.

Warnings are issued by local offices of the National Weather Service when radar detects strong rotation within a storm or when a tornado is reported by trained spotters, emergency managers, or the public.

Warnings usually last 20 to 45 minutes and focus on specific communities in the storm’s path.

When a tornado warning is issued, immediate action is needed. People should move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and stay away from windows.

It’s also important to understand that severe thunderstorms themselves can sometimes produce tornadoes.

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A storm may first be under a severe thunderstorm warning because it is producing damaging winds or hail.

If meteorologists detect rotation within that storm, a tornado warning may then be issued for areas in the storm’s path, while the severe thunderstorm warning may still remain in effect.

Severe thunderstorms can produce powerful winds capable of causing major damage and becoming deadly, and in some cases, they can also produce tornadoes.

Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.



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Two Detroit Pistons Facing Uncertain Roles in NBA Playoff Rotation

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Two Detroit Pistons Facing Uncertain Roles in NBA Playoff Rotation


The Detroit Pistons are expected to have their core rotation set ahead of their NBA playoff adventure – but two players will undoubtedly have question marks based upon their performance in the early rounds.

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, and Jalen Duren will more than likely be the starting five for the Pistons ahead of their first-round tie against the eighth seed, which will be determined from the play-in tournament.

Who are the odd men out?

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While Isaiah Stewart and Daniss Jenkins will be Detroit’s first options off the bench, with Caris LeVert, Ron Holland and Javonte Green providing solid minutes, there is a player who will need to get going early, otherwise his minutes could drop unless the Pistons go through injury concerns.

That man is Kevin Huerter.

After a difficult stretch for most of the season, Huerter has finally started to find his rhythm. With the Pistons in need of perimeter shooting, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff may give the veteran guard an opportunity to prove he can consistently knock down shots.

 If he struggles, however, he could face limited minutes after the first round, should the Pistons progress.

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Ron Holland could face limited minutes as well

If Huerter finds his groove and perhaps attracts a more increased role, then that could cut into the minutes of Holland and Green, with the latter being the only Piston to appear in every game this season, so it’s unlikely Bickerstaff moves away from him entirely, though a slight dip in playing time is possible.

As for Holland, who averaged around 20 minutes per game, he faces more uncertainty heading into the playoffs due to his limitations in Detroit’s half-court offense. If the team runs into trouble, he could also find himself losing valuable minutes

Holland has averaged 8.2 points in 19.9 minutes this season, shooting a respectable 43% from the floor, but for more minutes and to give Bickerstaff a minutes nightmare, his points production will need to improve.

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As for the remaining players, Marcus Sasser and Paul Reed are expected to be out of the playoff rotation, along with Chaz Lanier and Tolu Smith. The only exception could be that Reed provides valuable frontcourt depth and would likely be called upon quickly in the event of injuries or foul trouble. Smith might see some minutes, but will mainly be garbage time.

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Meanwhile, two-way players Wendell Moore and Isaac Jones are ineligible to participate in the postseason.

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