Oakland County community calendar Feb. 15 and beyond – The Oakland Press

Black History Month activities

• Southfield Parks & Recreation will host The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers Presents Love Stories, 7-9 p.m. Feb. 20, at the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield, as part of the City of Southfield Celebration of 100 years of Black History Month event series. The event features live storytelling, music and dance, hosted by Detroit storyteller Satori Shakoor, storytelling by Judge Wade McCree, Crystal & Michael White, Mazie Jones, and Shannon Cason, and performances by Detroit singer Gwen Foxx and the Cass Tech Dance Workshop. Doors open at 6 p.m. geared for ages 18+. Tickets are $15 each, https://bit.ly/TwistedStorySfld26, (248) 796-4620.

• Black History Celebration with the Amen Ra Dancers and Drummers is 7 p.m. Feb. 22, at The Hawk Mainstage Theatre, 29995 W. Twelve Mile Road, Farmington Hills, TheHawkTheatre.com, $15 advance, $20 at the door.

Community activities

• Oakland County Health Division to host a free virtual training class on how to dispose of unused and expired medications safely, led by a health educator. Virtual training dates are: noon-1:30 p.m. Feb. 18, March 18, April 22 and May 19. Register at https://bit.ly/4tfLjL2. For questions, contact Nadli Arabo at arabon@oakgov.com, open to adults.

• Pysanky Easter Eggs, design and create Ukranian Easter Eggs using beeswax and dye, is 1-4 p.m. Feb. 19, at the Oxford Community Room, 2795 Seymour Lake Rd. Oxford, $15 R/ $20 NR Registration required by calling (248) 628-1720.

• Oakland County Farmers Market offers free cooking demonstrations, 10-11 a.m. Feb. 21, March 7 and March 21, held in cooperation with edibleWOW, at Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford Twp. Guests can shop for ingredients during market hours, 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays at the Oakland County Farmers Market. Copies of the recipes will be available at the market and online at www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/parks-trails/farmers-market, following the demonstrations.

• Community on the Move-E-Bike, Bicycle, & Pedestrian Safety is 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Feb. 28, at Oxford Township Parks & Recreation, Community Room, free, (248) 628-1720, https://oxparkrec.org.

Education

• OCC’s Community Education program is offering the Marvelous Manners Camp, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 20, at Orchard Ridge Campus, 27055 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, geared for ages 8-12, this interactive class builds confidence, essential social skills and modern manners through games, role-playing and group activities. Register at www.oaklandcc.edu/ce/family.

• The Oakland County Treasurer’s Office has opened the annual Financial Empowerment Arts Contest. Oakland County public high school students are invited to submit 2-D artwork (including drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, and illustration) or video that reflects the theme of financial empowerment, with entries due by 11:59 p.m. on March 13, 2026, oakgov.com/arts.

Festivals/Shows

• Winterfest 2026 is 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, (previously scheduled for Jan. 25), at Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, www.oakparkmi.gov, free admission.

• Lunar New Year Celebration is 2 p.m. Feb. 15, family-friendly crafts and activities, followed by a concert with traditional Chinese instruments featuring Xiao Dong Wei and Yuki Mack, at The Hawk Theatre, 29995 W. Twelve Mile Road, Farmington Hills, TheHawkTheatre.com, tickets are $15 adv., $20 at the door.

• Free Mid-Winter Break Open House is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 16-17, at Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy, explore historic buildings, scavenger hunt, warm up next to the fire, chat with reenactors in the Log Cabin, registration is not needed, www.TroyHistoricVillage.org.

• Outdoorama and Cottage and Lakefront Living Show: Feb. 19-22, Vibe Credit Union Showplace (formerly Suburban Collection Showplace), 46100 Grand River Ave, Novi. Hours for both shows are: Thursday, 1 to 8 p.m.; Friday, 12 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Crossover admission for the two shows: $12 adults, $5 children 6 to 14, free for children 5 and under with adult paid admission. On-site parking is $10, www.vibeshowplace.com/upcoming-events.

Fundraisers

• Gorman’s Home Furnishings and Interior Design is hosting its annual community-wide furniture donation drive to help support Metro Detroit families transitioning into stable housing. Gorman’s offers free, pre-scheduled furniture pickup on Tuesdays, Jan. 27-Feb. 24, throughout the Metro Detroit area. All items must be in good condition, www.gormans.com.

• Eton Academy Annual Gala & Auction is 5:30-9 p.m. Feb. 28, at Eton Academy, 1755 Melton, Birmingham, formal dinner, silent and live auctions, and raffle, www.etonacademy.org, prices vary.

• 6th Annual Putt for Polio Tournament is 2-4 p.m. March 1, at West Bloomfield High School Gymnasium, 4925 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Twp. All money raised will be donated to West Bloomfield Area Rotary Foundation and directed to Rotary International End Polio Now Fund. Sponsorships start at $75, includes admission for one participant. General tickets are $25 per player or $10 per spectator. Register by Feb. 27. Purchase tickets to play and/or sponsor with check payment to: West Bloomfield Area Rotary Foundation, 346551 Valley Forge Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48331. For information, visit https://westbloomfieldrotary.org.

Library activities

• The Gardening Guru Presents Oudolf Garden Detroit, 6:30 -8 p.m. Feb. 23, in the Southfield Public Library Meeting Room, 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield. The event will feature an overview and virtual tour of the naturalistic public garden on Belle Isle hosted by Richard Thomas, head horticulturist for Oudolf Garden Detroit. For information, call (248) 796-4367 or visit www.southfieldlibrary.org.

• The Rochester Hills Public Library to host the Human Library event, 1-4 p.m. Feb. 28, as an official publishing partner of The Human Library Organization. Librarians will help people select a topic and guide them to an open Book for a one-on-one or group conversation with a human being. The Human Library is a library of people and their experiences with prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, belief, disability, social status, ethnic origin, etc. The concept is about acknowledging and challenging misconceptions, stereotypes, and prejudices. The Human Books were selected in advance, and received training to participate. Applications for Books are closed. Registration to check out a Book is not required. For information, visit www.rhpl.org/calendar.

Parks/Outdoor activities

• “Winter Foods for Hungry Lil Dudes,” workshop to make suet spread to take home and spread on branches to help feed birds and animals is 2-3:30 p.m. Feb. 22. all ages, $5/person, at Wint Nature Center at Independence Oaks County Park, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Independence Twp. Preregistration required by calling 248-858-0916 weekdays, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.

• Independence Oaks County Park to host Introduction to Classic Cross-Country Skiing, Feb. 28, at 9501 Sashabaw Road, Independence Twp. The two-hour class includes skis, poles and boot rental. Classes are 9-11 a.m. or 1-3 p.m. The cost is $35/person/session and each session is limited to 20 participants, weather permitting. Classes meet at the boathouse. Preregistration and payment is required by calling 248-625-2044 or visiting www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/events.

• Oakland County Parks Maple Magic programs, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. Feb. 28. Mobile Sugar Shack will be on site, all ages, $10/person. Preregistration is required, call 248- 858-0100 or visit www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/events.

• The Troy Nature Society to host “Maple Syrup Time” on the first three Saturdays of March (March 7, 14 and 21), at the Stage Nature Center, 6685 Coolidge Highway in Troy. Guided tour time slots between 9 a.m.-3 p.m., guests will venture into the nature center preserve in small groups, to learn how trees are tapped for sap, how maple sugar was processed 100 years ago and visit a historical sugar camp. The tour concludes with mini pancakes topped with real maple syrup. Pre-registration is strongly suggested. The fee is $11/person for teens and adults; $8 for children 4-12 years: $8 for TNS and THS members; children under 4 years are free. Children must be accompanied by an adult, www.troynaturesociety.org.

• ECHO (Early Childhood Hour Out) program is 10:30-11:30 a.m. every Thursday, at Wint Nature Center, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Independence Twp. The program is for parents and caregivers and children and includes a caregiver-led activity provided by nature center staff with coffee, tea and conversation with other caregivers, free and no preregistration is necessary. Caregivers must supervise children at all times. Siblings are welcome, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks. Optional activities may take place outside.

• Birmingham Ice Arena offers open skating throughout the week and on weekends, bhamgov.org/icearena, adults-$6/per skater; seniors 55+- $5/per skater; and 17 and under-$5/per skater.

• Suburban Ice Rochester, 52999 Dequindre Road, Rochester, www.suburbanicerochester.com, 248-601-6699. Public skating- $6, admission (18+), $5 skate rental, hockey prices vary.

• Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, metroparks.com. Park entrance fees apply. Annual vehicle passes are $40 for residents or $45 for non-residents. Senior citizen pricing on annual passes are available in-person at toll booths or park offices with ID as proof of age.

• Winter Park is open Fridays-Sundays, through March 8, at Bowers Farm, 1219 E Square Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills. Free admission to the park, activities include viewing farm animals, hay tower, bonfires, shopping at Farm Kitchen and Farm Store. Limited number of timed tubing tickets available, tickets must be purchased in advance at www.schoolfarm.org/winter-activities, $17+.

• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.

Support resources

• For access to local community services, dial 211 (844-875-9211) or text zip code to 898211, for information and referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions, United Way, https://unitedwaysem.org/get-help.

• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support for people who are suicidal or in emotional distress, or who know someone who is. Calls and text messages to 988 route to a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center, www.fcc.gov/988Lifeline.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233, available 24/7.

• Common Ground’s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 – call or text 800-231-1127.

• Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and then press 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.

Submit community events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.