Metro Detroiter Michael Zadoorian reads and signs his novel The Leisure Seeker, out in trade paperback next week. Luis Resto accompanies on accordion and melodica, Feb. 4 at Dearborn's Caroline Kennedy Library. 
      
There's much more inside FilterD, where you'll find the rest of the best of what the week ahead has to offer.

Walking through Royal Oak's downtown, it's hard not to notice the bars, restaurants and shops that have popped up over the last decade. But do you ever wonder what goes on upstairs? Terry Parris Jr. visits Main Street's second story and discovers a community of new economy creatives. And lots of cereal boxes!

Many believe the key to rejuvenating Metro Detroit entails restoring and evolving our urban core. Metromode's Jon Zemke contrasts the actions of two communities - Lincoln Park and Royal Oak - and how they're developing their downtowns.

After a century of aggressive industrialization, Metro Detroit is seeing the intentional and unintentional benefits of the downturn - the return of nature. From greenways to land conservancy, our region is getting greener and wilder. Metromode's Dennis Archambault explains why that's a good thing.

Michigan's blossoming film industry is expanding its reach in ways no one imagined. Case in point: Metro Detroit's Y Arts Program, which teaches at-risk youth media arts and skills while helping to build the next generation of local creative talent.

Long after the high-voltage North American International Auto Show rolls up the red carpet, tourism remains a nearly $5 billion a year economic plug for Metro Detroit. Are visitors mapping out the region's praises or issuing their own travel advisories? Metromode takes a look from their vantage points.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful... but inside it's sweaty, sexy and shakin'. Welcome to Metro Detroit salsa dancing,  a nighttime dance scene that's pulling in locals of every class and color. From clubs to classes to a vibrant web-based community, Metro Detroiters are discovering the fun of becoming a fierce hot mess.

War is hell. It's also very profitable for some Metro Detroit suburbs. Billions of dollars in defense contracts are pouring into communities like Troy, Sterling Heights, Warren and Ann Arbor, and the companies there are finding new jobs for auto engineers who are willing to adapt.