So many things to do, so little time. It’s summer in Detroit, and there's no shortage of things to do. Just to make decision making more difficult, here are five events (most of them costing free dollars) happening this weekend.
Crash Detroit
First launched in 2014 by musicians from the Detroit Party Marching Band and community members, the free annual music festival features three days of impromptu performances around town on Friday (stay in the know by following their live tweets on Twitter), a headlining event at Clark Park on Saturday, and performances at the Dequindre Cut Freight Yard on Sunday. The following local and national street bands are slated to perform: Motor City Soul Street, Detroit Party Marching Band, Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band, Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band, Bombici, Post Imperial Jazz Band, Jefferson Street Parade Band, The Party Band, Black Sheep Ensemble, Klezundheit, and Bitch, Thunder!. For more information on the bands, visit crashdetroit.org.
Detroit Festival of Books
Bibliophiles won’t want to miss the third annual Detroit Festival of Books, aka Detroit Bookfest. The used and rare books festival in the city of Detroit aims to foster a deeper love and appreciation of books in the area. Plus there’s music, adult beverages, and the Wienermobile. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 21 in Shed 3 at Eastern Market.
Detroit Art Week
Produced by Olu & Company, the second annual Detroit Art Week is a citywide celebration of contemporary art and culture. The five-day festivities feature 36 exhibition openings, including Steve and Dorota Coy’s Future Distortion at Bagley Central, 14 studio visits with artists such as Tiff Massey; 13 performances; eight panel discussions; and 11 special programs across the city. Check the website for details; some of the events are ticketed.
Free concert at Beacon Park
Six-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tamia headlines a free concert with Kool.moe.dee, DJ Mal-Ski, and Doug E. Fresh at Beacon Park. The performance celebrates the second anniversary of the park and the NAACP 110th National Convention in Detroit. There’s also a light and video mapping show by Mindfield, food trucks, bars, and more.
Glassblowing and live arts festival
Michigan Glass Project is hosting its eighth annual glassblowing and live arts festival Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21 at Russell Industrial Center, 1600 Clay St., in Detroit. The festival features local and national artists, with proceeds benefiting nonprofit Art Road, which immerses local students in art instruction. Some of the highlights include 35 headlining glass artists, nearly 80 vendors ranging from glass to handmade artwork to local businesses, DJs and live music, activity areas for kids, and more. Tickets start at $15 for a day pass and afterparties cost $10 at the door. For more information, visit themichiganglassproject.com.
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