Arts, Beats & Eats Returns to Royal Oak in September

The annual Labor Day weekend celebration of art, music, food, and community has announced this year’s musical lineup along with what’s new and returning in 2023.
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The Oneders perform one-hit wonders at Arts, Beats & Eats on Monday. // Photograph courtesy of Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Flagstar

Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Flagstar Bank is returning to the streets of Royal Oak this Labor Day weekend with a new lineup of cultural, environmental, and community initiatives, alongside art displays, musical performances, plenty of food, and both new and returning vendors.

The musical performances at the 26th annual event, will happen across nine stages and includes both local talent and international stars.

American Authors // Photo courtesy Arts, Beats & Eats

Nearly 75 local artists, bands, and ensembles — including R&B/soul musician Apropos, songstress Rëdi Choi, classic rock band Animal, the female-fronted The Detroit Fury, the “bluesy” New Twenty Saints, country artist Grace these, funk performer Imani Bloom, and many others — will perform at the fest for the first time alongside music icons like Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (Friday, 9:30 p.m.), Collective Soul (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.),  Halestorm (Saturday, 9:30 p.m.), Randy Houser (Sunday, 7:30 p.m.), and Bell Biv DeVoe (Monday, 7:45 p.m.), along with Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, and Prince tribute bands. Go here for a full lineup of dates and times of performances.

Returning sponsor Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort will transform the Fifth St. area into a “New York-style Times Square,” complete with a video wall that features scenes from the festival, and is bringing back its Cuisine Machine food truck, which features eats from the casino’s eight restaurants prepared by their top chef.

The fest will also feature tastes from other local restaurants including fine dining from Royal Oak’s ImaginATE, barbecue from House of BBQ, fresh catches from the East Coast offered by Cousin’s Maine Lobster, halal options from Selena’s Cuisine, deserts from Love Froyo, Lekker Choco Treats, and Cinnabon, and so much more. You can find a full list of participating restaurants online.

Collective Soul // Photo courtesy Arts, Beats & Eats

Plus, culinary art students at Baker College, which has a new flagship campus in Royal Oak, have also created a special menu for the festival. These items will be sold at various booths and eateries and $1 from each sale of these items will go to support Open Hands Pantry.

In addition to the music and the food, Arts, Beats & Eats also hosts one of the top 10 art fairs in the country.

The Arts, Beats & Eats Juried Fine Arts Show, once again sponsored by Corewell Health (formerly Beaumont Health), sets up in the south end of the festival and features work from artists across the nation in all kinds of media including ceramics, digital art, drawing, fabric and more.

Corewell Health is also working with the Judson Center and the Ted Lindsey Foundation Hope Center to sponsor the 10th annual Family Days event within the larger festival.

On Saturday, Sept. 2, and Sunday, Sept. 3, kids on the autism spectrum and their families will get a single-day access pass at no cost. This access pass includes parking, lunch, and rides. Both family days will kick off with a calmer environment one hour before the festival begins.

Bell Biv DeVoe // Photo courtesy Arts, Beats & Eats

Another returning sponsor, House of Dank, will host pop-up experiences full of games, Insta-worthy photo ops, limited-edition apparel, and the first-ever activation at a major Michigan festival that offers the sale and consumption of cannabis (only open to those 21 years and older).

Baker College will present a collaboration between students, and area businesses and nonprofits that showcases its art program, too.

But these new and returning offerings are just the start. This year’s Arts, Beats & Eats “will feature an abundance of diverse art and cultural elements, including new collaborations focused on showcasing important and intricate elements of culture, diversity, inclusion and awareness,” according to a press release about the event.

Among these elements is the return of the Culture on 4th area, sponsored by Flagstar Bank. This booth space hosts a collection of BIPOC-owned businesses and artists. Restaurants and vendors setting up shop at Culture on 4th include Lekker Chócó Treats, Fork in Nigeria, Native Kichwa, Natural Viking LLC, and many others.

Halestorm // Photo courtesy Arts, Beats & Eats

Culture on 4th will also feature stage performances that spotlight music from around the world such as Celtic, reggae, Brazilian, Polka, and more. Plus, a mural created by students at the Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design, the first historically Black college/university focused on design in the U.S.

And that’s still not all.

The festival is also set to host Priority Health Zumbathon on Sept. 3 in support of the Special Olympics and is turning away from the use of plastic bottles and cups in favor of canned water, beer, pop, and other beverages. Recycle bins will be placed around the festival to collect empty cans. Any drinks that aren’t canned will be served in biodegradable corn-based cups.

And of course, guests this year can once again can test their luck playing midway games and take on thrilling carnival rides throughout the weekend. Plus, there’s a chance to purchase this year’s commemorative poster, created by digital artist Adam Hoffman.

The 2023 Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Flagstar Bank will be open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1-Sunday, Sept. 3, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4.

For the first time ever, tickets are being sold in advance for $7 with the option for fast lane entrance for advance ticket holders. In person, admission is free before 5 p.m., $12 after 5 p.m. on Friday; and $10 before 3 p.m., $12 after 3 p.m. all other days. Cash and credit cards are accepted.

For more information, visit artsbeatseats.com. Plus, find even more things to do in metro Detroit at HourDetroit.com.

This post has been updated.