Music
Aug. 8
Howard Jones
The influential British synth-popper will be joined by ’80s contemporaries Wang Chung (“Everybody Have Fun Tonight”), The English Beat (“Mirror in the Bathroom”), and Modern English (“I Melt with You”) for a feel-good celebration of all things new wave. British radio personality Richard Blade will host the event, which features full sets by each band. $35+. Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, 3554 Walton Blvd., Rochester; 313presents.com.
Aug. 15
Bryan Adams
The Grammy Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter will promote his 2025 album, Roll with the Punches, when he arrives at Little Caesars Arena this month with support from rock ’n’ roll power couple Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. Best known for timeless radio hits like “Summer of ’69” and “Heaven,” Adams has sold more than 100 million records over the course of his 50-year career. $66+. Little Caesars Arena, 645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com.
Aug. 19
Kindred the Family Soul
Husband-and-wife R&B artists Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon perform together in this Philadelphia-based neo-soul outfit. They’ll promote their latest album, Grand Life, at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre this month. $26+. Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 Atwater St., Detroit; ticketmaster.com.
Aug. 22
Outlaw Music Festival
Country legend Willie Nelson headlines this folk and blues music bash at Pine Knob Music Theatre. Nelson’s son — singer-songwriter Lukas Nelson — North Carolina folk-rockers The Avett Brothers, singer-songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr., bluegrass artist Sierra Hull, and jazz musician and producer Don Was will also perform. $35+. Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Dr., Clarkston; 313presents.com.
Aug. 23
TLC and Salt-N-Pepa
The trailblazing, Grammy Award-winning R&B artists behind throwback chart-toppers like “No Scrubs,” “Waterfalls,” and “Push It” will share the stage when their “It’s Iconic” tour stops at Pine Knob Music Theatre. Hip-hop girl group En Vogue will kick off the show. $48+. Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Dr., Clarkston; 313presents.com.
Art
Aug. 1-2
Belle Isle Art Fair
Browse paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and glass from local and national artists at this juried art fair on Detroit’s scenic Belle Isle. Enjoy hands-on activities for both kids and adults, art installations, food trucks, and more. No cost with a Michigan Recreation Passport. Belle Isle, Detroit; belleisleartfair.com.
Aug. 8-Oct. 11
Karyn Olivier: Bend, Break, Mend
Trinidad-born, Brooklyn-raised artist Karyn Olivier confronts themes of historical erasure and social justice through sculptural arrangements of found and transformed materials. This exhibit combines Olivier’s recent works with a newly commissioned installation that invites viewers to question the omissions and distortions present in widely accepted historical narratives. $12 general admission. Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit; mocadetroit.org.
Through Aug. 23
Mickalene Thomas: Beneath the Moonlight
Recognized for her distinctive, richly layered, and rhinestone-adorned depictions of Black women, the acclaimed visual artist pivoted to focus on men for this entirely new exhibition at the Shepherd. Thomas worked with a diverse range of models — including transgender and nonbinary men — to create the images, which seek to challenge mainstream representations of Black masculinity by making space for vulnerability and sensuality. No cost. The Shepherd, 1265 Parkview St., Detroit; lscgallery.com.
Through Aug. 30
Zina Saro-Wiwa: Table Manners
Challenge assumptions about identity, culture, and power at this audiovisual installation by artist Zina Saro-Wiwa, which features eight videos of individuals from Nigeria’s Niger Delta eating meals influenced by the region’s landscapes. Visitors are encouraged to bring food and drinks into the gallery to dine alongside their on-screen companions — an experience Saro-Wiwa hopes will offer a moment of connection, reflection, and solidarity. No cost. University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St., Ann Arbor; umma.umich.edu.
Comedy
Aug. 14
Henry Cho
Best known for his clean language and heaps of Southern charm, this Korean American stand-up star got his start on ’80s and ’90s variety shows like The Arsenio Hall Show, Bob Hope’s Young Comedians special, and MTV’s 1/2 Hour Comedy Hour. Cho was recently appointed a member of the Grand Ole Opry, where he has performed more than 100 times — he is the first comedian to receive membership since 1973. $53+. Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty, Ann Arbor; ticketmaster.com.
Film
Aug. 21
Little Shop of Horrors 40th Anniversary Screening
Actress Ellen Greene hosts a special screening of the cult-classic horror-comedy film just in time to kick off spooky season. Directed by Frank Oz, the 1986 film follows dorky florist Seymour (Rick Moranis) and his co-worker Audrey (Greene) as they contend with a mysterious plant that craves human flesh. The screening features an exclusive meet-and-greet, signed film memorabilia, and plenty of photo opportunities. $55+. Fisher Theatre, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; atgtickets.com.
Theater
Aug. 12-16
2026 Michigan Playwrights Festival
A cornerstone of Theatre Nova’s mission to platform emerging voices, the Michigan Playwrights Festival showcases five original, full-length plays by Michigan-based playwrights. Each work will be presented as a professionally acted and directed stage reading, followed by a conversational feedback session that invites audience members to participate in the creative process. $10+. Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St., Ann Arbor; theatrenova.org.
This story originally appeared in the August 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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