Looking for something fun to do this weekend in metro Detroit? Check out this handy guide for details on some of our favorite upcoming happenings including a Broadway production of The Wiz, New Baltimore’s annual fishfly festival, several Juneteenth events, Pride celebrations, and much more.
The Wiz
This groundbreaking retelling of The Wizard of Oz won seven Tony Awards when it debuted on Broadway in 1975, including best musical. Set to a soundtrack influenced by soul, gospel, rock, and ’70s funk, the colorful production features direction by Schele Williamsand choreography by JaQuel Knight, who is best known for his work on Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” video. June 17-29. $50+. Fisher Theatre, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com
Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival
Celebrate the stinky bugs that invade metro Detroit each summer with a parade, festival games, midway rides, a demolition derby, live entertainment, and more. June 18-22. Downtown New Baltimore; bay-rama.com
Outlaw Music Festival
The 10th anniversary edition of this annual country and folk tour features a lengthy lineup of heavy hitters, including Willie Nelson and Family, Bob Dylan, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Trampled by Turtles, and Myron Elkins. June 20. $35+. Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston; 313presents.com
Juneteenth Jubilee Detroit Freedom Weekend
At this Juneteenth weekend celebration, networking opportunities and a grant competition will be available to uplift Black entrepreneurs at Hotel Saint Regis Detroit. There’s also a community fun run, a community and health vendor fair, interactive field games for kids and families, and a tour that explores the Detroit River’s role in Black liberation. June 20-21. Robert C. Valade Park, 2670 Atwater St., Detroit; jubileeblockparty.wixsite.com
Downriver Pride
Celebrate diversity and love with a Pride festival near Bishop Park, located just off the Detroit River. Shop vendors, try delicious food, enjoy live entertainment, and potentially meet a queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race. June 20-21. Downtown Wyandotte, Parking Lot 1; downriverpride.com
Thunder over Michigan Air Show
While the aerial shows are the main attraction at this annual event, there’s plenty going on at ground level, too. Headlining the three-day show are the U.S. Navy Blue Angels; other performers include a C-130 “Fat Albert,” a U.S. Air Force Raptor, and more. Additional attractions include aircraft rides, ground displays, and a kids’ zone and exploration station. Proceeds from the event support the Michigan Flight Museum. June 20-22. Willow Run Airport, 801 Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti; thunderovermichigan.org
Opa! Fest
This 32nd annual festival celebrates all things Greek through authentic cuisine and folk dancing, cultural events, church tours, cooking demonstrations, a kids’ play area, and more. June 20-22. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 760 W. Wattles Road, Troy; opafest.org
Ypsilanti Juneteenth Celebration
The fifth annual Ypsilanti Juneteenth Celebration in downtown Ypsilanti will feature local vendors and community organizations alongside live entertainment, giveaways, and more. June 20-22. 301 Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; ypsireal.com
Novi Fine Art Fair
Shop the work of more than 60 artists during this outdoor juried art fair. Music, food trucks, and kids’ activities, too. June 20-22. $5 at the door, free for kids 12 and under. Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk, 44275 W. 12 Mile Road, Novi; artfairfun.com
Canterbury Taco Fest
The state’s original taco festival is back with live music and wrestling, lawn games, vendor booths, monster truck rides, a petting zoo, and plenty of food. June 20-22. $6 general admission. Canterbury Village, 2325 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion; canterburyvillage.com
Grosse Pointe Pride
Grosse Pointe Pride is a family-friendly LGBTQ+ march in The Village of Grosse Pointe hosted by We GP. Last year’s event included a short march through town followed by drag performances, activities for kids, and more. June 21. The Village of Grosse Pointe, corner of St. Clair and Kercheval; wegp.org or facebook.com/gppride
Summer Solstice Celebration
Bring the entire family out to celebrate the official start of summer with hayrides, a campfire, and seasonal games and crafts. June 21. $8/general admission, advance registration required. Heritage Park, 24915 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills; fhgov.com
Killer Flamingos
Kickstart your summer with the Killer Flamingos. This premiere Midwest band covers Top 40 hits from the ‘80s to today. All ages. June 21. No cost for admission. The Village of Rochester Hills, 104 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills; thevorh.com
Motor City Cage Night XXI
Ages 21 and up are invited to an evening of MMA fights. June 21. $53+. Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com
Royal Oak Live!
This third annual music festival features jazz, funk, and R&B performances. This year’s lineup includes Ben Sharkey, Paul Taylor, Lady Sunshine, Alexander Zonjic, and more. June 21-22. No cost for admission. Centennial Commons Park, 221 E. 3rd St., Royal Oak; royaloakchamber.com
Save the Date: Ford Fireworks
Head downtown for the spectacular annual fireworks display — brought to you by the same people who produce America’s Thanksgiving Parade. June 23. On the Detroit River, Detroit; theparade.org
Shear Madness
This comedy-whodunit will have the audience looking for clues and questioning suspects as they work with the cast to solve a murder that happened inside a hair salon. Now-June 22. $55+. Meadow Brook Theatre, 378 Meadow Brook Road, Rochester; mbtheatre.com
Lawrence Street Gallery Summer Invitational
This art exhibit features the work of over 70 artists in a variety of media. Now-June 27. No cost for admission. Lawrence Street Gallery, 22620 Woodward, Suite A, Ferndale; lawrencestreetgallery.com
Post No Bills
Turkish artist Burhan Dogançay evoked the ever-changing nature of urban environments by mimicking the rough textures and haphazard layers commonly found on bulletin- and graffiti-laden public walls. Dogançay traveled to more than 100 cities over the course of his career, including Manhattan, where inspiration for the idea first struck him. This marks the first U.S. exhibition dedicated to the artist’s work. Now-July 13. No cost. University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; umma.umich.edu
Forged in Fire, Etched in Memory
This exhibit features artwork crafted from remnants from the war in Ukraine. Items on loan from Alexander Tolksdorf, Oleksandr Tkachenko, United Support for Ukraine, and others. Now-July 18. No cost for admission. Ukrainian American Archives & Museum, 9630 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; ukranianmuseumdetroit.org
Michigan Watercolor Society 78th Annual Exhibition
Juried by Chuck McPherson, this art show features watercolor creations by some talented members of MWCS. June 8-July 23. No cost for admission. Janice Charach Gallery, 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield; thejdetroit.org
Our War Too: Women in Service
This exhibit honors nearly 350,000 American women who served the country during World War II and includes more than 200 artifacts, narrative film pieces, personal interviews, and more. Now-Sept. 7. Free with museum admission, $27-$32.50. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; thehenryford.org
Eventually Everything Connects: Midcentury Modern Design in the US
This expansive art exhibit includes 200 works by nearly 11 artists, architects, and designers that explore how Cranbrook contributed to the development of female artists, LGBTQ+ artists, and artists of color. Now-Sept. 21. $12 for general admission. Cranbrook Art Museum, 39221 Woodward Ave., Box 801, Bloomfield Hills; cranbrookartmuseum.org
This post is updated weekly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
