The Beach Boys
Teleport to the beaches of SoCal for a night when one of America’s most cherished and iconic rock bands makes a stop at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre. Fronted by founding member and original lead vocalist Mike Love, this incarnation of the surf rock institution also features Bruce Johnston, who has been a member of the band since 1965. July 5. $29+. Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, 3554 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 313presents.com.
Whiskey Myers
The Texas-based Southern rock band catapulted into the top 10 of the iTunes country chart in 2018 after its music was featured in the hit streaming series Yellowstone. The six-piece’s genre-defying sound blends elements of blues, country, and hard rock in tracks like “Broken Window Serenade” and “Ballad of a Southern Man.” Flint-based country rockers Whitey Morgan and The 78s will open the show. July 6. $29+. Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, 14900 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights; 313presents.com.
Royal Oak Outdoor Art Fair
Royal Oak’s charming Memorial Park serves as the backdrop for this annual art fair featuring displays by more than 100 local, regional, and nationally known artisans. After browsing paintings, sculptures, photography, glasswork, and more, attendees are invited to pull up a chair on the lush lawn and enjoy music from local performers. July 6-7. No cost. Memorial Park, 31050 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; royaloakarts.com.
Niall Horan
This Irish singer-songwriter first gained global fame as a member of the boy band One Direction. Following the group’s hiatus in 2015, Horan signed on as a solo artist with Capitol Records and released his debut album, Flicker, which went on to hit No. 1 chart spots in both the U.S. and Ireland. Expect to hear selections from the artist’s latest album, 2023’s The Show, when he makes a stateside stop at Pine Knob Music Theatre. July 10. $79.50+. Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston; 313presents.com.
Doctor Moloch
Witness the world premiere of this new play by Carla Milarch that grapples with what it means to be human in a rapidly evolving world. Set in 2029, the play follows actress Serena Blaise as she attempts to help the world’s first robotic doctor improve its bedside manner. Directed by Briana O’Neal, the production stars Shelby Bradley, Louie Chen, and Artun Kircali. July 12-Aug. 4. $28. Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St., Ann Arbor; theatrenova.org.
Summer Organ Celebration
Professional organist Lance Luce will demonstrate the wonder of the Redford Theatre’s historic Barton Organ at this evening program. First, enjoy a guided tour of the Redford Theatre, including a behind-the-scenes look at the organ’s massive chambers. Then enjoy a screening of the classic Laurel and Hardy 1929 silent film Bacon Grabbers with a live organ accompaniment — exactly the way it was intended to be seen. July 13. $15. Redford Theatre, 17360 Lahser Road, Detroit; redfordtheatre.com.
Hour Detroit’s GrillFest
Hour Detroit and Kowalski Companies have come together to present this inaugural event at Campus Martius. Expect a wide variety of grilled delicacies, live music, a corn hole tournament sponsored by WANA Brands, and more. Admission includes 20 food vouchers to be redeemed with the food exhibitors. July 13-14. $25 general admission, $65 VIP admission, free for kids under 12. Campus Martius, 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; hourdetroit.com.
Pat Benatar
The rock legend will be joined by her husband and longtime collaborator, Neil Giraldo, on her Funtastic ’24 tour. Best known for ’80s power ballads like “Love Is a Battlefield” and “Heartbreaker,” the 71-year-old vocalist boasts four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. July 16. $35+. Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, 3554 Walton Blvd. Rochester Hills; 313presents.com.
Ann Arbor Art Fair
Featuring nearly 1,000 artists and spanning 30 city blocks, this summer tradition in downtown Ann Arbor is made up of three separate events: the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original; Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; and Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair. As the largest juried art fair in the country, it draws artists from around the U.S. displaying works in a variety of mediums, including paint, ceramics, glass, jewelry, and sculpture. July 18-20. No cost. Downtown Ann Arbor; theannarborartfair.com.
D.L. Hughley
Fans of ’90s and early ’00s TV may recognize Hughley as the host of BET’s ComicView or as the face of the ABC/UPN sitcom The Hughleys. Most recently, the comedian and actor appeared on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show as a guest host. He’s also appeared on Dancing with the Stars and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. $45+. Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com.
Train and REO Speedwagon
Two prolific hit machines will join forces for the Summer Road Trip 2024 tour, offering fans two full sets of timeless anthems. Pop-rock perfectionists Train first dominated American radio in 1998 with the single “Meet Virginia,” before shooting to truly stratospheric fame on the heels of its Grammy Award-winning second album, Drops of Jupiter. Arena rockers REO Speedwagon lit up airwaves in the ’80s with hits like “Keep on Loving You” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” Together, the bands claim more than 50 million albums sold worldwide and more than 32 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. July 21. $35. Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston; 313presents.com.
Brian Simpson
This Austin, Texas-based comedian’s distinctive point of view comes from a lifetime of unique experiences — including growing up as a foster child and spending years in the Marine Corps. Named a “Comic to Watch” by Variety in 2023, Simpson uses comedy to dissect everything from racism to missing pets to the Wu-Tang Clan. His first stand-up special, Live from the Mothership, debuted on Netflix to positive reviews earlier this year. July 25-27. $30. Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; comedycastle.com.
Twelfth Night
Join the metro Detroit area’s best professional and emerging actors for two weekends of classic theater, performed outdoors in Royal Oak’s Starr Jaycee Park. Twelfth Night follows pirates Viola and Olivia as they set sail for the West Indies. A shipwreck off the coast of Illyria sets the scene for a silly, salty romance — an ideal treat on a warm summer’s night. July 25-Aug. 4. Cost TBA. Starr Jaycee Park, 1321 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak; shakespeareroyaloak.com.
Orchard Lake Fine Art Show
This two-day juried fair has brought more than 100 talented local and national artists to the heart of West Bloomfield since 2003. Voted one of the country’s best art shows for 12 years in a row, the event features paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, woodwork, and glasswork, as well as food trucks, live music, and a kids’ art competition. July 27-28. $5. 6925 Daly Road (south of Maple and west of Orchard Lake Road), West Bloomfield; hotworks.org.
Tate McRae
Canadian performer Tate McRae got her first taste of fame at age 13, when she made it to the final round of the American reality competition show So You Think You Can Dance. She later signed on with RCA Records and achieved her first hit single in 2020 with “You Broke Me First,” which reached the 17th spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. McRae will be joined by up-and-coming pop artist Presley Regier. July 28. $274+. Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, 14900 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights; 313presents.com.
Comedy Bang! Bang!
On his podcast of the same name, host Scott Aukerman and a cast of oddball regulars interview celebrity guests and compete in offbeat games. Aukerman will be joined by comedian Paul F. Tompkins and other Comedy Bang! Bang! regulars for this live, completely improvised version of the show. July 29. $39+. Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. 4th St., Royal Oak; royaloakmusictheatre.com.
This story originally appeared in the July 2024 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Our digital edition will be available on July 8.
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