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The Metro Events Guide: Global celebrations and good trouble
The Concert of Colors is back in full swing, but it’s not the only global festival in town. This week, we’ve got everything from cross-continential concerts to community picnics. Read on to learn more.
Global music
The Concert of Colors has officially returned for its 34th year in Detroit with festivities continuing through Sunday, July 20. Highlights from this year’s lineup include soul legend Mavis Staples, Afrobeat pioneer Femi Kuti and Detroit’s Queen of the Blues Thornetta Davis. WDET will have special programming throughout the festival, including a live broadcast of The Don Was Motor City Playlist on Friday, July 18, a live broadcast of Essential Music on Saturday, July 19, and live DJ sets by Alternate Take’s Liz Warner and The New Music Show’s Shigeto on Sunday, July 20. All events are free and open to the public. To see the full lineup and learn more, visit our events page.
This weekend, the African World Festival returns to Hart Plaza for a three-day celebration of culture, history and community. From Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will honor the legacy of the African Diaspora through live musical and dance performances, traditional storytelling, interactive games and workshops, regional foods, and more. Tickets start at $23 for adults, $13 for children and $18 for seniors. Family passes and VIP tickets are also available, and all Wright Museum members get in for free. For more information, visit thewright.org.
On Friday, July 18, Michigan Central continues their Fridays at the Station series, with a new music collaboration. This week, Detroit-based guitarist Na Bonsai joins Japanese DJ Yukiko for a night of genre-defying grooves and unique sonic experiences. Doors open at 5 p.m. and sets start every hour on the hour until 10 p.m. For more information, visit michigancentral.com.
Local art
On Thursday, July 17, the Ann Arbor Art Fair returns for another massive three-day juried art fair featuring nearly 1,000 artists over 30 city blocks. There will be food trucks, live music and interactive experiences. For more information, visit theannarborartfair.com.
On Friday, July 18, a new community-led exhibition is opening at Swords Into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery in Detroit. “We Been Here Vol. 2” aims to defy gentrification by celebrating Detroit artists, with works on display from dozens of local creators. An opening reception takes place on Friday, July 18 from 6–9 p.m., and the exhibition will be open through Thursday, July 31. For more information, visit Qiana M Davis on Instagram.
On Thursday, July 24, catch Sounds Like Detroit performers North Ingalls at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor. The indie-folk group will be playing alongside Ladyfinger and Erik Earth. Tickets are $14.35 and help fund North Ingalls’ debut album. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the venue is 18+. For more information, visit blindpigmusic.com.
Friendly spaces
On Saturday, July 19, 50501 Michigan is partnering with several local advocacy groups to host a “Good Trouble” Mutual Aid Fair in Palmer Park. The event marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis, who coined the term “good trouble” to refer to people coming together to take peaceful, non-violent action to challenge injustice and promote positive societal change. From noon to 3 p.m., there will be free food, free face painting, a gently-used clothing swap, games and prizes. Guests are asked to bring chips or water to share if they’re able. For more information, visit actionnetwork.org.
On Monday, July 21, join us for the second annual Don Was Motor City Playlist Bowling Party at the Garden Bowl in Detroit. Guests will enjoy music, pizza courtesy of Sgt. Pepperoni’s, and plenty of friendly competition with hosts Don Was and Ann Delisi. Bowlers can book a party lane for up to six people or go solo, and spectator tickets are also available for those who would rather enjoy from the sidelines. Tickets start at $50 and directly support Detroit’s public radio station. Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information, visit our events page.
On Wednesday, July 23, test your street smarts at “Talk City To Me: A Detroit Trivia Night,” hosted by WDET’s Tia Graham (co-host of The Metro weekdays 10 a.m. to noon) and Outlier Media’s Briana Rice. Teams will compete to see who knows the most about the city’s politics, history and culture, and the top three teams will win prizes. Trivia takes place at UFO Bar in Detroit from 7–9 p.m. and tickets are $7. For more information, visit Eventbrite.
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