This week, we’ve got several free concerts around the city to check out. Plus, looking ahead to this year’s Concert of Colors. Read on to learn more.

Upcoming events

On Friday, July 11, the City of Detroit’s Summer Music Series continues with Soul in the Parks. This free concert features a live performance by WDET’s Sounds Like Detroit 2024 winners, Drey Skonie & The Klouds, as well as food trucks, bounce houses and more in North Rosedale Park. The concert goes from 5–8 p.m., and free parking is available in the surrounding areas. For more information, visit Detroit Parks & Recreation on Facebook.

On Saturday, July 12, the Ferndale upcycled fashion boutique Not Sorry Goods is throwing a closing party to mark the end of operations for their brick-and-mortar storefront. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., there will be live DJs, drinks and deep discounts on the entire store. For more information, visit notsorrygoods.com.

Detroit’s annual diversity festival, the Concert of Colors returns for its 34th year on Wednesday, July 16 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.

On Thursday, July 17, the Detroit Parks Coalition presents the second concert in saxophonist Marcus Elliot’s “Sounds From The Park” series. The series features original compositions inspired by different Detroit parks, as performed by Elliot and his ensemble. This month’s concert takes place in Clark Park and centers the theme of “Family & Resilience,” celebrating the culture and unity of Southwest Detroit. The concert goes from 6–9 p.m. For more information, visit detroitparkscoalition.com.

Detroit’s Rouge Park is turning 100 this year.

Friends of Rouge Park is hosting a free, three-day festival at the park this weekend, June 27-29, in celebration of the park’s centennial.

Many improvements have been made at Rouge Park in the last few decades, offering more services and recreational fun to city residents. At 1,200 acres, it’s the city’s largest park, and the biggest urban park in the state. It was so popular at one point, it attracted international crowds. But like the city, the park fell on hard times and went into a period of decline and disinvestment.

Despite those challenges, the park remains a staple in the city today thanks to the stewardship of community organizations like Friends of Rouge Park.

Today on The Metro, we play a conversation WDET Intern Lauren Myers had recently with Friends of Rouge Park Trustee Paul Stark about the park’s history. Also, Metro producer Cary Junior II and Metro Co-host Tia Graham visit Rouge Park to hear directly from residents about their connections to the park and how it’s changed over time.

Later in the show, Friends of Rouge Park’s Executive Director Lindsay Pielack and Land Stewardship Manager Antonio Cosme join the conversation and share more about the centennial celebration this weekend.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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