Over the decades, the city of Detroit gained an identity of being a dangerous place where beautiful things did not happen. The image of the city being blighted with eyesores and vacant lots often overshadowed the residents trying to maintain those communities. 

There are some in the city who have pushed against that narrative and have worked to showcase Detroit in all of its facets. A lot of those folks are artists. From painters to weavers and knitters to muralists, all have found ways to use their work to uplift the city that raised them. 

It’s beyond beautifying neighborhoods and business walls, it’s creating paths for economic growth as well. 

One of those people making a statement through art is Sydney James. You know her work very well, from the Girl with a D earring located on the Chroma building in Detroit off W. Grand Blvd.

Sydney is a visual artist, painter and muralist and co-founder of BLCKOUT Walls. The free block party is a celebration of Detroit and the powerful impact art can have on culture. 

The Metro’s Tia Graham spoke with Sydney James about BLCKOUT Walls and the economic power of creatives in Detroit. 

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In 1978, residents in the Detroit’s Cass Corridor resisted Wayne State’s plan to demolish historic buildings in the neighborhood. This act of resistance birthed the Dally in the Alley festival.

Since that year, community volunteers come together annually put on a block party that features local vendors, food, and musical performances.  Adriel Thornton, the president of the North Cass Community Union, which host the event, joined the show to discuss Dally.

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It’s Labor Day Weekend, which means tons of annual festivals in Detroit. Plus, some unique celebrations for punks and sandwich enthusiasts. Read on to learn more.

Upcoming events

“What’s So Funny About Detroit?” Comedy Showcase

  The Old Miami in Detroit

  Thursday, Aug. 28

  $25 online, $30 at the door

The final WDET comedy showcase of the summer, hosted by In The Groove’s Ryan Patrick Hooper. This month’s headliner is Nicole Melnyk with special guests Alaina Bamfield, Madison Thomas, Andy Peters, Reeves Ledbetter, Pat Sievert, Brooke Van Poppelen and Joe Aasim. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Guests must be 21+.

Michigan State Fair

  The Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi

  Thursday, Aug. 28 through Monday, Sep. 1

  $10–$42

A family-friendly festival featuring carnival rides, livestock shows, talent competitions, beer tastings and more. General admission is $10, and some festival activities cost extra. The fair is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday through Monday.

46th Annual Detroit Jazz Festival

  Various locations in Detroit

  Friday, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sep. 1

  Free

The world’s largest free jazz festival, featuring dozens of performances by world-renowned musicians across several local venues. General admission is free, but VIP seating and other perks are available for $125–$600. Performances start at 6 p.m. on Friday and at noon on Saturday through Sunday.

Arts Beats & Eats

  Downtown Royal Oak

  Friday, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sep. 1

  $10–$68

An annual festival featuring live music, a juried art fair, carnival competitions and more. General admission ranges from $10–$12 depending on the day and time, and VIP tickets are available for an additional $68 online. The festival is open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

45th Annual Hamtramck Labor Day Festival

  Joseph Campau Street in Hamtramck

  Saturday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sep. 1

  Free

An annual Labor Day celebration featuring live music, carnival rides, canoe street racing and more. The Labor Day Parade takes place on Monday, Sep. 1, and the festival is open from noon to 10 p.m. each day.

Crew Fest

  Tangent Gallery in Detroit

  Saturday, Aug. 30

  $16

A new community-driven art and music festival celebrating the underground punk and alternative scenes. There will be live performances by local bands, art for sale by independent makers and refreshments from unique kitchens. The festival goes from 2–11 p.m.

Detroit Sandwich Party

  Eastern Market Shed 5 in Detroit

  Sunday, Aug. 31

  Free to attend, sandwich prices vary

The second annual event celebrating the great sandwich makers of our city. Guests can sample small-format sandwiches from dozens of local vendors, and drinks are available for purchase as well. The party goes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

15th Annual Detroit Month of Design

  Various locations in metro Detroit

  Monday, Sep. 1 through Tuesday, Sep. 30

  $0–$100+

An annual celebration Detroit’s designers, featuring a wide range of exhibitions, installations, product launches, tours, hands-on workshops and discussions. This year’s calendar features work from over 500 creatives on display at 95 events throughout the metro area.

The Detroit Jazz Fest sets itself apart by being the largest free jazz festival in the world.

It’s not easy or cheap for a cultural institution to be able to give it all away for free. Getting rid of any barrier of entry, however, ensures that this festival actually looks and feels like Detroit. That’s a big issue in a majority Black city that often struggles to represent itself via arts, culture and media.

The 2025 edition of the festival will feature major names performing like Keyon Harrold, Kenny Barron, Endea Owens, Chucho Valdes, Branford Marsalis, John Scofield and many more.

This year’s artist-in-residence is a big deal, too. That’s Jason Moran, an accomplished pianist, educator and composer who currently serves as the artistic director for jazz at the Kennedy Center. He’s racked up 18 solo releases via jazz stalwart labels like Blue Note.

During his residency with the fest, he’ll perform three varied sets over Labor Day weekend, including a tribute for Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday, an opening night set with techno pioneer Jeff Mills and Detroit poet Jessica Care Moore, and more. You can see the full schedule here.

Earlier this year, Jason Moran joined In The Groove to chat about the Detroit Jazz Festival, his influences (including the late great Detroit pianist Geri Allen) and more. 

Click the audio above to hear that full interview.

As someone that spends a lot of time at concerts and festivals, I always preach the importance of thanking the people who do all the heavy lifting to make the event go off without a hitch.

That’s the bartenders, the security guards, the folks running the stages, keeping the sound sharp, making sure the grounds are clean and safe for patrons. And everybody else in between.

During this year’s Detroit Jazz Fest, take a moment to thank these people as you go out about your day.

So, what does it take to make four days of jazz go off without a hitch? And programmed as well as it is?

Behind the scenes of the Detroit Jazz Festival is artistic director Christopher Collins and his incredible team, who blend the next generation of performers with the legends of jazz each year. 

The 2025 edition of the festival is no different, with rising saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin alongside iconic Detroit bassist Marion Hayden and 83-year-old Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés.

I got the chance to chat with Christopher Collins ahead of this year’s Detroit Jazz Festival to talk about the programming and also the importance of keeping the event free and open to the public. Click the audio above to hear that full interview.

Looking for something fun to do this week? Metro Detroit is packed with free festivals, family activities, and cultural events — from art fairs and workshops to live music and delicious food. 

Drop-In Workshop: Doodle Art

Detroit Institute of Arts

Wednesday 8/20 – Sunday 8/24

Free with general admission

*General museum admission is FREE for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

Many people doodle as a fun, spontaneous way to express ideas. Grab some drawing materials and see where your creativity takes you! Event time varies; check the website for details. 

Novi Taco Fest

44275 W 12 Mile Rd d134, Novi, MI 48377

Friday 8/22, Saturday 8/23 and Sunday 8/24

Tickets start at $7 online. Military free with proper ID.

Get ready for a weekend of flavor and fun at the Novi Taco Fest! Enjoy authentic Mexican-American dishes, sip refreshing margaritas, and celebrate Hispanic culture with live music and entertainment all around.

Back-to-School JAM!

Motown Museum on Rocket Plaza

Saturday 8/23

Free

The Motown Museum and Enjoy Detroit are hosting a Back to School Jam with free school supplies, live performances by local artists and Lyric Project singer-songwriters, giveaways, and family fun. Supplies are limited, so come early to enjoy the music, treats, and positive vibes to kick off the school year.

SIP and Beyond: 2025 Summer Alumni Performance

Detroit Public Theatre, 3960 3rd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Saturday 8/23 – Sunday 8/24

Free with RSVP.

This weekend, celebrate the powerful work of Shakespeare in Prison at the Alumni Performance at Detroit Public Theatre. Experience stories of resilience, creativity, and community as former ensemble members share their voices on stage.

Hazel Park Art Fair

Green Acres Park – Hazel Park, MI

Saturday 8/23 and Sunday 8/24

Free

The Hazel Park Art Fair is back! Free and family-friendly in Green Acres Park with local art, live performances, tasty eats, and a craft beer tent. Don’t miss this celebration of creativity in Hazel Park!

After a two-year break, the Hospitality Included food and drink festival is set to return to Detroit’s North End.

The Detroit-based industry group Hospitality Included will host 30 of the city’s top bars, restaurants and pop-up chefs as vendors at the one-day outdoor festival. Popular eateries including Freya, Fried Chicken & Caviar, Flowers of Vietnam and Dutch Girl Donuts will have food on offer.

Hospitality Included Fest ’25 is August 24 at Detroit Design District in Detroit’s North End neighborhood.

Thor Jones, founder of Hospitality Included, joined the Metro to discuss the festival, what it took to bring it back after two years, and the ‘community ticketing’ model the festival is using this year for admission.

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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.

The African World Festival is an annual event hosted by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. It’s a three-day experience with vendors, music and other performances that represent all the beauty and talent in the African Diaspora. 

African culture is so rich and widely recognized here in the city of Detroit. The festival — taking place this Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20 in Hart Plaza — has been around for 60 years. 

Zu Vernon, programming lead for the festival, joined The Metro on Wednesday to talk about what’s in store at this year’s event.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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A new jazz festival is coming to Windsor this holiday weekend.

The inaugural Electric Avenue International Jazz Festival will take over the WindsorEats Food Hall on Erie Street in Via Italia July 4-5. The free event will infuse the city’s food and art scenes to create a cross-border celebration of blues, soul, and of course, jazz.

Russ Macklem, a Detroit/Windsor-based trumpet player, composer, educator and artistic director for the Electric Avenue International Jazz Festival, joined The Metro to share more about the two-day event.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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Two groundbreaking leaders of Detroit’s arts and culture scene will be honored at the GhostLight Arts Initiative’s inaugural GhostLight Gala, taking place this Sunday at the Garden Theater.

Honoree Njia Kai is a celebrated cultural curator, producer and community visionary. Through her company NKSK Events + Production, the lifelong Detroiter has curated some of Detroit’s most iconic cultural celebrations— from the Charles H. Wright Museum’s African World Festival to the Downtown Detroit Tree Lighting.

Dr. George Shirley, who will also be honored on Sunday, is a man of many firsts.

He was the first Black man to teach music at a Detroit High School; the first Black tenor to perform a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City; and the first Black member of the U.S. Army chorus in Washington D.C. He also received the National Medal of Arts from former President Barack Obama in 2015 for his work mentoring countless Black musicians.

Kai and Shirley both joined The Metro ahead of the gala to discuss their commitment and contributions to Detroit’s art scene.

Proceeds from the event will help support GhostLight programming, including its Obsidian Theatre Festival — which provides a platform for emerging Black voices in theater and film.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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