How to Summer: Five Things Jennifer Hamra is Looking Forward to in Detroit
The Detroit lifestyle blogger blogs about community, culture, family and well-being through her platform Good Life Detroit.
WDET’s “How to Summer” is a season-long series that offers insider tips and advice from social media and listeners on how to maximize the season. With the season nearly halfway over (time flies!), Jennifer Hamra of Good Life Detroit shares five things she’s looking forward to the rest of this summer.
On her blog Good Life Detroit, Jennifer Hamra writes about everything from community and culture to makeup tips and small businesses, but the Michigan transplant’s love for the Motor City is a common theme no matter the topic.
The Clarksville, Tennessee, native and her husband, Travis, have six children, and they relocated to metro Detroit after Travis got out of the Army in 2015.
She shared five things she’s looking forward to this summer in Detroit. Find Jennifer on Instagram at @goodlifedetroit and at goodlifedetroit.com.
African World Festival
I’m excited about the return of the African World Festival. Hosted by The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, this three-day festival is a wonderful celebration of African diasporic culture and heritage.
There’s a little bit of something for everyone. Features include children’s programming, headwrapping workshops, dance performances, African and Caribbean food vendors, a fashion show, and more.
The AWF is from Aug. 20 to 22 and is free to the public.
Art Galleries
As an art lover, I am a huge fan of Detroit art. I enjoy visiting Detroit’s art galleries all year-round. However, after a tough 2020 with businesses having to close, this summer is extra special because some of the galleries have reopened to the public.
The Norwest Gallery of Art located on Grand River Boulevard is one of my favorite Detroit art galleries. Right now, there is a wonderful flower art exhibit that I recommend you check out. Flower Therapy is on view now until Aug. 1 and admission is $20.
Related: New Art Installation at Norwest Gallery of Art Uses Floral Design, Nature as Pathways Toward Healing
BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival
Happening July 24-31, the inaugural BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival is an all-Black produced festival co-created by artists Sydney G. James, Thomas Evans, Max Sansing and Bird Cap.
The festival will highlight local and national multicultural artists, amplify BIPOC stories and voices and beautify the North End community in Detroit.
Ice Cream
You can’t celebrate summer without ice cream! I’ve been exploring the different ice cream shops in Detroit.
Custard Hut — which as two locations, one in Dearborn Heights and another in Detroit — is a top favorite because they offer so many wonderful options such as Hot Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches and ice cream sundaes!
Arts & Scraps
My children love Arts & Scraps. Founded in 1989, Arts & Scraps is a Detroit nonprofit that provides art and STEM programs for Detroit youth.
They also have a community store where local artists, creators, educators and other creatives shop for art supplies. The donated supplies are discounted at very affordable prices. We are a homeschool family so we rely on Arts & Scraps for most of our art and STEM supplies.
The store recently reopened this July for in-store shopping. My kids were so excited to go back to the community store!
Arts & Scraps will host two more summer community events on Aug. 14 and Sept. 11. It’s a great way to learn more about their programming, shop at the community store and enjoy fun art activities with your family.
More How to Summer
3 Michigan Road Trips for Food Lovers
Add These Family-Friendly Southeast Michigan Destinations to Your 2021 Summer Bucket List
Explore Murals and Art in Eastern Market and the Dequindre Cut with Jason Hall
Summer in Detroit: What We’re Looking Forward to This Season After Last Year
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
