The Metro Events Guide: Flowers, festivals and food to check out this weekend

This week, we’ve got flowery installations, unique food experiences and festivals for everything under the sun. Read on to learn more.

Flowers

Detroit botanical artist Lisa Waud is wrapping up her residency this weekend with “Portrait,” an interactive flower installation on the ground floor of Detroit’s historic Boyer Campbell factory at 6532 Saint Antoine in the Milwaukee Junction neighborhood. “Portrait” is an interactive installation designed for “silliness and joy,” inviting visitors to take photos and selfies underneath towering flower headdresses that Waud has created over the past several weeks. The installation is only open to the public for two days — Friday, June 28 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, June 29 from noon to 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, and children under 10 get in free. For more information, visit lisawaud.com.

Read more: Lisa Waud brings “silliness and joy” to “Portrait” flower art installation

Festivals

The 4th annual Obsidian Theatre Festival, which provides a platform for Black stories and storytellers, returns to Detroit from Thursday, June 27 through Sunday, June 30. This year’s festival features six new productions: “Black Santa,” “The Golden Loc,” “Crooked Parts,” “The Sisters Grey,” “Ti’mon” and “Back to Black: An Obsidian Cabaret.” Performances will take place at the Boll Family Theatre, the Detroit Opera House and the GEM Theatre, and passes range from $50 to $100. For more information, visit obsidianfest.org.

Read more: Award-winning playwright Garlia Jones talks Obsidian Theatre Festival on The Metro

The Pleasant Underground’s Pug Fest returns to Ferndale for its second year from Friday, June 28 through Sunday, June 30. The festival features over 150 bands at over 15 venues throughout the city, as well as a live art battle, a short film fest, comedy showcases and more. Passes range from $10 to $75 and are available online. For more information, visit noxp.org.

Read more: Talking emo with Ferndale’s Pug Fest organizers on MI Local

WhateverFest is a community independent arts festival presented by Detroit’s Underflow Records. Now in its 10th year, they’re holding a fundraiser concert for the festival on Friday, June 28 at Marble Bar featuring performances by RCVR of Dirt Room, Jemmi Hazeman & The Honey Riders, Quells of Shady Groves, White Bee, Pesky Kid and DJ Eddie Logix. Doors open at 7 p.m. and admission is $10 at the door. For more information, visit underflowrecords.com.

Food

The 5th annual Detroit Burger Battle returns to Eastern Market’s Shed 5 on Sunday, June 30, featuring 20 restaurants competing for the title of Top Burger. There will be a full bar, yard games, music by DJ Tom T, celebrity judges and all-you-can-sample burgers. The battle goes from 1-4 p.m. and tickets are $15. For more information, visit easternmarket.org.

Or, for a sit-down meal, check out the latest Vinyl Tasting experience at Detroit People’s Food Co-op. This month’s dinner features a 6-course meal and wine pairing inspired by the music of Prince’s timeless album, Purple Rain. Guests are encouraged to wear purple to celebrate one of the most cherished pop and R&B artists of our time. There are two seatings at 4 and 7 p.m., and tickets range from $80 to $95. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.  

Music

The DSO is hosting their first annual Pride concert on Saturday, June 29 featuring the inimitable Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Broadway’s “The Little Mermaid”). With his incredible high-tenor voice and dynamic stage presence, Burgess will sing selections from Broadway and film, including favorites from “Porgy and Bess,” “Candide,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” “Beauty and the Beast” and more. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $29. For more information, visit dso.org.

Then, catch Liz Warner (host of Alternate Take Thursdays 8-10 p.m.) DJing at Bowlero Lanes on Saturday, June 29. Over in the lounge, The Flipsters will be playing mid-century tunes with special guest The Subsets. Music starts at 9 p.m. and admission is free. For more information, visit bowlerodetroit.com.

Finally, head to Marble Bar for their 4th of July Slow Jams Patio Jam on Thursday, July 4. This special holiday edition of their Slow Jams series features fireworks as well as music from Erno and Eastside Jon with special guest Whodat. The event goes from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. and is 21+. Admission is $10 at the door. For more information, visit their Facebook event.

WDET’s Ryan Patrick Hooper contributed to this guide.