The Metro Events Guide: Celebrating Detroit’s diverse musical communities

This week, the celebration of Detroit’s diverse musical communities continues, from jazz to rock to Afropop.

Plus, celebrating some public radio milestones. Read on to learn more.

Music festivals

The 33rd Annual Concert of Colors continues this weekend as a celebration of metro Detroit’s diverse communities and ethnic groups. This free music festival brings performances, food and traditions from around the world to Detroit venues for anyone to enjoy. One of this year’s highlights is the MC5 Musical Tribute hosted by Ann Delisi (host of Ann Delisi’s Essential Music weekends at 11 a.m.). The tribute will take place at the Detroit Historical Museum on Friday, July 19, featuring appearances by Peter Werbe, Leni Sinclair and Don Was (host of the Don Was Motor City Playlist Fridays at 8 p.m.) to honor the members of this influential group that we’ve lost in the past year.

Closing out the festival on Sunday, July 21 is the Don Was Detroit All-Star Revue, one of the most buzzed-about performances every year since it started. This year’s theme is “Peace, Love and Understanding,” featuring a one-of-a-kind performance exclusive to Concert of Colors. The concert will take place from 8-9:30 p.m. at the Detroit Film Theater inside the DIA. To see the full festival lineup, visit concertofcolors.com.

Read more: Don Was talks Concert of Colors highlights on In The Groove

This weekend is also the Sheometry Music & Arts Festival, a femme-centric celebration of music and arts. On Saturday, July 20, Spot Lite Detroit will offer dance and art workshops, guided workouts and a diverse array of food, jewelry and clothing vendors in addition to an impressive lineup of live musicians and DJs. Guests will also have an opportunity to connect with grassroots organizations. Tickets start at $15. To see the full lineup of events and learn more, visit sheometry.org.

Or, head to Clark Park on Saturday for a free culture and arts festival featuring performances by DSO musicians, local artists and Southwest Detroit students. There will also be food, dancing and interactive art workshops from 1-4 p.m. For more information, visit dso.org.

Public radio milestones

Join us in celebrating 3 years of the Don Was Motor City Playlist with an anniversary bowling party on Monday, July 22! Guests will hang out with the show’s co-hosts Don Was and Ann Delisi at the Garden Bowl while enjoying music, food and bowling. A $50 ticket includes an hour of bowling (shoes and ball included) and pizza courtesy of Sgt. Pepperoni’s. Or for those who want to enjoy the festivities but would prefer not to bowl, we also have a $25 spectator ticket that includes pizza. Doors open at 5 p.m. and a cash bar will be available for all attendees. For more information, visit wdet.org/events.

Then on Wednesday, July 24, Cassandra Wilson and Ralphe Armstrong will present a tribute to WDET’s own Ed Love (host of Destination Jazz Sundays at 5 p.m.) at The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre along the Detroit Riverfront. Love will be honored for preserving the tradition of jazz in Detroit for over his 7-decade career as a radio broadcaster, serving as a cultural torchbearer, mentor and advocate for musicians far and wide. Tickets range from $15-$65 and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit wdet.org/events.

Read more: Ed Love talks tribute concert on The Metro

Comedy

WDET’s comedy showcase “What’s So Funny About Detroit?” returns to The Old Miami on Thursday, July 25. In The Groove’s Ryan Patrick Hooper will introduce you to comics Melanie Hearn, Jason Jamerson, Mary Spencer, Wes Ward, Ryan Brown and Jacob Barr — all headliners in their own right, so it should be an incredible show. Tickets are $25 and directly benefit Detroit Public Radio and the city’s comedians. Doors open at 6 and the show starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit wdet.org/events.

KeepingUP

On Friday, July 19, catch WDET’s own Liz (host of Alternate Take Thursdays at 8 p.m.) and Clark Warner at KeepingUP, their monthly residency at Northern Lights Lounge. They’ll be spinning back to back tracks from 9 p.m. to close. Admission is free and the event is 21+. For more information, visit northernlightslounge.com.

BookFest

Sunday, July 21 is the 7th Annual Detroit Festival of Books at Eastern Market’s Shed 5. BookFest is the largest book festival in Michigan, featuring vendors from across North America coming together to help generate a deeper love and appreciation of books. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit detroitbookfest.com.