The Metro Events Guide: Outdoor festivals, comedy shows and cat videos

Welcome to August! We’ve got several outdoor festivals this weekend so you can take full advantage of the late summer sun.

Plus, cultural celebrations, comedy shows and cat videos. Read on to learn more.

Outdoor festivals

Westland’s Blues, Brews and Barbecue festival returns to Wayne County on Friday, Aug. 2 through Saturday, Aug. 3. This summer bash features authentic BBQ food, domestic craft beers and performances from dozens of local artists, including WDET’s Sounds Like Detroit winner, Drey Skokie & the kLOUDs! Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit bluesbrewsbarbecue.com.

Related: WDET Presents: Sounds Like Detroit 2024

The Dearborn Homecoming Festival is also back this weekend, now in its 43rd year. From Friday, Aug. 2 through Sunday, Aug. 4, there will be fireworks, live music, carnival rides, food, drinks and activities for all ages on the hill at Ford Field Park. This year’s festival features performances by The All-American Rejects, The Verve Pipe, Kylie Morgan and more. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit dearbornhomecoming.com.

And last but not least, the Belle Isle Art Fair is Saturday, Aug. 3 and Sunday, Aug. 4 at the James Scott Memorial Fountain. This year’s fair features nearly 100 juried artists, hands-on art projects, live music, a beer and food tent, and a brand-new Secret Garden to showcase botanical artists and gardening specialists. Admission is free with a State Park Pass. For more information, visit belleisleartfair.com.

Cultural celebrations

Wayne State is partnering with American Indian Health and Family Services on Saturday, Aug. 3 for Powwow in the D. Dancers, singers and the general public are invited to celebrate Native American culture at the Wayne State Soccer Field from noon to 4 p.m. MC Shannon Martin will guide newcomers through the powwow experience as Host Drum War Paint and Co-host Drum Sharp Feather perform the ceremony. In addition to song and dance, there will also be Native food, crafts and community resources. For more information, visit aihfs.org.

Comedy

This week is the first anniversary of Comedy at the Congregation, so this month’s show will feature giveaways, a special drink menu and a few surprises. On Friday, Aug. 2, host and producer Sarah Lynn will introduce you to comedians Grace Gunn, Travis Conte, Finn St. John and Ryan Brown (a recent What’s So Funny About Detroit? alum!). Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. Please note that The Congregation Detroit is not ADA accessible. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

Then, on Sunday Aug. 4, Saturday Night Live’s Sarah Sherman, aka Sarah Squirm, will be in Detroit at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle. You may also know her from The Eric André Show, Three Busy Debras or the upcoming Netflix film “You Are SO Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!” co-starring with Adam Sandler. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Preferred seats are $40 and general admission is $30. For more information, visit etix.com.

Cat videos

The brand-new 2024 edition of CatVideoFest is coming to the Detroit Film Theatre from Friday, Aug. 2 through Sunday, Aug. 4. This underground sensation has packed theaters for years, featuring a hand-selected, carefully curated collection of the most entertaining, inventive and hilarious cat videos of the year. Tickets are $10.50 for the general public or $8.50 for seniors, students and DIA members. For more information, visit dia.org.