Friday, September 4 The annual Detroit Jazz Festival kicks off at Hart Plaza and stretches until Monday. Little-known fact: The Detroit Jazz Fest is (purportedly) the largest free jazz fest anywhere. Pat Metheny, this year’s artist-in-residence, takes the stage four times across the weekend. The full schedule can be found on the festival’s site here.
Saturday, September 5 Did you read Belt contributor Bill McGraw’s wild tale about the MC5 rocking out a Catholic high school in Detroit? The Lincoln Park Historical Museum – in the town where the band formed – is hosting a closing reception and dance party for its MC5 Retrospective Exhibit. It’s your last chance to also see loads of memorabilia from collectors and some of the band’s relatives.
Sunday, September 6 Another Labor Day weekend festival! Sunday’s the second day of the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival, originally founded to lift the spirits of weary Hamtramckans during uncertain economic times back in the 1980s. These days, it’s as much a celebration of music and food as it is an homage to the town’s working-class spirit.
Monday September 7 Arts, Beats and Eats in Royal Oak also goes down this weekend, the annual music, food and arts that’s unofficially the close of summer in Metro Detroit (and a delight for everyone in the region except people that live in downtown Royal Oak. Sorry!) As usual, it’s a mix of national and regional acts: Saturday’s lineup includes Gin Blossoms, but also local favorites like Thornetta Davis.
Tuesday September 8 Veteran NY punk rockers Agnostic Front drop by the Majestic Café with special guests Freedom and Poison Tongues. More info, including ticket purchase options, here.
Wednesday September 9 Join the cyclists at Wheelhouse Detroit for their Urban Agriculture: Farm to Fork 12-mile tour around the city, where guides will show where exactly some of the local produce is grown and where it ends up. It’s $25 to ride and an extra $10 if you need a bike.
Thursday September 10 PJ’s Lager House in Corktown is hosting a number of rock and roots bands, including locally grown Joe Jaber and The Last Divide, and fellow guests Samantha Martin, Big Nate Band and Mark Reitenga. More info is here.
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