Afro Nation Detroit, SW Fest, Greek Fest: 5 things to do this weekend in metro Detroit
Antique cars will be parading up and down Woodward Avenue in Oakland County on Saturday at the Woodward Dream Cruise, while Detroit will be hosting the inaugural Afro Nation Detroit and SW Fest, which celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of southwest Detroit. Here are five things to do for the weekend of Aug. 18-20:
Paranormal Cirque III
This one-of-a-kind production put on by Cirque Italia takes place under a big-top tent and takes its audience on a sensual journey with acrobatics of the air, illusionists, mysterious creatures, contortionists and more.Because of its adult language and themes, the show is restricted to people 18 and older, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. No one under the age of 13 will be admitted.
7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot at Fairlane Town Center, 18900 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. Ticket prices range from $20 to $60.
The show will be at Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights next weekend Aug. 24-27.
Afro Nation Detroit
This inaugural festival in Detroit will bring together artists in the Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, amapiano and Afro House genres. It will unfold on two stages over two days.
The event will also include a marketplace with vendors offering everything from fashion to art to cuisine inspired by Africa and the Caribbean. Cultural events beyond the stage will include workshops, panels, a comedy show and an official jerk and jollof welcome party.
There will be performances by Burna Boy, Ari Lennox, Latto, Dadju, Davido, P-Square, Masego, Coi Leray and more. A family zone will include a petting zoo and children-friendly programming.
2-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Bedrock Douglass site in Detroit. Go to https://detroit.afronation.com/book-day-tickets for tickets.
Grosse Pointe Art Fair
Guests can shop and also tour the grounds of Ford Estate at this event presented by the Art As Healing Foundation. The juried fine art and artisan fair will showcase work from about 40 artist and will includes everything from paintings and sculptures to jewelry and pottery.
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Ford House Visitor Center at 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores. $7, $5 for ages 6-12 and free to children 5 and younger and Ford House members. Admission to tour the Ford Mansion is extra.
SW Fest 2023
This music, art and community festival returns for a third year with more than 45 performances across three stages and more than 100 vendors. It's held outside the Senate Theater in southwest Detroit.
Performers include Kynzi, Whu Else, Camilla, Rebel Diaz and Racquel Soledad.
2-11 p.m. Saturday at the Senate Theater, 6424 Michigan Ave. in Detroit. Free.
Greek Fest
Be Greek for a day and enjoy Greek food, desserts, music, dancing, kids activities and more at this St. Clair Shores celebration. Proceeds benefit community programs and charities.
4-10 p.m. Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 21800 Marter Road in St. Clair Shores.
Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Afro Nation Detroit, SW Fest, Greek Fest in the weekend lineup
