Human Library offers conversation in place of books: 5 things to do this weekend
There’s a multitude of activities lined up this weekend in metro Detroit. Among them is an event that offers a unique chance to confront stereotypes head-on: the Human Library. Here, you can engage in open discussions with “human books” on various topics.
Or you can take a leisurely walk amidst vibrant sunflowers, explore art fairs, relish live musical performances and indulge in offerings from skilled grill masters that will include mouthwatering ribs and other treats.
Here are five things to do for the weekend of Aug. 11-13:
Human Library
Borrow a person instead of a book and have a conversation about their life experiences at this event hosted in cooperation with the Human Library Organization.
Volunteers serving as "human books" have directly or indirectly been exposed to prejudice, bias, stereotyping, stigma or discrimination based on aspects of their identify or life experiences.
Once you choose a human book to talk to, you can sit and have an open conversation with them for about a half hour.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at West Bloomfield Township Public Library, 4600 Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield. No registration required. Free.
Blakes Sunflower Festival
Stroll through the sunflowers and shop from more than 100 artisans featuring handcrafted products at this annual festival that will also have free classes, speakers and demonstrations on topics that include natural wellness, aromatherapy, farming and gardening, benefits of local honey and more.
There will also be DIY make and take workshops with real, u-pick sunflowers, wild flowers, fruits and vegetables at additional charges.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday at Blakes Orchard & Cider Mills, 17985 Armada Center Road in Armada. $12; children 10 and younger are free.
Good Moves, Good Grooves
This three-day, family-friendly community celebration, presented by the William Davidson Foundation, will have music; a basketball tournament in partnership with the Detroit Parks Coalition and Pistons Neighbors Program; and a sports showcase and fun run that will include sports sampling events in partnership with Project Play: Southeast Michigan.
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On Friday, the Commodores and Motown Museum’s Rivertown Revue will perform from 6-10 p.m. and on Saturday, Kimmie Horne and Deniece Williams will perform from 5-10 p.m.
The event is open 6-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday along the Detroit Riverwalk at Cullen Plaza and Milliken State Park and Harbor in downtown Detroit. Free.
Ribs R&B Music Festival
Two summer favorites are combined at this summer festival along the Detroit Riverfront that will offer food, music and more than 100 vendors.
The entertainment lineup will include Chante Moore, Rob Base, Brownstone and more than 30 additional acts on two stages.
11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit. Free on Friday until 3 p.m.; free on Saturday and Sunday until 1 p.m.; $15 afterwards. Children 12 and younger are free.
Shelby Township Art Fair
More than 120 artist and marketplace vendors will be at this fair celebrating its 40th anniversary. There will also be food; musical entertainment; a kid’s craft and activity area; live creatures from the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center; a recycled art competition and more.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at River Bends Park, 5700 22 Mile Road in Shelby Township.
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: Human Library, sunflower fest, ribs: 5 things to do in metro Detroit
