Jazz in Livonia, Festa Italiana and the African World fest: 5 things to do this weekend
As the warm summer days of July roll by, metro Detroit is alive with music, food and fun.
There's jazz in Livonia, the African World Festival in downtown Detroit and lots of food at Festa Italiana in Sterling Heights.
Here are five things to do across the region for the weekend starting July 14.
Michigan Jazz Festival
More than 30 jazz artists will perform on one of six stages at this 28th annual event, which features a range of Michigan jazz talent along with a few newcomers.
Performers include Kimmie Horne & Friends,the Dave Bennett Quartet, Sky Covington, Christopher Kendall, Matthew Fries, Mike Jellick, the Jeff Trudell Big Band and Kathy Kosins. Food and beverages will be provided by Schoolcraft Culinary.
Noon-9 p.m. Sunday, Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty, Livonia. Free.
African World Festival
This three-day event presented by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History turns 40 this year and will feature local and international musicians in genres including jazz, hip-hop and R&B along with dance from the Motherland.
Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton will be the headlining act. Others include Havana Hop featuring Paige Hernande, Grammy-nominated artist Mumu Fresh (also known as Maimouna Youssef), Omar Sosa Quarteto Americanos and Oumou Sangaré.
Also in the mix: lots of food, more than 100 vendors, a history walking tour, storytelling, local DJs and health and wellness activities.
11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Hart Plaza in Detroit. Free for Wright Museum members and children 13 and younger, $15 for non-members, $10 for college students and seniors.
Festa Italiana
This three-day celebration presented by the Italian American Chamber of Commerce will celebrate all things Italian with national and local entertainment, food, wines, beer and more.
Headlining acts will include The Bronx Wanderers, Ray Massa’s EuroRhythms, Aaron Caruso, Mark Randisi, Louis Prima Jr. and others.
There will also be a family fun zone featuring bounce houses, a zip line, bocce courts, a rock-climbing wall, a petting zoo and fireworks. Contests include a cannoli-eating contest, meatball contest, beautiful baby contest and singing contest. A Sunday Mass is also part of the event.
6-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Freedom Hill County Park at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, 14900 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights. Free admission. Parking is $10 daily per vehicle.
Brightmoor Music Series
This is the opening weekend for local talent to hit the stage as part of a series that features jazz, Top 40 hits, blues, world music, light rock, R&B, Motown hits and more. After opening weekend, the music will continue every Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. through Sept. 5.
Opening weekend acts will include Erich Goebel and the Flying Crowbars, Kimmie Horne, Dangerfield Band and the Buddom Line Band with Jeannie Lyles. Merchandise vendors and food trucks will be on site.
Noon-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Etheldra Mae Williams Park, 14300 Burgess, Detroit.
Lavender Festival
Stroll in the orchards and visit an open-air marketplace featuring more than 200 Michigan artisans and make-and-take workshops that make use of lavender. You can also enjoy educational sessions on aromatherapy, gardening, and natural wellness, and a children’s activity tent. In addition, visitors can go picking for lavender, fruits and vegetables.
Food and beverage offerings include lavender-infused lemonade and cupcakes and lavender-infused hard cider and beer from Blake’s Hard Cider and Blake’s Brewing Co.’
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, 17985 Armada Center in Armada. $12 for ages 11 and older, free for children 10 and younger.
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.
More: Festa Italiana returns for 2023 celebration in Sterling Heights
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 5 things to do in metro Detroit for the weekend of July 14-16
