SpongeBob, Donny Hathaway, Big Freedia and more: Shows to see in metro Detroit this weekend

The African World Festival may be the biggest arts event in metro Detroit this weekend, but there are many other options to get your art fix. From classical to R&B, from SpongeBob Squarepants to the flavor of New Orleans, here are just a few options for your weekend.

Art in the park

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra's third annual Community Arts and Music Festival will take place in Detroit's Chandler Park on Saturday, July 15, from 1-4 p.m., rain or shine. It will include hands-on arts and music-making, food and performances from DSO musicians and local artists.

Located at the old tennis courts near the northwest corner of Frankfort St. and Gray St. (Rain location: True Worship Church, 13031 Chandler Park Dr., Detroit. www.dso.org. Free to attend.

Honoring Black music legends

Local singer Paul Johnson, Jr. will headline "Dinner with Donny," a tribute to late, great R&B singer Donny Hathaway that doubles as a mental health awareness event, Saturday night at 7 p.m. Denise Edwards will be a featured guest for the evening, singing hits by the late Phyllis Hyman; both Hathaway and Hyman struggled for years with mental health issues before ending their lives.

The International Institute, 111 E. Kirby St. Tickets at Eventbrite.com. Call 248-929-4051 for more information. Tickets $35 in advance, $40 at door.

Big Freedia @ Hotter Than July

New Orleans' "Queen of Bounce Music" Big Freedia will perform Saturday, 8 p.m. at Detroit's Sound Board at Motor City Casino Hotel as part of Hotter Than July, the world's second oldest Black LGBTQ+ festival. The Beyoncé and Lizzo collaborator always brings the heat onstage.

Sound Board at Motor City Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit. Tickets and festival information at www.lgbtdetroit.org/hotterthanjuly. Tickets starting at $38.

The SpongeBob Musical!

Royal Oak's Stagecrafters Youth Theatre will present "The SpongeBob Musical" for the next two weekends, featuring the lovably goofy characters of the popular cartoon series played by youth actors aged 8 to 18. The Tony-nominated score includes original songs by Yolanda Adams, Aerosmith, Sarah Bareilles, David Bowie, John Legend, Lady A and more. All lobby sales of concessions and show-related items benefit Stagecrafters' youth scholarship program.

The Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette, Royal Oak. www.stagecrafters.org. 248-541-6430. Tickets $15 for adults, $10 for youth.

New Orleans soul

Rising New Orleans-based rockstar Grace Gibson melds and evolves musical worlds that straddle genres, influenced by the roots of rock, Delta blues and modern soul, and she's playing the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Sosnick Courtyard at 8 p.m. Saturday. An electrifying live performer, songwriter, and arranger, she’s leading the next wave of Black women rockers while twirling her signature tambourines and strumming her guitar like you’ve never seen before.

Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Avenue. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside to The Cube. www.dso.org. 313-576-5111. General admission tickets $20.

Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: SpongeBob, Donny Hathaway, Big Freedia: Shows to see in metro Detroit