While the calendar and the heat index may indicate that summer will continue for a bit longer, the spiritual end of the season comes with Labor Day Weekend.
The tri-county area is full of annual festivals this weekend from the action-packed Arts, Beats & Eats in Royal Oak to the free Detroit Jazz Festival downtown. Community festivals abound from Hamtramck to Romeo and it's also the weekend of the annual Michigan State Fair.
Here's our top 10 list of things to get out and do this Labor Day weekend in Metro Detroit.
Detroit Jazz Festival in Downtown Detroit
Highlights of this year’s multi-stage, free jazz festival include performances from Artist-in-Residents Brian Blade who performs several times throughout the weekend. Catch him on Labor Day at 7:45 p.m. on the JP Morgan Chase Main Stage in Cadillac Square performing with the Fellowship Band with Detroit Jazz Festival Jazz Orchestra. Jazz fans also won’t want to miss the Alice Coltrane tribute with Ravi Coltrane, Brandee Younger, Reggie Workman and the Detroit Jazz Festival Chamber Orchestra on the Carhartt Amphitheatre Stage in Hart Plaza at 7 p.m. Friday. The festival starts Friday evening and runs all day and night Sat.-Mon. Free admission. Downtown Detroit. Detroitjazzfest.org for full schedule and other details.
Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats & Eats in Royal Oak
The fine arts and the mouth-watering eats are certainly a big part of this annual community festival that takes over much of downtown Royal Oak, but the beats might be what draws the biggest crowds. This year's main stage headliners are Cheap Trick and Tesla on Friday, Runaway June, the Cadillac Three and Dustin Lynch on Saturday and Gin Blossoms and Chevelle on Sunday. Labor Day’s big stage acts include Detroit’s Queen of Blues Thornetta Davis, Pop 2000 Tour and R&B singer Keith Sweat. The Detroit News will return as a sponsor of the Kids Zone near Fourth and Main streets, offering free activities for families including entertainment, arts and crafts and a Michigan Science Center STEM skills showdown. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sun. and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon. Free admission until 5 p.m. Friday, then $10-$12 per person older than 3. Downtown Royal Oak. (248) 541-7550. Artsbeatseats.com.
Michigan State Fair at Suburban Collection Showplace
Stroll around the vendor area, agricultural and livestock displays and take a gander at the butter cow and other wholesome attractions. The Michigan State Fair also has a craft beer event, live music and a carnival with games and rides. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian after 6 p.m. each evening. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thurs.-Fri., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.-Sun. and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon. Admission starts at $10. 46100 Grand River, Novi. (248) 348-6942. Michiganstatefairllc.com.
Romeo Peach Festival in Downtown Romeo
The 93rd annual community festival is about much more than this juicy stone fruit, although that is a highlight. Attendees will find doughnuts, peach pies and other delights from Westview Orchards’ tent, plus craft shows, live music, carnival rides and a Friday night fireworks display. The festival runs all day Thurs.-Mon. at various locations in downtown Romeo. romeopeachfestival.com.
Return of the Legends at the Aretha
It's been a Labor Day tradition in Detroit to see throwback artists at this riverfront venue for many years. This weekend's "Return of the Legends" lineup sees Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Rakim, Kid ’N Play, Brand Nubian, X Clan, Yo-Yo and Kwame on Friday night. Saturday night’s lineup is headlined by T.I. and 2 Chainz along with P$C, Big Herk, Lola Damone, Drunken Master and K Deezy. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Tickets start at $65 each night. 2600 Atwater, Detroit. Thearetha.com.
Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper at Pine Knob Music Theatre
The “Freaks on Parade” tour, headlined by Detroit native Alice Cooper and rocker and filmmaker Rob Zombie, returns to Pine Knob this weekend. The horror-rock kings are joined by opening bands Ministry and Filter. 6 p.m. Fri. $35 and up. 33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston. 313presents.com.
Martin Lawrence at Little Caesars Arena
Comedian and actor Martin Lawrence is back on the road with his first comedy tour since 2016. Titled “Y’all Know What It Is,” the tour features a whole new stand-up show for Lawrence, who rose to fame in the 1990s and is best known for his iconic Fox sitcom “Martin” (which was set in Detroit) and the “Bad Boys” movie franchise. For his LCA date, Lawrence will be joined by Deon Cole, Benji Brown and Clayton Thomas. 8 p.m. Fri. $39.50 and up. 2645 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 471-7000. 313presents.com.
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival in Hamtramck
Possibly the most grass-roots of all the community festivals during Labor Day Weekend, this longstanding street fair has a musical lineup that mixes local favorites like the Polish Muslims, Amino Acids, Danny D and Duende with national headliners like Detroit rappers Sada Baby, Gmac Cash and Esham, plus Mike Skill from the Romantics and Canadian indie rockers Sloan. One of the highlights, announced just this month, is that Jack White will sit in with his old band the Hentchmen for a few songs during their headlining set Monday night. Also on Monday, the popular and soggy Hamtramck Yacht Races at noon. All three days of the festival have a carnival with games and rides, vendors, beer and other drinks and an eclectic lineup of culinary delights from Polish to African cuisine. Noon-10 p.m. Sat.-Mon. Free. Jos Campau north of Caniff, Hamtramck. hamtownfest.com.
Black Women Rock at Fillmore Detroit
For two decades Detroit musician, artist, poet and activist jessica Care moore has been doing what others can't or won't do: produce an entire concert highlighting the talents of Black women who play rock and roll music. On Saturday, the Fillmore Detroit will house the 20th anniversary of Black Women Rock with performances by moore and her collaborator, Detroit musician Steffanie Christi'an along with Tamar Kali, Divinity Roxx, Kimberly Nichole, Sate, Nik West, Joi, Grace Gibson, Amrya Leon and others. “Black Women Rock is a movement that showcases the music and stories of Black women who have, and are, building institutions around their creative talent,” said moore in a press release about the show, adding that this lineup features women who have performed around the world but rarely receive airplay. “It’s incumbent upon women like me … to create opportunities for other Black women musicians to showcase their talents in front of a larger audience." 7 p.m. Sat. $20-$90. 2115 Woodward, Detroit. thefillmoredetroit.com.
Bikini Kill at Masonic Temple Theatre
Pioneering punk group Bikini Kill returns to Metro Detroit as part of their reunion tour that has them performing "Rebel Girl" and other anthemic riot grrrl songs all over the country. Frontwoman Kathleen Hanna also recently released a memoir, "Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk," where she writes about a tough childhood, the Seattle grunge scene, getting punched by Courtney Love at Lollapalooza 1995 and falling in love with Ad Rock from the Beastie Boys. Get there early to see Detroit psych-pop trio Shadow Show open the show. 7 p.m. Sat. Remaining tickets start at $96. 500 Temple, Detroit. (313) 832-7100. themasonic.com.
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
