R&B on the river, Michigan jazz talent and drinks at the zoo: This weekend in Detroit
Heavy summer storms this week gave way to gorgeously mild weather, perfect for outdoor activities or chill artistic pursuits. As usual with summer in The D, there are many big things going on, including Concert of Colors and the Ann Arbor Art Fair, but here are four fun, fresh options you might not know about.
R&B on the river
The second Riverfront Music Festival happens on Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 21, in downtown Detroit’s Hart Plaza, featuring major R&B acts at an affordable price in a time when concert tickets have become cost-prohibitive for many. Monica, Kelly Price, Queen Naija, Jacquees, Yung Miami, Keke Wyatt, Uncle Luke and K Michelle will perform during the weekend, and a portion event proceeds will benefit the Michigan Association for Female Entrepreneurs.
Hart Plaza, Detroit. riverfrontmusicfestival.com. Tickets start at $60 per day.
Homegrown jazz talent
The 29th annual Michigan Jazz Festival will be held at Schoolcraft College’s newly renovated Vistatech Center on Sunday from noon-9 p.m. with a jazz clinic at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free, and the festival will feature some of the best jazz musicians in the country, all of them from Detroit and throughout Michigan – over 35 bands performing across seven stages.
Vistatech Center, 18600 Haggerty Rd., Livonia. michiganjazzfestival.org. Free to attend.
A roaring good time
Friday evening, the Detroit Zoo will host Summer Sips, offering specialty cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks as attendees stroll the grounds. Guests are encouraged to dress in accordance with this year’s nautical theme. The night includes exclusive access to the Zoo’s naturalistic habitats until 8 p.m., live entertainment and life-sized games, access to an immersive animatronic dinosaur exhibit, zookeeper talks and even more.
Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. Ten Mile Rd., Royal Oak. 248-541-5717. detroitzoo.org. Tickets start at $40; group discounts available.
More: Detroit Zoo debuts new water tower art, redesigned logos and websites
An Ellington tribute
Acclaimed, nine-piece Detroit jazz ensemble The Planet D Nonet will perform two shows at Cliff Bell’s jazz club on Friday and Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. It’s in celebration of their new CD, “Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington, Vol. 2,” and the performances will highlight their original arrangements of the legendary composer and bandleader’s tunes.
Cliff Bell’s, 2030 Park Ave., Detroit. 313-961-2543. cliffbells.com. Tickets $25.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: R&B on the river, homegrown jazz, drinks at the zoo: Detroit's weekend
