Culture Calendar: Top Metro Detroit Events for August 2023

The host of CultureShift on 101.9 WDET offers a curated list of this month鈥檚 art and entertainment. Plus, score details on big events happening this August.
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Photographer James Barnor鈥檚 鈥淪ick- Hagemeyer Shop Assistant鈥 is one of nearly 200 of his photos on display at the DIA through Oct. 15. // Photograph by James Barnor, courtesy of the Detroit Institute of Arts

Metro Detroit is always so full of events and other fun things to do that it can be tough keeping track of it all. To help you plan your weekend itineraries, we鈥檝e asked Ryan Patrick Hooper, the host of听听to share his top August happenings in the area. Plus, find save the dates for concerts, stage performances, art exhibitions, and much more.

Last Chance: Sonya Clark focuses on community, fiber on her return to Cranbrook

You might recognize the name of multidisciplinary artist Sonya Clark. Hailing from Washington, D.C., but having earned her MFA at Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1995, Clark was behind the Healing Memorial at Detroit鈥檚 Huntington Place downtown 鈥 a representation of the COVID-19 pandemic鈥檚 toll on the city that was developed by enlisting residents to create small memorial pouches using fabric to honor their loved ones.

Now, Clark is back in the state for a midcareer survey of her decades-long career on display at the Cranbrook Art Museum.

brings together Clark鈥檚 monumental, community-centered works for the first time (including her Healing Memorial). The pioneering fiber artist weaves in topics of history, race, community, and communication with one another. The result is a stunning multigallery exhibit that you can spend hours in, interacting with the work as you go.

Sonya Clark: We Are Each Other is now on display at the Cranbrook Art Museum through Sept. 24. For additional details, visit .

At The Museum: Massive photography exhibit at the DIA is a must-see

One of the best shows you鈥檒l see this year is James Barnor: Accra/London 鈥 A Retrospective, an exhibit dedicated to the work of the Ghanaian photographer. It鈥檚 the largest retrospective of his work in the United States to date, and you鈥檒l only be able to see it at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Barnor started his career in the 1950s, and as you walk through the exhibit, you鈥檒l watch him go from black-and-white to color and from the streets and political changes of Accra, Ghana, to the fashions of London, bringing African models to English newsstands in a ground-breaking way.

The nearly 200 photos on display are separated by massive murals of Barnor鈥檚 work re-created on the walls of the galleries, supporting a narrative-forward approach to the exhibit that the DIA has championed for the past decade-plus.

If you haven鈥檛 found yourself connecting with photo exhibits in the past, James Barnor: Accra/ London will be the one to change that for you.

James Barnor: Accra/ London 鈥 A Retrospective is now on display through Oct. 15 at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The exhibit is free with admission. For more details and a glimpse of the photos on display, visit .

Live Music: Didn鈥檛 get enough of Detroit鈥檚 electronic music scene? Charivari to the rescue.

I totally get the idea that electronic music isn鈥檛 for everyone, but neither is Jack White. Still, we pay attention to and root for our hometown heroes even if we aren鈥檛 filling up our headphones with what they make. And when it comes to experiencing Detroit鈥檚 cultural exports, like electronic music, they鈥檙e the best when witnessed in person.

Charivari Detroit plays second fiddle to the massive Movement electronic music festival, but it鈥檚 just as relevant and important to the city鈥檚 cultural cachet. This month, the fest returns for its 10th anniversary to Historic Fort Wayne (a super- great yet underutilized venue) to bring electronic music to the masses.

Let go of your preconceived notions of electronic music and embrace one of the city鈥檚 cultural strengths. Even the most timid music lovers will be blown away by expanding their minds with something new and fresh.

Charivari Detroit Music Festival takes place Aug. 11-13 at Historic Fort Wayne in Detroit. For more information and tickets, visit .

On My Playlist: A coming out party for Detroit鈥檚 Bonny Doon

It鈥檚 been a long, winding journey for Bonny Doon, a band that started in Detroit and now has members based here and in New York City.

In 2018, they released Longwave, a sleepy indie favorite that established the three-piece as a band with big things ahead. Since then, they鈥檝e toured extensively with acts like Band of Horses and even backed Waxahatchee on her critically acclaimed Saint Cloud album and subsequent tour.

This year, Bonny Doon was finally able to release their latest effort after years of writing, rehearsing, and reexamining their sound. The resulting album, Let There Be Music, is the sound of Bonny Doon at their most mature and musically expansive, finding the sweet spot between Paul McCartney-era Wings and the sound of indie rock today.

Must-listens include 鈥淣aturally鈥 and 鈥淢aybe Today.鈥 This is a band with Detroit roots that has the perfect album for you to fade into fall with.

You can stream the album Let There Be Music by Bonny Doon wherever you like to get your music. The best way to support independent musicians is by buying their physical media via .

More Top Metro Detroit Events in August 2023

Photograph by Valeska Thomas

Save the dates for听comedy shows, film screenings, performances, and more.

Shakespeare Royal Oak

Enjoy an updated spin on one of Shakespeare鈥檚 early comedic plays, Love鈥檚 Labour鈥檚 Lost, at this Royal Oak summer tradition. Performed live onstage by local actors at Starr Jaycee Park, the production follows the misadventures of three college fraternity brothers as they vow to avoid women in an effort to raise their grades. July 27-Aug. 6. $30-$35. Starr Jaycee Park, ; .

Walker Hayes

The country-pop star, best known for his chart-topping 2021 hit 鈥淔ancy Like,鈥 will make a stop in Sterling Heights on his 23-city Duck Buck Tour. Fans will also enjoy sets from four-time Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress and breakthrough hip-hop and country fusion artist Breland. Aug. 5. $35+. Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, ; .

Movies in the Moonlight

Head to scenic downtown Rochester for an outdoor screening of family-friendly films at the corner of East Third and Water streets. The preshow kicks off at 8:30 p.m., while the featured film will begin at dusk. Attendees are asked to please bring their own chairs. Aug. 5. No cost. Downtown Rochester area; .

Smokey Robinson

Catch one of Detroit鈥檚 great Motown legends live in concert as the 鈥淭racks of My Tears鈥 crooner celebrates the 35-year anniversary of his legendary performance at the Fox Theatre鈥檚 grand reopening in 1988. The Grammy Legend Award recipient and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee has sold more than 1.5 million albums over the course of his 60-year career. Aug. 5. $59+. Fox Theatre, ; .

Belle Isle Art Fair

At this juried art fair on Detroit鈥檚 scenic Belle Isle, art lovers can browse paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and glasswork from more than 80 local and national artists. A selection of food trucks will also be available, along with live music and make-and-take projects led by the Anton Art Center. Aug. 5-6. No cost with a $13 state park pass. Belle Isle, Detroit; .

Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band

Grammy Award-winning bluegrass legend Peter Rowan鈥檚 career has spanned more than five decades. See him perform with his band in an intimate setting when he stops at The Ark this month to perform tracks from his classic albums, including Dust Bowl Children and The First Whippoorwill, as well as selections from his newest Grammy Award-nominated release, Calling You from My Mountain. Aug. 6. $30. The Ark, ; .

Darius Rucker

The former Hootie and the Blowfish singer-guitarist will tour the U.S. to promote Carolyn鈥檚 Boy, his first studio album release since 2017. Hear his latest track,鈥淔ires Don鈥檛 Start Themselves,鈥 along with fan favorites and brand-new material. Tennessee-based Americana band Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors will kick off the show. Aug. 10. $35+. Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, ; .

Mandabi (The Money Order)

Believed to be the first-ever full-length African language film to emerge from West
Africa, this 1968 feature by Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Semb猫ne will show for one afternoon at the DIA鈥檚 Detroit Film Theatre in conjunction with its special exhibition James Barnor: Accra/London. The film follows an unemployed Senegalese man as he tries to cash a money order sent by his Parisian nephew and finds himself stymied at every turn. Presented in Wolof and French with English subtitles. Aug. 12. No cost with museum admission. Detroit Film Theatre, ; .

Tim Heidecker

After rising to late-night fame as one half of the Adult Swim comedy duo Tim and Eric, this comedian, actor, writer, and musician garnered appearances in dozens of small- and large-screen comedies, including Bridesmaids and Ant-Man and the Wasp. He also hosts Office Hours Live, a web series and podcast, with fellow comedians Vic Berger and Doug Lussenhop. Aug. 15. $39.50+. Royal Oak Music Theatre, ; .

Fash Bash 2023

Presented by Neiman Marcus, this signature Detroit event celebrates the season鈥檚 biggest trends in fashion, design, and style. The night kicks off with a VIP cocktail reception followed by the Art of Fashion runway show, which will feature pieces by leading global designers including Carolina Herrera, Brunello Cucinelli, Tom Ford, Monique Lhuillier, and Michael Kors. Aug. 17. $125+. Detroit Institute of Arts, ; .

LL Cool J

See the 鈥淕oing Back to Cali鈥 rapper live when he brings The F.O.R.C.E. Live tour 鈥 his first headlining arena our in 30 years 鈥 to Detroit this month. A celebration of all things classic hip-hop, the show also features a curated bill of genre legends, including The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Bone Thugs-N- Harmony, Common, DJ Z-Trip, and Ice-T. Aug. 18. $58+. Little Caesars Arena, ; .

Woodward Dream Cruise Weekend

On Saturday, Aug. 19, more than 1 million spectators are expected to gather along Woodward Avenue to behold the 40,000 vintage automobiles, muscle cars, and other collector vehicles that make up the Woodward Dream Cruise. Its route spans 16 miles, from Ferndale to Pontiac, making it the largest single-day classic car event anywhere in the world. The ribbon cutting is Friday, Aug. 18, in Ferndale, and the cruise on Saturday takes place between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Cities along the route will have their own events beginning Friday. Highlights include Mustang Alley in Ferndale (Sat), the Performance Park Classic Car Show in Royal Oak (Fri. and Sat.), and a Ford Bronco show in Pleasant Ridge (Sat.). Ferndale to Pontiac; .

Jonas Brothers

The Grammy Award-nominated pop trio will embark on a 35-city stadium tour in support of their newest studio release, The Album, which debuted in May. The brothers will play their last five albums in their entirety when they stop at Little Caesars Arena, offering fans a chance to hear newer hits like 鈥淲affle House鈥 as well as older favorites like 鈥淪ucker鈥 and 鈥淲hat a Man Gotta Do.鈥 Aug. 24. $39+. Little Caesars Arena, ; .

Scott Seiss

After racking up hundreds of millions of views on TikTok with his hilarious 鈥淎ngry Retail Guy鈥 videos, this Baltimore native opened stand-up shows for big-name comedians like Patton Oswalt, Roy Wood Jr., and Joe Gatto. He鈥檒l perform five shows at the Comedy Castle when he brings his sharp, energetic brand of observational comedy to metro Detroit this month. Aug. 24-26. $23+. Mark Ridley鈥檚 Comedy Castle, ; .

Third Annual Labyrinth Celebration

Fans of the 1986 cult classic film are invited to immerse themselves in 尝补产测谤颈苍迟丑鈥檚 topsy-turvy world, complete with over-the-top decorations, themed craft cocktails, photo ops, and onstage dancing. As the film plays on the Redford Theatre鈥檚 silver screen, a live David Bowie tribute band will perform the iconic score in sync with the movie. VIP admission includes a photo op with the Goblin King himself. Aug. 26. $25+. Redford Theatre, ; .

The Lumineers

On the heels of their critically acclaimed 2022 album Brightside, the beloved indie folk rockers will make a stop in metro Detroit during an encore run of their 2022 world tour. Exemplified in hit singles like 鈥淗o Hey鈥 and 鈥淥phelia,鈥 the band鈥檚 stripped-down sound is heavily influenced by rock greats like Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. English singer-songwriter James Bay will open the show. Aug. 26. $76+. Pine Knob Music Theatre, ; .

Eddie B.

Self-styled as 鈥淎merica鈥檚 favorite teacher comedian,鈥 funnyman Eddie B. made a name for himself with his viral 鈥淲hat Teachers Really Want to Say鈥 web video series. His raw, uncensored, and hilariously realistic portrayals of what it鈥檚 like to be a teacher in the U.S. have garnered him an audience of fans from all over the globe. Aug. 26. $35+. Royal Oak Music Theatre, ; .

Alex G and Alvvays

Catch two critically acclaimed indie acts in one night when singer-songwriter Alex G and indie pop band Alvvays share the stage at Royal Oak Music Theatre. Hear Alex G鈥檚 eclectic blend of rock, lo-fi, alternative, and electronica when he plays selections from his 2022 album God Save the Animals. Then settle in for some dreamy, shoegaze-tinged pop from Alvvays, whose 2022 release Blue Rev was named a best new album by Pitchfork. Aug. 30. $35+. Royal Oak Music Theatre, ; .


This story is from the August 2023听issue of 香港六合彩图库资料 magazine. Read more in our digital edition.