Happy 4th of July! This week, we have unconventional art exhibitions, rule-bending entertainment and all the tacos you can eat to help you spend your holiday right.
Plus, a chance to drink wine and talk politics with WDET’s Jerome Vaughn. Read on to learn more.
Arts
Saturday, July 6 is Light Up Livernois, an annual fashion, art and design festival celebrating Detroit’s creative class. Visitors will get a chance to see the city’s most notable designers, architects and artists as they experience the amenities in the re-emerging Livernois merchant corridor. For more information, visit lightuplivernois.com.
If you’re taking the People Mover this weekend, check out “BORDERCULTURE: Movement and Connectivity” at Grand Circus Park Station. This free art exhibition features emerging artists from Detroit and Windsor showcasing where the commonalities of life and public transit meet. There will also be music, refreshments and pop-up shops with prints from 1-6 p.m. on Saturday, July 6. For more information, visit thepeoplemover.com.
Eats
This weekend is the Royal Oak Taco Fest featuring over 50 taquerias, ice-cold margaritas and beer, three stages of live entertainment, and more. The festival kicks off at 11 a.m. daily on Thursday, July 4 through Sunday, July 7 in Downtown Royal Oak. Tickets are $8-$12 online. For more information, visit royaloaktacofest.com.
Read more: What to expect at this year’s Royal Oak Taco Fest
Entertainment
Comedy at the Congregation returns on Friday, July 5 for a Toronto Takeover in honor of Canada Day. Host Sarah Lynn will introduce you to Canadian comedians Sagal Ali, Woldeh and Nina Phan. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. This space is not ADA accessible. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.
Opera MODO’s newest musical opens on Tuesday, July 9 at the Matrix Theater in Detroit. Their original production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” features plus size inclusivity, trans representation and queer joy. Tickets are $25 or $15 for children under 12. For more information, visit bit.ly/MODOMermaid.
Read more: Opera MODO is transforming the medium
Then, head to Spot Lite for this month’s installment of Made You a Mixtape, hosted by not.deangelus. Guests will experience a night of hip-hop, dance and jazz fusion featuring JRGotTheHiTS and Master Student, plus an all-vinyl DJ set by Sterling Toles. This month’s performances will also be recorded and distributed as a free download to commemorate the evening. For more information, visit their Facebook event.
Elections
Join WDET News Director Jerome Vaughn and a panel of Michigan election experts for the second installment of Smart Politics, hosted at The Rind (attached to Mongers’ Provisions) on Wednesday, July 10. We’ll discuss Michigan’s role in the 2024 presidential election and take audience questions with panelists Michael Siegrist, Matt Friedman and Erica Peresman. Food & drinks will be available for purchase, and a $5 reservation fee will be required to secure your spot. For more information, visit our events page.
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