What are your Father’s Day plans this weekend? We’re thinking about attending at least one summer concert and cooking out at the house. One of our favorite things to do in the summer is we like to go to outdoor concerts in the city and at the lake. It’s perfect for us because 1) they’re FREE and 2) the kids love to dance. Hello! Kids, dance all of that energy out so you can go to bed as soon as we get home! 🙂

If you love attending live music events, you can always find a bunch of free concerts in Detroit and the metro area. It would be a perfect way to celebrate Dad (or loved ones you’re celebrating) this weekend, especially if he is a music lover.

Here are a few summer concerts I discovered for Father’s Day weekend:

Detroit Music Weekend begins today and ends on Sunday, June 17th! (Photo courtesy Detroit Music Weekend)

Thursday, June 14th to Sunday, June 17th

Detroit Music Weekend

Time: 2 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Location: Theatre District to Capitol Park

Admission: FREE (VIP Tickets for The Jacksons performance)

What: This big concert series begins TODAY and lasts until Sunday, June 17th! It will feature 5 stages of artists performing throughout the afternoon and night! It’s a free music weekend with the exception of The Jacksons performance.

DMW will also feature MotorCity Market, Jazz Vocal Education Program, Lincoln Center’s Jazz for Young People, and after party with CrowdFreak and We are Culture Creators!

We saw We are Culture Creators perform last summer and we really love it!

Get more information and artist performance list here.

 

RBRM (Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, & Mike) 

Saturday, June 16th

RBRM: Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky & Mike with Silk

Time: Show starts at 8 p.m.

Location: Chene Park — 2600 Atwater St., Detroit

What: It’s a grown-up version of boy bands with this concert. RBRM, also known as Ronnie, Bobby Brown, Ricky, and Mike from New Edition headline this concert. I remember my first New Edition concert when I was in high school. I also used to love listening to Silk. This concert would make a great date night! Get ticket information here.

Hollywood Hits, Detroit Symphony

Time: 8 to 10:30 p.m.

Location: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center — 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit

What: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will play classic and moving music from Hollywood films from composers like John Williams, Henry Mancini, Elmer Bernstein, and more. Ticket details here.

Photo courtesy The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army’s Free Brass Concert

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Salem High School — 46181 Joy Road, Canton

What: The Salvation Army will host a free brass concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 16 at Salem High School in Canton. The concert will feature the award-winning Motor City Brass Band along with performances from The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Divisional Band and The Salvation Army Youth Beginner Brass. Performances will include original compositions as well as familiar religious and secular pieces. Donations will be accepted to support the local Salvation Army music program.

Jazz-Classical – World Music: Detroit Palmer Woods Music in Homes

Time: 8 to 10:45 p.m.

Location: Palmer Woods Music in Homes — 19550 Argyle Cres, Detroit

What: For more information about this jazz event, check out the Facebook page here.

JR JR with Wild Belle will kick off Beacon Park’s Summer Concert Series on Saturday, June 16th! (Photo courtesy Beacon Park)

Beacon Park’s Summer Concert Series

Time: 6:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Location: Beacon Park in Downtown Detroit

What: JR JR with Wild Belle will kick off the free summer concert series on Saturday. Beacon Park’s summer concert series is a three-part series with concert dates on June 16, July 21, and an August show that will be announced at a later date.

There will also be a Night Market featured at the concert with a variety of food trucks (my fav) and lawn games. Lumen Detroit will also be open for dinner and drinks. Get all of the deets here!

 

Sunday Gospel Brunch will be Sunday, June 17th! (Photo courtesy Baker’s Keyboard Lounge)

Sunday, June 17th

Sunday Gospel Brunch Live with Jon Plair

Time: 2 to 4 p.m.

Location: Baker’s Keyboard Lounge — 20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit

What: This gospel concert series is featured on the third Sunday of every month. Get more details here.

 

BARS EP Release Concert Hosted by Alexyn Wunderland

Time: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: 480 Hancock St W, Detroit, MI

What: Experience hyper-lyrical hip-hop artist, Alexyn Wundrland, performing live in concert. Light and Projection art accompany this exciting visual and audio experience. Also featuring one of Detroit’s hottest jazz ensembles, Modern Element.

Alexyn Wunderland will perform music from her second project “BARS” and also songs from her next EP “The Jazz Project”. Get all of the details here!

 

Community Concerts at the DIA

Time: 1 to 5 p.m.

Location: Detroit Institute of Arts — 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit

What: The Festival comes to the DIA once again for its annual free community concerts! Event 1 occurs at 1 PM followed by Event 2 at 3 PM. Get ticket info here.

Maze featuring Frankie Beverly will perform on Sunday, June 17th!

Maze featuring Frankie Beverly

Time: Show begins at 7 p.m.

Location: Chene Park — 2600 Atwater St., Detroit

What: Another great option for a date night with your honey. Get ticket info here.

AMFM Presents: Black Independence Day at Baltimore Gallery (AMC)

Time: 6 to 10 p.m.

Location: The Baltimore Gallery — 314 E. Baltimore St., Detroit

What: Excerpt from the event page — “It ain’t easy being black in America when it ain’t real freedom.”

What does freedom look like? What does black liberation look like in conversation with music, poetry, art, dance, and convening? Come get free with AMFM and commemorate Juneteenth in Detroit for the Allied Media Conference.

Get all of the info here!

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].