Detroit's Best Beats Return To Belle Isle At Charivari This Weekend

Charivari, as we’ve written about before, is one of our favorite festivals of the year.

See, if you’re a fan of the Detroit electronic sound – techno, house, all of that – this is probably, as far as a festival goes, the best way to see it.

More low key than some of the bigger named fests, Charivari brings back the DJ under a tent with massive, high quality sound that you can’t help but dance to.

This year, there are a few changes to the festival which is set over by the lighthouse on the eastern side of the island this year, giving it a feel that’s going to be rather in tune with nature for all three days (Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday).

Let’s Talk The Beats

The main reason you come to a music festival beyond fund with friends and meet folks is the music. As always, Charivari’s lineup won’t disappoint. The full lineup is here, but here are some highlights:

Friday evening: Chicago’s CZ Boogie, DJ Psycho, Mike Clark, Norway Detroit Crew. Program starts at 5 p.m. and runs ’til 10 p.m. (and is also a free day).

Saturday: DJ Godfather, Golf Clap, Ataxia, Mike Huckaby, Eddie Fowlkes. DJs from noon to midnight.

Sunday: Gruv Detroit, Kyle Hall, Stacey Hale, Juan Atkins, Detroit Techno Militia, DJ Minx, and Terrance Parker feat. Merachaka. DJs from noon to midnight.

Also, you should open your ears to acts if you haven’t heard of them. That’s when magic happens.

More Than Music

There is also a bit more than just music. There’s going to be yoga, stand up paddle boarding, a bike corral sponsored by Detroit Bikes, and more.

Here are the deets with the paddleboarding (and you can rent one when you get there) on Saturday and Sunday:

And now, for the yoga. 

“Despite human being’s many differences, all that really separates us is our outer layers. The Charivari Festival uses music, sound and delivery to shed these outer layers, while yoga celebrates what is revealed,” says Caren Paskel, the event’s lead yogi.

Sunday is going to have a serious flow yoga program going on, courtesy of Breathe In Detroit.

10 a.m.: IGNITE YOUR SOUL with Caren Paskel and DJ GODFATHER on the MAIN STAGE

1 p.m.: TRIBAL VINYASA with Michael McCarthy and Sitara Bird (DJ TBA)

2-4 p.m.: COME FLY WITH ME – Aerial Yoga Play with Detroit FlyHouse : Cortney Kosmala Jackson and Ania Brozda)

2 p.m.: ISLAND CHILL with Michael Castile (music by PRYSE)

3 p.m.: HUSTLE N FLOW with Ashley Oshinsky (music by Phil tha Mixx)

4 p.m.: GYPSY SOUL SLOW FLOW: with Annette Aquino Schramski and Liz DeFour (music by Izgreyala)

4 p.m.: ISLAND ACRO ESSENTIALS with Bryan Bennett and Kara Baruzzini

5 p.m.: BUDDHA BEATS with Risa Gotlib (music by DJ Dav – City Air Detroit)

6-7 p.m.: MOTOWN FLOWDOWN with Cindy Spires (music by Mekato)

6 p.m.: ISLAND ACRO PLAYTIME with AcroYoga Ann Arbor (Connor Otto and Colleen Crowley)

7 p.m.: SWEET AND SOULFUL: with Joanna Basile (music by Nick Speed)

8 p.m.: SUNSET YIN with magical massage: Beth James and Giustina Maria Easton (music by Isaac Prieto)

Parking

Belle Isle is a bit different situation than previous years, so there’s limited on-street parking near the event (and you’ll need a State recreation pass to drive on). However, there’s a shuttle from behind the Big Boy on Jefferson onto the island. You can turn down Helen or Canton Street right off Jefferson and you can park your car and be shuttled to the event site. Shuttles will be available at event end to take you back to your transportation.

Tickets

Tickets this year are $55 for the weekend, and those 16 and under and 60 and over are free (you’ll be surprised during the afternoon how chill the program can be – in years past, folks have brought their kids and dogs as the pace is a bit slower, and Charivari is a much friendlier situation than many get-togethers). You can pick them up here online. If you’re interested in a one-day ticket, you can pick them up at the gate for $30.