Hello again, friends! We’ve got another edition of your City 5 this week.
First of all, if you didn’t already know, on Thursday was Detroit’s 314th birthday. So strap on your party hats and get ready for some fun over the weekend.
She may be getting a little old, but she’s still got it goin’ on!! We’ve included our audio version of the City 5 below, but as always, you can scroll on for the written goodness.
Floyd Launch Party – Friday, 8pm – Trinosophes, Detroit – FREE (With RSVP)
This weekend kicks off with a bang at Trinospohes on Friday as the good folks of Floyd launch their new line of savvy furniture.
Floyd’s flagship product, The Floyd Leg, was a simple clamp-on leg that allows you to make a table from any surface material. This seedling grew into the idea that thoughtful, quality furniture that fits the needs of a generation on the move should be both affordable and practical.
Their innovative and beautifully simple designs have received praise from The New York Times, Dwell Magazine, and GQ, and have shipped to more than 30 countries in their short lifetime.
This party introduces Floyd’s new line of functional goods and let’s the people know that they know how to party, too.
With musical stylings from local DJ Jay Daniel and a few other special guests, you can count on good jams in high supply.
Drinks will be available for purchase and tickets are free with advanced RSVP, which you can do here.
Ypsilanti Beer Fest – Friday and Saturday – Riverside Park, Ypsilanti – $35-$45
Our next event is a little off the beaten path if you’re a Metro Detroit resident, but the trip will be worth your weight in golden suds.
That’s right, folks, it’s the 18th Annual Summer Beer Festival in Downtown Ypsilanti. This year’s festival is bigger and better than ever with over 800 different beers from more than 80 Michigan craft breweries.
Food will be available for purchase inside the festival, and you can enjoy live music from a number of Michigan bands.
I often find these events to be a bit expensive for what you get, but this one gives you a lot of boozey bang for your buck.
Your ticket purchase includes 15 drink tokens, each redeemable for a 3 oz. sample of beer, though some specialty beers may require multiple tokens. Fear not, though, because additional tokens are available inside the festival for just 50 cents.
The event runs from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. For tickets and more information click here.
MOPOP Festival – Saturday and Sunday – West Riverside Park, Detroit – $69-$200 – All Ages
Don’t get too carried away on Friday because you’ll need to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for the highly anticipated return of the MOPOP festival this Saturday.
The third year of this fast growing festival boasts a beautiful new location in West Riverside Park, and a seriously impressive line up featuring Modest Mouse, Passion Pit, Brandon Flowers, Chromeo, and many more.
Several local bands also found their way onto this year’s bill, including Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas and George Morris and the Gypsy Chorus.
Between sets, be sure to check out some of the festival’s new additions such as the Food Truck Alley, Craft Bazaar, Riverside Biergarden, and Mo Tech areas.
Day passes start at just $69 bucks and a weekend pass is $100. VIP packages are available as well. For tickets, full line up, and all other info click here.
BFF FEST – Saturday, 2 p.m. – 12 a.m. – MOCAD, Detroit – $10 – All Ages
If MOPOP isn’t quite your tempo, then swing by the MOCAD for BFF Fest, presented by Seraphine Collective and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
This all-ages summer music event highlights the talents of Michigan’s diverse community of musicians and artists, and aims to be accessible to those who may typically feel excluded from or underrepresented in Detroit’s independent music scenes, such as LGBTQ performers and patrons.
Popular Ohio-based duo, R. Ring will headline the musical side of things along with a heaping helping of support from other local and national talent.
$1 of each ticket sold will benefit Detroit’s Alternatives For Girls, and patrons can also bring additional donations such as Women’s clothing (all sizes), hygiene items, gift cards, or craft supplies to support the charity as well.
A full day pass to the festival is just $10, and can be purchased at Hello Records, Stormy Records, Peoples Records, FOUND SOUND and UHF, or online here.
There will also be a pre-party and art show on Friday at UFO Bar, and an after party on Saturday at Donovan’s.
Coconut Babylon – Sunday, 5 p.m. – Motor City Wine Detroit – Free Admission – Menu A La Carte
Ok, at this point it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Sunday food events. There’s just something so soothing about polishing off your weekend with a heaping helping of Detroit’s finest cuisine, and maybe a cocktail or two if you can stomach it at that point.
Well, once again we’re all in luck, because we will find just that and so much more at Motor City Wine on Sunday.
Get your fill of delicious Thai-Inspired cuisine created by Brad Greenhill and the culinary wizards at Katoi, who open their own Detroit restaurant this summer.
Wash your meal down with your drink of choice, and chase it down with the sweet n’ smooth vibes of Reggae, Dub, and Pan-African boogie from Daisuke Hughes, Monty Luke and Jeff Risk.