What to do in Detroit right now: Detroit Jazz Festival, Arts Beats & Eats, SW Fest and more

We are amped up this week for all the in-person and virtual offerings, between big names like Detroit Jazz Festival, Arts Beats & Eats and the lesser-known music fests and venues holding it down. Not sure about you, but the Detour team is ready to dance our pants off! Plus, the Detroit Month of Design kicks off this week with amazing art installations and enlightening panel discussions.

Wednesday

❤️‍🩹 Healing Through Design: Come by The Color Bloc for a discussion panel moderated by design curator and appraiser Isabelle Weiss and Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit Director Leslie Ann Pilling about examining how the five senses plays a role in creating calming environments. Sept. 1, free, info.

🎶 “Tap is Alive”: Tap dance is still alive and well! Come watch some of Detroit’s best tap dancers as they come together to celebrate the past, present and future of this legendary art form at Aretha’s Jazz Cafe. Sept. 1, $10 in advance/$15 at the door, info.

🥁 The Roots: Tickets are still available for a live show with The Roots and Slum Village at Russell Industrial Center. Sept. 1, $80, info.

Thursday

🍻 Bags N’ Brews Cornhole Tournament: Do you love cornhole? Are you all about supporting local nonprofits? Sign up for Detroit’s biggest charity cornhole tournament benefiting the Pope Francis Center at Eastern Market Shed 3. Sept. 2, $80 per team, info.

🖼️ Opening Night for “Illuminate” by Spotlight CoAd: Check out the Illuminate gallery and designers from numerous design disciplines at Lawrence Technological University. The gallery will be open through the month of September. Sept. 2, free, info.

🎸 Mussel Beach Music Fest: Get ready for an incredible outdoor music festival at Cadieux Cafe, known for its world-famous mussel dinner, unique atmosphere and feather bowling. Artists include Sunny Ledfurd, The Muggs, Kenny Tudric and The Scrappers. Sept. 2-6, $20-25, info.

This weekend!

🎷 Detroit Jazz Fest Live Stream: The Detroit Jazz Festival is all virtual, all weekend long. You can livestream the event via the Detroit Jazz Fest LIVE! app, detroitjazzfest.org, Detroit Jazz Fest Facebook Live, YouTube and more. Sept. 3-6, virtual, free, info. 

🎧  Wu-Tang is for the children: Class Act Detroit is hosting this cypher for middle school and high school students interested in DJing, beat-making and music production. If you love hip-hop music + culture, this is for you! Sept. 3-4, free, info.

🐟 Belle Isle Aquarium Reopening — Watch Party: Check out the recently reopened and upgraded facility, learn about its history and meet some super cool fish with Detroit Public TV and Great Lakes Now. Sept. 3, virtual, free, info.

🥁 Arts Beats & Eats: Get ready for another epic fest featuring 200+ musical guests, food trucks and tons of local art to peruse and purchase in Royal Oak. Sept. 3-6, $5 before 3 p.m/ $10 after 3 p.m., info. 

🪴Plant Swap at Detroit Abloom: Check out Seeded Detroit and other local vendors at the second annual plant swap and social, featuring vegan food and drinks! Sept. 4, free, info. 

🌼 Morning meditation: Start a contemplative Saturday morning in Griffin Garden with certified meditation teacher, wellness consultant and self-love advocate Erin Julianna. Sept. 4, $12, info.

🌮 SW FEST 2021: Get ready for a FREE, family-friendly music festival at The Senate Theater featuring Detroit-based artists, vendors, food and resources. Sept. 4, free, info.

🎹 Jazz at the Top: Spend your Saturday night at the Shops On Top at Eastern Market and groove along to a live performance by the “Mighty Jazz Funk House” band. Food and drinks will be served! Sept. 4, $30, info.

📚 Saturday Storytime Series: Everyone is invited to 27^th Letter Books to enjoy youth-focused book readings every Saturday. Following the story, you can stick around for a book-themed craft activity (or you can take supplies home). Sept. 4, free, info.

Next week

🌳 Sidewalk Detroit ‘Stickwork’ Installation Volunteering: Sidewalk Detroit is excited to be hosting world-renowned artist Patrick Dougherty as he creates a brand new “Stickwork” installation at Eliza Howell Park. Volunteers are needed to help Patrick with harvesting sapling branches, stripping them of leaves and in the actual construction of the sculpture. Gloves, tools, water and snacks will be provided! Sept. 7-25, free, info. 

🌿 The Herbal Walk & Talk 2021: Learn about edible weeds and herbs for medicinal uses and more with The Herbal Healing Hut and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy at the Detroit Riverwalk. Sept. 6, free, info.