Freedom Arts Festival

July 8, 1-4, Clark Park: Clark Park Coalition hosts the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Playback Theatre and local performers from Southwest Detroit as they present Free to Be You and Me!, a mix of musical and theatrical performances about freedom of expression.

July 9, 2-6, Palmer Park: People for Palmer Park celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Detroit Walk to Freedom that culminated with a moving address by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which is widely considered a preview to his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. The event will include various art displays and live performances from Marion Hayden and Freedom Sounds—featuring Marion Hayden on bass, A. Spencer Barefield on guitar, Alvin Waddles on piano, Tariq Gardner on drums and Isis Damil on vocals. Freedom Sounds will perform music of the Civil Rights era—exploring themes of freedom, activism, collective work, spirituality and resistance through the lens of artists such as Max Roach, Donny Hathaway, Bob Marley, and the Jazz, R&B, Reggae and Gospel traditions—along with original works by Marion Hayden and A. Spencer Barefield. The Freedom Sounds concert invites guests to explore our shared humanity and reflect on Dr. King's dream—through music. Following the Freedom Sounds performance, attendees can enjoy a reggae dance party with King Mellowman and Mellow Runnings with the liberating sounds of Reggae, Caribbean, R & B and more.

July 15, noon-6, Chandler Park: Chandler Park Conservancy hosts the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and local artists as they pay homage to musicians, artists and activists who contributed to the freedom of Black Americans.

July 22, noon-4, Belle Isle: Belle Isle Conservancy hosts the second annual Community Fun Day at the Belle Isle Aquarium featuring an exciting afternoon of art, music, dance, storytelling, games and activities, food trucks and more!

August 11, 6-8 pm, Detroit Riverfront: In celebration of what would have been the late, former Detroit Pistons owner, William Davidson’s 100th birthday, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy will host Good Moves Good Grooves, a musical celebration with tributes to legendary Motown artists along the Detroit Riverwalk at Cullen Plaza and Milliken State Park and Harbor.

September 16, 1-5, Rouge Park: The Rouge Park Buffalo Soldiers and Blues Freedom Festival will highlight the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, the all-Black U.S. Army units that distinguished themselves during westward expansion in the 19th century. The Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association (BSHA) keeps the history of African Americans in the military alive by introducing youth in the community to horses housed in Rouge Park. Visitors can feed the horses, sign up for a horse ride and view the educational displays. Attendees will enjoy live Blues (the traditional color of the Buffalo Soldiers uniform) music from Big Pete and Friends as well as African drumming from Nanou Djapo. Food will be provided by Marichona’s Cuisine including Filipino lumpia in a nod to the Buffalo Soldiers’ service during the Philippine-American War. Family-friendly lawn games including horseshoes and corn hole will also be available.

September 30, 6-8, Eliza Howell Park: Sidewalk Detroit hosts "Songs of Freedom, Part 2," an evening of community singing featuring impactful songs celebrating freedom and justice.

October 1, 1-3 pm: New Center Park
Just Place: Just Place: Race, Parks, and Public Space in Detroit Parks and public spaces can beautify our city, promote physical and mental health, and help build social cohesion—but people's experience with parks is influenced by history, policies, and practices. We invite you to a conversation on how systemic racism impacts Detroiters’ experiences with their parks. This is the culminating event of the Detroit Parks Coalition’s Freedom Arts Festival and a pre-conference event for New Detroit’s Just Lead: Advancing Racial Equity conference.

October 1, 6-8 pm: Eliza Howell Park
Join Sidewalk Detroit for an evening of healing and celebration. Featuring a community sing led by renowned Detroit gospel singers, dance and drum performances, and a candle light healing ceremony, this evening is an opportunity to gather and engage with the community in one of Detroit's natural gems.

September 23, 6-7:30 pm: New Center Park
Join poets from Room Project, a collective of femme, nonbinary, & trans writers & artists, for a night of poetry in New Center Park, presented by Midtown Detroit, Inc. These five celebrated poets, including Kresge Artist fellows, educators, organizers, & activists, will read work exploring identity & community, grief & joy, & the power of our singular & collective voices. Including Jassmine Parks, Leah Proctor Ford, MARS., Ollie Dodt, and Rosie DeSantis.

September 10, 1-4 pm: Rouge Park
Friends of Rouge Park and the Detroit Sugarbush Project celebrate Etta S. Wilson, an ornithologist and journalist who spent her early career birding in Rouge Park. This event celebrates Wilson's indigenous heritage and rededicates a Rouge Park trail in her honor. Featured artists include: Vibes with the Tribes

August 28, 9 am - 5 pm: Clark Park
Enjoy a fun-filled day with arts, culture, and sports, as Clark Park Coalition presents its 7th annual COPA Motor City soccer tournament. The event will feature live entertainment, food trucks, local artists, dancing, mercado, sports, and kids activities.

August 20, 1-5 pm: Palmer Park
In partnership with the Sarah E. Ray Project, People for Palmer Park will celebrate Sarah Ray's legacy through music — jazz, blues, gospel, multi-genre — poetry, dance, and art that explore both the life of Ray, and the fights for equality, social justice, freedom, and hope that she and others inspire. Featured artists include: A. Spencer Barefield Quintet, Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy and DWDA Artistic Director Debra White-Hunt, and Bill Harris & Robert Jones. Both Barefield and White-Hunt are creating new works to accompany narratives written by writer/artist Desiree Cooper about Sarah E. Ray.

August 20, 12-4 pm: Belle Isle
Join Belle Isle Conservancy for Community Fun Day at the Belle Isle Aquarium. An afternoon of art, music, dance, storytelling, activities, food trucks, and more.

August 17, 5:30 pm: Dequindre Cut
​​Celebrate culture in the Cut with an evening of traditional Taiwanese puppet art and one of Detroit's best soul musicians. On August 17th at the Campbell Terrace on the Dequindre Cut the Michigan Taiwanese Association will present a traditional puppet art workshop at 5:30. After enjoy D.Cipher's weekly music series which will feature soul and R&B performer Al Bettis. Hosted by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.

July 16, 1-4 pm: Chandler Park

Chandler Park Conservancy presents its second annual Community Arts and Music Festival, in partnership with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Hands-on and interactive programming will be offered throughout the day. Featured artists include: Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Marion Hayden, Motor City Street Dance Academy, Pewabic Pottery, Arts & Scraps.