Top Metro Detroit Events for July 2024

Save the dates for comedy shows, film screenings, performances, and more.
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The Beach Boys will perform at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre on July 5. // Photograph by Jim Trocchio

The Beach Boys

Teleport to the beaches of SoCal for a night when one of America’s most cherished and iconic rock bands makes a stop at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre. Fronted by founding member and original lead vocalist Mike Love, this incarnation of the surf rock institution also features Bruce Johnston, who has been a member of the band since 1965. July 5. $29+. Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, ; .

Whiskey Myers

The Texas-based Southern rock band catapulted into the top 10 of the iTunes country chart in 2018 after its music was featured in the hit streaming series Yellowstone. The six-piece’s genre-defying sound blends elements of blues, country, and hard rock in tracks like β€œBroken Window Serenade” and β€œBallad of a Southern Man.” Flint-based country rockers Whitey Morgan and The 78s will open the show. July 6. $29+. Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, ; .

Whiskey Myers will perform at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre on July 6. // Photograph by Khris Poage

Royal Oak Outdoor Art Fair

Royal Oak’s charming Memorial Park serves as the backdrop for this annual art fair featuring displays by more than 100 local, regional, and nationally known artisans. After browsing paintings, sculptures, photography, glasswork, and more, attendees are invited to pull up a chair on the lush lawn and enjoy music from local performers. July 6-7. No cost. Memorial Park, ; .

Niall Horan

This Irish singer-songwriter first gained global fame as a member of the boy band One Direction. Following the group’s hiatus in 2015, Horan signed on as a solo artist with Capitol Records and released his debut album, Flicker, which went on to hit No. 1 chart spots in both the U.S. and Ireland. Expect to hear selections from the artist’s latest album, 2023’s The Show, when he makes a stateside stop at Pine Knob Music Theatre. July 10. $79.50+. Pine Knob Music Theatre, ; .

Niall Horan will perform at Pine Knob Music Theatre on July 10. // Photograph courtesy of 313Presents

Doctor Moloch

Witness the world premiere of this new play by Carla Milarch that grapples with what it means to be human in a rapidly evolving world. Set in 2029, the play follows actress Serena Blaise as she attempts to help the world’s first robotic doctor improve its bedside manner. Directed by Briana O’Neal, the production stars Shelby Bradley, Louie Chen, and Artun Kircali. July 12-Aug. 4. $28. Theatre Nova, ; .

Summer Organ Celebration

Professional organist Lance Luce will demonstrate the wonder of the Redford Theatre’s historic Barton Organ at this evening program. First, enjoy a guided tour of the Redford Theatre, including a behind-the-scenes look at the organ’s massive chambers. Then enjoy a screening of the classic Laurel and Hardy 1929 silent film Bacon Grabbers with a live organ accompaniment β€” exactly the way it was intended to be seen. July 13. $15. Redford Theatre, ; .

Pat Benatar

The rock legend will be joined by her husband and longtime collaborator, Neil Giraldo, on her Funtastic ’24 tour. Best known for ’80s power ballads like β€œLove Is a Battlefield” and β€œHeartbreaker,” the 71-year-old vocalist boasts four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. July 16. $35+. Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, ; .

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will perform at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre on July 16. // Photograph courtesy of 313Presents

Ann Arbor Art Fair

Featuring nearly 1,000 artists and spanning 30 city blocks, this summer tradition in downtown Ann Arbor is made up of three separate events: the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original; Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; and Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair. As the largest juried art fair in the country, it draws artists from around the U.S. displaying works in a variety of mediums, including paint, ceramics, glass, jewelry, and sculpture. July 18-20. No cost. Downtown Ann Arbor; .

D.L. Hughley

Fans of ’90s and early ’00s TV may recognize Hughley as the host of BET’s ComicView or as the face of the ABC/UPN sitcom The Hughleys. Most recently, the comedian and actor appeared on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show as a guest host. He’s also appeared on Dancing with the Stars and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. $45+. Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, ; .

Train and REO Speedwagon

Two prolific hit machines will join forces for the Summer Road Trip 2024 tour, offering fans two full sets of timeless anthems. Pop-rock perfectionists Train first dominated American radio in 1998 with the single β€œMeet Virginia,” before shooting to truly stratospheric fame on the heels of its Grammy Award-winning second album, Drops of Jupiter. Arena rockers REO Speedwagon lit up airwaves in the ’80s with hits like β€œKeep on Loving You” and β€œCan’t Fight This Feeling.” Together, the bands claim more than 50 million albums sold worldwide and more than 32 songs on ΅ώΎ±±τ±τ²ϊ΄Η²Ή°ω»ε’s Hot 100 chart. July 21. $35. Pine Knob Music Theatre, ; .

REO Speedwagon will perform with Train on July 21 at Pine Knob Music Theatre. // Photograph by Randee St. Nicholas

Brian Simpson

This Austin, Texas-based comedian’s distinctive point of view comes from a lifetime of unique experiences β€” including growing up as a foster child and spending years in the Marine Corps. Named a β€œComic to Watch” by Variety in 2023, Simpson uses comedy to dissect everything from racism to missing pets to the Wu-Tang Clan. His first stand-up special, Live from the Mothership, debuted on Netflix to positive reviews earlier this year. July 25-27. $30. Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, ; .

Twelfth Night

Join the metro Detroit area’s best professional and emerging actors for two weekends of classic theater, performed outdoors in Royal Oak’s Starr Jaycee Park. Twelfth Night follows pirates Viola and Olivia as they set sail for the West Indies. A shipwreck off the coast of Illyria sets the scene for a silly, salty romance β€” an ideal treat on a warm summer’s night. July 25-Aug. 4. Cost TBA. Starr Jaycee Park, ; .

Orchard Lake Fine Art Show

This two-day juried fair has brought more than 100 talented local and national artists to the heart of West Bloomfield since 2003. Voted one of the country’s best art shows for 12 years in a row, the event features paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, woodwork, and glasswork, as well as food trucks, live music, and a kids’ art competition. July 27-28. $5. ; .

Tate McRae

Canadian performer Tate McRae got her first taste of fame at age 13, when she made it to the final round of the American reality competition show So You Think You Can Dance. She later signed on with RCA Records and achieved her first hit single in 2020 with β€œYou Broke Me First,” which reached the 17th spot on ΅ώΎ±±τ±τ²ϊ΄Η²Ή°ω»ε’s Hot 100 chart. McRae will be joined by up-and-coming pop artist Presley Regier. July 28. $274+. Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, ; .

Tate McRae will perform at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre on July 28. // Photograph courtesy of 313Presents

Comedy Bang! Bang!

On his podcast of the same name, host Scott Aukerman and a cast of oddball regulars interview celebrity guests and compete in offbeat games. Aukerman will be joined by comedian Paul F. Tompkins and other Comedy Bang! Bang! regulars for this live, completely improvised version of the show. July 29. $39+. Royal Oak Music Theatre, ; .


This story originally appeared in the July 2024 issue of ΒιΆΉ·¬ΊΕ Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of ΒιΆΉ·¬ΊΕ Detroit at a local retail outlet. Our digital edition will be available on July 8.

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