The Detroit Parks Coalition is pleased to announce the return of its popular Freedom Arts Festival series!
This year, the series will span throughout seven of Detroit’s regional parks, as well as pop-up activations in Detroit’s neighborhood parks. The free community celebrations kicks off in July and run through September.
The Freedom Arts Festival aims to connect — and reconnect — Detroiters to their neighborhood parks. Featuring music, dance, storytelling and art reflecting Detroit’s multicultural tapestry, the festival series brings together freedom, racial justice, history and connection through arts and culture.
Last year’s inaugural Freedom Arts Festival series welcomed more than 1,500 visitors to eight Detroit parks and showcased the talent of 29 local artists and arts organizations. This year, the festival series will span seven of Detroit’s regional parks, as well as pop-up activations in Detroit’s neighborhood parks, developed in partnership with CultureSource and the Gilbert Family Foundation.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Clark Park: Saturday, July 8, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
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.
Palmer Park: Sunday, July 9, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
In celebration of 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, People for Palmer Park will commemorate the historic event with various art displays. Guests can also enjoy musical 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.
Chandler Park: Saturday, July 15, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
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.
Belle Isle: Sunday, July 23, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
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!
Detroit Riverfront: Friday, August 11, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
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.
Rouge Park: Saturday, September 16, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Friends of Rouge Park and Detroit ACE will honor Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson, one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military aviators in the United States Armed Forces. Jefferson, a Detroit native, will be honored with a plaza and statue dedication, an airshow, performances from local high school marching bands, the Marion Hayden Trio and more.
Eliza Howell Park: Saturday, September 30, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Sidewalk Detroit hosts “Songs of Freedom, Part 2,” an evening of community singing featuring impactful songs celebrating freedom and justice.
All events are free to attend and open to the public. Additional details can be found at detroitparkscoalition.com/freedom-arts-festival.
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