Hey, everyone! Welcome back to Culture Canvas.
Yesterday, I talked with Chell Wilson, a singer, songwriter and entertainment director working with the event management company Total Access Events and Detroit’s General Services Department to put on summer concerts in parks across the city.
Now in her third year of organizing concerts, the Detroiter said she has the most diverse lineup yet for this year’s Summer Music Series.
The next event is July 26 with Jazz in the Parks at Maheras Gentry Park. Detroit Grammy-nominated saxophonist LaDarrel Johnson, better known as Saxappeal, will perform as well as DJ Mix. The free, family-friendly events also feature inflatables, face painting and food trucks.
“I want to make sure it’s good, clean, family-friendly music for your average music listener, or even your connoisseur, something that is high quality, but it’s still free,” Wilson said.
Here’s a portion of my interview with Wilson, who talks about how she began partnering with the city and how she put this year’s lineup together.
BridgeDetroit: When did you begin working with the city on summer concerts?
Crowell: Last year, the city wanted to do a Jazz in the Parks and that was under my wheelhouse, so I produced the Jazz in the Parks series. It was our first pilot year (for the event), we didn’t know how it would go and it turned out to be very successful.
We wanted to come back and do different genres because I feel like Detroit is not a monolith when it comes to music, when it comes to genres and when it comes to arts. It’s been going well so far.
BridgeDetroit: How did you put this year’s summer series together?
Crowell: I looked at the genres, I looked at what was expected and once I saw the genres, I started thinking more of who would fit. One of the things about working in music or working in entertainment in general is relationships, so I had some pretty good relationships with artists who I know are a big draw here, and I also wanted to do specifically something for the new generation of artists.
I wanted to shine a light on the people who have been doing the work, but the city doesn’t know that they do the work. The city doesn’t know that they’re on tour. The city doesn’t know that they are booked outside (in other cities), but sometimes they have so much trouble being booked here. I wanted to solve two problems at once–exposure back in the city where you’re not just a gigging artist, but you can really just be yourself with your band, put together your show. You don’t have to play covers or do anything, I want you to be yourself. That was the focal point for me in building this lineup and, honestly, I think it’s probably one of the dopest lineups that I’ve seen.
BridgeDetroit: Who are some of the local performers this year?
Crowell: We started off with Kevin Stewart, Jr. He actually was just on (NPR) Tiny Desk with Kierra Sheard-Kelly. Saxappeal has been on tour with Charlie Wilson. I have DJ K Dirty who’s able to DJ for Afrobeats in the Parks. I have Isis Damil, who is about to go on tour. And then we’re going to end the series with Brandon Williams. I think the city does not know how great he is. He’s a Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, just all around, amazing musician. I was very intentional about the people that I picked and I’m just excited about seeing what this does, not only for the city, but for them.
The rest of the Summer Music Series lineup includes:
- July 26-Jazz in the Parks, 5-8 p.m., Maheras Gentry Park
- Aug. 2-Disco/R&B Pop in the Parks, 5-8 p.m., Joe Louis Greenway
- Aug. 9-Afrobeats in the Parks, 5-8 p.m., Forest Park
- Aug. 23-Jazz in the Parks, 5-8 p.m., Kemeny Park
- Sept. 6-R&B in the Parks, 5-8 p.m., Spirit Plaza
As always, hope you enjoy the rest of your week!
Cheers,
Micah
313 Scene
- BridgeDetroit intern Juniper Favenyesi wrote about Michigan’s State Historic Preservation Office receiving a $75,000 grant toward preserving recreational locations that served African Americans. The funding comes from the Historic Preservation Fund’s African American Civil Rights History program, and will be used hire a consultant to survey locations included in the Negro Motorist Green Book, a guidebook published from 1936 to 1966 that helped African American travelers remain safe while crossing the country.
- Detroit rapper Skilla Baby is threatening to sue the Detroit Police Department and city, saying he’s being harassed by a ranking officer who has sabotaged his concerts and tried at least once to prevent him from entering an event without cause. The 25-year-old rapper, whose given name is Trevon Gardner, made the statement in a widely shared social media video after his manager said his July 6 concert at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre was cut short.
- Celebrity chef and “The Bear” star Matty Matheson is partnering with Standby, the underground cocktail bar and kitchen in The Belt, downtown. Beginning Friday, Standby will debut a new menu curated by Matheson, including dishes such as coconut shrimp and jerk mayo, mortadella sliders and Alabama BBQ grilled wings.
- Eminem’s new album “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce),” was released July 12, featuring appearances by Jelly Roll, Big Sean, BabyTron and WDIV-TV anchors Devin Scillian and Kimberly Gill in a skit called “Breaking News.”
What’s Going on in the D?
- The 33rd annual Concert of Colors kicks off today at various cultural institutions around Detroit. The free, multicultural festival runs through Sunday and will feature performances by electro-world music group Transglobal Underground, Detroit artist Don Was and his All Star Revue and mambo group The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra. New this year is a Caribbean carnival with Haitian band RAM and Jamaican reggae artist Etana.
- The Riverfront Music Festival is coming back for its second year Saturday and Sunday at Hart Plaza. The R&B-centric show includes performances by Queen Naija, Monica, Jaquees, Yung Miami, Uncle Luke, K Michelle, Keke Wyatt and Kelly Price. Tickets start at $60.
- Comedians Karlous Miller, Chico Bean and DC Young Fly are bringing their 85 South Show podcast to Little Caesars Arena Saturday. Tickets start at $80 on Ticketmaster.
- Detroit Festival of Books returns to Eastern Market Sunday. Held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., book lovers can check out vendors selling all kinds of books–-from used and new to rare. Comic books, vinyl LP records will also be available. Outside of the written word, the free festival includes food trucks from Sonny’s Hamburgers and Tacos Hernandez and music from DJ Seven Whales.
