After two rants, I had decided to try to be a little more positive. I don’t want to be that person. There are some things I do like here, beyond the usual family and friends (those that haven’t already left that is). Detroit has some great events that take place every summer including, but not limited to:

• The Detroit Festival of the Arts
  
• Comerica CityFest (formerly known as TasteFest)
• Concert of Colors
• Art, Beats and Eats

The Detroit Festival of the Arts has passed. It was June 8th through the 10th. Located in Mid Town, near WSU, the DIA, and CCS, it’s always got an interesting and eclectic line up of local and international musicians. When the weather is good, it’s probably one of the best events in Detroit (in my humble opinion).

Comerica CityFest (formerly TasteFest) is held July 4th through the 8th in the New Center area. With four stages and some major acts (at past festivals: Wilco, Jet, Carl Craig, etc.), this is often my favorite venue for live music in Detroit. Not much beats the atmosphere at the stage next at Lothrup and Second, this year called the Pure Detroit stage. Late at night with great, live, electronica, street dancing (break dancing), and an always interesting, large, mix of people, makes for a great night.

The Concert of Colors, taking place at the Max M Fisher Music Center, July 19th through the 22nd, has both indoor and outdoor stages. It used to be held at Chene Park, overlooking the Detroit River and Windsor, Ontario, which was spectacular on nice evenings. The newer venue is good, but doesn’t quite have the same atmosphere. The line up, however, is as good as ever. One band I’m interested to check out is Fiamma Fumana, a group from Italy that I saw at the Festival of the Arts several years ago. The four members put on an interesting performance, mixing electronica, Italian folk, and traditional instruments. Great live, then, and hopefully now as well.

Arts, Beats and Eats isn’t actually in Detroit, or really even near Detroit, but it’s in the Metro area, so I guess it counts. Taking place over the Labor Day weekend, this festival always has a good mix of music, and a pretty decent art fair as well. It’s always absolutely packed, and sometimes the heat is absolutely un-bearable, though it doesn’t seem to stop anyone from coming. It’s also almost impossible to park anywhere nearby for less than $10 anymore (in the early years it was always easy to find close by free parking). In the past I’ve seen great shows by groups such as Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and the Twistin’ Tarantulas.

Of course there’s a lot of other things going on in the area (Dalley in the Alley, hydro-plane races, etc.), but these events are certainly some of my personal favorites.