Detroit Music Weekend Starring Aretha Franklin Coming 6/8

What just may be her last live performance in her beloved hometown, Aretha Franklin will headline a free outdoor concert which includes some of the most popular Detroit bred musical acts from R&B to Rock, to Hip Hop, to Techno and even Country and Gospel. On Saturday June 10 in the center of the Detroit Entertainment District, bookended by a Friday June 9 Tribute concert to the Queen of Soul starring a bevy of selected celebrity vocalists and backed by the Detroit SuperBAND at Music Hall.

Detroit Music Weekend is much more than a free concert featuring the very best homegrown talent; it's really about COMMUNITY and celebrating our cultural differences through the myriad of creative and powerful musical interpretations that all share the regional DNA that is Detroit.

Detroit Music Weekend brings this sense of community into the very center of one of the busiest entertainment districts in all America for the weekend of June 8-11, 2017. It begin with a Tribute to The Queen of Soul and Detroit original, Aretha Franklin and ends with a free performance from Ms. Franklin along with 2 other stages featuring the best of all genres, irrespective of demographic, this festival is 100% Detroit.

The weekend will also feature cultural exhibits from Detroit's finest not-for-profit museums and galleries in addition to highlighting all the new restaurants and retail in downtown Detroit.

Aretha Franklin

June 10th Free Madison Stage

She is both a 20th and 21st century musical and cultural icon known the world over simply by her first name: Aretha. The reigning and undisputed "Queen Of Soul" has created an amazing legacy that spans an incredible six decades, from her first recording as a teenage gospel star, to her current RCA Records release, Aretha Franklin SINGS THE GREAT DIVA CLASSICS.

Her many countless classics include: "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "Chain Of Fools," "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)"; her own compositions "Think," "Daydreaming" and "Call Me"; her definitive versions of "Respect" and "I Say A Little Prayer"; and global hits like "Freeway Of Love," "Jump To It," "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)," her worldwide chart-topping duet with George Michael, and "A Rose Is Still A Rose."

The recipient of our country's highest civilian honor; The Presidential Medal Of Freedom, an eighteen (and counting) Grammy Award- winner - the most recent of which was for Best Gospel Performance for "Never Gonna Break My Faith" with Mary J. Blige in 2008 - a Grammy Lifetime Achievement and Grammy Living Legend awardee. Aretha Franklin's powerful, distinctive gospel-honed vocal style has influenced countless singers across multi-generations, justifiably earning her Rolling Stone magazine's No. 1 placing on the list of "The Greatest Singers of All Time."

Featured Artists

Tuxedo feat. Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One

Grammy-nominated singer, producer, songwriter, arranger, audio engineer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist, Mayer Hawthorne takes his stage name from his middle name and the Ann Arbor street he grew up on. In addition to his recordings, his music can be heard on the soundtracks of TV and movies and his myriad of influences include that of his father's Detroit band.

Larry Callahan & Selected of God Choir

When twenty Detroit singers open their mouths and it sounds like there are a hundred, you know you're listening to Larry Callahan and his Choir. Working together for over ten years, they have put their rich and powerful vocals to work in the service of God and of show business magic, including the unforgettable Super Bowl XLV commercial with Eminem.

Laith Al-Saadi

Soulful vocalist and powerful guitarist with a taste for blues, vintage R&B, jazz and classic rock, Laith Al-Saadi's influences as an Ann Arbor kid layered his father's Arabic classical onto his mother's broad range of musical interests. He won the nation's hearts and ears with his appearance on 'The Voice' last summer, and his current album, 'REAL' is staking a claim at the tops of a whole variety of charts

Josh Gracin

Country music singer and finalist on American Idol, Gracin a former member of the Marine Corps, has had many singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks list. He most recently released an EP title Nothin' Like Us, Pt. 1 that's available to download on iTunes and Spotify.

Mitch Ryder

From Hamtramck to the world, Mitch Ryder's turbo high-octane sound has created a deep groove and inspired countless other legends including Bob Seger, John Mellencamp, and Bruce Springsteen. Currently blazing a trail through Europe, yet again, Mitch and the band return to Detroit with their unmatched style of pure visceral rockin' R&B.

DJ D-Nice

DerRick Jones, better known by his stage name, is a disc jockey, beatboxer, rapper, producer, and photographer who began his career with the hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions. Kid Rock discovered him in the late 1980s, landing him a deal with Jive Records. His current work includes photography, with album cover credits for Carl Thomas and Pharoahe Monch.

Sean Blackman

Sean Blackman's unique World Music style is influenced by his deep passion for traditional ethnic music from around the world and of course, growing up in Detroit -- Jazz, Blues, Rock and Soul. Blackman works with internationally renowned performers as well as Detroit's finest and always brings a cross-culture approach to his shows and recordings.

Obed Succari

Succari brings an exciting energy with his band PanaMO, who has become a major force in metro Detroit's live entertainment scene. Fusing his Latin percussion training with a Mowtown-inspired musical style has allowed Succari to create a jazz sound like no other."

Detroit SuperBAND

The Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts is producing a tribute to Aretha Franklin and they have assembled a super band of performers including guest singers and musicians. Below are some of the fantastic artists that will be participating in the very first Detroit Music Weekend.

Kern Brantley Musical Director ` (Mary J. Blige / Beyoncé /Lady Gaga)

Valdez Brantley (Usher /Chris Brown/Neyo/Lil Wayne)

Greg Phillinganes - (Keyboards / Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson)

Ron Otis (Drums/Kem)

Andre Frappier (Guitar/Ariana Grande)

Ralphe Armstrong (Bass - Aretha Franklin Band)

Larry Fratangelo (Percussionist - Kid Rock Band)

Dave McMurray (Horns/Kid Rock)

Walter White (Trumpet/Aretha Franklin)

John Rutherford (Trombone/Detroit Symphony Orchestra/Michigan Opera Theatre)

Kamau Kenyatta (Saxophones)

Super Celebrity Voices

Beth Griffin (Vocals/Kem/Anita Baker), Curtis Boone (Vocal Coach) Alexander Zonjic (flute)

Gloria Ridgeway (Vocals/Aretha Franklin/Mary J Blige/Nancy Wilson), Beth Griffin (Vocals/Kem/Anita Baker), Cherri Black (Vocals/Katy Perry), Mitch Ryder (vocals) Thornetta Davis, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Twinkie Clark, Keke Wyatt, LJ Reynolds and Vicki Winans

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