Eight exciting events happening around Detroit this weekend

Looking for some summer fun in Detroit? Travel back to medieval times at the Michigan Renaissance Festival or immerse yourself in Middle Eastern culture at the St. Rafka Summer Festival. You can also indulge in a one-of-a-kind Michigan ice cream flavor at the Howell Melon Festival. Plus, enjoy a variety of music performances happening in and around the city. Check out everything you can do around town during the August 18th weekend and beyond on “One Detroit Weekend” with contributors Cecelia Sharpe and Peter Whorf of 90.9 WRCJ.

List of upcoming events:

Listen to the folk-rock Americana sounds of Annie Bacon & Her Oshen at the Blind Pig Friday, Aug. 18 with Quiet Hollers and the Faye Burns Duo. Doors open at 8 p.m. for this 18+ show.
Immerse yourself in Middle Eastern and American culture at the St. Rafka Church’s summer festival on Aug. 18-20. The festival will feature, Middle Eastern foods, henna tattoos, carnival games, a bounce house and more.
Try a one-of-a-kind cantaloupe hybrid melon claimed to be found only in the Howell, Michigan area at the Howell Melon Festival, running Aug. 18-20. Don’t forget to sample some melon-flavored ice cream too!
Grab your finest medieval garb and head over to the Michigan Renaissance Festival for seven magical weekends full of Renaissance festivities. The festival runs through Oct. 1 and kicks off with a “Pirates & Pups “ theme on Aug. 19.
Join Grammy and Brit-award winning artist Joss Stone for a soulful performance at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park Sunday, Aug. 20. Stone will perform with Stephen Wilson Jr.
Pay tribute to the great rock band Queen at the One Night of Queen tour coming to Music Hall Center in Detroit on Saturday, Aug. 19, performed by Gary Mullen & The Works.
Check out indie-rock band Local Natives with Annika Bennett for their tour supporting their fourth studio album “VIOLET STREET” at the Majestic Theater on Aug. 20.
Join The Birmingham Society of Women Painters (BSWP) and De La Vie Studio for the art exhibition “Her Story,” which showcases women painters and their lives with both artwork and text. The exhibit is open through Sept. 13 at the Janice Charach Gallery.