Ribs & R&B, Freda Payne, The Heidelberg Project: This weekend in Detroit

This perfect-weather weekend in Detroit brings a number of great offerings, especially for people who want to spend a little time outside and take in the sunshine while the temperatures (and humidity!) are agreeable. Here are a few options.

Grub and grooves

Downtown Detroit’s Hart Plaza is the setting for this weekend’s Ribs and R&B Music Festival, taking place Friday through Sunday. Next, Troop, Ro James, Glenn Jones and Adina Howard are headlining, and the festival features a lineup of local barbecue experts and grilling gurus serving up ribs, brisket, chicken and more. Local R&B acts will perform as well. The event runs 11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. all three days.

Hart Plaza, Detroit. ribsrnbmusicfestival.com. Admission $15 for ages 13 and up.

A legend at Southfield jazz festival

The Kimmie Horne Jazz Festival runs Friday and Saturday on the Southfield Municipal Campus with music, food and more. On Friday night, native Detroiter and R&B legend Freda Payne will headline with the Ralphe Armstrong Trio. Acts from around the region round out the two-day lineup, and Saturday night, Payne will be presented with a lifetime achievement award. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets for the outdoor festival. Friday’s performances run from 6 – 10:30 p.m., and Saturday’s 3 – 10:30 p.m.

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Southfield Municipal Campus, 26000 Evergreen Rd. cityofsouthfield.com. Free admission.

More:R&B legend, Detroit native Freda Payne plays jazz diva Ella Fitzgerald in stage musical

More:Legendary Detroit singer Freda Payne returns to headline jazz festival this weekend

Picnic inside an art installation

This weekend, Detroit’s famed Heidelberg Project launches a three-month Second Saturday collaboration with popular watering hole Spot Lite. From 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, locals are invited to bring food and a blanket and picnic amid the project’s outdoor artwork. DJ Jesse Cory of Spot Lite will spin tunes, Regeneration Kitchen will be on hand with free, organic popsicles (while supplies last), and a tour of the project will be conducted at 3:33 p.m.

The Heidelberg Project, 3600 Heidelberg St., Detroit. heidelberg.org. Free to attend.

The brunchy flipside

Meanwhile, at nearby Spot Lite, a full afternoon of festivities is planned for Saturday. Brunch specials by Gladys Nite food truck, drink specials, an artist and maker market, a dog-friendly patio, a plant swap and more will be available. DJ Dez will provide music, a mural tour will be held at 2:30 p.m., and Detroit’s jit dancing master Queen Gabby will provide an all-ages jit class at 2:30 p.m.

Spot Lite, 2905 Beaufait St #4, Detroit. spotlitedetroit.com. Free admission.

A Middle Eastern journey

Saturday from 2-5 p.m. in Detroit’s Palmer Park neighborhood, the third annual Freedom Arts Festival will be held. Musicians, artists, dancers, art workshops, an outdoor high chai tea room with Amal Alina and the Mediterranean Express food truck will be featured on the grounds outside the historic log cabin in Palmer Park overlooking Lake Frances. The musicians will create magic performing on instruments with ancient histories, including the kanun (predecessor of the piano), oud (predecessor of the guitar), nay (bamboo flute), Riq (tambourine) and Tabla (percussions). Mexican visual artist, Kresge Arts Fellow and esteemed muralist Elton Monroy Duran will lead a hands-on art workshop for all ages to learn painting and creative techniques.

Palmer Park Log Cabin, near 910 Merill Plaisance (free parking on Merrill Plaisance and Woodward Ave.) palmerparkfreedomartsfest2024.eventbrite.com. Free to attend.

An inclusive picnic

Michigan-based organization Stand with Trans will hold its annual family picnic at Royal Oak’s Memorial Park on Sunday from noon – 4 p.m. Free food, games, activities, giveaways and more. The picnic is open to all ages, but the park does not allow dogs or alcohol to be brought on-site.

Memorial Park, 31050 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak. standwithtrans.org. Free to attend.