Things to do this week

WHAT’S GOING ON

We are the robots: German band Kraftwerk returns to Detroit.

Select events happening in metro Detroit this w eek. Submit your events to me trotimes.com/calendar. Be sure to check venue w ebsites for CO V ID-19 policies.

SAT, JUNE 4

Kraftwerk

A n argum ent that com es up over and over again is who should be credited with creating electronic m usic writ large: the G erm an synth-driven band K raftwerk, form ed in 1970, or D etroit techno producers like the B elleville T hree. In reality, both were heavily inspired by what T he G uardian described as “a feedback loop between G erm any and D etroit.” K raftwerk said they were in uenced by Motown, and Kraftwerk were in turn amplified in Detroit on the Soul Train-inspired T V show T he Scene and on the in uential radio show by The Electrifying Mojo, inspiring a new wave of local artists. Even the D etroit DJ Moodymann once admitted, “Hell, I thought K raftwerk was four niggas. I ain’t going to lie to you.” T he fact is that those G erm ans pretending to be robots could be pretty dam n funky, and the music of Kraftwerk looms over the Mo tor City to this day — fitting for a group with a hit called “A utobahn.” T he band m akes a D etroit stop on this postponed tour, which is enhanced by -D e ects that utilize those 3-D glasses m ade all the rage by that A vatar m ovie years ago.

—Lee DeVito

Starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 4 at the M asonic Temple T heatre; 500 Temple St., Detroit; themasonic.com. T ickets start at $49.

SAT-SUN, JUNE 4-5

Palmer Park Art Fair

Palm er Park is one of those hidden D etroit gem s for nature lovers, and in the sum m er it com es alive during the Palm er Park A rt Fair. T his June, the park will host the ninth annual Palm er Park A rt Fair in the area next to the log cabin, which will be transform ed into a stroll ing fairground. Hundreds of paintings, sculptures, m usic, m ixed m edia, and m ore will be displayed and available for purchase from both local and national artists. Detroit artist Jon Harris, who went viral for his searing “C ritical R ace T heory” painting, is one of this year’s featured artists. Muralist and painter D esiree K elly also created the special edition poster for the festival, which is lim ited to 100 prints. K elly is the artist behind the m ural on the side of D etroit’s small-format Meijer, Rivertown Mar ket, and a mural of Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin for the 2021 film, Re spect. Beyond just visual art, the fair will also have a m usic stage, an author’s tent with live poetry readings, and an open drum circle that anyone can join. es, there will be food booths on site, too.

—R andiah C am ille G reen

From 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday, June 5. Palmer Park is located at 910 M errill Plaisance St., Detroit. Entry is free.

COURTESY PHOTO

STARTS SAT, JUNE 4

Beacon Park Night Market

T he freaks com e out at night in downtown D etroit’s B eacon Park. O K , actually, by “freaks,” we just mean small businesses and vendors. T he park’s Saturday Night Market series starts back up on Saturday, June 4, and runs through A ug. 27. A variety of vendors slinging handmade jewelry, food, artwork, sweet treats, and beyond will post up at B eacon Park every Saturday from 6-11 p.m . T he m arket itself is free to attend — but of course, bring cash to support these local vendors or just to grab a late-night snack. T here will also be live m usic and the atm osphere is generally fam ily-friendly, so feel free to bring the kids. O r, you know, not. Let your freak ag y.

—R andiah C am ille G reen

From 6-11 p.m. every Saturday until A ug. 27. Beacon Park is located at 1901 Grand River A ve., Detroit.