Comedy fest, Frankenfest among things to do this weekend in Detroit
There’s something to suit everyone’s interests in the Motor City this weekend.
The spotlight will be on the automotive industry at the North American International Detroit Auto Show, which is held at Huntington Place in Detroit (full coverage at freep.com/autos/auto-show/), but there are several other exciting events taking place around the region, including a celebration of laughter at The Motor City Comedy Festival, spooky fun at Frankenfest Detroit, a waterfront boat show and an art festival in Pontiac.
Here are a few things to do for the weekend of Sept. 15-17.
Motor City Comedy Festival
Comedians will take the stage at three different venues and workshops will be offered for attendees of this festival.
Headliners will include Hans Kim, Jeremiah Watkins and Detroit-natives Mary Lynn Rajskub and Mateen Stewart.
Festival runs Thursday-Sunday at Detroit House of Comedy, 2301 Woodward Ave. in Detroit; The Independent Comedy Club, 2320 Caniff Street in Hamtramck; and Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro St. in Detroit. Ticket prices range from free to $25 depending on show and venue.
Frankenfest Detroit
This outdoor festival with a spooky flair will showcase more than 100 magical and mystical artist vendors, monster exhibits, aerialists, reptile adoption opportunities, food trucks, workshops, tours and more.
Note, some artwork may not be suitable for children.
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday at Historic Fort Wayne, 6325 West Jefferson Ave. in Detroit. Admission and onsite parking are free. There’s a $5 one-time admission fee for all indoor presentations.
Pontiac Festival of the Arts
This event will showcase an array of artistic disciplines, including visual, performing arts and culinary arts, along with luchador wrestling and boxing exhibitions.
There will be musical performances by The Santana Project, Pancho Villa’s Skull, Sean Blackman, DJ Carlito, DJ Cisco Kid and more.
Food trucks, street food vendors and a BBQ Showdown competing for a $1,000 prize and the title of “Michigan’s Best BBQ.”
Noon-11 p.m. Saturday downtown Pontiac. Free admission.
Oktoberfest IX at Batch Brauerei
Batch Brewing Company in Corktown will hold an annual celebration to pay homage to Munich, Germany’s 18-day festival and will be serving their best German-style beers and food, along with having traditional German music and games.
Die Dorfmusikanten and Motor City Soul Club will perform and German-inspired games such as Stump, a.k.a. Nagelbalken, and a stein-holding competition will take place.
On the beer side, there will be traditional German beer styles, including, but not limited to: Festbier, German Pilsner, Zwickelbier, Schwarzbier, Hefeweizen, Altbier, and Berliner Weisse.
Friday-Sunday at Batch Brewing Company, 1400 Porter St. in Detroit.
Progressive Metro Boat Show
Browse a display of the latest boats in water and on land, along with accessories, services and outdoor products along the waterfront at this end-of-summer event.
There will also be appearances from Daisy Kelliher from the Bravo TV series ‘Below Deck Sailing Yacht,” tiki bars, live music, food trucks, lawn games, a Kidz Zone and more.
1-7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 11 a.m.-7:30 pm. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday at Lake St. Clair Metropark, 31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township. Admission for adults are $10; children 12 and younger are free with an adult.