Detroit Free Press

Greenfield Village opening, Greek parade: Things to do this weekend

- Brendel Hightower

From a pop culture convention in Livonia with celebrity meet and greets to a lively downtown celebratio­n of Greek culture, metro Detroit promises a vibrant array of events this weekend.

Greenfield Village is opening for the season, offering a nostalgic journey into history; the Rackham Choir is set to perform a captivatin­g concert, and the Detroit Mercy Theatre Company promises laughter with a comedy show.

Here are five things to do for the weekend of April 12-14.

Astronomic­on 7

This pop culture convention, the brainchild of hip-hop duo Twiztid, will feature comics, toys, horror, wrestling, film and animation attraction­s. Convention headliners include WWE Hall of Famers Mick Foley, Kurt Angle and Kane, actors Michael Rooker and Jamie Kennedy, horror icon Tony Todd from the Candyman and Final Destinatio­n series, and metalcore singer Spencer Charnas from Ice Kills Nine.

Other celebrity appearance­s will include actors Heather Matarazzo, David Yost and Walter E. Jones, wrestler Matt Riddle and more.

5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the Burton Manor, 27777

Schoolcraf­t in Livonia. Tickets are $30; children 6-12 are $15.

Detroit Greek Parade

The 22nd annual Detroit Greek Independen­ce Day Parade will celebrate and promote Hellenic heritage and will feature more than 60 groups including church and student organizati­ons, dance groups, Evzones (Greek honor guards), community leaders, mascots and entertainm­ent from Detroit sports teams and more.

Prayer service will take place at Annunciati­on Cathedral Church, 707 E. Lafayette St. in Detroit, with Metropolit­an Nicholas at noon Sunday; a reception and dance performanc­e will take place at the Atheneum Suite Hotel, 1000 Brush St. in Detroit, 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and Consul General of Greece in Chicago Emmanuel Koubarakis are scheduled to attend.

The parade begins at 3 p.m. Sunday from 600 Brush St. (behind the Old Wayne County building), to Monroe Street and through Greektown, concluding at the Greektown Hotel. A post-parade ceremony, dance performanc­es and street festival starts at 4 p.m.

Greenfield Village - Public Opening

Greenfield Village reopens for the season Saturday, and guests can experience the charm of this open-air museum that features seven historic districts immersing visitors in the sights, sounds and sensations of American history. The historic districts include Working Farms, Liberty Craftworks, Henry Ford’s Model T, Railroad Junction, Main Street, Edison at Work and Porches & Parlors.

New this season is a restaurant, Stand 44, scheduled to open May 1, and a revamped Greenfield Village Store. Guests will also be able to explore the Detroit, Toledo and Milwaukee Roundhouse,

Dr. Howard’s Office and Grimm Jewelry Store for the first time since 2019.

Greenfield Village will be open Tuesday-Sunday through May 20, and starting May 21, the village will operate seven days a week.

20900 Oakwood Blvd. in Dearborn. For hours, tickets and more, visit thf.org.

Rackham Choir

Rackham Choir best known for the Musical “Too Hot To Handle” presents Duke Ellington’s “Sacred Concert" in collaborat­ion with Wayne State’s University Department of Music. In addition to Rackham Choir, the performanc­e will feature the Wayne State University Big Band and University Choirs and the “Too Hot Trio” of Marion Hayden, bass, David Taylor, percussion, and Alvin Waddles, piano.

The concert starts at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, 18700 James Couzens in Detroit. Tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for seniors, $10 for students and free to WSU students. Tickets are available at eventbrite.

The Complete Works of William Shakespear­e (Abridges)[revised][again]

This fast-paced comedy presented by Detroit Mercy Theatre Company sees three student actors tasked with putting on the complete catalogue of William Shakespear­e in under two hours featuring a mist of slapstick humor, clever wordplay and audience participat­ion.

Performanc­e dates are Friday-Sunday and April 19-21 at The Marlene Boll Theatre inside the Boll Family YMCA at 1401 Broadway in Detroit. Ticket prices are $25 for adults; $18 for seniors and Detroit Mercy faculty, staff and alumni; $10 for veterans and students (ages 4-college). To purchase tickets online visit detroitmer­cyarts.com or call 313-993-3270.

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