Ribs and R&B Festival Hits Detroit’s Waterfront

If you’re downtown on Detroit’s riverfront this weekend and smell ribs grilling and soulful music blasting, it’s that time of year again for Ribs and R&B Music Festival. A festival where patrons are treated to an amazing summertime celebration of the worlds’ best barbecue and great music.

The annual festival features an outstanding lineup of local barbecue experts and grilling gurus serving up tasty ribs, brisket and chicken, as well as show after show featuring a variety of talented R&B and soul singers. This years fest will feature some of the best in barbecue with more than 20 food vendors, in addition to 50 retail vendors stationed throughout the weekend. The musical line up includes STOKLEY from Mint Condition, JON B., Klymaxx feat. Bernadette Cooper, Melvin Riley from Ready for the World 702. Event producer Johnnie Washington has been executing this event for more than two decades.

“One of the blessings of being in Detroit is that we have world-class talent,” said Washington, adding that Friday in particular will be loaded with local performers. “I’m so proud of our young artists they’re promoting. They’re looking like the stars that they want to be and I think it’s going to be a fabulous night, and we’re happy that our event can give them the platform to really be highlighting and showcase their talent.”

Ribs and R&B Festival Over the Years

In past years, the festival has received such artists as Sheila E., Dru Hill ft. Sisquo, Chanté Moore, Loose Ends, CeCe Peniston, Chrisette Michele, Keith Washington, Al B. Sure!, Steven Russell Harts, The Mary Jane Girls, Dion Price, The Enchantments and many others. The outdoor, riverfront event is “a food delight” with about 50-plus vendors from all over the country serving barbecue, lamb chops, fish, chicken and other festival-forward chow.

Entry to the Ribs and R&B Music Festival is free until 5 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, afterwards it’s $10.