Black and African American festivals, concerts and cultural events in the Midwest

Black and African American festivals, concerts and cultural events in the Midwest for a weekend getaway!

 

Drivable African American Midwest events in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Georgia

Museum exhibits, plays, fine arts and public art sculptures by Black artists

Live music performances of R&B, hip-hop, soul, jazz, symphony and gospel singers

Concerts and festivals in Columbus, Dayton, Louisville, Detroit, and Atlanta

 

Text VOBC to 797979 to receive an updated calendar of Black events each week!

 

Concerts, festivals and art exhibits featuring Black people and tailored to the Black community are scheduled in cities surrounding Cincinnati such as Columbus, Dayton, and Louisville. Whether you are planning a get-away, girls’ trip or family vacation, enjoy regional food and drinks, stunning art galleries, cultural centers and more. Attend opening receptions, meet-the-artist parties, after-parties and VIP events. Let the celebrations begin!

The information in this article is as current as the publication date. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information prior to acting and check venues guidelines prior to arrival. You may need to buy tickets in advance.

 

Black, Afro and African American Festivals, Concerts and Cultural Events:

 

Mychaelyn Michalec: From a basement on a hill – Fine Art Display
August 6th – October 24th
Free general admission
The Contemporary, Dayton, Ohio
Directions
Consisting of embroidered “drawings” and deeply textured tufted rug “paintings” that conflate issues of craft and cultural value.

 

Nina Chanel Abney – Contemporary Art Display
August 6th – October 24th
Free general admission
The Contemporary, Dayton, Ohio
Directions
Large-scale paintings and collages are scathing commentaries on social attitudes and inequities.

 

Sara Cwynar: Soft Film – Film Screening
August 6th – October 24th
Free general admission
The Contemporary, Dayton, Ohio
Directions
Film combines elements of photography and experimental film and performance art.

 

Hot Licks Blues Festival – Festival
September 11th
$100
Downtown Granville, Granville, Ohio
Directions
Featuring Taj Mahal, Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers, The High Definitions, and more!

 

Fresh Fest Cleveland – Festival
September 11th
Free general admission
Rid-All Farm & Otter Park, Cleveland, Ohio
Directions
Featuring DJ Spinderella, Kyle Kidd, Gumbo Dance Party, Chelsea Pastel, and more!

 

Isaiah Rashad – Rap Concert
September 12th
$29.50 – 39.50
House of Blues, Cleveland, Ohio
Directions
Featuring Isaiah Rashad, best known for performing with Juicy J, Joey Badass and Smoke DZA among others.

 

 

Travel Tips for your next getaway!

 

 

Indy Jazz Fest – Festival
September 15th – 19th
$45+
MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park, Indianapolis, Indiana
Directions
Featuring Thundercat, Cory Henry, Victor Wooten, Moonchild, Marion Meadows, and more!

 

Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival – Festival
September 17th – 19th
$10 – 450
Creekside Park & Plaza, Gahanna, Ohio
Directions
Featuring James Gaiters’ Soul Revival, Paisha Thomas, Nikki D & the Browns, Soul Kitch’n, and more!

 

Wizkid – Afrobeats Concert
September 17th
$32.50 – 49.50
House of Blues, Cleveland, Ohio
Directions
Featuring Nigerian artist, Wizkid, known for his elements of Afrobeats, R&B, dancehall and reggae.

 

The Ohio Players – Funk Concert
September 18th
Free general admission and open to the public
Levitt Pavilion, Dayton, Ohio
Directions
The Ohio Players rose to fame in the 70s as pioneers of street funk and underground R&B.

 

Fort Harrod Jazz Festival at Shaker Village – Festival
September 18th and 19th
Free general admission and open to the public
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Directions
Featuring Moonchild, Thundercat, Marion Meadows, and more.

 

TLC – R&B Concert
September 20th
$29.50 – 99.50
TCU Amphitheater, Indianapolis, Indiana
Directions
Featuring TLC’s Celebration of CRAZY SEXY COOL with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Check out discounted tickets with this Groupon Deal.

 

A Night of Pure Soul – Soul Concert
September 25th
$62 – 82
Schuster Center, Dayton, Ohio
Directions
Featuring Dave Hollister, Carl Thomas, and Troop

 

A Night of Legends – Soul and R&B Concert
September 25th
$73.95 – 124.95
KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Kentucky
Directions
Featuring Charlie Wilson and the Isley Brothers

 

Polo G – Rap Concert
October 9th
$49.50 – 105
Express Live, Columbus, Ohio
Directions
Featuring American rapper, Polo G who rose to prominence with the singles “Finer Things” and “Pop Out”.

 

 

Birthday freebies for adults and children.

 

 

 

The Millennium Tour 2021 – Hip-Hop and R&B Concert
October 9th
$49.50 – 325
Rocket Mortgage Field House, Cleveland, Ohio
Directions
Featuring Omarion, Bow Wow, Ashanti, Pretty Ricky, Ying Yang Twins, Soulja Boy, Lloyd, Sammie

 

ONE Musicfest (OMF) – Hip-Hop and R&B Concert
October 9th and 10th
$129 – 850
Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Georgia
Directions
Featuring H.E.R., Lil Wayne, The Isley Brothers, Ari Lennox, Ty Dolla $ign, and more!

 

Lil Baby – Rap Concert
October 10th
$39.50 – 49.50
KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Kentucky
Directions
Featuring Lil Baby with special guests Lil Durk, Coi Leray, Rylo Rodriguez, and Bankroll Freddie

 

Kevin Gates – Rap Concert
October 15th
$45 – 99
Express Live, Columbus, Ohio
Directions
Featuring Kevin Gates, DDG, and GANG51E JUNE

 

Erykah Badu – R&B Concert
October 15th
$59 – 125
Indiana Farmer’s Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana
Directions
Featuring Erykah Badu, influenced by R&B, 1970s soul, and 1980s hip hop,

 

Gold Over American Tour – Gymnastics Show
October 20th
$26 – 355
Rocket Mortgage Field House, Cleveland, Ohio
Directions
Featuring Simone Biles and an all-star team of gymnasts

 

Katt Williams – Comedy Show
November 6th
$63 – 256
KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Kentucky
Directions
Comedy titan and Emmy Award-winning actor, Katt Williams, announces his World War III Tour. Check out discount tickets with this Groupon Deal.

 

Gary Clark Jr. – Blues and Soul Concert
November 9th
$39.50 – 99
Express Live, Columbus, Ohio
Directions
Featuring Gary Clark Jr. known for his fusion of blues, rock and soul music with elements of hip hop.

 

The Weeknd – R&B Concert
January 30th
$39 – 625
Rocket Mortgage Field House, Cleveland, Ohio
Directions
Featuring the Weeknd, one of the world’s best-selling musical artists with over 75 million records sold.

 

Leon Bridges – R&B Concert
May 4th
$72 – 465
Old National Centre, Indianapolis, Indiana
Directions
Featuring Leon Bridges, best known for his 2015 song “Coming Home”

 

African American museums to visit across the country.

 

 

Did we miss a few Black and African American Festivals and Concerts? Don’t keep them to yourself. Let us know – contact us at The Voice of Black Cincinnati for any Midwest events that we may have missed for the African American community. Get tickets soon as they will eventually sell out!

 

Black and African American Festivals and Concerts photo by © [Iryna] /Adobe Stock

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