June 29, 2018 (Detroit)—The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) brings a variety of free, family friendly activities outdoors in July. Bring blankets and chairs to enjoy everything from puppet shows to live music. Here’s what’s happening on the museum’s front lawn in July:

Friday, July 6

Friday Night Live!: Jarrod Lawson 7 and 8:30 p.m. – DIA North Lawn

Soul singer Jarrod Lawson has been called by the Standard UK the “biggest soul-jazz sensation in years.” Lawson’s wide-ranging tenor infuses every sound with soul, whether it’s funk, folk, rock or jazz. If you’re a fan of Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder you will enjoy this rare talent.

Saturday–Sunday, July 7–8

Puppet Performance: How to Build a Flying Machine - Test Flight 2 p.m. - DIA South Lawn

Featuring bunraku-style puppets, MoonBull Studio's newest work-in-progress tells the story of Wilbur and Orville Wright as they dream, experiment, fail and succeed on their path to solving the problem of human flight. As a show in development, audiences can be part of the process that turns a puppeteer's dream into reality. Audience reactions will influence the final shape of the show and they’ll get to see the simple forms that are the center of a polished production. For families of all ages.

Friday, July 20

Drawing on the Steps of the DIA 6–9 p.m.

Take a closer look at the architecture and outdoor sculpture collection of the DIA and create a drawing to take home. DIA Studio assistants will guide you through making your own work of art while you enjoy the outdoor Friday Night Live music performance. Drawing materials and paper are provided.

Friday Night Live!: Huun Huur Tu 7 and 8:30 p.m. – DIA North Lawn

Huun Huur Tu is from the Russian republic of Tuva near the Mongolia-Russia border. The most distinctive characteristic of their music is throat singing, in which the singers sing both the note and the note's overtones, producing two or three notes simultaneously. The group primarily uses native Tuvan instruments and plays mostly indigenous Tuvan folk music, but is also known to experiment with western instruments and electronic music.

Friday, July 27

Friday Night Live!: DakhaBrakha 7 and 8:30 p.m. – DIA North Lawn

DakhaBrakha taps into the roots of their native Ukrainian language, tradition, fable and song, adding their own instrumentation and arrangements of songs they uncovered during travels around their country.

Saturday–Sunday, July 28–29

Family Program: We Remain, Detroit—Cube Project Noon and 2 p.m. - DIA North Lawn

ArtLab J invites the whole family to an interactive experience designed to broaden one's perception of Detroit through arts-based play and creative activity. “We Remain, Detroit—Cube Project” encourages families to interpret Detroit's history through three six-foot cubes. Guided by images, written accounts and music, each cube is a blank canvas on which families can draw, paint or craft their perceptions of the rebellious revolts of Detroit's past, the current energy of its present and imagine its dreams for the future. Each program begins with a short storytelling and dance performance followed by guided movement activities in the cubes. Bring blankets and chairs for a creative afternoon outdoors.

Museum Hours and Admission

9 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesdays–Thursdays, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission (excludes ticketed exhibitions) is free for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county residents and DIA members. For all others, $14 for adults, $9 for seniors ages 62+, $8 for college students, $6 for ages 6–17. For membership information, call 313-833-7971.