The Beats x BBQ Memorial Day Experience hits downtown Flint this weekend

FLINT, Michigan -- This year’s Memorial Day weekend in downtown Flint will be full of music, food, and laughs as Brandon Corder presents the Beats x BBQ Memorial Day Experience. The 3-day weekend will feature multiple events, including a networking mixer, brunch, a live comedy show, and a festival-style BBQ in Brush Park followed by an afterparty.

Corder, music producer and founder of BeatsxBeers, held his first Beats x BBQ event at Brush Park in 2019, which brought out hundreds of people in the city. The COVID-19 pandemic put a halt on the event last year, but he’s certain that this year’s weekend-long festivities will make up for missed time while giving the community a full weekend of fun. 

“It feels amazing to make a come back with not only one event but a full weekend,” said Corder. “It was my original goal to eventually turn it into a whole entire weekend, and this year, it ended up playing out that way.”

Along with providing things to do this Memorial Day, the events also give a space to local food businesses as well as talent. The 810 Comedy Improv show at Brush Park which will feature live standup from Flint and Detroit comedians, including Shea Butter, Cheese Stixxs, RJ Leery, and Big Juicy among others.

With safety precautions in place, Corder is looking forward to bringing the festivities to life and bringing the community together to party once again.

“This year, it feels even better,” said Corder. “It’s something we plan to build on, and I’ve already started plans for Memorial Day Weekend 2022.”

The Memorial Day Experience line-up


Friday, May 28: “Networking x Tequila” at 8 p.m at Xolo Restaurant

Saturday, May 29: Beats x Brunch from noon-4 p.m at 501 Bar & Grill; 810 Comedy Improv Show from 5-8 p.m at Brush Park

Sunday, May 30: “Beats x BBQ” from 1-7 p.m at Brush Park; After Party at 8 p.m. at Market Tap (inside Flint Farmers’ Market)

Information and tickets are available online. The event is part of several upcoming outdoor events downtown this summer and fall. The What’s Up Downtown Project has an events calendar that is constantly updated with new information and creative events in downtown Flint’s outdoor spaces. Other upcoming events include: 
  • June 4: First Friday, which is a part of an event series that highlights local artists, DJs, and musicians to use sound and vision to engage residents with spaces downtown, from 5-10 p.m. at Brush Alley; Porchfest, in Carriage Town, from 5-9 p.m., features residents providing their yards and spaces for art, music, and other creative displays
  • June 12: Flint Art Market, noo-6 p.m. at Brush Park
  • June 19: Juneteenth, 4-8 p.m. at Brush Park
  • June 26: Mural Tour, noon-2 p.m. at 218 West 1st Avenue
Visit the What’s Up Downtown Calendar for more events. 
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Read more articles by Tia Scott.