Diabetes Walk, 'The Fantasticks' Top Weekend Events Around Dearborn

It's Thursday, and that means that the weekend is almost here. Are you ready? Before heading out with friends and family, take a look at some fun events happening in or around Dearborn.

1. The Fantasticks opens at the Dearborn Players Guild

The record-breaking and award-winning off-Broadway musical, The Fantasticks opens a three-week run beginning Sept. 13 at the Players Guild of Dearborn. Tickets are available by calling 313-561-TKTS.

2. Concert of Colors Series 

Cheick Hamala Diabate, one of Mali’s most storied musical families, will perform on Sept. 13 at the Arab American National Museum. Equal parts musician and storyteller, his art is rooted as much in strings, percussion and sound as it is in praising, chiding, entertaining and reliving Mali’s past. A world-recognized master of the ngoni – a Malian instrument resembling the banjo – Diabate has fused the traditional rhythms and vocals of his ancestors with more electric American sounds during his decade living in the United States.

The concert will take place beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, or $9 for museum members.

3. Victorian Festival

Journey back through time to a simpler era with a visit to downtown Northville's 25th annual Victorian Festival on Sept. 13-15. Experience the art, history and romance of the 1800s amid Northville's historic downtown district and tree-lined streets with entertainment, demonstrations, rides for the kids, food booths and more. For information, visit http://www.northville.org/.

4. The Music Man with guest Shirley Jones

Catch the classic musical movie on the big screen – and meet the star of the movie, Shirley Jones, who appears live for autographs ($20) and photos ($10) at all three shows at the Redford Theatre. In the spirit of the flick, the Livonia Youth Symphony Orchestra and a strolling barbershop quartet are in-house performing, too. Movies will be shown Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. For information, visit http://www.redfordtheatre.com/.

5. Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes at the Detroit Zoo

Head to Royal Oak for "Detroit Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes." The event will be held Sept. 14 at 9 a.m. and includes admission to the Detroit Zoo, live entertainment, health and fitness information, activities for kids and special recognition of the walkers living with Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Tickets are $25.