Comedian Jim Gaffigan, Vans Warped Tour: 5 Metro Detroit Weekend Picks

METRO DETROIT, MI — There’s a good chance of rain this weekend, but that doesn’t have to spoil your fun. There’s something for everyone on the Detroit area weekend calendar, whether adults-only parties or fun for the entire family.

The laughs are on actor, writer, producer and Grammy-nominated comedian Jim Gaffigan, who brings his “Noble Ape” arena and theater tour to the DTE Energy Music Theater Friday. Ted Alexandro opens the show that starts at 7:30 p.m.

2017 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet for Gaffigan, who will be seen in six feature films this year, including two dramas with IFC Films/Showtime’s “The Bleeder” (Liev Schreiber, Naomi Watts) and Apex Entertainment’s “Chappaquiddick” (Jason Clarke, Ed Helms, Bruce Dern, Kate Mara). He will also co-star in Bron Studio’s comedy “Drunk Parents” (Alec Baldwin, Salma Hayek), Weinstein’s animated comedy, “The Guardian Brothers” (Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Ed Norton), and will play the lead in Original Force Animation’s “Duck Duck Goose” (Carl Reiner and Stephen Fry) as well as Cold Iron Picture’s comedy, “You Can Choose Your Family.”

Earlier this year, Gaffigan debuted his fifth stand up special on Netflix with “Cinco.” Netflix also acquired the rights to Gaffigan’s previous four specials in an unprecedented deal.

In 2015, Gaffiganbecame one of only ten comedians in history to sell out the famed Madison Square Garden arena for the finale of his Contagious tour and he opened for Pope Francis in front of more than 1 million people in Philadelphia, during the Pope’s visit to the US. In 2016, Gaffigan was named one of the world’s highest grossing comedians by Forbes, and streaming site Pandora announced Gaffigan as their most popular comic with over 647 million spins to date. More information.

Play That Funky Music

If you like music — rock, pop, funk rock and metalcore — get yourself to The Palace At Auburn Hills for the Vans Warped Tour. It’s the largest traveling music festival in the United States, and the longest-running touring music festival in North America. It starts at 11 a.m. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Detroit Patch, click here to find your local Michigan Patch. Also, if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The lineup includes current favorites, promising up-and-comers and a deep list of legacy acts spanning the 23-year history of the traveling festival, including Blessthefall, Memphis May Fire, Jule Vera, Stacked Like Pancakes and Microwave. More information.

Wild Beasts Wild Wine

No one’s saying some wild wines will turn you into a wild beast, though if it does, designated driver discounted tickets are available for this Detroit Zoo event.You can sample wine from more than 40 local and national wineries while enjoying the Detroit Zoo animals at twilight. Wild Beasts Wild Wine will be held from 6-10 p.m. Friday. Live music and zookeeper talks are part of the package.

There are no kids allowed at this one, and if you want to see the penguins, make the Polk Penguin Center one of your first stops because it closes at 8:45 p.m. More information.

See-Saw At Beacon Park Grand Opening Party

Before we get to the grand-opening festivities at Beacon Park — they continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday — how darned cool is this? Until mid-August, adults can have fun on light-up see-saws at the new DTE Energy-owned park in Downtown Detroit.

The grand opening features 50 events and here’s the best part: It’s all free!

Griffin Claw brewery is hosting a craft beer garden Friday, and Lord Huron is giving a free concert. Saturday events include yoga, a shopping market and music by Piena Libre. On Sunday, the Michigan Philharmonic gives a live performance before a screening of “Back to the Future.” More information.

Glassblowers, Live Art For Charity

The Michigan Glass Project offers live performances by painters, glassblowers, jewelry makers and musicians at the Russell Industrial Center in Detroit, Friday-Sunday. Proceeds from the three-day event benefit Art Road, a nonprofit group that donates art supplies to Detroit Public Schools students. More information.

Photo of Jim Gaffigan by Theo Wargo/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images