It was a picture perfect day this past Saturday, as members of the Detroit community came together on Belle Isle, an urban island oasis located between Detroit and Windsor, for the 8th Annual SCP Backpack Music Festival. The event featured a number of well-loved local DJs providing the soundtrack to a fun day for a wonderful cause. SCP Michigan (Serendipity, Collage & Potpourri), a local non-profit organization, puts together this yearly event in order to collect backpacks and school supplies for disadvantaged students going into Kindergarten through 8th grade; the cost at the door is $20, or a backpack and supplies.

 SCP Backpack Music Fest

New Agenda member Dan Wagner and Cultured Citizens captain Dru Ruiz kicked the day off with an early back-to-back set at 8:00AM. The beats were banging all day long, with closing sets from Juan Atkins and Terrence Parker as the sun set behind cotton candy clouds.

 

 

SCP Backpack Music Fest

Boasting appearances from talented artists like Al Ester, Bruce Bailey, DJ Minx, Golf Clap, Eddie Fowlkes, Detroit Techno Militia 2×4 and many more, it waseasy to forget the problems the city faces, and merely celebrate the community’s ability to come together for a meaningful cause on a sunny Saturday. The family-friendly fest included a bounce house, face-painting, and two stages of tunes. It was an incredible feeling to see strangers join together to do what Detroit does best: lift the city in dance. Scenesters frolicked alongside families, as barriers were broken and love was shared; even the infamous ‘Grandma Techno‘ was there, beaming from ear to ear all day long.

 

It may be tempting to dismiss Detroit these days as an abandoned city – its recent bankruptcy still fresh on everyone’s minds. Days like Saturday, however, serve to show those who would so quickly write it off that not only is it still here, the people are ever hopeful. The city that brought the world Motown and Techno will always band together and celebrate through music the unwavering pride felt by all those who call Detroit home.