Music in the Market

Detroit famously became known as the Motor City for putting people on the road, and as travel expanded, new crossroads came into focus.

This summer, Greenfield Village will explore Detroit's musical crossroads in the second year of Music in the Market. Join us for presentations of historically popular music from Metro Detroit. From Big Band to Folk, Greek to Great Migration, you will be delighted with immersive music history brought to Detroit Central Market.

Please visit this page throughout the village season for updates and information on our programs.

About Detroit Central Market

Originally constructed in 1860 in downtown Detroit, the vegetable shed from the Detroit Central Market now stands fully reconstructed in Greenfield Village.

After a storied 160-plus-year history that included commerce, near-demolition and then reconstruction, the Detroit Central Market became the first historic structure added to Greenfield Village since 2000. Guests can learn more about the historic market's significance by engaging with our village presenters, exploring Detroit Central Market Weekends and more.

Access to Music in the Market and Detroit Central Market Weekends is included with village admission and free for members.

Previous Performances:

Victor Ghannam & Friends: September 20-21, 2025

Victor, a self-taught musician, has performed across Europe, the Middle East and the Americas, primarily playing the oud and qanun. Starting at age 4, he displayed his skills at local events and toured with top Middle Eastern recording artists. His performances blend romantic passion, technical brilliance, creative adventure and intense emotion. He has experience in various genres like jazz fusion, rock, flamenco and belly dance choreography. As a session musician, Victor has had his music featured in many episodes of popular TV series including "Xena: Warrior Princess," "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and "Spartacus."

Billy Davis Rhythm Machine Band: Previously held August 23-24, 2025

Billy Davis, inductee of the Rock and Roll, Doo Wop and National Rhythm & Blues halls of fame, has been a guitarist for nearly 70 years. The Billy Davis Rhythm Machine Band, formed in 2003, has been active in Detroit for over two decades. "Mighty Michael," a multi-state and national award winner, started performing at age 7 and joined the band at age 9. He serves on the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica's (SPAH) Youth Committee Board of Directors.

Trois Bouffons: A. Trae McMaken, Mark Szabo, Genot Picor: Previously held July 26, 2025

Trois Bouffons, formed in 2007, draws its name from medieval France's jesters. The group includes bassist, guitarist and storyteller, Mark Szabo, alongside musician, dancer and storyteller, Genot Picor. Their performance featured fiddler and storyteller A. Trae McMaken, a long-time Michigan fiddle historian and fiddler since childhood. McMaken is a three-time state old-time fiddle champion and author, passionate about the music of the Great Lakes.

Aaron Jonah Lewis Ragtime Banjo Revival Band: Previously held July 27, 2025

With Aaron Jonah Lewis on banjo, fiddle and vocals, Alex Belhaj on guitar and vocals and King Sophia on cello and vocals, the trio aims to educate and inspire as they entertain with unique arrangements of classic ragtime, novelty pieces, early blues, jazz fiddle music and British compositions. Their performance emphasized Black American composers' contributions, creating an engaging musical space that connected audiences with a greater sense of our shared cultural history.

The repertoire included works by Scott Joplin, James Scott, Eubie Blake, Irene Giblin, Harry P. Guy, W.C. Handy, and British composers Joe Morley and Emile Grimshaw.

To learn more about Ragtime Banjo Revival, visit ragtimebanjo.com.

Enigma Greek Entertainment Band: Previously held on June 28-29, 2025

The group of Greek musicians, led by Steve Bubulya on bouzouki and Maestro Mike Livanos on keyboard, performed a variety of Greek music styles, blending traditional, contemporary and folk influences. The keyboard provides backline instrumentation, mimicking sounds like the violin, oud, accordion and woodwinds used in Greek folk music. The performance also featured Troy-based Greek Folk Dance Troup, "The OPA! Dancers," and movement artist Heather Marie with over 20 years of dance experience, rooted in belly dance, contemporary, ballet and waving.

Rhythm Society Orchestra: Previously held on May 24-25, 2025

Based in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, the Rhythm Society Orchestra is a 15-piece dance band specializing in true vintage swing music of the '30s and '40s. It's music as people remember it, the way it was performed. For a more immersive experience, the band can be seen in authentic period clothing to match their performance. With an array of music, including WWII tunes, Sinatra special, educational and more, guests enjoy every minute.

To learn more about Rhythm Society Orchestra visit rhythmsociety.net.

Mariachi Femenil Detroit: Previously held on September 22, 2024

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Mariachi Femenil Detroit, founded by then 16-year-old Camilla-Isabella Cantu in 2016, performed authentic tunes. Michigan's premier female-led mariachi group's performance included some tunes dating back to the 18th-century origins of mariachi, dazzling guests with instruments such as the vihuela, guitarrón, trumpet and guitar.

To learn more about Mariachi Femenil Detroit, visit facebook.com/mariachidetroit.

The Kielbasa Kings Polka Band: Previously held on August 25, 2024

Celebrating Polish American Heritage Month, Dearborn-based polka band, The Kielbasa Kings Polka Band, entertained guests with a variety of polka music.

To learn more about The Kielbasa Kings Polka Band, visit kielbasakings.com.

Denise Davis and the Motor City Sensations: Previously held on July 28, 2024

In honor of the July 1701 founding of Detroit, this program was our very own Detroit Founders Day Festival. Detroit Black Music Awards 2018 "Entertainers of the Year," Denise Davis and the Motor City Sensations delighted guests with their Detroit hits and crowd favorites. Together they presented a combination of exciting mellow vocals with a rhythmic undercurrent that bears testament throughout with elements of gospel, hip-hop, funk, jazz, pop, Motown, 80s Classics and R&B.

To learn more about Denise Davis and the Motor City Sensations, visit ruschentertainment.com/denise-davis-and-the-motor-city-sensations.

Que Blackout: Previously held on July 28, 2024

Detroit community theatre organization Que Blackout performed select scenes from their brand-new original piece that is entirely written, produced, marketed and performed by the students of Que Blackout.

As a youth performance, media arts and broadcasting nonprofit program, Que Blackout serves our communities with a focus on performing arts, media arts, music production and content creation that encourage, engage and empower everyone to develop the life-long skills that build thriving communities.

To learn more about Que Blackout, visit queblackout.org.

Anishinabek Dance Presentation: Previously held on June 30, 2024

This Anishinabek dance presentation by members of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi and Pokagon Band of Potawatomi included song, dance, instruments and conversation.

Known as Keepers of the Fire, the Bodewéwadmik (Potawatomi) people chose to live near waterways and were generally Great Lakes area inhabitants in what is now Wisconsin, southern Michigan, northern Indiana and northern Illinois. Near water, communities used the waterways for fishing, harvesting and spiritual purposes. It has been their tradition to respect the Earth and strive to cultivate its resources carefully, while also providing a harvest for their families.

Learn more about the Nottawaseppi Huron Band at nhbp-nsn.gov and Pokagon Band of Potawatomi at pokagonband-nsn.gov.

Klezundheit: Previously held on May 26, 2024

In recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month, Klezundheit, a Jewish American klezmer orkustra, performed a captivating blend of traditional and modern klezmer. Established in 2014, the talented ensemble is composed of music educators, doctors, lawyers and other professionals who share a deep love for music in the Detroit area.

Learn more about Klezundheit at klezundheit.wixsite.com/home.