Art-inspired activities dominate the weekend

Local weather forecasters are calling for record temperatures this weekend, but I'm sure that won't stop thousands of metro Detroiters from getting outside and enjoying some of the cool activities that will take place in the D this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

First up is the 22nd annual Detroit Festival of the Arts, the Motor City's free premier arts and entertainment extravaganza featuring world-renowned artists and performers. Located in the D's Midtown area, this annual outdoor fete will feature more than 100 international, regional and local artists, 10 stages with more than 100 performances, and an Arts and Crafts market. Organized by the UCCA and Wayne State University, the Detroit Festival of the Arts runs from June 6 - 8. Click here for a complete schedule of performances, directions, hours and more.

After you take in the art in Midtown, head over to Detroit's historic Pewabic Pottery for the organization's House & Garden Benefit Show. Celebrating its 18th year, this event will showcase the works of more than 70 ceramic artists. The annual fundraiser -- which is open to the public and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 -- will also feature exhibitions, museum tours and demonstrations. Pewabic is located at 10125 East Jefferson Avenue.

Also on the agenda this weekend is the Indian Village Historic Home and Garden Tour, which marks its 35th year anniversary on Saturday, June 7. Running from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., the tour will showcase a geenrous handful of IV's glorious homes, including the Dodge and Buhl Mansions, as well as a beautiful Queen Anne at 853 Iroquois and the restored beauty located at 776 Seminole. While you're toruing, be sure to check out the Art Lot, featuring the works of 20 Detroit artists, and the historic neighborhood's Community Garden. Tour tickets are $20 each and are available at Iroquois Avenue Christ Lutheran Church, the Waldorf School on Burns, and Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church.

For more art-inspired events this weekend in Detroit, visit thedetroiter.com's comprehensive and up-to-date arts calendar here.

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Great art, great prices

Looking to update your home's look for spring, or add something to those bare walls? Now is the perfect time to do it. The Student Exhibition at CCS is right around the corner, and it is a fantastic way to buy high-quality, original artwork and at lower prices than typical galleries.

Ashley Cook, "Thank You I Love You"

Running from May 16 - 30, this year's event will showcase more than 3,500 student works of art, ranging from ceramics, furniture and sculpture to jewelry, paintings and photography.

The 2008 exhibition begins with a special Collectors' Preview and Private Reception, which runs from 5:30 - 10 p.m on Friday, May 16. Tickets are $350 each and give attendees the opportunity to select and buy student artwork first. Ticket purchase also provides access to the exclusive Collectors’ Preview Private Reception.

If $350 is more than you'd like to spend on a ticket, but you'd still like to be among the first to see the artwork and make a purchase or two, consider purchasing a $50 ticket to the General Exhibition Opening and Sale, which runs on May 16 from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Lee Ann Foshee, "Latch Hook Lizzie", Fiber

If you want to attend but don't want to pay for a ticket, the Student Exhibition continues May 17 - 30 for public viewing and sales, and admission is free. Daily hours during this time period are as follows:

Saturday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

CCS is a private four-year college offering 11 Bachelors of Fine Arts degrees in 11 majors, and Masters of Fine Arts degrees in 2 majors. The campus is located at 201 East Kirby in Midtown.

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Entrepreneur lecture series

Entreprenuers, take note: the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit is hosting a free entrepreneurial lecture series this spring.

Sponsored by the Chrysler Minority Dealers Association, the free lectures are scheduled for the fourth Thursday of the month in March, April and May.

Guest speakers include Ken Carter, the inspiration behind the movie "Coach Carter", on March 27; Michele Hoskins, owner of Michele Foods Inc., on April 24; and Dr. Farrah Gray, money coach and best-selling author, on May 22.

Located at 315 East Warren Avenue in the heart of Midtown, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is open Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 – 3:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:30 – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Admission is $8.00 for adults (ages 13-61) $5.00 for seniors (ages 62+) and $5.00 for children (ages 3-12). Museum members and children under three are admitted free. Every first Sunday of the month through October 5, 2008 are Free First Sundays at the museum, sponsored by Target. There is no charge for admission on Free First Sundays.

For more information, visit the museum's Webpage here.

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Detroit Activities Abound on December 1

December kicks off with a bang in Detroit with several major holiday activities scheduled for the first day of the month.

Things get going on Saturday, December 1 at 10 am with Detroit Synergy Group’s fourth annual SHOP Detroit, a half-day shopping extravaganza in Detroit’s downtown and New Center areas.

Click here for more information on this fun holiday tradition.

Then from 2 to 6 pm, the West Canfield Historic District in Detroit will offer tours of three historic Detroit homes as part of its “A Victorian Christmas” celebration. Tickets, available for purchase at 674 West Canfield, are $15 for adults and $7 for children. As part of Noel Night festivities (see below), two of the homes will remain open until 8 pm and may be toured between 6 and 8 pm for $10.

The biggest event on December 1, however, is Midtown’s 35th annual Noel Night. Running from 5 to 9:30 pm, this beloved local tradition celebrates a variety of holiday traditions and includes activities for all ages.

Highlights of the evening include:

• Over 90 musical performances, including three-time Grammy winner-Tom Chapin and his daughters, Mosaic singers, Cass High School Marching Band and Thornetta Davis;
  
• Annual College for Creative Studies Student and Alumni Art Sale;
  
• Carriage rides and carolers;


• Food and yuletide treats;
  
• Community sing-along on Woodward Avenue;


• Free admission to Midtown museums like the new Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), the Detroit Science Center, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Charles Wright Museum of African American History;


• Annual Ice Scraper Challenge at the DIA Plaza;


• Living nativity scene at the Cathedral of Saint Paul;


• On a Clear Winter’s Night planetarium show at Wayne State University Old Main.

Noel Night shuttles run continuously during the event, transporting festival-goers between 28 participating institutions.

Points of note along the route include:

Bureau of Urban Living: From 5 - 7, author Linda McLean will sign copies of her new book, The Heidelberg Project: A Street of Dreams. Or, drop into this urban grocery store between 7 and 9 pm and meet Stephen McGee, an Emmy award-winning local photographer. A collection of McGee’s breathtaking Detroit photographs will be on display.

International Institute’s Hall of Nations: Stop into this spot on Kirby for continuous holiday ethnic folk music.

Detroit Public Library: Photos with Santa, children’s holiday ornament make-and-take, children’s film, DPL Friends Used Book Sale and various musical acts.

Scarab Club: 94th annual Scarab Club Gold Medal Exhibition, basement blowout sale, cash bar, jambalaya dinners by Union Street ($12), plus cake and coffee to celebrate The Scarab Club’s 100th anniversary.

Plymouth United Church of Christ: Children’s make-and-take crafts, children’s holiday gift shop, photos with Santa, face painting, storytelling, poetry reading, make your own s’mores, singing from various choirs.

Public parking for Noel Night is available for $5 at WSU Parking Structure #6; WSU Lots #3, #23, and #35; the Cultural Center Lot between John R. and Brush, north of Farnsworth; and at Plymouth United Church of Christ, located at Warren and St. Antoine.

Click here for directions to Noel Night and a printable map of the University Cultural Center area of Midtown where Noel Night is held. Please click here for a schedule of events.

Noel Night sponsors include Masco, Target, Metrotimes, WDET, 100.3 WNIC, GreatStuff, the Inn on Ferry Street, Inland Press, Starbucks, HOUR Detroit, Trent Design, Compuware and Commuter Express.

Please call (313) 577-5088 or visit midtowndetroit.com for more information.

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DIA reopens after $158 million renovation

While I had a wonderful time traveling to two separate weddings this month and visiting my in laws in New York for Thanksgiving, I have to admit that it's always great to be home. Especially when major things, like the re-opening of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), are going on around town.

DIA Interior, Image by Scotter

Closed since May 28, 2007, the DIA reopened its doors on Friday, November 23 after a six-and-a-half year, $158 million building renovation and expansion to present its world-class collection in a totally new light.

The result is the new DIA: 60,000 works. 5,000 objects. And one grand experience.

Aside from adding another 58,000 square feet to the museum and the new granite facade on the North and South Wings, the massive overhaul also brings infrastructure upgrades, increased gallery space, expanded visitor amenities, an improved museum traffic pattern, and a more visitor-friendly experience. For example, now, instead of grouping objects strictly by time period or style, many galleries are arranged according to the stories the objects have to tell. Galleries also explore themes that resonate with each visitor’s personal experiences, such as spirituality, travel, and the cycles of life.

Visitors will now find more ways to personally connect with the art, since the DIA’s renowned collection is presented in historical, social, political or spiritual contexts. Improved labels, new tours, hands-on activities, and high-tech interpretive devices add to this. When checking out the new DIA, visitors will also find an expansive new Café DIA, more seating in the galleries, a larger museum shop, and improved way-finding and visitor information.

I've only been back in town for a few days, so I haven't made it over to the museum yet. But thanks to some great local posting (check here, here, here and here) by fellow bloggers-Scotter and -Mollika* at Metroblogging Detroit, I am tided over until I can make it to the new DIA for myself.

The Detroit Institute of Arts was founded in 1885 and is recognized as one of the country’s premier art museums. The museum’s approximately 60,000 works of art comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from prehistory through the 21st century. From the first Van Gogh to enter a U.S. museum (Self-Portrait, 1887), to Diego Rivera’s world-renowned Detroit Industry murals, the DIA’s collection reveals the scope and depth of human experience, imagination, and emotion. For more information, please click here.

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Indoor Activities in Detroit

After another long, grueling workweek, you're probably itching to get out and do something recreational and fun this weekend.

Today's dreary weather has likely put a damper on your outdoor plans, but cool temps and rain don't have to mean a weekend spent in front of the tube. Instead, grab a poncho or umbrella and head to one of Detroit's award-winning museums.

Here are two of my top picks for museums to visit this weekend in Detroit:

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History:

Opened just two days ago, "Lasting Foundations: The Art of Architecture in Africa" is a new exhibit designed to acquaint museum-goers with African architecture from the country's east, west, central and southern areas. Composed of more than 100 photographs and artifacts from 13 countries, the exhibit runs through December 13, 2006.

Other exhibits of interest include "And Still We Rise", a permanent exhibit located in the DaimlerChrysler Hall, and "A is for Africa", an interactive exhibit designed for children in preschool through the fourth grade.

Admission to the Charles H. Wright Museum is $8 for adults and $5 or children. Tomorrow, October 1, is a Target Free First Sunday at the Wright Museum, so admission is free for all.

Detroit Historical Museum:

Following an $800,000 restoration, the Detroit Historical Museum (DHM) re-opened to the public yesterday and promises to be better than ever. An added bonus is that admission to the museum is free all weekend!

Interesting new exhibits at the DHM include "Digital Dress: Women About Town", a display tracing the evolution of this popular piece of women's clothing from the 1900s through today, and "Treasures of the Collection", a compilation of more than 100 rare artifacts from the museum's extensive collection.

The DHM also has several permanent exhibits, including the popular Glancy Trains, The Streets of Old Detroit and Frontiers to Factories. The museum is located at 5401 Woodward Avenue in Detroit's Cultural Center area.

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