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Focus is on Family Fun in June at Detroit Institute of Arts Through African Eyes
Thursday, April 01, 2010
April 1, 2010 (Detroit)—Storytelling, family performances and summer camps are some of the family activities offered in June. Visitors can also enjoy great live performances of African, classical and jazz music. And don’t miss the exhibitions Through African Eyes: The European in African Art, 1500 to Present (Ticketed exhibition) and Detroit Experiences: Robert Frank Photographs, 1955.
Programs are free with museum admission unless otherwise noted. For more information call (313) 833-7900 or visit www.dia.org.
For Detroit Film Theatre movie listings call (313) 833-4686, or visit www.dia.org/dft/schedule.asp.
Guided Tours: Wednesdays–Thursdays, 1 p.m.; Fridays, 1, 6 & 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays–Sundays, 1 & 3 p.m.
Chess Practice: Detroit City Chess Club: Fridays, 5–9 p.m.
The club’s mission is to teach area students the game and life lessons. Members have won state, regional, and national competitions. People wanting to learn how to play chess should show up between 5–7 p.m. There will be no teaching between 7 and 9 p.m., but visitors can play chess.
Drawing in the Galleries (for all ages): Fridays, 6–9 p.m. Sundays, Noon–4 p.m.
Drop-In Workshops (for all ages)
Wednesday, June 30, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.: Tambourines
Create your own distinctive percussion instrument using familiar materials.
Fridays, 6–9 p.m. Watercolor Collage Postcards
Create one-of-a-kind postcards using watercolor paint and collage techniques.
Saturdays, Noon–4 p.m.: Kites
Create a kite that really flies using colorful art materials and your own designs.
Sundays, Noon–4 p.m.: Asafo Flags
Asafo flags are made in the country of Ghana and illustrate a variety of proverbs. Make your own simple version.
Friday Night Live, June 4
Music: Zozo Afrobeat: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
A 13-piece ensemble from New York City, Zozo Afrobeat features musicians from around the world and is led by African music luminary Kaleta. Born in the Republic of Benin and raised in Nigeria, Kaleta grew up recording and performing with legendary Nigerian musicians Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade. "Zozo" taken from the Goun and Fon word for "something hot," truly keeps the Afrobeat fires burning.
Lecture: Philip Gefter: 7:30 p.m.
The FPDP welcomes author Philip Gefter, former New York Times writer and picture editor, who will discuss the work and influence of photographer Robert Frank. Gefter will be on hand to sign copies of his most recent book, Photography After Frank which is a collection of essays drawn from his critical writings and reviews.
Family Sunday, June 6
Storytelling: "Tales of Wit, Wisdom and Enchantment": 2 p.m.
Roan Judd combines mime, puppetry, Irish drumming, improvisational acting and dialects to tell tales about heroic folks gifted with the imagination to solve complicated problems. Judd draws from her own cultural background—Native American, Scots-Irish, Italian and French—and respectfully borrows from other cultures, oral tradition and the written word.
Friday Night Live, June 11
Music: Mulgrew Miller and Roland Hamilton: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Artist-in-residence for the 2010 Detroit International Jazz Festival, Mulgrew Miller is featured in a sneak preview, two-piano performance with Detroit native and pianist Roland Hamilton. Miller has garnered critical acclaim since his arrival on the jazz scene in the late 1970s and has earned the ultimate respect from his peers, being voted "most in demand" pianist in a 1995 New York Times Jazz poll.
Family Sunday, June 13
Brunch with Bach: Musicians from the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival: 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.
The annual Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival presents world-class musicians performing the finest chamber music repertoire at venues throughout Metro Detroit. Led by Artistic Director James Tocco, the festival celebrates its 17th season with the music of Schumann and Barber.
Family Performance: "Mr. Seley": 2 p.m.
Outgrown Raffi? Graduate to songs written and performed by Birmingham teacher Mr. Seley. Learn songs from his new CD, Cupcakeasaurus!, and sing along with old-favorites.
Friday Night Live, June 18
Music: Burkina Electric: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Burkina Electric is the first electronica band from Burkina Faso, located in the deep interior of West Africa. Burkina Electric's music combines the traditions and rhythms of Burkina Faso with contemporary electronic dance culture, making it a trailblazer in electronic world music. This diverse and talented group consists of four musicians and two dancers who collectively participate in the creative process and represent disparate musical genres and sounds from across the globe.
Family Sunday, June 20
Family Performances: "LeCompagnie": 2 p.m.
LeCompagnie invites you to join them for a musical experience that includes selections ranging from French and British Canada to the Appalachian and bayou regions of the United States. The audience is encouraged to sing along, dance or just relax and enjoy the fun.
Monday–Friday, June 21–25 Summer Camps
Camp Art Exploration (ages 9–12, with an adult): 9 a.m.–noon.
Get creative with clay, wood, paint, paper, ink, wire and more. Pre-registration and pre-payment required. Members $180, non-members $225. To register, email registration@dia.org or call 313.833.4249.
Camp Art ‘N Action (ages 5–8, with an adult): 9 a.m.–noon.
Have an action-packed art adventure through the world of sculpture, clay, paint and more. Members $180, non-members $225. To register, email registration@dia.org or call 313.833.4249.
Friday Night Live, June 25
Music: Kusun: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Founded by West African percussionist Nii Tettey Tetteh, the Kusun ensemble features an extraordinary group of musicians and dancers from Ghana, West Africa. Although rooted in traditional music from Ghana, the ensemble has developed a new brand of music and dance they have nicknamed "Nokoko." They have created innovative rhythms and dances by fusing bass and lead guitar, electrifying jazz and African rhythms, and traditional Ghanaian instruments. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Through African Eyes: The European in African Art, 1500 to Present.
Family Sunday, June 27
Artist Demonstration: Joye Opoku Ofei: Noon–4 p.m.
Born in Ghana, West Africa, artist and graphic designer Joye Opoku Ofei shares his rich culture through his captivating painting style. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Through African Eyes: The European in African Art, 1500 to Present.
Family Performance: "Kusun": 2 p.m.
Founded by West African percussionist Nii Tettey Tetteh, The Kusun Ensemble features an extraordinary group of musicians and dancers from Ghana, West Africa. Although rooted in traditional music from Ghana, the ensemble has developed a new brand of music and dance they have dubbed "Nokoko." They have created innovative rhythms and dances by fusing bass and lead guitar, electrifying jazz, African rhythms, and traditional Ghanaian instruments. The musicians and dancers give an exciting and educational performance with audience participation and explanations of the instruments and dances they employ. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Through African Eyes: The European in African Art, 1500 to Present.
Hours and admission
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for ages 62+, and $4 for ages 6-17. DIA members are admitted free. For more information, call (313) 833-7900 or see the website at www.dia.org.
Contact: Pamela Marcil 313-833-7899 pmarcil@dia.org
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