June 6, 2018—The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) offers a variety of programs both in the museum and out in the community. In August, enjoy classic sci-fi movies that coincide with the “Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume” exhibition.

The DIA thanks its sponsors for the following programs: Friday Night Live! is supported by the DTE Energy Foundation; the Detroit Film Theatre is generously supported by Buddy's Pizza.

IN THE MUSEUM

Exhibitions

 “Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume” through Sept. 30

“Star Wars” Exhibition Extended Hours

Thursdays, 9 a.m.–8 p.m., exhibition and South Wing open (The DIA will close at 4 p.m. Aug. 16)

Saturdays, 9 a.m.–8 p.m., exhibition and South Wing open           

Sundays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., exhibition and museum open

Summer Sci-Fi Film Series

Summer Sci-Fi is a series of classic and international sci-fi feature films presented free (unless otherwise noted) throughout the summer, coinciding with the exhibition “Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume.” Some are movies that George Lucas has cited as his favorites, others are among the vast variety of pre-Star Wars fantasy, science fiction and adventure that fired the imaginations of young audiences in the 1950s and earlier. Each feature film will be preceded by one chapter from the three original “Flash Gordon” serials of the 1930s.

Ongoing

General Guided Tours: Tuesdays–Thursdays, 1 p.m.; Fridays, 1 & 6 p.m.

Enjoy a guided tour of select galleries for an overview of the collection.

General and Family Guided Tours: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 a.m.–noon; Saturdays–Sundays, 1 and 3 p.m.

Enjoy a guided tour of select galleries or a family and kid-friendly tour. Families can also enjoy gallery games, appropriate for ages 3–12.

Thursdays at the Museum, 1 p.m.

Special programs, including light refreshments, for adults 55+, featuring tours, talks, movies and artmaking. The DIA offers free transportation for groups of 25 or more from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. To book a visit, call 313-833-1292. Support for Thursdays at the Museum is provided by the tri-county millage.

Detroit City Chess Club: Fridays, 4–8 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 to play chess should show up between 4 and 6 p.m. There will be no teaching between 6 and 8 p.m., but visitors can play chess.

Drawing in the Galleries (for all ages): Fridays, 6–9 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays, Noon–4 p.m.

Drop-In Artmaking (for all ages): Summer Hours: Tuesdays–Wednesdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; Thursdays, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Fridays, Noon–5 p.m. and 6–9 p.m.; Saturdays, Noon–7 p.m.; Sundays, Noon–4 p.m. 

Wednesday, August 1

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “The World, the Flesh and the Devil” (1959) 3 p.m.

After being trapped for days in a cave-in, Ralph (Harry Befafonte) digs himself out only to find that civilization has been destroyed by nuclear Armageddon. He befriends a survivor named Sarah (Inger Stevens), but when the pair meets Benson (Mel Ferrer), a white racist for whom the possibility of coexistence is still unthinkable, the trio becomes a microcosm of the fears and prejudices that brought the world to this terrible moment.

Thursday, August 2

Thursdays at the Museum: Highlights of the Museum Tour 1 p.m.

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “20 Million Miles to Earth” 3 p.m.

A space mission to Venus returns to Earth carrying a new life form: a tiny lizard-like creature that thrives in Earth’s atmosphere, soon swelling to gigantic proportions and stomping through the streets of Rome, making the ancient ruins even more ruinous.

Friday, August 3

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Fantastic Voyage” (1966) 3 p.m.

An important scientist is attacked, resulting in an inoperable brain injury—at least from the outside. The solution: shrink a surgical team to microscopic size and inject them into his bloodstream so they can operate from the inside. A great sci-fi concept was somewhat limited by the era’s technology, yet it’s still a fondly remembered, brightly colorful adventure. 

Friday Night Live!: Eric Grossman: A Brief History of Music at the DIA 7 and 8:30 p.m.

The history of music at the DIA is rich and includes performances by many of the major composers active during the museum's 90-year existence at its Woodward Ave. location. Eric Grossman will play music for violin and piano written by Bela Bartok, Maurice Ravel, Francis Poulenc, Lowell Liebermann, all of whom have performed at the DIA.

Saturday, August 4

Artist Demonstration: Family Comic Book Day hosted by Vault of Midnight Noon–3 p.m.

The creative staff at the comic shop Vault of Midnight invites the whole family to explore the iconic nature of the comic arts. Local artists will display their works, help visitors develop their own characters and panels and help budding artists with stories in progress.

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms” (1953) 3 p.m.

Arctic explorers are shocked to encounter a living, breathing and very hungry dinosaur, awakened from hibernation by atomic testing, and eventually making his way to New York. Based loosely on a short story by Ray Bradbury, the special effects are by the soon-to-be-legendary Ray Harryhausen.

Sunday, August 5

Artist Demonstration: Family Comic Book Day hosted by Vault of Midnight Noon–3 p.m.

(see Aug. 4 for description)

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Colossus, the Forbin Project” (1958) 3 p.m.

Tucked away in a secret location in the Rockies, Dr. Charles Forbin (Eric Braeden) has developed a massive computer system dubbed "Colossus" that is supposed to ensure the nation's safety against nuclear attack. But when Colossus connects to a similar Russian computer, "Guardian," the intelligent machines begin conducting a private dialog. Nervous as to what they might be plotting, Forbin severs the connection, only to have Colossus threaten a nuclear attack if the link isn't restored.

Tuesday, August 7

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (1959) 3 p.m.

This elegantly crafted Jules Verne adaptation is about a professor (James Mason) who leads an expedition down to the center of the planet. Spectacular perils threaten their adventure, by way of action sequences that clearly influenced 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark, which was produced and co-authored by George Lucas.  

Thursday, August 9

Thursdays at the Museum: Art Talk – American Art Collection with curator Benjamin Colman 1 p.m.

Friday–Sunday, August 10–12

Detroit City Dance Festival 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

Detroit Dance City Festival is a three-day international festival with performances, networking, classes and more. It offers opportunities for children to learn dance techniques, showcases local dance groups, helps local dancers make connections with professionals working in Detroit and a choreographers showcase in the Detroit Film Theatre. For detailed information and a schedule of events, visit www.detroitdancecityfestival.com. Some events may be ticketed.

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Planet of the Apes” (1968) 3 p.m.

One of the two great sci-fi films of 1968 (along with 2001) is this Rod Serling–Michael Wilson adaptation of Pierre Boulle’s visionary fable about astronauts discovering a planet on which the rules of evolution appear to be reversed. Knowing the film’s memorable ending doesn’t diminish the consistent wit and insight of this boldly satirical classic.  

Tuesday, August 14

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “The Sea Hawk” (1940) 3 p.m.

Buccaneer Geoffrey Thorpe (Errol Flynn) is a 16th-century pirate-for-hire to England’s Queen Elizabeth I in this rousing, high-powered swashbuckler that influenced every such adventure epic to follow up to and including “Star Wars.” Made at the onset of World War II, this movie let the imaginations of a generation of kids join in the fight for liberty. 

Wednesday, August 15

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “This Island Earth” (1955) 3 p.m.

A brilliant scientist is invited to collaborate on a project to promote world peace, only to discover that the offer is coming from inhabitants of a different world. The planet Metaluna, which is under siege, wants to move its population to Earth and become its masters.

Thursday, August 16

Thursdays at the Museum: Drop-in Artmaking: Board Games 1 p.m.

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “I Married a Monster from Outer Space” (1958) 3 p.m.

In this unique portrayal of domestic discord, a young man (Tom Tryon, later a best-selling author) is late to his wedding because his body has been taken over by an alien life form. The wedding takes place, and while all brides and grooms have their differences, there aren’t many that can surpass these.   

Friday, August 17

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Fantastic Voyage” (1966) 3 p.m.

(see Aug. 3 for description)

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “The Book of Eli” (2010) 7 p.m.

In a post-apocalyptic America, a lone drifter (Denzel Washington) continues his decades-long struggle to protect a book he believes to be sacred—one that can offer salvation to a ravaged civilization. The Detroit-born Hughes Brothers (Menace II Society, Dead Presidents) have fashioned an imaginative and risky sci-fi epic that draws on familiar genres while creating its own singular vision. Tickets: $9.50 general admission; $7.50 seniors, students and DIA members.

Saturday, August 18

Artist Demonstration: Design Labs Noon–4 p.m.

Inspired by the “Star Wars” exhibition, artists from Design Labs, a group of local professors and industry professionals who teach creative skills in applied arts, will guide visitors in designing and creating costumes and creatures using varied media. Participants can also learn basic stop motion animation tools and techniques to bring their creation to life.

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Fiend Without a Face” (1958) 3 p.m.

A kindly Canadian professor conceives of a way to give mass to human thought, but the results turn out to be unexpectedly horrifying—and deadly. This low-budget but imaginative thriller features one of the most distinctive creatures in science fiction–the literal result of a “brainstorm.” 

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “I Robot” (2004) 7 p.m.

In 2035, helpful and industrious robots have become ubiquitous, thanks to the foolproof safety feature built into each machine that enables “the three laws of robotics,” one of which is that they cannot harm humans. So how could it be that a robot is suspected of a crime, and what are the implications? Based on Isaac Asimov’s landmark 1950 collection of short stories, this thriller was produced by and stars Will Smith. Tickets: $9.50 general admission; $7.50 seniors, students and DIA members.

Sunday, August 19

Artist Demonstration: Design Labs Noon–4 p.m.

(see Aug. 18 for description)

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951) 3 p.m.

The wise, humanoid alien named Klaatu arrives in Washington D.C. to deliver a message of universal peace, yet he’s accompanied by the supremely menacing Gort, a robot so deadly he’s capable of “reducing the Earth to a burned-out cinder.”

Tuesday, August 21

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (1959) 3 p.m.

(see Aug. 7 for description)

Wednesday, August 22

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Destination Moon” (1950) 3 p.m.

With America’s post-war government ignoring space research, it’s up to private industry to beat the Russians to the moon. The industrialists believe that the first nation on the moon can control the Earth by using the lunar surface to launch nukes. Despite the cold war intrigue, this is a scientifically grounded effort to portray what space travel might really look like. 

Thursday, August 23

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “I Married a Monster from Outer Space” (1958) 3 p.m.

(see Aug. 16 for description)

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Ghost in the Shell” (1995) 7 p.m.

In a technologically advanced future, cyber-crimes are epidemic. The danger posed by the super-hacker known as the Puppet Master requires police work of a special nature: deployment of Section 9, populated by officers who are part organic and part biomechatronic, known as cyborgs. This landmark work of anime, based on a hugely popular manga, is a visually stunning, exhilarating work. $9.50 general admission; $7.50 seniors, students and DIA members.

Friday, August 24

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Dr. Who and the Daleks” (1965) 3 p.m.

This original British TV series made its leap to the big screen in this 1965 cult favorite in which Dr. Who (Peter Cushing) activates his time/space machine, T.A.R.D.I.S., and with his two granddaughters is projected to the planet Skaro, where an army of mutant robots is threatening the peaceful inhabitants.

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Stalker” (1979) 7 p.m.

In an unnamed country at an unspecified time, there is a fiercely protected post-apocalyptic wasteland known as The Zone. An illegal guide whose mutant child suggests unspeakable horrors within The Zone leads a writer and a scientist into the heart of the devastation in search of a mythical place known only as The Room. Anyone entering The Room will supposedly have any of his earthly desires immediately fulfilled. Tickets: $9.50 general admission; $7.50 seniors, students and DIA members.

Friday Night Live!: There’s a Mingus among Us 7 and 8:30 p.m.

Eight of the finest bassists in Detroit pay homage to legendary jazz bassist/composer Charles Mingus. Mingus was a virtuoso bass player, accomplished pianist, bandleader and composer. He played and recorded with the elite of 1959s jazz and was at the forefront of the avant-garde. Among the performers are bassists Jaribu Shahid, Marion Hayden, Ralph Armstrong and Rodney Whitaker.

Saturday, August 25

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms” (1953) 3 p.m.

(see Aug. 4 for description)

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Solaris” (1972) 7 p.m.

One of the cinema’s most majestic enigmas is Andrei Tarkovsky’s adaptation of Stanislaw Lem’s novel about a mission to investigate the possibility that an alien intelligence has caused the crew of an earlier expedition to become delusional. “Solaris” remains an impenetrable puzzle for some, but a breathtaking, inspiring experience for others—including Steven Soderbergh (“Out of Sight”), who directed a 2002 remake. Tickets: $9.50 general admission; $7.50 seniors, students and DIA members.

Sunday, August 26

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Forbidden Planet” (1956) 3 p.m.

The lone survivor of an expedition to a distant planet discovers that the scientific achievements of its long-extinct civilization may be the most astounding and dangerous in the universe. Featuring the first screen appearance of the beloved Robby the Robot.

Tuesday, August 28

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Black Panther” (2018) 3 p.m.

“Black Panther,” adapted from a comic book series that first appeared in 1966, is set in the hidden African nation of Wakanda, an ancient kingdom that rose to power through an advanced technology based on the mysterious natural element vibranium. When the long-reigning King T’Chaka dies, his son, T’Challa (Black Panther) and nephew Eric Killmonger battle for succession to the throne and the unlimited power of vibranium. T’Challa wants to use it to preserve Wakanda in secrecy while Killmonger wants to use it to avenge the injustices suffered by centuries of African diaspora.

Wednesday August 29

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Black Panther” (2018) 3 p.m.

(see Aug. 28 for description)

Thursday, August 30

Thursdays at the Museum: Highlights of the Museum Tour 1 p.m.

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Earth vs. the Flying Saucers” 3 p.m.

A pair of newlywed scientists are contacted by aliens in flying saucers whose message to Earth is to surrender or face total destruction. The aliens’ planet is dying, and they’ve settled on Earth as a perfect new home. Special effects are by Ray Harryhausen.

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Gravity” (2013) 7 p.m.

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney try their best to get back to Earth after a space shuttle accident. The inventive storytelling places cinema technology in the service of a heart-stopping fable about survival, and about our deeply physical and spiritual ties to our common home. 

Friday, August 31

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “The World, The Flesh, and the Devil” (1959) 3 p.m.

(see Aug. 1 for description)

Detroit Film Theatre: Summer Sci-Fi: “Interstellar” (2014) 7 p.m.

With Earth’s environment giving out, a group of explorers searches for a new home by trying something that seems theoretically possible yet terrifyingly dangerous: piloting a ship through a “wormhole” in space. Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey star in this sci-fi epic. 

Friday Night Live!: Jim Campilongo 7 and 8:30 p.m.

The sound Jim Campilongo gets out of his 1959 Telecaster is like the early history of that guitar, with elements of country, bluegrass, blues and rock and roll. He and Josh Dion (drums) and Chris Morrisey (bass) come to the DIA from their regular Tuesday night residency at the Living Room in Brooklyn, NY.

IN THE COMMUNITY 

Drop-in Artmaking

Offsite Drop-In Art-Making activities are offered at numerous art fairs and festivals throughout the Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. Art projects rotate throughout the year, focusing on current exhibitions, creative work from different cultures, various techniques, and concepts of identity. 

Friday–Sunday, August 3–5

Drop-in Artmaking: Paper Flowers, Dearborn Homecoming, 22055 Cherry Hill St., Dearborn

Noon–5 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday–Sunday

Saturday–Sunday, August 4–5

Drop-in Artmaking: Tibetan Prayer Flags, Belle Isle Art Fair, Belle Isle State Park, Detroit

10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday

Friday–Sunday, August 10–12

Drop-in Artmaking: Tic-Tac-Toe Boards, Milford Memories Summer Festival, 317 Union St., Milford

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Saturday–Sunday, August 11–12

Drop in Artmaking: Artist Trading Cards, Shelby Township Art Fair, 52700 Van Dyke, Shelby Township 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sunday

Tuesday–Friday, August 14–17

Drop-in Artmaking: Folk Art Toys, 146th Annual Armada Fair, 74280 Fair St., Armada

Noon–3 p.m.

Friday, August 24

Drop-in Artmaking, Sounds in Downtown, Romulus Historical Park, 11120 Hunt St., Romulus

6–9 p.m.

Saturday–Sunday, August 25–26

Drop in Artmaking: Rod Puppets, 10th Annual Dragon on the Lake, 115 South Anderson St., Lake Orion Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday, Noon–5 p.m.

Museum Hours and Admission

9 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesdays–Thursdays, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission (excludes ticketed exhibitions) is free for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county residents and DIA members. For all others, $14 for adults, $9 for seniors ages 62+, $8 for students, $6 for ages 6–17. For membership information, call 313-833-7971.