Friday Night Live performances, Sunday Music Bar, films and more this August at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Updated May 23, 2016
May 23, 2016 (Detroit)—This August the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) offers “Detroit Institute of Awesome” activities for families, along with films, music and more. Don’t miss “The Open Road: Photography and the American Road Trip,” on display through Sept. 11.
Programs are free with museum admission and free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties unless otherwise noted. For more information, call (313) 833-7900 or visit www.dia.org.
General Guided Tours: Tuesdays–Fridays, 1 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour of select galleries for an overview of the collection.
General and Family Guided Tours: Saturdays–Sundays, 1 & 3 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour of select galleries or explore family and kid-friendly tours.
Senior Thursdays: 1 p.m.
The first Thursday of the month features a guided gallery tour; the second a talk; the third an art-making activity; and the fourth a film. In months with a fifth Thursday, a second gallery tour will be offered.
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.; Sundays, Noon–4 p.m.
Drop-In Workshops (for all ages)
Tuesdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Talking Sticks–Transform an ordinary stick into a magnificent work of art.
Wednesdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Initial Tiles– Use your initials and colorful materials to create a work of art to take home.
Thursdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Mobiles–Make a simple mobile using yarn, colorful board and markers.
Fridays, Noon–9 p.m. Rakhi–In India, the festival of Rakhi commemorates any protective relationship like that between brothers and sisters. Girls and women tie colorful rakhis on the wrists of male relatives.
Saturdays, Noon–4 p.m. Photograms–A photogram is a picture created with photographic materials, without the use of a camera. Make your own photogram using a variety of everyday objects.
Sundays, Noon–4 p.m. Altered Books–Change a recycled pamphlet or book into a work of art.
Friday, August 5
Detroit Film Theatre: “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You”: 7 p.m.
This documentary looks at the life, work and political activism 93-year-old Norman Lear, of one of the most successful television producers of all time. Lear’s groundbreaking shows such as “All in the Family,” “Maude” and “The Jeffersons” injected issues of race, class, religion and feminism into the previously tame TV sit-com, sparking a national dialogue fitting for the turbulent social and political changes of the 1970s. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Friday Night Live: TBD: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 6
Detroit Institute of Awesome: Puppet Performance: “PLAY with Your Food”: 2 p.m.
Designed for families and kids, this original piece by Detroit-based Interstate Art mixes hilarious and bizarre live performers with sweet and spectacular puppets of all sizes.
Detroit Film Theatre: “The New Rijksmuseum”: 3 p.m.
A documentary about the fascinating and complicated process of rebuilding the Rijksmuseum, Holland's most famous museum. The film shows the people behind the scenes during the years of demolition, restoration and political and financial debate and serves as witness to their efforts, joys and struggles for their shared love of art. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Norman Lear: “Just Another Version of You”: 7 p.m.
See August 5 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Nuts!”: 9:30 p.m.
This unbelievable but “sort-of-true” story recounts how a Kansas doctor claimed in 1917 that he had discovered a cure for impotence using one of the most surprising surgical procedures of all time. Mixing animated reenactments, interviews, archival footage and a narrator whose veracity you may or may not believe, “Nuts!” traces the doctor’s rise from poverty to the heights of celebrity, wealth and influence. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Sunday, August 7
Detroit Institute of Awesome: Puppet Performance: “PLAY with Your Food”: 2 p.m.
See August 6 for description.
Sunday Music Bar: Spencer Barefield: 1-4 p.m.
Guitarist/composer A. Spencer Barefield performs contemporary compositions.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You”: 2 p.m.
See August 5 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Nuts!”: 4:30 p.m.
See August 6 for description.
Friday, August 12
Detroit Film Theatre: “Black Girl” (“La Noire de…”): 7 p.m.
The first feature-length film by Senegal’s Ousmane Sembène tells the story of a young Senegalese maid’s forced exile when her white employers want to use her as a servant at their home in the south of France. Also playing: Sembène’s 1963 20-minute short “Borom Sarret,” a vivid portrait of a Dakar cart-driver’s daily struggle for survival. French with English subtitles. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Saturday, August 13
Detroit Film Theatre: “Sembéne!”: 4 p.m.
“Sembéne!” tells the true story of the “father of African cinema,” the self-taught novelist and filmmaker who fought a 50-year battle to give African stories to Africans. This film follows an ordinary man who transforms himself into a fearless spokesperson for the marginalized, becoming a hero to millions.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Black Girl” (“La Noire de…”): 7 p.m.
See August 12 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You”: 9:30 p.m.
See August 5 for description.
Sunday, August 14
Sunday Music Bar: Mike Monford: 1 & 3 p.m.
Jazz composer, arranger, and alto saxophonist Mike Monford and his trio perform jazz.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Black Girl” (“La Noire de…”): 2 p.m.
See August 12 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You”: 4:30 p.m.
See August 5 for description.
Friday, August 19
Detroit Film Theatre: “Eva Hesse”: 7 p.m.
In addition to being chosen for a cover article in ArtForum Magazine, Eve Hesse, one of the few women recognized as central to the New York art scene, had more than 20 group shows scheduled for 1970. When she died in May of that year, the career of one of the decades’ most brilliant artists was tragically cut short. This documentary looks at Hesse’s art and her impact in the art world. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Friday Night Live: Richter Uzer Duo: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
The Richter Uzur Duo plays a mash-up of classical, world and rock music.
Saturday, August 20
Detroit Film Theatre: DFT 101: “Destiny” (“Der Müde Tod”): 4 p.m.
A young woman confronts the personification of Death in an effort to save the life of her fiancé. In response, Death recounts three tragic tales of romance, offering to unite the girl with her lover if she can prevent the destiny foretold in at least one of the three stories. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students. Tickets: $5 for general admission, free for members.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Eva Hesse”: 7 p.m.
See August 19 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Black Girl” (“La Noire de…”): 9:30 p.m.
See August 12 for description.
Sunday, August 21
Sunday Music Bar: TBA: 1 & 3 p.m.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Eva Hesse”: 2 p.m.
See August 19 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Black Girl” (“La Noire de…”): 4:30 p.m.
See August 12 for description.
Friday, August 26
Detroit Film Theatre: “Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World”: 7 p.m.
Filmmaker Werner Herzog conducts interviews with cyberspace pioneers, turning his perceptive lens to the past, present and constantly evolving future on the Internet.
Friday Night Live: Protea: “Crossing the Equator”: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
“Crossing the Equator” explores works from North and South America and features the poetry of Langston Hughes, among others. Protea members are Dennis Carter (flute), Mariah Boucher (piano) and Lisa Raschiatore (clarinet).
Saturday, August 27
Detroit Institute of Awesome: DFT Animation Club: 90-Second Newbery Film Festival: 2 p.m.
This annual video contest invites kid filmmakers to create movies that tell the entire stories of Newbery Award winning books in about 90 seconds. In past years, winners have crafted hilarious, weird, impressive, and always amazing mini-films, including a James Bond version of Ramona and Her Father and a zombie apocalypse version of Mr. Popper's Penguins. Tickets: $5 for general admission, free for DIA members.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World”: 7 p.m.
See August 26 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Eva Hesse”: 9:30 p.m.
See August 19 for description.
Sunday, August 28
Sunday Music Bar: Michelle May: 1 p.m.
Violinist and flutist Michelle May performs classical, jazz and world fusion compositions.
Detroit Institute of Awesome: DFT Animation Club: 90-Second Newbery Film Festival: 2 p.m.
See August 27 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World”: 4:30 p.m.
See August 26 for description.
May 23, 2016 (Detroit)—This August the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) offers “Detroit Institute of Awesome” activities for families, along with films, music and more. Don’t miss “The Open Road: Photography and the American Road Trip,” on display through Sept. 11.
Programs are free with museum admission and free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties unless otherwise noted. For more information, call (313) 833-7900 or visit www.dia.org.
General Guided Tours: Tuesdays–Fridays, 1 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour of select galleries for an overview of the collection.
General and Family Guided Tours: Saturdays–Sundays, 1 & 3 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour of select galleries or explore family and kid-friendly tours.
Senior Thursdays: 1 p.m.
The first Thursday of the month features a guided gallery tour; the second a talk; the third an art-making activity; and the fourth a film. In months with a fifth Thursday, a second gallery tour will be offered.
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.; Sundays, Noon–4 p.m.
Drop-In Workshops (for all ages)
Tuesdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Talking Sticks–Transform an ordinary stick into a magnificent work of art.
Wednesdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Initial Tiles– Use your initials and colorful materials to create a work of art to take home.
Thursdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Mobiles–Make a simple mobile using yarn, colorful board and markers.
Fridays, Noon–9 p.m. Rakhi–In India, the festival of Rakhi commemorates any protective relationship like that between brothers and sisters. Girls and women tie colorful rakhis on the wrists of male relatives.
Saturdays, Noon–4 p.m. Photograms–A photogram is a picture created with photographic materials, without the use of a camera. Make your own photogram using a variety of everyday objects.
Sundays, Noon–4 p.m. Altered Books–Change a recycled pamphlet or book into a work of art.
Friday, August 5
Detroit Film Theatre: “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You”: 7 p.m.
This documentary looks at the life, work and political activism 93-year-old Norman Lear, of one of the most successful television producers of all time. Lear’s groundbreaking shows such as “All in the Family,” “Maude” and “The Jeffersons” injected issues of race, class, religion and feminism into the previously tame TV sit-com, sparking a national dialogue fitting for the turbulent social and political changes of the 1970s. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Friday Night Live: TBD: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 6
Detroit Institute of Awesome: Puppet Performance: “PLAY with Your Food”: 2 p.m.
Designed for families and kids, this original piece by Detroit-based Interstate Art mixes hilarious and bizarre live performers with sweet and spectacular puppets of all sizes.
Detroit Film Theatre: “The New Rijksmuseum”: 3 p.m.
A documentary about the fascinating and complicated process of rebuilding the Rijksmuseum, Holland's most famous museum. The film shows the people behind the scenes during the years of demolition, restoration and political and financial debate and serves as witness to their efforts, joys and struggles for their shared love of art. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Norman Lear: “Just Another Version of You”: 7 p.m.
See August 5 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Nuts!”: 9:30 p.m.
This unbelievable but “sort-of-true” story recounts how a Kansas doctor claimed in 1917 that he had discovered a cure for impotence using one of the most surprising surgical procedures of all time. Mixing animated reenactments, interviews, archival footage and a narrator whose veracity you may or may not believe, “Nuts!” traces the doctor’s rise from poverty to the heights of celebrity, wealth and influence. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Sunday, August 7
Detroit Institute of Awesome: Puppet Performance: “PLAY with Your Food”: 2 p.m.
See August 6 for description.
Sunday Music Bar: Spencer Barefield: 1-4 p.m.
Guitarist/composer A. Spencer Barefield performs contemporary compositions.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You”: 2 p.m.
See August 5 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Nuts!”: 4:30 p.m.
See August 6 for description.
Friday, August 12
Detroit Film Theatre: “Black Girl” (“La Noire de…”): 7 p.m.
The first feature-length film by Senegal’s Ousmane Sembène tells the story of a young Senegalese maid’s forced exile when her white employers want to use her as a servant at their home in the south of France. Also playing: Sembène’s 1963 20-minute short “Borom Sarret,” a vivid portrait of a Dakar cart-driver’s daily struggle for survival. French with English subtitles. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Saturday, August 13
Detroit Film Theatre: “Sembéne!”: 4 p.m.
“Sembéne!” tells the true story of the “father of African cinema,” the self-taught novelist and filmmaker who fought a 50-year battle to give African stories to Africans. This film follows an ordinary man who transforms himself into a fearless spokesperson for the marginalized, becoming a hero to millions.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Black Girl” (“La Noire de…”): 7 p.m.
See August 12 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You”: 9:30 p.m.
See August 5 for description.
Sunday, August 14
Sunday Music Bar: Mike Monford: 1 & 3 p.m.
Jazz composer, arranger, and alto saxophonist Mike Monford and his trio perform jazz.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Black Girl” (“La Noire de…”): 2 p.m.
See August 12 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You”: 4:30 p.m.
See August 5 for description.
Friday, August 19
Detroit Film Theatre: “Eva Hesse”: 7 p.m.
In addition to being chosen for a cover article in ArtForum Magazine, Eve Hesse, one of the few women recognized as central to the New York art scene, had more than 20 group shows scheduled for 1970. When she died in May of that year, the career of one of the decades’ most brilliant artists was tragically cut short. This documentary looks at Hesse’s art and her impact in the art world. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Friday Night Live: Richter Uzer Duo: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
The Richter Uzur Duo plays a mash-up of classical, world and rock music.
Saturday, August 20
Detroit Film Theatre: DFT 101: “Destiny” (“Der Müde Tod”): 4 p.m.
A young woman confronts the personification of Death in an effort to save the life of her fiancé. In response, Death recounts three tragic tales of romance, offering to unite the girl with her lover if she can prevent the destiny foretold in at least one of the three stories. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students. Tickets: $5 for general admission, free for members.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Eva Hesse”: 7 p.m.
See August 19 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Black Girl” (“La Noire de…”): 9:30 p.m.
See August 12 for description.
Sunday, August 21
Sunday Music Bar: TBA: 1 & 3 p.m.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Eva Hesse”: 2 p.m.
See August 19 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Black Girl” (“La Noire de…”): 4:30 p.m.
See August 12 for description.
Friday, August 26
Detroit Film Theatre: “Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World”: 7 p.m.
Filmmaker Werner Herzog conducts interviews with cyberspace pioneers, turning his perceptive lens to the past, present and constantly evolving future on the Internet.
Friday Night Live: Protea: “Crossing the Equator”: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
“Crossing the Equator” explores works from North and South America and features the poetry of Langston Hughes, among others. Protea members are Dennis Carter (flute), Mariah Boucher (piano) and Lisa Raschiatore (clarinet).
Saturday, August 27
Detroit Institute of Awesome: DFT Animation Club: 90-Second Newbery Film Festival: 2 p.m.
This annual video contest invites kid filmmakers to create movies that tell the entire stories of Newbery Award winning books in about 90 seconds. In past years, winners have crafted hilarious, weird, impressive, and always amazing mini-films, including a James Bond version of Ramona and Her Father and a zombie apocalypse version of Mr. Popper's Penguins. Tickets: $5 for general admission, free for DIA members.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World”: 7 p.m.
See August 26 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Eva Hesse”: 9:30 p.m.
See August 19 for description.
Sunday, August 28
Sunday Music Bar: Michelle May: 1 p.m.
Violinist and flutist Michelle May performs classical, jazz and world fusion compositions.
Detroit Institute of Awesome: DFT Animation Club: 90-Second Newbery Film Festival: 2 p.m.
See August 27 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World”: 4:30 p.m.
See August 26 for description.