Get your dance on in May at Detroit Institute of Arts Fun activities related to “Dance! American Art 1830–1960,” live music and more
Updated Mar 1, 2016
March 1, 2016 (Detroit)—This May the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) offers live music, drop-in art making workshops and dance programs. Don’t miss “Dance! American Art, 1830–1960,” an exhibition featuring more than 90 works of art that celebrate dance in American life and culture, on view through June 12. This is a ticketed exhibition.
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.
Family Guided Tours: Saturdays–Sundays, 1 & 3 p.m.
Explore family and kid-friendly art and learn ways to engage children in lively discussions during future visits.
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)
Fridays, 6–9 p.m. Tibetan Prayer Flags–Learn how Tibetan prayer flags are made and used while you create your own personal flag to take home.
Saturdays, Noon–4 p.m. Printmaking–Use foam printing plates, water-based inks and a wooden stylus to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind hand-pulled prints on paper.
Sundays, Noon–4 p.m. Papel Picado–Have fun as you try this Mexican art of cutting paper.
Sunday, May 1
Detroit Film Theatre: “Sunset Song”: 2 & 4:30 p.m.
“Sunset Song” is a powerful portrait of a young woman’s struggle between tradition and change in the era just prior to World War I, before mechanization created unemployment and emigration. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Sunday music Bar: Obed Succari: 1 & 3 p.m.
Percussionist Obed Succari performs original compositions with Latin roots and jazz standards with inventive arrangements.
Friday, May 6
Friday Night Live: Naomi Yamaguchi: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
At 11 years old, Yamaguchi has already made a name for herself in the world of classical piano. She performs her own compositions, along with music by Frederic Chopin, Claude Debussy, Peter Tchaikovsky and others.
Sunday, May 8
Dancing in the DIA: The “Sleeping Beauty” Ballet: 11 a.m.
This creative movement class introduces the various dances that are part of the “Sleeping Beauty” ballet and combines a balletic warm-up with an enchanting story and, best of all, lots of costumes. All ages are welcome and no experience is necessary.
Dance Now Detroit: 12:30 p.m.
Performances by Happen Dance, MoreDances Contemporary, Monica Brady-Barnard/Squared Choreography Collective, Miryam Johnson, Maddy Rager and Scott Crandall, Kula Batangan and Javon Jones exemplify the vitality of choreographers working in metro Detroit. This program is in partnership with ARTLAB J.
Canvas to Dance: Lisa Lamarre and Dancers: 2:15 p.m.
Lisa LaMarre, director of LaMarre and Dancers, is a choreographer and dancer who focuses on site-specific collaborations, including those involving film and live improvisation. She has performed at ArtPrize 7, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Detroit Music Hall and the Sidewalk Performing Arts Festival. This performance is inspired by works in the exhibition “Dance! American Art 1830–1960.”
Detroit Revival Project: 3:30 p.m.
ARTLAB J and contemporary dance company DDCdances collaborate with contemporary music ensemble ConTempus in a performance with live music.
Friday, May 13
Friday Night Live: Becoming a Dancer: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Michigan natives Nehemiah Kish, principal dancer with The Royal Ballet in London, and Precious Adams, a ballerina with the English National Ballet in London, present snippets of what it is like to become a dancer. The demonstration begins with a ballet class, moves through a rehearsal and finishes with a short solo performed by Adams.
Saturday, May 14
Becoming a Dancer: 1 p.m.
See May 13 for description.
Lecture: “Sculpture of Richard Price”: 2 p.m.
California-based artist Kenneth Price was a revolutionary who transformed and redefined traditional ceramics into highly original sculptural clay forms, several which have been recently installed in the DIA’s Contemporary Art galleries. Lauren Bergman, a collaborator on the highly praised exhibition “Ken Price Sculpture: A Retrospective” explores his life and work. Sponsored by the Friends of Modern and Contemporary Art
Sunday, May 15
Artist Demonstration: “Coloring Well with Richard Stocker: 12–4 p.m.
Join native Detroiter Richard Stocker and reconnect with yourself as you participate in the meditative practice of coloring. Stocker’s dynamic designs help focus the mind and relieve stress.
Sunday Music Bar: Pam Wise: 1 p.m.
Detroit pianist Pamela Wise’s music is inspired by Afro-Cuban rhythms, along with R&B and jazz.
Lecture: “Surface and Depth: The Landscapes of George Inness”: 2 p.m.
One of America’s most celebrated landscape painters, George Inness created stunningly evocative views of the natural world and humanity’s presence in it. Explore ways in which Inness’s understanding of contemporary scientific and religious ideas shaped his lifelong attempt to create paintings able to evoke the presence of a spiritual world beyond the visible one. Sponsored by Associates of the American Wing
Conversations in Dance: American Ballet: 3:30 p.m.
Elizabeth Kattner (Oakland University) and Beth Genne (University of Michigan) conduct a discussion on American ballet moderated by Debra Bernstein-Siegel (Oakland University).
Thursday, May 19
Lecture: “Crossovers: American Dance and Its European Antecedents”: 6 p.m.
American dance forms developed from cultures around the globe and, in the same way, American art depicting these scenes was indebted to European sources. Explore these artistic exchanges, including between French Impressionism the development of American modernism with “Dance!” exhibition curator Jane Dini. Tickets: $60, includes lecture, reception, and curator-led tour of “Dance! American Art 1830–1960.” Sponsored by the Visiting Committee for European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Friday, May 20
Friday Night Live: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
TBD
Sunday, May 22
Sunday Music Bar: Mick Dobday: 1–4 p.m.
Pianist Mick Dobday performs avant-garde, contemporary and Latin jazz as well as classical standards.
Puppet Performance: Frisch Marionettes’ “Puppets Kapow”: 2 p.m.
Kevin Frisch of the Frisch Marionettes demonstrates the art of 19th-century European puppetry in a lively show, featuring hand puppets and trick marionettes.
Lecture: “Charles Lang Freer and the Discovery of Korean Ceramics”: 2 p.m.
Detroit industrialist and art collector, Charles Lang Freer, was deeply attracted to Korean ceramics of the Joseon period (1392–1910) with their simple forms, spare decoration and monochrome glazes. Between 1896 and 1918, however, he expanded his collection to include celadon ceramics and stoneware from the earlier Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). This talk illuminates the scope of and the reasons for the shift in Freer’s Korean ceramic collecting. Sponsored by Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures, Freer House, Merrill-Palmer Skillman Institute / WSU, and the Honorary Consulate, Republic of Korea in Detroit, United States.
Friday, May 27
Friday Night Live: Austin Selden and Sarah Konnor: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Part satire, part comic strip, part emotional roller coaster, Austin Selden and Sarah Konnor’s performance takes on the Diego Rivera “Detroit Industry” murals as an environment for their contribution to the “Dance! American Art 1830–1960” exhibition.
March 1, 2016 (Detroit)—This May the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) offers live music, drop-in art making workshops and dance programs. Don’t miss “Dance! American Art, 1830–1960,” an exhibition featuring more than 90 works of art that celebrate dance in American life and culture, on view through June 12. This is a ticketed exhibition.
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.
Family Guided Tours: Saturdays–Sundays, 1 & 3 p.m.
Explore family and kid-friendly art and learn ways to engage children in lively discussions during future visits.
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)
Fridays, 6–9 p.m. Tibetan Prayer Flags–Learn how Tibetan prayer flags are made and used while you create your own personal flag to take home.
Saturdays, Noon–4 p.m. Printmaking–Use foam printing plates, water-based inks and a wooden stylus to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind hand-pulled prints on paper.
Sundays, Noon–4 p.m. Papel Picado–Have fun as you try this Mexican art of cutting paper.
Sunday, May 1
Detroit Film Theatre: “Sunset Song”: 2 & 4:30 p.m.
“Sunset Song” is a powerful portrait of a young woman’s struggle between tradition and change in the era just prior to World War I, before mechanization created unemployment and emigration. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Sunday music Bar: Obed Succari: 1 & 3 p.m.
Percussionist Obed Succari performs original compositions with Latin roots and jazz standards with inventive arrangements.
Friday, May 6
Friday Night Live: Naomi Yamaguchi: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
At 11 years old, Yamaguchi has already made a name for herself in the world of classical piano. She performs her own compositions, along with music by Frederic Chopin, Claude Debussy, Peter Tchaikovsky and others.
Sunday, May 8
Dancing in the DIA: The “Sleeping Beauty” Ballet: 11 a.m.
This creative movement class introduces the various dances that are part of the “Sleeping Beauty” ballet and combines a balletic warm-up with an enchanting story and, best of all, lots of costumes. All ages are welcome and no experience is necessary.
Dance Now Detroit: 12:30 p.m.
Performances by Happen Dance, MoreDances Contemporary, Monica Brady-Barnard/Squared Choreography Collective, Miryam Johnson, Maddy Rager and Scott Crandall, Kula Batangan and Javon Jones exemplify the vitality of choreographers working in metro Detroit. This program is in partnership with ARTLAB J.
Canvas to Dance: Lisa Lamarre and Dancers: 2:15 p.m.
Lisa LaMarre, director of LaMarre and Dancers, is a choreographer and dancer who focuses on site-specific collaborations, including those involving film and live improvisation. She has performed at ArtPrize 7, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Detroit Music Hall and the Sidewalk Performing Arts Festival. This performance is inspired by works in the exhibition “Dance! American Art 1830–1960.”
Detroit Revival Project: 3:30 p.m.
ARTLAB J and contemporary dance company DDCdances collaborate with contemporary music ensemble ConTempus in a performance with live music.
Friday, May 13
Friday Night Live: Becoming a Dancer: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Michigan natives Nehemiah Kish, principal dancer with The Royal Ballet in London, and Precious Adams, a ballerina with the English National Ballet in London, present snippets of what it is like to become a dancer. The demonstration begins with a ballet class, moves through a rehearsal and finishes with a short solo performed by Adams.
Saturday, May 14
Becoming a Dancer: 1 p.m.
See May 13 for description.
Lecture: “Sculpture of Richard Price”: 2 p.m.
California-based artist Kenneth Price was a revolutionary who transformed and redefined traditional ceramics into highly original sculptural clay forms, several which have been recently installed in the DIA’s Contemporary Art galleries. Lauren Bergman, a collaborator on the highly praised exhibition “Ken Price Sculpture: A Retrospective” explores his life and work. Sponsored by the Friends of Modern and Contemporary Art
Sunday, May 15
Artist Demonstration: “Coloring Well with Richard Stocker: 12–4 p.m.
Join native Detroiter Richard Stocker and reconnect with yourself as you participate in the meditative practice of coloring. Stocker’s dynamic designs help focus the mind and relieve stress.
Sunday Music Bar: Pam Wise: 1 p.m.
Detroit pianist Pamela Wise’s music is inspired by Afro-Cuban rhythms, along with R&B and jazz.
Lecture: “Surface and Depth: The Landscapes of George Inness”: 2 p.m.
One of America’s most celebrated landscape painters, George Inness created stunningly evocative views of the natural world and humanity’s presence in it. Explore ways in which Inness’s understanding of contemporary scientific and religious ideas shaped his lifelong attempt to create paintings able to evoke the presence of a spiritual world beyond the visible one. Sponsored by Associates of the American Wing
Conversations in Dance: American Ballet: 3:30 p.m.
Elizabeth Kattner (Oakland University) and Beth Genne (University of Michigan) conduct a discussion on American ballet moderated by Debra Bernstein-Siegel (Oakland University).
Thursday, May 19
Lecture: “Crossovers: American Dance and Its European Antecedents”: 6 p.m.
American dance forms developed from cultures around the globe and, in the same way, American art depicting these scenes was indebted to European sources. Explore these artistic exchanges, including between French Impressionism the development of American modernism with “Dance!” exhibition curator Jane Dini. Tickets: $60, includes lecture, reception, and curator-led tour of “Dance! American Art 1830–1960.” Sponsored by the Visiting Committee for European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Friday, May 20
Friday Night Live: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
TBD
Sunday, May 22
Sunday Music Bar: Mick Dobday: 1–4 p.m.
Pianist Mick Dobday performs avant-garde, contemporary and Latin jazz as well as classical standards.
Puppet Performance: Frisch Marionettes’ “Puppets Kapow”: 2 p.m.
Kevin Frisch of the Frisch Marionettes demonstrates the art of 19th-century European puppetry in a lively show, featuring hand puppets and trick marionettes.
Lecture: “Charles Lang Freer and the Discovery of Korean Ceramics”: 2 p.m.
Detroit industrialist and art collector, Charles Lang Freer, was deeply attracted to Korean ceramics of the Joseon period (1392–1910) with their simple forms, spare decoration and monochrome glazes. Between 1896 and 1918, however, he expanded his collection to include celadon ceramics and stoneware from the earlier Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). This talk illuminates the scope of and the reasons for the shift in Freer’s Korean ceramic collecting. Sponsored by Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures, Freer House, Merrill-Palmer Skillman Institute / WSU, and the Honorary Consulate, Republic of Korea in Detroit, United States.
Friday, May 27
Friday Night Live: Austin Selden and Sarah Konnor: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Part satire, part comic strip, part emotional roller coaster, Austin Selden and Sarah Konnor’s performance takes on the Diego Rivera “Detroit Industry” murals as an environment for their contribution to the “Dance! American Art 1830–1960” exhibition.