Always, lots going on in the arts including Detroit Next at DAM, WSU Thesis Show, Phaedra Robinson and others at GPAA, and more. Check out openings in our comprehensive and always up-to-date arts calendar here.

We've also brought back specific Lit listings and Theater listings, in their respective sections.

Wednesday, Feb 28th: Primordial Undermind with THTX
The psyche rock torch is being carried well into it's second decade with
this now Austin based group. Led by ex-Crystalized Movements guitarist Eric Arn, Primordial Undermind mix in elements of free improv and free-wheeling experimentation to the trippy guitars and double drums psychedelic formula. Detroit's own psyche improvisers THTX open the show. Doors at 8 pm; $5.

MARCH 1, 2007: Detroit Arrivals: An Evening of poetry from InsideOut Detroit
At the Matrix Theater. 6:30-8:30
Box Office: (313) 967-0599
www.matrixtheatre.org

Grace Lee Boggs will speak on “Born Female: Growing into Feminism and
Movement Building” on March 1, 12:00 pm, in Bernath Auditorium,
Undergraduate Library.

Ms. Boggs, co-founder of the Beloved Communities Initiative, is an activist, writer and speaker who lives in Detroit. Her sixty-five years of political involvement encompass the major U.S. social movements of the 20th century, including the Civil Rights, Black Power, and Women’s movements.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.wayne.edu/wsucosw/boggs.pdf

BLUES RHYTHM MUSICAL - at Bert's Warehouse Theater2739 Russell . Detroit, MI
March 2, 2007 (Special preview night March 1)

BLUES RHYTHM is a musical revue that explores the intersection between music and art at its best, focusing on its evolution in the twentieth century to become the foundation for pop culture with roots in ancient civilizations. With an all-star internationally renowned cast, the show is set in Detroit, one of the worlds most vital centers for the furthering of celebrated African American culture, beloved around the world. From traditional African based roots to Blues and Jazz in the Motown Era, the cross section between these musical styles will be artfully and sensitively portrayed with a careful eye toward historical accuracy.

http://www.bluesrhythmmusical.com:80/

Story and Photos
William Eric Graham

An estimated crowd of 35,000 people were on hand Sunday at Ford Field to hear what was possibly the last, major public speech of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. After fighting cancer and complications from the surgery he underwent last year, there was much speculation that Farrakhan would be stepping away from his leadership role in the Nation and that he would be naming his successor, perhaps sometime during the three day convention. While recuperating, the day to day control of the Nation of Islam was put in the hands of some of his top advisers at his request last year. However his health and vitality seemed good, even better than what was expected by his followers, and that led to the assumption that he is far from ready to retire from the public eye. His overall message of unity between the religions and races seemed to suggest a new, less combative Farrakhan. That appeared to be welcome news for many of the members in the crowd, who cheered when he made his feelings about continuing his fight against oppression known as well as his feelings toward the Bush administration, particularly their handling of the war in Iraq. Turning to the stage he also let many of the politicians in attendance know that he was very disappointed in their efforts to stand up against the current policy of war.

“Stop pussyfooting around,” he said to the Democrats on stage as the huge monitors set up around the stadium showed the images of U.S. Representatives John Conyers and Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick nodding their heads in agreement. He also stated that it was his belief that “the worst thing a person could do was join the military. Armageddon has already begun with the current military buildup in the Middle East and the plans Bush has to expand his war to Iran. We have got to let the world know that something went wrong with our leadership.”

In addition to Reps. Conyers and Kilpatrick, joining Farrakhan on stage were Detroit’s mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Judge Greg Mathis, Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, who pledged $20,000 to the Nation of Islam, and R&B songstress Anita Baker, who performed twice before Minister Farrakhan made his way to the stage. Other leaders of the Nation spoke before Minister Farrakhan, who received a thunderous ovation when he was first spotted on the big screens and many more rounds of applause during his nearly two-hour speech. He did not disappoint the thousands who showed up despite the less than ideal weather conditions and gave reason to believe that there would be much more to come from his leadership in the Nation of Islam before he decides to step down.

William Eric Graham is a local freelance writer and the author of the novel Palmer Park. He’s written for ihedetroiter.com, The Metro Business Information Guide and The Highland Park Journal. He can be reached at WEGPUBLISHINGLLC@AOL.

Always, lots going on in the arts including "His and Hers" at Paramount Bank, the Fashion Incubator, and more. Check out openings in our comprehensive and always up-to-date arts calendar here.

We've also brought back specific Lit listings and Theater listings, in their respective sections.

THEATRE 1 in association with PHASES THEATRE CO., PRESENT the Detroit Premier of Some Girl(s)
a comedy by
Neil Labute
Directed by Elana Elyce

Opens Next Friday, February 9 - March 4, 2007
Reserve Tix @ 313.887.0305
Theatre 1 is on myspace @ www.myspace.com/theatreone

Sound Effects: Music Builds Community in Shrinking Cities
A gallery talk by Walter Wasacz, a music writer and co-founder of Paris '68, a sonic art collective based in Detroit and Pittsburgh.

Friday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.
Cranbrook Art Museum
39221 Woodward
Bloomfield Hills, MI

The hour-long talk will include a wide-ranging discussion of the power and distinction of music in cities in decline.
Why does music from Liverpool and Manchester, Berlin and Detroit, reach hearts and minds around the world?
How does it penetrate history, leaving cultural legacies in its wake? The presentation will be interactive and encourage participation from the audience. A selected music program will accompany the talk. The talk is part of a series of events organized by Cranbrook and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) for the Shrinking Cities exhibition.

The Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit

presents
• Friday, February 23, 2007
The Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit presents...
An Acoustic Evening with Andrew Kuchon and friends:
The aesthetically agreeable pastime between dinner and sleep.
Featuring:
Frank Pahl (Ann Arbor)
Guy Harrison (Pontiac)
Andrew Kuchon (Pontiac)
$5 • 8 p.m.

• Friday, February 23, 2007(and every last Friday)
Funk Night

• Saturday, February 24, 2007
Lovefingers.org /Disco.Secret present:
Loud E: (Rotterdam, NL)
Tako: (Rotterdam, NL)
LovefingersLovefingers.org, LA)
Relaxer: (Soft-Curls, Detroit)
Doors at 11pm - $7 cover

• Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit presents...
Beatrix*Jar (Minneapolis, MN)
Metal Dungeon (Detroit)
Junesey (Detroit)
$5 • 9 p.m.

BOHEMIAN NATIONAL HOME

Friday, Feb. 23rd: Immigrant Suns with La Chispa and Company
The first public performance of Detroit's Immigrant Suns in about a year-and our first show at The Bohemian. The original five are back, with a batch of new ethnic folk fused rockers. Although the Suns have been low profile the last few years, creative work has continued. Come check out the 1st performance of lucky year 15 for one of Detroit's most original bands! Opening is the flamenco group La Chispa and Company. Doors at 9 pm; sliding
scale $5-10.

Saturday, Feb 24th: I, Crime CD release show with Scarlet Oak and Zoos of Berlin Catchy, thoughtful rock music with hints of folk idioms and outstanding vocals is the standard that I, Crime has set with their live shows. If their musicality and commitment translate half as well to their recordings, this new CD will be the first hot Detroit release of 2007. Zoos of Berlin and Scarlet Oak both make their debut at The Bohemian. Doors at 9 pm; $5.

Wednesday, Feb 28th: Primordial Undermind with THTX
The psyche rock torch is being carried well into it's second decade with
this now Austin based group. Led by ex-Crystalized Movements guitarist Eric Arn, Primordial Undermind mix in elements of free improv and free-wheeling experimentation to the trippy guitars and double drums psychedelic formula.
Detroit's own psyche improvisers THTX open the show. Doors at 8 pm; $5.

READINGS GROSSE POINTE ART CENTER HOLDS POETS FOLLIES FRIDAY, FEB. 23

The Grosse Pointe Art Center holds its monthly Poets Follies from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23.
Readers for this month’s gathering include Ryan Kelly, Christina Kallery and Ray Macdonald.
Kelly will be reading his works, which are inspired by contemporary writers and songwriters such as Allen Ginsberg, Charles Bukowski, e.e. cummings, Bob Dylan and Saul Williams. He is a resident of St. Clair Shores.
Kallery, of Royal Oak, a copywriter and freelance journalist by day, will be reciting her poetic work, some of which has appeared in the Hiram Poetry Review, the MacGuffin and Poetry Motel.
Macdonald is a Grosse Pointe writer, whose work has been included in publications including “The Lacoon Group: The Poetics of Painting and the Reconstruction of Art History and From Rhetoric and Poetics to Art History.”
Admission is $5. The Grosse Pointe Art Center is located at 1005 Maryland in Grosse Pointe Park. For more information, call (313) 821-1848, e-mail mgriffor@marick press.com or visit www.myspace.com/grossepointeartcenter.

Friday 2/23
Plymouth - The Book Cellar
7-9 p.m. - Free

Matthew Olzmann reads poetry

I was fortunate enough to catch Matthew read at The Scarab Club back in November and he is well worth your trip to Plymouth. Again, if not for the Kallery reading in Grosse Pointe, I'd be seated firmly in Plymouth.

Sunday, February 25 at 1:30 PM
LITERARY READING: IMAGINARY CITIES - WRITERS RESPOND TO SHRINKING CITIES
at Cranbrook Museum of Art

Detroit-based writers William Copeland, Lynn Crawford, Robert Fanning, and Kim Hunter are featured in this afternoon of spoken word about the city of Detroit.

Classical Roots @ The DSO

FEATURING:
BRANFORD MARSALIS
WITH THE DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
at the Max M. Fisher Music Center

Thomas Wilkins, conductor
Brazeal Dennard Chorale

Sat., Feb. 24
Reception: 6:30pm Concert: 8:30pm

Be a part of a new generation of Classical Roots supporters! A $75 Classical Roots Young Friends ticket includes a pre-concert reception, gala seating for the Classical Roots: Branford Marsalis concert,
and a dessert afterglow.

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW!

CLICK HERE or Contact Mari Vaydik at (313) 576-5449

There’s been a lot of attention given to the state of the city of late, ranging from proposals for its development to investigations of its decline. What follows is a brief overview of three recent public dialogues about the city and its future.

9th Annual Detroit Design Workshop

A few weeks back the University of Michigan held its 9th Annual Detroit Design Workshop. A team of architects from UM, students, and outsiders, converged on Detroit for a several day intense architectural, urban planning exercise to come up with ideas for the downtown area, and shared its projects with a public presentation at the Gem Theatre. Their plans were exciting and quite hopeful. They could come across as overly optimistic and pie in the sky, but the focus this year seemed on practical and realizable projects, achievable within five years and by 2020. Not only did the projects seem doable, but with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation as a sponsor, it seems that there’s a chance someone might be listening and taking notes, and not letting this remain just an exercise.

A central component of all the projects was this notion of “Walkable Urbanity.” Cities that thrive, that people live in, are cities that they can walk in. The whole idea of streets was explored, as one team put it, “Activate the streets and public places in everything you do.” This is quite different than the walled off fortress model that’s been driving development in Detroit for so long. They combined this idea of “Great Streets” with an emphasis on open places. The thinking is that parks and walking spaces help build neighborhoods that can be owned by the residents that live there.

An emphasis on neighborhoods and streets, accompanied by a reduced focus on isolated destinations, in their words, “It’s not the attraction that brings people, it’s the place.” This speaks to stadiums of course, a center piece of the past decade of downtown development. Stadiums not only sit vacant most of the time, but one of the teams pointed out that the monster footprint of a stadium ends up eliminating streets, destroying flow through a city. One group proposed a new stadium for the Red Wings on Grand River north of Cass Tech. Building it in this location would eliminate only a single street and add a brand new one, and help to bring back flow from the various areas downtown.

Some called for outlawing new surface parking lots, and the most extreme (but quite intriguing) idea put forth to make the city walkable and connected, was to get rid of I-375 and reintegrate the area around Lafayette Park with the downtown again.

Sustainability was a big concern, which brought forth a call for a moratorium on demolition of historic buildings downtown and a widespread push for environmentally sound practices like green buildings, renewable energy production, and less cars. This of course brings up transit, which ties into walkability, and for which there were some modest proposals including something called “The Hop,” initially a rubber-tire system, which could eventually be replaced with light rail.

They painted a vivid and believable future for the downtown, one filled with people living and using their city. The workshop also pointed out strongly why people outside of Detroit should concern themselves with the city by stating that, “the region can’t thrive without understanding the importance of Detroit to the region.”

(For an overview of the projects, see the Design Workshop website here.)

Shrinking Cities

The end of that same week saw the much anticipated opening of the Shrinking Cities exhibition at Cranbrook and MOCAD. In contrast to the development ideas at the Design Workshop, the exhibition is more of a study of what’s happening in the cities, how people cope with the situation, and approaches for making the most out of what’s there in creative and not so resource draining ways. If the Workshop was about growth, Shrinking Cities is focused on understanding and accepting the situation, and making do with what’s available. They complement one another, and provide an informed and balanced approach about what is possible here.

(For coverage of Shrinking Cities in our Arts Section please click here. For the Shrinking Cities Detroit website click here.)

Midtown

We round out the look at what has happened and what could happen, with a look at what is happening – now. Last week the University Cultural Center Association held a meeting sharing highlights for projects all either in progress or with start dates for development just around the corner. There’s been a lot of change in Midtown over the last several years, but the developments that are about to come are staggering. Attendees got a look at numerous loft projects, restoration projects, as well as a serious investment in development along the Woodward corridor by Wayne State University, the much-anticipated Arts League facility, a major restoration project including a long defunct theater on Woodward, and of course renovation at the DIA and MOCAD’s arrival on the scene.

With funding for almost all of them firmly in place, it no longer seems a matter of “what if?” but of “soon.” On one related note, all the projects addressed the issue of parking, with many of these developments devoting significant money towards building parking structures. To be sure, this is desirous in comparison to sprawling surface lots, as all the UM Design teams noted, but still eat up tremendous amounts of money, and are at best a temporary solution to a persistent problem. Preservation Wayne’s Francis Grunow wisely pointed out that with the kind of investment of capital the different developers are putting forth, they might instead pool their energies and resources and make a push for the creation of a true transit system. With this kind of density coming to Midtown, with the creation of the Midtown Greenways loop, “walkable urbanity” is fast becoming a reality, and perhaps there are enough pieces in place, to bring mass transit back to the heart of the Motor City.

(For more on these projects in the works check out the UCCA’s website.)

Armed with such views of the city, one can’t help but begin to notice things that had remained concealed before. That perspective brings a lot of hope, and the next few years hold the promise for the city to blossom. – Nick Sousanis
ws@thedetroiter.com

Always, lots going on in the arts including “Imprint of Place” at Gallery Project and more. Check out openings in our comprehensive and always up-to-date arts calendar here.

We've also brought back specific Lit listings and Theater listings, in their respective sections.

Media City Film Fest
13th annual Media City Festival represents the world of film and video art, February 13-17 2007

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Pine Flat (Sharon Lockhart)
8:00 pm OPENING SCREENING
Pine Flat (Sharon Lockhart, USA, 16mm, 138:00, 2006)
at the Detroit Film Center, 1227 Washington Blvd, Detroit
a co-presentation with the Detroit Film Center's New Cinema Series and the "Shrinking Cities" exhibition presented by the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and Cranbrook Art Museum
admission: 5 USD/3 USD DFC, Artcite, MOCAD members/students free w. ID

Look for day-by-day updates and program information. Below are some of this year's lucky thirteen highlights!

Highlights of the 13th annual Media City (Feb. 13-17, 2007) include the Opening Night Screening of PINE FLAT, the latest feature film by the acclaimed US photographer/filmmaker Sharon Lockhart, Retrospective Screenings and discussions with renowned filmmakers Peter Hutton (USA), Sergei Loznitsa (Russia) and Helga Fanderl (Germany), Video Installations at Artcite Inc and the Art Gallery of Windsor including work by Mircea Cantor (Romania), Victor Alimpiev (Russia), Tony Cokes (USA) and Johanna Billing (Sweden), a Regional Artists Program highlighting new work by eleven artists from southern Ontario and Michigan, and more than 30 new films and videos from around the world in six International Competition Programs. More than 20 artists in attendance from around the world.

Full festival schedule at: http://houseoftoast.ca/mediacity/festival.html
For more information, contact: Jeremy Rigsby or Oona Mosna, Media City Program Directors,tel. 519 977 6564, mediacity@artcite.ca

- unless otherwise indicated all events are at the Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre, 121 University Av. W., Windsor
- unless otherwise indicated admission per day (all screenings) is 8 CAD general/ 6 CAD students and Artcite members

thursday, february 15
@ 6:30 p.m. on WCBN
frank pahl LIVE on the radio
protest songs, etc.
this is their fundraiser so give! give! give!

InsideOut Writers' Reading Series
Friday, February 16th
Detroit Artists Market
7:00pm--9:00pm

Stacy Aab
Stephan Johnson
Emily Maderal
Cheri L. R. Taylor

Film Festival and Ice Sculptures
Folk Art Animation Films by Dave Moroski during Wyandotte's 3rd Friday, February 16th, 6:00-9:00PM at Biddle Gallery. Also, Ice Sculptures throughout downtown Wyandotte. Go to our web site to find out more about these exciting events!

friday, february 16
@ MOCAD (museum of contemporary art - detroit)
4454 woodward ave. in detroit
frank pahl & dan demaggio w/city chicken orchestra
part of the shrinking city exhibit
i'll be performing solo w/some new and old automatic pieces....
music starts at 9p.m. and i think i hit at 10p.m.
FREE!

Author Book Signing: Earl Sewell
February 16, 2007
4:00PM

On February 16, 2007, Earl Sewell, author of the book “When Push Comes to Shove,” will be holding a book signing at the Detroit Public Library’s Main Branch. A National best selling and award winning author, Earl Sewell has written five novels and been included in three anthologies. He has also been selected by Harlequin Publishing as one of the launch authors for Kamani Tru, a young adult imprint.

This event will be free and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.detroitpubliclibrary.org or give us a call at 313-833-4042.

Looking at Jazz Movie Series
Friday, February 16th, 2007 at 6:00pm
“Gumbo, Beginnings to 1917”
Ken Burns Jazz, Episode 1

Detroit Public Library, Main Library
Detroit Public Library Friends Auditorium
5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202

New Media presents a viewing and discussion program on jazz, America's art form. The project includes a series of film documentaries based on the genre of jazz.
Moderator: Musician/Scholar and Detroit Jazz Legend - Marcus Belgrave

Puppy Love at Canine to Five:
Singles Night Brings Dogs and Owners Together

Sometimes a man’s (or woman’s) best friend just isn’t enough. The day after Valentine’s Day, Thursday, Feb. 15, 7-9:30 p.m., singles from all over metro Detroit can come to Canine to Five, Detroit’s only Dog Daycare, to find some who may be more than just a best friend. This cheap date only costs $8 for entry to the dog park and light refreshments, including beer, soft drinks, and coffee. Each additional dog costs $2.

The singles night will be a monthly event, beginning Thursday, Feb. 15 and continuing the third Thursday of every month from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Canine to Five is Metro Detroit's only Dog Daycare, boarding, and grooming facility, located in the heart of Detroit's Historic Midtown Neighborhood. The facilities includes 4500 square feet of cage-free, indoor climate-controlled play space and 1,000 square feet of secured, fenced in, well-lit outdoor play space, separate play area for puppies, small dogs, and quiet time, and one dozen large secure kennels for our overnight guests.

Canine to Five: Detroit Dog Daycare is located at 3443 Cass Avenue, Detroit, just south of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. It’s regular business hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with the exception of the dog park days and the puppy socials.

For more information, visit www.detroitdogdaycare.com.

Second Life Detroit

Please join us in this coming Friday, February 16th, for another live "mixed reality event" taking place at Fifth Avenue in Royal Oak Michigan AND inside the virtual world of Second Life. That means anyone with a computer, anywhere in the real world, may attend! So c'mon.

"Get in the game and try to love someone!"

Click this link www.detroit-life.com, or the banner below for instructions.

Wednesday February 21, 8:00 PM
Amas Muhammad
The City Wide Poets

Smoke Free, Admission Free,
and, for this show, ALCOHOL FREE
2661 Michigan Ave
West of Tiger Stadium, East of the I-96 Overpass
www.zeitgeistdetroit.org
(313) 965-9192

On Thursday, February 1st, 2007, the WestSiders, a group of distinguished individuals whose roots came from the “old westside” area of Detroit, came together to celebrate, honor, and remember a special time in Detroit’s history. This was a community that inspired its families, friends, and neighbors despite the various forms of legal segregation that existed back a half century ago.

There were an amazing number of doctors, lawyers, educators, politicians, and other professionals who came from this area of Detroit who went on to do great things for the community and in many cases the country. The Honorable Damon J. Keith, lawyer extraordinare Cornelius Pitts, Motown’s Esther Gordy Edwards, Detroit educator Catherine Blackwell, and the Honorable Congressman John Conyers are just a few of the many leaders that came from the area that ran from Epworth to W. Grand Boulevard; Tireman to Warren; Vinewood to Grand River; Buchanan to W. Grand Boulevard; and later, American, Bryden, and Central streets. These were the boundaries that were recognized throughout the city as the “old west side.”

As Wallace Craig, current President of the Detroit WestSiders remarked, in his welcome address at the reception held at the Walter P. Reuther Library on the Wayne State University campus, “there was no other place to be. The west side was the best side.” Mr. Michael Smith, director of the library, Mr. Harvey Hollins, III, Vice President of Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Louis Jones, Archivist of the Reuther Library and Co-President, along with Mr. Darryl Shreve, of the Detroit African American History Project, (DAAHP) were on hand to make remarks as well. They were all there to honor those WestSiders who were the subjects of the fantastic online oral history project put together by the DAAHP. Mr. Jones, who served as the oral historian, and Mr. Shreve, who was the projects’ producer/director, put together a truly remarkable piece of work, which can be found at www.daahp.wayne.edu or www.detroitwestsiders.org.

Also included in the evenings’ festivities was “Our Village: an Exhibit of Detroit’s West Side,” which will be on display at the Walter Reuther Library through April of this year. Finally, helping to keep the spirit of the “old westside” alive were the winners of the Detroit WestSider’s student essay contest. From the Westside Multicultural Academy they were Ebony Mcguire (1st place), Kiara Woods (2nd place), and Imani Johnson (3rd place). All received certificates of achievement for their work and Mcguire had the honor of reading her essay to the audience. Ms. Edith Turner, a longtime WestSider member and officer presented the winners their certificates to a great round of applause.

It was an evening that presented the glory of Detroit’s past and perhaps the beginnings of a brighter future.

William Eric Graham is a local freelance writer and the author of the novel Palmer Park. He’s written for ihedetroiter.com, The Metro Business Information Guide and The Highland Park Journal. He can be reached at WEGPUBLISHINGLLC@AOL.

WINTER BLAST

February 9 through 11

Detroit's Winter Blast, produced by Jonathan Witz & Associates, features hip and cool winter events around Campus Martius Park, Greektown and throughout Detroit.Our signature winter activities are returning with free ice skating in Campus Martius Park, Professional skating demonstrations from the Detroit skating club, the Michigan.org 200 ft. snow slide, spectacular ice sculptures, the Meijer Kid’s tent and more. New this year is our mission to celebrate entertainment throughout Detroit. Guests can enjoy Metro PCS Dine in the D with great deals at sixty Detroit restaurants, special hotel rates, shop Detroit, theatre deals, cultural center discounts and more. It makes you want to spend the weekend in Detroit as there will be so much do at such a great value.

Look for details here.

Mosaic @ the Max
Magnificat: The Mosaic Singers 10th Anniversary Concert
at the The Max M Fisher Music Center

February 9 & 10, 2007
Friday at 8pm
Saturday at 2pm & 8pm

Tickets $18 adult, $12 youth and senior
For tickets call (313) 576-5111
Children 5 and younger not admitted

Group discounts for 10+
Call (313) 872-6910 ext 4005

www.mosaicdetroit.org

The Mosaic Singers are celebrating their 10th year of joyous music
making! Their musical excellence has led to performances on stages
throughout the state, the country and the three continents of Europe,
Asia and Africa. They have opened for musical legends Al Green, Pete
Seeger, The Temptations and Sweet Honey in the Rock. The Mosaic Singers
will bring the power of a 60 voice choir and their unique brand of
energy to a glorious concert of a cappella, classical, gospel and
popular music. Only 3 Performances ~ Reserve Your Tickets Today!

The Mosaic Singers infuse Detroit's soulful spirit into every performance and have brought countless audiences to their feet around the city, the country and as far away as London, England and Dakar, Senegal!

Thomas Sayers Ellis and Citywide Poets
InsideOut's Visiting Writers Series

February 9, 2007
at The Detroit Artists Market (DAM)
7pm-9pm
also featuring InsideOut's Citywide Poets

The Detroit Artist Market is located at:
4719 Woodward Ave, Detroit
Michigan 48201
Phone: 313-832-8540

Admission: $5, or $3 for DPS students w/ ID

Thomas Sayers Ellis, co-founder of The Dark Room Collective has published his poetry in many notable journals including Callaloo, Kenyon Review, Tin House and The American Poetry Review. He has also received fellowships from The Fine Arts Work Center, Yaddo and The MacDowell Colony. Mr. Ellis is a contributing editor of Callaloo and a consulting editor to A Public Space.

He is the author of a chapbook The Genuine Negro Hero , (Kent State University Press, 2001); and his most recent book The Maverick Room (Graywolf 2005).

He is currently an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Sarah Lawrence College and a faculty member of The Lesley University low-residency M.F.A program. His Quotes Community: Notes for Black Poets is forthcoming from the University of Michigan Press Poets on Poetry Series.

In October 2005, he was awarded the prestigious Whiting Writers Award for emerging writers. The awards, which are $40,000 each, totaling $400,000, have been given annually since 1985 to emerging writers of exceptional talent and promise.

Always, lots going on in the arts including Shrinking Cities opening this week at MoCAD and Cranbrook, the All Media Show at CAID, and more. Check out openings in our comprehensive and always up-to-date arts calendar here.

We've also brought back specific Lit listings and Theater listings, in their respective sections.

Thursday, February 1 at 5:10 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION: MAKING ART PUBLIC
Penny Stamps Lecture Series
University of Michigan
Michigan Theater
Ann Arbor

The discussion will be about making art in Detroit from these different perspectives and art practices. In the context of the Shrinking Cities project art is used as a tool to investigate issues of social intervention or social interaction not just simply a production of objects. All the panelists have been dealing with issues of education, social involvement and community building either directly or indirectly through their work. For example Nandi Comer is interested in how, why and in what way art is taught to the youth in Detroit and Mitch Cope is interested in ideas of pushing the arts and the artist out of the studio into a more proactive state by using research and public interaction as the basis for making work.

More info here: http://www.art-design.umich.edu/ev_lectures.php#shrinking

College for Creative Studies' WOODWARD LECTURE SERIES

Thursday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m.:
ANN WOLFF, glass sculptor
Co-sponsored by Habatat Galleries

A consummate artist, craftsperson, draftsman and designer (with Kosta
Boda), Ann Wolff is one of the most significant artists working with
glass today. She was a founding figure in international studio glass.
Her sculptural forms are expressive, intimate, lyrical and heroic. In
almost 45 years as an artist, she has explored ideas about women's work
in the home, dualities and relationships, the joys and burdens of
motherhood, and the female form.

African American History Month Kick-Off At the Main Library
Saturday, February 3rd, 11:00am
Come, Celebrate A Rich, Diverse Culture

Featuring:
Detroit-Windsor Dance Company
Slam Poet - Jamaal "Versiz" May
Storyteller - Madeline Porter

WORLD MARKET
Saturday, February 3rd, 12 Noon - 5:00pm

Adam Strohm Hall
A cultural celebration from all over the world. Sample international foods and goods from local vendors,while being captivated by musical artists and performers.

THE 20TH EROTIC POETRY & MUSIC FESTIVAL IS COMING!

The infamous event known as the “Erotic Poetry & Music Festival” celebrates its 20th anniversary this year! The festival is now one of the longest running arts festivals in Detroit. The festival is an “eclectic celebration of the erotic arts” featuring poetry, art, music and dance performances. There is an “open mic” portion of the night for audience members to participate in the show. It promises to be an evening you won’t forget!

The date is: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 8 pm, 21 &over are welcome. Admission is $8. Partial proceeds benefit the non-profit organization Paws with a Cause, who provide and train leader dogs for the disabled. The event will be held at a new venue this year, NORTHERN LIGHTS LOUNGE located at 660 W. Baltimore in the new center area.
(313.873.1739)

BOHEMIAN NATIONAL HOME

Saturday, Feb 3rd: Rhys Chatham backed by Matt Smith, Bill Brovold, Thor
Brovold, Mark Sawasky, Joel Peterson, Rhys Chatham- Minimalist composer, student of LaMonte Young and Glen Gould- is the roots of Glen Branca and Sonic Youth's sound. He returns to The Bohemian to perform one of his classic compositions from the 1970's, "Guitar Trio", featuring a band of Detroit notables: Matt Smith, Bill Brovold, Thor Brovold, Mark Sawasky and me. Expect less metal than his recent appearance here with his group "Essentialist." This performance will be recorded. Doors
at 9 pm; $10 minimum.

Always, lots going on in the arts including Shrinking Cities opening this week at MoCAD and Cranbrook, the All Media Show at CAID, and more. Check out openings in our comprehensive and always up-to-date arts calendar here.

We've also brought back specific Lit listings and Theater listings, in their respective sections.

Thursday, February 1 at 5:10 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION: MAKING ART PUBLIC
Penny Stamps Lecture Series
University of Michigan
Michigan Theater
Ann Arbor

The discussion will be about making art in Detroit from these different perspectives and art practices. In the context of the Shrinking Cities project art is used as a tool to investigate issues of social intervention or social interaction not just simply a production of objects. All the panelists have been dealing with issues of education, social involvement and community building either directly or indirectly through their work. For example Nandi Comer is interested in how, why and in what way art is taught to the youth in Detroit and Mitch Cope is interested in ideas of pushing the arts and the artist out of the studio into a more proactive state by using research and public interaction as the basis for making work.

More info here: http://www.art-design.umich.edu/ev_lectures.php#shrinking

College for Creative Studies' WOODWARD LECTURE SERIES

Thursday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m.:
ANN WOLFF, glass sculptor
Co-sponsored by Habatat Galleries

A consummate artist, craftsperson, draftsman and designer (with Kosta
Boda), Ann Wolff is one of the most significant artists working with
glass today. She was a founding figure in international studio glass.
Her sculptural forms are expressive, intimate, lyrical and heroic. In
almost 45 years as an artist, she has explored ideas about women's work
in the home, dualities and relationships, the joys and burdens of
motherhood, and the female form.

BOHEMIAN NATIONAL HOME

Saturday, Feb 3rd: Rhys Chatham backed by Matt Smith, Bill Brovold, Thor
Brovold, Mark Sawasky, Joel Peterson, Rhys Chatham- Minimalist composer, student of LaMonte Young and Glen Gould- is the roots of Glen Branca and Sonic Youth's sound. He returns to The Bohemian to perform one of his classic compositions from the 1970's, "Guitar Trio", featuring a band of Detroit notables: Matt Smith, Bill Brovold, Thor Brovold, Mark Sawasky and me. Expect less metal than his recent appearance here with his group "Essentialist." This performance will be recorded. Doors
at 9 pm; $10 minimum.