Art & Around

Tour d’Art offers free admission to Detroit’s coolest culture

DETROIT – Tour d’Art, a first-ever event of its kind in Detroit, will offer the coolest culture in the city as 13 of the finest Detroit cultural institutions open their doors free of charge, January 21-23, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tour d’Art attendees are eligible to win prizes by presenting a Tour d’Art Passport at each cultural site and receiving a stamp to verify that institution was visited. Each stamp received equals one chance to win one of many fantastic prizes available, including two tickets to Super Bowl XL. Other prizes include free tuition and fees for one continuing education class at the College for Creative Studies, a free king-suite overnight stay at The Inn on Ferry Street, family memberships to participating Detroit cultural museums and more.
“Midtown’s Cultural Center is one of Detroit’s treasures and we are thrilled that Winter Blast visitors will have the opportunity to participate in Tour d’Art and experience the wide array of cultural offerings available in our city,” said Susan Mosey, President of the University Cultural Center Association.
Many of the museums and galleries will be featuring specially-themed exhibits such as “A Field of Ice,” a large-scale ice project with sculpture students from the College for Creative Studies (CCS) featured on its center lawn and garden. Participating Tour d’Art institutions include: Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Public Library, The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), College for Creative Studies (CCS), International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, Center Galleries, The Scarab Club, The New Detroit Science Center, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Elaine L. Jacob Gallery, Detroit Artists Market, N’Namdi Gallery and Ellen Kayrod Gallery at the Hannan House.
Motown Winter Blast organizers are working with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) to coordinate shuttle service between their event and the Motown Winter Blast festivities. There will also be a free shuttle from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. for Tour d’Art that will circle the route of participating cultural institutions. The shuttle service will allow event goers to enjoy all of the activities without moving their vehicles.
For more information on how to obtain a passport for Tour d’Art, please visit www.motownwinterblast.com or call 313-963-8418.

2005 American Musicals Series underway at Michigan Theater

ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Theater, in association with the University of Michigan Program in Film and Video Studies, is proud to present the 2005 American Musicals Series. This 14-week series features many of the finest musicals ever to come out of Hollywood, presented in the unparalleled movie palace grandeur of the Michigan Theater.
The series runs every Monday at 7 p.m. through April 18.
The schedule includes such classics as “An American in Paris” (Feb. 21), “Singin’ in the Rain” (Feb. 21), “Gigi” (March 21), “West Side Story” (March 28), “Cabaret” (Apr. 4) and “All That Jazz” (April 11).
The Michigan Theater is Ann Arbor’s historic center for fine film and performing arts located in downtown Ann Arbor at 603 East Liberty Street, across the street from Borders Books and Music.
Regular film ticket prices are $8.50 for adults, $6.75 for students, seniors and Veterans and $5.50 for Michigan Theater members. Membership is $50 per year and is fully tax-deductible.
Contact the theater’s 24-hour information line at 734-668-TIME or the website at www.michtheater.org for complete schedule information.

Ronald K. Brown/Evidence in Ann Arbor for two performances

ANN ARBOR – The University Musical Society presents Ronald K. Brown/Evidence on Sunday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. in the Power Center for the Performing Arts, 121 N. Fletcher, Ann Arbor. The two different programs are part of the U-M Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Symposium and the Celebration of African-American Dance, a series of educational and performance events throughout January and February presented by several dance presenters in southeastern Michigan.
The two programs presented by Ronald K. Brown/Evidence include four different pieces of choreography created in the last five years, most notably his 2003 tribute to the “high priestess of soul” Nina Simone, who died last year.
Ronald K. Brown is artistic director of Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, the dance company he founded in 1985, when he was 19. Brown works with movement in the postmodern, African, and African-American idioms. Significantly, his work focuses on issues that are of pressing concern to black gay men.
For tickets or additional information, contact the University Musical Society at 734-764-2538 or online at www.ums.org.

: Gallery Gatherings:

Birmingham’s The Great Frame Up, located at 215 Peabody, proudly presents a selection of artwork from The Scarub Club through Feb. 4; an opening reception is scheduled for Jan. 14 from 6 – 9 p.m.
Mass media artist Lester Johnson and photographer Ronald Neff combine their talents for “Collaboration” in The Gallery at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts. The exhibit runs through the end of the month. Call 586-286-2141 for details.
The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center has two exhibits currently on display through Jan. 28: “Beyond the Lens: Digital Media” and “Colored Pencils Society of America: January Thaw.” BBAC is located at 1516 S. Cranbrook, Birmingham. Call 248-644-0866 or go online to www.bbartcenter.org for complete information.
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