October 23, 2017: Your Arts & Culture Adventure Picks

By UMS

This post is a part of a series of posts curating adventurous arts and culture experiences in Southeast Michigan. Sign up for email updates (choose “Arts & Culture Adventures” list). 

UMS Wallace Blogging Fellow Hailey Dukes is a sponge for all things related to art and culture. Originally from Kent, Ohio, this Detroit-based transplant has spent over three years showcasing and highlighting Detroit music art and culture through her work as a Contributing Editor for with Detroit creative arts agency PLAYGROUND DETROIT and Detroit based publication Grand Circus Magazine. She has been in Southeast Michigan for over eight years. With an inherent passion for writing, a social nature, and a personal draw to cultural happenings of all sorts, she has combined her love and interests to promote a bouquet of talent in Detroit while having fun in the process. Hailey is excited to expand her love for showcasing underground arts to the larger region of Southeast Michigan and can’t wait to serve juicy, appetizing and flavorful events to the the UMS readership!

November is almost here and I am thankful to report that this month, Southeast Michigan has a cornucopia of amazing cultural events to attend. I will serve as your provisionary UMS host, serving you the most enticing events I came across this month. Let’s dig in!

The Black Opera
October 27
8 PM
Museum Of Contemporary Art Detroit

OK, so I know this event is technically in October, but let’s just call it an appetizer for the rest of the tasty events that will follow in November. The Black Opera has created a serious buzz at the MOCAD (Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit) over the last few years, and I would be remiss to exclude their highly anticipated return. An anonymous group of performance artists, TBO, eloquently discusses community and society using visual art, spoken word, performance art. humor and ingenious lyricism. Dripping in a funky hip-hop sound and hidden by costume, TBO leads their outstanding live band in an all-encompassing show you won’t forget.  Admission is $12 and $7 for MOCAD Members. Find additional info here and don’t forget to RSVP on Facebook.

First Friday Fusion
November 3-4
Kenville Studios, Ann Arbor

AACTMAD’s dance collective A2Fusion is starting November off with footwork, hip swaying, mingling, music and more. November 3 and 4, A2 Fusion presents Indigo 2017, two days jam-packed with fusion dancing, workshops, music. learning and late night hangs. Friday November 3, catch First Fusion Fridays dance event with open dancing, live music and late night blues. Don’t know how to move or want to sharpen your skills? Join in on Saturday for the Skill Share Workshops + Practica where you can learn some steps before the Shades of Indigo dance party on Saturday night. The weekend will encompass styles of blues milonga, alternative tango +blues, blues + fusion and more. Come get your groove on with AACTMAD and A2Fusion to learn something new while moving your body! Tickets, Volunteer Info and Schedule Here.

Kelela
November 7
8 PM
El Club, Detroit

I am a total fan girl for Kelela, and once you hear her sing one note, you will be too. This Los Angeles based singer and songwriter reaches deep into listeners’ heartstrings with her sultry, soulful, jazzy and candid music. Ever since I heard Kelela’s debut mixtape ‘Cut 4 Me’ in 2013, I was hooked. Sadly, I’d never heard of her performing anywhere in Michigan ever since, and believe me, I was checking!  Luckily REACT DETROIT and Southwest Detroit’s El Club are FINALLY bringing this one-of-a-kind performer to the stage. This burgeoning star is on the rise in alternative/contemporary R&B and has released music through Solange Knowles’ Saint Records. Most recently, her first full-length album Take Me Apart has set Spotify ablaze, with emotive and catchy songs that send you reminiscing through thoughts of love, relationships, and the past. She has also recently graced the cover of FADER magazine, Calvin Klein’s latest ad campaign, and received raving reviews from cultural barometer Pitchfork Media. An inimitable songstress and fashionista, Kelela is changing the sound of R&B music. She is sure to leave a lasting impression at El Club this month. Get tickets for this (all ages) show here!

Thursday Night Jazz at the Tower
November 9
9 PM – 12 AM
Tower Inn Café, Ypsilanti

I love a good night of jazz, especially over food and drinks. Stop by one of Ypsilanti’s staple restaurants for live sounds from talented jazz ensembles. Ranging from local legends to area student groups, the acts rotate just like the delicious fall beers on tap. Personally, I love going for a chill night out during the week just to remind myself that work isn’t all there is to life. With the reasonably priced food and drinks, this is a midweek event that won’t have you breaking the bank. Tower Inn always keeps a tasty selection of fall brews on draft, and I love trying the seasonal beers around Ypsilanti since they have so many local beer destinations. I would also suggest Tower Inn’s classic pizzas and apps for a quick grab and low bill. (Love those spinach triangles!)

BASQUIAT BEFORE BASQUIAT: East 12th Street, 1979-1980
November 17 – March 11
Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills  

Jean Michel Basquiat’s personality and art have always intrigued me. As a fellow weird person, I have remain captivated by this artist’s psyche, unconventional technique and rise to fame, so I’m super excited to learn more at this traveling exhibition organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver.

Lucky for Southeast Michigan, Cranbrook Art Museum is the first stop for this roving spectacle, giving us a first look at Basquiat’s art prior to his ascension (as the exhibition title suggests.) Although Jean Michele Basquiat became wildly known, revered, and dissected in his final years and especially after his premature death, this exhibition explores his time as an everyday struggling street artist on the streets of New York in the late 70’s. At this time, Basquiat was living in New York’s East Village with his lover and fellow artist Alexis Adler just trying to make ends meet.  Located on East 12^th street, Basquiat used the NYC streets as his canvas and source of materials before he made it big in high society.

By the way, did you know that in May 2017 Basquiat’s Untitled (1982) sold for 110.5 million dollars making it the highest sum ever paid at auction for a U.S.-produced work of art? The growth of this artist’s career is inspirational! Curated by Nora Burnett Abrams, this exhibition is a heavy hitter in Cranbrook’s exciting fall season. This is a do not miss event for local art lovers! More here.

(P.S. if you’re into the iconic NY art aesthetic, don’t miss the Keith Haring exhibition also taking place this fall J — It will simultaneously be on display.)

UMS Wallace Blogging Fellow Hailey Dukes is a sponge for all things related to art and culture. Originally from Kent, Ohio, this Detroit-based transplant has spent over three years showcasing and highlighting Detroit music art and culture through her work as a Contributing Editor for with Detroit creative arts agency PLAYGROUND DETROIT and Detroit based publication Grand Circus Magazine. She has been in Southeast Michigan for over eight years. With an inherent passion for writing, a social nature, and a personal draw to cultural happenings of all sorts, she has combined her love and interests to promote a bouquet of talent in Detroit while having fun in the process. Hailey is excited to expand her love for showcasing underground arts to the larger region of Southeast Michigan and can’t wait to serve juicy, appetizing and flavorful events to the the UMS readership!

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