Memorable Moments from 2017

By UMS

With over 60 performances that featured artistic brilliance from around the globe and hundreds of activities that engaged audiences off the stage, we hesitate to pick favorites.

But we invite you to revisit some memorable moments at UMS from 2017.

Photos are by Peter Smith and Jesse Meria.

In January, Igor & Moreno brought joy to the Arthur Miller Theatre.

In February, Ping Chong + Company’s Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity fostered important conversations among students and our wider community.

In March, the Ukrainian quartet DakhaBrakha rocked the Michigan Theater with their unique blend of traditional folk music, rock, and punk.

Throughout the year, UMS School Day Performances continued to engage and delight young audiences from area schools.

In April, Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, and Edgar Meyer brought their own brand of magic to Hill Auditorium.

In May and June, we celebrated Ken Fischer’s 30 years of leadership at UMS at the Spring Ovation Gala and a community-wide retirement party.

In July, UMS welcomed its 7th President, Matthew VanBesien.

In September, we kicked off the 2017-18 season with Butler, Bernstein & the Hot 9 at Bill’s Beer Garden and Downtown Home & Garden…

And hosted a welcome reception for area K-12 teachers to kick off the new school year.

A special collaboration between Zakir Hussain & Dave Holland brought an enthusiastic audience at the Michigan Theater to its feet.

In November, the Egyptian political satirist Bassem Youssef visited with U-M’s Egyptian Student Association over lunch, sharing his experience around the Arab Spring.

And the New York Philharmonic returned for its second major UMS residency – with three main stage concerts and dozens of free activities that engaged audiences of all ages.

There’s still time to extend the gift of extraordinary experiences at UMS!

You can make an annual gift online until the ball drops at 11:59 pm.

Or connect with the UMS Development Office by calling 734-647-1175. Though closed through the holiday break December 23 to January 1, we will be open on Friday, December 29 from 9 am – 5 pm.

From all of us at UMS, we wish you a Happy New Year filled with experiences that inspire and move you!