January 12, 2018: 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!

Cuban Salsa Bootcamp
January 9-30
Dance Revolution, Ann Arbor

Get your feet movin’ into 2018 with Cuban Salsa Bootcamp hosted by Dance Revolution of Ann Arbor!

For a great way to work out at an affordable price, you can’t beat this fun series full of flavor, fun and new friends. For the price of $40 for the month ($35 for students) you will engage in 4 classes (Tuesday Nights) where you can learn new skills or sharpen your already sizzling salsa moves.

The specific dance learned and practiced in this series is called “Casino”, a distinguishably Cuban version of salsa dance. Historically known as a social dance,  Casino blends culture with interpersonal interaction and physical movement.  Full of spontaneity, improvisation, passion and footwork, this series is a great way to let loose and try something new. You can get one step closer to becoming #fitnessgoals as you break a sweat while having a good time, and put yourself out there by making new friends and dancing with different partners.  With Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels, all are welcome!

More Info here.

Open Mic Stories & Standup: Resolutions
January 12
Cultivate Coffee & Taphouse , Ypsilanti

Can I just start by saying I looooooove Cultivate! Such a cute setting for studying, date night, birthdays, get-togethers or alone time. Choose from craft beers or coffees, and a lovely selection of nibbles, and find a spot to nestle into at this super cute cafe. Always hosting events and meetups, this time Cultivate is holding an open comedy night with a topic near and dear to the month of January; That topic is Resolutions.

Open to comics, storytellers, or just people who want to talk, Cultivate’s open mic night provides a, “chance to brag on the resolution you have kept for the first 12 days of the year or tell about that time when you bombed it.” the cafe and bar invites attendees to “come find some solace and laughter in storytelling” and I think it sounds like a pretty chill and (hopefully funny)  night out in Ypsilanti. Judging from my experience in the town I’m sure the night will be filled with clownish and wacky stories to make you laugh, and if not, you can try some tasty Michigan craft beers until the jokes become funny. Either way, Cultivate is a great spot to go out alone and meet new friends or meet up with old ones and if you’re courageous enough, you can hop on the mic too. The event is free of charge and takes place January 12.

More info here.

Ashes to Ashes: A Tribute to David Bowie
January 13
Conor O’Neills, Ann Arbor

Let’s Dance! Saturday, Jan. 13, Connor O’Neils of Ann Arbor is honoring the ‘Golden Years’ of David Bowie with a  tribute and celebration presented by Ypsilanti band, Mercury Salad Sandwich. As the band describes, “Mercury Salad Sandwich has a simple approach to music: write tunes that make people groove and sing along, then get thirsty and buy more beer.”

In the setting of downtown Ann Arbor’s popular Irish Pub, event goers can toast to the influential artist with classic pub fare and an extensive beer and spirit selection. In such a social and high volume setting as an authentic Irish Pub, I’d feel so comfortable having a few drinks and yelling out my favorite Bowie tracks, and you should too!  Come dance and sing along to the music of an inimitable icon and celebrate 69 Years of David Robert Jones.

More info here.

University of Michigan MLK Symposium Talk: Comics Artist/Creator Shawn Martinbrough
January 15
Stamps School of  Art & Design, Ann Arbor

Now this, I am especially excited about. Artist and creator Shawn Martinbrough has worked on DC, Marvel and Dark Horse Comic projects like Batman, Luke Cage Noir, Captain America and The Black Panther to name a few. He has also worked on AMC television series The Thief of Thieves, The Walking Dead, Deadpool, Hellboy: Secret Nature and more. An widely publicized and renowned creator, Shawn Martinbrough is coming to speak at the University of Michigan in celebration of the birthday of civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr.

Presenting his talk, “Continuing the Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through the Art of Storytelling,” Martinbrough will give a speech and presentation to attendees on January 15 in the Stamps Auditorium. Thanks to U of M’s Stamps School of Art & Design, College of Engineering, School of Music, Theatre & Dance and Taubman College of Architecture & Planning, we all are welcome to enjoy what seems to be a promising speech and unique angle on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  and a look into the career and mind of a prolific artist.

In what sometimes seems to be a divisive day and age, I continue to remark at the collective power we can have when we come together with strangers, discuss, listen, and digest together so this seems like the perfect opportunity to do just that!

More info here.

The Shining
January 15
The Whiskey Parlor, Detroit

So we can all agree that lately Michigan weather has been comparable to the icy and frigid conditions that land Jack Torrance and fam stranded in The Overlook Hotel. Lucky for us we’re not literally trapped inside and Detroit’s Parlor Cinema (At The Whisky Parlor) is showing one of  Stanley Kubrick’s quintessential films, The Shining for us to come out and enjoy. Did I also mention that its FREE?

Nestled in the heart of downtown Detroit, The Whisky Parlor is a destination for affordable yet delectable craft cocktails and beers. The cozy yet classy setting hosts vintage decor, a gorgeous view that makes you feel like you’re in your own secret lookout and a staff that makes you feel like a regular, even if it’s your first time there.

The bar has ramped up its Parlor Cinema series, where attendees can catch some great cocktails and a film screening each Monday; They’ve designated January as Kubrick Month!  Kubrick’s 1980 classic film The Shining is playing Jan. 15, so be sure to catch this bone chilling flick  in Detroit’s hidden gem. All work and no play makes you a dull person, so make time for some fun on Monday night!

More info here.

Half a Stack Poetry Slam
January 27
Jazz Cafe @ Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Detroit

If you only had one shot, one opportunity, would you capture it? Or just let it slip? Haha! This is the question twelve contending poets will have to ask themselves as they face off at the Half a Stack poetry slam. Cleverly named and presented by Joel Fluent Greene, the three round poetry slam competition will showcase skilled wordsmiths and performance artists  who are competing for the first place prize of $500.00 in cold hard cash.

Sadly, this event was so hot that the 12 competing spots have already been filled, but that doesn’t mean you can’t come and check out the competition! Located in downtown Detroit at the celebrated Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, the Half a Stack poetry slam sounds like a great night out, and I suggest grabbing dinner or drinks downtown to top it off!  General Admission for the slam is a mere $10.00 so come on out to watch the city’s finest word slayers, rhyme sayers, role players and crowd swayers. (Dang, I should’ve entered.)

More Info here.

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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