Your Cart UMS

UMS at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse

UMS returns to the Freighthouse this April!

UMS will launch a new season of events at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, with programming for all ages from April 3-19, 2025. Priority access to Ypsi residents is available now, and tickets to the general public begin on March 11.

All events are free or Pay-What-You-Wish starting at $5.

Our two-year partnership results in arts programming for Ypsilanti residents, families, and schoolchildren. A community-informed programming process is the catalyst for these dynamic residencies, activating the unique and historic civic space for performances, arts learning and participation, and creative exploration.

Sign Up

Sign up to receive updates and reminders about upcoming Freighthouse events.

Upcoming Events

Salsa Dance Night at the Freighthouse
Participatory Experience
Pay What You Wish
Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

Salsa Dance Night at the Freighthouse

Thursday, April 3

Join Mambo Marci from Michigan’s largest salsa dance organization for a night of salsa dance at the Freighthouse. All are welcome, no matter your skill level or experience.

Family Performances with Detroit Puppet Company: Sun Moon Secret
Family Friendly
Free
Ypsi Freighthouse

Detroit Puppet Company presents its newest shadow puppet show, Sun Moon Secret. Based on the children’s book by Shazia Omar, the story follows twin sisters Surya and Chandra as they harness their magical powers to save their village from drought.

Sonic Meditation with King Sophia and Sophiyah E.
Participatory Experience
Pay What You Wish
Ypsi Freighthouse

Join artists King Sophia and Sophiyah E. on a journey of mindfulness and the metaphysical, with ambient sound, lightly guided meditation, and an opportunity to tune out the outside world.

Firas Zreik
Pay What You Wish
Performance
Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

Firas Zreik

Thursday, April 10

Experience the rich tradition of Arabic maqam with world-renowned kanun player and composer Firas Zreik. The Palestinian-born New Yorker has transformed global perception of the kanun, stretching its potential as a cultural chameleon with his fresh, evolving sounds.

Frontier Ruckus
Pay What You Wish
Performance
Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

Frontier Ruckus

Friday, April 11

Since their 2008 debut album, Frontier Ruckus has delivered a singularly detailed representation of the glorious, yet occasionally grim, minutiae of Midwestern suburban life through their obsessively crafted lyrics and colorful instrumentation. Join Matthew, David, and Zachary for a night filled with folk, alt-country, pop, rock, bluegrass, and all things Americana.

An Afternoon with Straight Ahead
Pay What You Wish
Performance
Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

An Afternoon with Straight Ahead

Sunday, April 13

Join us for an up close and personal concert experience with Detroit’s own groundbreaking, Grammy-nominated, all-women Jazz band.

Open Mic at the Freighthouse
Free
Participatory Experience
Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsilanti, it’s time to take the stage! Singers, poets, rappers, comedians, and more — bring in your newest work, dust off an old favorite, or just come by to support your neighbors and fellow artists.

Downtown Ypsi Processional & Community Party
Free
Participatory Experience
Ypsi Freighthouse

March (with puppets!) from Riverside Arts Center to the Ypsilanti Freighthouse alongside the Detroit Party Marching Band. The Processional ends at the Freighthouse, where you will join your neighbors in a community celebration, including live music by Djangophonique.

Freighthouse FAQ

What is the Ypsilanti Freighthouse?
Located next to Frog Island Park on the north side of Depot Town, the Ypsilanti Freighthouse was built in 1878 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Sites. The Freighthouse originally served as a distribution center for rail-bound goods, and is now owned and operated by the City of Ypsilanti as a gathering space for many community and private events.
Why is UMS doing a residency at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse?
UMS has been active in Ypsilanti for several years, collaborating with a range of organizations to offer learning and engagement programs and presenting performances and other events periodically at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse. This residency is a natural extension of those activities, offering a more visible and sustainable commitment to the community through recurring residencies.

By serving as Resident Arts Partner for the Ypsilanti Freighthouse and in partnership with the City, UMS seeks to share its programming, producing, and educational resources with the broader Ypsilanti community, and to use our platform to spotlight Ypsilanti’s vibrant and creative cultural scene.

Can anyone attend these events, or do you have to be an Ypsilanti resident?
A top priority of this residency is to create arts programming accessible to Ypsilanti residents. As such, Ypsilanti residents (both city and township) will have first dibs for all events at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, whether that is through an early registration period for free events or priority access to ticketed events. After the priority period, anyone can register or purchase a ticket. All are welcome.
Why do Ypsilanti residents get first access?
We want to prioritize access for residents of Ypsilanti for these events to ensure that the programming that is being curated with and for the community is actually available to be enjoyed by those in the community.
How can I get tickets to events at the Freighthouse?
There are three different types of events:

  • Free: just show up! (Open Mic Night)
  • Free Family events: register to hold your spot, no tickets required (slapslap and Moving to the Beat workshops)
  • Pay-What-You-Wish events: you can decide how much you wish to pay for tickets to these events

What is a Pay What You Wish (PWYW) ticket?
With Pay What You Wish (PWYW), we're trying to remove barriers between you and great art, and to make it as easy as possible to attend something that may be a new experience. We don't want to let unaffordable ticket prices shut anyone out of great performances and want to welcome everyone to the Ypsilanti Freighthouse.
Why is UMS offering PWYW tickets to certain events?
The PWYW model is about making tickets more accessible to more audiences. Some places call it Pay What You Can or Pay What You Decide. Ultimately, we hope that those who can afford to pay a little more will do so, to help make it more affordable for someone else. The artist receives the same fee regardless of how much money is collected from ticket revenues. As a nonprofit organization, UMS is investing significant resources into this residency and is not making a profit from tickets.
Where can I dine or grab a coffee or a drink around the Freighthouse?
Ypsilanti has a ton to offer, and we encourage you to visit ypsireal.com for options.

 

Thank You to Our Residency Supporters

The Ypsilanti Freighthouse residency is supported by Menakka and Essel Bailey, and Linh and Dug Song.

Family Programming Sponsor

Michigan Medicine

K-12 Programming Sponsor

Toyota logo

 

Love great music, theater, and dance?

Love great music, theater, and dance?

Surely your inbox has room for one more email... Sign up for notifications on upcoming events and season updates.

Thanks! We'll keep you updated.