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UMS at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse

A new partnership brings performances and events for all ages to the Ypsilanti Freighthouse!

UMS and the City of Ypsilanti announce a new, two-year partnership that will result in arts programming for Ypsilanti residents, families, and schoolchildren beginning with this week-long pilot program, April 22-29, 2023. Subsequent residencies will run for four weeks, with expanded programming for the Ypsilanti community. 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.

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Upcoming Events

All Freighthouse events are pay-what-you-wish or free!
Priority access is available to Ypsilanti residents now before tickets go on sale to the general public on March 28.

Come Together: An Evening of Community and Song
Free
Performance
Ypsi Freighthouse

UMS’s Ypsilanti Freighthouse residency begins with an invitation to community members to share their voices through a Community Sing, led by Detroit native Dr. Brandon Waddles, a transcriber of Black gospel music whose choral compositions and arrangements have been performed around the world.

Power Moves: Breakdancing, Art, and Creativity
Family Friendly
Free
Public Workshop
Ypsi Freighthouse

In this workshop, local movement artist Maurice Archer will lead families in an interactive breakdancing demonstration and a graffiti artist will guide families through developing their b-boy and b-girl names.

Kaleigh Wilder Trio: The Story Cuts Across What the Map Cuts Up
Pay What You Wish
Performance
Ypsi Freighthouse

Baritone saxophonist Kaleigh Wilder has performed around the world, led her first album release, and now has plans to release two more albums as a bandleader with a New York-based record label—among several other ongoing projects. Hear her perform at the Freighthouse with Jaribu Shahid on bass, drummer Ben Hall, and dancer Alexandria Davis.

The Regenerate! Orchestra
Free
Performance
Ypsi Freighthouse

The Regenerate Orchestra, which is made up of community members of every stripe, comes together to bring Ypsilanti a one-of-a-kind musical experience.

Marsae Lynette – Reconnecting Currents: A Healing at the Huron
Pay What You Wish
Performance
Public Workshop
Ypsi Freighthouse

In this participatory public event, Marsae Lynette presents an evening of film, performance, and community, inviting audiences to reconnect with one another and freshwater sources like the Huron River.

Open Mic Night at the Freighthouse
Free
Ypsi Freighthouse

FREE EVENTS

Open Mic Night

Friday, April 28

Bring yourself, your friends, and whatever unique creative contribution you can offer in a local artist showcase hosted by Ypsilanti resident and singer/songwriter Rochelle Clark.

Late Night DJ Set with Todd Osborn
Free
Ypsi Freighthouse

Ghostly International artist Todd Osborn leads a free late-night DJ set, following Open Mic Night at the Freighthouse.

John E. Lawrence & The Power Band
Pay What You Wish
Performance
Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

John E. Lawrence & The Power Band

Saturday, April 29

In the closing performance of UMS’s April Ypsilanti Freighthouse residency, John E. Lawrence and The Power Band take the stage for a sophisticated evening of jazz.

Puppetry Workshop: The Power of Light & Shadow
Family Friendly
Free
Public Workshop
Ypsi Freighthouse

Experience Detroit Puppet Company’s presentation of The Carnival of the Animals and learn how to make your own shadow puppets.

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 four different types of events:

  • Free: just show up! (Open Mic Night and Late Night DJ set)
  • Free Family events: register to hold your spot, no tickets required (Breakdance/Graffiti workshop and Puppetry workshop)
  • Free ticketed events: register, and tickets will be emailed to you (Community Sing and Regenerate Orchestra)
  • Pay-What-You-Wish events: you can decide how much you wish to pay for tickets to these events (Kayleigh Wilder Trio, Reconnecting Currents, John E. Lawrence and the Power Band)

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 for you. We don't want to let economic circumstances shut anyone out of great performances and want to welcome new audience members to the Ypsilanti Freighthouse. With PWYW, you get to decide what you wish to pay.
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.
When will future residencies take place, and what is planned?
Following the pilot program in April 2023, the next residency will take place September 10 - October 8, 2023. There will be ongoing opportunities for residents to share their ideas and offer input for upcoming residencies.

 

Thank You to Our Residency Supporters

The Ypsilanti Freighthouse residency is made possible by Menakka and Essel Bailey, Helga and Jerry Bilik, and Matt and Nicole Lester.

Funded in Part by

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

Love great music, theater, and dance?

Love great music, theater, and dance?

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