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.
FREE EVENTS
Come Together: An Evening of Community and Song
Saturday, April 22UMS’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.
FREE EVENTS
Power Moves:
Breakdancing, Art, and Creativity
with Maurice Archer and Curtis Wallace
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.
Ypsi Freighthouse Residency
Kaleigh Wilder Trio:
The Story Cuts Across What the Map Cuts Up
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, which is made up of community members of every stripe, comes together to bring Ypsilanti a one-of-a-kind musical experience.
Ypsi Freighthouse Residency
Reconnecting Currents: A Healing at the Huron
with Marsae Lynette
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.
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.
Ghostly International artist Todd Osborn leads a free late-night DJ set, following Open Mic Night at the Freighthouse.
Ypsi Freighthouse Residency
John E. Lawrence & The Power Band
Saturday, April 29In 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.
FREE EVENTS
Puppetry Workshop:
The Power of Light & Shadow
with the Detroit Puppet Company
Experience Detroit Puppet Company’s presentation of The Carnival of the Animals and learn how to make your own shadow puppets.
Freighthouse FAQ
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.
- 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)