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UMS at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse

Join us at the Ypsi Freighthouse!

Our twice-annual residency at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse returns with a fantastic lineup of free and pay-what-you-wish events in September 2026.

Priority access for Ypsi residents begins Tuesday, August 4 at 10 am. General public sales begin one week later on Tuesday, August 11.

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Upcoming Events

Family Friendly

Participatory Experience

Pay What You Wish

Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

123 Andrés (for Families)

Saturday, September 26 - Saturday, September 26

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EVENT DETAILS

Get the whole family moving with Latin Grammy-winning duo 123 Andrés in an interactive bilingual concert packed with music, dancing, and joyful audience participation.

Pay What You Wish

Performance

Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

Dames Brown

Saturday, September 26

QUICK LOOK

EVENT DETAILS

Detroit’s own Dames Brown brings powerhouse vocals, infectious energy, and pulse-pounding House music to an electrifying live performance.

Pay What You Wish

Performance

Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

My Brightest Diamond

Sunday, September 27

QUICK LOOK

EVENT DETAILS

My Brightest Diamond is the moniker of Shara Nova, a classically trained vocalist and self- taught multi-instrumentalist whose music is as dazzling as it is shape-shifting.

Freighthouse FAQ

Our multi-year partnership with the City of Ypsilanti results in arts programming designed for Ypsi residents, families, and schoolchildren — and open to the broader public. 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.

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 two different types of events:

Free: just show up!
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.