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UMS at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse

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UMS returns to the Freighthouse this September!

UMS will launch a new season of events the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, with four weeks of programming for all ages from Sep 12 – Oct 7!  Explore events

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.

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Upcoming Events

On sale now! All events are free or Pay-What-You-Wish.

Sonic Contributions // Marcus Elliot
Pay What You Wish
Performance
Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

Sonic Contributions:
Honoring the Past, Present, and Future of the African American Community in Ypsilanti, MI

Friday, September 22 - Saturday, September 23
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EVENT DETAILS

Detroit-based saxophonist Marcus Elliot leads a seven-piece band of musicians and artists in this special collaboration with the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County that celebrates the history of Ypsilanti as a refuge for Black Americans dating back to the 1830s.

Square Dance at the Freighthouse
Participatory Experience
Pay What You Wish
Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

Square Dance at the Freighthouse

Tuesday, September 26
QUICK LOOK
EVENT DETAILS

Join us for an evening of Square Dancing with the Detroit Square Dance Society. We’ll start with light refreshments before heading to the dance floor as we bring the Southern Square Dancing tradition to the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, with live music, non-gender calling, and line dances for anyone and everyone to enjoy.

LIGHTNING: A One-of-a-Kind Drag Show Extravaganza
Pay What You Wish
Performance
Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

LIGHTNING:
A One-of-a-Kind Drag Show Extravaganza

Friday, September 29
QUICK LOOK
EVENT DETAILS

UMS is delighted to collaborate with Heads Over Heels Productions and Chroma Productions for two different sets in this drag show extravaganza.

West African Dance at the Freighthouse
Participatory Experience
Pay What You Wish
Public Workshop
Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

West African Dance at the Freighthouse

Saturday, September 30
QUICK LOOK
EVENT DETAILS

Originating from the Malinke people of West Africa, Moribayassa is a traditional practice in which participants are invited to relieve their burdens through movement and music.

For Families // Moving to the Beat: West African Dance and Visual Art
Family Friendly
Free
Ypsi Freighthouse

FREE EVENTS

For Families
Moving to the Beat:
West African Dance and Visual Art

Saturday, September 30 - Sunday, October 1
QUICK LOOK
EVENT DETAILS

Created especially for families, participants in this workshop will experience traditional West African Dance as well as contemporary AfroBeat dance moves! Afterward, families will participate in an art-making workshop that connects movement to visual art.

Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster
Family Friendly
Pay What You Wish
Performance
Ypsi Freighthouse

Ypsi Freighthouse Residency

Manual Cinema presents
Leonardo!
A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster

Saturday, October 7 - Saturday, October 7
QUICK LOOK
EVENT DETAILS

Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster uses hundreds of illustrated puppets, book pages, two-dimensional props, furry monster puppets, live music, and the wonder of real-time filming to bring Mo Willems’ books to life.

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 ticket prices shut anyone out of great performances and want to welcome everyone 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.

 

Thank You to Our Residency Supporters

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

Family programs are sponsored by Michigan Medicine.

Michigan Medicine logo

Promotional Support Made Possible by Helga and Jerry Bilik.

Funded in Part by

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

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