Stories from this time, and other significant moments in the history of Ypsilanti, will inspire original music compositions that celebrate the bravery of those who sought freedom on the Underground Railroad, and honor the resilience that the African American community in Ypsilanti has shown throughout time.

EPSG:4326

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

Ypsilanti Freighthouse

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. Each dance will be taught, rehearsed, and then danced to live music.

Square Dance at the Freighthouse

Lightning rarely strikes in the same place twice, but UMS is delighted to collaborate with Heads Over Heels Productions and Chroma Productions for two different sets in this drag show extravaganza. This action-packed, special night celebrates queer performance art at the historic Ypsilanti Freighthouse.

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

Get ready to feel the heat, listen to the beat, and move your feet. Created especially for families, participants in this workshop will begin with a print-making workshop that explores the meaning and significance of Adinkra symbols in West African culture, then learn about and experience traditional West African Dance and contemporary AfroBeat dance moves.

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

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ_ZQW5C2pw&amp;t=2s

The Artelize Podcast Presenting Will Shutes: 'Bring it down out of the clouds to human being level'

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFe6mW6x9pc

The Artelize Podcast: 'Amplifying What Makes Us Human'. A conversation with Zuly E. Inirio

Podcast link: https://youtu.be/4hagYvrYbuM

The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36M5Hi6O80

The Artelize Podcast - A legacy of innovation in Opera: Celebrating Marc A. Scorca

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. The practice uses dance and live drumming as a way to offer thanks for overcoming obstacles or adversities within the context of community support. Participants will be invited to write, sing, and dance as a healing modality for their struggles.

West African Dance at the Freighthouse

Leonardo is a terrible monster. He tries so hard to be scary, but he just…isn’t. Then Leonardo finds Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the world. Will Leonardo finally get to scare the tuna salad out of someone? Or will it be the start of an unlikely friendship? The plot thickens when this pair meets Kerry and Frankenthaler, an even scaredier-cat and her monster friend. Kerry and Sam need to make a big decision: will they just be scaredy cats or can they become friends?

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

Facilitated by artists from across the Midwest, these 60-minute workshops are ideal for movers seeking to deepen their awareness of movement and music through fun and engaging experiences. Recommended for participants ages 12 and up; little to no dance experience is required. Tap shoes are welcome, but also not required.

You Can Dance

Riverside Arts Center

Led by Dr. Waddles, and featuring four solo singers and piano, keyboard, and electric bass, this event brings the community together to sing both familiar and new songs. The house will open at 6:30 for participants to enjoy food and social interaction before the Community Sing.

Come Together An Evening Community And Song

A map is a place which we all operate within, but it is only part of the narrative. The bulk of the story is stored somewhere invisible to us but within us. Oral tradition and bodily remembrance keep the ever-evolving story alive. The story we hold in us is unafraid of what cuts the map makes next…

Kaleigh Wilder Trio:

The ensemble’s sixty-five musicians, many from Ypsilanti and the surrounding area, will play music that is part symphony, part jam session, part group meditation. The audience will be invited to cultivate a peaceful internal space, be present with their community, and tune in to the cycles of nature that shape our lives.

The Generate Orchestra

This interactive event invites the local community to reconnect with freshwater sources such as the Huron River, as well as one another through reflection, restoration, and jubilation. Audience members are invited to both witness and engage in rituals of reconnection.

Reconnecting Currents: a Healing at the Huron

This local artist showcase and open mic will be hosted by Ypsilanti resident and singer/songwriter Rochelle Clark. Those who wish to perform — music, dance, comedy, poetry, juggling, or whatever unique creative contribution you can offer — will sign up for a ten-minute slot upon arrival; names will be randomly selected for a starring moment on stage at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse. Registration will open at 7 pm and continue on a rolling basis through 8:30 pm.

Open Mic Night

Ghostly International artist Todd Osborn has been championed by everyone from Gilles Peterson to Aphex Twin…but he really just wants to have a little fun and get in some time on the dance floor. Break out a few moves in this late night DJ set!

Late Night DJ Set With Todd Osborn

These workshops for families begins with the Detroit Puppet Company’s presentation of The Carnival of the Animals, a series of shadow puppet scenes depicting different members of the animal kingdom, from the majestic lion to the venerable tortoise, all set to music by classical composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The performance tells stories of love, hope, fear, and joy, all through the power of light, shadow, and your imagination.

Puppetry Workshop: The Power of Light & Shadow

John E. Lawrence is a lifelong resident of Ypsilanti and one of Michigan’s most talented and respected guitarists. For 36 years, he served as Chair of the Performing Arts Department at Washtenaw Community College, as well as an instructor in the department and head of the music performance program.

John E. Lawrence & The Power Band

Facilitated by artists from across the Midwest, these 60-minute workshops are ideal for movers seeking to deepen their awareness of movement and music through fun and engaging experiences. Recommended for participants ages 12 and up; little to no dance experience is required. Come solo or with a partner!

You Can Dance!

Facilitated by artists from across the Midwest, these 60-minute workshops are ideal for movers seeking to deepen their awareness of movement and music through fun and engaging experiences. Recommended for participants ages 12 and up; little to no dance experience is required.

Season opener in collaboration with the Ypsilanti bi-centennial committee featuring two pieces commissioned for the YSO over the years with some of our favorite collaborators:

Fall Concert

Lincoln High School Performing Arts Center

Guest Artists: Featuring Lincoln High School Choirs, Toni Micik, Choral Director

Winter Concert

Open Mic at the Freighthouse is back by popular demand! Singer, songwriter, and composer Shara Nova (My Brightest Diamond), who spent formative childhood years in Ypsilanti, hosts this open mic night and local artist showcase. Bring yourself, your friends, and whatever creative contribution you can offer! Registration will open at 7 pm for those who wish to perform and continue on a rolling basis through 8:30pm, with names randomly selected for a starring moment on stage.

Events in Ypsilanti, MI

Sonic Contributions: Hono...

University Musical Society

Square Dance at the Freig...

University Musical Society

Lighting: A One-of-a-Kind...

University Musical Society

For Families Moving to th...

University Musical Society

The Artelize Podcast Pres...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast: 'Am...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast - A ...

Artelize

West African Dance at the...

University Musical Society

Manual Cinema presents Le...

University Musical Society

You Can Dance

University Musical Society

Come Together An Evening ...

University Musical Society

Kaleigh Wilder Trio:

University Musical Society

The Generate Orchestra

University Musical Society

Reconnecting Currents: a ...

University Musical Society

Open Mic Night

University Musical Society

Late Night DJ Set With To...

University Musical Society

Puppetry Workshop: The Po...

University Musical Society

John E. Lawrence & The Po...

University Musical Society

You Can Dance!

University Musical Society

You Can Dance!

University Musical Society

Fall Concert

Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra

Winter Concert

Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra

Open Mic Night with Shara...

University Musical Society