December activities at the Detroit Institute of Arts include Tea-Time Theater, artist demonstrations, live music, holiday drop-in art making and more
Updated Sep 26, 2016
September 26, 2016 (Detroit)—This December, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) invites guests to listen to live music, create a holiday puppet, attend a storytelling session and more. To celebrate the holidays—and the DIA special exhibition “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate”—the DFT Animation Club will host a week of elegantly silly afternoon teas in the Crystal Gallery Café. Guests will be treated to entertainment and their choice of party hats, and complimentary “tea” with a wide variety of desserts and beverages available for purchase. Tea service will begin at 2 p.m. and be followed at 3 p.m. with free screenings of new and classic animated features in the historic DIA auditorium.
Programs are free with museum admission and free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties unless otherwise noted. For more information, call (313) 833-7900 or visit www.dia.org.
Exhibitions:
“Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate” on view through March 5, 2017
“The Edible Monument: The Art of Food for Festivals” on view through April 16, 2017
“Detroit After Dark” on view through April 23, 2017
SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS
Open
Thursday–Friday, Dec. 22–23, 9 a.m. –4 p.m.
Monday–Friday, Dec. 26–30, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 31, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Closed
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 24 and 25
Sunday, Jan. 1
General Guided Tours: Tuesdays–Thursdays, 1 p.m. Fridays, 1 & 6 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour of select galleries for an overview of the collection.
General and Family Guided Tours: Saturdays & Sundays, 1 & 3 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour of select galleries or explore family and kid-friendly tours.
Senior Thursdays: 1 p.m.
The first Thursday of the month features a guided gallery tour; the second a talk; the third an art-making activity; and the fourth a film. In months with a fifth Thursday, a second gallery tour will be offered.
Detroit City Chess Club: Fridays, 4–8 p.m.
The club’s mission is to teach area students the game and life lessons. Members have won state, regional and national competitions. People wanting to learn to play chess should show up between 4 and 6 p.m. There will be no teaching between 6 and 8 p.m., but visitors can play chess.
Drawing in the Galleries (for all ages): Fridays, 6–9 p.m.; Sundays, Noon–4 p.m.
Drop-In Workshops (for all ages)
Fridays, 6–9 p.m. (Dec. 23, Noon–9 p.m.): Printmaking: Notecards
Saturday, Dec. 3, Noon–9 p.m.: Winter Village
Saturdays, Noon–4 p.m.: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate
Write, draw or make a collage about your favorite coffee, tea or chocolate experience. This workshop is in conjunction with the special exhibition “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate.”
Sundays, Noon–4 p.m.: Luminaries
Special Holiday Week Puppet Drop-In Workshops
Monday Dec. 26 & Tuesday, Dec. 27: Pencil Puppets: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Wednesday Dec. 28 & Thursday Dec. 29: Tongue Depressor Puppets: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 30: Creature Marionettes: Noon–9 p.m.
Friday, December 2
Friday Night Live: Sonya and Lisa Play Infinite Variations: The Goldberg Variations Reimagined for Two Pianos: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Sonya Lifschitz and Lisa Moore join forces to re-imagine J. S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations. This two-piano arrangement explores the contrapuntal ingenuity and the transcendent beauty of the original, delivers an electrifying musical dialogue of voices and textures.
Saturday, December 3
Noel Night: 5–10 p.m.
More than 70 institutions will open their doors to the public free of charge during this Cultural Center-wide holiday open house. Noel Night is produced by Midtown Detroit, Inc., a nonprofit community development organization that supports economic growth in Detroit's Midtown district.
Sunday, December 4
Sunday Music Bar: Ara Topouzian: 1–3 p.m.
Ara Topouzian is an Armenian American musician whose skill at the kanun (a Middle Eastern harp) has made him a nationally recognized artist. The first coffee house in Vienna was founded by an Armenian merchant in 1685, and Topouzian will draw inspiration from this rich cultural tradition. This performance is in conjunction with the exhibit “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate.”
Puppet Performance: “Winter Tales”: 2 p.m.
The Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre present three traditional Czech and Slovak winter folk tales using century-old, twenty-four inch marionettes. Artistic director Vít Hořejš will don his Coat of Many Colors to share with you both the stories of his childhood and the marionette traditions of Central Europe. For families with children of all ages.
Friday, December 9
Friday Night Live: Too Hot to Holidays!: 7 p.m.
Too Hot to Holidays features selections that range from classical Handel to jazzy Gershwin in a co-production of the Rackham Symphony Choir and the Detroit Opera House. This preview features members of the cast, including soprano Alfreda Burke, tenor Rodrick Dixon, jazz mezzo-soprano Karen Richardson with pianist Alvin Waddles conducted by Suzanne Mallare Acton.
Saturday, December 10
Artist Demonstration: Sarah Rose Sharp: Personal Applique: Noon–4 p.m.
Artist Rosie Sharp demonstrates the use of original and salvaged applique to create fiber works that depict scenes of personal significance. Use materials provided or bring a beloved piece of clothing that has outlived its usefulness to create a work of art.
Sunday, December 11
Artist Demonstration: Sarah Rose Sharp: Personal Applique: Noon–4 p.m.
See Dec. 10 for description.
Sunday Music Bar: Leslie DeShazor Adams: 1 & 3 p.m.
Classically trained violist Leslie DeShazor Adams has appeared as a soloist with the Toledo Symphony. She regularly performs with the Ann Arbor, Saginaw, Flint and Sphinx Symphony Orchestras, as well as jazz ensembles, Leigh Daniels Ensemble and the Detroit-based Musique Noire.
Friday, December 16
Friends of the Detroit Film Theatre Special Event: “The Whiz of the Wiz: Story Time with Choreographer & Director Georg Faison”: 7 p.m.
The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers present “The Whiz of the Wiz,” a live, multimedia storytelling event, directed by choreographer George Faison, internationally known as a producer, writer, composer and dancer, that celebrates the 40th anniversary of the debut of the musical “The Wiz” at Detroit’s Fisher Theatre. This event is guaranteed to be a unique entertainment experience perfect for the entire family. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Saturday, December 17
Storytelling: Ivory Williams “Stories of Kwanzaa”: 2 p.m.
Keeping alive the oral tradition of storytelling that pays tribute to the rich cultural roots of African Americans, Ivory D. Williams tells stories related to Umoja, Kwanzaa’s first principle of unity.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Bosch: The Garden of Dreams”: 3 & 7 p.m.
This immersive new documentary, co-produced by Spain’s Prado museum on the occasion of their Bosch: The Centenary Exhibition, focuses on the most important and iconic work Hieronymus artist, The Garden of Earthly Delights. Through conversations with artists, writers, philosophers, musicians and scientists about the personal, historical and artistic significance of the picture, the film continues a discussion that began 500 years ago when it is believed the painting was commissioned. In Spanish with English subtitles. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Sunday, December 18
Storytelling: Judy Sima “Hanukkah the Festival of Lights”: 2 p.m.
Join award winning storyteller, author and artist Judy Sima as she brightens up the holiday season with Hanukkah stories of miracles, menorahs and magic dreidels.
Sunday Music Bar: Madrigal Chorale: 2 p.m.
The Madrigal Chorale has enriched the cultural climate of Southeast Michigan for more than one hundred years. The group’s sixty men and women include performances in venues across North America, including the White House and Carnegie Hall.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Bosch: Garden of Dreams”: 2 & 4:30 p.m.
See Dec. 17 for description.
Friday, December 23
Friday Night Live: Planet D Nonet Holiday Celebration: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Planet D Nonet (the D stands for Detroit) perform arrangements of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas and other holiday tunes, including Sugar Rum Ferry by Billy Strayhorn from the Harlem Nutcracker.
Monday, December 26
Tea-Time Theater: 2 p.m.
DFT Holiday Animation Club: “Alice in Wonderland”: 3 p.m.
The enchanting Disney animated production of Lewis Carroll’s classic features one of the screen’s great tea parties, and a voice cast including Ed Wynn as the Mad Hatter, Sterling Holloway as the Cheshire Cat, and Kathryn Beaumont as Alice. A very merry unbirthday to you!
Tuesday, December 27
Tea-Time Theater: 2 p.m.
DFT Holiday Animation Club: “Alice in Wonderland”: 3 p.m.
See Dec. 26 for description.
Wednesday, December 28
Tea-Time Theater: 2 p.m.
DFT Holiday Animation Club: “Kiki’s Delivery Service”: 3 p.m.
This beloved and delightfully imaginative film is the story of a bright, resourceful young girl―who happens to be a witch―overcoming self-doubt through a journey on which she hopes to find her way in the world.
Thursday, December 29
Tea-Time Theater: 2 p.m.
DFT Holiday Animation Club: “Kiki’s Delivery Service”: 3 p.m.
See Dec. 28 for description.
Friday, December 30
Tea-Time Theater: 2 p.m.
DFT Holiday Animation Club: “The Secret World of Arietty”: 3 p.m.
In a secret world hidden beneath the floorboards, little people called Borrowers live quietly among us. But when tenacious and tiny Arrietty is discovered by a human boy, their friendship blossoms into an extraordinary adventure.
Friday Night Live: Oscar Peterson Tribute: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Oscar Peterson was known as one of the most technically brilliant and melodically inventive pianists of his generation. Award-winning bassist Dave Young has put together the Maharaja of the Piano: Oscar Peterson as a tribute to his fellow Canadian musician. Young is joined by Spencer Barefield (guitar), Bob Hurst (bass) and Tad Weed (piano) for this performance.
Saturday, December 31
Tea-Time Theater: 2 p.m.
DFT Holiday Animation Club: “Boy in the World”: 3 p.m.
Brazilian artist Alê Abreu’s Academy Award®-nominated masterpiece about a young man’s journey to reunite his family is a wondrous explosion of music and color that critics have called one of the most beautiful animated features ever made.
September 26, 2016 (Detroit)—This December, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) invites guests to listen to live music, create a holiday puppet, attend a storytelling session and more. To celebrate the holidays—and the DIA special exhibition “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate”—the DFT Animation Club will host a week of elegantly silly afternoon teas in the Crystal Gallery Café. Guests will be treated to entertainment and their choice of party hats, and complimentary “tea” with a wide variety of desserts and beverages available for purchase. Tea service will begin at 2 p.m. and be followed at 3 p.m. with free screenings of new and classic animated features in the historic DIA auditorium.
Programs are free with museum admission and free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties unless otherwise noted. For more information, call (313) 833-7900 or visit www.dia.org.
Exhibitions:
“Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate” on view through March 5, 2017
“The Edible Monument: The Art of Food for Festivals” on view through April 16, 2017
“Detroit After Dark” on view through April 23, 2017
SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS
Open
Thursday–Friday, Dec. 22–23, 9 a.m. –4 p.m.
Monday–Friday, Dec. 26–30, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 31, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Closed
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 24 and 25
Sunday, Jan. 1
General Guided Tours: Tuesdays–Thursdays, 1 p.m. Fridays, 1 & 6 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour of select galleries for an overview of the collection.
General and Family Guided Tours: Saturdays & Sundays, 1 & 3 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour of select galleries or explore family and kid-friendly tours.
Senior Thursdays: 1 p.m.
The first Thursday of the month features a guided gallery tour; the second a talk; the third an art-making activity; and the fourth a film. In months with a fifth Thursday, a second gallery tour will be offered.
Detroit City Chess Club: Fridays, 4–8 p.m.
The club’s mission is to teach area students the game and life lessons. Members have won state, regional and national competitions. People wanting to learn to play chess should show up between 4 and 6 p.m. There will be no teaching between 6 and 8 p.m., but visitors can play chess.
Drawing in the Galleries (for all ages): Fridays, 6–9 p.m.; Sundays, Noon–4 p.m.
Drop-In Workshops (for all ages)
Fridays, 6–9 p.m. (Dec. 23, Noon–9 p.m.): Printmaking: Notecards
Saturday, Dec. 3, Noon–9 p.m.: Winter Village
Saturdays, Noon–4 p.m.: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate
Write, draw or make a collage about your favorite coffee, tea or chocolate experience. This workshop is in conjunction with the special exhibition “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate.”
Sundays, Noon–4 p.m.: Luminaries
Special Holiday Week Puppet Drop-In Workshops
Monday Dec. 26 & Tuesday, Dec. 27: Pencil Puppets: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Wednesday Dec. 28 & Thursday Dec. 29: Tongue Depressor Puppets: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 30: Creature Marionettes: Noon–9 p.m.
Friday, December 2
Friday Night Live: Sonya and Lisa Play Infinite Variations: The Goldberg Variations Reimagined for Two Pianos: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Sonya Lifschitz and Lisa Moore join forces to re-imagine J. S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations. This two-piano arrangement explores the contrapuntal ingenuity and the transcendent beauty of the original, delivers an electrifying musical dialogue of voices and textures.
Saturday, December 3
Noel Night: 5–10 p.m.
More than 70 institutions will open their doors to the public free of charge during this Cultural Center-wide holiday open house. Noel Night is produced by Midtown Detroit, Inc., a nonprofit community development organization that supports economic growth in Detroit's Midtown district.
Sunday, December 4
Sunday Music Bar: Ara Topouzian: 1–3 p.m.
Ara Topouzian is an Armenian American musician whose skill at the kanun (a Middle Eastern harp) has made him a nationally recognized artist. The first coffee house in Vienna was founded by an Armenian merchant in 1685, and Topouzian will draw inspiration from this rich cultural tradition. This performance is in conjunction with the exhibit “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate.”
Puppet Performance: “Winter Tales”: 2 p.m.
The Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre present three traditional Czech and Slovak winter folk tales using century-old, twenty-four inch marionettes. Artistic director Vít Hořejš will don his Coat of Many Colors to share with you both the stories of his childhood and the marionette traditions of Central Europe. For families with children of all ages.
Friday, December 9
Friday Night Live: Too Hot to Holidays!: 7 p.m.
Too Hot to Holidays features selections that range from classical Handel to jazzy Gershwin in a co-production of the Rackham Symphony Choir and the Detroit Opera House. This preview features members of the cast, including soprano Alfreda Burke, tenor Rodrick Dixon, jazz mezzo-soprano Karen Richardson with pianist Alvin Waddles conducted by Suzanne Mallare Acton.
Saturday, December 10
Artist Demonstration: Sarah Rose Sharp: Personal Applique: Noon–4 p.m.
Artist Rosie Sharp demonstrates the use of original and salvaged applique to create fiber works that depict scenes of personal significance. Use materials provided or bring a beloved piece of clothing that has outlived its usefulness to create a work of art.
Sunday, December 11
Artist Demonstration: Sarah Rose Sharp: Personal Applique: Noon–4 p.m.
See Dec. 10 for description.
Sunday Music Bar: Leslie DeShazor Adams: 1 & 3 p.m.
Classically trained violist Leslie DeShazor Adams has appeared as a soloist with the Toledo Symphony. She regularly performs with the Ann Arbor, Saginaw, Flint and Sphinx Symphony Orchestras, as well as jazz ensembles, Leigh Daniels Ensemble and the Detroit-based Musique Noire.
Friday, December 16
Friends of the Detroit Film Theatre Special Event: “The Whiz of the Wiz: Story Time with Choreographer & Director Georg Faison”: 7 p.m.
The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers present “The Whiz of the Wiz,” a live, multimedia storytelling event, directed by choreographer George Faison, internationally known as a producer, writer, composer and dancer, that celebrates the 40th anniversary of the debut of the musical “The Wiz” at Detroit’s Fisher Theatre. This event is guaranteed to be a unique entertainment experience perfect for the entire family. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Saturday, December 17
Storytelling: Ivory Williams “Stories of Kwanzaa”: 2 p.m.
Keeping alive the oral tradition of storytelling that pays tribute to the rich cultural roots of African Americans, Ivory D. Williams tells stories related to Umoja, Kwanzaa’s first principle of unity.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Bosch: The Garden of Dreams”: 3 & 7 p.m.
This immersive new documentary, co-produced by Spain’s Prado museum on the occasion of their Bosch: The Centenary Exhibition, focuses on the most important and iconic work Hieronymus artist, The Garden of Earthly Delights. Through conversations with artists, writers, philosophers, musicians and scientists about the personal, historical and artistic significance of the picture, the film continues a discussion that began 500 years ago when it is believed the painting was commissioned. In Spanish with English subtitles. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Sunday, December 18
Storytelling: Judy Sima “Hanukkah the Festival of Lights”: 2 p.m.
Join award winning storyteller, author and artist Judy Sima as she brightens up the holiday season with Hanukkah stories of miracles, menorahs and magic dreidels.
Sunday Music Bar: Madrigal Chorale: 2 p.m.
The Madrigal Chorale has enriched the cultural climate of Southeast Michigan for more than one hundred years. The group’s sixty men and women include performances in venues across North America, including the White House and Carnegie Hall.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Bosch: Garden of Dreams”: 2 & 4:30 p.m.
See Dec. 17 for description.
Friday, December 23
Friday Night Live: Planet D Nonet Holiday Celebration: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Planet D Nonet (the D stands for Detroit) perform arrangements of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas and other holiday tunes, including Sugar Rum Ferry by Billy Strayhorn from the Harlem Nutcracker.
Monday, December 26
Tea-Time Theater: 2 p.m.
DFT Holiday Animation Club: “Alice in Wonderland”: 3 p.m.
The enchanting Disney animated production of Lewis Carroll’s classic features one of the screen’s great tea parties, and a voice cast including Ed Wynn as the Mad Hatter, Sterling Holloway as the Cheshire Cat, and Kathryn Beaumont as Alice. A very merry unbirthday to you!
Tuesday, December 27
Tea-Time Theater: 2 p.m.
DFT Holiday Animation Club: “Alice in Wonderland”: 3 p.m.
See Dec. 26 for description.
Wednesday, December 28
Tea-Time Theater: 2 p.m.
DFT Holiday Animation Club: “Kiki’s Delivery Service”: 3 p.m.
This beloved and delightfully imaginative film is the story of a bright, resourceful young girl―who happens to be a witch―overcoming self-doubt through a journey on which she hopes to find her way in the world.
Thursday, December 29
Tea-Time Theater: 2 p.m.
DFT Holiday Animation Club: “Kiki’s Delivery Service”: 3 p.m.
See Dec. 28 for description.
Friday, December 30
Tea-Time Theater: 2 p.m.
DFT Holiday Animation Club: “The Secret World of Arietty”: 3 p.m.
In a secret world hidden beneath the floorboards, little people called Borrowers live quietly among us. But when tenacious and tiny Arrietty is discovered by a human boy, their friendship blossoms into an extraordinary adventure.
Friday Night Live: Oscar Peterson Tribute: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Oscar Peterson was known as one of the most technically brilliant and melodically inventive pianists of his generation. Award-winning bassist Dave Young has put together the Maharaja of the Piano: Oscar Peterson as a tribute to his fellow Canadian musician. Young is joined by Spencer Barefield (guitar), Bob Hurst (bass) and Tad Weed (piano) for this performance.
Saturday, December 31
Tea-Time Theater: 2 p.m.
DFT Holiday Animation Club: “Boy in the World”: 3 p.m.
Brazilian artist Alê Abreu’s Academy Award®-nominated masterpiece about a young man’s journey to reunite his family is a wondrous explosion of music and color that critics have called one of the most beautiful animated features ever made.