June 8, 2023 (Detroit) —This July at the DIA, visitors will find influential films from African directors, a documentary homage to the groundbreaking film Midnight Cowboy, a puppet performance in the newly updated lecture hall, as well as the beloved art-making workshops and others. There will also be live music at Concert of Colors, featuring performances by Julian Marley, Afrique en Cirque, Ecno, and more. 

This month marks the last week to see the Wayne County High School Art Exhibition, showcasing the creative works by talented high schoolers throughout the county.

Exhibitions

James Barnor: Accra/London—A Retrospective on view through October 15

dia.org/jamesbarnor

Wayne County High School Art Exhibition on view through July 16

See dia.org/events for details

 

All programs are free with museum admission, which is free for residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties unless otherwise noted.

 

Saturday, July 1

Free Family Fun! Drop-in Art-Making: Sun Prints Noon–4 p.m.

A sun print or “photogram” creates a print by placing objects in the sun on photosensitive paper. Create your own using objects in the studio!

Detroit Film Theatre: Black Girl 3 p.m.

Drama | Runtime: 59 minutes

A young Senegalese woman moves to France to work for a wealthy white couple, only to find that life in their tiny apartment becomes a figurative and literal prison in this layered critique of the postcolonial world. Featuring a moving performance by Mbissine Thérèse Diop, this film is both a very human drama and a strong political statement. In French with English subtitles. 

The Detroit Film Theatre is presenting films by African directors working in Africa and Europe during the 1960s and 1970s in conjunction with the special exhibition James Barnor Accra/London—A Retrospective. Free with museum admission.

Detroit Film Theatre: Desperate Souls, Dark City and The Legend of Midnight Cowboy 7 p.m.

Documentary | Runtime: 101 minutes

More than a documentary about Midnight Cowboy, director Nancy Buirski’s portraits the gifted people during New York in a time of cultural agitation.

The 1969 drama remains to some as one of the trailblazing movies of the modern era, featuring electric performances from Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman as loners who form an unlikely friendship in the streets of New York City, and thanks to the screenplay of Waldo Salt and John Schlesinger's direction Midnight Cowboy became the only X-rated release to ever win the Academy Award® for Best Picture. 

Tickets are $9.50 / $7.50 for seniors, students, and members. Online purchases include a $1.50 convenience fee per transaction.

 

Sunday, July 2

Free Family Fun! Drop-in Art-Making: Sun Prints Noon–4 p.m.

See July 1 for description.

Detroit Film Theatre: Desperate Souls, Dark City and The Legend of Midnight Cowboy 2 p.m.

See July 1 for description.

 

Friday, July 14

Detroit Film Theatre: Unrest 7 p.m.

History, Drama | Runtime: 93 minutes

It’s the late 19th century, and new technologies and radical politics are coming to disrupt the quiet, orderly life in the tiny watchmaking town of Saint-Imier, as the workers who painstakingly assemble delicate timepieces start to realize the world is changing rapidly, sometimes violently, and that might be in their best interests. The New York Times called Unrest“marvelously crisp.” 

In Swiss-German, French and Russian with English subtitles. Tickets are $9.50 / $7.50 for seniors, students, and members. Online purchases include a $1.50 convenience fee per transaction.

 

Saturday, July 15

Detroit Film Theatre: Touki Bouki (Journey of the Hyena) 3 & 7 p.m.

Drama | Runtime: 89 minutes

Award winning Senegalese filmmaker Djibril Diop Mambéty combines surreal and realistic images in this portrait of Senegal in the 1970s. Two lovers long to leave Dakar for the glamour and comforts of France, but their escape takes a mystical turn. Touki Bouki is widely considered one of the key works of Senegalese cinema, named in the prestigious Sight and Sound poll as one of the 100 greatest films of all time. In Wolof, Arabic and French with English subtitles.

The Detroit Film Theatre is presenting films by African directors working in Africa and Europe during the 1960s and 1970s in conjunction with the special exhibition James Barnor Accra/London—A Retrospective. Free with museum admission.

Detroit Film Theatre: Unrest 7 p.m.

See July 14 for description.
 

Sunday, July 16

Detroit Film Theatre: Unrest 2 p.m.

See July 14 for description.

 

Saturday, July 22

Concert of Colors Noon–10 p.m.

The DIA is excited to continue its partnership with Concert of Colors, metro Detroit’s free annual global music festival celebrating diverse World music traditions—including the music of the Motor City. For a complete schedule of programs, visit www.concertofcolors.com

Day 1 Schedule:

Noon Afrique en Cirque 

• 2 p.m. Ecno
• 3 p.m. Calvin Cooke Sacred Steel Band
• 5:30 p.m. Simon Shaheen Quartet 
• 7 p.m. Dengue Fever
• 8:30 p.m. Julian Marley

 

Sunday, July 23

Concert of Colors 2–8:30 p.m.

See July 22 for description.

Day 2 Schedule

• 2 p.m. Infinite River, Ecno
• 4 p.m. Thornetta Davis
• 4:30 p.m. Calvin Cooke Sacred Steel Band
• 7 p.m. Tamikrest 

 

Friday, July 28

Detroit Film Theater: Afire 7 p.m.

Drama, Comedy, Romance | Runtime: 102 minutes

A group of friends are on holiday on the Baltic coastline, but young novelist Leon intends to have a productive time, focusing solely on his writing. Writer’s block spills into bitter social paralysis, exposing the life he doesn’t yet know how to live or write about, all the while the surrounding woods slowly wilds and torches. 

In German with English subtitles. Tickets are $9.50 / $7.50 for seniors, students, and members. Online purchases include a $1.50 convenience fee per transaction.

 

Saturday, July 29

Free Family Fun! Puppet Performance: Rent Party 2 p.m.

Runtime: 45 minutes

Renowned puppet theater Drama of Works takes audiences to 1920s Harlem. Follow Rose, Jenny, and Ricky as they help their moms throw a rent party to save their home. All they need is to get ice, hand out cards, and find a musician to play. Shouldn't be too hard…or will it? For all ages.

Detroit Film Theater: Afire 3 & 7 p.m.

See July 28 for description.

 

Sunday, July 30

Detroit Film Theater: Afire 2 p.m.

See July 28 for description.

 

Ongoing

• GooseChase | Self-guided Scavenger Hunt available on the GooseChase App.

Tour the museum and discover new works with our app-based scavenger hunts.

• Big Picture Guided Tour Tuesdays–Thursdays, 1 p.m.; Fridays, 1 & 6 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays, 1 p.m.

Experience the highlights of the DIA with a free guided tour. Tours depart from Great Hall and last 45 minutes to one hour. 

• 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 arrive between 4 and 6 p.m.; open play (no teaching) from 6 to 8 p.m.

 

Museum Hours and Admission  
9 a.m.–4 p.m., Tuesday–Thursday; 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday; closed Monday. General admission (excludes ticketed exhibitions) is free for Macomb, Oakland and Wayne County residents and DIA members. For all others, $14 for adults, $9 for seniors ages 62+, $8 for college students, $6 for ages 6–17. For membership information, call 313-833-7971.