Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities, films, live music and more this January at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Updated Nov 1, 2016
November 1, 2016 (Detroit)—This January the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) opens its doors on a Monday to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a special drop-in workshop, the movie “King: A Filmed Record…Montgomery to Memphis” and tours of the DIA’s African American art collection. In addition to the special programming, the DIA presents the Detroit Institute of Awesome, weekend programs specifically for families with children, along with films, concerts and more.
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
“The Edible Monument: The Art of Food for Festivals” on view through April 16
“Detroit After Dark” on view through April 23
SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS
Closed
Sunday, Jan. 1
Open:
Monday, Jan. 16, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
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 enjoy family and kid-friendly tours.
55+ 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)
Hours: Fridays, 6–9 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays, Noon–4 p.m.
Coffee, Tea and Chocolate: Friday–Sunday, Jan. 6–8
Write, draw or make a collage about your favorite coffee, tea or chocolate experience. This workshop is in conjunction with the exhibition “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate.”
Parfleche: Friday–Sunday, Jan. 13–15
A parfleche is a rawhide carrying case used by Plains Indians to hold clothing, valuables, personal items and tools. Make one you can really use with craft papers, markers, beads and leather cords. Visit our Native American galleries to see a real parfleche made around 1880 and decorated by a member of the Crow culture.
Winter Counts: Friday–Sunday, Jan. 20–22
A winter count was used by Native American communities of the Northern Great Plains to record their histories and to keep track of the passage of years. Use leather and colorful markers to create one of your own.
Empty Bowls Weekend: Friday–Sunday, Jan. 29
Decorate clay bowls provided by the DIA Studio to donate to Cass Community Social Services for its Empty Bowls event. Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to raise both money and awareness in the fight to end hunger.
Special Holiday Drop-In Workshops
Three-Hole Pamphlet Stitch Book: Monday, Jan. 16: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, create a book of your dreams using decorative papers bound by a traditional form of stitching.
Friday, January 6
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tampopo”: 7 p.m.
A hapless but enthusiastic young woman embarks on a quest for the perfect noodle. The cinema’s first true “noodle western” has been unavailable on American screens for decades. In Japanese with English subtitles. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Friday Night Live: Sfogati! “The Edible Monument”: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Soprano Lorna Young Hildebrandt, cornetto player Kiri Tollaksen and harpsichordist Shin-Ae Chun perform music that complements the exhibition “The Edible Monument: The Art of Food for Festivals.”
Saturday, January 7
Detroit Institute of Awesome: Artist Demonstration: Noon–4 p.m.
Enjoy an artist demonstration.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tampopo”: 4 & 7 p.m.
See Jan. 6 for description.
Sunday, January 8
Detroit Institute of Awesome: Artist Demonstration: Noon–4 p.m.
Enjoy an artist demonstration.
Sunday Music Bar: Iridescent Flutes: 1 & 3 p.m.
Iridescent Flutes plays thought-provoking music that inspires others. Director Melissa-Kay Grey, Sue Whitener and Gail Green make up the group.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tampopo”: 2 & 4:30 p.m.
See Jan. 6 for description.
Friday, January 13
Friday Night Live: Opera Modo: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Opera Modo presents J. S. Bach’s Coffee Cantata and other works designed to go with the “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea and Chocolate” exhibition.
Saturday, January 14
Detroit Institute of Awesome: DFT Animation Club: “James and the Giant Peach”: 2 p.m.
A young boy's discovery of a gigantic peach triggers an eventful journey across the sea in this slightly twisted animated adventure from the dark imagination of Roald Dahl and producer Tim Burton. Tickets: $5 for general admission, free for members.
Sunday, January 15
Sunday Music Bar: Michelle May: 1–4 p.m.
Violinist and flutist Michelle May performs in the classical, jazz and world fusion genres.
Detroit Institute of Awesome: DFT Animation Club: “James and the Giant Peach”: 2 p.m.
See Jan. 14 for description.
Monday, January 16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Drop-in Workshop: Three-Hole Pamphlet Stitch Book: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Create a book of your dreams using decorative papers bound by a traditional form of stitching.
Guided Tours: African American Art: 1, 2 & 3 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour through the General Motors Center for African American Art galleries.
Detroit Film Theatre: “King: A Filmed Record…Montgomery to Memphis”: 2 p.m.
Constructed from a wealth of archival footage, this monumental documentary follows Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1955 to 1968 in his rise from regional activist to world-renowned leader of the Civil Rights movement. Rare footage of King's speeches, protests and arrests are interspersed with scenes of high-profile supporters and opponents of the cause. Free with museum admission.
Friday, January 20
Friday Night Live: The Michigan Philharmonic: Miniature Masterpieces: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
This performance features the Michigan Philharmonic in Bohuslav Martinu’s Nonet, William Grant Still’s Serenade for Flute, Harp and String Quartet, Judith Shatin’s Spin and Louise Farrenc’s Nonet in E-flat Major.
Saturday, January 21
Detroit Institute of Awesome: International Coffee and Tea Festival: Noon–4 p.m.
The Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures invites you to explore Arabic, Chinese, Indian and Japanese coffee and tea traditions, which have heavily influenced the coffee and tea cultures of Western society. Experience traditional serving ceremonies along with tastings, cultural performances, traditional coffee and tea objects and clothing, as well as demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Sunday, January 22
Detroit Institute of Awesome: International Coffee and Tea Summit: Noon–4 p.m.
See Jan. 21 for description.
Sunday Music Bar: Xiao Dong Wei: 1–4 p.m.
Xaio performs traditional and contemporary Chinese music in conjunction with the exhibition “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate.”
Friday, January 27
Friday Night Live: The Music of Neil Rolnick: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Composer Neil Rolnick pioneered the use of computers in musical performance beginning in the late 1970s. Rolnick performs music from his latest recording, “Ex Machina,” featuring cellist Ashley Bathgate and saxophonist Ted Nash.
Saturday, January 28
Detroit Film Theatre: “Burn!”: 3 p.m.
“Burn!” (Queimada!) stars Marlon Brando as a British mercenary who instigates a slave revolt on a Caribbean island in the 1800s to take control of the sugar trade. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate.” Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Sunday, January 29
Sunday Music Bar: Mick Dobday: 1–4 p.m.
Pianist Mick Dobday performs avant-garde, contemporary, Latin and classical jazz standards.
Detroit Institute of Awesome: Nayika Project: 2 p.m.
Hip Hop artist Paige Hernandez and Kuchipudi dancer Chitra Kalyandurg fuse dance, theatre and spoken word to give a contemporary spin to tales of resilient, relatable heroines from Indian myth.
November 1, 2016 (Detroit)—This January the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) opens its doors on a Monday to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a special drop-in workshop, the movie “King: A Filmed Record…Montgomery to Memphis” and tours of the DIA’s African American art collection. In addition to the special programming, the DIA presents the Detroit Institute of Awesome, weekend programs specifically for families with children, along with films, concerts and more.
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
“The Edible Monument: The Art of Food for Festivals” on view through April 16
“Detroit After Dark” on view through April 23
SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS
Closed
Sunday, Jan. 1
Open:
Monday, Jan. 16, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
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 enjoy family and kid-friendly tours.
55+ 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)
Hours: Fridays, 6–9 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays, Noon–4 p.m.
Coffee, Tea and Chocolate: Friday–Sunday, Jan. 6–8
Write, draw or make a collage about your favorite coffee, tea or chocolate experience. This workshop is in conjunction with the exhibition “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate.”
Parfleche: Friday–Sunday, Jan. 13–15
A parfleche is a rawhide carrying case used by Plains Indians to hold clothing, valuables, personal items and tools. Make one you can really use with craft papers, markers, beads and leather cords. Visit our Native American galleries to see a real parfleche made around 1880 and decorated by a member of the Crow culture.
Winter Counts: Friday–Sunday, Jan. 20–22
A winter count was used by Native American communities of the Northern Great Plains to record their histories and to keep track of the passage of years. Use leather and colorful markers to create one of your own.
Empty Bowls Weekend: Friday–Sunday, Jan. 29
Decorate clay bowls provided by the DIA Studio to donate to Cass Community Social Services for its Empty Bowls event. Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to raise both money and awareness in the fight to end hunger.
Special Holiday Drop-In Workshops
Three-Hole Pamphlet Stitch Book: Monday, Jan. 16: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, create a book of your dreams using decorative papers bound by a traditional form of stitching.
Friday, January 6
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tampopo”: 7 p.m.
A hapless but enthusiastic young woman embarks on a quest for the perfect noodle. The cinema’s first true “noodle western” has been unavailable on American screens for decades. In Japanese with English subtitles. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Friday Night Live: Sfogati! “The Edible Monument”: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Soprano Lorna Young Hildebrandt, cornetto player Kiri Tollaksen and harpsichordist Shin-Ae Chun perform music that complements the exhibition “The Edible Monument: The Art of Food for Festivals.”
Saturday, January 7
Detroit Institute of Awesome: Artist Demonstration: Noon–4 p.m.
Enjoy an artist demonstration.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tampopo”: 4 & 7 p.m.
See Jan. 6 for description.
Sunday, January 8
Detroit Institute of Awesome: Artist Demonstration: Noon–4 p.m.
Enjoy an artist demonstration.
Sunday Music Bar: Iridescent Flutes: 1 & 3 p.m.
Iridescent Flutes plays thought-provoking music that inspires others. Director Melissa-Kay Grey, Sue Whitener and Gail Green make up the group.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tampopo”: 2 & 4:30 p.m.
See Jan. 6 for description.
Friday, January 13
Friday Night Live: Opera Modo: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Opera Modo presents J. S. Bach’s Coffee Cantata and other works designed to go with the “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea and Chocolate” exhibition.
Saturday, January 14
Detroit Institute of Awesome: DFT Animation Club: “James and the Giant Peach”: 2 p.m.
A young boy's discovery of a gigantic peach triggers an eventful journey across the sea in this slightly twisted animated adventure from the dark imagination of Roald Dahl and producer Tim Burton. Tickets: $5 for general admission, free for members.
Sunday, January 15
Sunday Music Bar: Michelle May: 1–4 p.m.
Violinist and flutist Michelle May performs in the classical, jazz and world fusion genres.
Detroit Institute of Awesome: DFT Animation Club: “James and the Giant Peach”: 2 p.m.
See Jan. 14 for description.
Monday, January 16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Drop-in Workshop: Three-Hole Pamphlet Stitch Book: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Create a book of your dreams using decorative papers bound by a traditional form of stitching.
Guided Tours: African American Art: 1, 2 & 3 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour through the General Motors Center for African American Art galleries.
Detroit Film Theatre: “King: A Filmed Record…Montgomery to Memphis”: 2 p.m.
Constructed from a wealth of archival footage, this monumental documentary follows Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1955 to 1968 in his rise from regional activist to world-renowned leader of the Civil Rights movement. Rare footage of King's speeches, protests and arrests are interspersed with scenes of high-profile supporters and opponents of the cause. Free with museum admission.
Friday, January 20
Friday Night Live: The Michigan Philharmonic: Miniature Masterpieces: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
This performance features the Michigan Philharmonic in Bohuslav Martinu’s Nonet, William Grant Still’s Serenade for Flute, Harp and String Quartet, Judith Shatin’s Spin and Louise Farrenc’s Nonet in E-flat Major.
Saturday, January 21
Detroit Institute of Awesome: International Coffee and Tea Festival: Noon–4 p.m.
The Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures invites you to explore Arabic, Chinese, Indian and Japanese coffee and tea traditions, which have heavily influenced the coffee and tea cultures of Western society. Experience traditional serving ceremonies along with tastings, cultural performances, traditional coffee and tea objects and clothing, as well as demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Sunday, January 22
Detroit Institute of Awesome: International Coffee and Tea Summit: Noon–4 p.m.
See Jan. 21 for description.
Sunday Music Bar: Xiao Dong Wei: 1–4 p.m.
Xaio performs traditional and contemporary Chinese music in conjunction with the exhibition “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate.”
Friday, January 27
Friday Night Live: The Music of Neil Rolnick: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Composer Neil Rolnick pioneered the use of computers in musical performance beginning in the late 1970s. Rolnick performs music from his latest recording, “Ex Machina,” featuring cellist Ashley Bathgate and saxophonist Ted Nash.
Saturday, January 28
Detroit Film Theatre: “Burn!”: 3 p.m.
“Burn!” (Queimada!) stars Marlon Brando as a British mercenary who instigates a slave revolt on a Caribbean island in the 1800s to take control of the sugar trade. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition “Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate.” Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Sunday, January 29
Sunday Music Bar: Mick Dobday: 1–4 p.m.
Pianist Mick Dobday performs avant-garde, contemporary, Latin and classical jazz standards.
Detroit Institute of Awesome: Nayika Project: 2 p.m.
Hip Hop artist Paige Hernandez and Kuchipudi dancer Chitra Kalyandurg fuse dance, theatre and spoken word to give a contemporary spin to tales of resilient, relatable heroines from Indian myth.