October activities at the Detroit Institute of Arts include live performance, Mexican cultural demonstrations, family programs and more
Updated Jul 25, 2016
July 25, 2016 (Detroit)—This October, visitors to the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) can explore their inner poet through a songwriting workshop, make a sugar skull, enjoy a puppet show, live music and more. Ofrenda altars created by local artists will be on display Friday, Oct. 21 through early November. Also on view starting Oct. 21 is “Detroit After Dark,” a photography exhibition featuring Detroit photographer’s views of the city once the sun sets.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.
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. Sugar Skulls–Learn how sugar skulls are used for Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexican and Mexican American communities while you decorate one of your own.
Saturdays, Noon–4 p.m. Retablos–A retablo is a small painting enshrining an important person, place or thing. Learn about this Latin American folk art tradition while you create one of your own.
Sundays, Noon–4 p.m. Paper Flowers
Saturday, October 1
Artist Demonstration: TBA: Noon – 4 p.m.
Enjoy an artist demonstration.
Detroit Film Theatre 101: “Decalogue” Parts 1 & 2: 3 p.m.
Inspired by the Ten Commandments, “Decalogue” is a television drama series which explores one or several moral and ethical issues faced by characters living in an apartment block in modern Poland. Tickets: $5, free for members
Detroit Film Theatre: “Don’t Blink—Robert Frank”: 7 p.m.
Famous photographer Robert Frank burst onto the scene in 1958 with his book “The Americans.” Laura Israel, his friend, collaborator and director of this documentary, created this cinematic portrait of the Swiss-born man who reinvented himself the American way, still standing on ground of his own making at age 91. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Under the Sun”: 9:30 p.m.
In 2015, Russian filmmaker Vitaly Mansky created this “non-fiction” film about an “ordinary” family in Pyongyang, North Korea. Gaining access by making the totalitarian regime an official production partner and granting them complete control over the script’s every word and locations, the filmmakers are quick to point out that they were accompanied at all times by minders, “to prevent us from getting lost.” The result is this fascinating portrait of one girl and her parents over the course of a year as she prepares to join the Korean Children's Union on the 'Day Of The Shining Star' (Kim Jong-Il's birthday). In Korean with English subtitles. (110 minutes)
Sunday, October 2
Artist Demonstration: TBA: Noon–4 p.m.
Enjoy an artist demonstration.
Sunday Music Bar: Claude Bolling Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio: 1 & 3 p.m.
The Claude Bolling Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio is performed by flutist Cathy Sherwin, pianist Maria Meirelles, bassist Steven Bostick and Alan Wesley on drums.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Don’t Blink—Robert Frank”: 2 p.m.
See Oct. 1 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Under the Sun”: 4:30 p.m.
See Oct. 1 for description.
Friday, October 7
Detroit Film Theatre: “Generation Startup”: 7 p.m.
“Generation Startup” is a portrait of six recent college graduates who are passionate, would-be entrepreneurs, putting everything on the line to build startups in Detroit at the beginning of Detroit’s bankruptcy. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Friday Night Live: Audra Kubat: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Detroit born singer-songwriter Audra Kubat performs indie-folk rock.
Saturday, October 8
Songwriting with Audra Kubat: 1 & 2 p.m.
Join Audra Kubat for an afternoon songwriting sessions. A Detroit native singer-songwriter, Kubat will guide participants through exercises to transform ideas and feelings into music. Each session will conclude with a performance of newly created songs. For families with children 5 years or older.
DFT 101: “Decalogue” Parts 3 & 4: 3 p.m.
See Oct. 1 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Generation Startup”: 7 p.m.
See Oct. 7 for description.
Sunday, October 9
Detroit Film Theatre: “Generation Startup”: 2 p.m.
See Oct. 7 for description.
Songs and Poems of Songwriting Workshops & InsideOut Literary Arts Project–Hosted by Audra Kubat: 2 p.m.
This performance showcases the results of several of Audra Kubat's week-long songwriting workshops, including a recent workshop sponsored by the DIA with students from Golightly Education Center, a Detroit Public School, the works created with DIA patrons during drop-in songwriting sessions, and poems created through the InsideOut Literary Arts Project. Original songs and poems will be performed by Audra Kubat and Detroit Public School students. For families with children of all ages who love music and poetry.
Friday, October 14
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tanna”: 7 p.m.
“Tanna,” the first feature film shot in the South Pacific nation of Vanatu, is a romantic drama acted entirely by local nonprofessionals and based on events that took place in the 1980s on the volcanic island with a population of 30,000 called Tanna. The film illuminates the ways in which the human traditions of knowledge, experience and growth are handed down from generation to generation. In Nauvhal with English subtitles. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Friday Night Live: Michigan Flute Orchestra: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
The instrumentation of the orchestra compises the entire spectrum of the flute family: bass flute, alto flute, the conventional C flute and piccolo. Led by Shaul Ben Meir.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Generation Startup”: 9:30 p.m.
See Oct. 7 for description.
Saturday, October 15
DFT Animation Club: “Phantom Boy”: 2 p.m.
“Phantom Boy” is an animated thriller about a young boy named Leo, whose mysterious ailment has transformed him into a phantom boy, able to leave the confines of his body and float through the streets of New York City. Leo teams up with a New York policeman, and the pair set out to save the city by stopping a criminal who has taken control of the city’s power grid. Tickets: $5 for general admission, free for members.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tanna”: 7 p.m.
See Oct. 14 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Generation Startup”: 9:30 p.m.
See Oct. 7 for description.
Sunday, October 16
Sunday Music Bar: Wendell Harrison: 1 & 3 p.m.
Detroit native Wendell Harrison performs jazz on saxophone and clarinet.
DFT Animation Club: “Phantom Boy”: 2 p.m.
See Oct. 15 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tanna”: 4:30 p.m.
See Oct. 14 for description.
Friday, October 21–Sunday, November 6
Ofrenda Exhibition: During museum hours
In partnership with the Mexican Consulate, the DIA celebrates Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with an exhibition of ofrendas designed by local artists using a mixture of traditional altar objects and modern art pieces. These ofrendas pay homage to people, places, ideas and events that have passed on.
Friday, October 21
Detroit Film Theatre: “Girl Asleep”: 7 p.m.
On her first day at a new school, Greta meets Elliott, who offers her his friendship—and a donut—and soon finds himself invited to Greta’s 15th birthday party. Greta’s party transitions from joyful disco to surreal dreamworld as her anxieties and growing pains find resolution in unexpected ways. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Friday Night Live: TBA: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 22
Puppet Performance: Marionetas de la Esquina's La Chorcha de las Calacas: 2 p.m.
A rowdy group of skeletons explore the history of Mexico and its traditions, including the Day of the Dead. Performances in Spanish but enjoyable for audiences of all languages. For families with children 5 and older.
DFT 101: “Decalogue” Parts 5 & 6: 3 p.m.
See Oct. 1 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Girl Asleep”: 7 p.m.
See Oct. 21 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tanna”: 9:30 p.m.
See Oct. 14 for description.
Sunday, October 23
Sunday Music Bar: Ron English: 1-4 p.m.
Jazz guitarist Ron English plays music deeply rooted in blues, Broadway, bebop, avant-garde, funk, Motown and gospel.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Girl Asleep”: 2 p.m.
See Oct. 21 for description.
Puppet Performance: Marionetas de la Esquina's La Chorcha de las Calacas: 2 p.m.
See Oct. 22 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tanna”: 4:30 p.m.
See Oct. 14 for description.
Friday, October 28
Friday Night Live: TBA: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Gimme Danger”: 7 & 9:30 p.m.
The rise and demise of Ann Arbor’s legendary band The Stooges is chronicled with affection, insight and energy. Combining concert footage with animation and engrossing reminiscences, director Jim Jarmusch uncovers the band’s stylistic evolution, right down to the way that Iggy Pop’s fascination with Egyptian pharaoh movies influenced his stage presence. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Saturday, October 29
Cultural Demonstration: Aztec Traditions: 2 p.m.
Mexico native Kia Itchel Arriaga is a designer and object-maker whose main artistic influences are drawn from the Aztec culture. She will share a Tlalmanalli, an Aztec motif ofrenda created on the floor, as well as traditional music, dance and poetry. For families with children of all ages.
DFT 101: “Decalogue” Parts 7 & 8: 3 p.m.
See Oct. 1 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Gimme Danger”: 7 & 9:30 p.m.
See Oct. 28 for description.
Sunday, October 30
Cultural Demonstration: Aztec Traditions: 2 p.m.
See Oct. 29 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Gimme Danger”: 2 & 4:30 p.m.
See Oct. 28 for description.
July 25, 2016 (Detroit)—This October, visitors to the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) can explore their inner poet through a songwriting workshop, make a sugar skull, enjoy a puppet show, live music and more. Ofrenda altars created by local artists will be on display Friday, Oct. 21 through early November. Also on view starting Oct. 21 is “Detroit After Dark,” a photography exhibition featuring Detroit photographer’s views of the city once the sun sets.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.
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. Sugar Skulls–Learn how sugar skulls are used for Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexican and Mexican American communities while you decorate one of your own.
Saturdays, Noon–4 p.m. Retablos–A retablo is a small painting enshrining an important person, place or thing. Learn about this Latin American folk art tradition while you create one of your own.
Sundays, Noon–4 p.m. Paper Flowers
Saturday, October 1
Artist Demonstration: TBA: Noon – 4 p.m.
Enjoy an artist demonstration.
Detroit Film Theatre 101: “Decalogue” Parts 1 & 2: 3 p.m.
Inspired by the Ten Commandments, “Decalogue” is a television drama series which explores one or several moral and ethical issues faced by characters living in an apartment block in modern Poland. Tickets: $5, free for members
Detroit Film Theatre: “Don’t Blink—Robert Frank”: 7 p.m.
Famous photographer Robert Frank burst onto the scene in 1958 with his book “The Americans.” Laura Israel, his friend, collaborator and director of this documentary, created this cinematic portrait of the Swiss-born man who reinvented himself the American way, still standing on ground of his own making at age 91. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Under the Sun”: 9:30 p.m.
In 2015, Russian filmmaker Vitaly Mansky created this “non-fiction” film about an “ordinary” family in Pyongyang, North Korea. Gaining access by making the totalitarian regime an official production partner and granting them complete control over the script’s every word and locations, the filmmakers are quick to point out that they were accompanied at all times by minders, “to prevent us from getting lost.” The result is this fascinating portrait of one girl and her parents over the course of a year as she prepares to join the Korean Children's Union on the 'Day Of The Shining Star' (Kim Jong-Il's birthday). In Korean with English subtitles. (110 minutes)
Sunday, October 2
Artist Demonstration: TBA: Noon–4 p.m.
Enjoy an artist demonstration.
Sunday Music Bar: Claude Bolling Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio: 1 & 3 p.m.
The Claude Bolling Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio is performed by flutist Cathy Sherwin, pianist Maria Meirelles, bassist Steven Bostick and Alan Wesley on drums.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Don’t Blink—Robert Frank”: 2 p.m.
See Oct. 1 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Under the Sun”: 4:30 p.m.
See Oct. 1 for description.
Friday, October 7
Detroit Film Theatre: “Generation Startup”: 7 p.m.
“Generation Startup” is a portrait of six recent college graduates who are passionate, would-be entrepreneurs, putting everything on the line to build startups in Detroit at the beginning of Detroit’s bankruptcy. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Friday Night Live: Audra Kubat: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Detroit born singer-songwriter Audra Kubat performs indie-folk rock.
Saturday, October 8
Songwriting with Audra Kubat: 1 & 2 p.m.
Join Audra Kubat for an afternoon songwriting sessions. A Detroit native singer-songwriter, Kubat will guide participants through exercises to transform ideas and feelings into music. Each session will conclude with a performance of newly created songs. For families with children 5 years or older.
DFT 101: “Decalogue” Parts 3 & 4: 3 p.m.
See Oct. 1 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Generation Startup”: 7 p.m.
See Oct. 7 for description.
Sunday, October 9
Detroit Film Theatre: “Generation Startup”: 2 p.m.
See Oct. 7 for description.
Songs and Poems of Songwriting Workshops & InsideOut Literary Arts Project–Hosted by Audra Kubat: 2 p.m.
This performance showcases the results of several of Audra Kubat's week-long songwriting workshops, including a recent workshop sponsored by the DIA with students from Golightly Education Center, a Detroit Public School, the works created with DIA patrons during drop-in songwriting sessions, and poems created through the InsideOut Literary Arts Project. Original songs and poems will be performed by Audra Kubat and Detroit Public School students. For families with children of all ages who love music and poetry.
Friday, October 14
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tanna”: 7 p.m.
“Tanna,” the first feature film shot in the South Pacific nation of Vanatu, is a romantic drama acted entirely by local nonprofessionals and based on events that took place in the 1980s on the volcanic island with a population of 30,000 called Tanna. The film illuminates the ways in which the human traditions of knowledge, experience and growth are handed down from generation to generation. In Nauvhal with English subtitles. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Friday Night Live: Michigan Flute Orchestra: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
The instrumentation of the orchestra compises the entire spectrum of the flute family: bass flute, alto flute, the conventional C flute and piccolo. Led by Shaul Ben Meir.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Generation Startup”: 9:30 p.m.
See Oct. 7 for description.
Saturday, October 15
DFT Animation Club: “Phantom Boy”: 2 p.m.
“Phantom Boy” is an animated thriller about a young boy named Leo, whose mysterious ailment has transformed him into a phantom boy, able to leave the confines of his body and float through the streets of New York City. Leo teams up with a New York policeman, and the pair set out to save the city by stopping a criminal who has taken control of the city’s power grid. Tickets: $5 for general admission, free for members.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tanna”: 7 p.m.
See Oct. 14 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Generation Startup”: 9:30 p.m.
See Oct. 7 for description.
Sunday, October 16
Sunday Music Bar: Wendell Harrison: 1 & 3 p.m.
Detroit native Wendell Harrison performs jazz on saxophone and clarinet.
DFT Animation Club: “Phantom Boy”: 2 p.m.
See Oct. 15 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tanna”: 4:30 p.m.
See Oct. 14 for description.
Friday, October 21–Sunday, November 6
Ofrenda Exhibition: During museum hours
In partnership with the Mexican Consulate, the DIA celebrates Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with an exhibition of ofrendas designed by local artists using a mixture of traditional altar objects and modern art pieces. These ofrendas pay homage to people, places, ideas and events that have passed on.
Friday, October 21
Detroit Film Theatre: “Girl Asleep”: 7 p.m.
On her first day at a new school, Greta meets Elliott, who offers her his friendship—and a donut—and soon finds himself invited to Greta’s 15th birthday party. Greta’s party transitions from joyful disco to surreal dreamworld as her anxieties and growing pains find resolution in unexpected ways. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Friday Night Live: TBA: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 22
Puppet Performance: Marionetas de la Esquina's La Chorcha de las Calacas: 2 p.m.
A rowdy group of skeletons explore the history of Mexico and its traditions, including the Day of the Dead. Performances in Spanish but enjoyable for audiences of all languages. For families with children 5 and older.
DFT 101: “Decalogue” Parts 5 & 6: 3 p.m.
See Oct. 1 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Girl Asleep”: 7 p.m.
See Oct. 21 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tanna”: 9:30 p.m.
See Oct. 14 for description.
Sunday, October 23
Sunday Music Bar: Ron English: 1-4 p.m.
Jazz guitarist Ron English plays music deeply rooted in blues, Broadway, bebop, avant-garde, funk, Motown and gospel.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Girl Asleep”: 2 p.m.
See Oct. 21 for description.
Puppet Performance: Marionetas de la Esquina's La Chorcha de las Calacas: 2 p.m.
See Oct. 22 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Tanna”: 4:30 p.m.
See Oct. 14 for description.
Friday, October 28
Friday Night Live: TBA: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Gimme Danger”: 7 & 9:30 p.m.
The rise and demise of Ann Arbor’s legendary band The Stooges is chronicled with affection, insight and energy. Combining concert footage with animation and engrossing reminiscences, director Jim Jarmusch uncovers the band’s stylistic evolution, right down to the way that Iggy Pop’s fascination with Egyptian pharaoh movies influenced his stage presence. Tickets: $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.
Saturday, October 29
Cultural Demonstration: Aztec Traditions: 2 p.m.
Mexico native Kia Itchel Arriaga is a designer and object-maker whose main artistic influences are drawn from the Aztec culture. She will share a Tlalmanalli, an Aztec motif ofrenda created on the floor, as well as traditional music, dance and poetry. For families with children of all ages.
DFT 101: “Decalogue” Parts 7 & 8: 3 p.m.
See Oct. 1 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Gimme Danger”: 7 & 9:30 p.m.
See Oct. 28 for description.
Sunday, October 30
Cultural Demonstration: Aztec Traditions: 2 p.m.
See Oct. 29 for description.
Detroit Film Theatre: “Gimme Danger”: 2 & 4:30 p.m.
See Oct. 28 for description.