Council Funded Events

Grown Folks Talkin’ … Hush!

Feb. 4 in Niles
One of many Black History Month events at the Niles District Library, this event will feature a one-act performance by Ivory D. Williams, of the Arts & Humanities Touring Directory. The performance begins at 2 p.m. For more information, contact the library at (269) 683-8545.

Panel Discussion: Social Justice, Segregation and Change

Feb. 7 in South Haven
Lake Michigan College, South Haven Campus, hosts a panel discussion on the narrative of social justice in the jazz era and 1920s Detroit, as featured in Arc of Justice. Panelists will also examine the current state of social justice, segregation and change in our own communities. Panel members include Dr. Michelle Stone, Mr. George Barfield and Mr. Danny Sledge. This event is held from 6-8:30 p.m. For more information, call (269) 639-8442.

Gala Opening Concert: 39th Annual Celebration of the Arts

Feb. 11 in Grand Rapids
The Dodworth Saxhorn Band, a member of the Arts & Humanities Touring Directory, will perform at the First United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids as part of their opening concert for the 39th Annual Celebration of the Arts. The celebration is a 13-day festival that includes concerts, drama and art activities open to the greater Grand Rapids Community. For more information, call the church at (616) 451-2879.

On the Life and Times of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad

Feb. 18 in Niles
The Niles District Library, in celebration of Black History Month, is hosting this storytelling performance for all ages. “On the Life and Times of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad” will feature Rosie Chapman, one of the Arts & Humanities Touring Directory performers. This event will begin at 2 p.m. For more information, contact the library at (269) 683-8545.

Arc of Justice: Read All About it

Feb. 12 in Portage
The Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society presents this event surrounding the Great Michigan Read, Arc of Justice. In partnership with Portage District Library, the event includes a Skype interview with Arc of Justice author Kevin Boyle, and a panel discussion with the first African American female to own her own real-estate firm in Kalamazoo. She will discuss housing challenges faced during her 30-year career. This event, at Portage District Library, is held from 2-4 p.m. For more information, call (269) 329-4544.

A Heritage So Richly Woven

Feb. 15 in Troy
Anthropologist and historian Dr. Willie McKether has collected the oral histories of African Americans who migrated from the South to find jobs and homes in Detroit, Flint and Saginaw. Join him during this special event as he tells their stories. The presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. at Troy Historic Village. Troy Historical Society members are free; non-members $5. This event is made possible in part by a Council major grant. For more information on this event, call (248) 527-3570 or visit www.troyhistoricvillage.org.

1934: A New Deal for Artists exhibit

Feb. 16 through May 6 in Muskegon
The Muskegon Museum of Art is the exclusive Michigan venue for the Smithsonian American Art Museum exhibition, 1934: A New Deal for Artists. The exhibit is comprised of 55 oil paintings organized around the themes of American People, City Life, Leisure, Labor, Industry, The City, The Country and Nature. The MMA will add works from its collection that pertains to 1934 and examine the impact of the Depression era in West Michigan and throughout the state. The MMA received a Council major grant award toward the hosting of this exhibit. For museum hours, admission and more information, visit www.muskegonartmuseum.org or call (231) 720-2570.

Michigan Sings! Concert Event

Feb. 19 in Grand Rapids
Celebrate Michigan’s incredible vocal-music culture through this final Michigan Sings! concert event at the Grand Rapids Public Library at 1:15 p.m. North American Choral Company choirs from several Grand Rapids Public Schools will perform songs from a variety of Michigan artists. The concert, made possible through a Council major grant, is free and open to the public. For more information, email contact@thechoralcompany.com.

Fair Lane Music Guild’s 42 Anniversary

Feb. 22 in Dearborn
The 2011-12 season of the Fair Lane Music Guild will feature a variety of highly talented, locally based performers. This event, held by the University of Michigan – Dearborn Fair Lane Music Guild, will include Arts & Humanities Touring performer Gabriel Bolkosky. Bolkosky will perform Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m., in one of four concerts as part of this anniversary celebration. All concerts are held at the Henry Ford Estate, on the campus of University of Michigan – Dearborn. For more information, please call (313) 593-5330.

Sunday Afternoon Live Concert Series

Feb. 26 in Battle Creek
Western Brass Quintet, showcased in the Arts & Humanities Touring Directory for the Council, will perform a concert as part of the Sunday Afternoon Live concert series for the First Congregational Church in Battle Creek. The purpose of Sunday Afternoon Live is to enrich the cultural life of the greater Battle Creek community and to continue the tradition of the church as a patron of artistic creativity and expression. The concert will begin at 4 p.m. For more information, call the church at (269) 965-1225.

History of Black Detroit

Feb. 28 in Southfield
Learn about the history of black Detroit from local historian Steward McMillian. He will lead a lively discussion and slide show on Black Bottom, Paradise Valley, Elmwood Cemetery, historic black churches, Underground Railroad sites and Dr. Ossian Sweet. This event will be held at the Southfield Public Library from 7-9 p.m. For more information, call (248) 796-4200.

We Don’t Want Them (A Great Michigan Read exhibit)

Throughout February in Detroit
Through reproductions of historic documents and photographs, viewers of this exhibit at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will learn the causes and effects of residential segregation. We Don’t Want Them places this year’s Great Michigan Read book, Arc of Justice, into a broader context of policies and practices that limited where some could live, thus impacting their past and present quality of life. For more information on viewing this exhibit, call the museum at (313) 494-5800.

Odawa Warriors’ Journey

Now through summer 2012 in Pellston
In 1754, a band of Odawa Indians traveled from northern Michigan to Pennsylvania to fight in the opening battle of the French and Indian War. Artifacts from this historical journey have returned home and will be on display for the next year at the Pellston Regional Airport, thanks in part to a Council major grant. The exhibit includes interpretive boards, displays and more. The exhibit is open free of charge from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.emmetcounty.org or call (231) 348-1704.

Poetry Out Loud

March 9 and 10
Save the date for Michigan's state championship for Poetry Out Loud, a poetry recitation competition. The Council program promotes recitation and public speaking skills through this high-school program. Each partnering school holds a school championship, and that student represents their school at the state championship. This year, the event will be held at Saginaw Valley State University, in Saginaw. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to hear high-school students recite powerful poetry on stage. The winner of the statewide championship will move on to the national championship, held in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.michiganhumanitites.org.

Statewide Events

Click on the map to the right to go directly to a region.

Upper Peninsula

Film Festival at Seney National Wildlife Refuge

Feb. 7, 21 and 28 in Seney
The Seney National Wildlife Refuge is hosting its 2012 Film Festival on Feb. 7, 21 and 28 at 7 p.m. Take a break Feb. 7 and watch “Great Migrations: The Science of Great Migrations,” and “Lake Invaders: The Fight for Lake Huron.” On Feb. 21, join in watching “Forever Wild: Celebrating America’s Wilderness,” and “Elsa’s Legacy.” On Feb. 28, the films “A Simple Question: The Story of STRAW,” and “Animal House,” will be shown. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided (bring your own mug). For more information, call the refuge at (906) 586-9851.

Northeast

The Sunshine Boys Performance

Now through Feb. 5 in Alpena
This event at Thunder Bay Theatre features Pat Jacques and David Usher in a play about a film agent’s efforts to recombine the once-famous comedy pair Lewis and Clark. Shows are held Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. For more information, call (989) 354-2267.

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble – The Best of Eisenhower Dance

Feb. 24 in Roscommon
Come celebrate the Best of the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble on the Kirtland Center stage. Showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or through the ticket office at (989) 275-6777. The Eisenhower Dance Ensemble is one of the Midwest's premier contemporary dance companies, and has celebrated 20 professional seasons. It is considered by many critics to be one of the finest contemporary dance companies in the nation. Don't miss out on this opportunity to see what everyone is talking about!

Northwest

Exhibit: Mostly Michigan

Feb. 1 through April 30 in Charlevoix
Mostly Michigan presents vintage black and white photographs by D. James Galbraith that capture the everyday lives of people in Michigan during the 1970s and ’80s. Galbraith was a photojournalist for many newspapers in lower Michigan. This exhibit is on display at the Charlevoix Public Library, Community Room. For more information, visit www.charlevoixlibrary.org or call (231) 547-2651.

Undine … A Settlement Remembered

Now through May 31 in Charlevoix
The Charlevoix County History Preservation Society presents this special exhibit looking at the history of a once-thriving area in Hayes Township and its residents’ close connection to Charlevoix. The exhibit is housed at the Harsha House. For more information, visit www.cchps.info.

East Central

Pewabic: Treasure and Tragedy

Now through April in Bay City
The Historical Museum of Bay County, with partnership from Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center of Alpena and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is proud to bring you Pewabic: Treasure and Tragedy. This traveling exhibit will share the ill-fated voyage of the passenger steamer Pewabic that sank in Thunder Bay near Alpena in 1865. This ship was loaded with more than 200 tons of copper from the Keweenaw Peninsula, iron ore from Marquette, and miscellaneous freight. Efforts to salvage the cargo from the Pewabic are legendary and have spanned many decades; many men lost their lives in search of its elusive treasure before finding success in 1917. For more information, visit www.bchmuseum.org or call (989) 893-5733.

Amazing Architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright

Now through June 8 in Saginaw
Hosted by the Saginaw Art Museum in the Susan A. Pumford Visionarea, this exhibit explores the life and work of one of America’s most-noted architects: Frank Lloyd Wright. Students of all ages will learn about architecture through design and math-related exhibits while reading about the famous architect. For more information, visit www.saginawartmuseum.org or call (989) 754-2491.

Mining for Prosperity: Coal in the Saginaw Valley

Now through April in Saginaw
Did you know more coal was mined in Saginaw County than any other county in Michigan? Learn about the Saginaw Valley coal boom, and why it went bust, in this exhibit at the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History. For more information, visit www.castlemuseum.org or call (989) 752-2861.

West Central

King James Bible Exhibit

Feb. 29 through March 30 in Holland
Hope College will host “Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible,” in conjunction with the book’s 400th anniversary. This traveling exhibit is made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Hope College is the only Michigan site to feature the exhibit. The exhibit can be viewed at the college’s Van Wylen Library; admission is free. For more information, call the library at (616) 395-7790.

Thank God for Michigan! Stories from the Civil War

Now through May 2012 in Grand Rapids
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is hosting this interactive exhibit that showcases more than 100 artifacts from the Civil War. Uniforms, weapons, photographs, letters and more will tell the personal stories of Michigan’s involvement in this historic conflict. The exhibit examines the causes and impacts of the War from national, regional and personal perspectives. The exhibit is free with general museum admission. For more information, call the museum at (616) 456-3977.

Southeast

African American History Day

Feb. 4 in Detroit
In celebration of Black History Month, the Detroit Historical Museum kicks off February with African American History Day. Find gifts from the Artists Market, learn from historical and neighborhood organizations in the area, and bring kids to enjoy the entertainment. For more information, call (313) 833-1805 or visit Detroit Historical Society.

Jackson Symphony Orchestra: Let’s Dance

Feb. 4 in Jackson
Join in hearing the most-popular classical selection of the last quarter of the 20th century: John Adams’ Chairman Dances from his opera, “Nixon in China.” Beethoven’s Symphony #7 will also be in the program. This event will be held at the George E. Potter Center – Jackson Community College, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $18-32. Call the ticket office at (517) 782-3221.

Reflections on the Flint Sit-Down Strike and Anti-Capitalist Art

Feb. 10 in East Lansing
The Michigan State University Museum hosts the Brown Bag series presentation “The General Motors Strike: Reflections on the Flint Sit-Down Strike and Anti-Capitalist Art,” with Dylan Miner from the MSU Residential College for Arts and Humanities. This presentation is scheduled for 12:15-1:30 p.m. in the museum’s auditorium. For more information, visit www.museum.msu.edu or call (517) 355-2370.

The Ark's 25th Annual Storytelling Festival

Feb. 18 in Ann Arbor
The Ark Storytelling Festival offers spoken-word narrative and storytelling for adults. Storytellers include Willy Claflin (CA), Czenga Zalka (Hungary) and Allison Downey (MI).Show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets cost $20. For more information, visit www.theark.org.

Michigan and the Civil War: The 150th Anniversary

Now through March 14 in East Lansing
Drawn from the historical collection of Michigan State University Museum, this exhibit highlights Michigan connections in the Civil War. Notable, the entire first graduating class of the Michigan Agricultural College (now MSU), was excused before the graduation ceremonies in 1861 so they could join the Union Army. Also learn about Luther Baker, a Michigan native, who was responsible for leading the capture of President Lincoln’s assassin. Artifacts include Civil War uniforms, weapons, camp goods, medical equipment and objects relating to the assassination of President Lincoln. For more information, visit MSU Museum site or call (517) 355-2370.

Becoming Michigan: From Revolution to Statehood

Feb. 25 – May 12 in Clinton Township
This exhibit at the Albert L. Lorenzo Cultural Center in Clinton Township explores the places, people and events that were instrumental in the birthing of the only state in the nation comprised of two distinct peninsulas. Discover the role that the Toledo War had in propelling Michigan to statehood in January 1837. For more information, visit the Albert L. Lorenzo Cultural Center website, or call (586) 445-7348.

Southwest

1893 Chicago World’s Fair

Feb. 1 in Parchment
Visit the Parchment Community Library for a special slide presentation by historian Tom Buettner discussing Michigan’s role in the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. See numerous slides depicting the fair, and hear why the event drew 27,000,000 people. Registration is required by calling (269) 343-7747 or visiting www.parchmentlibrary.org. This event is free and will be held from 6:30-8 p.m.

“I have a dream”: The Life and Times of Martin Luther King Jr.

Feb. 2 in Benton Harbor
Don’t miss your chance to see this compelling dramatization of the life and times of one of the most-influential and charismatic leaders in America. Showtime is 7 p.m. at Lake Michigan College Mendel Center. Tickets for Zone A are $16, Zone B are $11. For more information, call (269) 927-1221 or visit www.lmcmainstage.org.

2nd Annual Coastline Children’s Film Festival

Feb. 3-12 in Berrien County
The Coastline Children’s Film Festival, in partnership with Brookview School, is ready again to host this second annual international children’s film festival for Southwest Michigan. This one-of-a-kind family event will take place in seven locations in Berrien County from Feb. 3-12. Locations are: Box Factory for the Arts and Krasl Art Center (St. Joseph); Anna Russo Sieber Gallery and Citadel Dance and Music Center (Benton Harbor); The Acorn Theater (Three Oaks); New Buffalo Performing Arts Center (New Buffalo); and Bridgman Public Library (Bridgman). Admission is free; however, a $1 donation is requested per person. For more information, call (269) 925-3544 or visit www.brookviewschool.org.

The Great Millburg Bank Robbery

Feb. 21 in Coloma
The North Berrien Historical Society presents “The Great Millburg Bank Robbery.” NBHS Executive Director Alex Gates will lead the presentation, which will take visitors back to 1925 to experience one of Southwest Michigan’s most-sensational crimes. Admission is free. For more information, call (269) 468-3330 or visit www.northberrienhistory.org.

“Small Towns – Big Picture”

Now through March 9 in Saugatuck
The Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society presents “Small Towns – Big Picture” at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. This exhibit showcases people and local life in Saugatuck and Douglas as captured by notable Time and Life reporter and photographer Bill Simmons throughout 1941-1960. For more information, call (269) 857-7900 or visit www.sdhistoricalsociety.org.