Michigan Humanities

Jordan Hamilton & Seth Bernard
2024-03-02 19:00 (America/Detroit) | Huron Valley Council for the Arts, 205 W Livingston Rd, Highland Charter Twp, MI, 48357
Jordan and Seth will be performing together for a unforgettable evening. Jordan Hamilton is a talented musician who plays the cello and sings. He is known for his unique style that combines traditional mastery with a more experimental approach. He will be featuring his new music from J.NOH Seth Bernard will be playing from his music project called Headwaters. This project is inspired by the simple melodies that the musician creates on their guitar.

Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities –Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities.

Follow the Silk Road: Mesopotamia to Michigan
2024-02-29 18:30 - 20:00 | Shenandoah Country Club, 5600 Walnut Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI, 48323
Part of a year-long initiative to share the Chaldean Story, this forum will explore the roots of the Chaldean entrepreneurial spirit. The event will feature a distinguished panel of entrepreneurs who will share personal stories about the generational influence on their own success. Adhid Miri, PhD will provide a historical context and Chaldean News Editor in Chief, Sarah Kittle will moderate the event. There is no cost to attend, please register below for a chance to win a limited edition “Made in Nineveh” gift box.
Funding for the Great Michigan Stories program is provided by Michigan Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities.

Ziibiwing Medicine Wheel Teaching & Craft
2024-02-29 17:30 - 19:00 | Butman-Fish Branch Library, 1716 Hancock St, Saginaw, MI, 48602, United States
Make a megis shell necklace and learn about the medicine wheel. The medicine wheel promotes harmony and balance in our lives. It represents how the Anishinabek see the world as a circle in which everything on this Earth has its place. Learn about the Anishinabe Medicine Wheel, its components, and teachings associated with its significance. This Great Michigan Read program is for all ages.
To register, contact: sreinhardt@saginawlibrary.org or call 989-799-9160.
Funding for the Great Michigan Read program is provided by Michigan Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities.

Sunday Afternoon Live presents Blackthorn
2024-02-25 16:00 - 17:30 | First Congregational Church, 145 Capitol Ave NE, Battle Creek, MI, 49017
Sunday Afternoon Live is a small outreach group sponsored by First Congregational Church of Battle Creek. Our mission is to enrich the cultural life of the greater Battle Creek Community and to continue the tradition of the church (FCCBC) as a patron of artistic creativity and expression. We endeavor to do this by sponsoring a series of free concerts that present musical artistry that is exciting, beautiful, varied and enjoyable. The concerts are presented in the sanctuary of our church, which possesses great acoustical characteristics that our guest artists appreciate as well as our patrons. The quartet Blackthorn represents the Irish/Celtic genre, which has been popular with a wide variety of patrons.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities.

Cajun Band Feufollet in Concert
2024-02-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Cheboygan Opera House, 403 N. Huron St, Cheboygan, MI, 49721
This young and vibrant Southwest Louisiana band takes Cajun, honky-tonk, and string-band music as their starting point, and keeps an open mind about where their song craft will lead them. The five members of Feufollet play fiddle, guitar, accordion, upright bass, and percussion. Many of their songs are in Cajun French, reflecting their bilingual upbringing in Louisiana.
The CAAC manages the 1888 Opera House, which is owned by the City of Cheboygan, where it presents a year-round series of performance events. The event by Feufollet advances our mission of bringing to our rural area nationally-recognized musicians who represent the diversity of American folk genres.
The Mission of the Cheboygan Area Arts Council is to promote and encourage cultural and educational activities within the Straits Area of Northern Michigan, and to provide services that stimulate and encourage participation and appreciation of the arts within all segments of the community and to showcase the historic Cheboygan Opera House.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities

Arts for Life - Music "Mack Sisters"
2024-02-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Huron Valley Council for the Arts, 205 W Livingston Rd, Highland Charter Twp, MI, 48357
Tomoko and Yuki are called the “Mack Sisters” They will present a piano program for “4” hands. The Mack Sisters are Steinway artists who have presented concerts around the world.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities.

Beyond the Book with Nathan Wright - Anishinabek Herbalism of the Great Lakes
2024-02-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy, MI, 48098
Join Indigenous Herbalist and Herbal Lodge Owner Nathan Wright as he takes us on a journey through the historic use of trees and plants by Indigenous peoples in Michigan. For centuries, these plants have played a vital role in sustaining and nourishing Indigenous communities throughout the year. Nathan will guide us through each season, sharing how different plants were used for various purposes such as shelter, transportation, and food. We will also learn about the significance of different moons in the Indigenous calendar and how they relate to the use of certain plants.
In addition to sharing ancient knowledge, Nathan will also bring us into the present by discussing how his ancestors’ sustainable and herbal practices could be utilized today as a model, by choosing to utilize sustainable resources in our everyday lives. He will share insights on growing herbal plants in our own yards and using them to improve our overall well-being. From immune-boosting herbs to pain and nerve-relieving plants, Nathan will cover a range of topics that can benefit our health. To further enhance our learning experience, Nathan will provide samples of herbal teas and showcase some of his own herbal products. Learn more about Nathan’s work at https://herballodge.com/.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Great Michigan Read Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities.

Beyond the Book with Nathan Wright - Land Back: Our Teachers, Our Truth, Our Connection to Mother Earth
2024-02-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy, MI, 48098
Join Indigenous Herbalist and Herbal Lodge Owner Nathan Wright as he discusses our connection to Mother Earth through nature. Have you ever wondered about the strong bond Native Americans have with their land? What is Land Back and why is it so important? Whether you are a gardener, naturalist, wild forager, or herbalist, this event will deepen your connection to the land and provide a better understanding of the first peoples of this land. Nathan will weave in his experiences as a wild forager, cold water enthusiast, and water protector to create a self-awakening experience for you. This class will open your senses to a whole new level and allow you to tap into a connection you never knew existed. So come join us on this journey to discover and honor our connection to Mother Earth. Let Nathan guide you as you learn, grow, and respect the land that sustains us all. Learn more about Nathan’s work at https://herballodge.com/.

Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities –Great Michigan Read Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities.

Firekeeper’s Daughter Book Discussion
2024-02-13 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-01-23 16:30 - 17:30 | Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy, MI, 48098
Troy Historic Village and Troy Public Library present two free book discussions inside Niles-Barnard House at the Village. Join us for a warm beverage, a little friendly trivia competition, and lively group discussion on Firekeeper’s Daughter. Discussion topics are different each time, so come to one or both of the programs! Coffee and cocoa provided courtesy of Biggby.

Stop Motion Animation Workshop
2024-02-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Ray Township Public Library, 64255 Wolcott Rd, Ray, MI, 48096
Join Alex Thomas and Friends for a fun-filled, productive workshop on Stop Motion Animation in our very own tiny library. This workshop is 90 minutes and open to 20 participants who will get a hands-on lesson in the creation of stop motion animation. Alex and Jessica Thomas lead this workshop and are so much fun to work with. Don’t miss out. You MUST be registered to attend. All ages are welcome. Non-participating guardians of youth participants do not need to register.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities

The Evolution of African American Traditional Music
2024-02-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Monroe County Library System, 840 S. Roessler St., Monroe, MI, 48161
This program and accompanying booklet will be part of Monroe County Library System’s 37th annual
Black History Month Blues Series. Concerts and related programs are scheduled during February in
libraries throughout Monroe County. A main concert is hosted by Monroe County Community College.
The series pays tribute to the contributions of African American artists covering a wide range of blues
and related styles performed mainly by Michigan artists.
“The Evolution of African American Traditional Music” explores the impact of black music on the
development of America’s musical culture over a period of one hundred years. The presentation also
demonstrates how this traditional music provides a unique perspective on the development of African
American culture. The award-winning , Rev. Robert Jones has a unique talent for blending music and
storytelling in his performances. For this program, he leads participants on a journey revealing how
pre-Civil War Black music still has relevancy for audiences today. Throughout the program, Rev. Jones
will accompany himself on simple instruments used in the folk music tradition including guitar, banjo,
fiddle, and harmonica. Members of the audience will have pportunities to speak with and join Rev. Jones
in song.
The program opens with an examination of the slave spiritual and its use of rhythm for working as well
as a means of secretly communicating information vital for daily survival or making escape
plans. Folktales and stories from the period are discussed as they provided empowerment and
dignity for enslaved people. Rev. Jones examines music produced to recruit black soldiers into the Union
Army with songs like “We Look Like Men of War.” The presentation moves to the 1870s and the
development of the concert spiritual at Fisk University where the choir preserved Black
spirituals while incorporating European church music. Rev. Jones takes participants into the 20th
century with the birth of the blues by W.C. Handy and the early recordings by women like Mamie Smith
in the 1920s. The presentation continues showing how the spirituals evolved into blues, gospel, jazz and
country. Looking at the 1930s, he shows how blues music told the story of the Great Depression from
the perspective of the African American community. The musical journey continues into the 1940s
pointing out how gospel songs like “Roosevelt,” performed by black artists like Josh White and Billie
Holliday, were used as a form of black activism. The program then examines the music of 1950s where
black artists like Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup and Sister Rosetta Tharpe laid the foundations of Rock & Roll
for both black and white artists such as Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Bill Haley. Rev. Jones brings the
presentation into the 1960s demonstrating how Blues music transitioned from being a largely acoustic
musical style to becoming a dynamic and electric through artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and
Detroit’s own John Lee Hooker. Wrapping up, he discusses how artists like Sam Cooke built on blues and
gospel traditions to create music that challenged America’s cultural status quo. These “freedom songs”
of the 1950s and ‘60s helped to fuel the protests during the Civil Rights Movement in cities across
America.
Rev. Robert Jones is a 35-year veteran of the Detroit blues scene and a nationally recognized scholar of
American roots music. He hosted a weekly blues program on WDET Detroit Public Radio and taught
music history as an adjunct instructor at Wayne State University. He is published in the music anthology
Heaven Was Detroit edited by M.L. Liebler for Wayne State University Press. He has also produced
programs for The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village. He was presented with a Distinguished
Service Award by the Wayne County Council for Arts, History, and Humanities and was
named a Kresge Fellow for his work and dedication to the Detroit arts community.
The program brings value to the library by reinforcing its goal of providing education as well as
entertainment through its annual celebration of the contributions of African American artists. While
participating artists give background and context to their music performances, the library also aims to
feature programs that more specifically focus on how the music influences America’s culture
and reflects its historical times.
The series has a large and devoted following with many participants attending since the series began in
1988. By featuring a humanities component, participants are reminded of the program’s mission of
expanding our knowledge and appreciation for an art form that has often been appropriated by popular
music and not given its rightful credit. The program format allows audience participation through
discussion and adding their voices in songs led by the artist. It’s our intention that participants are
energized by the program and motivated to continue their own exploration of blues music.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities.

OpenSpot Theatre at The Hawk
2024-02-01 18:00 - 19:30 | The Hawk – Farmington Hills Community Center, 29995 W 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI, 48334
. OpenSpot Theatre provides accessible theatre experiences for people of all abilities. These sessions will be geared for participants ages eight through adult with a special emphasis benefitting those with developmental disabilities. Through music, dance, and acting taught by trained theatre professionals, participants will explore the therapeutic benefits of theatre.
Founded in 2012 by Katie Mann and Annie Clark, OpenSpot Theatre was created with the idea that performing arts should be accessible to all people. The company quickly expanded throughout Southeast Michigan and now provides opportunities across the United States. OpenSpot Theatre’s mission is “to provide a fun, creative, and inclusive arts experience that is accessible to all people. Through our rehearsal and performance process, students will experience personal affirmation, empowerment, and build important life skills.”
This family-friendly program ends with a free performance for the community in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere in the Performance Studio at The Hawk, the community center for the City of Farmington Hills. This newly renovated, ADA compliant building has flexible seating and an intimate ambience. The parking lot is handicapped-accessible and seating is available for individuals requiring the use of a wheelchair. These qualities make the venue a perfect setting for this adaptive theatrical program.
Beginning February 2, 2024, the program will run for six one-hour sessions on Thursday evenings from 6-7PM. Each session is taught by a theatre professional provided by OpenSpot Theatre.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities

Beyond the Book with Wayne Hardwick
2024-01-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy, MI, 48098
Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa tribe member, Eagle Staff Carrier, and Indigenous Voices partner Wayne Hardwick will share his culture and experiences to expand our understanding of many of the important themes that come up in Firekeeper’s Daughter. Join us at the Troy Historic Village for a presentation and informal question and answer time.

Reg Pettibone's Authentic Native American Program
2024-01-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Birmingham Next, 2121 Midvale Street, Birmingham, MI, 48009-1509
In concert with the Great Michigan Read “The Firekeeper’s Daughter” by Angeline Boulley, Next is coordinating several enriching and education programs, food and craft classes, cultural entertainment program and day trips to venues where we can learn more about Indigenous people and the culture from January – April, 2024. On Thursday, January 25 at 6 pm, Next will host Reg Pettibone’s Authentic Native American Program also featuring Marca Pettibone with the Indigenous Women’s Ceremonial and Healing Dress. This program has received rave reviews and we are so excited to have Reg and Marca Pettibone visit Next. Reg Pettibone, a full-blooded native American and champion pow-wow dancer of the Ho-Chunk nation and his wife will present a true understanding of Native American culture through dance, song and stories.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities.

Sunday Afternoon Live presents Samuel Fedele
2024-01-21 16:00 - 17:30 | First Congregational Church, 145 Capitol Ave NE, Battle Creek, MI, 49017
Sunday Afternoon Live is a small outreach group sponsored by First Congregational Church of Battle Creek. Our mission is to enrich the cultural life of the greater Battle Creek Community and to continue the tradition of the church (FCCBC) as a patron of artistic creativity and expression. We endeavor to do this by sponsoring a series of free concerts that present musical artistry that is exciting, beautiful, varied and enjoyable. Samuel Fedele is a local resident currently studying piano performance. He is a newcomer, but well known in the community, and will appeal to our classical music enthusiasts.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities.

Sunday Concert Series
2024-01-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Loutit District Library, 407 Columbus Avenue, Grand Haven, MI, 49417
The Sunday Concert Series is back! In January, we are pleased to welcome the Traditional Celtic Band, Uneven Ground. Uneven Ground blends its traditional Celtic and Irish music with vocals, fiddle, guitar, tin whistle, flute, mandolin, and bodhran to escort you on an exclusive musical journey. Grounded from the roots of traditional Irish folk music, Uneven Ground offers energetic pub tunes combined with familiar folk songs for an interactive, foot-stomping program for all ages.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities

Where the Wild Things Are
2024-01-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Chesterfield Township Library, 50560 Patricia Avenue, Chesterfield, MI, 48051, United States
Magic Carpet Theatre will present a live theatre performance titled “Where the Wild Things Are.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities

"Max's Merry Everything" Children's Play at Sandcastles Children's Museum
2023-12-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Sandcastles Childrens Museum, 129 E Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI, 49431
Max’s Merry Everything! (Childrens’ Holiday Play) by Debbie Nellis & Rick Plummer! Come Celebrate Holiday Traditions & Friendship. Today we have 2 shows, Sunday, December 17th. 1pm. and 3pm. Today we have 2 shows, Sunday, December 17th, at 1pm. and 3pm. Limited Seating, will be on the third-floor stage. $10.00 per ticket.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities

MasterWorks 03: Mozart and Bizet
2023-12-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Wharton Center for Performing Arts, 750 E Shaw Ln, East Lansing, MI, 48824
The concert opens with W.A. Mozart’s spirited and buoyant Symphony No. 35 “Haffner.” Then hear Lansing Symphony’s Principal Trumpet, Neil Mueller, perform the world premiere of David Biedenbender’s new Trumpet Concerto. The concert closes with a piece by French composer Georges Bizet that was not discovered and performed until nearly eighty years after it was written. Bizet’s Symphony No. 1 in C major is his only symphony and showcases his lyrical and expressive qualities while maintaining a Mozartian lightheartedness and levity.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Arts and Humanities Touring Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities.

Barry County Great Michigan Read
2023-11-28 18:00 - 19:30, 2023-10-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Hastings Public Library, 227 E State St, Hastings, MI, 49058, United States
To sign up participants should go to this link. https://formsbcf.org/view.php?id=71045

Beth Nahrain - Writers of Mesopotamia
2023-11-11 10:00 - 14:00 | Chaldean Community Foundation, 3601 15 Mile Rd, Sterling Heights, MI, 48310, United States

Movement Workshop with Nadia Kayrallah and Doris Bittar
2023-11-11 | Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, Michigan, 48126
Colonial Colonnade at the Arab American National Museum: a multidisciplinary project.

Colonial Colonnade Opening Celebration
2023-11-10 | Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, Michigan, 48126

Colonial Colonnade Exhibit Opening
2023-11-09 | Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, Michigan, 48126

Black History 101 Mobile Museum - Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop
2023-11-06 10:00 - 15:00 | MI
The Black History 101 Mobile Museum is a national award-winning traveling exhibit that educates and informs the public about the rich and diverse history of African Americans. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the exhibit will showcase over 150 original artifacts reflecting the evolution of hip-hop culture and its impact on American society, highlighting the contributions of Black artists and innovators in the genre.

This insightful exhibit takes an interesting angle in viewing hip-hop culture through the lens of social movements such as the Anti-Apartheid Movement, Stop the Violence Movement, The Million Man March, and Black Lives Matter. The exhibit also includes historical and cultural artifacts from the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Jim Crow, Civil Rights Era, Black Power, and Black Arts Movement.

Join University of Michigan Institute for the Humanities at noon for “Using Hip-Hop Artifacts to Understand Hip-Hop Culture and its Connection to Broader Black Social, Cultural, and Political Movements” with Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, founder of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum. Details at https://events.umich.edu/event/109913.

University of Michigan Institute for the Humanities organizes programs that examine and interrogate humanities traditions broadly across space and time. The Institute aims to deepen synergies among the humanities, the arts, and disciplines across the university, and to bring the insights of the humanities to public life.

Great Michigan Read - Author Tour Stop
2023-10-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Kent District Library – Kentwood Branch, 4950 Breton Rd SE, Kentwood, Michigan, 49508
Michigan Humanities’ Great Michigan Read creates a statewide discussion around a Michigan themed book. Through partnerships with libraries, schools, book clubs, and a wide range of other non-profit organizations, the Great Michigan Read facilitates statewide reading and programs to bridge communities around a common conversation. This year’s book is Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley. This event provides you with an opportunity to meet Angeline and learn more about her work!

Know Us: Detroit 2023
2023-10-06 - 2023-10-08 | MI
Know Us: Detroit 2023 celebrates and amplifies the history, culture and progress of Detroit’s Black and Brown communities. Located in the heart of music and culture, Know Us: Detroit 2023 is the premier annual experience for community-centric knowledge, connectivity and collaboration.
Funding for this program was provided by Michigan Humanities – Bridging Michigan Grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Michigan Humanities or the aforementioned entities.

Snapshots & Straight Talk: Devin Allen in Conversation with Imani Mixon
2023-10-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Institute for the Humanities University of Michigan, Institute for the Humanities University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Devin Allen is a self-taught photographer who gained national attention when his photograph of the Baltimore Uprising was published on the cover of Time magazine in 2015. His book, No Justice, No Peace: From the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter, came out last year and he’s the founder of a youth photography educational program called Through Their Eyes.Imani Mixon was born and raised at the magnetic center of the world’s cultural compass — Detroit, Michigan. She is a long-form storyteller who is inspired by everyday griots who bear witness to their surroundings and report it back out. Equal parts urgent and essential, her multimedia work centers the experiences of Black women and independent artists.Join University of Michigan Institute for the Humanities as Imani Mixon talks to Devin Allen about his life and work, the tension between truth and beauty, capturing community, and maintaining authenticity. This event is part of LSA’s fall 2023 Arts & Resistance theme semester.*

University of Michigan Institute for the Humanities organizes programs that examine and interrogate humanities traditions broadly across space and time. The Institute aims to deepen synergies among the humanities, the arts, and disciplines across the university, and to bring the insights of the humanities to public life.
