DAM

Each year in January, Detroit turns its attention to design and creativity. In 2009 the Detroit Artists Market will take its own look at design with the DAM Design Show, running January 16 through January 31. This show will look at the entire creative process from concept to design to creation of an artistic and functional piece. Ten designers will take on this process in creating “Chair”. The show will exhibit pieces from their creative process, including concept sketches, scale models, and the finished piece. The DAM Design Show will provide an intimate look into how design “happens”, and results in unique functional pieces. The market is open Tuesday- Saturday from 11 to 6, and admission is free to the public. As a bonus to you, be sure to check out a Museum Adventure Pass before you go and get 10% all purchases!

holiday

Check out a Museum Adventure Pass, good for admission for 2 to the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, and enjoy the current holiday tours. From the flocked modern tree adorned with original pink and purple teardrop shaped glass ornaments made especially for a party hosted by Eleanor Ford, to the15-foot Christmas tree in the grand Gallery space where many holiday galas where held, each room is decorated in the season’s best and tells a unique story about how the Ford Family shared holiday traditions. Outdoors, the Fords’ daughter Josephine’s Play House is decorated in true gingerbread house fashion with icicle lights and huge candy canes lining the path. Ford House Holiday Tours begin Friday, Nov. 28, and run through Sunday, Jan. 4. Tours are available 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. There are a limited number of Adventure Passes available at each AADL location and they are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Diego Rivera

Today marks the birthday of famed Mexican artist and revolutionary Diego Rivera (1886-1957). Born in Guanajuato in 1886, Rivera showed an interest in art from a young age, and by the time he reached his twenties he had become a well established painter. In 1907, Rivera left Mexico for Europe where he would remain for fourteen years. Rivera was heavily influenced by the Italian Renaissance style of painting known as the fresco form. Upon returning to Mexico, Rivera began using the fresco form in a number of his works. Feeling that it was important to bring art to the people where they lived and worked, Rivera painted murals in public buildings such as universities, hotels, schools, etc. These giant murals often depicted scenes of Mexican history, industrialization, and the worker’s struggle. In the early 1930s Rivera worked on commissions for a number of prominent American businessmen. One of these works included a mural entitled "Detroit Industry" commissioned by Henry Ford to be painted on walls of the Detroit Institute of Art. A tribute to the American industrial worker, the 27 panel mural depicts industrial life in the United States, and that at the Ford Motor Company in particular. Diego was also well known for his marriage to another prominent Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo. For more information on Rivera’s life and works, check out author Anne E. Neimark's biography entitled Diego Rivera : artist of the people. The 2002 film Frida also provides an entertaining view of Diego and Frida's tumultuous marriage. If you are intersted in seeing Rivera's Detroit Industry mural in person, you can check out a pass to the Detroit Institute of Art from the ADDL, for more information visit http://www.detroitadventurepass.org/index.php.

Pulp Tree

Find events in Metro Detroit using our magazine collection.

Hour Detroit November 2008
Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade Information!
Page 64 - Read about David Danielson, the director of the Thanksgiving Parade Company and check out the giant Bob Seger head.

Visit Detroit Fall 2008
Page 40 - Look ahead at Metro Detroit events in 2009:
North American International Auto Show Jan 11 - 29
Plymouth International Ice Sculpture Spectacular Jan 23 - 25
Rocky Horror Picture Show Feb 27 - Mar 1
NCAA Men's Final Four April 4 and 6
Movement: Detroit's Electronic Music Festival Memorial Day Weekend
Detroit International Jazz Festival Aug 28 - 31

dhm

Check out a Museum Adventure Pass, good for admission for 2, and take a trip to see the current exhibits, featuring the Streets of Old Detroit, Frontiers to Factories, and an interesting look at Motor City. Other exhibits will fill some with nostalgia while introducing entire generations to the stories that help define our region’s rich heritage, diverse cultures and traditions. With plenty of “must-sees” and interactive displays, your visit will truly be your own history-making experience that you’ll remember for a long time. There are a limited number of Adventure Passes available at each AADL location and they are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Monday July 7, 2008: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

The story of Chrysler Corporation is an epic story of bold, ambitious men, horrible mismanagement, bad luck, gritty perseverance and the will to never say die.

Local car historian Bob Elton presents a fascinating introduction to this once great auto empire. This lecture holds particular relevance, considering the current economic outlook facing automakers today.

This event is held in conjunction with the Main Street Area Association’s July 11 Rolling Sculpture Car Show and cosponsored by the Main Street Area Association. Mr. Elton is one of the founders of the Rolling Sculpture Car Show. Check that out this Friday to see some amazing automobiles.

Michigan Central Railroad Station; Bardwell, Jex, 1824-1902,
Early Detroit Images from the Burton Historical Collection.

In 2005, the Detroit Public Library was awarded the Library of Michigan Digitization for Preservation and Access Grant, providing for the creation of a digital database of 19th century and pre-1922 photographs of Detroit. Formats include glass negatives, lanternslides, cased images, albumen prints and stereograph cards from the Detroit Public Library's Burton Historical Collection. These images illustrate the social and cultural history of Detroit and document the many historical events that have occurred in the city.

hourlogo

The November issue of Hour Detroit, Detroit’s monthly magazine, features a great article about the local craft movement. The movement in general extends beyond crocheted potholders and Martha Stewart and has been on a slow rampage for the past several years. Artists, creators and makers do just that; make. Some do it to create and meet people and some are able to also do it as a full time job. Some have studios and some sell their wares online and in small boutiques on consignment. The Hour article gives face to local craft collectives like Handmade Detroit, the Michigan Design Militia and Loop- who get together to chat, craft and produce events for others to take part in. The article also features a handy guide to upcoming holiday craft fairs in Southeastern Michigan. For more reads, Bust, Venus (and soon Craft) are other magazines at the AADL with some edgy DIY appeal.

The Funk Brothers, Motown’s house band, had as much to do with the signature Motown Sound as anybody else at the studio. The group of jazz and blues musicians integrated their non-pop musical background into creating the arrangements and style now associated with Motown. Also, like Booker T. and the MGs—their Stax Records equivalents—they were an integrated band, a rarity in the late 50s, early 60s. Their story is outlined in the insightful, rocking, and occasionally touching documentary Standing In The Shadows of Motown.

baseball

On September 9th! Do you embroider, knit, crochet, cross-stitch or needlepoint? Do you like baseball or root on the Tigers? If so, this is the event for you! Stitch n' Pitch is an event that combines the stitch arts and baseball. Stitch n' Pitch events are happening across the country and one is coming to Comerica Park on Sunday September 9th. You can sit in the stands, knit a cool scarf alongside other stitch artists and enjoy the baseball game! Anyone is welcome, so don't worry if you're a novice. Tickets are available at various stores around the Detroit area. Looking for a new project or want to hone your skills? Why not try these books out before the game: Quick knits, cool projects, Sublime Stitching, Splendid samplers to cross-stitch. Play ball!