Arts & Entertainment - Museums

July 2008

MUSEUMS

Arab American National Museum: Fragmentation & Unity: The Art of Sari Khoury, in the museum’s Main Floor Gallery, has been extended through Aug. 31. • The Arab world has been making contributions in science, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and art since the Pharaohs. Arab Civilization: Our Heritage features Arab contributions to the early world. Ongoing in the Community Courtyard. • Arab-Americans come from a land that stretches from northern Africa to western Asia. The diversity can be as vast as the land, but they all have a shared sense of history and language, which they brought to America, starting about 1880. Coming to America features these immigrants and the culture they brought. Ongoing in Gallery 1. • Living in America exhibits early Arab-American life and the part they played in the early history of America. Ongoing exhibit in Gallery 2. • Making an Impact celebrates stories of Arab-American athletes, organizations, physicians, labor leaders, and entertainers. Ongoing exhibit in Gallery 3. Tickets are $10-$12. Call for details. $3-$6. 13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-2266; arabamericanmuseum.org.

Birmingham Historical Museum & Park: The Psychology of Collecting exhibit explores what it is that motivates people to collect objects through an array of different collections, from antiques to The Simpsons, to Gone With the Wind . Admission is $1-$2 The Intersection of Maple and Southfield roads in Birmingham; 248-642-2817; ci.birmingham.mi.us.

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History: Stories in Stained Glass: The Art of Samuel A. Hodge , a series of intricate and colorful works that focus on three areas of African-American culture and history — musicians, dancers, and freedom advocates — is one of the ongoing exhibits in the Main Level Corridor. • A is for Africa includes 26 interactive stations making up a 3-D “dictionary” designed for children. Ongoing in the Lower Level Corridor. • And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American History and Culture recounts the 3.5-million-year-old odyssey that began in Africa and ends in Detroit. Ongoing in the Core Exhibition Gallery. • Genealogy, a work designed by local artist Hubert Massey, depicts the struggles of African-Americans in America. Ongoing on the Main Level. • Detroit Performs is a photomontage dedicated to those who have gained national and international prominence in the performing arts. Ongoing in the Main Level Corridor. • Target has initiated a program of Free First Sundays at the museum; general admission at other times is $5-$8. 315 E. Warren, Detroit; 313-494-5800; maah-detroit.org.

Cranbrook Institute of Science: Bring the little ones to Cranbrook to experiment with someone else’s playthings in Science in Toyland, a highly interactive exhibit that develops scientific reasoning and research skills. General admission is $6-$8. Daily hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 39221 Woodward, Bloomfield Hills; 1-877-462-7262; science.cranbrook.edu.

Dearborn Historical Museum: In the first of what’s planned to be an annual event, the Museum Guild of Dearborn holds a charitable Tea and Garden Party from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on July 12 with Dearborn’s First Lady, Christine O’Reilly, as the honorary chairperson. Advance seating for individuals, or groups of four or six, for a donation of $35 per person. McFadden-Ross House, 915 Brady St., Dearborn; 313-565-3000; ci.dearborn.mi.us.

Detroit Historical Museum: The pride in Detroit is revealed in many art forms — including fabric. Visit the collection of Detroit-themed T-shirts, ranging from 1975-2000 in the New to the Collection exhibit. • The exhibit 1920s: Detroit’s Building Boom showcases Detroit’s explosive growth during this time, focusing on one of the greatest collections of urban architecture in North America. • The business of war hasn’t changed much, but maybe the medium of propaganda has. In the 1940s, posters were in, and the Detroit Historical Museum has a collection of more than 80 pieces. Rallying the Homefront! Posters from WW II displays a selection of them, with an explanation of purpose and significance for each poster. • In 1905, the Cadillac Motor Car Co. released the Osceola — the first concept car and the first closed-body car made in America. The Detroit Historical Society’s Automotive Showplace offers the chance to view this piece of Detroit’s early automotive ingenuity and history. • Bob Allison, Sonny Eliot, Ernie Harwell, J.P. McCarthy, Dick Purtan, and Martha Jean “The Queen” Steinberg are all featured in the exhibit Detroit’s Classic Radio Voices. All above exhibits run through August 2008. • As men were building Detroit’s landscape of the early 20th century, Amy Lorimer was painting it. The exhibit Detroit Artist Showcase is a mini-gallery of paintings by this historic Detroit artist. Through February 2009. 5401 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-1805; detroithistorical.org.

Dossin Great Lakes Museum: Smugglers on the Straits examines a tradition of transporting cargo, goods, even people, and how it has changed in the course of three centuries in this region. • Fun, Fast & Fancy: Great Lakes Yachts takes a fanciful look at what yachting has looked like over the years along the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair. Both exhibits through April 2009. 100 Strand, Belle Isle, Detroit; 313-833-1805; detroithistorical.org.

Greenfield Village: Nearly 100 historical buildings are featured at Dearborn’s premier museum. Visit notable attractions such as the birthplace of Henry Ford, Noah Webster’s home, and the home of Robert Frost. $14-$20. 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-982-6001; thehenryford.org.

Henry Ford: With Liberty and Justice for All explores the struggles that arise when free men and women actually try to be free. This exhibit brings together a collection of national artifacts highlighting four pivotal periods of history, beginning with the American Revolution and ending in the 1960s with the civil-rights movement. Permanent exhibit. • Automobiles in American Life honors this great invention by featuring milestones, including the 15 millionth Model T produced, as well as the Ford Mustang. Permanent exhibit. 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-982-6001; thehenryford.org.

International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit: Three permanent exhibits are on display: The Ethel Averbach Dolls of the World, the Flags of the World, and the Mr. and Mrs. Larry S. Wilkonson Immigrant Ship Collection. Free. There’s also the International Café on the lower level. 111 E. Kirby, Detroit; 313-871-8600; iimd.org.

Motown Historical Museum: The museum at Hitsville U.S.A. houses Motown’s original recording Studio A, where stars such as Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, and The Jackson 5 recorded their first hits. $5-$8. 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-875-2264; motownmuseum.com.

New Detroit Science Center: SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure brings the Civil War-era SS Republic back from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, courtesy of the Odyssey marine exploration in 2003, in a combination of historic artifacts and hands-on, educational, interactive elements. Discover stories of the world’s most famous shipwrecks; feel the forces of a 75-mph hurricane; pilot a robot submersible; learn pirate lore, and more. Admission: $13.95. Through Sept. 1. 5020 John R, Detroit; 313-577-8400; detroitsciencecenter.org.

Selfridge Military Air Museum: Planes are the thing, from the indoor armed forces exhibits to Navy and Air Force planes outside. Tours by appointment. $3. Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Hall and Jefferson, Harrison Township; 586-307-5035; selfridgeairmuseum.org.

This article appears in the July 2008 of Hour Detroit.
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