Pop culture and science collide at the Michigan Science Center
The Michigan Science Center has stumbled onto something brilliant. If you’re not sure about science or haven’t been to the center in a while, isn’t pop culture a beautiful reason to go back? The POPnology exhibit combines scientific backstories with beloved characters from some of your favorite movies. There’s a full-size replica of the DeLorean from the Back to the Future movies. You can take photos with E.T., the beloved alien from Steven Spielberg’s coming-of-age masterpiece, and an artistic rendition of H.R. Giger’s less-friendly alien (from the Alien franchise) is there for photos, too. According to Michigan Science Center President and CEO Christian Greer, the pop culture props are set up to get young minds thinking about big-picture scientific questions. Be sure to stop by the newly restored Imax dome theater at the science center, which opened back up to the public earlier this summer. Through Aug. 11. Exhibit included with your general-admission ticket to the museum.
Art anchors at Detroit’s island gem
One of the biggest art shows in Detroit is the Belle Isle Art Fair, surrounding the James Scott Memorial Fountain. It’s a fond farewell to summer with 65 juried artists, many of whom represent the city’s prosperous art scene. You can expect everything from paintings to sculpture, with live music and drinks rounding out the affair. It’s a great opportunity to chat one-on-one with the artists who have defined Detroit’s art scene for years, as well as newcomers pushing it forward. It’s a family-friendly event that’s free and open to the public across two days, the first weekend of August. Aug. 6 and 7. Go to belleisleartfair.com for more information.
Detroit’s Sara Marie Barron enters a new era
Watching and listening to the evolution of Sara Marie Barron has been an absolute pleasure for Detroit music fans over the past few years. On her latest EP, Angel Numbers, she sheds the singer-songwriter vibe for the sound of a full band, blending house music, pop, and killer songwriting into a tight package of four songs, including standout tracks like “Subdued” (the lead single from this project) and the slow burn “Shiver.” Be on the lookout for her next show accompanied by a live band, because there are few Detroit acts bringing the energy like Sara Marie Barron. Sara Marie Barron’s new EP, Angel Numbers, is out now. You can stream it or buy it directly from the artist via her Bandcamp profile.
Leon Bridges brings the soul back to Detroit
Were you lucky enough to catch one of Leon Bridges’ first shows in Detroit at the tiny, intimate jazz venue Cliff Bell’s? He’s grown quite a bit in popularity and style since those days, now performing at venues like the Masonic Temple in Detroit. His album from last year, Gold-Diggers Sound, shows just how far this soul troubadour has come, mixing elements of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke with his own blend of hip-hop and funk like few artists can do (although too many try). This will be one of the best shows you can see in Detroit this summer — and Leon Bridges will give you a show that feels contemporary while also hearkening back to the days of golden-era 1960s funk and soul. Aug. 22. Tickets available at axs.com.
This story is from the August 2022 issue of Hour Detroit magazine.
|
|
|
