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UPCOMING EVENTS / PAST EVENTS

MOCAD hosts musical, literary, and artistic events throughout the year. Check back often or contact us at info@mocadetroit.org if you would like to be kept up to date on upcoming events.


MOCAD VIDEOS
2008: JANUARY - JUNE
2007: JULY - DECEMBER
2007: JANUARY - JUNE
2006: OCTOBER - DECEMBER
 
Thursday, June 21 through Friday, June 29
8 DAYS IN JUNE: CREATIVITY OUT OF CONFLICT

Since the beginning of time conflict has been the biggest force in shaping the world in which we live. In the midst of racial, religious, political and personal conflicts, artists have produced astonishing works. Chaos can breed beauty. MOCAD is partnering with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and the College for Creative Studies (CCS) to present a special collaborative effort, 8 Days in June - Creation out of Conflict.

Artwork will be created for the festival by local artists, including Gil Ashby, Alex Grossfeld, Scott Northrup, Mathew Pritchard, Derek Roberts, Derek Schultz and Haewon Yoo. These works will be on display at MOCAD and at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.

 
 
 
Friday, June 29 at 9pm
the eASTERN sEABOARD trio

A group of young artists based out of New York City blending the best elements of John Coltrane's elemental free jazz with the controlled dissonance of indie-art pioneers like Sonic Youth and Glenn Branca. Featuring the talents of acoustic bassist Jordon Schranz and percussionist Seth Nana, performing the compositions of fellow trio member and multi-reed player Brent Bagwell.

Listen to "Minerals" (off of their release Nonfiction on Black Saint records)

Visit the eASTERN sEABOARD TRIO website
and Black Saint website

 
 
Thursday, June 28 at 7pm
FILM NIGHT: MODELS OF AVANT-GARDE FILM, PROGRAM 1, VOICE

Guy Debord:
Society of the Spectacle (1973)
Critique of Separation (1961)


The opening season of avant-garde and experimental films at MOCAD will explore models of avant-garde film-making opening with works that explore the separation of voice from image in both a didactic and poetic way, touching upon the relationship between beauty and time, as well as explorations of the nature of what a critical cinema might be.

 
 
 
Wednesday, June 27 at 7pm
STATE OF THE ART: ARTS WRITING IN DETROIT

A dialogue on collecting would not be complete without a look at the state of arts writing whether it be from an academic perspective, print journalism, or internet-based perspective. Several members of the Detroit arts writing community take a detailed look at this important topic.—

Presenters will include:
Jeffrey Abt, Associate Professor, Department of Art History, Wayne State University
Roger Green, Arts and Architecture Writer, The Ann Arbor News
Rebecca Mazzei, Arts and Culture Editor, MetroTimes
Nick Sousanis, Editor, theDetroiter.com
Moderated by Michael Hodges, The Detroit News

 
 
 
Saturday, June 23 at 10pm
"NEW MUSIC DETROIT" AND "PROJECT"

As part of the 8 Days in June Festival, MOCAD is pleased to present "New Music Detroit" and New York City based group, "Project". This innovative performance will feature work by Philip Glass, Steve Reich and Louis Andriessen among others.

Visit Project's website: www.whatisproject.org

 
 
 
Sunday June 17 from 3pm - 5pm
MARICK PRESS: MOCAD-WSU PRESS AUTHOR READING

Marick Press, MOCAD, and WSU Press are building on their successful individual readings to form a series of Spring/Summer collaborative readings highlighting local writers and artists. The second event of a three part series, this event will feature readings by Russel Thorburn, Marion Jackson, and Kim Hunter

 
 
 
Saturday, June 16 from 2pm - 4pm
MANOSBUCKIUS COOPERATIVE

Intensely purposeful in its purposelessness, the ManosBuckius Cooperative is a two-woman team that interacts physically with technological devices by using them to perform unconventional, bizarre and highly non-productive tasks. This improvisational performance will utilize found objects at MOCAD (chairs, stairs, carts, rolling stairs) to question the paradigms for productivity and functionality.

 
 
 
Friday, June 1 at 9pm
THE RAW TRUTH ENSEMBLE w/ SPECIAL GUESTS

World-class Detroit Jazz Improvisation "Raw Truth Ensemble," headed by Michael Carey (reeds), Skeeter C.R. Shelton (multiple reeds), and Ali Allen Colding (percussion) will perform.

 
 
 
Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27 at 9pm
DETROIT ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL AFTERPARTY
Saturday cover charge: $15
Sunday cover charge: $25 in advance, $30 at the door

Part of Movement: Detroit's Electronic Music Festival 2007, Paxahau presents two nights of DJ's, music, and dancing at MOCAD.

For more information visit www.demf.com.

 
 
 
Friday, May 25 at 9pm
LITTLE BANG THEORY

A "toy band" led by artist and object maker, Frank Pahl. Little Bang Theory features Pahl, alongside, former Immigrant Sun, Doug Shimmin and Ann Arbor choreographer Terri Sarris. They perform semi-improvisational music on store-bought electro-acoustic toys that "runs the gamut from improvisation to toy pop to soundtrack-inspired music."

Photo by Doug Shimmin
 
Sunday, May 20 from 3pm - 5pm
MARICK PRESS: MOCAD-WSU PRESS AUTHOR READING

Marick Press, MOCAD, and WSU Press are building on their successful individual readings to form a series of Spring/Summer collaborative readings highlighting local writers and artists. The first event of a three part series, this event will feature readings by Dorene O'Brien, Vince Carducci, and Robert Fanning.

 
 
 
Sunday, May 20 at 1pm
A CURATORS' CONVERSATION ON COLLECTING

This will be a discussion of the Aaron Collection including the politics, concepts and contextualization of the work in the STUFF show. Each of the presenters will participate in a special walking tour analyzing individual pieces and artists. A question and answer session will follow the tour.

Presenters will include: Burt Aaron, Arts Patron (Ann Arbor, MI); Michelle Grabner, Artist/Writer/Curator, The Suburban (Oak Park, IL.); Becky Hart, Associate Curator for Modern and Contemporary Art, Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, MI); Helga Pakasaar, Curator, The Presentation House Gallery (Vancouver, Canada); Moderated by artist-educator, John Corbin, Department of Humanities, Oakland Community College.

 
 
 
Saturday, May 19 from 6 - 10 PM
DCC CRASHES MOCAD: AN URBAN ARTS EXPLOSION

High-Profile Art & Action to Benefit Detroit Central City featuring:

Art The work of John "Crash" Matos. Artwork from "Crash" & Camilo Pardo will be for sale at the event.

Music DJ Cisco spinning salsa and merengue; the jazz stylings of The Cliff Monear Trio & The Michael Bermudez Jazz Ensemble.

Action Personal appearance by "Crash". Breakdancing performance by Hardcore Detroit & live models sporting the new Brook Avenue clothing line!

Event Honorary Chairs Denise Ilitch, Emery King, Camilo Pardo, Ron Savage & Carla Schwartz.

Detroit Central City... Empowering the Community, Rebuilding Lives; a 501(c)3 non-profit serving the homeless and mentally ill in Detroit and Wayne County.

$50 per person includes strolling hors d'oeuvres buffet and cash bar. Valet parking available. For tickets: Visit www.dcccmh.org or call 313-831-3160 ext. 6998.



 
 
Saturday, May 12, 4pm & 7pm
A GALLERY WALK THROUGH OF STUFF

Please join us for a special introductory tour of the STUFF show. Led by artist-educator John Corbin, Burt Aaron, and curatorial assistant for contemporary art at the DIA, Cathleen Lewis.

 
 
 
Friday, May 11 at 6 PM
STUFF: INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ART FROM THE COLLECTION OF BURT AARON
6 - 8 PM: Opening reception with cash bar
8 - 10 PM: Music by the Northwoods Improvisers w/ special guests Faruq Z Bey, Skeeter Shelton & Michael Carey

The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit is proud to present STUFF: International Contemporary Art from the Collection of Burt Aaron. Featuring over 100 works of art by over 75 artists, this show brings rarely seen work from a private collection to the public eye.

Some stuff
 

Thursday, May 10 at 9 PM
TO LIVE AND SHAVE IN LA
w/
AARON DILLOWAY (OF HANSON RECORDS & WOLF EYES, SOLO)
&
LAMBSBREAD

$6

Visit the website for To Live and Shave in LA and their Myspace page. Watch a live video of their performance at Detroit Art Space in 2004.

Visit the Hanson records website. Watch Aaron Dilloway live at Detroit Art Space in 2004.

Listen to To Live & Shave in LA.


Album cover for To Live & Shave in LA (left) and Aaron Dilloway (right)
 

Saturday, April 21 from 4 - 5 PM
CHRISTOPHER FACHINI: THE ROCK BOX SOUND SYSTEM PLAYS THE MENTAL MACHINE

Watch a video of Chris Fachini and the Rock Box Sound System.

Fachini will give his last performance at MOCAD before the end of the Meditations in an Emergency exhibition.

Christopher Fachini and the Mental Machine
 

Saturday, April 14 at 7 PM
A NIGHT OF 18,963 STARS:
AN UNUSUAL TALENT SHOW FEATURING THE RESIDENTS OF HAZEL PARK

At Days Inn ‘ The Park (formerly known as La Casa Inn)
One w. Nine Mile Road, Hazel Park, MI 48030

"A Night of 18,963 Stars" will feature a scintillating array of talented citizens residing in the small town of Hazel Park, MI. With special guest Christopher Fachini and "The Mental Machine," which premiered at MOCAD's grand opening in October 2006 and was produced in Hazel Park with the help of Rick Gage from Richard Gage's Design Studio!

This talent show, a benefit for MOCAD, is produced in collaboration with the Hazel Park Marketing Action Team and the Detroit Miscellaneous Society.

For those interested in performing or participating in the talent show call the "Call for Talent" hotline: 313 576 6941 from 9am to 5pm.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $8.

A "Call for Talent" flyer posted in the window of a Hazel Park business.
 

Sunday, April 1
FAMILY DAY AT MOCAD

Join us on the first Sunday of every month for drawing workshops and other hands-on educational activities with local artists.


 
 

Saturday, March 31 at 7 PM
FILMS AT MOCAD

I am Farming Humanity Ingo Vetter and Annette Weisser (16 min, 2001). The film features an interview with Lee Burns, retired engineer and co-founder of the Detroit Agriculture Network.

Garden Stories Boris Gerrets (50 min, 2004). Garden Stories focuses on the phenomenon of farming and gardening for subsistence and as a means of social engagement in shrinking cities.

 
 

Friday, March 30 from 6 to 9 PM
LIGHTNING BOLT
BUG-SIZED MIND
PRURIENT w/ BURNING STAR CORE & CARLOS GIFFONI COLLABORATIVE PERFORMANCE

$8

Watch the live collaborative performance of Prurient with Burning Star Core and Carlos Goffini at MOCAD.

Watch a live performance of Bug-Sized Mind at MOCAD.

Visit Lightning Bolt's website.

Lightning Bolt (photo by Benjamin Hernandez)
 

Friday, March 30 at 9 PM
MUSIC AT MOCAD: EXPERIMENTAL PERFORMANCE FROM PERFECT WIENERS AND BUTTS AND JEFF KAROLSKI

Musical performances from some of Detroit's most cutting-edge purveyors of sights and sounds. Beginning with another creation by notorious Hamtramck artists Jeff Karolski, who's performances often include everyday objects (i.e. fans, heaters, fish tanks, electric saws and ice) interacting with his electronics to create a site-specific, performance oriented sound sculptute. Closing the evening will be Perfect Wieners and Butts, blending a live band, pre-recorded video and live semi-comic performance into a chaotic multi-media musical.

Watch a live performance of Jeff Karolski at MOCAD.

Visit Jeff Karolski's website, Woodcheese.

Watch Perfect Wieners and Butts' "Glanzig" Pt. 1 and Pt. 2

Jeff Karolski, Fri. Aug 23rd '02 (left, photo by Benjamin Miguel Hernandez) and Perfect Wieners and Butts (right)
 

Saturday, March 31 at 2 PM
LECTURE: SUNFLOWERS AND SWITCHGRASS - URBAN PHYTOREMEDIATION
at Cranbrook Museum of Art

Greg and Vibeke Vendena, of eco-design group co-lab*, will introduce the concept of phytoremediation, (plants cleaning up contaminated soil), and how it can serve as a solution to improve and regenerate urban sites in a manner that is inexpensive, environmentally sensitive, and socially relevant. A site visit to phytoremediation project at Bunche Elementary School will follow the lecture.

 
 

Thursday, March 29 at 6 PM
LECTURE AT MOCAD:
IMAGINATION, PROCESS, REALITY: THREE PROJECTS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN DETROIT


Gretchen Wilkins (University of Michigan), Thomas Gardner and Matthew Miller (Housing Operative) and Philip Cooley (Slow's BBQ and Los Pistoleros) present their projects in Detroit.

 
 

Wednesday, March 28 at 7 PM
LECTURE: CHANGING PERCEPTIONS: RE-EVALUATING THE IMPOVERISHED IN A SHRINKING CITY

Moderator Phillip Cooley leads a panel discussion with individuals that have experienced homelessness and joblessness in Detroit. The group will discuss their daily hardships, revealing common experiences of fear, stress, and depression. Cooley's design collaborative, Los Pistoleros, and others will discuss possible solutions.

 
 

Sunday, March 25 at 1:30 PM
ARTISTS' TALK: MITCH COPE, BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ AND JODY HUELLMANTEL
at Cranbrook Museum of Art

Shrinking Cities artists Mitch Cope, Benjamin Hernandez and Jody Huellmantel present their video work from the exhibition.

 
 

Saturday, March 24 at 7 PM
FILMS AT MOCAD: GORDON MATTA-CLARK

Five rarely seen videos of films by Gordon Matta-Clark will be screened including: Fire Child (1971), Fresh Kill (1972), Day's End (1974), Conical Intersect (1975) and Sous-Sols de Paris [Paris Underground] (1977). The presentation of these films is sponsored by the Rhona Hoffman Gallery in Chicago.

 
 

Thursday, March 22 at 9 PM
MYTHOLOGICAL PSYCHOGEOGRAPHIES: DETROIT AND MUSIC

Panel Discussion led by Walter Wasacz, featuring Faruq Z. Bey, Benjamin Miguel Hernandez, and others. A DJ session will follow the panel discussion.

 
 

Saturday, March 24 from 12 PM to 4 PM
BLOCK PARTY

As an extension of MOCAD's monthly Family Day programming, join local artists for an exhibition and event inspiring youth-driven reimagination of urban spaces. Featuring collage and zine projects from Detroit area schoolchildren and young adults from around the world, the Block Party will combine collaborative workshops, face painting, live music, food and more for an afternoon of community fun.

Andie & Tracy will be performing (visit their page on MySpace).

 
 

Friday, March 23 at 9 PM
MUSIC AT MOCAD: TIME STEREO presents PRINCESS DRAGON MOM'S "PASSPORT TO INFINITY" WITH SPECIAL GUESTS DEMONS

Local artists and legendary noise makers PDM present another chaotic performance blending audience interaction, elaborate props, thundering walls of sound and their unique love of Giant Monster culture. Also performing will be Demons, a synthesizer and electronics duo, featuring Nate Young of Wolf Eyes alongside, long time collaborator, Steve Kenney.

Watch a video of Princess Dragon Mom live at Detroit's electronic "Movement" festival.

Visit the PDM website.

Listen to Demons (live) on their own AA records website

Watch a video of Demons performing live at MOCAD.

Watch a video of Princess Dragon Mom performing live at MOCAD.

Nate Young (left, photo by Doug Coombe); Princess Dragon Mom (right)
 

Wednesday, March 21 at 5 PM
wordMusic: A SOUND PERFORMANCE OF PERCUSSION AND POETRY
(in English and German)

wordMusic was founded by Esther Dischereit in 1995. Her poetry frees words and allows them to expand, attach to furniture, close doors, create fields of interwoven space. Since the founding of wordMusic, Dischereit has worked together with the percussionist, performer, and composer Ray Kaczynsi. His beats, melodic rhythms, and humorous and ironic cascades form musical installations that tell their own stories. wordMusic is about the language of music and the sound of language. Kaczynski plays percussion. Dischereit plays words. Together they create duets both boisterous and delicate. Rhythms become melodies, the text takes over the rhythm. wordMusic is an improvised meeting of sounds.

This event is sponsored by German and Slavic Studies, the Uwe K. Faulhaber Endowment for Applied German Studies, the Foreign Film Nites Series of the Foreign Language Technology Center, the Cohn-Haddow-Center for Judaic Studies, the English Department, the Humanities Center, the History Department, and the Study Group for Diasporic Avant-Gardes of Wayne State University.

Ray Kaczynsi and Esther Dischereit
 

Sunday, March 18 from 1 to 5 PM
FAMILY DAY

Come join local artists for collaborative drawing and collage activities based on your imaginary city.

 
 

Sunday, March 18 at 1:30 PM
ARTIST'S TALK: SCOTT HOCKING AND CLINT SNYDER
at Cranbrook Museum of Art

Shrinking Cities artists Scott Hocking and Clint Snider present their work.

 
 

Saturday, March 17 at 9:30 PM
MUSIC AT MOCAD
THINKBOX WITH PARIS '68 DJs


Thinkbox member Chris McNamara assembles members of the U.S./Canadian audio-visual collective to perform a live electronic music/video concert. DJs of the sonic art collective Paris '68 also will perform.

Watch a video of this live event.

Thinkbox
 

Friday, March 16 at 9 PM
MUSIC AT MOCAD: ULTIMATE OVATION

The soulful return of 70's Detroit vocal trio, backed by Dan Kroha (Gories, Demolition Dollrods), Jeff Meier (Rocket 455, Detroit Cobras, Nathaniel Mayer), Brad Hales (Human Eye, Peoples records).

Watch a video from that night.