President's Message, July 2011
Juanita Moore, President & CEO
At the time of this newsletter's writing, many of our cultural institutions face a significant reduction in support from the City of Detroit. We understand the difficult situation faced by the City, and that we all must make sacrifices. We also believe that even in these difficult times, our cultural institutions are the foundation of our community. They create a sense of pride that brings us together, tell stories of strength and resilience while teaching us to face and overcome insurmountable odds, foster pride in our individual and collective experiences, and provide significant economic impact as tourist attractions.
Your Support
Dr. Charles H. Wright had a vision of a museum supported directly by the community, and it may be that, with these new budgetary realities, we are simply moving closer to his ideal. It certainly makes community support, your support, and the investment made by each and every one of our members all the more crucial at this juncture. It is important that donors, whether giving time, energy, money, or all three, continue to step up.
Our Gratitude
We are thankful for the support the Wright Museum receives from all sectors of this community - friends, individuals, social and civic groups, businesses, churches, and foundations. Exceptional examples are Dr. Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III of Hope United Methodist Church and 3rd Circuit Court Judge Craig Strong, both of whom have led and continue to lead vigorous efforts aimed at increasing membership and support for the Museum. Our committed volunteers and tireless Women's Committee, which recently hosted another successful Juneteenth celebration, are stalwarts. Their efforts have been supported by Oakland Church of Christ, which for several years has donated and installed equipment for Juneteenth. We simply could not provide the breadth and depth of programming and exhibitions that we do without the talents and time of the wonderful supporters who continue to give of themselves, for the Museum and the community in which it serves. We thank you.
African World Festival
Summer in Detroit would not be complete without the annual three-day ritual that is African World Festival. Over the past 3 years it has brought well over 1 million people to downtown Detroit and provided entrepreneurial opportunities to nearly 500 vendors representing the African Diaspora. This, the museum's largest annual program, is a source of civic and cultural pride. It entertains and brings together the greater diverse community as well as visitors from across the region and nation. The African World Festival has uniquely represented the city of Detroit for the past 29 years. Join the Wright Museum and its partners - International Caribbean Festival Parade, Detroit Black Expo, Freedom Institute, and AfricanAncestry.com - at Hart Plaza for festival weekend, August 19 - 21.
Dance Theatre of Harlem
On June 16, the Wright Museum opened a stunningly beautiful exhibit on the Dance Theatre of Harlem. As a visitor, you will be dazzled by ornate original costumes, breathtaking images, and the company's signature works. What will remain with you is the story of how the arts and an individual with a vision, pride, and the will to make a difference changed the lives of thousands, opened the hearts of hundreds of thousands, and changed the minds of millions. You can extend your Dance Theatre experience by making plans to attend the museum's fundraiser - the Dance Theatre of Harlem Gala and Dance the Night Away After Affair on September 9, with the company's founder, Arthur Mitchell, and performances by Dance Theatre of Harlem. It's the party of the summer; you will not want to miss it. Please click here to read more...
Click here to download our July 2011 Member Newsletter
Enjoy Family Fun at The Wright Museum!
Take advantage of these fantastic, FREE family programs this summer at The Wright:
• Super Summer Storytime, Wednesdays @ 10:30 am, July 13 - August 17: Come hear some of the best storytelling around as books that any age can enjoy are brought to life. Exposure to vocabulary and using pictures and performance to express ideas are all early opportunities to build literacy skills in children. A workshop or activity follows every super story. Daycare center and summer camp groups are welcome! Click here for more information.
• Charter One FREE Family Second Sundays - Bring the whole family to Rejoice, Relive & Reconnect at The Wright Museum with free admission every second Sunday of the month courtesy of Charter One Bank! This month, experience Ethiopia with MIKE-E of AfroFlow and dancers from the National Dance Theater of Ethiopia, and learn how to make Ethiopian tea in the Latimer Cafe. Click here for more information.
• African World Festival, August 19 - 21 @ Hart Plaza - Revel in this family-friendly festival with fun for all ages: explore and enjoy four stages of global music, children's Watoto Village, Health is Wealth Pavilion, Generation Next Kingdom, and Artists' & Elders' Villages. Enjoy a special Watoto Celebration opening day with Ella Jenkins, "The First Lady of Children's Folk Songs!" Stay tuned for the full schedule and lineup at www.awfdetroit.com.
Southfield Festival of Hope
 Thursday 7/7 - Sunday 7/10 @ Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Highway, Southfield
Hope United Methodist Church presents the Southfield Festival of Hope, featuring community and family fun, festivities, concerts, comedy, and entertainment. There will be carnival rides for every age, games, and concessions provided by Playworld Amusement!
The Southfield Festival of Hope runs:
• Thursday July 7 from 4 - 11 pm
• Friday July 8 from 4 - 11 pm
• Saturday July 9 from 12 - 11 pm
• Sunday July 10 from 2 - 8 pm
All-day wristbands are available for purchase from Hope United: $15 for advance tickets, and $20 onsite. Click here to download a coupon good for a $3 discount on admission for Thursday 7/7 or Sunday 7/10!
For more information, please click here.
19th Annual Concert of Colors
 Opening Night Thursday 7/14 @ 6:30 pm at The Wright Museum
Metro Detroit's beloved annual celebration of diversity through music returns to the Midtown/Cultural Center area this summer bigger and better than ever! Kick off this FREE festival for the first time at The Wright with a musical revue by some of Detroit's most outstanding artists, including MIKE-E & AfterFlow, Steffani Christi'an, Amp Fiddler, Bombarica, and Omowale African Drum & Dance Ensemble. New venues this year are The Wright Museum and the Woodward Line Series at the Scarab Club, which co-host Opening Night Thursday, July 14. The festival continues on Friday, July 15 at the Detroit Institute of Arts, then moves to its weekend home at the Max M. Fisher Music Center Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17, with live music and multicultural vendors both indoors and outdoors. This year's headliners are the Don Was Detroit All-Star Revue and Bettye LaVette; also on the bill are acts representing nearly every continent on the globe. Click HERE to visit and bookmark www.concertofcolors.com for the complete schedule and information on all the performers.
 Charles H. Wright Memorial Golf Classic
Saturday 7/16 @ 7 am at the Warren Valley Golf Course
Take to the links to benefit the Charles H. Wright Museum at the 2011 Charles H. Wright Memorial Golf Classic! All golfers are welcome, regardless of skill level. $100 per golfer / individual and corporate sponsorships are available. For more information and to register online, please visit www.chwrightgolfclassic.com.
 Get Your Kids Into CU.SAME!
Student Enrichment Program, 7/25 - 28
CU.SAME is a four-day educational experience that allows students to become amateur cultural anthropologists. Kids ages 11-14 will explore the past, present and future of metro Detroit through the many races, ethnicities and cultures represented in our community. Through entertaining, interactive activities and guided museum visits, students from different backgrounds learn about one another, develop friendships, and learn to view their hometown and their world from a broader and more inclusive perspective. CU.SAME includes visits to Shalom Street Museum www.jccdet.org, Arab American National Museum www.arabamericanmuseum.org, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History www.chwmuseum.org, and The Henry Ford www.thehenryford.org.
Registration is $20. Meals are not provided and attendees must bring bag lunches. CLICK HERE or call (313) 309-1300 to register. CU.SAME is presented in partnership with Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion and YouthVille Detroit, and made possible by DTE Energy.
Northern Star Trek African Canadian Heritage Tour
 Saturday 7/30 from 7 am - 7 pm
Take part in a memorable heritage tour that will take you along the Underground Railroad to relive the plight of those who sought freedom under the northern star. Includes deluxe motor coach transportation, narrated tour, admission and donation for all venues (please plan to bring or purchase your own lunch). Tickets are $60 per person. Please make checks payable to Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, or Friends Committee of CHWMAAH. Reservation deadline is July 16. A valid US Passport is required. For more information please click here or call Willia Miller at (313) 361-3406. Sponsored by the Friends Committee of the Charles H. Wright Museum.
Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
Dance Theatre of Harlem: 40 Years of Firsts (Now - December 31st)
Click here to learn more...
Heidelberg 25 (Now - November 27)
Click here to learn more...
The Chris Webber Collection: Exceptional People During Extraordinary Times, 1755 - Present (Now - April 2012)
Click here to learn more...
Eyes on Africa and the African Diaspora: The Photography of Asha Walidah and Bill Gosa (Now - July 24)
Click to learn more...
Upcoming Events
Museum programming is sponsored in part by the generous support of our partners:
Become a Member Today
Members of the Charles H. Wright Museum enjoy benefits such as:
• Free admission to the museum
• Free guest pass(es)
• Invitations to Members' Only previews
• Free subscription to the quarterly membership newsletter, The Wright Times
• 10% discount in the museum store
• Special pricing on select museum events
• 20% off meals at Union Street Restaurant
|
