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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

West Bloomfield Theatre Group Launches Musical Kickstarter Campaign

Two Muses Theatre seeks funds to cover added costs for 'Next to Normal', which opens in June.

To cover the increased costs associated with first musical production, Next to Normal, Two Muses Theatre has turned to the Kickstarter online fundraising website.  Based in West Bloomfield, the women-focused theater company was co-founded by Farmington Hills resident Barbie Amann Weisserman and West Bloomfield resident Diane Hill.  According to the Two Muses Kickstarter page, "Funds will be used to pay for a music director, musicians, additional lighting equipment, audio gear, musical score rental fees, and considerably higher licensing fees."  The drive's goal is $6,000, and donors will receive recognition and rewards, depending on their level of giving. A pledge of $3,000 or more provides the donor with a special command performance of …

Friday, May 17, 2013

Two Muses Theatre's 'Next to Normal' Production Benefits Common Ground

The company co-founded by a Farmington Hills resident takes on a Pulitzer Prize-winning musical about a family affected by mental illness.

Two Muses Theatre, co-founded by Farmington Hills resident Barbie Amann Weisserman, will raise funds to help youth, adults and families in crisis during the run of the female-based performing arts company's next production, Next to Normal.  The Broadway hit premieres June 7 and will be on stage through June 30, at the Two Muses Theatre inside Barnes & Noble Booksellers in West Bloomfield. With music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, the local production is directed by Royal Oak resident Frannie Shepherd-Bates. Two Muses Theatre will donate $1 from each ticket purchase to Common Ground, a non-profit agency that has been helping those in need for more than 40 years. Common Ground provides crisis intervention and other services…

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

'My Name is Anne Frank' Brings History to Life in Berkley

The event celebrates the Farmington Hills-based Holocaust Memorial Center's acquisition of a sapling from the tree that gave the young Holocaust victim hope.

A thunderous standing ovation rewarded Berkley High School orchestra and a cappella choir students Tuesday evening for their world premiere performance of "My Name is Anne Frank: A Cantata." Composer Volker Blumenthaler and lyricist Alexander Gruber, both from Germany, joined Holocaust survivors, parents and officials representing Berkley and Huntington Woods in the audience at Berkley High's packed auditorium. The cantata kicked off a series of events the Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus in Farmington Hills will hold to celebrate its acquisition of one of 11 saplings from the chestnut tree that stood outside Anne Frank's window in Amsterdam and gave her hope as she hid during World War II. BHS Orchestra Director John …

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Berkley Students to Perform World Premiere of Cantata Based Anne Frank's Life

The May 7 event is hosted by the Holocaust Memorial Center to celebrate the Farmington Hills museum's acquisition of a sapling from the white chestnut tree that brought the young Holocaust victim solace during World War II.

The premiere of My Name is Anne Frank, the first in a series of events hosted by the Holocaust Memorial Center (HMC) in Farmington Hills, will be performed May 7 by the Berkley High School orchestra and choir, at the school's Auditorium, 2325 Catalpa in Berkley. Starting at 7 p.m. , the performance is the world premiere of the composer Volker Blumenthaler's complete and original orchestration, celebrating the life of a young girl who is arguably the most well known Holocaust victim. The program features solos by Hazzan Daniel Gross (of Adat Shalom Synagogue) and Cantor Penny Steyer (of Temple Shir Shalom). This event celebrates the HMC's acquisition of a sapling from the white chestnut tree that brought Anne Frank solace as she and her …

Bruno Pereira

9:03 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2013

I'm Bruno Pereira in Timor-Leste,would like walk together with mr.Andres in CATALPA International,to study since computer,and other side...   more ›

Monday, April 22, 2013

Farmington Hills Native Returns to Direct at Detroit Opera House

Michael Yashinsky directs a children's opera, 'The Happy Prince', based on an Oscar Wilde story. The cast includes several young Farmington Hills actors.

After five years of study and work at Harvard University, Farmington Hills native Michael Yashinsky has moved back home to direct a children's opera at the Detroit Opera House. The Michigan Opera Theatre Children's Chorus, including three young actors from the Farmington area, performs The Happy Prince on Sunday, April 28, at 2:30 p.m. Yashinsky is directing Maria Cheriyan, 9, (chorus of angels) of Farmington Hills; Ryan Kotlinski, 13, (chorus of children) of Farmington; and Anya Chudov, 16, (seamstress) of Farmington Hills. Musical director is Livonia resident Dianna Hochella. The opera, which is based on an Oscar Wilde story, is set in an unnamed city enduring the pangs of poverty and class struggle. According to Yashinsky, within the …

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Adat Shalom in Farmington Hills Hosts Madrigal Chorale Fundraiser

The concert, held on Cinco de Mayo, will have a Mexican flair.

Madrigal Chorale (formerly the Madrigal Chorale of Southfield) celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a unique performance of exciting and varied selections in their second annual spring “pops” event at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills.  The May 5 fiesta-themed program, which starts at 2:30 p.m., includes a dessert bar and coffee, a silent auction and 50/50 raffle, with all proceeds going toward the 19th Annual Madrigal Chorale Vocal Scholarship Competition for high school vocalists. Artistic Director Robert A. Martin, Ph.D., who celebrates his 24th season with the Madrigal Chorale, acknowledges that the typical genre for 100-plus year old traveling chorale is performing the classics, but adds, “we all like to have some real fun once in a …

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Arts Commission Honors Farmington Art Foundation for Service to the Arts

The Foundation's activities include free painting classes for Farmington area senior citizens and the 'Art Smart' program in local schools.

The Farmington Art Foundation, which fosters a love of art in area residents of all ages, received the Distinguished Service to the Arts award during a Thursday ceremony at the Costick Center in Farmington Hills.  Presented by the Farmington Area Arts Commission, the award honors groups or individuals for outstanding promotion, management, teaching or support of the arts.  Foundation president Janet Hall said her group's mission is "to educate our members and the community about art." She started painting after retiring 10 years ago and joined the Foundation in 2008. "It introduced me to other artists and teachers," she said. "It's been just a greater exposure to the arts for me."  Through its "Art Smart" program, the Foundation brings art…

Susan Warner

1:15 pm on Sunday, April 21, 2013

The Farmington Art Foundation received a well deserved tribute in receipt of the Service to the Arts Award. Annually the Artist in Residence Award is also given by The Farmington Area Arts Commission. This designation has been awarded since 1976 to many extremely deserving Artists in all areas of art. The 2013 Artist in Residence is Robert Aikins, an Aviation Artist. He followed our 2012 Artist …   more ›

Free Family Festival of the Arts Saturday Features Multicultural Theme

The April 20 event at the Costick Center in Farmington Hills includes art displays, demonstrations, music, dance and more.

Celebrate this year’s Festival of the Arts theme, “Color the World”, at Saturday's free Family Festival, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Costick Center in Farmington Hills. The Family Festival offers art experiences for all ages including community cultural displays by area organizations, activities, a wide range of entertainment, and over 200 pieces of art to see and buy. In keeping with the multicultural theme, several panels of artwork, provided by the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit, will showcase art created by Japanese children who survived the tragedy of the tsunami. Demonstrations will include sculpting, pot turning, painting, weaving, and illustration. Children will enjoy taking part in hands-on art projects, with an …

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Farmington Hills Musician Performs During Art X Detroit Week

Ara Topouzian hosts a panel discussion and presents information about Armenian and Middle Eastern music on April 12.

Farmington Hills resident Ara Topouzian, who is City of Novi Economic Development Director by day and Kresge Artist Fellow by night, will introduce audiences to Armenian and Middle Eastern music and more during Art X Detroit Week April 10-14.  “Detroit Hye Times”, held at The Wright Museum Contemporary Arts Gallery in Detroit on April 12, 6:15 p.m., features a panel discussion and workshop with Topouzian and two other prominent Armenian musicians: Oud virtuoso Mal Barsamian from Boston, MA, and Northeastern University Professor/clarinetist, Leon Janikian. They will lead a discussion on the origin of Armenian and Middle Eastern instruments and discuss the history of traditional Armenian music, with the trio performing samples of the music. …

Monday, April 8, 2013

Great Lakes Art Fair Returns to Novi This Weekend

The fair runs April 12-14.

The Great Lakes Art Fair is back this year in Novi. This event will run from April 12-14 at Suburban Collection Showplace at 46100 Grand River Ave. More than 150 talented artists will be in attendance at this year’s art fair to showcase their one-of-a-kind artwork. Patrons will enter through the Grand Gallery entrance and can experience a weekend full of fine art, live demonstrations and entertainment. This fun-filled family event will feature artwork for every age. Fair hours are as follows: Cost of admission for adults is $7 and children 12 years of age and younger are admitted for free. Parking is complimentary. Andiamo’s Ladies Day Out Back by popular demand is “Andiamo’s Ladies Day Out.” On Friday, ladies and their girlfriends can …

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