'Japanese Girls’ Day,' 'Blade Runner' and a Tchaikovsky serenade: Shows to see in Detroit
As metro Detroit attempts to begin shaking off the ravages of winter, this first March weekend finds multiple opportunities to enjoy the arts locally. Here are a few options.
A world premiere play, one weekend only
Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit will present the world premiere of “Debating Destiny,” a new play by acclaimed playwright James Anthony Tyler, known for such works as “The Drop Off” and “Some Old Black Man.” (The University of Michigan’s University Musical Society produced an outstanding filmed version of “Some Old Black Man” during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2021.)
More theater: Charming Detroit ensemble stages strong production of August Wilson play
“Debating Destiny” invites audiences to join Udonis Sparks on a compelling journey where he confronts loss, discovers hidden talents, and faces life-altering choices. Filled with teenage antics, rapid-fire banter, and heartwarming revelations, the play offers a poignant exploration of the complexities of growing up through the art of debate.
Friday’s performance will be held at 7 p.m. and Saturday’s at 4 p.m.
Senate Theatre, 6424 Michigan Ave., Detroit. 313-872-6910. www.mosaicdetroit.org. Tickets start at $10.
'Like tears in rain'
Friday night at 8 p.m., the Detroit Area Art Deco Society will screen Ridley Scott’s director’s cut of the classic sci-fi film “Blade Runner” at the Redford Theatre. Step into the dystopian future of 2019 Los Angeles, where replicants roam and the cityscape is a neon-soaked wonder. Featuring a stellar cast led by Harrison Ford, “Blade Runner” promises an evening of suspense, action, and thought-provoking exploration.
Redford Theatre, 17360 Lahser Road, Detroit. www.daads.org. Tickets are $15.
A classical trio
Friday at 7:30, Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings will present “Romances, Inventions & Encores.” Oboist Alex Kinmonth, saxophonist Timothy McAllister and pianist Liz Ames will perform works by Robert Schumann, Pierre Jalbert, Erwin Schuloff, Karalyn Schubring, and others.
Hagopian World of Rugs, 850 S. Old Woodward Blvd., Birmingham. 248-559-2095. www.detroitchamberwinds.org. Tickets start at $15.
A Japanese celebration for girls
Sunday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Detroit Institute of Arts will host the Japan Business Society of Detroit’s annual “Hinamatsuri: Japanese Girls’ Day,” promoting friendship between local and Japanese communities through the demonstration of Japanese culture. Visit favorites include the tea ceremony, hina doll display, ikebana flower arrangements, and koto (Japanese zither) performances, along with storytelling and hands-on workshops. This year will feature Japanese dance performances and a special interactive art installation by Sao Ohtake, Kyoko Fujii, and Nobuko Yamasaki.
Detroit Institute of Arts’ Riviera Court, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-833-7900. www.dia.org. Free with general admission.
Honoring a Detroit legend
Celebrated Detroit artist LeRoy Foster is currently being celebrated by Cranbrook Art Museum with his first significant museum show ever, and Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., the museum will present “Never in Exile: Detroit’s LeRoy Foster.” The afternoon’s proceedings, held in deSalle Auditorium, will include a presentation on the research that went into the exhibition, an advance screening of the short film “Seeing Foster” and a panel discussion with Mario Moore, Dr. Hubert Massey, Andrew Ruys de Perez, Jerome Watson and Carole Morisseau, moderated by Laura Mott.
Cranbrook Art Museum deSalle Auditorium, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills. 248-645-3323. www.cranbrookartmuseum.org. Entry is free with museum registration; RSVP at museum website.
A stage and screen dynamo
Saturday at 6:30 pm and 8:45 p.m., Cabaret 313 will present a solo show by actor/singer Brandon Victor Dixon. Following his Emmy-nominated turn opposite John Legend as Judas in NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar,” he most recently starred in FOX’s “RENTonFOX,” Amazon’s “Modern Love,” and as Terry Silver on the STARZ hit “Power.” Prior to that, he completed a star turn as Aaron Burr in the cast of Hamilton on Broadway. Tickets for the evening are going very quickly — the 6:30 performance is already sold out, but there are remaining seats for the 8:45 show.
The Black Box at Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway St., Detroit. 313-881-4004. www.cabaret313.org. Tickets $30 for ages 30 and under, with general admission $60.
Classical saxophone
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s annual Classical Roots event has celebrated the contributions of African American composers and artists for nearly fifty years. This season, they present new music from Shelley Washington, who focuses "on exploring emotions and intentions by finding their root cause." Saxophonist Steven Banks, "one of the transformational musicians of the twenty-first century" (Seen and Heard International) performs a new concerto written for him by Grammy Award-winner Billy Childs. That’s Saturday night at 8 p.m. in Detroit’s Orchestra Hall.
Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-576-5111. www.dso.org. Tickets start at $15.
A Tchaikovsky serenade
Sunday at 3 p.m., the Macomb Symphony Orchestra will offer a program featuring Mozart’s “A Little Night Music,” Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis,” and Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings.” The performance will be led by music director Andrew Neer and will feature soprano artist in residence Goitsemang Lehobye and the Oakland Choral Society.
Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp. 586-286-2222. www.macombsymphony.org. Tickets start at $15.
Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Shows to see in metro Detroit: 'Blade Runner,' 'Japanese Girls’ Day'