Please join us as we celebrate the closing of “Actually Working” and an artist talk with the artists from the Pioneer Building.

Please join us for a drop-in collage, zine, & book workshop at detroit contemporary led by Anne Harrington Hughes, Jennifer Gariepy, & Teresa Peteresen.

Please join us for a coffee & tea hour at detroit contemporary from 1pm-5pm!

For all Pioneer Building artists old and new, the wider community of Wayne grads, Detroit community members, friends who love art, and anyone who knew and loved Anne Fracassa,

Please join us from 6pm-10pm for the reception of “Actually Working”.

Please join us this evening from 7pm-10pm for a live jam session with The Amalgam Jam Band!

Please join us at 6pm for a special film screening with Jeremy Brockman and Zachary Cunningham. We will be screening their project “Little Church” as well as two new productions from each film director. You won’t want to miss this!

Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased HERE. Limited seating is available - so act fast!

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: SATORI CIRCUS in: SeaStories: Part 3 Purchase your ticket here!

‘SeaStories: Part 3’ is a new performance art piece created by the minds of SATORI CIRCUS, Brian Dambacher and Tim Suliman. It follows the mysterious, happy-go-lucky, and sometimes aloof life of a good-natured man. A man who just so happens to enjoy wearing white make-up with black facial markings and has a love for dental floss.

One day, while on his way to a drugstore for more floss, he is mistaken for your average everyday ‘clown’; kidnapped by two thuggish gentlemen, he is stowed away on a freighter where his life is about to take a dramatic turn. The voyage ends in bad favor, as the ship sinks, sending all souls aboard to Davy Jones’ locker…all save one.

Floating atop his only remaining possession, he finds himself cold, scared, and in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle - headed toward a mysterious uncharted island. Bewildered, alone, with no contact to the outside world, he’s left to his own devices to survive on the uninhabited land. 

SATORI CIRCUS was conceived as a one-man orchestration early in 1988, coming to fruition the fall of that year. Hard to define, this artist is not clown and not mime. Just a ball of energy, this life-force started inhabiting a myriad of characters from man to woman, to child, to things. Along with music, pantomime, film elements, words (spoken or sung), slapstick and movement: cloaked behind clown white and various facial accents, SATORI CIRCUS’ world came to life wherever the stage.

Original book, music and production design as well as performances by Brian Dambacher, Tim Suliman and R.A. Taylor.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: SATORI CIRCUS in: SeaStories: Part 3 Purchase your ticket here!

‘SeaStories: Part 3’ is a new performance art piece created by the minds of SATORI CIRCUS, Brian Dambacher and Tim Suliman. It follows the mysterious, happy-go-lucky, and sometimes aloof life of a good-natured man. A man who just so happens to enjoy wearing white make-up with black facial markings and has a love for dental floss.

One day, while on his way to a drugstore for more floss, he is mistaken for your average everyday ‘clown’; kidnapped by two thuggish gentlemen, he is stowed away on a freighter where his life is about to take a dramatic turn. The voyage ends in bad favor, as the ship sinks, sending all souls aboard to Davy Jones’ locker…all save one.

Floating atop his only remaining possession, he finds himself cold, scared, and in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle - headed toward a mysterious uncharted island. Bewildered, alone, with no contact to the outside world, he’s left to his own devices to survive on the uninhabited land. 

SATORI CIRCUS was conceived as a one-man orchestration early in 1988, coming to fruition the fall of that year. Hard to define, this artist is not clown and not mime. Just a ball of energy, this life-force started inhabiting a myriad of characters from man to woman, to child, to things. Along with music, pantomime, film elements, words (spoken or sung), slapstick and movement: cloaked behind clown white and various facial accents, SATORI CIRCUS’ world came to life wherever the stage.

Original book, music and production design as well as performances by Brian Dambacher, Tim Suliman and R.A. Taylor.

Feed the Critic is a members-only potluck-style gathering where artists share 3-5 works of art and receive insights from respected art critics, artists and art writers such as Barry Roth, Kim Fay, & Skip Davis. Artists may join us for this unique event on the second Monday of every month from 6pm-8pm for constructive criticism and feedback.

For more information about our memberships, visit detroitcontemporary.com/memberships

Join us Saturday, November 9th from 6pm-10pm for the reception of Kamil Antos’ solo exhibiton

Join us Saturday, November 9th from 5pm-6pm for a member’s only preview of our current exhibition where you will have the opportunity to mingle with other members and view the work before the reception.

For more information on memberships, visit detroitcontemporary.com/memberships

Please join us in the final hours of “The House of Fancy” by Mark Dancey on Sunday October 27th from 6pm-9pm.

Venture into the mystic with us on Sunday, October 20th from 6pm-8pm for a gallery walk with Mark Dancey through “The House of Fancy”.

from the desk of Vertebrae Collective

SATORI CIRCUS in ‘FUNY AS HELL (a baptism under fire)’

Vertebrae Collective and detroit contemporary are bringing to you the now classic performance art piece ‘FUNY AS HELL (a baptism under fire)’ for one performance only on October 19, 2024

‘FUNY AS HELL was written in 2007 by Brian and Dave Dambacher and R. A. Taylor.  A performance art piece that made them famous in April of 2007 out at MeadowBrook/Oakland University.

This time SATORI CIRCUS has yet another opportunity of reinterpreting their very own creation: An interpretation that's sure to please both new audiences as well as those who saw the original in 2007.  Using Dante’s The Divine Comedy as the framework to guide you through a labyrinth of questions, spirit, destiny, hope, despair, and pure naughtiness, FUNY AS HELL follows the travels of a man lost in a dream between the here and there of Purgatory, Hell and Paradise.  Combining music, song, costumes, sound & lights, movement, film, cabaret and enlightenment, FUNY AS HELL will obscure your perception of what performance art is or what it could be…employing all the same contraptions used to tell, and embellish a story.

“New York City has the Blue Man Group, Detroit has SATORI CIRCUS.”   -  Chris Jaszczak

Blurring what is typically thought of as theatre, SATORI CIRCUS will bring the audience through the subterranean worlds of Purgatory, Hell and Paradise to witness, participate and analyze the situations that our protagonist, hero (or anti-hero), manages to become involved with…deliberately or accidentally.

Be prepared for the unknown and come with an open heart and head to witness a performance art hybrid rarely seen in this Detroit Metro Area. We guarantee that you have never seen anything like this.  You may never again.  And you’ll leave humming and wondering if hell could really be this entertaining. And as Dante said at the gates of hell, “Abandon every hope, all ye who enter here.”

One performance.  Doors are at 7:30pm with the performance promptly at 8pm.

Tickets $15 in advance and $20 at the door

35 seats – Limited seating / First come – Tickets can be purchased below.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Please follow detroit contemporary and SATORI CIRCUS on Instagram and Facebook, and for further info or questions contact - bri@detroitcontemporary.com.

detroit contemporary, 487 W. Alexandrine St., Detroit, MI 48201

A baptism under fire

Feed the Critic is a members-only potluck-style gathering where artists share 3-5 works of art and receive insights from respected art critics, artists and art writers such as Barry Roth, Kim Fay, & Skip Davis. Artists may join us for this unique event on the second Monday of every month from 6pm-8pm for constructive criticism and feedback.

For more information about our memberships, visit detroitcontemporary.com/memberships

Join us Saturday, October 12th from 6pm-10pm for the reception of Mark Dancey’s solo exhibiton

Join us Saturday, October 12th from 5pm-6pm for a member’s only preview of our current exhibition where you will have the opportunity to mingle with other members and view the work before the reception.

For more information on memberships, visit detroitcontemporary.com/memberships

Please join us today for a concert featuring the musical stylings of Harry Taylor Jazz! Drinks and light refreshments will be available. Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased at the door or online here.

Harry-Taylor Jazz (H-T Jazz) is  the latest offswing/offspring of the Ferndale Community Concert Band and a younger sibling of the already recognized M-1 Jazz Collective. Harry-Taylor Jazz was established by Harry Taylor, Band Leader, in 2023. T-M Jazz stands on the shoulders of Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. In addition, H-T Jazz is building on the strong legacy of improvisation carried on through Miles Davis' Combo and Art Blakey, and the Jazz Messengers right up to the recently departed Wayne Shorter.

from the desk of Vertebrae Collective
SATORI CIRCUS’ Cabaret Club – WSG / Hayla Hay in her new performance art piece “Empty Nesters”

- Matinee Performances Only -

On September 29, 2024, detroit contemporary and Vertebrae Collective will present SATORI CIRCUS in a new performance art piece, ‘SATORI CIRCUS’ Cabaret Club’, singing songs from his ‘365’ project.  Along with a powerful new voice in performance art, Detroit performance artist, Hayla Hay, who will debut her new performance art piece, ‘Empty Nesters’.  This will be an afternoon of pure energy.

The ‘365’ project came to fruition at the height of the pandemic when it seemed as if the local creative engine had slowed.  Uncertainty was lingering and performing live, for an audience was all but impossible.  Rising from his insatiable appetite to keep creating, SATORI CIRCUS challenged himself to do a song a day for a year and what he amassed over that period were 365 musical pieces.  Some good, some bad and some just plain WTF, but it allowed for a creative outlet.  The project began in April of 2020 and finished in August of 2021.

With “Cabaret Club’ you’ll get no heavy-duty props, no spoken word, no live band, no performing with friends. Just SATORI CIRCUS on stage singing a selection of musical numbers created under the ‘365’ project.  This performance, a mixture of song and conversation, will allow the audience an insight to his process and the history behind the making of the ‘365’ project.  Audience questions are encouraged throughout.

Hayla Hay (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist specializing in performance art and lives and works in Detroit.  “Empty Nesters”, a new performance art piece by Hayla sets the scene: bored at a family dinner, when suddenly her imagination gets the best of her as she transforms into a half bird / half girl.  While exploring her new avian form, she wanders through the wilderness tasked with building a nest for her unhatched eggs.  Hayla encourages the audience to get in touch with their inner wild animal and lean back into the childlike sense of play with her, for this performance. Hayla Hay is a new voice in Detroit’s Performance Art world…someone to keep your eyes on!!

One matinee performance.  Doors are at 2pm with an opening performance promptly at 2:30pm by Hayla Hay – ending approximately at 3pm., to be followed by SATORI CIRCUS at 3:15pm. 

Tickets $15 in advance and $20 at the door

35 seats – Limited seating/First come – Tickets can be purchased below.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE: https://tinyurl.com/yrn5uv5d

Please follow detroit contemporary, Hayla Hay, SATORI CIRCUS on Instagram and Facebook, and for further info or questions contact - bri@detroitcontemporary.com.

detroit contemporary, 487 W. Alexandrine St., Detroit, MI 48201

Please join us on Saturday, September 28th from 6pm-9pm for the closing reception of Maria Prainito-Winczner’s exhibition “Legs Straight Up”

Please join us today for a concert featuring the musical stylings of Harry Taylor Jazz! Drinks and light refreshments will be available. Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased at the door or online here.

Harry-Taylor Jazz (H-T Jazz) is  the latest offswing/offspring of the Ferndale Community Concert Band and a younger sibling of the already recognized M-1 Jazz Collective. Harry-Taylor Jazz was established by Harry Taylor, Band Leader, in 2023. T-M Jazz stands on the shoulders of Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. In addition, H-T Jazz is building on the strong legacy of improvisation carried on through Miles Davis' Combo and Art Blakey, and the Jazz Messengers right up to the recently departed Wayne Shorter.

Please join us at 8pm on Saturday September 21st for a porch concert with Burnin’ Freedom and Staggolee!

Join us Saturday, September 14th from 6pm-10pm for the reception of Maria Prainito-Winczner’s solo exhibition

Join us Saturday, September 14th from 5pm-6pm for a member’s only preview of our current exhibition where you will have the opportunity to mingle with other members and view the work before the reception.

For more information on memberships, visit detroitcontemporary.com/memberships

Feed the Critic is a members-only potluck-style gathering where artists share 3-5 works of art and receive insights from respected art critics, artists and art writers such as Barry Roth, Kim Fay, & Skip Davis. Artists may join us for this unique event on the second Monday of every month from 6pm-8pm for constructive criticism and feedback.

For more information about our memberships, visit detroitcontemporary.com/memberships

Hey members, are you looking for something to do September 7th? Consider dallying with detroit contemporary from 11am-11pm! You won't want to miss out on 12 hours of live performances, art, potluck bbq, & more!

Live Performances:

11am Poetry Hour, 12pm Conflux, 1pm Open Mic, 2pm Macho Detroit, 3pm Velvet Snakes, 4pm Blood Rune Sigil, 5pm Pepper and the Heavy Boys, 6pm Coxiopioxio, 7pm Glass Chimera, 8pm Asphalt Flowers, 9pm Open Jam

Artists:

Alex Brueggeman, Bri Hayes, Carl Wilson, Cheyenne Lee, Chris Plewka, Eric Fogle, Genevieve Vanzandt, Luckey Weathers & Phillip Simpson

Activities:

Corn hole

Food:

Potluck-style BBQ

Please join us today, Saturday August 24th from 2pm-4pm for an Artist Talk with Phillip Simpson & Jacob Zelecki as we celebrate the closing of their solo exhibitions “Like No One’s Watching” and “Patience”.

Please join us for an exciting puppy yoga session with Pawsitive Stretch. By participating in this yoga session you’re supporting local shelters and businesses!

REGISTER HERE to reserve your spot

Reiki is a non-invasive healing modality which was formalized in Japan and translates to "Universal Life Force". Reiki has been shown to hasten healing time, boost the immune system and reduce tension mentally, physically and emotionally. This Reiki I (one) Training offers all of the tools and attunements needed to practice reiki on yourself and others in-person to help with healing on every level. This is a prerequisite for Reiki II which provides the tools for distance reiki and practicing professionally, as well as other techniques. This training will be led by Phaedra Robinson aka Reiki Cat and each graduate will receive a Reiki I certificate.

With the intention of empowering the Detroit community as healing resources; this training will be condensed into 3.5 hours and offered on a sliding scale with a requested donation of $35. DONATE HERE to reserve your spot.

Snacks provided but please bring a brown bag lunch to supplement.

Party Like No One’s Watching with Phillip Simpson and DJ Killa Squid from 8pm-12am at detroit contemporary!