logo
DIA's massive dance party last month was like no other. Now it's happening again.

DIA's massive dance party last month was like no other. Now it's happening again.

Yahoo06-03-2025

A simple dance party at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) turned into Detroit's biggest event of the winter season — and if you missed it, there's another happening this weekend.
Friday, March 7, another dance party will be held in the museum's Rivera Court from 6:30-8:30 p.m., in conjunction with Detroit artist Tiff Massey's historic '7 Mile + Livernois' exhibition.
'7 Mile + Livernois' is an installation featuring sculptures commissioned by the DIA, and is a vibrant, inclusive peek into Detroit's artistic ecosystem.
February's dance party event in association with Massey's show drew over 1,700 attendees to the DIA in a massive flex of multigenerational, cross-cultural community support.
'It was honestly the most incredible crowd I've ever seen at an art museum anywhere,' said Katie Pfohl, DIA Associate Curator of Contemporary Art. 'The whole city turned out for the set. It was just … it was amazing. I moved here from New Orleans, and so I've worked with a lot of musicians as artists in my own curatorial past. Tiff is also so connected to the city's music scene, and as we were talking about programming for the show, it just seemed like such a natural fit, for an exhibition that is really about celebrating the city's culture of creative expression, to invite musicians from the city to activate the museum.
'It's an incredibly fun, powerful event, but there's also such an interesting throughline in the evolution of some of the city's musical forms. The histories of the automotive industry and factories, music production, and artists like Tiff working with metalsmithing, they feel to me like an intrinsic part of the show, not just a program that we're doing on the side. It's an intrinsic part of Tiff's vision for the project, and her aspiration to really showcase and celebrate the city's creative work.'
Also this weekend: 'Young and the Restless' star Victoria Rowell heads to Detroit in 'Jason's Lyric: Live'
Also this weekend: Detroit Public Theatre's 'Confederates' examines struggles of Black women in America
The spectacularly named DJ Problematic Black Hottie will serve up tunes during the March 7 event, and during a May 9 dance party celebrating the exhibition's closing, DJ Kesswa, a favorite of Pfohl's, will preside.
'I think that it's one thing to put on an exhibition,' said Pfohl, 'and it's something else to really invite people in to have a conversation with it. People were there, dancing in Rivera Court, but they were also seeing the exhibition and talking with their friends about it and having an incredible time. For me, it's really feeling the art merge with the music to activate a whole vibe. I'm not trying to get all cheesy about it, but it was really special the last time, and I just can't wait to feel that energy in the museum again.'
Pfohl's advice for people who didn't make it last time?
'Come early,' she said. 'Bring your friends. It ends at 8:30 p.m., but the museum will remain open till nine o'clock. We want to make sure there's enough time for people to experience everything.'
Admission to Friday's 6:30 p.m. party is free with museum general admission at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave. General museum admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Non-resident entry is $20 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students, and $8 for children ages 6 – 17.
Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: DIA to hold another dance party in Rivera Court on March 7

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The Southern accent is disappearing. By golly, I'm holding on for dear life!
The Southern accent is disappearing. By golly, I'm holding on for dear life!

Yahoo

time33 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

The Southern accent is disappearing. By golly, I'm holding on for dear life!

'Oh no!!!!!' 'Hush your mouth!" "No way!!" "Against my religion!" "Who do I call?" These are just a few gasps I uttered after learning that the Southern accent was slowly disappearing. Bless those evildoers' hearts; they don't understand that such a tragedy must not occur. Y'all can ask anybody what a hissy fit I throw when folks want to rid themselves of their accents. I like diversity in speech because it reflects each person's ancestry. Why do we want plain vanilla when adding sprinkles is more fun? Why do we desire to mold others into our likeness? I don't believe that was the Good Lord's intention. Some quirky folks from non-Southern states once believed our dialect was synonymous with limited intelligence. Come to find out, they weren't so smart. President Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and many of our founding fathers are from Virginia. Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, George Bush and nine other American Presidents are as Southern as grits. William Faulkner, who won the 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature, is from Oxford, Mississippi. Southern authors such as Margaret Mitchell, Truman Capote, Harper Lee, Pat Conroy and Eudora Welly also expanded our minds with their eloquent words. People visit the Southland through books and their imaginations. Let's not forget the laughter we shared with the oh-so-Southern writer Lewis Grizzard and his dog, Catfish. The South gave birth to Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Medgar Evers and countless Black heroes whose bravery to live by the Christian principle of loving one another opened doors and hearts. Thank goodness. Imagine a world without the soulful jazz from New Orleans, the heartfelt country music from Tennessee, and the diverse stylings from every southern state. The South's musical influence is undeniable, and we continue to enrich the world with our unique sounds, putting our souls into every note. More: Black indie country musicians flourish in the South beyond Nashville's mainstream scene Where else could you learn to fry up a chicken, hogtie a fella, catch a mess of fish or hold your horses? These are uniquely Southern skills and sayings that make us who we are. Where could one go at midnight to buy a plunger without Sam Walton's Walmart? Flying Delta? Well, its Southern roots began in Macon, Georgia, in 1925. Maybe you need a Co-Cola while looking for a new hammer or doohickey at Home Depot. Several years ago, I wrote a story, "The Magic of the Fry Pan and Fried Chicken," published across America. A lady from Iowa wrote me and asked, 'How do you fry chicken?' After trying and failing to explain, I responded, "Ma'am, just go over yonder to your local KFC. They got the fixins, biscuits and sweet tea to go with that crispy goodness." Bless her heart, I reckon she never heard of an iron skillet. I'm worn slap out with highfalutin folks who know nothing about the richness found in the South. And worse, I am doggone, dern tired of those who are too big for their britches believing their God-given drawl should change. Plumb ridiculous!! I am proud of my roots, which began in Tennessee. My family settled in the Appalachian hills in the late 1700s and is still there today. They speak like little ol' me, and I couldn't be prouder. They are wise and wealthy beyond what money can buy. More: Why these Tennessee cities were ranked among Southern Living's best in the South When I moved from Tennessee to Georgia, I quickly realized that the Georgia accent differed from mine. Those Georgia peaches added letters to words. I learned that the "tile" I used to dry dishes was pronounced "tow-el." However, sometimes, when I'm babbling, I still omit unnecessary letters. Why add a "g" to banana puddin' or fixin' to? Hello? It is a high compliment when people say I sound like Dolly Parton. They may not see it that way, but they don't know nothin', and they can't sing like her, and they sure as heck don't own a theme park. Can you imagine Dolly Parton without her accent? Life just wouldn't be the same. Till those old cows come home, I reckon I'll never understand why we don't embrace our differences and cultures. Not one of us has identical fingerprints. God ensured that each of us was designed to achieve the best of who we can be. No matter what color we are or the accents we use, those sprinkles he added are our signature. Diversity has recently been perceived in a negative light. However, if we fail to embrace our distinctness, perhaps the God who created us all will not embrace us. We should consider that our accents and heritage do not define us as individuals. Instead, it is our goodness, kindness, and wisdom that truly shape our character. Honey child, our unique sprinkles keep us happier than a pig in the mud! Lynn Walker Gendusa is a writer in Georgia and the author of the book "Southern Comfort." She is originally from Monterey, Tennessee. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: It's the sprinkles, honey! A defense of Southern accents. | Opinion

Oprah Winfrey Appears To Diss Absent Broadway Legend At The Tony Awards
Oprah Winfrey Appears To Diss Absent Broadway Legend At The Tony Awards

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Oprah Winfrey Appears To Diss Absent Broadway Legend At The Tony Awards

Oprah Winfrey seemed to snipe at actor Patti LuPone during the Tony Awards on Sunday. LuPone had recently criticized two fellow stage actors who are Black, lighting up Broadway with controversy. Winfrey appeared to address the simmering beef as she presented the Best Actress in a Musical award. LuPone wasn't there (it's unclear whether she ever intended to go, People reported) but she probably got the message. 'This astounding year in live theater turns to the women whose work sparked lively conversations among theater fans,' Winfrey said while giving a few knowing glances. When the laughter and applause subsided, she declared, 'A lot o' talkin' goin' on.' omg not Oprah Winfrey throwing shade at Patti LuPone while presenting at the Tony Awards lol — Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) June 9, 2025 The comments were widely regarded as shade at LuPone. The three-time Tony winner took umbrage at actor Kecia Lewis' accusation she was being 'racially microaggressive.' LuPone, headlining a neighboring show, had complained about the sound volume of a production that Lewis starred in last year. LuPone called her 'bitch' in the New Yorker. She also took aim at six-time Grammy winner Audra McDonald, who was nominated but did not win on Sunday, for supporting Lewis' remarks. LuPone said it was 'typical' of McDonald and that she 'was not a friend.' LuPone later apologized, but Oprah wasn't about to let the matter go apparently. Here's The Complete List Of 2025 Tony Awards Winners Keanu Reeves' Reaction To Jonathan Groff Caressing Him Has The Internet Screaming Original 'Hamilton' Cast Delivers Show-Stopping Reunion At The 2025 Tony Awards

The Fling That Changed How I Think About My Trans Love Journey
The Fling That Changed How I Think About My Trans Love Journey

Cosmopolitan

timean hour ago

  • Cosmopolitan

The Fling That Changed How I Think About My Trans Love Journey

Welcome to Love Transcends, a special project by Cosmopolitan that celebrates the resilience, wisdom, hope, and joy of the trans community as its members navigate romantic love. Through in-depth interviews and personal essays, trans people share what it's like to date, hook up, break up, and fall in and hold onto love in the midst of sweeping anti-trans legislation and attacks on personal safeties and freedoms of expression. Click here to see the entire collection. My trip to Vegas last spring was supposed to be about throwback hip-hop and R&B vibes. My siblings, my best friend, and I had traveled to town for the Lovers & Friends Festival. Think Usher, Ciara, Nelly Furtado. But hours after we arrived, the event was canceled due to high winds. So we made alternate plans to see Lil Wayne at a club on the Strip. And in the midst of the chaos, someone unexpected happened. After my bestie and I split up to find a better vantage point to watch the show, I almost passed this guy who eyed me with lust and limerence. The wash of crimson light in the hallway might've been a warning sign if I'd had one less Hennessy and Coke. But we both slowed down, and our bodies instinctually twisted in each other's direction. By that point, I had put romance on the back burner. Being a 30-something Black trans woman thriving in her career, living a life full of travel and opportunity, with an unconditionally loving family already seemed like more than I could have ever dreamed. The fact that the right long-term partner remained elusive seemed like a cosmic balance. Besides, I know the bullshit the media doles out to women about 'having it all' has never included me. I've often felt plagued by a series of curses. The first is my overarching attraction to men and masculinity. Not unlike cis straight women, I often dream out loud about being a lesbian. Nevertheless, my relationship experiences have solely featured cis and trans men, as well as a few nonbinary transmasculine individuals. Most of my queer and trans dates have been full of intimacy and stimulating conversation, while those with cis straight men have been a mixed bag—containing some of the most traumatizing experiences. In my memoir, The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation, I detail some of the disappointing characters: the would-be hookup who hypothesized killing me because he was shook that he was attracted to a trans woman. The guy I met in an Oakland bar who sexually assaulted me in an attempt to prove to another guy, who'd just outed some homegirls and me, that I wasn't a 'man.' I may never fully shake those moments, but I've been fortunate to dodge the worst outcomes. Black trans women are all but guaranteed to account for most of the fatal anti-trans violence reported each year. And despite what most ignorant cis people online spew in comments sections, most of the perpetrators are cis men who have pursued romantic or sexual relationships with us. My other dating curses anecdotally reflect the data, like Pew Research Center findings that Black, college-educated, and queer adults are more likely to be single than their respective counterparts. Pew struck again when it found that Black women are the most likely of any category of race and gender to be unmarried. Even more, another study found that most people don't view trans folks as viable dating partners, and those who do are almost twice as likely to consider transmasculine folks versus transfeminine folks. Also, people's desire for a monogamous, committed relationship seems increasingly atypical. Maybe I'm influenced by my parents' near 30-year union or my torturous Venus in Cancer astrological placement, but even the idea of accepting a situationship before someone views our connection as worthy of commitment seems unsettling. Yet somehow, as I stared at this gorgeous man in that club hallway, none of these concerns came to mind. Meeting him in the wild, not on an app where I had to sell myself as if I were on the auction block, felt refreshing. I didn't overanalyze when he nestled his firm hand in the crease of my back. Like a master cartographer, he traced the skin left uncovered by my slinky black minidress. 'You're beautiful,' he said with a hint of an accent. (I'd learn he was of Guadeloupean and French descent.) 'You're kind of beautiful, too,' I whispered with a mesmerized smirk. Through devouring eyes, we shared scattered notes from our lives. He said he was an engineer from France. Who knows if that was true? I didn't mention being a recently published author or an award-winning activist. Tonight? The edges were softened. I was just a regular girl who worked in media and on feminist and LGBTQIA+ causes. We slipped into an empty stairwell and kissed passionately. Maybe it was the liquor in both of our systems, but it felt right. We exchanged numbers and promised to see each other again before leaving the city. Over the next two days, we spent as much time as we could together. Sharing meals, sightseeing, and dancing in crowded clubs. I was living that old cliché, feeling like we'd known each other forever. For the first time in a long time, I got to be present, to feel what it's like to be excited by someone. Waking up on the morning of my departure date, a heaviness rose in my chest. We'd kept mentioning the intensity of our connection. He asked me to change my flight to stay a few more days. Expectations and hope started to set in: What if he's the one? Would we do a long-distance thing? Could this be real? As we headed to our final brunch, my dread only grew. I knew that feeling, that urge to share my whole truth. My rawness and vulnerability were palpable. 'You seem like you want to say something. You should just say it,' he said. Sometime between receiving our drinks and waiting for our Tex-Mex entrées, I shared that I am trans. I did my best to hold my tears in. I'd experienced so much rejection. But he didn't overreact. In fact, he seemed slightly surprised but very chill. 'I've never been with a woman who's transgender,' he said as he rubbed his chin. 'I'd love to hear more about your experience.' I was shook by his gentle curiosity and grace. Usually, I expect some kind of denial of attraction or impenetrable ignorance because that is what U.S. culture indoctrinates into damn near every cis straight man. Perhaps it was because he wasn't of this culture that his reaction was so different. I obliged, hitting the top lines of growing up in a traditional family, figuring out my identity, embarking on my transition, and how my experience had fueled my activism and career. He maintained an intrigued expression, then assured me that my identity didn't change how he saw me. He felt something special with me. Just as I started to relax into what might be a new phase of whatever the hell we were doing, the 'but' came. Mr. Frenchman shared he had a vision for himself that included having a family the 'traditional' way. That is, biologically. I wryly joked about surrogacy or even adoption. But he wasn't interested in compromising on his dream, and I held on to mine that I deserve the right guy who doesn't see my infertility or inability to bear children as a deal-breaker. What really stung was what he said next: Before he'd learned I was trans, he would have considered a long-distance relationship. It made me wonder if I were an infertile cis woman, would he have been so quick to dismiss something deeper? Besides, why were we even talking about kids already? Still, I couldn't help but imagine a world where we took walks in his corner of France, planning a life together. Our connection felt like a promising start after years of drought. But it was just another thing that fizzled out. It took me months to get over that fling. It hadn't been like the endless tepid 'talking' stages I had endured—it'd felt so reciprocally explosive. It reignited a desire for romance I'd mostly relinquished. I'm not sure how long it'll be before I feel a spark like that again, especially in a social climate where men seem to be growing more closed-minded. I'm not necessarily convinced by the conventional wisdom that 'my person is out there,' 'I have to manifest the right partner,' or 'if I just focus on other things, it'll come.' It's not that I'm a pessimist. It's that I'm a romantic realist—and I've made a commitment to building a life that's fulfilling with or without romance. As I'm often told, I'm still youthful, and I just might encounter the 'right' person or series of people at some point. Ones who explode all the data and narratives that say I don't deserve a passionate, transformative love. But for now, at least, I'll subsist on flirtations, fragments, and flings like the one I had in Vegas—taking the glimmers as they come. This story also appears in Cosmopolitan's Summer 2025 print issue. If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual violence, consider reaching out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or using this online chat feature. In a crisis, you can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 to speak to a trained counselor at no cost to you. For an expanded list of resources specific to the trans community, click here.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store