Latest news with #MotownMuseum
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Motown Museum exhibit honors the life and career of musician-songwriter Hank Cosby
In her decades as part of the Motown family, Pat Cosby has spent countless hours inside Hitsville, U.S.A. This time was strikingly different. It didn't take long for the tears to start flowing last week as she made her way to the Motown Museum's second floor to take in a new exhibit devoted to her late husband, Hank Cosby. 'Henry 'Hank' Cosby: Tribute to an Original Funk Brother' opened May 22 at the West Grand Boulevard museum, documenting one of Motown's most significant and multifaceted behind-the-scenes talents. As a saxophonist, the Detroit native was there from the label's earliest days in the late '50s, helping establish the studio band that would famously become known as the Funk Brothers. As a horn arranger, his fingerprints are all over a slew of Motown hits, including classics such as 'Dancing in the Street' (Martha and the Vandellas) and 'Baby Love' (the Supremes). And as a composer, Cosby was a vital collaborator with a young Stevie Wonder, helping pen such hits as 'Fingertips,' 'Uptight (Everything's Alright),' 'I Was Made to Love Her' and 'My Cherie Amour' — a body of work that earned him induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame four years after his 2002 death. 'Fingertips' happened to pop up in the Motown Museum lobby's song rotation as Pat Cosby and family made their entrance May 22, arriving early for a VIP party that evening to welcome the exhibit. The Cosbys had been closely involved with the project since last fall, working with the museum's associate curator, Kemuel Benyehudah, to gather artifacts and relay their stories. More: Motor City invades the heart of Music City as Kid Rock's Detroit Cowboy opens in Nashville Hart beats: An oral history of the first Detroit Electronic Music Festival But this was their first glimpse at the finished product — an emotional moment as they took in the gleaming memorialization of a man they remembered as a loving husband, devoted father and musical master. As she wiped away tears, Pat Cosby thought back to 2002, following her husband's death, when she approached a previous regime of Motown Museum officials. 'I'm thinking about when he passed away and we came to the museum hoping to get pictures — and nobody knew who he was. They didn't recognize his name,' Cosby said. 'Those days are over.' The spacious, two-wall exhibit documents Hank Cosby's life from his early childhood in Detroit's Black Bottom and teen years at Northern High School, where he began sharpening his tenor sax skills — musicianship he would finesse under the mentorship of jazz great Julian (Cannonball) Adderly while serving in the U.S. Army. It was during his stint playing Paradise Valley nightspots as part of the Joe Hunter Band that Cosby made his way into the fledgling Motown universe. For all the musical achievements, it was family life that mattered most to Cosby, who lived out his life in Detroit following Motown's departure for the West Coast in 1972. 'That's the ring, right there!' Pat Cosby exclaimed when spotting a youthful photo of herself with her husband. She raised her left hand. 'Same ring!' Pat Cosby worked in Motown's tape library in 1962 when she at last gave in to the musician's romantic overtures. 'Hank would come by, lean over the Dutch door, and say sweet stuff,' she recalled. As they plotted an early date, Pat Cosby asked him what he'd like to do. 'I'd like to make you happy the rest of your life,' he said. 'He kept his promise,' Cosby said. For Benyehudah, who joined the museum's curatorial team in 2023, the Hank Cosby exhibit serves a key purpose. 'We wanted to broaden people's perspectives on just who the original Funk Brothers were,' he said. The project unfolded over months of Zoom meetings, phone calls and early morning texts with the Cosby family as they zeroed in on the finished exhibit, which is supported by Sony Music Publishing and the Michigan Arts & Culture Council. 'I just don't have words for the appreciation,' Pat Cosby said as she browsed the Motown Museum display. 'If anyone had told me in 1962 that I would see this day … I mean, this is just awesome.' Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@ 2648 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit Open Wednesday-Sunday This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Motown Museum unveils exhibit honoring musician-songwriter Hank Cosby
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Esther Gordy Edwards Centre unveiled as Motown Museum expands Detroit footprint
With an infusion of music from young performers, the Motown Museum family welcomed its newest addition Friday — on the birthday of the institution's late founder. The Esther Gordy Centre Edwards Centre for Excellence was unveiled during a bright evening of cocktails, dinner and music as about 150 Motown alumni and museum partners gathered at the facility for a first look. Located at 2550 W. Grand Blvd. — just down the street from the museum's main campus — the two-story building is an impressive multipurpose site, with a 20,000-square-foot first level serving as an extension of Hitsville Next, the museum's creative and educational hub. For folks who have spent decades experiencing the Motown Museum inside the relatively tight confines of its century-old West Grand Boulevard houses, the roomy new facility feels downright transformational. Friday's launch event was bristling with the energy of a historical museum that has firmly planted its feet in the future. 'To actually have a place for us to create (signifies that) Motown isn't a thing of the past, but is still living and breathing today,' said Mikhaella Norward, winner of the museum's 2019 'Motown Mic' spoken-word competition. 'This is a very special space for us.' While not open to the public beyond special events, the Edwards center marks the museum's visible, growing footprint along the boulevard. And it comes amid a multibillion-dollar flurry of development in that corridor, including nearby expansion by Henry Ford Health. More: Motown Museum grows again: New Esther Gordy Edwards Centre houses music, research spaces Friday's guests got to tour the assortment of new studios and workshop rooms where Hitsville Next's young singers, dancers, poets and summer campers will operate. Each space bears the name of a key behind-the-scenes Motown figure, including etiquette trainer Maxine Powell, producer Harvey Fuqua, songwriter Gwen Gordy and music director Maurice King. Inside the Cholly Atkins Rehearsal Hall — named for the beloved Motown choreographer — several Hitsville Next performers entertained guests with briskly arranged renditions of Temptations and Four Tops classics. Monitors stationed throughout the first floor beamed vintage Motown video, while a breakroom was lined with wall-sized reproductions of classic concert posters. And then there was the spacious main hall, which will host community programming and Motown Museum special events — like the Friday dinner and mini-concert for guests ranging from the Miracles' Claudette Robinson to former U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Upstairs is a research hub, home to the museum's curatorial staff. It eventually will open to visiting scholars. The spirit of Edwards was a prevailing theme Friday night: Born April 25, 1920, she was an older sister of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, and launched the museum in 1985 at Hitsville, U.S.A., the company's original studio and headquarters. The refurbished building now named in her honor comes amid a yearlong 40th anniversary celebration of Edwards' efforts. Distinct from the Motown Museum's ongoing $75 million expansion, the property that became the Edwards center was purchased in 2022 with funding from an anonymous donor. The building had been a longtime home to an upstairs church and a first floor dedicated to television facilities for national broadcasts of services. The structure was gutted and renovated in a project overseen by museum board member Levi Stubbs III, son of the Four Tops' late lead singer. Plenty of work remains — from furniture to outdoor signage — but 'we didn't want to let today go by,' museum chairwoman and CEO Robin Terry said of her grandmother's birthday. Motown: Motown's Tamla Records to return with new artists and 'positive, life-changing music' 'There's something extra special in the air tonight as we open this space,' said Terry. 'All of us are here celebrating Esther Gordy Edwards.' Some guests had jetted in from L.A., including Kerry Gordy, Iris Gordy and the Miracles' Robinson. Others — like Paul Riser, Pat Cosby, Jackie Hicks, Miller London and members of the Temptations' and Four Tops' families — were familiar figures from Motown's hometown scene. Stabenow, who retired as a U.S. senator in 2025 after four terms in office, was among those who paid glowing tribute to Edwards. 'I'm thrilled this part of the Motown Museum is lifting her up and all she did,' said Stabenow, who in 2023 helped secure $10 million in federal funding for the nonprofit museum's nearby expansion. Friday's launch event was fittingly capped by a series of performances from Hitsville Next participants, including Jasmine Terrell, the reigning 'Amplify' competition champ who reprised her winning performance of Teena Marie's 'Square Biz,' along with 2023 winner Drey Skonie, who performed his signature cover of the Miracles' 'Ooo Baby Baby.' 'Motown Mic' champion Urban Legin'd Obasaki galvanized the crowd with a spoken-word piece that tapped Motown and gospel imagery. Addressing Friday's guests, Terry summed up the role of Hitsville Next in the new facility that proudly bears her grandmother's name: 'The talent of tomorrow exists because of the legacy that exists.' Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Esther Gordy Edwards Centre unveiled at Motown Museum
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sick of winter? These upcoming markets will make it seem like spring in Michigan
With warmer temperatures already starting to push their way into Michigan, Michiganders may be starting to think about outdoor farmers markets, craft shows and other spring markets. There will be plenty of options to shop locally, from home goods to apparel and food products, all from local vendors throughout the state. Here's what to know. Head to Elk Rapids for the Arts & Crafts Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24 on River Street. There will be several more shows held throughout the summer. The event will feature more than 60 artisans and crafters with art and homemade products including jewelry, home decor, candles, ceramics, apparel, photography, specialty food, skincare, woodcrafts, coastal art, soups and more. In west Michigan, the Grand Rapids Spring Craft and Vendor Market, hosted by Hometown Vendor Market, will run April 12-13 at Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids. The market is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 12, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 13. The events will include local vendors, seasonal treats, handmade gifts, specialty items and more. More: Best music museums in US. Motown Museum hits the right notes, USA Today readers say A holiday-themed event in southern Michigan is the Easter Craft Show at Westwood Mall in Jackson from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 12. The event will feature a free indoor Easter egg hunt, an Easter bunny appearance from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., along with shopping with more than 75 local small businesses and crafters. Hosted by Fishville Farms Events, the show will be a food drive for the Jackson Interfaith Shelter, with donations of non-perishable foods and personal care products accepted. Michigan Makers will host its second annual Spring Market at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 12. The event will feature 400 vendors selling products like jewelry, baked goods, woodworking, candles, boutiques, home decor, bath/body/soaps and more. Entry to the show is free, with a $10 cost for parking. Flint Handmade will host the 17th annual Flint Handmade Spring Craft Market at the Flint Farmers Market in downtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27. The event will feature more than 20 local artisans selling knit and crocheted items, hand-poured candles, home decor, jewelry, greeting cards, bath and body products and more. Merchants and Makers will host the second Young Entrepreneurs Merchants and Makers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 8 at Central Park Place in Grand Haven. The market will feature more than 60 young makers selling their products. The Davisburg Antique Festival is May 3-4 at Springfield Oaks County Park in Davisburg. The event will be an opportunity for antique lovers to shop for local finds. A Spring Artisan Market is from noon-7 p.m. March 22 at Modales Winery in Fennville near Saugatuck. The market will include artisanal foods, handmade goods and more. The Handcrafters will host a Spring Fling March 28-29 at Embassy Suites in Livonia. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 28, with sip and shop from 4-6 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29, with sip and shop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual Downtown Plymouth Spring Artisan Market will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 in downtown Plymouth. The event typically features more than 50 vendors and nonprofit organizations, with artisanal products like jewelry, pottery, soaps, candles and more. The famed market's Saturday market takes place year-round. The Tuesday flower market is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9. The Summer markets run from June to September, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday. More: When does spring begin in Michigan? We're just a month away Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Spring markets in Michigan. Where to find cool things in 2025
USA Today
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Best Music Museum (2025) - USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Photo courtesy of Woody Guthrie Center No. 10: Woody Guthrie Center - Tulsa, Oklahoma The Woody Guthrie Center is a major proponent of upholding diversity, equality, and social justice, as was Woody Guthrie himself — one of the nation's greatest folk singers and songwriters. The museum features an interactive map tracing Guthrie's life, travels, and music history, as well as various music bars where visitors can put on some headphones and listen to his songs. Photo courtesy of Patsy Cline Museum No. 9: Patsy Cline Museum - Nashville, Tennessee Though Patsy Cline died when she was only 30 years old, she had a big influence on American country music. This Nashville museum explores her life and work through artifacts, personal belongings, video and audio recordings, and costumes. Photo courtesy of Rock 'n' Soul No. 8: Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum - Memphis, Tennessee Created by the Smithsonian Institute over 20 years ago, the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum offers visitors an in-depth look at the city's robust music history and culture. Perfect for music lovers of all ages, this museum features seven galleries where visitors can learn about the evolution of Memphis music, from blues to soul, rockabilly to rock 'n' roll, to the sounds of modern Beale Street. Photo courtesy of ©Birthplace of Country Music No. 7: Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Bristol, Virginia The Birthplace of Country Music Museum showcases the roles that Bristol, Tennessee, and Bristol, Virginia, played in the development of country music. This Smithsonian affiliate traces this musical history back to the 1927 Bristol Sessions recording — an event that helped shape the sound of commercial country music. The collection includes photographs, printed music, recordings, concert posters, instruments, and a variety of recording and playback gear. Photo courtesy of Motown Museum No. 6: Motown Museum - Detroit, Michigan The Motown Museum in Detroit, Michigan, is the home and heart of Motown music. This museum resides within Hitsville U.S.A., the original headquarters and recording studio for Motown Records, and the home where label founder Berry Gordy Jr. lived. Make sure you visit Studio A, where some of the most popular Motown music was recorded. Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts No. 5: The Museum at Bethel Woods - Bethel, New York The Museum at Bethel Woods is dedicated to preserving the stories of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair, perhaps the most famous three-day music festival in history. Visit the original site of Woodstock and be transported back in time via their main exhibit, which takes visitors through the 1960s with pictures, music, and films. Photo courtesy of Country Music Hall of Fame No. 4: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - Nashville, Tennessee The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, traces the history and traditions of country music from its pre-commercial roots to the present day, and celebrates the genre's greatest contributors. The museum also hosts live performances at its 776-seat CMA Theater. Photo courtesy of the Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix, Arizona, USA No. 3: Musical Instrument Museum - Phoenix, Arizona One of the largest museums on the planet dedicated to musical instruments, the Musical Instrument Museum showcases more than 7,500 instruments representing more than 200 countries and territories from all corners of the globe. State-of-the-art audio and video technology allows for an especially immersive visitor experience, and in the Experience Gallery, guests can make their own music with a variety of instruments like the harp, theremin, and drums. Photo courtesy of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame No. 2: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - Cleveland, Ohio The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame first opened on the shores of Lake Erie in 1995. Today, visitors can experience different theaters, seven floors of exhibits, and all kinds of interactive stations, all while learning about some of the most influential rock musicians in history.
