Arts & Culture

24 stories

Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum set to reopen soon in West Bloomfield

After two years away, Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum is almost ready to welcome visitors again. The museum will open in a bigger space at Orchard Mall in West Bloomfield Township within weeks, according to its owner.

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Farmington Area Arts Awards to Celebrate Local Artists and Supporters

The Farmington Area Arts Commission will honor artists, youth, volunteers, and organizations at a free public ceremony on October 2 at The Hawk Theatre in Farmington Hills, marking its 50th anniversary.

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Rose Water Designs adapts to changing market in Lake Michigan community

Rose Water Designs, led by Lauren Stehouwer, has shifted focus from wholesale to custom retail jewelry after industry changes and rising material costs. The business now emphasizes minimalist handmade pieces and interactive events for local customers

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Grand Raven Festival Parade Launches Month of Events in Downtown Farmington

Downtown Farmington will host the Grand Raven Festival kickoff parade on October 1 with live music and themed activities. The event marks the start of a month-long celebration inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and local arts organizations

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Eastern Michigan University to Digitize Michigan Music Archive

Eastern Michigan University will use $30,000 in new funding to organize and digitize the River Street Anthology, making hundreds of recordings and photos from Michigan's independent music scene accessible to the public for the first time

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Farmington Hills Artist Reflects on Decades of Teaching and Community Impact

Ilham Mahfouz has spent over two decades teaching ceramics and painting in Farmington Hills, guiding students of all backgrounds while developing her own abstract art. Her story highlights the challenges and rewards of building a creative life in Michigan.

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Michigan Designer Expands Family Business With Custom Charm Bar

Emily Cuozzo, a Michigan interior designer, has grown a family-run charm bar business that now offers thousands of custom jewelry pieces at local events. The venture highlights both creative collaboration and the realities of small business competition

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Envysion Entertainment expands creative production services in Michigan

Envysion Entertainment, founded by Augustine Cruz, is growing its filmmaking and visual storytelling services across Michigan, offering custom production packages for music videos, events and commercial projects while building a team of local creatives

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Birmingham Residents Criticize New Gateway Sign on Woodward Avenue

A new $700000 gateway sign in Birmingham has drawn criticism from residents who say its spiked design feels unwelcoming and hard to read while city officials have declined to comment on possible changes

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Live Snake Cast in Metropolitan Opera Production After Onstage Audition

A real boa constrictor named Princess has been selected for a starring role in the Metropolitan Opera's upcoming adaptation of Così fan tutte in New York after a unique audition process that included both animal and handler

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Kennedy Center Removes 'Blue' Sculpture Amid Board Dispute

The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. has taken down the 'Blue' sculpture by Joel Shapiro, ending its presence on the campus after five years as board conflicts and legal battles over the institution's direction continue

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Venice Film Festival Opens With New Films, Documentaries and Awards

The 83rd Venice Film Festival begins this week, bringing major premieres, timely documentaries, and awards contenders to Italy's Lido. The event features high-profile guests and films that could shape the upcoming Oscar race.

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Nightlife Thrives Amid Morality Police and Security Concerns in Sokoto

Despite strict religious codes and the presence of morality police, Sokoto, Nigeria, is seeing a resurgence of nightlife, offering residents a social escape even as the region faces ongoing security challenges and social divisions.

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Farmington Area Theaters to Honor Dolly Parton With 'Steel Magnolias' Screenings

Detroit's Redford Theatre and Farmington Civic Theater will screen 'Steel Magnolias' in tribute to Dolly Parton, who died August 25 at age 80. The events offer local fans a chance to celebrate her legacy on August 30 and September 3.

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Detroit Film Community Unites for New Wave Cinema Series

Detroit's independent film scene is coming together through the Detroit New Wave event series and the Weekly Watchlist newsletter, connecting cinema owners, programmers, and moviegoers across Metro Detroit this summer and fall

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Farmington's Civic Theater adds bar, events to boost attendance

Farmington's Civic Theater is introducing a new bar, expanded event programming, and plans for seating upgrades as it works to recover from pandemic-era declines in movie attendance and repay city support funding.

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U-M Seminar Trains Scholars to Preserve Ancient Papyrus Manuscripts

The University of Michigan recently hosted a 10-day seminar for nine international scholars, offering hands-on training in the conservation of rare papyrus texts dating back thousands of years. The program is unique in the Americas.

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Michigan Unveils Nine New 'I Voted' Stickers for 2026 Election

Michigan voters will have nine new 'I Voted' sticker designs to choose from in November, created by students and residents statewide. Local clerks can now order the winning designs for distribution on Election Day.

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Michigan Libraries Add Outdoor StoryWalks and Expand Community Services

Libraries across southeast Michigan are introducing outdoor StoryWalks and new community programs, aiming to boost literacy and engagement as reading habits shift and library visits evolve after the pandemic

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Kirk Gibson Foundation Marks 10 Years of Parkinson's Support in Michigan

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson's hosted its 10th annual charity golf outing in Rochester Hills, raising funds for free wellness programs at Michigan's first dedicated Parkinson's center.

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Community Events in New Hampshire: Golf, Film Fest, Cleanup and More

New Hampshire residents can take part in a range of community events this week, including a golf tournament, film festival, city cleanup, and adult game club. Activities are scheduled in Salem, Concord, Bedford, and other towns, with options for all interests.

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Rowan University Launches Multi-Year Tribute to Black Artists

Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ is hosting a series of events through 2027 honoring African American artists, featuring music, dance, and storytelling as part of the Marie Rader Series. Programs are open to the public and students.

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Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts Returns With 80+ Artists in August

Lake Ellyn Park will host the 2026 Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts on August 22 and 23, featuring more than 80 artists, live music, food trucks, and activities for all ages. Admission is free and the event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

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Farmington Retail Incubator Offers Short-Term Storefronts to Entrepreneurs

A new retail incubator in downtown Farmington is giving small business owners a chance to test brick-and-mortar locations with 90-day leases, helping them move from online or pop-up sales to permanent shops.

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