Art & community think tank hits Detroit Aug. 17-19

Posted: Aug. 11, 2012 at 7:15 p.m.

DETROIT – Detroit will serve as the first stop for MicroFest USA, a learning exchange-cum-think tank, hosted by the Network of Ensemble Theaters, a national arts service organization. The three-day festival, which takes place at various locations across Detroit, kicks off Friday, Aug. 17 at Eastern Market with panel discussions and a performance from rapper/poet/activist Invincible.

In an effort to further the conversation about art's impact on Detroit, MicroFest USA hopes to engage various constituencies in an effective and measurable way. "I see this as a bridge point between artists, urban planners, and community organizers," says MicroFest event coordinator Ashley Sparks. "MicroFest is contributing to national case-making around the arts being as vital as a hospital to a healthy community."

Tailored to celebrate Detroit's success stories and to connect like-minded groups who could benefit from alliance, Micro-Fest USA will tour various galleries, gardens and community hot spots to highlight the ways artists are creating opportunities for social, economic and civic mindedness in their own communities.

Activities include panel discussions; neighborhood arts tours; dance, music and theater productions; art-making workshops; community meals and more.

For more information, visit www.ensembletheaters.net. A MicroFest Pass is $35 (which includes breakfast). Discounted rates available.

For a complete, up-to-the-minute schedule of events, log on to http://ensembletheaters.net/programs/micro-fest-usa-detroit-revitalize/

MicroFest USA Schedule of Events (subject to change)

Friday, Aug. 17

6:30 p.m. – Opening at Art Effect (1420 E. Fisher Fwy., Detroit, MI 48207; www.arteffectgallery.com)

7 p.m. – Rogue HAA Panel: Art and Development in Detroit "Art, the Avant-garde and the Realities of Resurrecting an America City" with Philip Lauri (Detroit Lives!), Mike Han (Street Culture Mash), Jela Ellefson (Eastern Market) and Oya Amakisi (film/us social forum) (www.roguehaa.com)

9 p.m. – Detroit Performances including: Monica Blaire, Hardcore Detroit (www.hardcoredetroit.biz), Ryan Meyers-Johnson, Invincible (www.emergencemedia.org)

Saturday, Aug. 18

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. – Community Tour Tracks (three options)

Track A – Southwest Detroit: Art Impacting a Neighborhood. Matrix (www.matrixtheatre.org), The Alley Project (www.facebook.com/tapgallery)

Track B – The Urban Network: Art Impacting the Justice System (5740 Grand River Detroit, MI 48208). Yusef Shakur (www.yusefshakur.org), Prison Creative Arts (www.lsa.umich.edu/pcap), 4TheatrSake (www.vimeo.com/cellships)

Track C – College for Creative Studies: Art Impacting Redevelopment. Bus tour led by Mikel Bresee, director of CAP/CPAD and Vince Carducci, assistant dean/author (www.cpadetroit.org/about-us/)

12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch (bring cash)

2 - 3:30 p.m. – Art Impacting Youth Workshops
Detroit Summer Workshop (http://detroitsummer.wordpress.com/)
Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit (www.mosaicdetroit.org)

3:45 - 4:45 p.m. – National Plenary

5:30 - 7 p.m. – Detroit Soup project-funding dinner (2051 Rosa Parks Blvd, Detroit, MI 48216). (www.detroitsoup.com)

7:30 p.m. – The Hinterlands with Design 99: (3346 Lawley St. Detroit, MI 48212) (www.thehinterlandsensemble.org) and (wwww.powerhouseproject.com)

9:30 p.m. – African World Festival at the Charles Wright Museum (315 East Warren Avenue, Detroit 48201) (www.thewright.org/)

Sunday Aug. 19

9 - 10 a.m. – Invincible with Complex Movements

10 - 10:30 a.m. – Brunch provided at the Hillberry Theater (Cass Avenue Detroit, MI 48201)

10:30 a.m. - noon – Town Hall Discussion “How do you know the work is having impact?”

Noon - 12:30 p.m. – Closing