Rivera Court, Detroit Institute of Art
Detroit Arts
Fox Theater
DESCRIPTION: Built in 1928, the Fox anchors Detroit’s loosely configured Theater District. It is kin to the elegant movie palaces built in the 1920s by Fox Studio to display its movies in San Francisco, Brooklyn, Atlanta and St. Louis. The architect designed the Fox with an interior that blends Burmese, Chinese, Indian and Persian motifs. Once you enter, look at that faux organ pipes in the lobby. The balcony however, does contain a real organ and pipes since it opened while their were movies without talking. Having 5048 seats today, it features live concerts and performances such as Blast, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, The Teddy Bear Nutcracker and The Living Nativity.
BOX OFFICE: Tue-Sat 10a–5:30p
ADDRESS: 2211 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI MAP
TRANSIT: M-1 Streetcar coming
PARKING: lot nearby
PHONE: 313-471-3200
WEBSITE: http://www.olympiaentertainment.com
Detroit Institute of Arts
DESCRIPTION: Funded mostly by automotive philanthropy, it is the 5th largest art museum is the nation and worth its weight in gold; among its comprehensive fine art exhibits of portraiture and impressionist art, visit the first and one of the largest permanent African art collections, ancient Egyptian artworks including statues, sculptures and artifacts dating back 4,000 years; checkout the bronze collection from Benin and works by Romare Bearden and Charles McGee
ADMISSION: Adults $8, seniors $6, age 6-17 $4, age 5 and under enter Free
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Thu 10a-4p, Fri 10a-10p; Sat-Sun 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI MAP
PARKING: Valet parking at Farnsworth Street entrance, self-parking behind the museum
PHONE: 313-833-7900
WEBSITE: http://www.dia.org
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
DESCRIPTION: This a 22,000 square foot former auto dealership only hosts traveling and temporary exhibitions, but that’s what gives it such a hip creative vibe. Few museums have the guts to put a graffiti-like mural on its facade. That’s a marker of how creative they strive to be with a small budget. MOCAD also hosts musical, literary and artistic events throughout the year, including acclaimed artists Roy Ayers, Amp Fiddler, Michael Yonkers, and Roscoe Mitchell. The venue includes a cafe and gift shop.
ADMISSION:tours are free, but donations are greatly appreciated
DAYS & HOURS: Wed, Sat and Sun 11a-5p, Thu & Fri: 11a-8p
ADDRESS: 4454 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI MAP
PARKING: lots nearby
PHONE: 313-832-6622
WEBSITE: http://www.mocadetroit.org
Fisher Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Located in New Center district inside the Fisher Building, this elegant music center was built in 1961. It features a Mayan Revival style interior and seats 2,089 patrons. It is large enough to host the biggest Pre-Broadway shows. This theatre has featured Motown The Musical, Rent, Guys And Dolls, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, and Fiddler On The Roof just to name a few Broadway productions. Today, it hosts black comedy events on tour as well. The theater has been upgraded for handicap accessibility and it Interprets shows for the hearing impaired, if given enough notice. Fisher Theater is part of the Nederlander chain of classic live theaters across America.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-5p during non-performance weeks and 10a to Showtime
ADDRESS: 3011 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI MAP
TRANSIT: M-1 Streetcar coming
PARKING: Third Avenue Parking lot at Grand Blvd
PHONE: 313-872-1000
WEBSITE: http://www.nederlanderdetroit.com/
Detroit Opera House
DESCRIPTION: Located near Grand Circus Park, this venue originally opened as the Capitol Theater in 1922. It was the 5th largest theater in the world and first hosted Vaudeville and motion pictures. The building was constructed with superb acoustics and in the style of the grand European opera houses. The same architect designed the Fox Theater, The Fillmore and Orchestra Hall at Fisher Music Center. The theater went through neglect in the 1970s, minor restoration in the 1980s and finally in 1996, beautiful restoration as a 2700-seat venue and home to Michigan Opera Theatre. Don’t let the brutish looking exterior makeover fool you, the interior looks terrific and there’s a rooftop patio. Detroit Opera House occasionally co-hosts Nederlander-sponsored Broadway shows on tour.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-5p during non-performance weeks and 10a to Showtime
ADDRESS: 1526 Broadway Street, Detroit, MI MAP
TRANSIT: Streetcar coming soon
PARKING: Detroit Opera House Garage at 1426 Broadway Street
PHONE: 313-961-3500
WEBSITE: http://www.michiganopera.org
Max & Marjorie Fisher Music Center
DESCRIPTION: Located in New Center district, inside the Fisher Building, the elegant music center was built in 1961. Its large enough to host the biggest and best Broadway shows on tour. This theatre has featured Guys And Dolls, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, and Fiddler On The Roof just to name a few Broadway productions. Today, it hosts black comedy events on tour as well. Fisher Theatre is part of the Nederlander chain of classic live theaters across America.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-5p during non-performance weeks and 10a to Showtime
ADDRESS: 3711 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI MAP
TRANSIT: M-1 Streetcar coming
PARKING: garage nearby
PHONE: 313-872-1000
WEBSITE: http://www.nederlanderdetroit.com/
Detroit Repertory Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Began in 1957, this intimate 194-seat theater features an elegant lobby bar. It is an interracial theater company known for “race transcendent” casting. Shuttle service available from downtown hotels and restaurants to the theater. Notable plays performed here include Missizzy And The Angel Tree and Jar The Floor. The Lobby Kitchen and Food Service offers homemade soup, dessert and cookies and a Cocktail Bar.
BOX OFFICE: Before the show
ADDRESS: 3103 Woodrow Wilson Street, Detroit, MI MAP
TRANSIT: none
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 313-868-1347
WEBSITE: http://www.detroitreptheatre.com
Gem Theater
DESCRIPTION: Designed by architect George D Madison in the 1920s and recently restored, the 450-seat theater boasts an intricately painted ceiling and proscenium panels. The adjoining Century Club houses a 200-seat cabaret-style theater and an upscale restaurant.
ADDRESS: 333 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI MAP
TRANSIT: M-1 Streetcar coming
PARKING: garage nearby
PHONE: 313-963-9800
WEBSITE: http://www.gemtheatre.com
Masonic Temple Theatre
DESCRIPTION: The largest Masonic Temple in the world has hosted many of the world’s greatest entertainers for four generations. It is known for occasionally hosting Broadway musicals.
BOX OFFICE: 2 hours before shows
ADDRESS: 500 Temple Avenue, Detroit, MI MAP
TRANSIT: M-1 Streetcar coming
PARKING: lot and street
PHONE: 313-832-7100
WEBSITE: http://www.themasonic.com
Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts
DESCRIPTION: Dubbed “The Dance Capital of the Mid-America”, this beautiful, historic theater resounds with national dance, comedy, jazz, pop music and opera artists. It features four choreographers and six resident dance troupes. It is also known for featuring multicultural artistic performances such as For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf and Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Its a real treasure.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-6p and 2 hours before showtime
ADDRESS: 350 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI MAP
TRANSIT: M-1 Streetcar coming
PARKING: lot and street
PHONE: 313-963-2366
WEBSITE: http://www.musichall.org
Majestic Theatre
DESCRIPTION: This is a hot spot for nationally recognized Jazz, Blues, Rock and Reggae concert acts, as well as special events. This historic venue was also the final place Harry Houdini performed.
BOX OFFICE: 2 hours before shows
ADDRESS: 4120 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI MAP
TRANSIT: M-1 Streetcar coming
PARKING: lot and street behind building off Alexandrine
PHONE: 313-833-9700
WEBSITE: http://www.majesticdetroit.com
Detroit Film Theatre
DESCRIPTION: A part of Detroit Institute of Arts, this is a well appreciated venue for art-house films. Movies are screened every weekend from autumn to spring. It is particularly strong at featuring Classic Hollywood films.
BOX OFFICE: before shows
ADDRESS: 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI MAP
TRANSIT: M-1 Streetcar coming
PARKING: lot behind building
PHONE: 313-833-2323
WEBSITE: http://www.dia.org/dft
