Show artwork for Sensory-Friendly Concert: Motown Hits

Sensory-Friendly Concert: Motown Hits

> Buy Tickets
{{ vm.availability_status }}

Sensory-Friendly Concert: Motown Hits

Sunday, February 22, 2026—2:00pm

Sunday, February 22, 2026—2:00pm
The Peter D. and Julie F. Cummings Cube
2 hours
Tickets start at {{ vm.min_price_formatted }}

This free sensory-friendly concert welcomes teens and adults with neurodiversity and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities with their families and/or caregiver(s).

Join us for a 45-minute interactive concert featuring your favorite Motown hits played by tenor saxophonist Charles Prophet Jr. and his band. Following the concert, the fun continues with activity stations like instrument exploration, dancing, and a craft.

"Sensory friendly" events are designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and with other sensory sensitivities. Our culture can be unforgiving if you're unable to conform to the standard concert etiquette of quietly sitting still for extended periods. This excludes individuals who are unable to sit still or who may express emotions such as joy or excitement through vocalization. This sensory-friendly concert aims to remove barriers, allowing everyone to be themselves and enjoy a musical experience in a safe and judgement-free environment.

Your experience includes:
• Limited audience size for reduced crowds;
• 
Low lighting throughout concert;
• 
Flexible seating with freedom to move, dance, and enter/exit at will;
• 
Noise-cancelling headphones and fidgets available for use during the rehearsal (limited number available);
• 
Quiet Space to take a break;
• 
Complimentary parking;
• 
Trained DSO staff members – the Mid-Michigan Autism Association has provided training to our staff to help them better understand the characteristics of autism and how to better communicate with someone with autism;
• 
Resources to help you prepare for the event, including an information guide and social story. 

Questions? Reach out to Kiersten Alcorn, Manager of Engagement & Accessibility, at kalcorn@dso.org.

Artists

Charles Prophet Jr.

tenor saxophone

Michigan native Charles Prophet Jr. plays tenor sax like it's nobody’s business. He began his career at the age of 16. When Prophet was deciding his future in music, he was drawn to jazz and its language. It was a genre that communicated to people without words. Growing up, Prophet listened to a variety of artists such as Grover Washington Jr., Charlie Parker, George Benson, James Brown, Michael Jackson and Cannonball Adderley.

“Music allowed me to be myself more than anything. I definitely feel at home when I’m playing,” said Prophet.

He has been fortunate to study with Steve Wood, Wendell Harrison, Russ Miller, and De'Sean Jones and also majored in Jazz Studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan from 2005 to 2010. Influenced by his environment and mentors, Prophet has felt the heavy impression Detroit has on his music. “The city is heavily based in R&B, jazz and gospel. All of those things together help give me a definitive sound.

Jazz is so unique," said Prophet. "You can play a song four times and it will be different every time you hear it."

In 2010, Prophet stepped out and put his skills to use going on a national tour with the group Lubriphonic opening for acts such as Galactic, Dumpster Funk and Bruce Hornsby.

Prophet has also shared the stage with award-winning artists such as the Four Tops, BeBe Winans, Carl Carlton, Fantasia, Fred Wesley, Vashawn Mitchell and the Temptations.

Today his musical tastes vary from funk, hip-hop, techno, alternative and soul. He draws inspiration from artists such as Maceo Parker, Grover Washington Jr., The Police, Hall & Oates and Disclosure.

Prophet continues to hold a torch for the city and music he loves while finding a way to create fresh, new music. “As a musical city (Detroit) the legacy here is incredible. We are coming up under the people who were playing in the 60’s and 70’s and are some of the best musicians in the world. While the labels may have left, the artists are still here. Detroit is still an important place for providing talent to the world," said Prophet.

Fund The Future

Join donors from across the Detroit community and around the world to bring outstanding music, life-changing educational programs and far-reaching engagement activities to over 500,000 people each year!

Artwork for The Peter D. and Julie F. Cummings Cube
Presented at
The Peter D. and Julie F. Cummings Cube
3711 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI
Venue Information