The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is proud to collaborate with organizations and community members in Southwest Detroit to present a musical experience at Clark Park on August 21, presented under the auspices of the orchestra’s new Detroit Neighborhood Initiative. One part of the DSO’s strengthened commitment to the growth and well-being of the City of Detroit—what the orchestra is calling its Detroit Strategy—the Detroit Neighborhood Initiative is a community-driven process of dialogue and planning, resulting in cultural partnerships that enrich the community, and musical experiences that align with the priorities of Detroit residents.
For the past year, and with the support of a $200,000 grant from General Motors and additional support from the Stone Foundation of Michigan and PwC, the DSO has met with 51 different community organizations in Chandler Park and Southwest Detroit and held 11 listening sessions with residents of those neighborhoods, connecting with more than 200 community members. The DSO has sought out new relationships and fostered participation to create a sense of shared ownership in building community-centered events that are respectful of the cultures of these neighborhoods.
DSO musicians will perform at Clark Park on Saturday, August 21 from 3 to 6 p.m. For this event, the DSO is proud to be partnering with the following organizations:
Matrix Theatre
Clark Park Coalition
Sphinx Organization
Alternatives for Girls
Kid’s Defense Project
Equitable Internet Initiative- Discotech
Corktown Health
New City Kids
Detroit Public Schools Community District
Congress of Communities
Arts & Scraps
Detroit Digital Justice Coalition
Data for Black Lives
COMPAS
Ballet Folklorico Moyocoyani Izel
Seven Mile
Living Arts
Hollaback! Detroit
Brilliant Detroit
Creative Arts Therapies, Inc.
Hope Starts Here
Protege Dance Academy
City of Detroit Parks and Recreation
Clark Park Culture & Arts Festival Performances
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 21, 3-6 p.m. (with food from 12-3 p.m. and family friendly arts activities from 12-6 p.m.)
LOCATION: Clark Park Stage (Clark Ave between Christiancy St & Vernor Hwy)
DESCRIPTION: This community culture and arts festival will feature DSO musicians playing music by Latin American composers, local dance and music performers, and interactive arts, culture, and resource stations around the park.
Read this week's edition of El Central Hispanic Newspaper out on August 19 for more on this event.
About the DSO
The most accessible orchestra on the planet, the acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city. As a community-supported orchestra, generous giving by individuals and institutions at all levels drives the continued success and growth of the organization. In January 2020, Italian conductor Jader Bignamini was named the DSO’s next music director to commence with the 2020-2021 season. Conductor Leonard Slatkin, who concluded a decade-long tenure at the helm in 2018, now serves as the DSO’s Music Director Laureate. Celebrated conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik is the orchestra’s Principal Pops Conductor, while the outstanding trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard holds the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair. Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO offers a performance schedule that features Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, and Young People’s Family Concert series. One of the world’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, Orchestra Hall celebrated its centennial in 2019-2020. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in eight metro area venues, as well as a robust schedule of eclectic multi-genre performances in its mid-size venue The Cube, constructed and curated with support from Peter D. & Julie F. Cummings. A dedication to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series, which also reaches tens of thousands of children with the Classroom Edition expansion. With growing attendance and unwavering philanthropic support from the people of Detroit, the DSO actively pursues a mission to embrace and inspire individuals, families, and communities through unsurpassed musical experiences.