Friday Night Live!

The Detroit Institute of Arts is an amazing place to visit whether living in the Detroit area of just visiting for a couple days. The Institute offers a daily look into different cultures and history around the world through different time periods. Along with viewing the art of the decades come the opportunities to experience new music you may grow to love, or the chance to see musicians you are already knowledgeable of.

Friday Night Live is an event that takes place at the Detroit Institute of Arts where artists get the chance to share their musical talents with the city of Detroit. The Institute is open late each Friday and musicians from all over the world come to be a part of the event. The institute has great hours regardless, so it is easy to find time to make it downtown to see the institute. The great part about Friday Night Live is that there is a new performer each Friday, so if you miss one Friday, you can always make it to another.

Friday Night Live does not focus on one set genre of music, which is also very cool because you can attend the event each Friday if you choose and always get a new insight to music. From classical, guitar duos to singing trios, you will find it all here at the DIA. 

 If attending an event, you can also make time to see the art institute. The institute offers amazing art work, and is also very interactive for guests. Children are able to play hide and seek games to better understand the artwork they find. Adults and children are encouraged to stay a while, pulling up a chair and drawing the images they wish to recreate on their own piece of paper. It is a great place for the whole family, and everyone can be involved in the fun. There are a lot of activities that are free with admission on well, so you get more bang for your buck. They offer art-making workshops and even guided tours for those who want to know a little bit more about the institute other than what they see while they are walking through.

I recently visited the DIA for a class assignment. I hadn’t been to the institute since I was a kid, and I wanted to go back but couldn’t find the time. This assignment gave me the perfect opportunity to attend and be a part of the motor city. Although I was only asked to visit the art museum and write about my experience, I happened to go on a Friday night, and with my luck, I was able to attend Friday Night Live. I didn’t know what to expect because I had never heard of the event. The lady at the information desk was very helpful in explaining Friday Night Live to me and how it worked. I had never been one for opera music, but this musical experience changed my life. I found a new love for a genre of music I had never really been interested in before. The performer was from Europe, and she was amazing. I thought it was awesome to be able to be a part of the experience, and to understand the importance of the institute, as people from all over the world travel to pay respects and perform here.

To attend Friday Night Live would be a fun night all it’s own, but if you want a fun, exciting family day, there are activities and events that can take up an entire night, and will not only be really fun, but a great learning experience as well. Be sure to check the DIA website for dates and events that might catch your eye if you’re bored and looking for something to do or if you are visiting the area and want to find something exciting to do while you’re in town. Enjoy!