DIA celebrates Black History Month with live Music, Movies, Artist Talks and More

DETROIT - In honor of Black History Month, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) offers a variety of exciting activities for visitors of all ages. Enjoy live music, films, lectures and great art.

Programs are free with museum admission unless otherwise noted. For more information call (313) 833-7900 or visit www.dia.org.

Family Sunday, February 1
Sunday Music Bar: Pam Wise: 1 p.m.
Pianist Pam Wise performs R&B and jazz standards in Kresge Court.

Friday Night Live, February 6
Music: Motown Legends Gospel Choir: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
The Motown Legends Gospel Choir honors Valentine’s Day with a performance led by founder and director Al Chisolm. The group features legends from some of the great Motown groups, including the Contours, the Vandellas and Enchantment. The group also features Mark Scot, the current singer for the Miracles and Joan Belgrave.

Friday Night Live, February 13
Music: Marion Hayden Ensemble featuring M. Safell Gardner: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Detroit jazz bassist Marion Hayden has developed this live art-performance piece with her husband, painter M. Saffell Gardner. The performance features improvised music for jazz ensemble with the creation of a painting inspired by the music as it unfolds.

Family Sunday, February 15
Sunday Music Bar: Michelle May and Rydell Chavez: 1 p.m.
Violinist and flutist Michelle May and guitarist Rydell Chavez perform classical, jazz and world fusion music in Kresge Court.

Lecture: 23rd Annual Alain Locke Awards: Richard Hunt: Reconciling Nature and Industry in Welded Sculpture: 2 p.m.
Sculptor Richard Hunt, the DIA’s 2015 Alain Locke International Art Award recipient, will speak about his specialized welding technique used to create sculptures that synthesize nature and industry. For 60 years Hunt has made room-size sculptures and large commissioned public sculptures influenced by abstract expressionism, surrealism, African and African diaspora art and biology and architecture. Sponsored by the Friends of African and African American Art

Friday Night Live, February 20
Music: Alice Smith: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Known for a four-octave vocal range, singer-songwriter Alice Smith can coax goose-bumps and tears from even the most jaded listener. She covers styles from country to rock to funk.