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INSIDE LOOK WITH - Njia Kai
Can you tell us about your background and how you became affiliated with the University Cultural Center Association?
In regards to the much anticipated Midsummer Nights Festival how did the University Cultural Center Association and Wayne State University determine participating artists and venues? “Midsummer Nights in Midtown” replaces the 22-year “Detroit Festival of the Arts” which introduced hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors to an international mix of music, dance, theater and visual arts. One of the joys of my position is that I’m encouraged to search the whole world over for unique, award-winning talent, specialty artists and performance traditions that reflect the diversity and sophistication of the arts and cultural venues in Midtown Detroit’s university cultural center.
What responses have you received from community residents regarding the inauguration of the Midsummer Nights Festival? First they can’t believe its all admission free! But it is. Then many callers have expressed appreciation that Wayne State University and the University Cultural Center Association have found a way to continue the great presenting tradition that the Detroit Festival of the Arts established. And, the fact that each evening provides a different, quality performance – including a program for families and children – everyone can find at least one night to attend.
What are the similarities between this year’s series of public performances and the Detroit Festival of the Arts? We’ve taken several elements from the Detroit Festival of the Arts, like the LitFest (Saturday, June 6 / Scarab Club); Children’s Fair and Youth Artist Market (Saturday, June 13 / Detroit Science Center); and the Street Painting Exhibition (Thursday, June 25 / WSU Community Arts Center). Just like the Festival, “Midsummer Nights” is featuring an eclectic schedule of music, dance and theater. We do not have an adult visual arts marketplace this year, but several events are hosted in Midtown fine arts galleries. And, of course, we have included our signature – unusual, specialty performances.
What are the most unique and brilliant aspects of this year’s festival? That each event is being held at a different arts or cultural venue each Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening of the month of June, is unique for our town. We are flying in L&O, a French swing ensemble from Paris, France; the founder of reggae “dub” poetry, Linton Kwesi Johnson, from London, England; and the hot, Cuban hip hop group, Orishas, from Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Brussels and Paris! Specially noted programs include NYC rock/opera ensemble, East Village Opera Company, whose performance is followed by the aerial dance company Project Bandaloop performing outdoors with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (Saturday, June 20 / Ellington Lawn); and LEMUR/League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots performing with NYC beatbox sensation, Adam Matta (Friday, June 26 / MOCAD-Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit).
What separates Midsummer Nights in Midtown from other art and cultural festivals in the Metro Detroit area? Our mission is unique in that it is specifically tied to the development and promotion of Detroit’s Midtown university cultural center. The level and types of performances presented are intended to introduce the arts and cultural destinations of this neighborhood in such a way that the audience will choose to return and patronize the museums, schools, galleries and institutions at other times during the year.
What are 3 words that best describe this year’s events and performances? Unique Sophisticated Fun!
How do you want this year’s festival to impact the Metro Detroit community?
Are there any other partnering initiatives involving the University Cultural Center Association (UCCA) and Wayne State University (WSU)? UCCA and WSU work together throughout the year in the development and maintenance of the Midtown neighborhood, as well as in supporting and presenting annual public performance events and community programming. How do you suggest we expose more people to the fantastic art and cultural events in Detroit? We appreciate Detroit Fashion Pages’ continued promotion of local events and local artists and entrepreneurs. Efforts by the media, both mainstream and independent, are central to Detroit residents and visitors staying aware and in touch with the many activities and experiences that are available for their enjoyment. Emphasizing the positive and entertaining aspects of our community helps to encourage attendance and participation in events like this. How do you view Detroit’s artistic and cultural future? I’m one of those who believe that Detroit’s future improves with our recognition and support of real business platforms for our artists and cultural entrepreneurs. Our global legacy as a community that produces some of the best in all areas of the arts, as cultural pioneers and innovators, and as a community that has built on its diversity, lays a firm foundation for our future. For more information and list of scheduled events visit www.midsummernightsinmidtown.com/09/
Kiana German Photos by Geoff George
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