DETROIT — The 45th annual Noel Night will take place on Saturday, December 2nd , from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. in Detroit’s Midtown District, Cultural Center area and the Wayne State University campus. Over 70 institutions, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Michigan Science Center, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Detroit Public Library will participate. All will open their doors to the public free of charge during this Cultural Center holiday open house.
Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday shopping, family craft activities and performances by over 200 area music, theatre, and dance groups. Special performances will feature Thornetta Davis, The Cactus Blossoms, Etienne Charles’ Creole Christmas and Rhythm Society Orchestra.
The evening’s festivities culminate with a community sing – along on southwest corner of Woodward and Warren Avenues, led by the Salvation Army Band. This has been a long – standing Noel Night tradition. Activities take place in Midtown Detroit, and free shuttle service is offered between participating venues.
Noel Night is the holiday – themed open house in Detroit’s Midtown District. All the museums are free and many of the events are children themed. Each year, over 70 arts – based and educational organizations in and around Midtown and Wayne State University open their doors for a night filled with holiday cheer and delightful festivities. The array of participating institutions provides an outstanding lineup of events for everyone, ranging from the Michigan Science Center to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Whether you’re interested in horse – drawn carriage rides, live music and performance art, fun historical tours or family arts & crafts activities, Noel Night has something to jump start your holiday season.
The International Institute will again have a long list of entertainment and attractions. Highlighted will be how other countries celebrate the holidays.
The Wayne State University Department of Music has some traditional favorite attractions. The University Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. will be performing at Schaver Music Recital Hall behind Old Main. Featured will be the WSU Women’s Chorale, Saxophone Ensemble, Electronic Music Ensemble and Piano concert by Faculty.
The Department of Music will also introduce children to the world of music at the Instrument Petting Zoo. Youngsters will have a chance to try out musical instruments such as the violin , cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trombone or trumpet. Music Education students will guide children to making their first sounds on an instrument and set them up for a love of making music. Old Main, 4841 Cass Detroit 48201, Room 2402, (313) 577-1795
The WSU College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, will have a Fashion Merchandising display on the second floor of Old Main. The James Pearson Duffy Department of Art and Art History will prese nt Phenomena in Landscape: Paintings, Prints, Drawings and Photographs by Jim Nawara at the Art Department Gallery, 150 Art Building, 5400 Reuther Mall .
Another attraction will be Folk Art from Oaxaca: Eight Artists, Eight Voices coincides with the department’s community outreach programming, which includes Southwest Detroit .
The WSU Planetarium will be open in Old Main for two shows. It is quite popular and space is limited. In addition, the Grosscup Museum of Anthropology will host a special display and talk in Old Main.
Third Man Man Records will have some special attractions and Mac – n – Brew will be featuring some special offerings. There will also be food trucks available in selected areas.
Noel Night is produced by Midtown Detroit, Inc., a nonprofit community development organization that supports economic growth in Detroit’s Midtown district and Cultural Center and WSU campus areas. Convenient parking is available in area lots.
