June 12, 2012

N E W S
AANM Middle School Summer Camps
Concert of Colors Spotlight: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
Fighting for Democracy Extended

E V E N T S
July 7: Concert of Colors Tune-Up @ New Center Park
July 12-15: 20th Concert of Colors
July 20-22: Midwest Teacher Workshop

N E W S

AANM Middle School
Summer Camps

The SURA Arts Academy summer Photography Camp (June 25-29, free), the Watch Your Waste Environmental Camp (July 9-13, free) and the CU.SAME Diversity Camp (July 23-27; $20, at right) are all set to enlighten and entertain curious, adventurous middle school-aged kids. All three camps are based at the AANM but include field trips to destinations including local cultural institutions. Slots are being filled quickly but there’s one for your child if you call 313.582.2266 and ask for the Education Department today.

Concert of Colors Spotlight: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

This lovable Detroit-based nutcase is the legendary and internationally renowned grandfather of funk and the founder of the Parliament-Funkadelic MOB. Born in 1940 in North Carolina, Clinton became interested in doo wop while living in New Jersey during the early '50s. He formed the doo wop group the Parliaments in 1955, based out of a barbershop back room where he straightened hair. They had a small R&B hit in 1967, but Clinton soon began to mastermind the Parliaments' activities, revolutionizing R&B during the '70s, twisting soul music into funk by adding influences from several late-'60s acid heroes. The Parliament/Funkadelic machine ruled black music during the '70s, capturing over 40 R&B hit singles (including three number ones) and recording three platinum albums. Clinton closes down the 20th Concert of Colors, presented by the Ford Foundation, on the Meijer Main Stage, Orchestra Hall, at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 15. Admission is free; click HERE to read about all the 2012 Concert of Colors Artists.

Fighting for Democracy Extended

A few weeks ago we reported on the extension of the AANM’s Patriots & Peacemakers: Arab Americans in Service to Our Country through August 12 in the Main Floor Gallery; now we’re pleased to announce an extension of a companion exhibit, Fighting for Democracy: Who is the “We” in “We, the People”?, also through August 12, in the Lower Level Gallery. Together, these shows offer a fascinating look into the range of experiences of various minorities in the U.S. Armed Services during the 20th and early 21st centuries. Don’t miss them! Click on the exhibition names for further information.

E V E N T S

July 7
Concert of Colors Tune-Up
@ New Center Park

As southeast Michigan’s favorite free musical festival powers up for its 20th anniversary celebration in mid-July, fans can test out their new dancing shoes and get those hand claps perfected at a free event the weekend before the fest. World music great Meshell Ndegeocello (right) headlines the Concert of Colors Tune-Up @ New Center Park in Midtown Detroit on Saturday, July 7; the new group Sin Hielo (left) and DJ Ismael (festival founder and WDET program host Ismael Ahmed) round out the bill, along with your host, radio personality Martin Bandyke. The fun begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 7; admission is free and all ages are welcome. Stay tuned to this eNews for exclusive readers-only updates and bookmark www.concertofcolors.com for complete information.

July 12-15
20^th Concert of Colors

We are One Metro Area Under a Groove! Funk master George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic and Detroit Symphony Orchestra wsg Wu Man (right) and Eric Jacobsen will lead this celebration of the many ethnicities and cultures in our nation, presented by the Ford Foundation. It begins at the Detroit Institute of Arts on July 12, moves to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on July 13, and then spends the July 14-15 weekend at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, all in Midtown Detroit. On July 14, hometown-boy-made-good Don Was (left) marks his 5th Detroit All-Star Revue by spotlighting Detroit jazz greats. All-ages musical performances, museum admission (July 12-13) and family activities are all free and open to the public; shop diverse food and merchandise vendors, including a Food Truck Meet-Up, for special treats July 14-15. Get the full scoop at www.concertofcolors.com.

July 20-22
Midwest Teacher Workshop

High school educators in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois are invited to attend a FREE three-day workshop in Dearborn, Michigan to learn about the culture and diversity of Arabs and Arab Americans through a variety of activities at the one-of-a-kind Arab American National Museum. Enjoy a guided tour of the Arab American community in Dearborn, Michigan – the largest concentration of Arabs outside the Arab World. One SB-CEU is available to Michigan teachers who complete the workshop. Registration deadline is July 10; click HERE for further details.

I N   T H E   G A L L E R I E S

Extended Through August 12, 2012
Patriots & Peacemakers: Arab Americans in Service to Our Country

Arab Americans have been an integral part of the United States of America since its inception, contributing to our society in myriad ways, including public service. Patriots & Peacemakers: Arab Americans in Service to Our Country tells true stories of heroism and self-sacrifice that affirm the substantive role Arab Americans have played in our country throughout its history. Patriots & Peacemakers highlights three specific areas of service: the U.S. Armed Forces, diplomatic service and the Peace Corps. Personal narratives highlight Arab American men and women of different national and religious backgrounds from across the nation. The exhibition also encourages visitors to consider what role commitment to service plays in their daily lives.

In the Main Floor Gallery; free with Museum admission.

Download the Patriots & Peacemakers brochure HERE.

This exhibition is made possible by the Ford Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and Chevron

Extended through August 12, 2012
Fighting for Democracy: Who is the “We" in "We, the People"?

The AANM invites everyone to expand the national conversation launched by the Veterans Day 2011 opening of Patriots & Peacemakers: Arab Americans in Service to Our Country. Fighting for Democracy: Who is the “We" in “We, the People"? highlights the stories of seven diverse individuals, their service to their country during World War II and their civic engagement that helped to change American democracy for the betterment of all. These stories help viewers to understand the conditions facing Americans before and during World War II while challenging them to think critically about freedom, history, and, ultimately, the ongoing struggle to live democratically in a diverse America – themes also addressed in Patriots & Peacemakers.

In the Lower Level Gallery; free with Museum admission.

This exhibition is presented by the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, an educational program of the Japanese American National Museum, with major support provided by the U.S. Army Center for Military History. The traveling exhibition has been made possible through the generous support of the Boeing Company.

WEB EXCLUSIVE
Reclaiming Identity: Dismantling
Arab Stereotypes

Where do stereotypes about Arab Americans originate? What effects do they have on us as individuals and as a nation? How can they be defused? These are just a few of the significant questions explored in Reclaiming Identity: Dismantling Arab Stereotypes, the AANM's powerful web-exclusive multimedia exhibition at www.arabstereotypes.org. Guest curated by Dr. Evelyn Alsultany of the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Reclaiming Identity traces the history of these stereotypes, provides the tools to identify and understand them, and asks viewers to record their reactions and responses to what they have learned in the site's blog. It also offers perspectives on other segments of American society that are subject to stereotypes.

Blog posts every three weeks; click HERE to view.

This exhibition is made possible in part by the Nathan Cummings Foundation, the Ford Foundation, The Kresge Foundation and Arts of Citizenship

WEB EXCLUSIVE
Watch Your Waste e-Museum

The AANM and the Children's Museum Jordan in Amman have joined forces to engage Jordanian and American youth on environmental issues related to garbage. Middle schoolers in both countries have been contributing to the Watch Your Waste e-Museum, an online platform for sharing information and images as they research the ways trash puts a heavy burden on our planet and how our daily consumption contributes to the problem. The program mascot, Albiss (Super Cat) was inspired by feral felines in both nations for whom trash is a food source.

Watch Your Waste is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State's Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad program, administered by the American Association of Museums

Enjoy special benefits and tax savings* as a Member of the Arab American National Museum!

• Free AANM admission plus advance notice and invitations to upcoming events
• Reduced ticket prices for AANM events
• 10% discount at the Museum Store
• 10% discount on Museum facility rentals
• Free guest passes
• Checkout privileges in the Museum's Library & Resource Center
• Membership gifts are tax deductible; consult your tax advisor for details*

Call 313.624.0200 or click HERE to become a Museum Member.