The beat goes on

 

The Max hosts third annual 24-hour Day of Music

 

By K. Michelle Moran

Arts & Entertainment Editor

     Orchestra Hall isn’t typically associated with funk and folk, but the home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will ring with some unfamiliar sounds for the annual Marshall Field’s Day of Music.

     For 24 hours starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, Orchestra Hall and other performance spaces inside the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit will host free concerts and events for the whole family.

     Now in its third year, organizers expect about 15,000 visitors over the course of those 24 hours, said Marilou Carlin, assistant director of public relations for the DSO.

     DSO Director of Pops and Specials Kendra Whitlock said the Day of Music enables the DSO to reach new audiences.

     This year’s Michigan-based lineup includes blues rock band Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise; award winning R&B/hip-hop artist Nadir; the Michigan Chinese Choir; Ferndale singer/songwriter Jere Stormer; and ? and the Mysterians, best known for the hit “96 Tears.” West Bloomfield-based Wall of Denial, which won a Detroit and national battle of the bands, will also perform, as will the Royal Oak-based Candy Band, a group of moms who put a punk/rock spin on nursery rhymes and originals to the delight of audiences young and old.

     “This year’s lineup is eclectic as always, but there is definitely more of an emphasis on rock ‘n’ roll for the Friday night lineup,” Whitlock said. “The DSO performance (at 7 p.m. Friday) is a real highlight as well, featuring the DSO’s bassoon section performing a piece by former composer-in-residence Michael Daugherty called ‘Hell’s Angels.’”

     John Douglas of Southfield, trumpet player for the jazz-fusion band Jazzhead, said his group is looking forward to their first Day of Music; they hit the stage at 10 p.m. Friday. He said Jazzhead plays everything from traditional jazz to funk.

     “I guess (our music) falls under the umbrella of jazz, but we have a lot of other influences, from Latin to Motown,” Douglas said.

     West Bloomfield vocalist Jesse Palter, leader of the relatively new Jesse Palter Quartet, said she feels “so, so lucky to be participating this year.” Her band, which kicks off the festivities at 5 p.m. Friday, plays a mix of jazz standards and pop tunes with catchy hooks.

     “I’m just excited about sharing my passion for music with all of the people who come,” Palter said. “And it’s a free day of music. You can’t go wrong.”

     As the sun rises on Saturday, visitors can ease into the day with meditation at 5 a.m., followed by yoga and tai chi set to the sounds of the sitar. Children’s activities run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and include face-painting and an “Instrument Experience,” during which youngsters can handle and learn about various instruments.

     Royal Oak musician Maggie McCabe is the music booking agent for Drums of the African Diaspora. She said that group — which plays 2-3 p.m. Saturday — specializes in different styles of drumming, as well as storytelling. With so many local venues for live music drying up, McCabe said events like this fill a real need.

     “This really inspires kids,” McCabe said. “A lot of them don’t get to see live music (otherwise).”

     From noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, finalists in the DSO Idol Contest will compete for a chance to sing with the DSO. Those finalists include Roman Laba, 20, of Warren and Sara Groth, 13, of St. Clair Shores.

     The Max M. Fisher Music Center is located at 3711 Woodward in Detroit. For more information about the free Day of Music, call (313) 576-5111 or visit the Web site www.detroitsymphony.com.

     You can reach K. Michelle Moran at kmoran@candgnews.com