Hey, everyone! Welcome back to an (Election Day) Culture Canvas.
If you have not made it out to the polls yet, check out this explainer on what you need to know about the day, including debunking misinformation.
In non-election news, Detroit’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (ACE) has put out an open call for a sculptor to create a new statue of icon Joe Louis focused on the boxer’s life outside the ring. The statue, which will anchor a business plaza on the city’s west side, will be a feature on the 30-mile Joe Louis Greenway, the biking and walking trail that extends from the Detroit Riverfront to Highland Park, Dearborn, and Hamtramck.
The commission for the statue is $100,000, which covers all fees, artist assistant costs, artist studio costs, foundry costs, materials and supplies as well as installation. The artist will receive 50% of the commission in advance, 25% when the sculpture goes to the foundry and 25% upon completion, according to the city.
Louis is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, holding the title as the world’s heavyweight boxing champion for a record 12 years from 1937 to 1949. Born in Alabama in 1914, his family came to Detroit in 1926 and settled in the city’s Black Bottom neighborhood.
Along with breaking racial barriers in boxing, Louis was an accomplished golfer as well. He began playing the sport in 1935 and became a major supporter of the United Golf Association (UGA), the African American organization that conducted tournaments nationwide. As an amateur, he was the first Black person to play in a PGA-sanctioned event.
Louis then launched “The Joe Louis Open Golf Tournament,” in 1941 at Rackham Golf Course in Huntington Woods, which would become one of the major annual events in Black sports nationally. Between 1941 and 1951, eight Joe Louis golf tournaments were held in metro Detroit and attracted top Black golfers from around the country.
“In Detroit, we celebrate the contributions Detroiters have made to the city and to the world, and Joe Louis is one of our greatest examples,” Mayor Mike Duggan said in a news release. “It’s only fitting that a statue reflecting his accomplishments outside of boxing grace the magnificent greenway being built in his honor.”
Interested artists should send a packet to Detroitace@detroitmi.gov with the following information:
- Name, address and phone number
- Community engagement experience
- Examples of past work, whether it still exists, and where past work is/was located.
- Two references from previous sculpture clients
- An artist statement explaining why they should be chosen for the commission. The artist statement should list all needed materials, including which foundry will be used, a resume and answers to the following questions: What interests you about the project? What is your experience working on complex projects and meeting deadline constraints? How would your project benefit the community?
The application deadline is Nov. 15 and there will be a community meeting held to meet the finalists Nov. 25. For this commission, the city and Joe Louis Greenway have chosen what the statue should look like and will provide the information to applicants. The selection committee is comprised of community members, artists, members of the Louis family and business owners. The statue will be unveiled next August.
Detroit ACE has pledged $60,000 from the Public Art Fund and $50,000 committed by Joe Louis Greenway from a Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant.
“We’re thrilled to share our father’s inspiring legacy beyond the boxing ring,” said Louis’ daughter, Joyce Barrow Henderson. “His unwavering belief in humanity and community spirit made him a trailblazer in sports, business, and culture, while empowering others to break barriers. We hope our father’s life story will inspire future generations to foster connection and hope, transcending racial, economic, gender, and religious boundaries.”
313 Scene
- One Detroit’s Chris Jordan, Andrea Riley, and Leland Stein spoke with The Whitney’s house historian Yvonne Szymczak and recently accompanied Dye Paranormal, the Whitney’s official paranormal investigators, on a ghost tour. You can check out the segment here.
- For the first time since it opened in 1928, all-new seats have been installed inside the Fox Theatre. The new seats — all 5,000-plus of them — come with modern touches such as cupholders while retaining the Fox’s classic wine-red motif. (Detroit Free Press)
- Country singer Tyler Rich co-wrote “Heavy is the Crown” with his guitarist, Joseph Devenney, for the Detroit Auto Show’s new campaign, “My Drive, My City, My Show.” The auto show runs Jan. 10-20 at Huntington Place in Detroit. (Detroit News)
- Bedrock has tapped Cosm, an immersive technology, media and entertainment venue operator, to bring its Shared Reality live sports and entertainment concept to Cadillac Square. The venue is expected to open in 2026 as part of Bedrock’s long-awaited Development at Cadillac Square project in downtown Detroit, formerly known as Monroe Blocks. (Detroit News)
What’s Going on in the D?
- Stressed about the election? Come and dance your worries away at Spot Lite’s “Dance for Democracy” event, happening at 8 p.m. tonight. Folks can watch the election results and dance to a lineup of local DJs like DJ Dez Andrés, Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale and Haute to Death. The event is free, but people can register on Eventbrite.
- Country superstar Jelly Roll is making a stop at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena Wednesday for “The Beautifully Broken Tour.” The “Save Me” singer will be joined by up-and-coming country singers Shaboozey, Ernest and Allie Colleen. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster, starting at $82.
- The hit Broadway musical “Elf” is coming to the Fox Theatre Wednesday-Sunday. Based on the 2003 film, “Elf” follows Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. Tickets begin at $25.
- UniverSoul Circus continues its Detroit run this weekend with performances Thursday-Sunday across the street from the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre. Celebrating its 30th year, the family-friendly event features stunts, acrobats, aerodynamic aerialists, fire breathers and more. The circus’ Detroit stop runs until Nov. 24. Tickets begin at $25.
- Michigan’s National Arab Orchestra is hosting its “Treasures of the East” concert at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts downtown Saturday. Offering a blend of Arab melodies with contemporary arrangements, the concert will also feature vocalists Ameer Dandan and Liliane Kheirbek. Tickets start at $50.
- The World Ballet is bringing its production of “Swan Lake” to the Music Hall Sunday. Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in the late 1880s, the ballet tells the story of a prince who encounters a beautiful swan transformed from a human princess by a sorcerer’s curse. Attendees have two chances to see the show: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets begin at $45.
- The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will host the Wu Family Academy (WFA) Showcase 6:30 p.m. Sunday, which features the premier classical ensembles of the DSO’s Civic Youth Ensemble program. Attendees will see performances by the Detroit Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble and the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra. Tickets start at $15.
