This Week on One Detroit, Arts + Culture:
Marvel Comic Author Saladin Ahmed Discusses New Series ‘The Spine-Tingling Spider-Man’
You might know Eisner Award winning comic book author Saladin Ahmed from writing the Marvel comics “Ms. Marvel,” “Black Bolt” and “Miles Morales: Spider-Man;” or maybe you’ve read his original series “Abbott,” a supernatural mystery set in 1970s Detroit. One Detroit Editor Chris Jordan sat down with the Detroit-based author at Vault of Midnight Comics to learn more about Ahmed’s current projects, like his new subscription-based comic website Copper Bottle and his new Marvel series, “The Spine-Tingling Spider-Man.” Ahmed also shares his philosophy around using comics to spark conversations about real-world issues and better represent the diverse audiences that read his work.
Friendship Circle’s Holiday Market Supports Special Needs Artists
The One Detroit Arts & Culture team took a recent visit to the Soul Studio at the Friendship Circle, a West Bloomfield-based organization that works with children and adults with special needs, to check out the organization’s annual holiday market and the studio’s latest exhibit “Community Ties.” The studio gives these special needs adults the opportunity to hone their creative skills and present their work as professional artists at the holiday market. The Soul Studio Holiday Market features bright notebooks, fun T-shirts, water bottles and more created by the artists.
Artlab J hosts 10th Annual Winter Gala
The Detroit-based non-profit dance organization, Artlab J, hosts its 10th annual Winter Gala this year at the Andy Arts Center, with the theme “You Are Beautiful.” The non-profit, founded by Artistic Director Joori Jung, has connected individuals of all ages and abilities through the power of dance since 2012. The One Detroit Arts & Culture team took a look inside and talked with the dancers as they prepare for the upcoming gala performance.

Plus… A special excerpt from Monique Ella Rose’s latest performance in Detroit Performs: Live from Marygrove series. Watch the full performance here.