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Underground Railroad

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Underground-Railroad

Venue Accessibility: This historic venue has accessibility limitations and requires use of stairs. If you have accessibility questions or would like assistance planning your visit, please contact us at (248) 559-2095. Press Option 1.

Details

Step into the history of Mariners’ Church, where tunnels discovered during its 1955 relocation revealed the site’s courageous role as a final stop on the Underground Railroad. Johanna Yarbrough and Kenneth Thompkins lead a powerful musical narrative of migration, resistance, and liberation by weaving together a program of spirituals and contemporary works.

About Mariners’ Church

in 1955, construction workers discovered tunnels under Mariners’ Church’s original location before relocating the church to where it currently stands 880 feet east. The church’s original location is now part of Hart Plaza, so underground railroad tunnels are no longer underneath the current building, but Detroit’s Riverwalk features the International Memorial to the Underground Railroad, commemorating Detroit’s important role in the route to freedom. During the concert, Rev. Todd Meyer of Mariners’ Church will speak more about the church’s history.

Ride with Us to Mariners’ Church!

Leave the driving to us! Thanks to MACC grant support, DCWS is offering complimentary round-trip transportation from Southfield to our October 4 Underground Railroad concert at Mariners’ Church.

Boarding begins: 1:15 PM
Bus departs: 1:30 PM
Concert: 2:30 PM
Return bus departs Mariners’ Church: 4:30 PM
Back in Southfield: by 5 PM

Pick-Up & Parking
Mike Morse Building (DCWS-ArtOps offices are in this building)
24901 Northwestern Hwy.
Southfield, MI 48075

Free parking is available. Please park near the front doors of the building, where the buses will load.

Reserve Your Bus Seat

When purchasing your concert ticket online, simply add the complimentary bus option during checkout at no charge.

Already have your concert ticket? Call the DCWS Box Office at (248) 559-2095 and we’ll be happy to add the bus reservation to your ticket.

Space is limited to 40 passengers and advance reservations are required.

Michigan Arts & Culture Council

Program

Bernhard Krol – Laudatio
Madeline Cagle, horn (young artist)

James Naigus – Spectra
I. Larghetto
II. Andante
III. Spirited

William Grant Still – Songs of Separation
I. Idolatry
II. Poeme
III. Parted
IV. A Black Pierrot

Aliyah Danielle – Contemplation

Brian Nabors – Southern Soulscapes (World Premiere)
I. Pot Liquor
II. Backyard, Open Sky
III. Sunday Morning

Parking & Entrance

*For those requiring wheelchair access, please contact our box office at (248) 559-2095. Press Option 1. 

  1. Parking Garage: Ford Underground Garage, 30 E. Jefferson Avenue, Detroit
    (underground garage entrance is in median strip of Jefferson Avenue)
  2. Take a Parking Ticket
  3. Park Near the Staircase*  (Note: you will need to take the Stairs to exit)
  4. Mariners’ Entrance is Outside 1st Stairwell Door
  5. Take a Parking Voucher Sticker to Use at Exit
  6. The Parking Structure closes promptly at 6 p.m. all vehicles must exit prior to closing or will be retained overnight.

Click to visit the church’s website for detailed parking information. Including a video of the parking garage stairs.

Note: Access to the restrooms requires use of 24 stairs. 

Program Notes

Tickets

Featured Artists

Johanna Yarbrough

Horn

Kenneth Thompkins

Trombone

Zhihua Tang

Piano

This event is sponsored by Elizabeth Sullivan & Steven Gellman

This event is sponsored by: