Community Events

The Art House sponsors and participates in many community organizations and events. Whether your interest is in music, performing, film and photography or public art - The Art House has something for everyone interested in the Arts.

Base Line Folk Society
Camera Club
Clock Concert Series
Cultural Events Calendar
Public Art

Base Line Folk Society

The Base Line Folk Society was formed in September, 2005, to provide a forum for the enjoyment of traditional, acoustic music in a casual setting.  The Society meets the 3rd Saturday of each month, September through June from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at the Art House, 215 Cady.

An emcee serves as a featured performer and gets 30 minutes to perform. The rest of the evening is “open mic”:  up to 5 other performers get 15 minutes or 3 songs to perform songs of their choosing.  They are selected on a first come first serve basis.  The Art House opens around 6:15pm so they can sign up.

While there is no fee to play – and no pay either! – for the performers, a $5 donation is collected for guests to offset costs of maintaining the building.  The fee also includes coffee (of course), baked goods and cookies.  For two hours of music, many of the attendees have claimed it is one of the best deals in town.

The Society was formed by graphic artist and musician Mike Mullen.  Mullen formed the East River Folk Society in Grosse Ile 16 years ago, and that organization is still going strong. He saw a similar opportunity in Northville after the Art House opened in March 2005. 

Mullen hosted the first show, with subsequent months emceed by the folk-pop duo Jar and Rise Again, a band from Plymouth.   Other area performers who’ve stepped in front of the microphones include Sue Laabs and Tom Holden. Audience reaction so far has been very positive.  Audiences like the variety of music that the Folk Society format provides, and especially enjoy the occasional sing-along on old favorites such as “This Land is Your Land” and “Puff the Magic Dragon.”  While much of the music recalls the heyday of folk music with the likes of Peter, Paul & Mary and the New Christy Minstrels, there have been ample doses of original music and songs from more contemporary performers like REM and Dan Fogelberg.

Base Line Folk Society Schedule

BaseLine began its open mic series the 3rd Saturday in October at 7:00pm at the Art House. The open mic concerts will continue on every 3rd Saturday through June 2008. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, you may sign up the evening of the event at 6:15pm. There are approximately 5 open mic spots available on a first to sign up basis. Performers receive a three song set, not to exceed 15 minutes. Admission is $5.00 at the door for guests and free for performers. For more information contact Mike Mullen.

Camera Club

The Northville Arts Commission and the Tom James Gallery of Fine Art invite photographers of all skill levels to join the Northville Camera Club. Monthly meetings will include guest speakers and opportunities for members to display and discuss their work. If you are interested in joining, please email Jeff Milton.  Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7:30pm - 9:00pm in the Art House Mosaic Room (lower level). There is a $25 annual membership fee.

For more information, please call 248-344-0497.

Clock Concert Series

Location: Garden Club Park (Wing & Cady) located behind City Hall.  Concerts for the 2007 season ONLY will be held in this location due to construction in the Town Square. They are held 7:00pm - 9:00pm every Friday through the summer, providing listening pleasure for individuals and families alike. This concert series is free and open to the public, donations are welcome. 

Concert Schedule

Concerts are held every Friday evening from 7:00pm - 9:00pm.  The 2007 concert schedule is available on the Chamber of Commerce website.   

Cultural Events Calendar

Please support your local arts and cultural organizations.  Events, times, locations, and prices are all subject to change.  Please contact the sponsoring organization to confirm information.

Public Art Program

The Arts Commission is dedicated to providing three-dimensional works of art to be placed in public areas throughout the City. 

Robert’s Rock

Atlanta-based artist Zachary Coffin is known for his "spinning rocks" - huge boulders that appear to float over the ground.  Using precision engineering for the supporting cylinders and bearings, these natural sculptures are smooth and silent when spinning.  Installed in Ford Field in August, 2006, the piece was generously donated by the Van Buren family with the intent of creating a beautiful and interactive space for the citizens of Northville, especially children.

“Treble Clef”

This piece was recently removed from the area outside the bandshell on Main Street. The sculpture was removed temporarily and placed into storage during reconstruction of the Town Square and will be reincorporated into the redesigned site. Construction will be complete by October 2007.

Missouri artist Charles Strain’s elegant, stylized musical symbol impressed the jury and was selected over several outstanding candidates. “Treble Clef”, a bronze sculpture (approximate dimensions 6’x6’x6’), was installed at the bandshell on May 28, 2002.
 

“Engauged”

In 2003, local resident Mary Ware approached the NAC with a generous offer to purchase a sculpture for the City of Northville, with the intent of placing it at the Northville Public Library.  Needless to say, both the NAC and the Library were thrilled with this opportunity.  Thanks to Mary, this delightful, whimsical piece made of found metal objects now has a permanent home in the Library.  Traines is a sculptor who divides her time between Michigan and Florida.

“Coasting the Base Line”

Ever wonder what that black and white obelisk is near Hillside Middle School, near Center and Eight Mile Road? 

Although world renowned artist David Barr has lived in the Northville / Novi area for many years, until last year, none of his pieces – save the uncredited “Boy With a Hoop” at Mill Race - graced the City.  However, you could find his works in far-flung places like Siberia and Italy, as well as Hart Plaza in Detroit.

We decided to ask this talented artist to craft a piece that expressed some aspect of Northville’s history.   We then learned about the importance of Base Line Road (in many places Eight Mile), which stretches across the state.  According to Barr, “surveyors walked this line before the Civil War. Eight Mile has long been a symbol of distinction. These surveyors completed their work between 1815 and 1851 and also mapped out the Meridian, a north-south axis.   Michigan townships were then plotted off the grid system created by these axes.   Northville was originally included in “Town One South, Range Eight East”.

The surveying of Michigan was also of national significance.  Thomas Jefferson believed that all people could own land.  While we take this for granted now, in his day that represented the clash of four principles – the European aristocratic model, in which the King owned everything; the colonial model, in which people could use land but didn’t own it; the Native American model, in which land could not be owned; and of course, Jefferson’s model.  In the early days of the nation, Michigan was the first state that “got it right” with respect to surveying and served as a model for other states.

With this realization, Barr and the Arts Commission decided to create a historical monument to recognize the importance of surveying in the creation of the state and the townships along Base Line. All four of the property models discussed above would be represented with quotes. They would also reserve space on the monument for engravings that related to specific events and people in Northville’s history.  The hope was that such a monument would serve as an educational tool for students and citizens.

“Northville Art House Sign”

Made from found metal, this impressive piece by Paul Vertrees serves as both a work of art and a welcome sign to the Art House at 215 W. Cady Street.  Paul is a former Assistant Director of Public Works for the City of Northville, who now works as an artist in the area.  NAC Commissioner and artist Darcel Deneau contributed to the original design of the piece.

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This page last updated: July 24, 2008
©2008, City of Northville

City of Northville
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Northville, Michigan 48167
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