Detroit Symphony Orchestra to Stage 'A MUSICAL TALE OF TWO CITIES', 6/2-4

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will stage a three-day festival June 2-4 exploring renewal in Detroit and New Orleans through performance and cultural exchange. The festival, entitled "A Musical Tale of Two Cities: Motown Meets The Big Easy," will examine how these two cities have used their legacy of unique musical and artistic culture to heal and renew themselves after economic and natural disaster.

The project is made possible in part by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, as part of its Knight Arts Challenge.

On June 4, the DSO and Music Director Leonard Slatkin will make a rare appearance on the Paradise Jazz Series performing Terence Blanchard's "A Tale of God's Will" to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. This concert will serve as a centerpiece to the project, designed to create dialogue around the cities and their shared experiences, as well as the role music can play in coping with and rebounding from tragedy. The performance will also be webcast to a worldwide audience on dso.org/live.

To shape the festival experience beginning June 2, other activities will include the following:

• Mix @ The Max performance by New Orleans-based Big Sam's Funky Nation (June 2) in The Music Box at the Max M. Fisher Music Center
• Screening of Spike Lee's "When the Levees Broke" (June 3) paired with a panel discussion providing a platform for dialogue around Detroit and New Orleans and their shared experiences, as well as the role music can play in coping with and rebounding from tragedy.

Panelists:

• Lolis Eric Elie (moderator) - writer and story editor for "Treme," HBO's award-winning drama series that chronicles the struggles of a diverse group of residents as they rebuild their lives and their city post-Katrina
• Rodrick Miller - Detroit Economic Growth Corp, President & CEO and Former President of the New Orleans Business Alliance
• Terence Blanchard - DSO Erb Jazz Chair and jazz trumpet legend
• Performance of Blanchard's "A Tale of God's Will" featuring Blanchard's Quintet and musician's from the DSO. A lecture with an historian will preceded the concert in Orchestra Hall, and a jam session will follow, joining New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) students with DSO Civic Jazz students in the Sculpture Garden off Parsons Street.

"As a New Orleans native, the son of an opera singer, music is in my DNA," Blanchard said. "Detroit and my hometown are evidence that cultures steeped in music breed strong-willed, perseverant populace."

"The arts are an important lens, and music a wonderful vehicle, for examining critical community issues. We're excited by this partnership, the resulting concert and how it can bring Detroiters together to reflect on the city's future," said Dennis Scholl, vice president of arts for Knight Foundation.

Blanchard, the DSO's Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair, assisted in developing the concept of a cultural exchange after programming "A Tale of God's Will" as the finale to the 2014-15 Paradise Jazz Series.

The Knight Foundation's Knight Arts Challenge funds ideas that engage and enrich Detroit through the arts. Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit KnightFoundation.org.

For ticket information and festival updates, visit dso.org/motownbigeasy.

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Festival Schedule:

Tuesday, June 2

8 p.m. - Mix @ The Max featuring New Orleans-based Big Sam's Funky Nation in the Music Box

Opening act: New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) Quartet

Wednesday, June 3

5 p.m. - Erb Master Class/Cultural "Exchange" with NOCCA Quartet & DSO Civic Jazz Ensemble

6 p.m. - Film screening: When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts [Acts 1 & 2]

8 p.m. - Panel Discussion/Q&A with Terence Blanchard, Lolis Eric Elie, Rodrick Miller and other special guests to be announced

9 p.m. - Film screening: When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts [Acts 3 & 4]

Thursday, June 4

5 p.m. - Cultural Exchange with DSO and NOCCA Quartet (TBC)

6:30 p.m. - Pre-concert lecture with historian/radio host in Orchestra Hall

8 p.m. - "A Tale of God's Will" - Terence Blanchard Quintet with DSO in Orchestra Hall

10 p.m. - Jam Session with NOCCA & DSO Civic Jazz in Sculpture Garden off Parsons Street (weather permitting). Rain location is Max M. Fisher Music Center Atrium.

The internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra, is known for trailblazing performances, visionary maestros, collaborations with the world's foremost musical artists, and an unwavering commitment to Detroit. Esteemed conductor Leonard Slatkin, called "America's Music Director" by the Los Angeles Times, became the 12th Music Director of the DSO during the 2008-09. Acclaimed conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik serves as Principal Pops Conductor while celebrated trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard holds the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair. The DSO's performance schedule includes Classical, Pops, Jazz, Young People's, Neighborhood concerts, and collaborations with chart-topping musicians from Smokey Robinson to Kid Rock. A commitment to broadcast innovation began in 1922 when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series. Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. Fisher Music Center, one of America's most acoustically perfect concert halls, the DSO actively pursues a mission to impact and serve the community through music. For more information visit dso.org or download the free DSO to Go mobile app.

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