Hey, Detroiters, welcome back to Culture Canvas!
If you haven’t yet, there’s still time to catch the Bangladeshi Diaspora Exhibit at the Hamtramck Historical Museum.
The display, which runs through May 11, features rickshaw and textile art and equipment from sports like cricket. The artwork also incorporates religious traditions of the Bangladeshi community, displaying items from the Buddhist, Muslim, and Hindu communities.
There are close to 16,000 residents in Michigan of Bangladeshi descent, about a quarter (4,113) reside in Hamtramck, according to 2020 census data. A majority of Michigan’s Bangladeshi American population is believed to be Muslim, with many in Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities as well, according to the Detroit Free Press.
This week, I spoke with Sarah Cook, a volunteer and board member for the Hamtramck Historical Museum, who was part of a 10-member committee for the exhibit.
Cook said the concept was sparked by a conversation between Hamtramck resident Rumana Rahman, an anthropologist involved with Sylhet Farm on Jos. Campau, and the museum’s executive director, Greg Kowalski. The pair discussed the Bangladeshi community and the museum’s desire to incorporate more exhibitions that are reflective of the city’s diverse communities.
“She (Rahman) was inspired and invigorated, and she said, ‘I want to be a part of that,’” Cook said.
Rahman then organized the committee with representatives from high school to college professors and professionals, primarily from the community, to develop plans for the exhibit. The group attended brainstorming workshops to gather input and museum feedback on what would be showcased, prepared the space for installation, and supported the artifact owners who brought in the featured pieces.
“They (the pieces) all came from community members,” said Cook, noting that some Bangladeshi students from Hamtramck High School also crafted art pieces about their heritage for the show.
Most of the objects are on loan and will be returned to their owners, but the museum will keep a footprint for the exhibit. Cook said bringing the contemporary look to the history museum has been a positive experience.
“We’re the Hamtramck Historical Museum, and it’s a really important and vibrant immigrant story of our community, so it belongs here,” she said. “The Hamtramck Historical Museum has a focus on immigration into the city, and we want to be able to showcase all of the communities that have immigrated into Hamtramck.”
Cook said the goal of the exhibit is for visitors to “see yourself here in the museum,” to “understand your fellow community members better,” and “to learn something new.”
The volunteer-run museum also hopes visitors inspired by the exhibit will get involved with museum exhibits, program work or fundraising. For more information, visit the museum’s website.
As always, have a great week!
Cheers,
Micah
WDET’s Nargis Rahman wrote the four-part series “Shustho: Mind, Body, and Spirit,” focused on how Bangladeshi women in Southeast Michigan who are overcoming cultural barriers.
313 Scene
- Angela Yee, the host of the syndicated radio show “Way Up With Angela Yee,” and previously, “The Breakfast Club,” opened a 30-unit apartment building called The Alex in Midtown last week. Yee partnered with Ladies of Hope Ministries founder Dr. Topeka K. Sam, who reserved 10 units for formerly incarcerated women. (Detroit Metro Times)
- Women’s clothing boutique Free People is getting ready to open its newest location in downtown Detroit. Located in a Bedrock-owned building at 1425 Woodward Ave., the store is set to open on Friday. The Philadelphia-based company describes itself as “the destination for bohemian fashion that features the latest trends and vintage collections for women who live free through fashion, art, music, and travel.” (Detroit Metro Times)
- Amid a milestone 40th anniversary year for the Motown Museum, the Detroit institution is set to unveil a $10 million facility dedicated to the visionary who started it all. The Esther Gordy Edwards Centre for Excellence — on West Grand Boulevard, a few blocks from the historic Hitsville, U.S.A. — will be christened in honor of museum founder Edwards, the late sister of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy. The facility will host a first-look event later this month for Motown alumni and museum partners. (Detroit Free Press)
- Streaming service BET+ is greenlighting “Varnell Hill,” a workplace comedy that will star Tommy Davidson as the same character he played during a guest spot on “Martin,” the Detroit-set 90s sitcom that ran for five seasons on Fox. Davidson’s Varnell Hill is a late-night TV host is attempting to stay current in the changing TV marketplace while navigating the politics of the corporate executives, advertisers and production team members involved with his show, according to BET+. (Detroit Free Press)
- A partial lineup of acts have been announced for the Detroit Jazz Festival, which takes place in downtown Detroit Aug. 29-Sept. 1. In addition to artist-in-residence Jason Moran’s featured sets (details for those are to be announced), this year’s lineup features past artist-in-residence Chucho Valdés, the Branford Marsalis Quartet and a Labor Day performance from the 2025 Kresge Eminent Artist Award honoree Marion Hayden. (The Detroit News)
What’s Going on in the D?
- They’re creepy and they’re kooky! “The Addams Family” musical kicks off its run at the Fox Theatre on Tuesday. Tickets begin at $30 on Ticketmaster.
- The Corktown Music Festival returns Thursday-Saturday at neighborhood venues such as Brooklyn Detroit, Corktown Tavern, Lager House and UFO Bar. The event will feature more than 150 local bands like Bourbon Squirrel, Venus in Spurs, Kat Steih and the Ferals and Closed Circuit Cassettes. Single-day tickets are $15 and tickets for the entire weekend are $25.
- Youth theater company La Carpa Teen Ensemble and arts organization A Host of People are putting on “Glow! The Awakening of the Alebrijes in Me” Thursday-Sunday at the Senate Theater in Southwest Detroit. The original play is inspired by the origin story of alebrijes, the mythical creatures created by Mexican artisan Pedro Linares. Tickets are $5.
- The Redford Theatre is showing the sci-fi classic, “Star Wars,” at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $7.
- Just in time for Independent Bookstore Day, Pages Bookshop is hosting its grand reopening at 11 a.m. Saturday with community speakers, student performances and book giveaways.
