live performance

Justine Sedky from UMS discusses the April residency at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse with John Bommarito.

Steve Ouellette is in the house…the front of the house, that is. Steve has managed theaters in New York City, Lansing and he’s now in the land of Ann Arbor. Following his “yellow brick road” brought him full circle from the opening of "Wicked" on Broadway to the opening of "Wicked" the film at the State Theatre. Meet Steve and hear some wickedly good stories when he joined Deb Polich on this edition of "creative:impact."

Eastern Michigan University will be hosting the legendary Motown group The Temptations during the halftime show at this Saturday’s football game. Ana Longoria has more.

Award-winning actor and notable Washtenaw County resident, Jeff Daniels is back at it! Daniels has authored and is directing a new play at the Purple Rose Theatre he founded in Chelsea in 1991. It’s called “Office Christmas Party, Grinch in Fight with Rudolph, Police Called”. How he came up with the idea for this play is almost unbelievable! But you can hear the story straight from Jeff Daniels himself in his conversation with WEMU’s David Fair.

Musician and educator, John E. Lawrence had a dream for a summer jazz festival in Ypsilanti. In 2021, he took the leap, and wow, did they come! Now, thousands flock to Ford Lake on Friday nights to hear the sounds and sway to the music of jazz artists from Southeast Michigan and beyond. Johnny tells us about his Summer Jazz Festival phenomenon when he joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

Fête de la Musique – Make Music Day – was started in France 40 some years ago to mark the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Now celebrated in hundreds of countries, Make Music Day made its way to Ann Arbor last year, thanks to the Ann Arbor District Library. On this episode of WEMU’s "creative:impact," Rich Retyi tells host Deb Polich what’s on the playlist for the longest day of the year, June 21st.

Stamina is a required trait in the world of theater! Rachel continues to face and meet the challenge of getting her plays produced. She has also distinguished herself by breaking — wait for it — a Bonneville Salt Flat speed record! Meet Rachel and hear her story when she joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

Imagine hitting the stage for a performance without ever seeing a script! That’s what an improv artist like Tony DeRosa does…gets on stage, is given an idea or phrase and runs with it. Tony is bringing improv to a new venue soon to open in Ann Arbor. We meet Tony and learn about hear.say brewing + theater opening in Ann Arbor this summer when he joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

What do Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, John Legend and Gwen Stefani have in common with Ann Arborite Angelina Nazarian? They appeared together on the 24th season of The Voice. Hear about Angelina’s experience as a contestant and being on Team Reba when she joins host Deb Polich on the next edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

WEMU wrapped up another fundraiser last weekend, so we're ready to kick back and catch a flick! WEMU's David Fair was joined by Michigan Theater Foundation executive director, Russ Collins, to give you all of the latest movie news and information.