Ypsilanti Freighthouse

University Musical Society (UMS) is returning to Ypsilanti's historic Freighthouse this fall with another season of performances and community events. This year's residency brings back some familiar Freighthouse favorites, while also introducing some new experiences with the hopes of, once again, creating a very welcoming musical atmosphere for folks in and around the Ypsi community. Lee Van Roth gave us a preview of the upcoming season with UMS Vice President of Learning and Engagement, Cayenne Harris.

A couple of parking lots and alleyways in Ypsilanti are being resurfaced by city workers to make them safer for residents and visitors. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, in collaboration with the county government, has opened up warming centers across the area. The association will be focused on keeping those locations clean and safe. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

Are you interested in werewolves, Bigfoot, space aliens and other mythical creatures? Then, the upcoming Ypsilanti Cryptid Festival is the place for you! On October 24, the Ypsilanti Freighthouse will welcome all fans of these supernatural beings or "cryptids". Lee Van Roth shares more about this event with local paranormal researcher and filmmaker Krista Kangas.

The University Musical Society (UMS) is partnering once again with the Ypsilanti Freighthouse to bring live musical events and fun activities this fall. Lee Van Roth spoke with UMS Community and Audience Programs Manager, Justine Sedky, about what to expect at the Freighthouse this month.

Many in the LGBTQ+ community are feeling under attack as President Trump's first 60 days in office have brought a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ actions. But Ypsilanti-area organizations and community members are supporting their LGBTQ+ neighbors in a variety of ways. That includes supportive health care and queer takeovers of public spaces around Ypsilanti. Rylee Barnsdale spoke with Cheers to Queers (C2Q) co-founder, Danya Youssef-Agha, who organized the recent "Queer Prom."

Later this month, there is going to be a celebration of artistic endeavor in Ypsilanti! It will include a one-of-a-kind processional from the Riverside Arts Center to the Freighthouse in Depot Town. On this week's “On the Ground Ypsi,” Rylee Barnsdale spoke with UMS community and audience programs manager Justine Sedky about the partnerships that will bring to life the creativity of the community on April 19th.

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

With daytime high temperatures in the 20’s, all too many residents are seeking a way to get out of the cold and find some basic necessities. WEMU’s John Stockwell made time to visit the daytime warming shelter at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse in Depot Town.

While the Ypsilanti Freighthouse serves as a daytime warming center, the only 24/7 shelter for unhoused members of the Ypsilanti community is the Delonis Center in Ann Arbor. and it has limited beds available. There is ongoing community discussion about the need for a shelter on the eastern side of Washtenaw County. Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale that need and what's being done about it with Lindsay Calka. She's the managing director of Groundcover News, a publication giving voice to low-income residents.