Hi, readers! Welcome to Culture Canvas. 

Detroit artist Tiff Massey opened her highly-anticipated nine-piece exhibit “7 Mile + Livernois” Sunday at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

When I talked to Massey last week she said she was still in shock over the opportunity.

At 42, she’s the youngest artist to have an exhibition at the DIA and her show marks the first time in several years that the museum has commissioned an artist to create works, said Katie Pfohl, the associate curator of contemporary art. 

The exhibit is an ode to Massey’s parents, who raised her near the Avenue of Fashion. 

“7 Mile + Livernois” is also about the way Detroiters “show out” by flashing their new outfit, jewelry, or car when they hit the town. And Massey hopes people do the same when they visit the exhibit. 

“I want everybody to do the most because that’s what I did,” she said. “I did the most that I could in this time frame and I hope everybody at least recognizes that.” 

DIA admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties and the exhibit will remain on display until May 2025.

Hope you all get out to see it and have a great week! 

Cheers,

Micah 

313 Scene

• The city of Detroit named Jessica Care Moore as the city’s newest poet laureate. A lifelong Detroiter, Moore is an award-winning poet, activist and filmmaker. 
• New Dutch Girl Donuts owner Paddy Lynch held a soft opening last weekend for the popular donut shop, which closed in 2021. The official opening is coming as soon as Mother’s Day weekend, he said. BridgeDetroit contributor Quinn Banks has scenes from the weekend festivities. 
• R&B singer Brian McKnight’s June concert at MotorCity Casino was canceled May 3 with no explanation, though it comes amid backlash against the artist.
• Detroiter Marquita Richardson recently launched Sweet Paws Creamery, a mobile ice cream cart that offers handmade dairy- and sugar-free flavors just for dogs. 

What’s Going on in the D? 

• Motown Roller Cub is kicking off its first meetup of the season Tuesday at Valade Park. Skaters can take a beginner class at 6 p.m. and roll outs will begin at 7 p.m. with strolls down the Detroit River and Dequindre Cut. 
• As Drake and Kendrick Lamar continue to fuel their beef, El Club is hosting a Drake vs. Kendrick night 9 p.m. Friday. Guests can dance and rap along to hits by the two popular rappers. Tickets start at $13.60.
• Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck is performing an original sketch comedy Big Money Zone at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The show is billed as the “first gambling friendly sketch comedy show that has ever been made.” Tickets begin at $20.
• The Michigan Science Center is hosting the Uncorked: Detroit Wine Festival Saturday. Wine lovers will have access to over 100 wines and bubblies from all over the world as well as after-hours access to the museum, local food trucks and more. Guests will have two options for the festival–an early admission session at 7 p.m. which includes an extra hour of tasting and shorter lines, and the general admission session at 8 p.m. Tickets are $80 for early admission and $65 for general admission. 
• Celebrate Mother’s Day with R&B legends Patti LaBelle and El DeBarge at the Fox Theatre Sunday for their Salute 2 Mothers concert. The show starts at 6 p.m. and tickets begin at $59.