The Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills will unveil its next exhibit, “Icons of Loss; The Art of Samuel Bak,” with a grand opening at 7 p.m. on May 23, 2010.  On display will be 60 paintings, studies and sketches by renowned surrealist artist and Vilna ghetto survivor Samuel Bak. The exhibit will be open to the public and run through August 15.

According to the Pucker Gallery in Boston where much of his art is represented, “Bak was born in 1933 in Vilna, Poland, and was recognized from an early age as possessing extraordinary artistic talent. As Vilna came under German occupation in 1940, Bak and his family moved into the Vilna ghetto and later to a labor camp, from which he was smuggled and given refuge in a monastery. At the end of the war, he and his mother were the only members of his extensive family still alive. 

Bak, now 76, has spent his life dealing with the artistic expression of the destruction and dehumanization which make up his childhood memories. He speaks about the unspeakable atrocities of the Holocaust and has created a visual language to remind the world of its most desperate moments.

Two of my favorite films of the past few years, “Je T’aime Paris” and “New York, I Love You” give viewers a glimpse into the commanding moment in time when various characters realize they have fallen in love with a city. Detroiters, after all, are no different than Parisians and New Yorkers – we too are in love with our city.  It’s the things that are so unique to Detroit, from street art to neighborhood dive bars, that keep the romance alive. The more we are exposed to this city, the deeper we fall in love. 

In the campaign to revitalize Detroit, our love is our greatest asset. 

The stories about the fall of Detroit are driving city dwellers crazy and boring others (including our neighbors across the pond – see this great article in the UK’s Guardian). Now is the time to reshape our reputation globally, and exposing our mad love for this city is the perfect way to evoke change. If we can bring visitors to Detroit to come to see the city through our love-struck eyes, we can expose the lovability and livability of this great city.

This is the hope of Inside Detroit, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote Detroit as a preferred destination to live, work and play by educating the public about the city’s history, culture, community, and livability.  Inside Detroit, established with love by Maureen Kearns and Jeanette Pierce, serves to create positive perceptions about the city, spur economic development, and create a more vibrant, energetic Detroit.  As they share their loving perception of the city, they encourage continued support from visitors. When people see Detroit through native’s eyes they become invested: they spend money at local businesses they spread the word about the positive things happening in Detroit, and most importantly, they are happy to be in Detroit whether they are here for a day or a lifetime.

In a star-studded music marathon to mark a grand closing and a new beginning, 50 Detroit artists will perform at 5e Gallery at the first annual 50 for 5e Music Festival. On Saturday, May 15th, from 5pm to 5am, this event will commemorate 5e's last day at their current Corktown location and fundraise for several renovations needed at their newly-purchased venue. This music marathon launches an engaging community investment campaign, also titled "$50 for 5e," which will invite community members to pitch in on 5e Gallery's transformation into a new space and format. 

$50 for 5e is a unique presale model, developed in collaboration with Detroit Hip-Hop artist Invincible'sEMERGENCE Media, which will allow 5e supporters to pre-purchase ticket packets that include 10 event admissions and 5 drink tickets for the low cost of $50. These tickets will be for use at the new venue location when it opens for business before the end of 2010. 

 The United States Social Forum (USSF) is a national push for a better world. From June 22-26, thousands will gather in Detroit under the banner “Another World is Possible, Another U.S. is Necessary, Another Detroit is happening!”

The thousands of attendees, including native Detroiters, will kick off the Forum with a march down Woodward Avenue (June 22^nd, 5pm), which will extend to Hart Plaza, where the remainder of the event will take place. Attendees can take part in several informational sessions, workshops, exhibits, live concerts, and much more.

The USSF is the largest non-partisan social organized gathering in which marginalized community members – i.e. community organizers, artists, activists, immigrants, working class, unions, independent workers, LGBT, youth, elders, students, unemployed and indigenous groups – gather to promote unity, and expunge the rat race, social inequality and tokenism.