UMS brings concerts, kids’ events, dance classes, and more to Ypsi Freighthouse in 6th residency

The University Musical Society (UMS) and the city of Ypsilanti recently announced the schedule for UMS’ fall 2025 residency at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, featuring concerts, a film screening, dance classes, and more. The events, which are either free or “pay what you wish,” will be held at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, 100 Market Place in Ypsi, from Sept. 11–27.

Lilian Varner, UMS’ marketing and media relations manager, says that over five previous residencies and several listening sessions with community residents, UMS has gotten a good feel for what Ypsilanti audiences want.

“Now we feel we have our feet underneath ourselves, and what it means to produce something in the Freighthouse as a venue,” she says. “This year, we’ve really been able to put our focus into building those community connections with different organizations and artists in Ypsilanti, putting them front and center and totally involved.”

Ypsi-area musicians in the lineup include Fred Thomas, who will present a series of “unlikely collaborations” between performers on Sept. 27, and folk act Joe Reilly and The Community Gardeners, who will perform Sept. 18. Other artists are from further away, but still local to southeast Michigan, like a Sept. 14 gospel event with Detroit-based pianist Alvin Waddles and vocal quintet Testimony Sings.

Varner says UMS staff try to plan some kind of interactive dance event each year. This fall’s residency will kick off with a line dancing lesson on opening night, Sept. 11. Varner says the instructor’s feet will be projected on a screen to make it easier for a large group to follow along. A dance performance/workshop by the Ypsi-based Fun Girl Dance Company and School will follow on Sept. 27.

In another local connection, a collaboration with the Independent Film Festival of Ypsilanti this year will feature a screening of Michigan-made short films on Sept. 12.

Many events and artists are back as community favorites. That includes a mid-week sonic meditation on Sept. 17, with organizers responding to a community request for a more relaxing wellness event in the middle of the high-energy residency. 

The Ypsi community also clearly communicated an interest in family- and child-friendly programming, Varner says. This fall, family events will include a free performance by the musical duo Birds of a Feather on Sept. 20, as well as the Sept. 27 Fun Girl Dance Company event. And an open mic night, an attendee favorite from past residencies, will be back on Sept. 23.
Tickets and a full lineup are available here.