UMS residency returns to Ypsi with pay-what-you-can concerts, film screening, kids’ events, and more

On the Ground Ypsilanti is an “embedded journalism” program covering the city and township of Ypsilanti. It is supported by Ann Arbor SPARK, the Center for Health and Research Transformation, Destination Ann Arbor, Eastern Michigan University, Engage @ EMU, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Washtenaw ISD.

The University Musical Society (UMS) will host another residency at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse this spring, bringing performances, participatory events, and family programming shaped by local partnerships and direct community input.

Now in its third year, UMS’ residency program has grown from an experimental pilot to a recurring presence in Ypsi, designed not just to present performances but to build relationships with residents, schools, and arts organizations. This spring’s residency reflects that approach with a mix of local partnerships, touring artists, and genre-spanning events meant to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

This spring’s residency will include performances by Detroit blues legend Thornetta Davis on April 12, bringing more than three decades of international touring experience; Afro-Colombian singer-songwriter Nidia Góngora on April 16 with a dance-forward presentation featuring marimba and percussion; and Chicago-based percussion ensemble Beyond This Point concluding the month with the show “Music Minus Instrument,” an experimental performance that creates sound using unexpected objects like lamps and cables.

“We’ve established something over the course of three years where we’ve been present, offering a wide variety of ways for people to participate with us,” says Cayenne Harris, UMS’ vice president for learning and engagement. “One of our goals in offering this residency was to have a regular presence in Ypsi, not just a one-off event.”

UMS will continue its partnership with the Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti (iFFY), presenting a series of short silent films by local filmmakers accompanied by a live musical score. Harris says collaborations like this allow UMS to amplify local work while using its platform to connect artists and audiences.

“For us, that’s part of how we want to share our platform and make sure that local arts organizations are really able to thrive in Ypsi,” she says.

The residency will also continue programs that have become central to the series, including open mic night, line dancing workshops, and free programming for children and families. Harris says the Freighthouse’s intimate setting helps make those events especially meaningful, particularly for younger audiences. 

“The intimacy is a really different experience for kids as opposed to sitting in the audience at Hill Auditorium,” she says. “They can interact with the artist, they can move and dance, and it’s been really affirming.”

Participation from local schools has also grown significantly. Harris says early residencies struggled to attract weekday student audiences, but now reservations from Ypsilanti Community Schools fill quickly. Most events remain free or pay-what-you-wish, a model that Harris says is designed to lower barriers and encourage people to explore unfamiliar art forms. Audience feedback continues to play a major role in shaping the residency. Harris says informal comment stations at events, conversations with attendees, and ongoing community engagement have influenced everything from music styles to participatory events.

“We do really listen to feedback from our audiences,” she says. “If there’s anybody out there who has other ideas, we’re open to those too.”

Ypsilanti residents will receive priority access to event registration, with an early registration that began yesterday and will continue until general public access opens on March 10. More information and ticket details are available here.

“Our ears are open,” Harris says. “We want people to feel like this is something they can shape with us, and we hope that it reflects what they care about and what they want to experience in their own community.”