DIA ART HUNT IN TROY

2022 marks the 13th year of the Detroit Institute of Arts INSIDE/OUT program that has artwork popping up all around the three counties in the metro area that support the museum by paying into a dedicated millage to support its operations. DIA INSIDE/OUT provides Metro Detroit communities with high quality reproductions of artwork from inside the museum to display outside in public spaces. A nice reminder of the treasures that can be seen at the Detroit Institute of Arts and a fun way to spend some time wandering around local civic centers, downtowns, neighborhoods and parks hunting for posted artwork.

Participating communities rotate from year to year to differ things up and spread the visibility of this outreach program throughout the region. INSIDE/OUT returns this year to our neck of the woods with artwork on display in a variety of public spaces around the city of Troy, Michigan. We had a good time engaging in an art hunt to check out all of the DIA art placed throughout Troy.

We started off with a hike through the Lloyd A. Stage Nature Center encountering a group of wild turkeys and seeing some grazing deer before coming across Talking Oak (1857) by William Maw Egley. Then it was time to meander around the city's historic green to see Asafo Flag (1863) which was a rally flag for the Asafo movement to combat African colonialism. Next it was off to Boulan Park to take a look at Jose Clemente Orozco's Mexican Pueblo (1930).

Our art hunt led us to the city's civic center to view another five paintings. The Community Center featured Savoy Ballroom (1931) by Reginald Marsh, City Hall highlighted an ancient dragon that once stood guard on the gates into Babylon, Troy's Racquet Club displayed Solomon Irein Wangboje's Mother and Child (1960), Chief Shoppenegons (1910) welcomed us to the library, and the Jeanne Stine Community Park showcased Mary Cassatt's In the Garden (1904). We wrapped up our walkabout by stopping at Dairy Queen for a treat to celebrate finding all of the DIA INSIDE/OUT art pieces we were searching for. Our DIA art hunt across Troy, Michigan provided us with quite a bit of exercise and enjoyable moments making for an entertaining afternoon excursion close to home.

DIA INSIDE/OUT artwork will be on display in Troy and other participating communities now through November if you want to go out on your own art hunt. 2022 communities are:

OAKLAND COUNTY

Birmingham  

Farmington  

Farmington Hills  

Holly  

Southfield  

Troy  

West Bloomfield 

Oakland Community College 

Indian Springs Metropark 

MACOMB COUNTY

Armada 

Center Line 

New Baltimore 

Roseville 

Warren 

Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights 

Macomb Community College (South, Center, and East)  

Wolcott Mill Metropark 

WAYNE COUNTY

Canton 

Greektown Detroit 

Hamtramck 

Lincoln Park  

River Rouge 

Rouge Park, Detroit 

Osborn Neighborhood Alliance, Detroit 

Wayne County Community College District 

Willow Metropark 

FREE SCREENING OF DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

Hey Detroiters! Who wants to see a new Doctor Strange movie?! DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS officially doesn't open until Friday, May 6; but a Geek Daddy has an inside scoop on how you can see an advance showing of the film for FREE. Click here to RSVP for a free advance screening at MJR Theaters in Troy, Michigan on May 4, 2022 at 7pm.

Note: seating is on a first come, first serve basis and is not guaranteed. Must RSVP to attend! Who is geeked about a free night at the movies?!

In Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. The film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, frightening images and language by the Motion Picture Association of America. Only in theaters on May 6th.

PLAY AT THE VILLAGE

If you are in Metro Detroit make some time to swing by the historical village in Troy, Michigan to check out a special exhibit that toy lovers young and old are sure to appreciate. Until April 30, 2021 the Troy Historic Village will be showcasing a collection of toys and games highlighting fun ways to play from the last two hundred years (1821 - 2021). From original Kenner Star Wars action figures and steel-made Tonka Trucks that were the type of toys I played with as a kid to corn husk dolls and wood carved checker sets that the children of Michigan's early settlers had fun with there is a lot to geek out about in this Play at the Village exhibit. Only on display for a limited time get over to the Troy Historical Village before they pack up the toys to prepare for a summer full of activities.

The Historic Village is located at 60 W. Wattles Road in the community of Troy, Michigan. Located seven miles north of the City of Detroit, it is conveniently accessible off I-75 from the Big Beaver Road ramps. The site consists of eleven historic structures ranging from an 1820s era log cabin to a 1900s era church. Take a casual stroll through the exhibit by yourself during normal hours (Monday - Friday from 10 am - 3pm) or sign up for a guided evening toy tour led by one of the historical village's docents. 

Take a walk down memory lane by visiting these structures filled with toys and games throughout the Troy Historic Village:

LOG CABIN

Just two hundred years ago Michigan was frontier territory. Life was tough but families still made time for some fun. Just like today they often spent some time after dark having family game nights. Playing cards and checkers were two popular recreational activities in the 1820s.

Children played with toys that could be made from the area's natural resources and that taught them life skills. Miniature wood carved tool sets and corn husk and cloth dolls would have been common toys during that time. It was all about what a family could make themselves when it came to toys for these pioneers.

ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE

The old Poppleton School is full of examples of school yard games . Games like Blind Man's Bluff, Drop the Handkerchief, and Fox & Geese are explained to visitors. How do you think the games school kids played in the late 1800s are different from what goes on in playgrounds today?

GENERAL STORE

The village's general store is filled with toys ranging from 1900 to the present. Get a close up look at classic tin toys, a vintage train set, and a LEGO Death Star model among numerous other wonderful things.

CASWELL HOUSE

The mid-1800s Greek Revival architecture of the Caswell House is complimented by a huge assortment of action figures and dolls. Remember the Beanie Baby craze! There are a whole lot of them to see here.

BLACKSMITH FORGE

Take a glimpse of patents from popular childhood toys of the 20th Century including Mr. Potato Head, Optimus Prime and the Rubik's Cube. These are some interesting drawings to take a look at and show the amount of engineering that go into making toys. A nice STEM moment during this exhibit which is both entertaining and educational.

OLD TROY CHURCH

The old church filled with beautiful stain glass windows also is full examples of toy advertising from 1900 - 2000. Remember flipping through the pages of the Sears catalog while creating a Christmas list for Santa? My grandmother always had us go through the catalog and let us pick out a holiday gift from it as I'm sure generations of kids had done. Now print catalogs have been replaced by web sites and social media apps. Step back in time to enjoy examples of old print ads from past decades. Think about how the marketing styles and types of toys changed through the decades.

THE PARSONAGE

This home for the church's reverend and his family has been stocked with board games. A family game night dream! Learn the history of some popular games and reminisce about ones you played as a child yourself. Share with today's youth that games they thought were new were around when you were there age or show them a game you loved, like Bermuda Triangle, that isn't popular anymore.

For more information about this special exhibit go to troyhistoricvillage.org or call 248-524-3570. This history geek happens to be on the Board of Directors for this non-profit organization so if you stop by let them know this dad blogger sent you their way. Go on out and PLAY AT THE VILLAGE! 

CELEBRATION OF LIGHT

We jump started the holiday season with a visit to the Troy Historical Village's CELEBRATION OF LIGHT exhibit. This museum in Troy, Michigan preserves buildings that were in use within the community from the 1800s - 1920s laid out around a town square letting people step back into time to experience what life was like when the suburban city was instead a rural farming community. The village includes a log cabin, black smith shop, mercantile building, church with parsonage, one room school house and a Civil War era home. All lit up with holiday flair after dark this time of year.

Due to the pandemic my kids have been doing virtual learning from home so far this school year. This outing made for a nice home schooling field trip. We learned a lesson on the origination of candles in celebrating birthdays during our stop at the Troy Historic Village's school house. An interesting topic for my twins whose birthday is during the holiday season between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Each of the buildings along a designated socially-distanced path provide interesting tidbits about how light is incorporated into secular and religious celebrations as nights get darker and the year end approaches. Learn about how civilization mastered light and expanded beyond a practical need to also provide spiritual and symbolic significance. In addition to some colorful displays visitors can also learn interesting trivia making a visit to the Troy Historical Village both an entertaining and educational experience.

Viewing the Village in a different light by visiting after dark, this event embraces the rich diversity of the city's population providing a chance for neighbors to take a look at different perspectives from a variety of cultural groups that call Troy home. Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Christian traditions are reflected in displays that share the ways light is used in their faith and cultures in daily observances and annual celebrations.

Head over to troyhistoricvillage.org for more information about this CELEBRATION OF LIGHT. The Troy Historic Village is located at 60 W. Wattles Road in Troy, Michigan. With so many holiday activities cancelled this is a nice way to spend a festive evening. I've always though history is fun and events like this are a nice way to showcase that attitude and enjoy some holiday cheer.

Metro Detroit LEGO Store Celebrates 20th Anniversary With A Spectacular Star Wars Exhibit

To celebrate its 20th Anniversary at the Somerset Collection, an upscale mall located in the Detroit suburb of Troy, THE LEGO STORE is hosting a spectacular Star Wars event.  LEGO Master Builders from the toy company's corporate headquarters flew into town for a very special project -- to create a massive sculpture of the Millennium Falcon.  This LEGO brick sculpture is on display in the mall's main atrium along with some gigantic TIE Fighters as well.

In addition to taking in the super-sized LEGO models on display, you can also build a FREE miniature TIE Fighter to take home with you as a souvenir of your visit to this spectacular exhibit.  Stop by the Somerset Collection during normal mall hours until October 30th to view the Millennium Falcon, check out displays of Star Wars LEGO toys, and build your own miniature LEGO TIE Fighter.  Plus October 26-29 there will be a FREE laser light show taking place at the exhibit with shows at 8:00 and 8:30 pm each night.

My kids and I really enjoyed stopping by to take in the exhibit.  If you are in the area, I'd encourage you to swing by and check it out for yourself.  Oh yeah, and one other perk...parents get a FREE drink from the Starbucks located next to the exhibit while you are there.  The Force is indeed with us moms and dads at this LEGO Star Wars event.