Arts & Entertainment - The Eastern Echo

A house with large windows sits against a backdrop of trees and grass.

What's the Move? May 26 to June 2

By Gray Connor · Tuesday, May 26, 2026

From craft nights to live music, there is always something to do in Ypsilanti.

EMU Theater seeks student directors for Lab Bill Series

By Hannah Borders · Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Each academic year, EMU Theater gives students the opportunity to direct their own theater productions with alternating Lab Bill and One Act shows.

What's the Move? May 19-25

By Lilly Kujawski · Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Here's what's happening in and around Ypsilanti from May 19-25, 2026.

Coffee and tea area on a counter in front of a window with plants in a book store.

Ypsilanti's Book Love Bar builds community through reading, art, events

By Hannah Borders · Sunday, May 10, 2026

Book Love Bar is a local bookshop in Ypsilanti that sells books, art and games. Book Love Bar also offers space for event hosting.

Silhouette of a person riding a horse with a banner beneath that reads "Brevity Shakespeare."

Brevity Shakespeare represents community in adaptation of 'Much Ado About Nothing'

By Hannah Borders · Saturday, May 9, 2026

Brevity Shakespeare is performing Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" at the YPSI from May 22-31, 2026.

Chrissy Kuiper from the waist up, smiling in front of a blank wall at the camera.

Roots Artist of the Month: 3D Artist and Windgate Fellow Chrissy Kuiper

By Carol Detary · Sunday, May 3, 2026

Meet Chrissy Kuiper, a Windgate fellow and Eastern Michigan University student artist specializing in 3D art.

Black, white and green graphic advertising the Coming Home Celebration event.

EMU CMTA celebrates innovation and alumni with 'Coming Home Celebration'

By Gray Connor · Saturday, May 2, 2026

The Coming Home Celebration: The Story Continues event is set to recognize Eastern Michigan University's Communications, Media and Theatre Arts department alumni, faculty and students.

A dog on a gray background with text that reads "The Hound of the Baskervilles by Tim Kelly. Based on the story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."

Ypsilanti's PTD Productions presents 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'

By Hannah Borders · Friday, May 1, 2026

PTD Productions presents "The Hound of the Baskervilles," a play by Tim Kelly based on the novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

An ensemble of actors, puppets, musicians and stage hands pose for a photo on a stage.

Bug Pit Collaborative Arts to open auditions for upcoming production

By Gray Connor · Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Shared art meets wacky and abstract theater, open to all, at Ypsilanti's Bug Pit Collaborative Arts group.

This photo shows the words "You belong here" written in rainbow-colored sidewalk chalk. Two chalk art hearts surround the words.

8 art-related events to attend in Washtenaw County this summer

By Hannah Borders · Monday, April 27, 2026

From pride celebrations to art fairs, Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor will have no shortage of fun this summer.

Alina places multiple shells and bones on their cyanotype paper inside their designated bin.

Roots Ypsilanti arts events: April 21, 2026

By Jada Hauser and Gray Connor · Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Looking for some creative events in Washtenaw County? Check out these local arts events featured in the April 21, 2026, issue of Roots.

Illustrated graphic with a blue background with white snowflakes. Written in red is "The Snowy Day." The outline of a child, also in red, stands to the left of the text.

EMU Theatre presents family-friendly puppet show with 'The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Keats'

By Gray Connor · Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Join Peter as he experiences the wonders of growing up in Eastern Michigan University Theatre's production of "The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Keats."

Puppet stage with a farm background and cornfields with three puppets of pigs and one of a horse.

Dreamland Theater reimagines 'Animal Farm' with puppet show adaptation

By Hannah Borders · Monday, April 20, 2026

Dreamland Theater has adapted George Orwell's "Animal Farm" into a puppet show and is putting on performances throughout April and May.

Doorway to a gray cement and red brick historic building. The glass double-door entrance has the letter "R" painted on the front in colorful patterns.

Riverside Arts Center to feature Ypsilanti Community Schools student artwork

By Bilal Ahmed · Saturday, April 18, 2026

The Riverside Arts Center will feature artwork from Ypsilanti Community Schools students for an annual exhibition in May 2026.

Three people are positioned together, with two sitting in front and one standing behind the others. The stage lights softly illuminate their faces as they all stare off into the distance.

Eastern Michigan University Theatre brings new vision to 'Our Town'

By AnnaBelle Favre · Monday, April 13, 2026

Eastern Michigan University Theatre students will perform "Our Town," written by Thornton Wilder and directed by Pirooz Aghssa, April 16-19, 2026.

7 adults sit on concrete stairs outdoors in front of a gray building.

EMU Parsons Center to hold immersive summer classes for students

By Katherine Tatomir · Friday, April 10, 2026

This summer, the Parsons Center for Arts and Sciences will hold classes that provide an opportunity for students to connect with the environment.

Five people gathered around a table working on creating a film.

Filmmakers to showcase their work at Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti

By Hannah Borders · Thursday, April 9, 2026

Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti will be showing independently made films at Riverside Arts Center from April 16-18.

Two pieces of paper featuring poems are taped to the inside of a storefront window. A parking lot can be seen in the background through the window.

Poet Tree Town recognizes local poets in celebration of National Poetry Month

By Hannah Borders · Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Poet Tree Town is an organization that allows local poets to submit work to be displayed at various locations in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor.

Poster for Ypsilanti Shape Note Singing. Music notes are centered between blue text above and below them.

Shape Note Singing: An ancestral tradition open to all in Ypsilanti

By Gray Connor · Thursday, April 2, 2026

The Ypsilanti Shape Note Singing group offers an ancestral musical tradition practice to anyone interested in joining.

Two people sitting in chairs with pride flags behind them.

Crystal Skull Studio creates an inclusive environment for self-expression through hair

By AnnaBelle Favre · Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Crystal Skull Studio is a hair salon in Ypsilanti that specializes in curly hair, alternative cuts and bright colors. The studio's owners work to foster an inclusive and welcoming studio for all clients.