Arts & Entertainment - The Eastern Echo

Africology and African American Studies exhibit showcases 50 years of history

By Hannah Borders · Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

"Study & Struggle: 50 Years of African American Studies at EMU" exhibit in Halle Library showcases the 50 year history of the department of Africology and African American Studies.

Two actors sit beside one another on a theater set, sat in front of the grey exterior of a house. Claire, who sits on the right, looks at Catherine as she stares off contemplatively.

EMU Theatre explores grief, family and mathematics with 'Proof'

By Gray Connor · Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

EMU Theatre's "Proof" shows audiences the complex world of mathematics and family dynamics.

Putt-R-Round opens at new location, offers putt arcade

By Katherine Tatomir · Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Putt-R-Round has re-opened at 130 W. Michigan Ave., offering more games, a party room and the occasional movie night.

Riverside Arts Center's Ypsi Fine Arts Club hosts Black Artist Exhibition

By Gray Connor · Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

RAC Ypsi Fine Arts Club honors Martin Luther King Jr. Day with its fourth Black Artist Exhibition.

Dozens of attendees sit in front of The Songbirds, a band, while they perform inside a large gallery room.

Art as Resistance promotes advocacy through art and music

By Gray Connor · Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

Michigan Student Action's Art as Resistance event gave artistic voice to criticisms of immigration enforcement, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, the war in Gaza and other issues.

A skeleton holds a green woman, surrounded by pink hearts and white sparkles. The skeleton has a sword and arrows in its shoulder and is bleeding.

Ziggy's to host Valentine's Day show for the broken hearted

By Gray Connor · Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

Cult of Space Skull, Zzvava, Sonic Smut and the Detroit Party Marching Band set to conquer love at Ziggy's on Feb. 13, 2026.

7 people play instruments on stage, including clarinet, piano, trombone, and violin.

Students gear up for Eagle-Con 2026

By Katherine Tatomir · Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

Eastern Michigan University students get ready for vendors, artists and a live music performance at Eagle-Con 2026.

Pie chart of the top music artists for 2025 at EMU from largest to smallest: Drake 22.3%, Daniel Ceasar 11.1%, Ariana Grande 7.4%, Pierce the Veil 7.4%, Tate McRae 7.4%, Tyler the Creator 7.4%, NBA YoungBoy 7.4%, Hozier 7.4%, Bruno Mars 7.4%, Conan Gray 7.4%.

Eastern Michigan University students' top music artists of 2025

By Gray Connor · Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

Get the scoop on what Eastern Michigan University students were listening to in 2025.

Three faces made of vertical wood, metal, and plastic slices.

Intermedia Gallery Group opens Annual Juried Student Show

By Hannah Borders · Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

The Intermedia Gallery Group at EMU opened its Annual Juried Student Show on Jan. 26, 2026.

Corner of a historical brown brick building with brown trim and glass windows. To the right of the building is a sign that reads "Rhizome Roots" with an arrow pointing to the right.

Rhizome Roots Studio fosters community with monthly open-mic nights

By Lauren Holloway · Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026

Rhizome Roots Studio in Ypsilanti welcomes residents to open mic nights each first Friday of the month.

Store windows for a brick building with pink trim. The inside of the windows are covered in posters and decorations.

Ypsilanti Art Supply to open storefront, offer multi-use studio space

By Katherine Tatomir · Friday, Jan. 30, 2026

Ypsilanti Art Supply is set to expand its storefront to include a space next door for classes, workshops and more.

Storefront with green and black trim against a brick building. Multiple signs in the windows read "a2vintage," "Vintage Clothing," "Opening Soon" and more.

Roots: A2vintage relocates to Depot Town, introduces Student Sunday sale

By Hannah Borders · Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026

Ypsilanti vintage store a2vintage has moved from its location on Michigan Avenue to a new space in Depot Town. With the move, they are starting Student Sunday sales.

Close-up of the artist drawing a tattoo on the upper arm of a client with a black marker.

Roots Artist of the Month: Rae Brooks-Pauli finds spiritual connection through intuitive-based tattooing

By Carol Detary · Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

Intuitive-based tattoo artist, mentor and business owner Rae Brooks-Pauli is set to open Haven Tattoo Studio in Ypsilanti at the end of January 2026, where they will entwine spirituality with their artistry.

Roots: Letter from the Editor

By Jada Hauser · Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

Meet Jada Hauser, The Eastern Echo's new arts editor and Cellar Roots editor-in-chief.

Roots Ypsilanti Arts Events: Jan. 27, 2026

By Jada Hauser and Gray Connor · Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026

Browse these upcoming Ypsilanti arts events, featuring music, comedy, poetry, and more.

Embracing Our Differences art project, open submissions for 2026 exhibit

By Ky'anna Coats · Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026

Embracing Our Differences Michigan is seeking submissions for its 2026 exhibit until Jan. 30, 2026, in accordance with the theme, "Enriching Our Lives Through Diversity."

Ypsilanti night spots feature several open mic events near the EMU campus

By Ky'anna Coats · Friday, Jan. 16, 2026

Looking to showcase a talent in front of an audience? Check out one of these open mic nights in Ypsilanti.

Local Artist of the Month: Chey Ely, creative and creator of magazine Detroit Undercover

By Carol Detary · Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

Chey Ely, a fashion marketing innovation major at Eastern Michigan University and creator of their own magazine, is the Roots Local Artist of the Month for December 2025.

EMU AMP! connects student artists with audiences at Handmade for the Holidays market

By Hannah Borders · Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

EMU AMP! hosted Handmade for the Holidays holiday art market on Dec 3, 2025.

Yatziry Linares-Lazano Down the Rabbit Hole

EMU Fine Arts Capstone brings community representation with Down the Rabbit Hole exhibition

By Hannah Borders · Friday, Dec. 5, 2025

Fine Arts Capstone students focus on diversity and representation with their upcoming gallery, Down the Rabbit Hole.