Edition No. 57
Arts and Culture
The Smithsonian celebrates an American civil rights icon with a look through the collections.
Community and Family
Recall a notable moment in local history when Dr. King visited Grosse Pointe South High School in March 1968.
American Democracy
Barak Obama challenged the US Senate to modify its rules so that voting rights legislation will not just reach the Senate floor for debate but be brought up for a vote.
The War Memorial kicks off Live at the Alger performance series featuring prominent jazz, classical, and roots musicians
Central Press/Getty Images
The War Memorial (TWM) is excited to announce a new performance series welcoming a diverse cast of innovative jazz, classical, and roots musicians to the Grosse Pointe communities. Live at the Alger is a series of house-concert style performances, providing listeners with an up-close and personal musical experience.
Elden Kelly, a solo classical and jazz guitarist, kicks off the series on Friday, January 28 at TWM’s historic Alger House. One of a handful of young jazz guitarists specializing in nylon string guitar and one of the few in the U.S. to incorporate the fretless guitar, Kelly is an engaging improviser, composer, and singer, writing instrumental music for the guitar and ensembles.
“I come from a musical family and grew up with jazz, so improvisation is inherent to my practice,” said Kelly. “All of the artists I admire most created their own path through incorporating the things they loved and integrating it into a collective vision. It is my hope that my music invites people on a journey of exploration, discovery and maybe surprise.”
During this event, Kelly will play instrumental renditions of jazz, twists on familiar pop and classical themes with global music influences, and original music all with an expressive and virtuosic flair. His original music is an engaging synergy of classical, jazz, folk, and world styles, while influenced but not defined by diverse genres such as Jazz, Neoclassicism, American roots, Hindustani, and Turkish music.
“I'm a huge fan of music and am always trying to uncover more of what makes it work as a composer, performer, and scholar. My motivation to create is integral to my search to become the best version of myself that I can be, and to discover and bring into focus more truth, meaning, and significance to those around me,” said Kelly.
A full cash bar will be available throughout the evening. More details and to purchase tickets, click the button below.
KING TUTANKHAMUN: Wonderful Things from the Pharaoh’s Tomb
Back by popular demand, King Tutankhamun will be on display at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History until August 22. With support from Rocket Community Fund and accompanied by an informative catalog, KING TUTANKHAMUN: Wonderful Things from the Pharaoh’s Tomb, vividly brings to life Egypt’s 18th Dynasty.
Divided into five sections - An introduction to Ancient Egypt, The Archeological Discovery, The Private Pharaoh, The Public Pharaoh, and The Royal Burial - this installation features more than 120 replicas of Pharaoh Tut’s sacred and personal possessions.
The year 2022 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the tomb of the boy Pharaoh (King), Tutankhamun. Described as an innocent puppet-ruler, Pharaoh Tut was caught in the middle of a political, spiritual, and artistic revolution, initiated by his father, Pharaoh Akhenaten.
“Modify Senate rules to save democracy”
Barak Obama, in the Detroit Free Press and USA Today Group newspapers, January 13, 2021
In his first opinion piece since leaving office, Barak Obama, 44rd President of the United States, challenged the US Senate to modify its rules so that voting rights legislation will not just reach the Senate floor for debate but be brought up for a vote.
As you probably know, the impediment to bringing that legislation to the floor for a vote is the filibuster through which as few as 41 Senators can effectively block action on most matters coming before the Senate. In his piece, President Obama summarized the history of the filibuster thusly,
“The filibuster has no basis in the Constitution. Historically, the parliamentary tactic has been used sparingly – most notably by Southern senators to block civil rights legislation and prop up Jim Crowe. In recent years, the filibuster became a routine way for the Senate minority to block important progress on issues supported by a majority of voters.”
The voting rights legislation that President Obama hopes to see acted upon has already passed the House and a Senate Committee. It probably also has the votes needed to pass the full Senate. That legislation, however, would outlaw many of the restrictions on voting currently being considered or enacted by GOP-majority state legislatures across the US. As a result, Republicans in the Senate are opposed to bringing it up for a vote and can block action on the legislation unless the filibuster is eliminated or a new “carve out” from the filibuster for voting rights is created.
President Obama’s article is long but very approachable, it is available at the link below.
Inspired Thoughts is a collection of highly curated content that embraces the spirit and purpose of The War Memorial: arts and culture, community enrichment, leadership, and patriotism.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Communications team at dmurphy@warmemorial.org.