Edition No. 70
Arts and Culture
Kris Johnson to perform a special interactive solo performance titled #looptherapy as the final artist in the "Live at the Alger" house-concert series.
Community and Family
Enjoy delicious foods and great special during Grosse Pointe Restaurant Week kicking of April 26!
Award-winning trumpeter Kris Johnson brings #looptherapy to The War Memorial, concluding the Live at the Alger performance series
Many are familiar with the concept of music therapy, but award-winning trumpeter, composer, and educator Kris Johnson has coined the phrase #looptherapy as part of his arsenal of explorative music.
As the final performer to round out The War Memorial’s Live at the Alger, a series of house-concert style performances, Johnson will introduce #looptherapy to the Grosse Pointe communities on Friday, April 22. Beginning at 7 p.m., the event will dive into Johnson’s enlightening musical process providing listeners with a unique artistic experience.
Johnson uses looping technology on his iPad Pro in combination with the trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion instruments, voice, and more, to create unique textures and grooves as a part of #looptherapy.
“Learning about generational trauma and breaking toxic cycles has been extremely crucial to my personal development in the past few years,” explained Johnson. “The circular nature of trauma has fascinated me, and #looptherapy artistically represents breaking through toxic patterns.”
As an artist, Johnson’s work focuses on music that spans the depth and breadth Black American music. The influences that have shaped his artistry include Terence Blanchard, Thad Jones, Nicholas Payton, Stevie Wonder, Dave Matthews, Clifford Brown, Roy Hargrove, and many others.
Although a young artist, Johnson’s professional career is expansive and includes playing in and arranging for the renowned Count Basie Orchestra; directing the University of Utah Jazz Studies program; composing several musicals, including Jim Crow's Tears and Hastings Street: The Musical; and even produces the Kris Johnson Big Band YouTube series.
“Music is everywhere. Art is everything,” expressed Johnson. “My music is both a reflection of my life as well as an inspiration that guides how I operate day to day.”
Currently, Johnson works as the director of the Michigan State University Community Music School-Detroit and continues his freelance work as a composer and performer. He also teaches through his online platform, “Office Hours with Kris.”
Johnson has appeared on five Grammy-nominated albums and composed the original score for the four-time Emmy-nominated web series “King Ester.”
Guests will enjoy Johnson’s interactive performance combined with storytelling to discover ways in which art can provide healing and reflection in our lives.
“My hope is that by sharing my music, I will inspire others and spark much needed dialogue about the intersection of art, therapy, and quality of life.”
Event details:
7:00 p.m. (pre-glow ticketholders): Pre-glow in the historic 1910 Alger House. Ticket includes one complimentary drink, and delectable light hors d’oeuvres
7:30 p.m. (all ticketholders): Concert in the Alger House library
Full cash bar available throughout the evening. To purchase tickets, visit www.warmemorial.org/arts/liveatthealger-johnson.
Learn more about Jonson at the button below.
It’s restaurant week!
Foodies, are you ready to indulge in some of our local favorites? Grosse Pointe Restaurant Week is nearly here. The Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce presents its anticipated Restaurant Week kicking off April 26 and running through May 1. During the week, visitors can enjoy dinner deals at over a dozen restaurants. In-person dining and carry-out specials will be offered.
Participating restaurants include:
Alma Kitchen
Beyond Juicery + Eatery
The Bricks Pizzeria
Burger Pointe and Wings
Cadieux Café
Cellar 313
Champs Rotisserie & Seafood
Churchill's Cigar Bar & Bistro
The Continental at Ford House
To check out more about Restaurant Week, visit the button 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.