Edition No. 96
Arts and Culture
The Wright Museum celebrates the opening of Detroit Jazz: The Legacy Continues highlighting Detroit’s many impactful jazz musicians.
Community and Family
On two occasions this month, War Memorial Board Director Mary Lamparter was honored in Macomb County for her continued efforts in the community!
Detroit Jazz: The Legacy Continues
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History staff developed Detroit Jazz: The Legacy Continues as a companion to the Jazz Greats exhibit, focusing on the Detroit artists who have lived and worked among us. Amid racial segregation, these musicians expressed themselves and offered solace and escape through their music.
The exhibition kicks off today and runs through February 28, 2023.
Organized in five sections, the stories capture the lives and spirit of Black jazz musicians who have contributed to the genre. This exhibition highlights a few of the many Detroit musicians and venues that influenced jazz music.
The Wright Museum provides a verse introduction to Detroit Jazz covering periods beginning in the 19th century where jazz first spread throughout the United States, to cities like Chicago, New York, and Detroit. During the 1920s, Black musicians in Detroit, including Theodore Finney, Fred S. Stone, and Benjamin Shook, dominated the society band scene. These musicians expressed themselves through early jazz genres like ragtime, swing, boogie-woogie, bebop, marching, and big band music. Today, jazz remains at the center of R&B, hip-hop, and rap, and serves as a tool for curating expression and creativity.
Eager to learn more? Plan your visit to the Wright Museum at the button below.
War Memorial board director recognized for work with nonprofit organization
On two occasions this month, War Memorial Board Director Mary Lamparter was honored in Macomb County for her continued efforts in the community.
Oct. 14, Mary and Ron Lamparter were recognized for "outstanding civic service leadership in the community" by being presented the Mayor Richard J. Notte Civic Service Leadership Award. The Puttin' on the Ritz event was hosted by the Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation. Additionally, on Oct. 20, the couple will be inducted into the Macomb County Hall of Fame at an awards ceremony at the Assumption Community Center in St. Clair Shores.
Mary Lamparter is the secretary on The War Memorial Board of Directors. She has served on the board about seven years. The couple, of Grosse Pointe Farms, has been involved with Defense Center Corridor for Collaboration and Synergy (DC3S) in Sterling Heights and Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(c)3 based in Williston, Florida, established in 2010. Its goal is to unleash the incredible power of service dogs. Mary has volunteered with them as a Michigan regional coordinator for about nine years, assisting with many fund raisers and spreading the good word of its work.
“I had been holding a fundraiser called ‘celebrate Michigan’s military,’ but about 10 years ago, that fundraiser went to other veteran causes,” she said. “I was then introduced to Guardian Angels and fell in love with their mission.”
2022 marks the eighth year the fundraiser has benefited Guardian Angels. The service dogs are mainly for veterans and first responders. When a dog is placed with an individual, Mary Lamparter commented she knows that person will have a much better life. Mary said it takes up to two years to fully train a service dog. One service dog cost about $25,000 but is no cost to veterans.
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.