Edition No. 2
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.
In this inaugural edition, we have chosen two musical performances with direct ties to The War Memorial, as well a stirring reading of the Declaration of Independence. 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 Community Engagement team at bhoste@warmemorial.org.
In this Edition
Arts and Culture
One for the Foxes provides a unique musical flavor, merging Irish and American folk idioms.
Community and Family
Our community partner, Michigan Opera Theatre engages music lovers with digital performances.
Our American Values
Joanne Freeman of Yale University introduces and leads a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
One for the Foxes — Lost Pints and Shiny Shoes
Filmed and Produced at The War Memorial in 2019
One for the Foxes, a dynamic transatlantic trio, features Ireland’s Tadhg Ó Meachair and Dave Curley, alongside Colorado, USA’s Joanna Hyde. Merging varied backgrounds in Irish and American folk musics, this band’s highly personalized sound emerges in a manner both eclectic and grounded.
One for the Foxes has appeared twice at The War Memorial, performing for full houses in The Patriot Theater — and the band is returning for a free exclusive virtual concert on December 4, 2020.
As an exciting sidenote, the music video for Lost Pints and Shiny Shoes, featured here, was filmed in the art gallery (formerly the WMTV television studio) at The War Memorial in late 2019.
MOT at Home — La vie en Rose
A gem in the Detroit artistic community, and an esteemed partner of The War Memorial for many years, Michigan Opera Theatre is experiencing thrilling growth. Having just announced their new Artistic Director, Yuval Sharon, MOT is advancing our area’s cultural gravitas, while remaining true to their community roots; in fact, The War Memorial recently hosted the MOT Studio Artists for a one-night-only socially-distanced concert on our lakefront lawn.
During the pandemic crisis, Michigan Opera Theatre launched MOT at Home — a virtual series featuring outstanding performances, including this jewel: La vie en Rose performed by soprano Avery Boettcher and Principal Coach Michael Sherman.
The Declaration of Independence: Introduction and Reading
Curated by Michael Montgomery, Fundraising Counsel at The War Memorial
I have always considered the Declaration of Independence to be the “coming attraction” for the United States of America. Everything our country is, was, or we are hoping to someday become is in there. Back when I was teaching American Politics and Government to college freshman, I began every semester by passing a copy of the Declaration around the room with each student reading a passage. As a result, I was thrilled to find the reading of the Declaration of Independence that appears at the link below. Joanne Freeman, Class of 1954 Professor of History and American Studies at Yale University, introduces the Declaration and leads a reading of it by some of her students and colleagues. Freeman, a popular presence on History TV and PBS is a specialist in our Founding Generation and especially Hamilton which has led her to a subspecialty in dueling and political violence.
Suggested Reading
Curated by Michael Montgomery, Fundraising Council at The War Memorial
What can we say? We’re Detroiters, we love cars, and so love this column about people who love cars. Old, interesting, funky, or just plain odd cars — and their owners — the subject of A.J. Baime’s weekly column appearing Tuesdays in The Wall Street Journal. Read more here.
Upcoming Virtual Event
Curated by Michael Montgomery, Fundraising Council at The War Memorial
By the way, A.J. Baime is an old friend of The War Memorial who will next be with us on Thursday, October 15 at 7pm for an online author talk about his new book, Dewey Defeats Truman: The Election of 1948 and the Battle for America’s Soul. For more information, or to register, click here.