Community Events & Master Classes
Adult Contemporary Pop-Up Class
Calling all adult dancers!
We’re excited to host an Adult Contemporary Pop-Up Class at DMD on August 19th from 10:00-11:15am.
This class is designed for adult dancers with previous dance experience who are ready to get back in the studio, move, and have fun. Whether it’s been a few weeks, a few years or a few decades since you’ve danced, we’d love to have you join us.
The class will be taught by DMD alumni and instructor Mary Devitt.
Mary Devitt Bio:
Mary Bischoff Devitt, from Sterling Heights, Michigan danced professionally for 12 years 9 if which was spent performing and touring with the nationally renowned Detroit Metropolitan Dance (formerly Eisenhower Dance Detroit) , Michigan's premier repertory dance company. Ms. Devitt has performed in productions such as Aida and Carmena Burana with Michigan Opera Theatre, Toy Castle Live (PBS), Amahl and the Night Visitors (Michigan Lyric Opera) and A Soldiers Tale among others. She performed works by renowned choreographers such as Eddie Falco (Alen Senor) Joel Hall, Eddie O'Campo, Brock Clawson, Keisha Lalama-White and Lar Lubovich. Ms. Devitt's training includes a BA in dance from Oakland University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and later received the Distinguished Alumni award (2012). Ms. Devitt served as the Director of Education and Outreach for Eisenhower Dance from 2001-2012 and was the Director of the Eisenhower Dance Center from 2008-2012 and served as the company's Rehearsal Director from 2013-2017. In addition, Ms. Devitt was the director of the Great Lakes Dance Festival and New Dance Fest. Ms. Devitt has taught ballet and modern dance at Oakland University, Wayne’s State University and Hope College, among others, and has guest taught and choreographed for various dance schools. Mary currently teaches company class for the Eisenhower Dance Detroit.
Detroit Month of Design Opening Celebration
The professional company of Detroit Metropolitan Dance will be performing at the opening celebration of Detroit Month of Design in Little Village!
Eastern Market After Dark @ Detroit Month of Design
A standout night of Detroit Month of Design, EMAD isn’t confined to a single building, the free, all-ages festival sprawls through Eastern Market’s sheds, streets and storefronts.
It's a celebration of Detroit's creative community, hosted in partnership with the place that has anchored Detroit's makers and merchants for over 130 years.
Eastern Market After Dark is made possible by the generous support of the Gilbert Family Foundation.
Detroit Metropolitan Dance Season Launch Party
Join us as we celebrate the launch of our rebrand, as well as our 36th anniversary season. This event is FREE and open to the community!
SEE & BE SEEN: Collegiate Dance Audition & Table Talk
Our annual collegiate dance audition and table talk returns this fall. New season, new location. Join us at Central City Dance in Canton, Michigan for a weekend focused on collegiate dance training. See & Be Seen gives young dancers the opportunity to audition for and learn about more than a dozen collegiate dance programs in Michigan and beyond!
AN EVENING FOR RISING PHILANTHROPISTS
Meet us before the show for drinks, food, and mingling prior to Eisenhower Dance Detroit's 35th season finale, BEYOND, at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Join our Rising Philanthropists group and connect with a vibrant network of young professionals who care about the arts and giving back.
For just $35/month, your membership includes:
Exclusive access to pre-show donor events
Invitation to open rehearsals
Chances to win backstage passes and EDD merch
Reserved seating at all EDD mainstage performances.
GRIT Workshop: The Dancer's Core
GRIT: The Dancer’s Core – Grace, Resilience, Integrity, and Tenacity
GRIT: The Dancer’s Core is a movement and mindset workshop developed to help dancers cultivate the inner strength that fuels artistry and longevity in the field. Rooted in both physical practice and reflective journaling and discussion, this workshop explores how Grace, Resilience, Integrity, and Tenacity form the foundation of sustainable, empowered dance careers.
Through guided movement, journaling, and group conversation, participants will identify how these four pillars show up in their training, performance, and personal growth—transforming challenges into opportunities for artistry.
Purpose:
To deepen dancers’ understanding of mental and emotional strength in dance.
To create a link between personal growth with artistic expression.
To build awareness of how mindset affects movement quality, rehearsal process, and performance.
To foster a supportive environment that values authenticity and perseverance.
Dancers leave with:
A personal understanding of GRIT as a daily practice and understanding that GRIT is a “muscle” that needs to be challenged.
Tools for navigating challenges in training and performance, as well as everyday life.
A renewed sense of purpose, grounded in authenticity and strength.
An Evening for Rising Philanthropists
You’re invited to join us for Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s Rising Philanthropists for a pre-performance gathering event focused towards encouraging impact, community building and challenging the creative mind. Join other young professionals for a full evening experience featuring:
FREE Appetizers
Cash Bar
Business card raffle for EDD swag
Reserved seating with other Rising Philanthropists at EDD's 35th Anniversary season opener, ONCE
Participate in an auction for the chance to win a backstage pass
U.P.rootEDD Culminating Performance featuring U.P.rootEDD Participants and Eisenhower Dance Detroit
Celebrate the end of an exciting week in the U.P. with a culminating showcase featuring performances by U.P.rootEDD intensive participants and EDD’s professional dancers.
McArdle Theater at Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, 1400 Townsend Dr. Houghton, MI 49931
$18 - General Admission
$12 - Youth/Senior
Move & Groove Class for All Ages/Skill Levels and Performance by U.P.rootEDD Participants and EDD Company Artists
From the Ground Farmer’s Market Collective proudly hosts EDD as we bring contemporary dance to the streets for a special improvisational performance! Visit our booth and check out our new swag collection!
4:00-4:30pm
Community “Move and Groove” Class with Eisenhower Dance Detroit *All ages and levels, no experience necessary
4:30-5:00pm
Performance and improvisation by U.P.rootEDD participants and Eisenhower Dance Detroit
Community Master Classes at Superior School of Dance
Take an EDD contemporary technique class, learn a short excerpt of EDD repertory, and participate in a Q&A session!
Superior School of Dance
417 Quincy Street
Room 411
Hancock, MI 49930
$30/class
Intermediate/Advanced Levels
4:30-6:00pm
Master class for ages 10-14
6:00-7:30pm
Master class for ages 15+
NewDANCEfest Festival Drop-In Classes
Wishing you could participate in NewDANCEfest? This is your opportunity! NewDANCEfest is now offering a dynamic series of drop-in style master classes designed for dancers and movers to take a unique dive into different styles and techniques, taught by local, national and internationally renowned and highly experienced instructors. Whether you're looking to refine your technique, expand your movement vocabulary, or just get inspired, this series has something to suit everyone!
Please click the button below to download our drop-in class schedule.
ConnectEDD: A Young Professionals Networking Experience
Join us for a high-energy night of networking and creativity before Eisenhower Dance Detroit's spring finale, Depth Within! Enjoy drinks and light appetizers as you're guided through a series of activities and discussions to connect with fellow young professionals from all industries. Expand your network and discover new ways to engage with our vibrant dance community! End the evening with a spectacular performance by Eisenhower Dance Detroit!
Pay-What-You-Can Master Class with EDD Assistant Artistic Director, Andrew Cribbett
Join us for a dynamic pay-what-you-can contemporary dance master class on Saturday, May 10th at 11am, before Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s evening performance of Depth Within. This intermediate/advanced-level class is open to dancers ages 13 and up, and will explore the themes of the evening's performance through movement, technique, and creative expression. Whether you're looking to challenge yourself or deepen your understanding of contemporary dance, this class offers a unique opportunity to connect with Eisenhower Dance Detroit before the show begins.
Attend the master class and receive a free ticket to Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s performance of Depth Within that evening!