20 years ago this week in Metro Times: Gay Zieger chronicles the history of the Meadow Brook Theatre as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. The former Oakland University lecture hall’s acoustics and amphitheater design helped it become the Detroit area’s only fully professional theater company. Audiences keep the theater at 80 percent to 90 percent capacity, thanks to regular performances by the best players from around the country. What was happening: The Polish Muslims at Saint Andrew’s Hall.
14 years ago this week in Metro Times: Stewart Francke reports on the struggling Detroit arts scene. The Detroit Institute of Arts is laying off 84 employees, Tyree Guyton’s art-object houses are being leveled, the DIA is cutting hours and exhibits as a result of a decreased operating budget and the Ongoing Michigan Artists Program is now eliminated. Former DIA curator George Tysh laments the loss of culture and history brought on by a focus on how much money art is earning. What was happening: See Dick Run at the 3-D.
Three years ago this week in Metro Times: Ann Mullen profiles Thomas Hawkins, whose lawsuit against his former employer alleges that he was fired for forcing the company to comply with Detroit’s living wage ordinance. After a year working for Parkview Counseling Centers, Hawkins informed the their chief financial officer that the company was required to pay employees a living wage like any company that has a city contract. In May 2001, Parkview agreed to pay its employees the living wage, but Hawkins was fired a year later. What was happening: Bump-n-Uglies at the Magic Stick.