Michigan Arts Presents
artistic director
Randy Schwartz
hopes to revive
culture in Detroit
with dance.
LESLEY PEARL
STAFF WRITER
Randy Schwartz: "A family of four can go to the theater for $20."
hile George
Bush and the
Republican
party blame
problems in
America on the
breakdown
of family val-
ues, F. Randolph (Randy)
Schwartz of Michigan Arts
Presents partially blames
the breakdown of culture in
America.
"Arts are not an option or
an entertainment only," Mr.
Schwartz said. "One only
has to look at immigrants —
the successful ones establish
cultural centers.
"Our problems are not
drugs and crime. These are
only symptoms. Our prob-
lem is a breakdown of cul-
tural heritage. We are not
educating our children
about their heritages and
backgrounds. When you can
establish common bonds and
understand that different
cultures share many things,
many of our social problems
will no longer end in crime,"
Mr. Schwartz said. "Crimi-
nals don't know their cul-
tural background, so they
create their own. They call
it a gang."
Mr. Schwartz hopes to
help change that and revive
America's cultural identity.
As artistic director of
Michigan Arts Presents, the
only independent non-prof-
it presenter in Detroit, Mr.
Schwartz brings three dance
troupes to Music Hall this
season. Music Hall and
Michigan Arts Presents
have formed a partnership
resulting in this season's
Dance Celebration.
"Non-profit presenting is
not about how much money
is made," Mr. Schwartz said.
"Instead, it tries to maxi-
mize connections with the
community."
In addition to its regular
programming schedule,
Michigan Arts Presents and
Music Hall will offer chil-
dren's matinees for $5 and
family matinees, charging
$10 per child with the ac-
companying adult admission
free. An additional child
without an adult costs $5
and an extra adult without
child costs $10. Senior citi-
zen discounts will be avail-
able. Golden Charter Sub-
scribers, those purchasing
season tickets, will retain
seats, receive discount
coupons toward additional
ticket purchases and park
for free.
"A family of four can go to
the theater for $20. They get
a theatrical experience with
a world-class dance troupe
for the price of a movie for
four," Mr. Schwartz said.
Families will have the op-
portunity to be dazzled by
the Hubbard Street Dance
Company from Chicago.
Originally an exclusive jazz
company, Hubbard Street
has changed its focus during
the last six years — becom-
ing a repository of American
choreography, including
works by Twyla Tharp.
"Those 15 dancers give
175 percent. They spill their
guts. You have to catch your
breath just trying to keep up
with them," Mr. Schwartz
said.
Jubilation, a grass-roots
effort dance company start-
ed by Kevin Jeff of The Wiz,
and Pilobulus, a troupe with
a comedic and acrobatic
bent, complete the series.
"We are committed to
bringing the best companies
here. This is critical to es-
tablishing credibility and a
high artistic standard. Peo-
ple may not always like
what we do, but they won't
be able to call it second-
rate," Mr. Schwartz said.
The odds are on his side.
Mr. Schwartz has been act-
ing in a similar capacity in
Philadelphia for 22 years —
bringing the best in dance to
the city — with much suc-
cess.
"Dancing is a natural
function of the human ex-
perience," Mr. Schwartz
said. "It is so universal. We
have an instinct to move —
it comes from the tempo of
the heartbeat. This is not
just entertainment. We are
physically set up to respond
to it. And in each culture we
specialize in it." ❑