Random Act of Culture - Renaissance Center Food Court

**Scottathew** · September-30-11, 08:28 PM

Did anyone else witness any "Random Acts of Culture" lately?

Earlier this week my coworkers were eating in the food court in the A level of the Renaissance Center. A ~7 piece symphony came out of nowhere and played a song right in the middle of the place!

Just as quickly as they came, they left, and a lady went through with a sign that said "RANDOM ACTS OF CULTURE".

It was a very neat experience and everyone in the place greatly appreciated it. Because we don't actively seek out classical music we didn't really have any exposure to it. I found myself strangely wanting more and I'm considering a date night with the wife to go see the DSO.

I don't know exactly what the goal of this group was, but even not knowing their exact goal, I'm pretty sure they accomplished it.

Detroit baby! Downtown is alive!

**Detroitej72** · September-30-11, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by 48091

Because we don't actively seek out classical music we didn't really have any exposure to it. I found myself strangely wanting more and I'm considering a date night with the wife to go see the DSO.

I don't know exactly what the goal of this group was, but even not knowing their exact goal, I'm pretty sure they accomplished it.

You just hit the nail on the head with your last statement.

Win win for culture in the D!

**bigtreble** · October-01-11, 04:58 AM

A very talented 4-piece symphony played at Motorcity Brew yesterday around 5:30pm.

**Gannon** · October-01-11, 07:31 AM

This is likely tied to the Sphinx Foundation in the RenCen. Great people on a wonderful mission...to increase the number of minorities in symphonic music by supporting promising youngsters. I talked with one of their people at a wine tasting up at Motor City Wine almost a year ago about these things, but then didn't expect to see them after he left the group.

Great to hear that they are happening...hope y'all enjoy 'em.

Cheers,
John

**Detroit68** · October-01-11, 08:48 AM

http://www.knightarts.org/random-acts-of-culture

**One Shot** · October-01-11, 11:31 AM

These flash mob things are annoying if ya aske me. In today's terrorist/extremist society it's a good way to get a trigger happy cop/security guard shooting or tackling you! If that cop at the casino wants to punch someone those are the people to do it to!

**Scottathew** · October-01-11, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by One Shot

These flash mob things are annoying if ya aske me. In today's terrorist/extremist society it's a good way to get a trigger happy cop/security guard shooting or tackling you! If that cop at the casino wants to punch someone those are the people to do it to!

No one seemed annoyed or threatened at the event I've described. Everyone thought it was pretty cool.

**Goose** · October-01-11, 05:39 PM

do people really like that opera type music? i consider it a noise nuisance.........

**dtowncitylover** · October-01-11, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Goose

do people really like that opera type music? i consider it a noise nuisance.........

Some consider today's modern music of pop and rap that have little cultural importance a noise nuisance too. jeez

**chitaku** · October-01-11, 06:13 PM

I was the camera man with the group on thursday we went to the bus depot, several spots in the ren cen and up to back alley bikes. It was really cool and everybody appreciated it. I believe they are doing it for grants.

**Goose** · October-01-11, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by dtowncitylover

Some consider today's modern music of pop and rap that have little cultural importance a noise nuisance too. jeez

because you have to have a horn section to be considered "cultural"? Cultural to me is hoity-toity people sitting around to music that really isn't that great, can't be supported financially on it's own, and the people are sitting around sipping overpriced wine with their pinky finger extended......

**Scottathew** · October-01-11, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by Goose

people are sitting around sipping overpriced wine with their pinky finger extended......

LOL. That's too funny.

But as to the argument about this music being a noise nuisance, I probably would have felt the same way too. However, after getting a little bit of a taste of classical music, I must say I rather enjoyed it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to throw away my CD collection and delete my MP3s, but I must admit I'm craving a little more exposure.

After all, one of my favorite movies has some pretty powerful music by a symphony orchestra.

**Detroitej72** · October-01-11, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by Goose

because you have to have a horn section to be considered "cultural"? Cultural to me is hoity-toity people sitting around to music that really isn't that great, can't be supported financially on it's own, and the people are sitting around sipping overpriced wine with their pinky finger extended......

Typical Tea-bagger logic, I don't understand, therefore I must call it "hoity-toity", and "elitests", thus they must be bad.

**Neilr** · October-01-11, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by Goose

because you have to have a horn section to be considered "cultural"? Cultural to me is hoity-toity people sitting around to music that really isn't that great, can't be supported financially on it's own, and the people are sitting around sipping overpriced wine with their pinky finger extended......

Goose, your post reminded me of one of my favorite iconic photos. Thanks.

**Goose** · October-01-11, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitej72

Typical Tea-bagger logic, I don't understand, therefore I must call it "hoity-toity", and "elitests", thus they must be bad.

i guess thats my problem, i guess "cultural" is something you need to "understand".. all along I was looking for something to "enjoy"............

i'm such an ignorant serf, unable to "understand" the culture of the academia elite.......

**Detroitej72** · October-01-11, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by Goose

i guess thats my problem, i guess "cultural" is something you need to "understand".. all along I was looking for something to "enjoy"............

Substitute understand for enjoy in your case, it's all the same to cons.

**margdar** · October-02-11, 06:05 PM

So cool that folks are posting about this!

Yes, this is the work of the Sphinx Organization in partnership with the Knight Foundation. The idea is to take the performing arts out of the concert hall and into the streets. The goal is to promote the arts organizations in our community and bring a little fun into la vie quotidienne!

This year, the project has brought over 150 Random Acts of Culture from the Sphinx Virtuosi chamber orchestra [[the group in the RenCen Food Court), Brassworks quartet [[the group at MCBW), Community Chorus of Detroit, Mosaic Youth Theater, Michigan Opera Theater, La Chispa and Company and others to unsuspecting audiences around Detroit. Locations have included the Eastern Market, RenCen, Back Alley Bikes, the People Mover, Rosa Parks Transit Center, Detroit Metro Airport, Honey Bee Market, Motor City Brewing Works, American and Lafayette Coney Islands, D'Mongo's and just plain 'ol out on the streets!

I am glad to hear that folks are enjoying the performances! Who knows? You may find yourself in the middle of a Random Act of Culture in Detroit this month!

P.S. You may find a hint about where to catch the next Random Act by following Sphinx's Twitter feed: @sphinxmusic

DetroitPole · October-03-11, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by Goose

because you have to have a horn section to be considered "cultural"? Cultural to me is hoity-toity people sitting around to music that really isn't that great, can't be supported financially on it's own, and the people are sitting around sipping overpriced wine with their pinky finger extended......

You're a real peach. You must be a hit at parties. Blech.

**Goose** · October-03-11, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPole

You're a real peach. You must be a hit at parties. Blech.

yeah, i'm not a psuedo-intellectual thinking I am one up on someone because I think my music is "cultural"..... I drink PBR and listen to Kid Rock at my parties.... I'll pass on your party anyways....

**dtowncitylover** · October-03-11, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Goose

because you have to have a horn section to be considered "cultural"? Cultural to me is hoity-toity people sitting around to music that really isn't that great, can't be supported financially on it's own, and the people are sitting around sipping overpriced wine with their pinky finger extended......

No you don't need a horn section to be cultural, but I hear enough mindless rap, pop, and hip hop coming from other people's blaring radios and not enough classical and jazz.

I'm the first person to fall asleep at a classical concert, but at least I can appreciate the music because I know those musicians had real talent rather than autotune making their voices better and other people writing their lyrics for them.

Go ahead and have fun with your Kid Rock and PBR, but there's more music than the mindless crap that we listen to today and we need to experience that.

**Gistok** · October-03-11, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by Goose

because you have to have a horn section to be considered "cultural"? Cultural to me is hoity-toity people sitting around to music that really isn't that great, can't be supported financially on it's own, and the people are sitting around sipping overpriced wine with their pinky finger extended......

Good lord.... I can't believe that you're that much of a knuckle dragger...

Even the Jonas Brother's crowd are more sophisticated than you are...

Take for instance... American Idol on 5/19/11... 30 million American's watched a trio of teen Italian tenors brought down the house with a standing ovation, that even blew away all the contestants on that program...

If these guys [[who are nominated for 2 Grammy's, including new Pop Artist) have blown away even the American teenage jean wearing "hoity-toity" crowd... then you Neanderthals should take notice...