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Arts & Entertainment

While nearby Detroit provides an outlet for cultural enrichment, the Rochester area has no shortage of cultural opportunities. From art to music to theater, Greater Rochester gives plenty of reasons to stay in town.

The Oakland University Art Gallery features a diverse program of museum quality exhibitions featuring contemporary, historical and ethnographic art. In addition, the gallery frequently is host to lectures and performances. Contributors include international guests as well as contemporary Michigan artists.

Comprised of professional musicians and talented local residents, the Rochester Symphony Orchestra puts on an annual concert series and hosts a Young Artist competition. The winner gets to perform with the orchestra and receives a cash award. For tickets, call (248) 651-4181 and to hire musicians for special events, call (248) 909-1832. Continuing the tradition of superb orchestral performances, the Meadow Brook Music Festival on the campus of Oakland University provides a summer home for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to the many opportunities to appreciate the creative talents of others, there are also a variety of ways for residents to cultivate their own creativity. The Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA) offers classes for one-year-olds through adults in dance, sports, fitness and more. For the aspiring artist, the Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) provides studio classes for children and adults, community education programs and year-long exhibitions of emerging and established artists, as well as handcrafted art for sale in the gift gallery. The center is also home to the famous annual Art & Apples Festival, the second largest fine arts festival in Michigan featuring over 250 artists, live music and homemade apple pies!

For live theatre, there is no finer thespian stage than the Meadow Brook Theatre. Located on the campus of Oakland University, the independently owned and operated theatre showcases the brightest local and national talent. Meadow Brook Theatre is Michigan’s largest non-profit producing professional theatre and the site of many award-winning plays and musicals. The Avon Players have been providing quality drama and comedy for nearly 60 years, bringing out the best in Rochester area residents. For further information contact (248) 608-9077. For those interested in the silver screen, the area also has several first-run movie theaters.

Paint Creek Center for the Arts
407 Pine Street
Rochester, MI 48307
248-651-4110 (phone)
248-651-4757 (fax)
www.pccart.org
www.artandapplesfestival.com

Meadow Brook Theatre
207 Wilson Hall
Rochester 48309
248-370-3187 (phone)
www.mbtheatre.com

Oakland University Art Gallery
(formally Meadow Brook Art Gallery)
209 Wilson Hall
Oakland University
Rochester, 48309
248-370-3005
www.oakland.edu/ouag

The Greater Rochester area’s location also places residents within 20 minutes of quality sporting events and concerts. The Palace of Auburn Hills, named Arena of the Year by Performance Magazine, is the home of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Shock of the WNBA. It is also a popular venue for major performance artists. The DTE Energy Music Festival, the nation’s busiest amphitheater every year since 1991, hosts more than 80 events annually from May through September.

Annual Rochester Area Events

Egg Hunt — March — (248) 656-4663
Heritage Festival — May — (248) 656-4663
Prayer Breakfast — May — (248) 651-6700
Memorial Day Parade — Memorial Day — (248) 651-8137
Farmer’s Market — Saturdays May-Oct. — (248) 656-0060
Peter Rabbit Garden Tea — June — (248) 656-4663
Garden Walk — June — (248) 656-4663
Soapbox Derby — June — (248) 652-0060
Golf, Tennis, Fun Walk — June — (248) 652-5345
Music in the Park — June-July — (248) 330-8966
Festival of the Hills — June/July — (248) 656-4664
Movies in the Moonlight — Fridays July — (248) 656-0060
Sidewalk Sales — July — (248) 656-0060
Dancin’ in the Street — August — (248) 656-0060
Rockin Rods n’ Rochester — August — (248) 651-4155
Art & Apples Festival — September — (248) 651-4110
Spotlights Art Fair — September — (248) 651-7141
The Pumpkin Festival — October — (248) 651-0060
Lagniappe — November — (248) 656-0060
Gourmet Gala Benefit — November — (248) 652-5345
Lead In the Holidays — November — (248) 651-9011
Kris Kringle Market — November — (248) 656-0060
Christmas Parade — December — (248) 651-6700
The Big, Bright Light Show — November-December —
(248) 651-0060
DDA Ice Show — January — (248) 656-0060