Third Thursdays @ The Wright - October

Third Thursdays @ The Wright - October 19, 2023 | 6:00-9:00

Enjoy an evening of art, live music, cocktails, and light fare at our monthly Third Thursdays mixer at the Wright! This month’s program is hosted and curated by Ben Will, an artist who uses poetry, musical performance, and storytelling to invite audiences into creative moments of self-discovery and joy. Tonight’s lineup features an array of soulful area artists including Arrie Lane, Kelly “Native” Mays, Angela Davis, Darnell Kendricks, and Samara Naier.  

Third Thursdays at The Wright includes access to our latest special exhibition, Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design. Galleries are open until 7pm!  

The event is Free and Open to the Public.  

More on our featured host and curator:  

BEN WILL (HOST) 

 

Ben Will is an artist who uses poetry, musical performance, and storytelling to guide audiences into creative moments of self-discovery where they feel worthy of their joy. A native to Detroit, MI., Ben’s empathetically invigorating performance style has been seen on local and international stages for a variety of audiences, including a recent cultural ambassador partnership with the US Embassy in Belgium and opening for New York Times bestselling author Rupi Kaur.  

KELLY “NATIVE” MAYS (POET) 

 

"Kelly "Native" Mays, is an Afro Indigenous licensed therapist, Poet Laureate of Westland, MI, author, and passionate advocate for domestic violence survivors, boasts a multifaceted talent as a spoken word poet, mixed media artist, and teaching artist.  

ARRIE LANE (POET) 

 

Arrie Lane is an Award-winning poet, actress, writer, creative and mother. As a Detroit native she is no stranger to the arts. She began writing at an early age, winning her first oratorical contest at the age of 9.  
"The sky is only the limit to those who don't believe they can break the stratosphere!" - Arrie Lane 

ANGELA DAVIS (VOCALIST) 

Angela Davis, a Detroit Native, is one of Detroit's most accomplished singers. She has shared stages with various national acts including The Temptations, Beach Boys, Alexander O’Neal, Gerald Albright, Norman Brown, Damien Escobar, Johnny Gill, Regina Bell, Angie Stone, Keith Washington, and many more!  

DARNELL KENDRICKS (VOCALIST) 

Soul Singer, Darnell Kendricks' Music has been enjoyed both locally, nationally and internationally and has become classics on urban ballroom and stepping dance floors across the country. 

SAMARA NAIER (VOCALIST) 

Samara Naier, a Detroit native and multi-hyphenate, is a singer/songwriter, voice-over artist, and theater actress currently pursuing a career in film/tv. She has performed Off Broadway for years, with her first notable role being Raynell in Fences.