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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n5 places to experience ballet in Michigan<\/p>\n
You can immerse yourself in the art of ballet at these five Michigan venues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/story-highlights> An ambitious expansion of the historic Orsa Music Hall is a signature away following the Detroit City Council\u2019s approval of a $166 million bonds package Tuesday, April 21.<\/p>\n The resolution now sits at the desk of Mayor Mary Sheffield, who has previously signaled support for the project.<\/p>\n Presuming Sheffield signs off, groundbreaking is expected to take place July 17, venue president Vince Paul told the Free Press. Opening is targeted for October 2028, he said.<\/p>\n The bonds, covering most of the expansion project\u2019s $174 million total budget, would be issued by the Economic Development Corp. The EDC board could meet as early as next week for final authorization, said Rebecca Navin, general counsel for the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. (DEGC).<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re really excited for the project. It\u2019s been a long time coming,\u201d said Navin. \u201cMusic Hall is obviously a really important institution in the city and we think this addition \u2014 especially to the entertainment district \u2014 will be instrumental in revitalizing that corner of Paradise Valley downtown.\u201d<\/p>\n The expansion proposal, announced in 2023<\/a>, calls for a seven-level, 108,000-square-foot complex adjacent to the existing Orsa Music Hall on Madison Avenue.<\/p>\n Plans include a concert venue, music academy, recital hall, recording facilities, a nightclub terrace and a Detroit music-themed restaurant along with a \u201cwalk of fame\u201d-style alleyway recognizing hometown music greats.<\/p>\n Design is being spearheaded by acclaimed architect Tod Williams, a Detroit native whose recent work has included redesign of New York\u2019s David Geffen Hall and engineering of Chicago\u2019s Obama Presidential Center.<\/p>\n Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, which opened as the Wilson Theater in 1928, offers a regular schedule of concert, dance and theater programming at its 1,700-seat theater.\u00a0The nonprofit institution took on the Orsa name<\/a> in January as part of a 20-year, $25 million deal with Plymouth-based Orsa Credit Union.<\/p>\n This is Music Hall\u2019s second go-round with expansion funding: In 2024, the City of Detroit greenlit an initial $80 million bonds plan<\/a>, but the financing arrangement was subsequently revamped by Music Hall, prompting a reboot of the process.<\/p>\n The $166 million resolution approved Tuesday involves not-for-profit bonds \u2014 formally known as non-credit enhanced securities \u2014 which means neither Detroit taxpayers nor the EDC will be responsible for the debt. Music Hall will be tasked with locking in investors, and the institution itself will act as collateral.<\/p>\n Paul, who has served as Music Hall president since 2006, said about 30% of the financing will be underwritten by the New York firm Siebert Williams Shank, co-founded by Detroiter Suzanne Shank.<\/p>\n Music Hall and its trustees, led by chairman Alex Parrish, will also embark on a capital fundraising campaign, seeking investment from companies and foundations as the project moves ahead.<\/p>\n\n