The Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory in partnership with the School of Music, Theatre & Dance proudly invites the community to STRGZR, an immersive musical journey directed by Dr. Michael Gould, featuring the innovative talents of undergraduate and graduate percussion majors in the Percussion Lab course. This unique series of performances will take place at the historic Observatory in Ann Arbor on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Audience members are invited to discover an evening where astronomy, history, and contemporary percussion intertwine. Each 30-minute concert will embark from the lobby of the beautifully renovated Observatory and culminate beneath the dome—where, weather permitting, guests will have a chance to gaze at the stars themselves.

This semester’s Percussion Lab, comprised of U-M percussion majors, will explore themes inspired by the Observatory’s architecture, its historic star drum charts, and celestial phenomena such as eclipses. Concertgoers will be guided through each stage of the journey, experiencing music and narration inspired by both the cosmos and the Observatory's legacy.

Performance Times (registration is required):
- Show One: 8:00 p.m.
- Show Two: 8:30 p.m.
- Show Three: 9:00 p.m.
- Show Four: 9:30 p.m.
- Show Five: 10:00 p.m.

Please Note:

- Registration is required and attendance is limited; please sign up for one of the performance times.
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your ticketed performance.
- A cozy waiting area will be available, featuring music and storytelling inspired by astronomy and the Observatory’s history (featuring Professors Malcolm Tulip and Michael Gould).
- Dress warmly—the dome is unheated and can be quite chilly.

Please contact detroit.observatory@umich.edu or call 734-763-2203 with any questions.

Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory at the University of Michigan
1398 East Ann Street (entrance on Observatory Street)
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

About the Detroit Observatory:
Built in 1854, the Detroit Observatory is the oldest scientific research facility at the University of Michigan. It now serves as a museum exploring the history of astronomy and the history of the University. Learn more at detroitobservatory.umich.edu.