Free with RSVP: RSVP HERE
Suggested Donation $20
Sonic Memory Circles is a community-centered program that explores the intersection of archival sound, lived experience, and mental health.
Led by sound practitioner Sophiyah E., who brings years of experience in providing sound-based healing practices throughout Detroit, this project creates intimate spaces where elders can share personal stories of resilience and the role sound has played in their healing journeys.
Each session features a guided conversation with a community elder, supported by a sound-based demonstration that reflects their individual narrative. Drawing from DSC’s archival holdings, which includes historic music recordings, oral histories, and visual material, Sophiyah E. alongside selected community elders, will layer archival materials with live sound synthesis.
This multimodal approach creates a grounded, immersive environment that supports reflection, emotional processing, and intergenerational learning. In doing so, Sonic Memory Circles elevate community knowledge while reframing the archive as a living tool for emotional and cultural restoration.
As a culminating element, the reimagined sound pieces and recorded conversations will be added back into the DSC archive. This transforms each session into an ongoing resource for public engagement, scholarship, and community feedback. Over time, the project builds a growing collection of sonic testimonies that document how Detroiters use sound as a pathway to healing, connection, and cultural memory.