The Calendar

This Week's Events

By Day

Highlights:

Ethan Canin: Liberty Borders.

Shawn Mullins: The Ark.

"Honk!": Dexter Community Players.

Thursday
July, 2008

8 a.m.
Youth Show: Washtenaw County 4-H. July 27-August 1. Six days of animal competitions and auctions, plus crafts, exhibits, and contests. Today: horse & pony shows (8 a.m. & 6 p.m.), a goat show (9 a.m.), a dairy show (9 a.m.), a horse show (10 a.m.), and auctions of small animals (6 p.m.) and livestock (6:30 p.m.). Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. Free. 429-3145.

9 a.m.
"Jackson County Brunch Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Thursday. Moderate-paced ride, 25-50 miles, along the less traveled roads of scenic Jackson County. meet at Cavanaugh Lake Park, Cavanaugh Lake Rd., Waterloo Recreation Area, 3.2 miles west of Chelsea. Free. 994-5908.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Thursday Lunch Bunch: Jewish Community Center. Every Thursday. A weekly program of activities primarily for seniors. The weekly program begins at 10 a.m. with "Fitness Fun" ($4), a 60-minute exercise program led by Maria Farquhar. At 11 a.m., a Current Events discussion group hosted by Heather Dombey. At 1 p.m., a cultural or educational program. Today: Sue Wagner leads and provides piano accompaniment for a sing-along of old favorites. The day concludes at 2:15 p.m. with a meeting of the Senior Literary Group , a book discussion group led by U-M Dearborn English professor emeritus Sidney Warschausky. Also, at noon, a homemade dairy lunch ($3 with reservation, $4 without reservation and for nonseniors). JCC, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. (off Stone School Rd. south of Packard). Free. 971-0990.

10 a.m.-4 p.m.
"Library Lego League": Ann Arbor District Library. July 24 & 31. All kids in grades 4-8 invited to design robots using programmable Lego Mindstorms bricks to compete in various weekly contests. AADL multipurpose room (lower level), 343 S. Fifth Ave. at William. Free. Preregistration required. 327-8301.

11 a.m.
Kids Programs: Waterloo Recreation Area. Every Wednesday-Saturday beginning June 18. Waterloo Recreation Area park interpreter Kathy Kavanagh presents a variety of nature programs and activities TBA for kids ages 7-12 (unless otherwise noted) accompanied by an adult. Today's topic: "PB&J Geology" (July 31). Eddy Discovery Center lower parking lot, Bush Rd. (west off Pierce Rd. from I-94 exit 157), Chelsea. Free. Space limited; preregistration required. Vehicle entrance fees: $6/day, $24/year ($6/year for seniors age 65 & over). 475-3170.

11 a.m.
Children's Storytime: Barnes & Noble. Every Thursday. Storytelling programs and craft activities for kids. Barnes & Noble, 3235 Washtenaw. Free. 973-1618.

Noon-2 p.m.
"Bank of Ann Arbor Sonic Lunch": Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce. Every Thursday (except July 3 & 17), June 5-September 25. Musical entertainment by local performers TBA. Today: TBA. Liberty Plaza, E. Liberty at S. Division. Free. 214-0109.

Noon-2 p.m.
"Music in the Park": Herb David Guitar Studio. June 1-October 31. Musical entertainment by a variety of local performers TBA. Liberty Plaza, E. Liberty at S. Division. Free. 665-8001.

Noon-3 p.m.
ACBL Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center. Every Thursday. All seniors age 50 & older invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. No partner required. Cobblestone Farm barn, 2781 Packard. $5. 769-5911.

12:10 p.m.
Gifts of Art: U-M Hospitals. Every Thursday. Outdoor performances by area and guest artists. Today: Celtic folk music by Cairn to Cairn. Rain location: U-M Hospital lobby. U-M Hospital courtyard, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr. (off Fuller). Free. 936-ARTS.

12:30 & 2:30 p.m.
"The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather"/"Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity": U-M Exhibit Museum Planetarium. Every Monday-Friday. The Zula Patrol (12:30 p.m.) is an animated audiovisual exploration of weather, both terrestrial and interplanetary. Black Holes (2:30 p.m.) is an animated audiovisual show that begins with the formation of the early universe and the birth and death of stars and concludes with a simulated flight to a supermassive black hole lurking at the center of the Milky Way. Followed by a brief star talk. U-M Exhibit Museum, 1109 Geddes at North University. $4.75. 764-0478.

1-3 p.m.
Book Lovers' Club: Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled. All invited to discuss Art Buchwald's hospice memoir Too Soon to Say Goodbye and All the King's Men, Robert Penn Warren's classic 1946 novel based on the dirty politics of the legendary populist Louisiana governor Huey Long . Refreshments. Washtenaw County Library conference room B, County Service Center, 4135 Washtenaw at Hogback. Free. 971-6059.

2-7 p.m.
"Access Soapbox": Ann Arbor Community Television Network. Every Thursday. A chance to express your views, discuss your activities, or announce upcoming events on the local public access station (cable channel 17). Participants are free to talk about anything they wish within CTN guidelines: no direct solicitation of funds, no lottery information, and no material that is obscene, defamatory, invasive of personal privacy, or infringing on copyrights or trademarks. Limited to 5 minutes, each segment features 1 or 2 speakers (with no more than 2 graphics) who talk directly to the camera. Production crew provided by CTN. Access Soapbox shows are aired daily for 1 week, beginning on Sunday. CTN studio, LL114 Edison Center, 425 S. Main. Free. Reservations accepted Tues.-Fri. of the week preceding your appearance. 769-7422.

2 p.m.
Socrates Cafe: Ann Arbor Senior Center. Every Thursday. All seniors age 50 & older invited to join a discussion of ethics that draws on the Socratic method of questioning underlying assumptions. Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin. Free. 769-5911.

5-7 p.m.
"Yappy Hours": DogmaCatmantoo. Every Thursday. All invited to join a casual group discussion about pets and pet-related issues. Bring your pet. Snacks. DogmaCatmantoo, 208 N. Fourth Ave. Free. 929-0022.

6 p.m.
"Chelsea Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Thursday. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 20-30 miles, to either Dexter, Grass Lake, Munith, Stockbridge, or the Waterloo Recreation Area. meet at the north side of Aberdeen Bike & Fitness, 1178 S. Main, Chelsea. Free. (517) 285-6830.

6-9 p.m.
"Depot Town Cruise Night": Tucker's Cafe/Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection. Every Thursday, June 5 through September 18. Dancing in the street to 50s music played by DJ Danny Wilson. Also, displays of several dozen classic, antique, and restored automobiles by various area car clubs and individuals. Raffle. Cross St., Depot Town, Ypsilanti. Free. 482-5200.

6 p.m.
Board Game Night: Get Your Game On. Every Thursday. All invited to bring their own favorite board game or play one of the store's. Get Your Game On, 709 Packard. $5. 786-3746.

6 p.m.
"Cocktails 101: The Ward 8": Zingerman's Roadhouse. Zingerman's Roadhouse bar manager Kevin Daum discusses the art, science, and history of this whiskey, citrus juice, and grenadine cocktail. Taste samples. Age 21 & older only. Zingerman's Roadhouse, 2501 Jackson. $20. 663-3400.

6:30-8:30 p.m.
"Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights": Chelsea Retail Advisory Council . Every Thursday. Musical entertainment TBA on stages downtown, as well as activities for kids. Also, an art market, food vendors, and carriage rides. Tonight: folksinger Matt Watroba, the Chelsea bluegrass and traditional American music string quartet North Creek Fiddlers, the bluegrass and hard-country band Bill Bynum & Company, the Kalamazoo country band Kris Hitchcock Hole in the Wall, the acoustic jazz ensemble Big Ben, the Dexter jazz swing ensemble Art III, and the Celtic, country, jazz string ensemble String Cheese, and David Bloom, a Chelsea singer who specializes in Gershwin tunes. Also, nationally renowned balloon artist Balloon Emporium and the clown Zeemo the Magnificent. downtown Chelsea. Free (fee for carriage ride). 475-1145

6:30 p.m.
Ann Arbor Front Runners.:Every Tuesday & Thursday. Gay, lesbian, and straight runners invited to choose a distance of 3-5 miles to run with Front Runners members. meet at Furstenberg Park, off Fuller Rd. across from Huron High School. Free. 741-1763.

6:45 p.m.
"Thursday Evening Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Thursday. Fast/moderate-paced 25-mile ride around northeast Ann Arbor that includes some good chances to improve your climbing skills. meet at the Fuller Pool parking lot, Fuller Rd. Free. 996-9122.

7 p.m.
"Frank Lloyd Wright Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society . Every Thursday . Slow-paced 15-mile ride on mountain or wide-tired road bikes over the lightly traveled, hard dirt roads behind Domino's Farms. meet at 2722 Georgetown Blvd. (north off Plymouth Rd.). Free. 995-5017, 663-5060.

7-9 p.m.
Weekly Meeting: Washtenaw Toastmasters. Every Thursday. All invited to develop public-speaking skills and self-confidence in a warm, friendly environment. Note : Different Toastmasters chapters meet Mondays and Wednesdays (see listings). Washtenaw Community College Education Bldg., room 182, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Free to visitors. Dues: $35 semiannually (after a onetime nonrefundable fee of $20). 678-2256.

7 p.m.
ACBL Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club. Every Thursday. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. No partner required. Ann Arbor City Club, 1830 Washtenaw. $5. 761-6691.

7-8:30 p.m.
Meditation and Chanting: Siddha Yoga Meditation Center of Ann Arbor. Every Thursday. All invited for chanting and meditation. Siddha Yoga, Arbor Atrium, suite 280, 315 W. Huron. Free. 747-7116.

7-8 p.m.
"Spiritual Inquiry": Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth. Every Thursday. All invited to join a group discussion and meditation to examine spiritual solutions to life's problems. Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth, 704 Airport Blvd. Donation. 353-0906.

7 p.m.
5K Summer Fun Runs: Concordia University All runners invited to race on the Concordia University campus. Ribbons to the top ten runners. (6:30 p.m. registration), Concordia University, west of the Concordia Gymnasium, 4090 Geddes Rd. $5 (kids age 13 & under, $3). 502-4809.

7 p.m.
Ethan Canin: Liberty Borders. This best-selling Iowa novelist discusses America America, his novel, set in a small town during the Nixon era, about a young man who leaves behind his working-class background when he begins working for a rich family. Borders, 612 E. Liberty. Free. 668-7652.

7 p.m.
"Help! I've Got High Blood Sugar!": Plum Market. Talk by local physician Malcolm Sickels and local nurse practitioner Gaia Kile. Plum Market lounge, Maple Village. Free. 827-5000.

7 p.m.-midnight.
Ann Arbor Go Club.:Every Sunday & Thursday. Players of all skill levels invited to play what's regarded as the world's most difficult board game. No partner necessary. Boards and stones provided. Espresso Royale, 322 S. State. Free. 417-5547.

7:30-9:30 p.m.
Tartan & Thistle Scottish Country Dancers.:Every Thursday. Instruction for intermediate-level dancers in a wide range of traditional and contemporary Scottish dances, followed by social dancing. Soft-soled shoes recommended. Refreshments. location TBA. $5. 769-4324, 426-0241.

7:30 p.m.
Summer Gazebo Concerts: Village of Manchester. July 3, 24, & 31. Area musicians perform a series of outdoor concerts in Manchester's downtown gazebo. Bring picnics, chairs, and blankets. Rain or shine. Tonight: The veteran local country band Mike Smith & the Cadillac Cowboys plays western swing, classic country, boogie-woogie, and rock 'n' roll. Manchester gazebo, Wurster Park (Main St. just west of M-52). Rain location: Emanuel Church hall, 324 W. Main St. Free; donations appreciated. 428-0159.

7:45 p.m.
U-M Sailing Club.:Every Thursday. All invited to meet members of this local sailing club and hear a talk by club members. Topics TBA. Duderstadt Center conference room 4, 2281 Bonisteel, North Campus. Free. 426-4299.

8-10 p.m.
Motor City Metro Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.:Every Thursday. All male singers invited to join the weekly rehearsals of this local barbershop harmony chorus. ICC Education Center (behind Luther House at 1520 Hill). Free to visitors ($130 annual dues for those who join). Park on Lincoln or Baldwin. 474-1155.

8 p.m.
"Honk!": Dexter Community Players. July 25-27 & July 31-August 2. Brendan Bachman directs young local actors in George Stiles and Anthony Drewe's musical adaptation of "The Ugly Duckling." When a gawky duckling is cruelly teased by other farmyard animals and nearly eaten by a hungry cat, he flees for greener pastures. After adventures both rollicking and harrowing, he makes a beautiful discovery. Songs include "Play with Your Food," "It Takes All Sorts," and the instrumental-and-frog-vocal suite "Pre-Warts," "Warts and All," "Warts-Off," and "Post-Warts." Stars Spencer Michaud, Jenn Smith, and Caleb Mackinder. Dexter High School Copeland Auditorium, 7714 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd., Dexter. Tickets $15 in advance at dextercommunityplayers.com & $18 at the door. 424-4100.

8 p.m.
"Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid": Purple Rose Theatre Company. Every Wednesday-Sunday, June 19-August 30 (except August 6), and July 1 and August 5 & 26. Guy Sanville directs Purple Rose founder Jeff Daniels's new comedy, the tale of a showdown between 2 Wild West archetypes - a singing cowboy a la Roy Rogers and a scoundrelly outlaw. Thrown together by unfortunate circumstances, they argue over the best way to be a cowboy, while 2 other actors portray their reminiscences. Cast: John Seibert, Tom Whalen, Phil Powers, and Jessica Garrett. 8 p.m., Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $25 (Sun. eves., Wed. & Thurs.), $33 (Sat. & Sun. matinees), & $38 (Fri. & Sat. eves.) in advance and at the door. 433-7673.

8 p.m.
Shawn Mullins: The Ark. Folk-styled ballads and confessional narratives by this highly regarded singer-songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia, whose new CD Honeydew is a richly interwoven collection of songs about railroad workers, a traveling salesman, homeless troubadours, and several generations of family members, living and dead. Kris Kristofferson calls Mullins "a great songwriter and an original thinker." The Ark, 316 S. Main. Tickets $20 in advance at Herb David Guitar Studio, the Michigan Union Ticket Office, and all other Ticketmaster outlets; and at the door. To charge by phone, call 763-TKTS.

8:30-10:30 p.m.
"Reconnect with Food": Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room. Suburban Detroit nutritionist, exercise physiologist, and yoga instructor Beverly Price discusses her instructional DVD exploring the connections between food, body image, and emotions. Crazy Wisdom, 114 S. Main. Free. 665-2757.