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By Day
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"Growing Pretty": Purple Rose Theatre Company.
"WineFest 2008": Ann Arbor Art Center 26th Annual WineFest.
28th Annual Spring Plant Sale: U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens.
 Saturday
May, 2008
 6:37 a.m.
"Sunrise Saturday Ride":
Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Saturday. Very slow-paced 22-mile ride to Dexter for breakfast. Begins at sunrise.
(May 3), 6:18 a.m. (May 10), 6:11 a.m. (May 17), 6:05 a.m. (May 24), & 6:01 a.m. (May 31), meet at Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St. Free. 665-6327, 913-9851.
8 a.m.-10 p.m.
"Spa Days":
Plum Market. May 3 & 4. An opportunity to make a potpourri satchel, blend bath salts, and create essential oil blends. Also on May 3, chair massages, Bach flower and facial consultations, computerized spinal assessments, and more; and on May 4, nail painting, make-up applications, shaving advice, and more. All materials provided.
Plum Market, Maple Village. Free. 827-5000.
8:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.
Open House:
University Lowbrow Astronomers. May 3, 10, & 31. A chance to join local astronomy buffs for a look at the sky through instruments at the Peach Mountain Observatory. The observatory's huge, 24-inch McMath telescope is operational, but participants are encouraged to bring their own telescopes. Visitors must turn off all electronic equipment (car radios, transmitters, phones, etc.) at the observatory entrance. Program canceled if sky is overcast at sunset or if the weather is extremely inclement.
or as long as the sky remains clear, Peach Mountain Observatory, North Territorial Rd. (about 11'da4 miles west of Hudson Mills Metropark), Dexter. Free. 332-9132.
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Flea Market & Garage Sale:
Washtenaw Farm Council. Formerly the "Bigger Than Texas" sale, this giant community garage sale features a wide range of items. Also, vendors sell antiques, jewelry, garden art, and more.
Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd., Saline. Admission $2 (kids 12 & under, free). Booth rentals for sellers: $75. 429-3145.
9 a.m.
"Dexter Breakfast Ride":
Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Saturday. Beginner-friendly slow-paced (22 miles) and moderate/fast-paced (30 to 80 miles) round-trip rides to the Dexter Bakery. A very popular ride. Note: Riders should be prepared to take care of themselves on all AABTS rides. Carry a water bottle, a spare tire or tube, a pump, a cell phone or change for a phone call, and snacks.
meet at Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St., or at Barton Park, Huron River Dr. Free. For information, call 994-6340 (May 3 ride), 662-0205 (May 10), 994-3001 (May 17), 646-4978 (May 24 & 31).
9 a.m.-noon.
Volunteer Stewardship Workday:
Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation Division. May 3, 10, 17, & 25. All invited to help city parks natural area preservation staff maintain the natural areas in various city parks. Also, city staffers lead a short nature walk at the end of each workday. Snacks & tools provided. Minors must be accompanied by an adult or obtain a release form in advance. Today: a trip to Greenview Park to plant bulbs and spread wood chips.
meet at the Greenview Park sign across from Barnard Rd. on Greenview Rd. (off Scio Church Rd. west of S. Seventh St.). Free. 996-3266.
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
28th Annual Spring Plant Sale:
U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens. May 3 & 4. Show and sale of over 1,000 plants, including herbs, ferns, vines, corms, roses, grasses, bushes, rushes, creepers, climbers, dainty woodland flowers, festive baskets, rock garden plants, and sun-loving, shade-loving, and medium-light-loving plants. Highlights include a dizzying variety of clematis, irises, hostas, and scented geraniums. Sale of tools, fountains, sundials, trellises, hanging baskets, and more. Plant experts on hand to offer tips and answer questions. Also, free talks. May 3 topics: wildflowers (10 a.m.), rain barrels (10:30 a.m.), dahlias (11 a.m.), heirloom vegetables (11:30 a.m.), principles of good design (noon), alternative ground covers (12:30 p.m.), gladioli (1 p.m.), native plants (1:30 p.m.), prescribed backyard burns (2 p.m.), tuberoses (3 p.m.), and edible container gardening (3:30 p.m.). May 4 topics: garlic mustard removal (12:15 p.m.), alternative ground covers (12:45 p.m.), "Companion Planting in a Vegetable Garden" (1:30 p.m.), ikebana (2 p.m.), and rain barrels (2:30 p.m.). Note: There's a members-only preview show and sale (May 2, 3-7 p.m.), with $45 memberships available at the door.
Matthaei, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free admission. 647-7600.
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad:
Ann Arbor Public Schools. All invited to watch local elementary students compete in events such as soda-bottle rocket launching and aluminum foil barge building to test their scientific knowledge.
Huron High School, 2727 Fuller Rd. Free. 662-5497.
9 a.m.
"T'ai Chi Ch'uan at the Cube.":Every Saturday & Sunday. Local t'ai chi instructor Chad Eisner leads a session of these slow meditative movements for beginning and advanced practitioners.
U-M Cube, between the Union and the SAB. Free. 930-2747.
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
2008 Ann Arbor Juggling Arts Festival:
Jugglers of Ann Arbor. Jugglers of all ability levels invited to join jugglers from around Michigan and beyond for a day of freeform juggling and workshops. Events include games, yo-yoing, Frisbee manipulation, a sale of juggling items, and more. Also, participants are expected to gather on the U-M Diag for open juggling on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. Note: Attendees 17 and under need a parent-signed waiver.
Wide World Sports Center indoor soccer field, 2140 Oak Valley Dr. $1. 248-990-8084.
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
60th Annual Spring Sale:
Ann Arbor Potters Guild. May 3 & 4. A very popular annual sale held outdoors under a big tent. Includes a wide variety of functional and decorative regular and white stoneware, porcelain, and raku ceramics by members and students at this esteemed nonprofit cooperative, in operation since 1949. Also, a supervised kids clay play area and a low-price kids sale table with toys, pots, animals, jewelry, and other items made for kids. Rain or shine.
Potters Guild parking lot, 201 Hill. Free admission. 663-4970.
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
10th Annual Garlic Mustard Weed-Out Day:
Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation. All invited to help city parks natural area preservation staff remove garlic mustard that's invading the woodlands in city parks. Dress for outdoor work; minors must be accompanied by a guardian or obtain a release form in advance. Followed by a Weed-Out Day BBQ (2-4 p.m.) at the Island Park pavilion. Burgers, buns, condiments, & beverage provided. Bring a dish to pass or anything you'd like to have grilled.
Argo Nature Area (meet in the parking lot north of the Argo Canoe Livery off Longshore Dr.), Bird Hills Nature Area (meet at the Bird Rd. entrance), Black Pond Woods Nature Area (meet in the Leslie Science Center parking lot, 1831 Traver Rd.), Cedar Bend Nature Area (meet at the Island Park parking lot on Island Dr. off Maiden Lane), Hannah Nature Area (meet at the end of Bath St., west of Seventh between Huron and Miller), Huron Hills Golf Course Woods (meet on Hunting Valley off Provincial Dr.), Huron Parkway Nature Area (meet at the park steward's house at 3470 Woodland Rd. off E. Huron River Dr.), Lakewood Nature Area (meet at Lakewood Elementary School parking lot off Gralake, 3 blocks south of Jackson), Leslie Science & Nature Center (1831 Traver Rd.), Redbud Nature Area (meet at the entrance at the intersection of Jeanne & Parkwood north off Edgewood from Platt), & Sunset Brooks Nature Area (meet at the park entrance on Sunset at the end of Brooks). Free. 996-3266.
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Downtown Home & Garden Spring Lecture Series.:May 3 & 10. Today: Vandenberg Bulb Company (Howell) sales rep Tom Kraft discusses "Patio Gardening Herbs, Vegetables, and Flowers." Also this month: local master gardener Gwen Reynolds discusses "Gardening with Kids" (May 10).
DH&G, 210 S. Ashley. Free. 662-8122.
10 a.m.-noon.
"Make a Mother's Day Card":
Ann Arbor District Library. May 3 & 4. All kids from preschoolers to 3rd-graders invited to make a Mother's Day card. Supplies provided.
AADL Malletts Creek Branch, 3090 E. Eisenhower (between Stone School & Packard). Free. 327-4200.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
"Sciencepalooza":
Hands-On Museum. May 3 & 4. A popular monthly exhibit in the concourse area with hands-on experiments and activities. This month's program: "The Science of Art."
Hands-On Museum, 220 E. Ann. $7 (members & infants, free) regular admission. 995-5439.
10 a.m.-noon.
Gray Panthers of Huron Valley.:Ann Arbor Public Schools superintendent Todd Roberts and school board member Glenn Nelson discuss "Ann Arbor Millage Renewals: The May 6 Election." Also, Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative representatives discuss the program and its progress. Followed by discussion. Refreshments.
U-M Turner Senior Resource Center, 2401 Plymouth Rd. Free. 973-5593.
10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
6th Annual Physics Olympiad:
U-M Physics Department. Area high school teams battle in this fun, creative competition that involves a variety of contests: For "Laser Maze" (4265 Randall, 10:30-11:50 a.m. & 1-2:50 p.m.) students build a mirror-maze for a laser with the laser turned off. In "Submarine" (1221 & 1233 Randall, 10:30-11:50 a.m. & 1-2:50 p.m.) students calculate the amount and type of ballast needed to achieve neutral buoyancy for a small plastic submarine. In "Solar Hybrid Wheels" (1224 & 1261 Randall, 10:30-11:50 a.m. & 1-2:50 p.m.) students build a solar-electric hybrid car. In "Glider Shootout" (Dennison Math Atrium, 10:30-11:50 a.m. & 1-2:50 p.m.) students build and flight test model gliders. In "Supercollider" (location TBA, 10:30-11:50 a.m. & 1-2:50 p.m.) students simulate a colliding-beams experiment with pucks. In "Dueling Catapults" (Dennison lawn, 10:30-11:50 a.m. & 1-2:50 p.m.) students hurl water balloons up to 60 feet. The event concludes with a quiz bowl (170 Dennison, 3-4 p.m.) and awards ceremony (170 Dennison, 4-4:30 p.m.).
Randall, 450 Church, & Dennison, 500 Church. Free. 764-3443.
11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Free Comic Book Day:
Get Your Game On. All invited to compete in a Magic: The Gathering tournament ($25 includes cards) using Shadowmoor, the brand-new edition of this popular collectible card game, and to play 2 hot new video game releases, Wii Mario Kart and Grand Theft Auto IV. All participants get a free comic book. Free food.
Get Your Game On, 709 Packard. Free. 786-3746.
11 a.m.
Storytime:
Nicola's Books. Every Saturday. Storytelling program for kids under age 7.
Nicola's, Westgate shopping center. Free. 662-0600.
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Season Opening:
Rentschler Farm Historic Museum. Opening day for this century-old Queen Anne farmhouse and garden, now a museum depicting early-20th-century farm life with tours, barn exhibits, and animals.
Rentschler Farm, 7640 E. Michigan Ave. Donation. 769-2219.
11:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. 1:30. 2:30. & 3:30 p.m.
"The Sky Tonight"/"Origins of Life":
U-M Exhibit Museum Planetarium. Every Saturday & Sunday except May 17. The Sky Tonight (11:30 a.m. Saturdays and 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. both days) is an audiovisual exploration of the current night sky. Origins of Life (12:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. both days) is an audiovisual show about the prebiotic chemistry of the Universe after the Big Bang, the formation of the stars and solar systems, the first life on Earth, the great extinctions, and the search for extraterrestrial life. Followed by a brief star talk.
U-M Exhibit Museum, 1109 Geddes at North University. $4.75. 764-0478.
Noon.
Children's Storytime:
Waters Place Borders. Every Wednesday and Saturday. Borders staff read from picture books and books for babies, infants, and toddlers. Today: stories about mothers . Also this month: Children's Choice Award finalist books (May 10) and stories about friends (May 17), local heroes (May 24), and America (May 31). Wednesday topics TBA.
Borders, 3140 Lohr Rd. Free. 997-8884.
Noon.
Draw Doubles:
Local 101 Disc Golf Club. Every Saturday. All invited to play disc golf at one of Hudson Mills Metropark's 24-hole disc golf courses. Disc golf is a popular sport played with a Frisbee-like disc; the goal is to land the disc in a "pole hole" in the fewest shots. In draw doubles play, beginners are paired with advanced players to create parity. Prizes. Golf discs available free from the Hudson Mills Metropark office.
Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Rd. (between Dexter-Pinckney Rd. & Huron River Dr.), Dexter. $5 per player; free for spectators. Vehicle entrance fees: $4/day, $20/year ($12 for seniors age 62 & over). 449-4300.
U-M Baseball vs. Ohio State.:
Doubleheader, 4:05 p.m. Ray Fisher Stadium. $5 (youths age 12 & under, $3; U-M students, free). 764-0247.
"Young at Heart":
Michigan Theater Foundation. (Stephen Walker, 2008.) May 2-15. Uplifting documentary about a senior citizen chorus that performs classic and contemporary rock songs, from James Brown to Sonic Y cp 7|cp 7|cp
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First Saturday Contra:
Ann Arbor Council for Traditional Music and Dance. Contra dancing with caller John Freeman and music by the Scalar Scalawags. No partner needed; all dances taught. Wear cool, casual clothes and flat, smooth-soled shoes for dancing. Also, a free open jam for string and other musicians, 3-6 p.m. 8 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.
(1'da2 mile south of I-94). $9 (members, $8; students, $5). 662-9290.
"Bird Hike":
Hudson Mills Metropark Interpretive Nature Programs. May 3 & 24. Naturalist Jennifer Hollenbeck leads a morning hike to look for birds in a variety of habitats and record their locations. Bring binoculars and a field guide. 7:30 a.m., Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, Dexter . $2. Preregistration required. Vehicle entrance fees: $6/day, $24/year ($6/year for seniors age 65 & over). 475 -
3170, 426-8211.
Walk:
Grex. Every Saturday (different locations). All invited to join members of this local computer-conferencing group for a walk, either along trails in Bird Hills Nature Area (May 3) or from Gallup Park through Nichols Arboretum (May 10, 17, 24, & 31). 10 a.m., meet at the Newport Rd. entrance to
Bird Hills Nature Area (May 3) and in Gallup Park parking lot (May 10, 17, 24, & 31), 3000 Fuller Rd. (west side of Huron Pkwy.). Free. 741-9351.
"Astronomy 101":
Waterloo Recreation Area. Park interpreter Kathy Kavanagh leads a family-oriented hands-on introduction to viewing and studying the skies. 11 a.m. & 2 p.m., Eddy Discovery Center (west from Pierce Rd. off I-94 exit 157), Chelsea. Free. Preregistration required. Vehicle entrance fees: $6/day, $24/year ($6/year for seniors age 65 & over). 475 -
3170.
1 & 3 p.m.
"Super Science Shows":
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Family Day. Every Saturday & Sunday. Museum staff give family-friendly science demos.
Hands-On Museum, 220 E. Ann. $7 (members & infants free) regular museum admission. 995-5439.
1-3 p.m.
"Garlic Mustard Pull":
Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. Naturalist Faye Stoner leads a search-and-destroy mission against this aggressive invasive plant. Bring gloves and (on May 24) bug spray. Note: Stoner also leads garlic mustard pulls on May 7 (6-8 p.m., Miller Preserve, Parker Road dead-end at Dexter-Chelsea Road in Dexter), May 14 (6-8 p.m., Kosch Headwaters Preserve, 3268 North Prospect Road, 1/4 mile south of Ford Road in Ypsilanti), May 17 (11 a.m.-1 p.m., Kosch Preserve, and 1-4 p.m., Burns-Stokes Preserve, Zeeb Road at the Huron River just south of Huron River Drive) and May 24 (1-4 p.m., Leonard Preserve, meet at the dead end of Union Street north off Main west of M-52, Manchester). The May 17 program at Burns-Stokes Preserve is preceded at 11 a.m. by a hike to look for green dragon, a relative of jack-in-the-pulpit.
Parker Mill County Park (May 3), Geddes Rd. (just east of US-23). Free. 971-6337.
2 p.m.
Dinosaur Tours:
U-M Exhibit Museum. Every Saturday & Sunday except May 17. 30-minute docent-led tour of the museum's dinosaur exhibits.
U-M Exhibit Museum, 1109 Geddes at North University. Free, but limited to the first 15 people to sign up for each tour. 764-0478.
2 p.m.
"Spring Has Sprung at Springhill":
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy. All invited to join a hike to enjoy spring wildflowers. Preceded at 1:15 p.m. by socializing. Refreshments.
meet at 3401 Berry Rd. (just south of Ford Rd.), Superior Twp. Free. 484-6565.
2-4 p.m.
Ann Arbor Juggling Arts Club.:Every Saturday. All invited to practice their juggling skills. Beginners welcome. Indoor location TBA in case of inclement weather.
Free. 761-1115.
2 p.m.
"Treasure Island":
Wild Swan Theater. April 30 & May 1-4 . This award-winning local children's theater presents local playwright Jeff Duncan's fast-paced, lively adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson children's classic, complete with sword fighting and historically accurate female pirates. (The May 4 performance is followed by a pirate-themed party with $1 carnival games and food.) Suitable for kids in grades K-7. As with all Wild Swan productions, the performance is interpreted in American Sign Language. Audio description and backstage "touch" tours are available by prearrangement for blind audience members. Cast: Hilary Cohen, Sandy Ryder, Michele Trame-Lanzi, Justin Vidovic, Jeremy Salvatori, and Kevin Stacy. Live music by David Mosher.
Washtenaw Community College Morris Lawrence Bldg. Towsley Auditorium, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Tickets $12 (children, $8; lap passes for kids age 2 & under, $3) in advance and at the door. 995-0530.
2 & 7:30 p.m.
"Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka":
Pioneer High School Theater Guild. April 26 & 27 and May 2-4. U-M musical theater major Etai BenShlomo directs Pioneer students in the local premiere of Tim McDonald and Leslie Bricusse's musical adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl's popular children's fantasy about a little boy who is invited, along with 4 other children, to tour a magical candy factory. The score features music Bricusse composed with Anthony Newley for the 1971 film adaptation, along with several new songs.
Pioneer High School Schreiber Auditorium, 601 W. Stadium at Main. $12 (students, $8) in advance at Morgan & York (1928 Packard) and at the door. 994-2191.
2-5 p.m.
Beltaine Ritual:
Druids of Shining Lakes Grove. All invited to join local neopagans for this ancient Celtic holiday that celebrates fertility. Raffle. Preceded by a predawn journey to Big Lake, the source of the Huron River.
Botsford Recreational Preserve, 3015 Miller Rd. (just west of the M-14 overpass). Free. 697-2514.
2:30 p.m.
Ultimate Frisbee:
Ann Arbor Ultimate. Every Saturday (tentatively). All invited to join a pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Note: Overly aggressive players are politely asked to leave.
Fuller Field. Free. info@a2ultimate.org
3-4 p.m.
Kids Drum Circle:
Oz's Music. All kids invited to join a drumming session hosted by Oz's owner Steve Osburn. Drums provided.
Oz's, 1920 Packard. $10. 662-8283.
3 & 8 p.m.
"Growing Pretty":
Purple Rose Theatre Company. Every Wednesday-Sunday (except May 7) through May 31, and May 6 & 27. See review, left. Michelle Mountain directs the world premiere of Carey Crim's coming-of-age tale about a girl who dreams of becoming a supermodel. When her mom steals the love of her life, the girl has to navigate, alone, the difficult path of becoming an artist. The cast features Stacie Hadgikosti, Brian Ogden, Grant Krause, Rhiannon Ragland, Matt Gwynn, and Hugh Maguire. 8 p.m., Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea.
Tickets $25 (Wed. & Thurs.), $30 (Sat. & Sun. matinees), & $35 (Fri. & Sat. eves.) in advance and at the door. 433-7673.
3 & 8 p.m.
"Exits and Entrances":
Performance Network Professional Season. Every Thursday-Sunday, April 24-June 1. David Wolber directs the renowned South African playwright Athol Fugard's recent autobiographical drama, set in the mid-1950s, about his life-changing friendship with the legendary Afrikaans actor Andre Huguenet, known at one time as the Laurence Olivier of South Africa. Set during apartheid, the play explores the nature and power of the theater through the mutually sustaining relationship that develops between an idealistic young actor and an older actor struggling to find meaning and dignity at the end of his career. According to New York Times critic Charles Isherwood, the play "movingly speaks of theater's potential to shape lives in enduring ways, even as it acknowledges the evanescence of the art form." Stars Robert Grossman and Kevin Young.
Performance Network, 120 E. Huron. Preview tickets: whatever you can afford to pay (Apr. 24), $20 (Apr. 25 & 27 and May 1), and $28 (Apr. 26). May 2 opening night tickets: $42 includes reception. After May 2: $30 (Thurs. & Sat. matinee), $35 (Fri. & Sun.), and $42 (Sat. eve.). $3 discounts available for seniors age 60 & over, $10 discounts available (except Sat. eve.) for students. Tickets available in advance at performancenetwork.org & by phone, and at the door. Half-price student rush tickets & $10 tickets for age 16 & under available 1 hour before showtime. For reservations, call 663-0681; to charge by phone, call 663-0696.
4 p.m.
In Good Company African American Book Club:
Nicola's Books. All invited to join a discussion of Joplin's Ghost , Tananarive Due's novel about an up-and-coming R&B singer whose bizarre, erotic encounters with what may be the ghost of Scott Joplin seep into her music and force her to rethink her calling.
Nicola's, Westgate shopping center. Free. 657-5448.
6 p.m.
Children's Movie:
Arborland Borders. Every Saturday. Kids (accompanied by a parent) invited to bring teddy bears and watch a family film TBA. Popcorn.
Borders, 3527 Washtenaw. Free. 677-6948.
6 p.m.
"WineFest 2008":
Ann Arbor Art Center 26th Annual WineFest. May 2 & 3. This ritzy wine tasting also features live and silent auctions, a cigar tent with hand-rolled cigars, and a strolling supper, and usually draws more than 600 people. Also, rare wine, champagne, port, sherry, and cognac specialty bars, with a chance to win precious and semiprecious gemstones. Preceded at 11:30 a.m. at Zingerman's Roadhouse by "A Taste of American Foods" ($25 lunch, $19 wine pairings) with Zingerman's owner Ari Weinzweig (reservations required at 663-3663) and at 2 p.m. by a $40 wine tasting at the Art Center. The festivities begin at Whole Foods Market at 2:30 p.m. on May 2 with a "Cooking Fresh Seafood" ($35) demo and talk by Blue Canyon Kitchen executive chef Brandt Evans and "Stars at Your Table" dinners ($200) served in 4 private homes at 7:30 p.m.
Ypsilanti Marriott, 1275 S. Huron, off I-94 exit 183. Tickets $135 in advance only. 994-8004, ext. 101.
6:30-10 p.m.
"Girls Night Out!":
Jewish Community Center. All girls ages 5-10 invited for a program of primping, singing, and dancing, followed by dinner and screening of Enchanted, a 2007 Disney musical about a fairy tale princess who gets transported to the real world.
JCC, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. (off Stone School Rd. south of Packard). $24 (JCC members, $20). Reservations required. 971-0990.
6:30-10 p.m.
"Boys Night Out!":
Jewish Community Center. All boys ages 5-10 invited for a program of futuristic games and crafts, followed by dinner and a screening of Meet the Robinsons, a 2007 animated Disney movie about a time-traveling orphan.
JCC, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. (off Stone School Rd. south of Packard). $24 (JCC members, $20). Reservations required. 971-0990.
7 p.m.
"Salon":
Dreamland Theater. A hair-themed art exhibit with live performances by local electropop singer-songwriter Charlie Slick, performance artist and musician Howard's Dilemma, and the local electronic ensemble Outlet. Also, a puppet show, live haircuts & styling, and other activities. Attendees encouraged to dress in drag.
Dreamland Theater, 26 N. Washington St. Ypsilanti. $5. 657-2337.
7 p.m.
"An Evening of Laughter":
Concordia University Arts. Headliner is Ken Davis, a Christian stand-up comic and motivational speaker. Opening is Chrissy Burns (see 30 Friday listing), a local comic whose performance tonight draws on her experience as a 3-time cancer survivor to promote the healing power of laughter. Preceded by a VIP hors d'oeuvres reception with Davis.
Concordia University gym, 4090 Geddes Rd. at Earhart. Tickets $20 & $35 ($50 VIP ticket includes priority seating and the preshow reception) in advance and at the door. 995-4612.
7 p.m.
"Celebration of Innovation and Excellence":
Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation. Tours of the new Skyline High School and an opportunity to learn about innovative programs in Ann Arbor public schools. Also, Bob Galardi, recently retired deputy superintendent for administrative services, is given the 1st annual Award for Innovation and Excellence. Light meal with beverage provided.
Skyline High School, 2552 N. Maple Rd. Tickets $50 in advance at aapsef.org, $60 at the door. 994-1969.
7:30 p.m.
Dexter Twirlers Square Dance Club.:May 3 & 17. Glen Geer calls square dances for experienced dancers to recorded music. No partner necessary. Wear soft-soled shoes (not tennis shoes).
St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, 7610 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. $5. 433-0308.
7:30 p.m.
Ceciliana Trio:
Bethlehem United Church of Christ. Soprano Katherine DeBoer, a University of Nevada-Reno music professor, and flutist Rebecca Carson Rogers , director of the St. Gaudens Concert Series in Cornish, New Hampshire, are joined by Bethlehem United Church of Christ organist Gail Jennings for performances of works by Donizetti, Telemann, Rameau, Massenet, Corigliani, Bach, and organist Jennings, along with a commissioned work by Gwyneth Walker.
Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 423 S. Fourth Ave. Free; donations accepted. 665-6149.
8 & 10:30 p.m.
Nick Gaza:
Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. May 1-3 . A veteran guest performer in TV sitcoms, Gaza is a very funny and playfully irreverent stand-up comic who bills himself as "The Laziest Working Man in Show Business," sometimes even performing in PJs. Preceded by 2 opening acts. Alcohol is served; the Friday & Saturday early shows are nonsmoking.
old VFW Hall (below Seva restaurant), 314 E. Liberty. $7 (Thurs.) & $10 (Fri. & Sat.) reserved seating in advance, $9 (Thurs.) & $12 (Fri. & Sat.) general admission at the door. 996-9080.
8 p.m.
"Breakin' Curfew":
University Musical Society/Neutral Zone. See "Really Big Show," Up Front, p. 9. Popular variety show featuring local and area teen performers, including the Detroit female rapper Lady Te, the Dance Ensemble of Michigan, the Ann Arbor Trombone Choir, the hip-hop ensembles Stop 156 and Royal Fam, guzheng (an ancient Chinese string instrument) player Chang Li, the Pioneer High School classic rock band 42nd Parallel, folk guitarists Speech Bubbles and Demyan, the 2008 Ann Arbor Youth Poetry Slam team, the jazz octet Eight Lords A Leapin', French horn player Samu Rast, classical pianist Ivan Moshthuk, the experimental jazz piano ensemble Strexx, classical guitarist Corey Roberts, dramatist Annemarie Friedo, DJ Kyle Hall, and vocalists Chiavvona Bigham, Molly Epstein, Morgan Mingerszyniszewski, and Dorothy Yarrington.
Power Center. Tickets $16 (students, $10 in advance at the Neutral Zone and $12 in advance at the Michigan League box office & at the door). Reservations recommended. 214-9995.
8 p.m.
Josh White Jr.:
The Ark. Known for his powerful, intense singing and his virtuosity on 6-string and 12-string guitars, White sings in a more modern style than his famous folksinger father. His blues, gospel, and folk repertoire includes many of his father's best-known songs as well as several upbeat, inspirational originals.
The Ark, 316 S. Main. Tickets $20 in advance at Herb David Guitar Studio, the Michigan Union Ticket Office, & all other Ticketmaster outlets; and at the door. To charge by phone, call 763-TKTS.
8 p.m.
Don White:
Green Wood Coffee House Series (First United Methodist Church). May 2 & 3. Note downtown location. This veteran singer-songwriter from Lynn, Massachusetts, writes sharp-witted songs about everyday life that blend pathos, humor, and biting satire, and his live shows feature a lot of impromptu storytelling and comedy. His fans include Christine Lavin and Livingston Taylor, and he's released 4 acclaimed CDs, including the recent Live in Michigan. A big hit in earlier Green Wood appearances.
FUMC, 1001 Green Rd. at Glazier Way. $15 (kids 10 & under, 2 for the price of 1) in advance and at the door. 665-8558.
8 p.m.
"Taming of the Shrew":
Huron High School. May 2 & 3. Bj Wallingford directs Huron students in Shakespeare's witty comedy about a wealthy merchant who marries off his sharp-tongued, feisty eldest daughter to a man who turns out to be an authoritarian, often abusive, husband. With one of Shakespeare's most absorbingly suspenseful plots, Shrew also features amazing exploits, lots of high-spirited impersonations, sharp wits, and even sharper tongues.
Meyers Auditorium, Huron High School, 2727 Fuller Rd. Tickets $8 (seniors & students, $6). 994-2095.
8 p.m.
"A Few Good Men":
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. May 1-4. Andrew Ballnik directs Aaron Sorkin's drama about the trial of 2 marines for complicity in the death of a fellow marine that turns on the question of whether illegal orders should be followed. Stars Carl Ellison, James Brown, David Renken, Wendy Ascione, and Sam Zwetchkenbaum.
U-M Walgreen Drama Center Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin, North Campus. Tickets $20 ($17, students & seniors; $13, Thurs.; $10 for students on Fri. & seniors on Sun.) in advance. 971-2228.
8 p.m.
"Arms and the Man":
Michigan Classical Repertory Theatre. May 1-4, 8-11, & 15-18. Charles Jabour directs local actors in George Bernard Shaw's popular satiric comedy, set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian war, about a naively romantic young aristocratic woman who falls in love despite herself with a hard-boiled Swiss mercenary who would rather carry chocolates than guns. Arms offers a humorous critique of sentimental idealism in war and love. Stars Brittany Filek-Gibson, Audra Lord, Luna Alexander, Josh Hamilton, Jared Heeren, Gary Regal, and Joseph Fournier.
Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti. Tickets $18 (students & seniors, $15; groups of 6 or more, $12 each; Thurs., pay what you can) in advance and at the door. 214-6600.
9 p.m.-1 a.m.
"Serious about Salsa" Latin Dance Party:
danceRevolution Dance Studio. May 3 & 17. High-energy dance party with salsa, merengue, bachata, and cha-cha dancing to recorded music spun by a DJ. No partner necessary.
danceRevolution, Dakota Bldg., 1785 W. Stadium. $5. 945-8428.
9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Johnny O'Neal Trio:
The Firefly Club. Full-bodied blues- and gospel-inflected jazz by an ensemble led by this veteran Detroit pianist and vocalist known for his blend of technical virtuosity and interpretive sensitivity. O'Neal has played with the likes of Milt Jackson, Art Blakey, and Wynton Marsalis, and he appeared as the legendary pianist Art Tatum in the acclaimed Ray Charles biopic Ray. Tonight's show is an Oscar Peterson tribute. His trio includes 2 local jazz luminaries, drummer Pete Siers and bassist Paul Keller.
Firefly Club, 207 S. Ashley. Tickets $12 at the door only. 665-9090.
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