The Calendar

This Week's Events

By Day

Highlights:

"Growing Pretty": Purple Rose Theatre Company.

Marcin Wasilewski Trio: The Firefly Club.

"Exits and Entrances": Performance Network Professional Season.

Saturday
May, 2008

6:05 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 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.-5 p.m.
Horse Shows: Hunter Jumper Association of Michigan. May 22-25. English riding and jumping competitions at the state level. Highlights include junior and amateur riding shows on Saturday afternoons and junior and amateur jumping shows at 1 p.m. each Sunday. Waterloo Hunt Club, corner of Glenn at Katz (west off Mount Hope Rd. from I-94 exit 150), Grass Lake. Free. 561-723-6287.

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.

9 a.m.-noon.
Ecosystem Restoration Workday:U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens. All invited to help Matthaei staff members remove invasive plants and prepare new planting sites. Dress for outdoor work. Tools provided, or bring your own. Matthaei, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free. 647-8528.

9 a.m.-afternoon.
30th Annual Great Lakes Special Stockdog Trials: Southeast Michigan Australian Shepherd Association. May 24-26. Numerous Australian shepherd dogs and herding breeds from across Michigan and out of state compete to herd ducks, sheep, and beef cattle - it's amazing to see the control these nimble dogs have over animals many times their size. Imagine Farm, 10202 Hogan, Manchester (take M-52 south to east on Hogan Rd.). Free. (517) 675-5275.

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 646-4978.

10 a.m.
Walk: Grex. Every Saturday. All invited to join members of this local computer-conferencing group for a walk from Gallup Park through Nichols Arboretum meet in Gallup Park parking lot, 3000 Fuller Rd. (west side of Huron Pkwy.). Free. 741-9351.

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.
"Imagination Celebration": Imagination Theater Etc. (Performance Network Children's Theater Network). The Troy-based duo of JanetMarie & m'Archibald present a program of traditional and original sing-alongs and interactive stories celebrating health and fitness, self-esteem, cooperation, and just plain fun. Performance Network, 120 E. Huron. Tickets $10 (youth 16 & under, $7) in advance at performancenetwork.org & by phone, and at the door. For reservations or to charge by phone, call 663-0681.

11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Nature's Expressions:. May 24 & 25. Show and sale of crystalline mineral specimens, fossils, shells, mounted butterflies and insects, and more. Includes a complete fossil skeleton of a 9-foot, 100,000-year-old cave bear. 3443 Daleview Dr. (off N. Maple Rd. north of Huron River Dr.). Free. 994-3048.

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. 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.
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.

Noon.
Children's Storytime: Waters Place Borders. Every Wednesday and Saturday. Borders staff read from picture books and books for babies, infants, and toddlers. Borders, 3140 Lohr Rd. Free. 997-8884.

"Charity Hat Tournament": Ann Arbor Ultimate. All invited to compete in this sport played with a flying disc. Names are pulled from a hat in order to form teams. Beginners welcome. Proceeds benefit a charity TBA. The club also sponsors weekly pickup games (see 3 Saturday listing). 10 a.m., Lillie Park, Platt at Ellsworth (entrance on Platt, 1'da2 mile south of Ellsworth). $10 per player in advance at a2ultimate.org and $15 at the tournament. * info@a2ultimate.org .

"Bird Hike": Hudson Mills Metropark Interpretive Nature Programs. 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.

"Then She Found Me": Michigan Theater Foundation. (Helen Hunt, 2008.) May 23-29. Romantic comedy about a schoolteacher going through a midlife crisis as her adoptive mother dies, her husband leaves her, and her birth mother, an eccentric talk show host, shows up unexpectedly. Helen Hunt, Colin Firth, Bette Midler, Matthew Broderick. Times TBA, Michigan Theater. $8.50 (children, students, seniors, & veterans, $6.75; MTF members, $6). 668-TIME .

4th Saturday Contra Dance: Ann Arbor Council for Traditional Music and Dance. Carol Jacobs calls contras to music by Phil Chen and friends. No partner needed. All dances taught. Beginner lessons at 7:40 p.m. Wear cool, casual clothes and bring flat, smooth-soled shoes for dancing. 8 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. (1'da2 mile south of I-94). $9 (AACTMAD members, $8; students, $5). 730-6919.

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. 2:30 p.m., Fuller Field. Free. * info@a2ultimate.org

"Animania": U-M Japanese Animation Film Society. Monthly anime-a-thon of feature films and episodes from TV series. Program TBA. U-M campus admission policy: No one under 18 admitted without an adult. 5 p.m.-midnight, MLB, 812 E. Washington at Thayer. Free. umich.edu/~animania.

Ballroom Dance Party: Come Dancing School of Ballroom Dancing. Dancing to recorded music on a huge dance floor. Preceded at 6 and 7 p.m. by 50-minute lessons ($11 each) in different styles. Refreshments. 8-10 p.m., Come Dancing, 7025 E. Michigan (Country Creek Plaza), Saline . $10 (with one lesson, $6.50; with both lessons, free). 944-1888.

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.

2 p.m.
"Ypsi Pops": Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra (Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission). Adam Riccinto directs this volunteer community orchestra in a program of patriotic music to celebrate Memorial Day . Riverside Park Pavilion, E. Cross at N. Huron St., Ypsilanti. Free. 507-1451.

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.
Dinosaur Tours: U-M Exhibit Museum. Every Saturday & Sunday. 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.

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.

6-8 p.m.
Floor Hockey Night: Northside Elementary . All invited to an evening of floor hockey games. Also, screening of a family-friendly movie TBA. Snacks available. Proceeds benefit the school's 5th-grade camp. Northside Elementary School, 905 Barton Dr. $5 (family, $25). 994-1958.

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.

7-8 p.m.
"Tea Tasting": Zingerman's Delicatessen . Zingerman's tea expert Jess Piskor shows how to brew and offers taste samples of several fine teas. Zingerman's Next Door Kids Room (upstairs), 422 Detroit St. $10 in advance, $15 (if available) at the door. 663-3354.

7:30 p.m.
"PhoenixPhest 2008": Phoenix Ensemble. May 24 & 25 (different programs). A faculty chamber concert, featuring members of the classy local Phoenix Ensemble, culminates a 3-day workshop for youth musicians. The program includes movements from Beethoven's String Quartet Op. 132, Brahms's Sextet in B-flat Major, and Mendelssohn's Octet. Workshop students perform tomorrow at 3 p.m. Greenhills School Campbell Center for the Performing Arts, 850 Greenhills Dr. (off Earhart). Tickets $10 in advance and at the door. 358-2100.

8 p.m.
"The Baltimore Waltz": Blackbird Theater. May 23-25, 30, 31, and June 6 & 7. Wa-Louisa Hubbard directs local actors in Paula Vogel's Obie Award-winning tragicomedy, an AIDS allegory about an uptight schoolteacher who thinks she's contracted a fatal disease from an elementary-school toilet seat. Accompanied by her equally repressed librarian brother, she crisscrosses Europe in search of a cure. Along the way, she meets a variety of characters who teach her - with what American Theatre magazine called "the inexorable logic of a dream and the pressing urgency of a nightmare" - to let loose and enjoy life. Cast: Alysia Kolascz, Adam Rzepka, and Michael Williams. Blackbird Theater, 1600 Pauline (at Kay Pkwy. east of Stadium). Tickets $20 (seniors 60 & over, $15; students, $10) in advance and at the door. 332-3848.

8 & 10:30 p.m.
Geoff Tate: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. May 23 & 24. Ann Arbor debut of this rising young midwestern stand-up comic known for his lazy vocal delivery and laid-back stage presence. Preceded by 2 opening acts. Alcohol is served; the Friday & Saturday early shows are nonsmoking. old VFW Hall (below Seva restaurant), 314 E. Liberty. $8 reserved seating in advance, $10 general admission at the door. 996-9080.

9 & 11 p.m.
Marcin Wasilewski Trio: The Firefly Club. See review, p. 87. Ann Arbor debut of this heralded Polish jazz trio led by composer-pianist Wasilewski that is most widely known through its years as trumpeter Tomasz Stanko's touring band. Firefly Club, 637 S. Main. Tickets $12 in advance and at the door. 665-9090.

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