Calendar of Events
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Hudson Mills Metropark Interpretive Nature Programs.
July 4, 11, & 18. Programs presented by Hudson Mills naturalist Jennifer Hollenbeck. Today: "Bird Hike." Bring binoculars and a field guide.
Hudson Mills Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Rd., Dexter. $2 unless otherwise noted. Preregistration required. $4 vehicle entrance fee. 426-8211.
18th Annual Camaro Superfest 2008: Eastern and Western Michigan Camaro Clubs.
July 4 & 5. The nation's longest-running Camaro-only show features several hundred vintage to brand-new models on display. This year's show features the 2010 Camaro. Numerous awards for original, restored, street, and modified models. All invited to enter their Camaros ($15-$25). Swap and vendor areas. Raffle. Food available. Proceeds benefit the National Kidney Foundation.
Riverside Park, Cross St. at Huron, Ypsilanti. $3 admission (kids age 14 & under, free). 368-8726, 397-5182.
"Dexter Breakfast Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.
Every Sat. except July 11. 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. Also, after the bakery stop, a fast/moderate-paced swim extension ride (40 to 60 miles) continues to Silver Lake for a swim. On July 11 is the popular annual AABTS "One Helluva Ride" (see listing). Also, at sunrise at Wheeler Park only, "Sunrise Saturday Ride," a very slow-paced 22-mile ride (662-0205) to Dexter for breakfast and back. 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 996-9461 (July 4 ride), 994-6340 (July 18), 663-5060 (July 25), 971-1065 (swim extension).
Ann Arbor Fourth of July Parade: Ann Arbor Jaycees.
This popular community celebration is now in its 19th year. The parade lineup features antique cars, baton twirlers, jugglers, magicians, /fire trucks, and a diverse mix of more than 40 local groups, families,/ and dignitaries, ranging from members of the Skyline High Marching Band to/ the Backwards Clown Brigade. The parade begins at State and William and proceeds north on State, west down Liberty, south on Main, and west up William back to its starting point.
starts at William & S. State. Free. 913-9629.
Annual Independence Day Potluck: U-M Sailing Club.
Potluck picnic. Bring a dish to share. Also, open sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming on the lake.
Baseline Lake, 8010 Strawberry Lake Rd., left from Mast off North Territorial. Free. 426-4299.
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Shops.
Every Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play one of 100 songs, with melodies transcribed in numbers, on the 17-bell chime's numbered keys. Ambitious players can add chords. Local chimemaster Heather O'Neal demonstrates.
Kerrytown. Free. 369-3107.
Storytime: Nicola's Books.
Every Sat. Storytelling program for kids under age 7.
Nicola's, Westgate shopping center. Free. 662-0600.
Children's Storytime: Barnes & Noble.
Every Sat. Storytelling programs and occasional craft activities for kids.
Barnes & Noble, 3235 Washtenaw. Free. 973-1618.
Waterloo Recreation Area.
Every Wed.-Sat. Programs presented by WRA park interpreter Kathy Kavanagh unless otherwise noted. Today's topic: TBA.
Eddy Discovery Center, Bush Rd. (west from Pierce Rd. off I-94 exit 157), Chelsea. Free. $6 vehicle entry fee. 475-3170.
Lodi Township 175th Anniversary Jubilee.
July 3-5 (different programs locations). 3 days of activities. Proceeds benefit a restoration project for the Lodi Township Old Town Hall. Today: Car show, blacksmith & weaving demos, street performers, sale of works by local artisans, kids games & prizes (2-4 p.m.), lawn mower racing (2-4 p.m.), and square & line dancing ($5; kids age 11 & under, free) to music by accordionist Luke Schaible and his band. Also, picnic lunch ($5; Lodi residents, free) and chicken dinner (5-7 p.m., $10; kids, $6).
Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds. Free admission. 944-2922.
Draw Doubles: Local 101 Disc Golf Club.
Every Sat. All invited to play disc golf at one of Hudson Mills Metropark's 24-hole disc golf courses. Beginners are paired with advanced players to create parity. Prizes. Golf discs available free.
Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Rd. (between Dexter-Pinckney Rd. & Huron River Dr.), Dexter. $5 per player; free for spectators. $4 vehicle entrance fee. 449-4300.
"Music in the Park": Herb David Guitar Studio.
June 1-Oct. 31. Musical entertainment by a variety of local performers. Today: Sounds of the Czars, a local Tiki-flavored surf-rock lounge quartet.
Liberty Plaza, E. Liberty at S. Division. Free. 665-8001.
U-M Exhibit Museum Planetarium.
Daily (except July 4). Four different audiovisual planetarium shows. The Sky Tonight (1:30 & 3:30 p.m. daily) is an exploration of the current night sky. The Zula Patrol (12:30 p.m. weekdays) is an animated exploration of weather, both terrestrial and interplanetary. MarsQuest (2:30 p.m. weekdays and 12:30 p.m. Sat.), narrated by Star Trek star Patrick Stewart, is about the history of the Red Planet and the reasons for our interest in it. Followed by a brief update on current issues about Mars. Origins of Life (2:30 p.m. Sat. only) 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.
U-M Exhibit Museum, 1109 Geddes at North University. $4.75. 764-0478.
Ann Arbor Juggling Arts Club.
Every Sat. All invited to practice their juggling skills. Beginners welcome. Indoor location TBA in case of inclement weather.
U-M Diag. Free. 761-1115.
Warhammer/Warmachine Open Play: Get Your Game On.
Every Tues., Thurs., & Sat. All invited to play these 2 tactical miniatures board games.
Get Your Game On, 709 Packard. Free. 786-3746.
"Wake": Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.-Sun. June 18-Aug. 23. Guy Sanville directs local actors in the world premiere of Carey Crim's comedy about an agoraphobic mortician whose vivacious mother and precocious teenage daughter try desperately to get her to leave the house. Stars Stacie Hadgikosti, Michelle Mountain, Sandy Ryder, and Bill Simmons. Purple Rose, 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.
"A Picasso": Performance Network Professional Season.
Every Thurs.-Sun., June 11-July 12. Tony Caselli directs Jeffrey Hatcher's drama, set in 1941 Nazi-occupied Paris, about a high-stakes battle of wills between Pablo Picasso and a beautiful German agent who needs him to authenticate 3 of his works that the Nazis have confiscated from their Jewish owners and intend to feature in a public art-burning. Cast: John Manfredi, Emily Sutton-Smith.
Performance Network, 120 E. Huron. Tickets $27 & $29 (Thurs.), $32 & $34 (Fri. & Sun.), $25 & $27 (Sat. matinee), $39 & $41 (Sat. eve.). $3 discount for seniors age 60 & over. Tickets available in advance at performancenetwork.org & by phone, and at the door. $10 student discount in advance, half-price student tickets at the door only. For reservations, call 663-0681; to charge by phone, call 663-0696.
The Capitol Steps: Ann Arbor Summer Festival.
In the Summer Festival's perennial July 4 tradition, this Washington, D.C.-based comedy troupe performs its trademark political and topical satire, fashioned by writing new lyrics, ranging from silly to bawdy, to familiar songs. The group also performs a few skits and "Lirty Dies" routines, a vaudeville-era comedic form that employs spoonerisms--the transposition of the initial letters of adjacent words--to create humorously garbled texts. The newest of its 29 CDs, Obama Mia!, includes songs such as "Ebony and Ovaries," "Little Plumber Boy," and others.
Power Center. Tickets $30-$45 in advance at the Michigan League Ticket Office & annarborsummerfestival.org, and (if available) at the door. To charge by phone, call 764-2538. 994-5999.
Board Game Night: Get Your Game On.
Every Thurs. & Sat. All invited to bring a favorite board game or play one of the store's.
Get Your Game On, 709 Packard. Free. 786-3746.
"Top of the Park": Ann Arbor Summer Festival.
Through July 5. A beloved summer tradition continues this year on Ingalls Mall and features music by local, area, and national bands. The music is followed at 10 p.m. (Sun.-Thurs.) by free movies and at 10:30 p.m. (Fri.) by dancing to DJs. Also, a KidZone tent (6:30-8 p.m.) with hands-on activities for kids. Food concessions from area restaurants. Tonight: the gospel-flavored local blues ensemble Lady Sunshine & the X Band (9 p.m.). Opening act is the Dayton funk-rock band Magic Jackson (7 p.m.). Preceded at 5 p.m. by performances by musicians from the Ann Arbor Music Center's Rock Band School and the Sterling Heights acoustic pop duo Sunny Side Up.
Ingalls Mall at Washington. Free. 994-5999.
"Saturday Splash": Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation.
Every Sat. A variety of water activities for kids ages 6-12. Includes water-balloon contests, water baseball, raft races, a hula-hoop relay, and more.
Veterans Park Pool, 2150 Jackson Rd. $4 (youths age 17 & under and seniors age 60 & older, $3.50). 794-6235.
1st Saturday Contra: Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance.
Martha Vander Kolk calls to music by the Scalar Scalawags. Preceded by a free open jam for string and other musicians (4-6 p.m.) and a "4th of July Potluck" (6 p.m.; bring a dish to pass and/or food to grill).
Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. ('bd mile south of I-94). $9 (members, $8; students, $5). 769-1052.
Nick Anthony: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
July 3 & 4. Ann Arbor debut of this young comic from Minnesota, a zany storyteller with a wry, edgy take on life. Preceded by 2 opening acts. Alcohol is served; all Fri. & Sat. early shows are nonsmoking.
314 E. Liberty (below Seva restaurant). $8 reserved seating in advance, $10 general admission at the door. 996-9080.
"Fireworks on the Floor": U-M Argentine Tango Club.
July 4-6 (different locations). Tango dance parties with recorded music spun by a DJ. Preceded by tango workshops.
Mind, Body, & Spirit Academe, 1785 W. Stadium. $10 (students, $5). umich.edu/~umtango.
