Calendar of Events
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
22nd Annual Jewish Book Festival: Jewish Community Center.
Nov. 3-6, 8-13, & 15. Display and sale (at retail prices) of more than
2,000 new books by Jewish authors, ranging from cookbooks, expensive gift
books, children's books, and reference books to books by local authors and
new titles hot off the presses. (Publishers plan their releases for November,
which is Jewish Book Month.) The fair also includes a number of talks and
performances by various Jewish authors. Today: Pulitzer Prize-winning
Washington Post senior editor Steve Luxenberg
discusses Annie's Ghosts (noon), his memoir about his search for the truth about the disabled sister whose existence his mother disclosed only just before her own death, and U-M research scientist emeritus (and former Del Rio co-owner) Ernie Harburg is joined by some former Del Rio employees for a panel discussion of his business history Liberty, Equality, Consensus, and All That Jazz at the Del Rio Bar (7:30 p.m.).
9 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. (off
Stone School Rd. south of Packard). Lunch available at the daily noon programs
for $12 ($10 in advance). Free. 971-0990.
Storytime: Waters Place Borders.
Every Wed.-Fri. Borders staff read from books for infants, babies, and toddlers.
Borders, 3140 Lohr Rd. Free. 997-8884.
Preschool Storytimes: Ann Arbor District Library.
Every Tues. & Wed. through Oct. 14. Stories and songs for kids age 2 & up (accompanied by an adult). Note: These storytimes are also offered (through the week of Oct. 12) at the Malletts Creek (Wed., 10-10:30 a.m.), Traverwood (Tues., 11-11:30 a.m., & Wed., 6-6:30 p.m.,), and Pittsfield (Thurs., 7-7:30 p.m., & Fri., 10-10:30 a.m.) branches.
AADL youth department story room, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Free. 327-8301 (main library), 327-4200 (branches).
Veterans Day Celebration: Concordia University.
Flag ceremonies with patriotic songs and hymns by the Concordia choir. Also, a flyover by the Michigan National Guard 127th Fighter Squadron, a talk by either governor Jennifer Granholm or Miss Michigan 2009 Nicole Blaszczyk, and a performance of the national anthem by the 338th Army Band and the Concordia Choir and Wind Ensemble. Reception follows.
Concordia University campus, 4090 Geddes Rd. Free. (888) 734-4237.
"The Lens of Impressionism": U-M Museum of Art.
Nov. 4, 7, 8, 11, 15, 21, 22, & 29. Docent-led tours of the current exhibit.
UMMA, 525 S. State. Free. 764-0395.
ACBL Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Every Wed. & Thurs. All seniors age 50 & over invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Bring a partner.
Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin. $5. 769-5911.
Noon Lecture Series: Kempf House Center for Local History.
Nov. 4 & 11. Today: Kempf House president Kjirsten Blander discusses "Lustron Homes," the enamel-coated steel houses introduced after WW II.
Kempf House, 312 S. Division. Admission $2 (Kempf House members, $1). 994-4898.
Veterans Day Celebration: Salvation Army.
All veterans invited for a catered dinner and a talk by Josh Hale, a Salvation Army representative who just got back from Afghanistan.
Time TBA. Free. Preregistration required. 668-8353.
Brown Bag Organ Series: U-M School of Music.
Local organists perform works TBA. Bring a bag lunch. Today: Edward Maki-Schramm.
U-M School of Public Health Community Room, 109 S. Observatory. Free. 764-0594.
Social Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Every Tues. & Wed. All seniors age 50 & over invited to play bridge. No partner required. Also, Tues. at 10 a.m., Scrabble.
Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin. Free. 769-5911.
Chess: U-M Turner Senior Resource Center.
Every Wed. All seniors invited to play chess. Refreshments.
Turner, 2401 Plymouth Rd. Free. 998-9353.
"Escanaba": Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.-Sun. (except Nov. 26) Sept. 17-Dec. 19. See review. Guy Sanville directs the world premiere of Jeff Daniels' comedy, the third in his deer-hunting Yooper trilogy that includes the hugely successful Escanaba in da Moonlight and Escanaba in Love. This installment reveals the origins of some of the Soady family's time-honored deer camp traditions. Stars Julian Gant, Wayne David Parker, and Tom Whalen.
Purple Rose, 137 Park St., Chelsea. $25 (Sun. eves., Wed. & Thurs.), $33 (Sat. & Sun. matinees), & $38 (Fri. & Sat. eves.) in advance and at the door. 433-7673.
"Meanwhile": U-M School of Art & Design.
U-M art and design professor Jim Cogswell discusses the current exhibit of his work at WCC Gallery One.
WCC Bailey Library, Gunder Myran Bldg., 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Free. 477-8512.
Scrabble: Ann Arbor Scrabblers.
Every Wed. All invited to play this popular word game. Bring a set, if you have one.
Arbor Brewing, 114 E. Washington. Free. 994-0084.
"Museums, Parents, and Science Education: What's Next?": U-M Exhibit Museum Science Cafe.
Talks by U-M psychology professor Pamela Davis-Kean and MSU International Center for the Advancement of Scientific Literacy director Jon Miller. Followed by discussion. Also, Miller gives a talk on "Museums and the Public Understanding of Science" on Nov. 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the U-M Exhibit Museum (1109 North University).
Conor O'Neill's, 318 S. Main. Free. 764-0478.
Curator Talks: U-M Museum of Art.
Nov. 11 & 22 (different programs). Today: Jacob Proctor on the current Heather Rowe installation.
UMMA, 525 S. State. Free. 764-0395.
Magic: The Gathering Tournament: Get Your Game On.
Every Sun.-Fri., except Nov. 26. All invited to compete in tournaments of this popular collectible card game using standard constructed (Sun. & Thurs.), vintage (Mon.), Elder Dragon Highlander (Tues.), Legacy (Wed.), and booster draft (Fri.) decks. Prizes. Bring your own cards Sun.-Thurs.
Get Your Game On, 709 Packard. $5 (Tues., free; Fri., $15 includes cards). 786-3746.
Storytime: Arborland Borders.
Every Wed. & Fri. A Borders staffer reads stories and leads a craft project for toddlers. Raffle.
Borders, 3527 Washtenaw. Free. 677-6948.
"World War II: The Homefront": U-M Library.
Local pianist William Bolcom (also a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer) and his wife, mezzo-soprano (and U-M cabaret professor) Joan Morris, are joined by the delightful New York tenor Bobby White in a program in the style of WW II radio shows. Also, performances by some of Morris's students and commentary by Hazen Schumacher, the longtime host of the locally produced former public radio program Jazz Revisited. Refreshments. Bolcom, Morris, White, and Schumacher sign copies of their new CD Someone Talked: Memories of World War II. Related events: At 4 p.m. on Nov. 17, U-M Bentley Historical Library archivist Brian Williams discusses and shows clips from Michigan on the March, a 1944 U-M News Service film about life on the U-M campus during WW II, and at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19, a screening of The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter, Connie Field's 1980 documentary about women during WW II who did traditional men's jobs. In conjunction with the Bentley Historical Library exhibit United We Win: The University of Michigan During World War II.
100 Hatcher Library, 920 North University. Free. 615-4801.
Works-in-Progress Series: Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room.
Readings by featured writers, followed by an open mike (sign-up begins at 6:45 p.m.). Today: U-M creative writing lecturer Cody Walker (see review), a widely published poet with a highly regarded debut collection, Shuffle and Breakdown. "Walker is unique, no mere trickster but a serious craftsman who blurs the line of demarcation between sober poetry and light verse," says the poet X.J. Kennedy. "Though he sometimes writes in forms usually frivolous--limericks, double dactyls, clerihews--he can do so with dark import."
Crazy Wisdom, 114 S. Main. Free. 665-2757.
John Hodgman: Downtown Borders.
This New York-based writer, a regular Daily Show contributor (and the PC in the Apple ads), discusses More Information Than You Require, the sequel to The Areas of My Expertise, his kooky parody of an old-timey "compendium of world knowledge" whose tidbits range from "Gambling: The Sport of the Asthmatic Man" to "How to Be a Famous Minor Television Personality." Signing.
Borders, 612 E. Liberty. Free. 668-7652.
Fiction Readers Group: Barnes & Noble.
All invited to join a discussion of The Story of a Marriage, Andrew Sean Greer's complex, exquisitely written novel about a burdened 50s housewife who meets a stranger with a bizarre offer. Refreshments.
Barnes & Noble, 3235 Washtenaw. Free. 973-1618.
"What Is Waldorf Education?": Rudolf Steiner School.
Talk by veteran Waldorf teacher Martha McDowell.
Steiner, 2775 Newport Rd. Free. 995-4141.
"Circus Jam": Dreamland Theater.
All experienced or aspiring circus performers invited to share tips on the entire range of circus performances, from balloon sculpting and face painting to unicycle riding and juggling. Sale of circus supplies.
Dreamland, 26 N. Washington, Ypsilanti. Free. 657-2337.
Ann Arbor Bridge Club.
Every Wed. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. If you plan to come without a partner, call in advance or arrive 20 minutes early.
Walden Hills clubhouse, 2114 Pauline at Maple. (Park on the north side of Pauline.) $6 per person. 623-8050.
Children's Writers Group.
Nov. 4 & 18. All local children's writers invited to discuss their work.
Arborland Borders, 3527 Washtenaw. Free. 677-9848.
Wellness Talks: Washtenaw Whole Foods Market.
Nov. 10, 11, & 17. Talks by Whole Foods staffers. Today: "Female Herbs for Every Age."
Whole Foods Cooking and Lifestyles Classroom, 3135 Washtenaw. $10. Preregistration required. 975-4500.
"Heirloom Harvest Dinner": Zingerman's Roadhouse.
Roadhouse chef Alex Young hosts a dinner showcasing heirloom vegetables from his garden, including tomatoes, beans, possibly corn, and more.
Zingerman's Roadhouse, 2501 Jackson. $45. Reservations required. 663-3663.
Delicatessen Tastings: Zingerman's Delicatessen.
Nov. 11 & 17. Zingerman's staff and guest food experts discuss and offer taste samples of various gourmet delights. Today: "Grafton Cheddar Cheese."
Zingerman's Next Door (upstairs), 422 Detroit St. $20 in advance, $25 at the door, unless otherwise noted. Space limited; reservations required. 663-3354.
"Solar Panels": ARROW Communications Association.
Club member Arun Kumar discusses the latest developments in solar technology. Preceded at 7 p.m. by "rag chewing and socializing."
Washtenaw County Red Cross, 4624 Packard. Free. 930-6564.
History Readers Group: Motte & Bailey, Booksellers.
Local nurse Ann Garvin leads a discussion of Drew Faust's This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War.
Motte & Bailey, 212 N. Fourth Ave. Free. 369-2499.
Keb' Mo': The Ark.
This veteran L.A. singer-guitarist plays original contemporary blues with a strong traditional feel, along with covers of Robert Johnson and other country blues classics. All Music Guide reviewer (and local singer-songwriter) Steve Leggett calls his latest CD, Suitcase, a "suite of songs dedicated to the emotional baggage everyone carries with them as they plow through increasingly complicated lives in search of peace, love, and some measure of personal redemption."
Michigan Theater. Tickets $26-$50 in advance at Borders on Liberty, Herb David Guitar Studio, the Michigan Union Ticket Office, & all other Ticketmaster outlets; and at the door. To charge by phone, call 763-TKTS.
"Comedy Jamm": Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Nov. 4, 11, & 18. Performances by up to 12 aspiring area stand-up comics. Alcohol is served.
314 E. Liberty (below Seva restaurant). $5 in advance and at the door. 996-9080.
Bill McKibben: Ecology Center.
Talk by this climate change activist, a renowned writer on business, culture, and the environment whose books include Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future. Proceeds benefit the Ecology Center.
Rackham Auditorium. $25 (members, $20; students, $10) in advance and at the door. 761-3186, ext 110.
Harpsichord Recital: U-M School of Music.
Students of U-M harpsichord professor Edward Parmentier play works by Byrd, Couperin, Sweelinck, Bach, and others.
U-M Music School Blanche Anderson Moore Hall, 1100 Baits Dr. (off Broadway), North Campus. Free. 764-0594.
Fujii Marimba Trio: U-M School of Music.
Performance by this Japanese trio led by Mutsuko Fujii, a noted marimba player who frequently collaborates with the well-known composer Tan Dun.
U-M Music School Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits Dr. (off Broadway), North Campus. Free. 764-0594.
Campus Symphony Orchestra: U-M School of Music.
Grad student conductors direct this ensemble of nonmusic majors in Shostakovich's Symphony no. 5 and Elgar's Cello Concerto, with cellist and CSO concerto competition winner Adrienne Cheng.
Hill Auditorium. Free. 764-0594.
"Juke Box Jungle": Conor O'Neill's Irish Pub.
Every Wed. Conor O'Neill's staff member Brian Aherne hosts a music trivia quiz. Prizes. 9-11:30 p.m., Conor O'Neill's, 318 S. Main. $3 team fee. 665-2968. 8|ch Wednesdays @ Michigan Union: Swing Ann Arbor. Nov. 4, 11, & 18. Swing dancing to prerecorded music. No partner needed. Bring casual or nicer shoes that stay on your feet when you're active. Preceded by intermediate swing (7:30 p.m.) and beginning swing (8:30 p.m.) lessons.
Michigan Union Pendleton Room (occasionally Ballroom or U-Club). $5 (includes lessons; students, $4; $1 discount for members). 945-8428.
