City Guide
Annual Events
Ann Arbor Art Fairs. Ann Arbor's gigantic art festival actually is four separate fairs that draw more than 1,000 artists and nearly half a million visitors over four days. The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original (994-5260, www.artfair.org), surrounds Burton Tower. The State Street Area Art Fair (663-6511, www.a2statestreetartfair.com) is in the shopping districts around State Street, while the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair (662-3382, www.theguild.org/art_fair_summer.html) has a downtown section on Main and Liberty and a campus section on S. State. Ann Arbor's South University Art Fair (663-5300, www.a2southu.com) occupies parts of South University and East University aves. and Church St. Surrounding the four fairs are free concerts and a huge variety of food and drink vendors. A Townie Street Party is held the Mon. before the fairs ( www.towniestreetparty.org). All fairs are held July 15-18, 2009; July 21-24, 2010.
African American Downtown Festival. 686-8807. Crafts, merchandise, food, petting zoo, kids' activities, at N. Fourth Ave. and Ann St. Musical entertainment includes jazz, R&B, and pop. June 6, 2009; June 5, 2010 (tentative). clpfestival@gmail.com, www.communityleaningpost.com
Ann Arbor Book Festival. 369-3366. Author talks and signings, writing workshops, spelling bees, poetry slams, book art displays, children's activities, and thousands of books for sale, at various downtown locations. May 14-16, 2010. aabf@aabookfestival.org, Wroben3357@aol.com, www.aabookfestival.org
Ann Arbor Film Festival, Michigan Theater and other locations. 995-5356. One of the oldest film festivals in North America. Six days of art-driven, experimental, and adventurous independent films. Panels, workshops, multimedia installations, and parties. Winning films screened Sun. evening. Mar. 23-28, 2010. info@aafilmfest.org, www.aafilmfest.org
Ann Arbor Folk Festival. At Hill Auditorium. 761-1800. Two concerts of roots and acoustic music to benefit The Ark. Features well-known acts along with singer-songwriters and roots musicians on the rise. Jan. 29 & 30, 2010. feedback@theark.org, www.theark.org
Ann Arbor Summer Festival. 994-5999. Tickets: 764-2538. Ticketed performances of theater, dance, comedy, and music by national and international artists at the Power Center and Hill Auditorium. Also, local and regional performing artists at Top of the Park, a nightly series of free outdoor concerts and movies. Includes a kids' activity zone. June 12-July 5, 2009; June 11-July 4, 2010. www.annarborsummerfestival.org
Apples & Honey, At the Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow. 971-0990. Family event celebrates the fall Jewish holidays. Shofar blowing, crafts, inflatable bouncers for children, games, face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, and more. Gifts and Judaica for sale. Israeli food, kosher baked goods, and lunch available. Sept. 13, 2009. jcc@jccfed.org, www.jccannarbor.org
The Ark's Storytelling Festival, at The Ark, 316 S. Main. 761-1800. International, national, and regional storytellers present programs. Sat. 7:30 p.m. (aimed at adults), and Sun. 1 p.m. (aimed at kids). Feb. 20 & 21, 2010. feedback@theark.org, www.theark.org
CabaretFest. At Kerrytown Concernt House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. 769-2999. A series of springtime concerts with national and regional cabaret artists. 2010 dates TBA. kch@kerrytown.com, www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com
Dance for Mother Earth Powwow. At Saline Middle School. 565-8670. Native American singers and dancers, artists, drummers, and vendors from much of North America. Everyone welcome. 2010 event date T.B.A. powwow_committee@yahoo.com, www.umich.edu/~powwow
Dancing in the Streets, 769-1052. Dance downtown to a variety of live music. Parade, miniconcerts, and children's activities. Sponsored by AACTMAD, the Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance. Sept. 6, 2009. hellmann@umich.edu, www.aactmad.org
Dawn Dance Weekend. At Clague Middle School, 2616 Nixon. 677-0212. A nonstop weekend of folk dancing to live music, plus workshops on music, dancing, and calling. Feb. 26-28, 2010. hellmann@umich.edu, www.aacmad.org/ddw
Downtown Block Party. Held on Main and Liberty Sts. 668-7112. Hot rods, classic cars on display, live music by the Saline Fiddlers, and by an Elvis impersonator. In conjunction with the annual Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Union Instructor Training Program. Aug. 10, 2009; Aug. 9, 2010. ua@annarbor.org, www.mainstreetannarbor.org
Earth Day Festival. At Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Bldg. 997-1553. Educational displays, hands-on activities, live animal presentations, and family-oriented environmental entertainment, including storytelling and sing-alongs. Includes the All Species Parade, with participants in costumes representing plants and animals. April 25, 2010, noon-4 p.m. petty@wccnet.edu
EdgeFest. At Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. 769-2999. One of North America's premier alternative music festivals, featuring jazz and creative music at different locations. Oct. 14-17, 2009. kch@kerrytown.com, www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com
FestiFools. On Main St. 763-7550. A spectacle of larger-than-life puppetry and pageantry which everyone is invited to help create and operate. Also, musical entertainment. 4 p.m., Apr. 11, 2010. startproject@umich.edu, www.festifools.org
Green Fair. On Main St. between Huron and William. 794-6161, ext. 41602. Exhibits and information booths on environmental groups, products, and issues. Clean energy expo, alternative fuel vehicles, live music, live birds of prey presentations, activities for children, art exhibits. June 12, 2009; June 11, 2010. CSchopieray@a2gov.org, www.a2gov.org/green
Home Grown Festival. 995-3663. Local food celebration at Farmer's Market. Small portions of foods made with local ingredients for sale. Free activities include tomato taste-off, kids activities, music, and information booths about local organizations. Sept. 12, 5-10 p.m. EatLocal@HomeGrownFestival.org, http://homegrownfestival.org/
Huron River Day. At Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller. 794-6240. River exhibits, discounted canoe and kayak rentals, one-mile and 5K runs, a 5K walk, live music, food vendor, and a children's activity tent. July 12, 2009; 2010 date TBA. www.a2gov.org/HRD
Jewish Book Festival. At the Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow. 971-0990. Adult and children’s authors speak in the evenings (except Fri.) and at noontime “Lunch and Learn” events. Books for sale. Nov. 4-16, 2009. jcc@jccfed.org, www.jccannarbor.org
Jewish Film Festival, Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center. Screenings of about 15 films at the Michigan Theater. April 25-29, 2010. jcc@jccfed.org, www.jccannarbor.org
Juneteenth. At Wheeler Park. 761-9084. Observance of the announcement of the end of slavery in Texas and the Southwest on June 19, 1865. Includes music, poetry, storytelling, performances, games, a children's area, health and nonprofit information, concessions, and local vendors. Sponsored by Ann Arbor NAACP. June 20, 2009; June 19, 2010. wvhamp@comcast.net, n444@sbcglobal.net, www.hvcn.org/info/a2naacp
Kerrytown BookFest. At Ann Arbor Farmer's Market. 669-0451. Exhibits, artisans, and demonstrators of book arts from papermaking to publishing to calligraphy, plus speakers, readings, children’s activities, panel discussions, and more. Sept. 13, 2009. bookfest@kerrytownbookfest.org, www.kerrytownbookfest.org
M-agination Films. Free annual spring screening of UM student-made films at the Michigan Theatre. http://www.umuac.org/m-aginationfilms/
Michigan A Cappella Festival (MACFest). In Rackham Auditorium. 763-1107. A showcase concert for all 15 of the U-M's a cappella groups: The GMen (all-male) Amazin’ Blue (coed), Compulsive Lyres (coed), Dicks and Janes (coed), Friars (all-male), Gimble (coed), Good News (coed,Christian), Harmonettes (all-female), Headnotes (coed, graduate students), Kol Hakavod (coed, Jewish), Kopitonez (coed, Asian-interest), Maize Mirchi (coed, Indian-interest), Sopranos (all-female), 58 Greene (coed, multicultural), THe CEOhs (coed, Business school). Nov. 7, 2009. umacappella@umich.edu, www.umich.edu/~umsing
MiniFest. At Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. 769-2999. Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival presents concerts featuring internationally known artists and new chamber ensembles. June 12, 19, and 21, 2009; June 2010, dates TBA. kch@kerrytown.com, www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com
Rolling Sculpture Car Show, 668-7112. More than 400 antique, classic, and concept cars on display on parts of Main, Liberty, and Washington Sts. Educational demonstrations and displays. "Cacklefest": all cars rev their engines simultaneously 2ce/day. July 10, 2009; July 9, 2010. maurathomson@ameritech.net, www.mainstreetannarbor.org
Shakespeare in the Arboretum. 647-7600. University students and local actors in an alfresco production of a Shakespeare play that moves through various settings in the Arb. June 4-7, 11-14, and 17-21, 2009; 2010 dates TBA. www.mbgna.umich.edu
Taste of Ann Arbor. Held on sections of Main and Liberty. 668-7112. Bite-sized samples from local restaurants and cafes. Music and dance on three downtown stages, plus children's activities. May 31, 2009. maurathomson@ameritech.net, www.mainstreetannarbor.org
Wine, Women, and Song.At Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. 769-2999. Ten of the area’s notable singer-actresses perform songs from musical theater to light opera, including some original numbers. Jan. 29-31, 2010. kch@kerrytown.com, www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com
Ya'ssoo Greek Festival. At St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3109 Scio Church. 332-8200. Three-day celebration features live music by local bands and homemade Greek food and pastries. 2010 dates TBA. www.stnickaa.org (under "projects," click on Ya'ssoo Greek Festival)
Blue Karaoke
Karaoke club with 10 private party rooms. Lyrics available in Chinese, English, Filipino, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Juice and soft drinks; bring your own alcohol. Catering for private parties. Daily 5 p.m.-dawn. www.bluekaraoke.com404 W. Liberty [map]
302-3673
Cavern Club
Nightclub space avail. for rental and special events. www.cavernclubannarbor.com210 S. First [map]
332-9900
Circus Bar & Billiards
Wed. & Thurs. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. (age 21 & over), Fri. & Sat. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. (age 18 & over). Bluegrass night with live music Weds., Laith Al Saadi performs soulful rock and blues every Thur., Karaoke Fri. Closed Sun.-Tues. No food. www.cavernclubannarbor.com210 S. First [map]
913-8890
Fifth Quarter
Sports bar in front, banquet seating, dance floor, DJ Thurs.-Sat., and mechanical bull Fri. Open Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Closed Sun. & Mon.210 S. Fifth Ave. [map]
332-0200
Firefly Club
Jazz and blues nightclub, with dance floor. Food on weekends only: appetizers, sandwiches, salads, desserts. Mon., Tue. & Thurs. 7 p.m.- 2 a.m., Wed. & Fri., 5 p.m.-2 a.m., Sat., 8 p.m.-2 a.m., Sun. 4:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Salsa night including free dance lesson Weds., salsa dance party with live Latin jazz ensemble Thurs., happy hour with the Easy Street Jazz Band Fri., Swing dance lessons Sun. 8:15 p.m., and Blues with the Laith Al-Saadi Trio Sun. 9:30 p.m. Monthly comedy night (check website for schedule). www.fireflyclub.com637 S. Main [map]
665-9090
Goodnite Gracie
Jazz and martini bar downstairs; see listing for Live at PJ's, upstairs. Text 752-5740 for text-only drink specials. Age 21 & over. Open Tues.-Sat. 8 p.m.-close. Closed Sun.-Mon. goodnitegracie.com301 W. Huron [map]
752-5740
Gotham City and Millennium Club
Two clubs with one cover charge. Rock and Hip-Hop with house D.J.s. No food. Fri. & Sat. 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Closed Sun.-Thur.210 S. First [map]
332-9900, 913-8890
Habitat Ultralounge
Bar serving limited menu, including sandwiches and appetizers. Age 21 & over after 10 p.m. Open Mon.-Thurs. 10-12:30 a.m., Fri. 10-2 a.m., Sat. 5 p.m.-2 a.m., Sun. 9:30 p.m.-midnight. Lives bands Tues.-Sat., dance floor. Happy hour Mon. all night, Tues.-Fri., 4-6:30 p.m.3050 Jackson (Weber's Inn) [map]
665-3636
Live at PJ's
Live entertainment. Text-message to 752-5740 for text-only drink specials. Age 21 & over. Wed.-Sat. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Closed Sun.-Tue. Available for special events and private parties Mon. and Tues. www.liveatpjs.com102 S. First (upstairs from Goodnite Gracie) [map]
752-5740
Millennium Club
See listing for Gotham City and Millennium Club.www.cavernclubannarbor.com210 S. First [map]
913-8890
Nightspots
For current schedules, jump to the Nightspots channel in the arborweb Calendar. NightspotsRick's American Cafe
Music with DJs and live bands, dancing. Pool tables, darts, video games. Nightly drink specials. 30th Anniversary celebration features specials brought back from 1979 on the 30th of each month in 2009. No food. Age 21 & over. Mon. & Tues. 8 p.m.-2 a.m., Wed.-Sun. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Mon. happy hour all night, $2 Tues. (select drinks), Thurs. Ladies Night (admission free for women). www.ricksaa.com611 Church [map]
996-2747
Studio 4
Nightclub with DJs. No food except for catered private parties. Age 21 & over (May-Aug.: age 18 & over). Thurs.-Sat. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Closed Sun.-Wed. www.studio4club.com314 S. Fourth Ave. [map]
302-3687
The Blind Pig
Legendary local concert venue. Live music most nights. No food. Age restrictions vary; call ahead. Mon.-Sat. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Closed most Sun. Cash only. www.blindpigmusic.com208 S. First [map]
996-8555
The Club Above
German American food; live music, dancing, poker. Open daily 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Poker night, Sun.-Wed., live music Thurs. & Sat., Latin night Fri. Happy hour with bands Fri. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Age restrictions vary.215 N. Main (upstairs at the Heidelberg restaurant) [map]
663-7758
The Necto
Dance club. Outdoor patio. No food. Age 18 & over. Mon. & Thurs.-Sat. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Special events rentals on Sun., Tues., & Wed. www.necto.com516 E. Liberty [map]
994-5436
