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The Play Ground

by Albert

"Love is a banquet on which we feed....because the night belongs to lovers..."
The Play Ground loves that song. It was written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith. Unbelievably, Patti Smith will playing The Ark on Thursday. Smith, "punk rock's poet laureate," came to prominence during the punk movement with her 1975 debut album Horses. She has regained prominence recently with her induction earlier this year into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and the recent release of Twelve, a collection of renovative covers of songs by everyone from Dylan and Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana.
Thursday, August 2, 7:30 p.m. 763-TKTS.

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The Play Ground

by Albert

Local perennial favorites, the RFD Boys, are back at The Ark this Friday. The boys have been the house bluegrass band at the Ark for twenty years.
They have appeared in numerous festivals and even made the cover of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine. Their shows blend top-notch musicianship with funny between-songs dialogue. So, sit back and enjoy such classics as "Rocky Top," "Blue Moon of Kentucky," "I'm My Own Grandpa" and the show closer, "Orange Blossom Special,"
They always bring along their own Rural Free Delivery mailbox for you to submit your own suggestions. Friday, August 27, 8pm.

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Hairspray is in again

by manz

A new film version of Hairspray, which is also an award winning Broadway musical, was released last week in theaters. Before heading out to see it why not check out the original film version by John Waters. The original cast, featuring Sonny Bono, Divine, Debbie Harry, and Ricki Lake, is sure to please. Watch Tracy Turnblad as she takes the Baltimore dance scene by storm with her hip moves and her wild hair-do. Don’t feel like watching a movie? The Broadway cast sound recording will get your feet tapping as well.

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Music in the Park

by Sarah T

Is the most mentally stimulating part of your lunch break the surprise of turkey on rye instead of turkey on wheat? No more! The Herb David Guitar Studio is highlighting local musicians on the Liberty Plaza throughout the summer. Music plays from noon until 2 pm, Monday through Saturday, and is free of charge. So take your turkey on wheat down, enjoy some sunshine, and support your local musicians.

Meanwhile tap your inner-musician by checking out AADL's collection of books on how to play the guitar, piano, and even the harmonica!

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"...while Rome burned."

by Maxine

Today, July 18, is believed to be the anniversary of the burning of Rome in 64 A.D. while the emperor Nero supposedly played his fiddle. It turns out that Nero wasn't even in Rome at the time but rushed back when he heard about the fire. The rumors about his fiddle playing probably came from the Roman military who disapproved of Nero's artistic tendencies. He became emperor at the age of 16 and was the youngest ruler in the history of Rome but not the most benevolent. He blamed the fire on the Christians who were then tortured. The adopted son of Claudius, Nero only came to power because of the murder of his brother, Britannicus. For a brilliantly acted portrayal of Claudius' reign, check out the dvd series, I, Claudius.

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Antarctica is more than cool!

by Maxine

In anticipation of the Library's program on Antarctica this Wednesday, July 11, the following three books may be of interest:

Scott of the Antarctic: A Life of Courage and Tragedy by David Crane. A biography of Robert Falcon Scott and his attempts to be the first to reach the South Pole only to be foiled by a Norwegian, Amundsen, who had arrived a month earlier. Scott and his crew perished in a storm. Excerpts from Scott's diaries and photos enrich the text.

The Lost Men: The Harrowing Saga of Shackleton's Ross Sea Party by Kelly Tyler-Lewis. This is the story of Shackleton's Ross Sea support party, those men who were sent aboard the Aurora to the other side of Antarctica to set up supply depots across the continent for the expedition. But their boat was torn from its moorings and the ten men were stranded ashore for two years. They perservered and managed to set up the depots despite incredible hardship.

The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean is a novel for young people but may be of interest to anyone because of masterful storytelling. Fourteen year old Sym is fascinated by the Antarctic and jumps at the chance to accompany her uncle there. Sym, who is shy and hearing impaired, has even created an imaginary confidante in Lawrence Oates who was part of the doomed Scott expedition. But her uncle is obsessed with finding a portal to the interior of a hollow world and leads Sym on a dangerous journey.

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No "Stranger in a Strange Land"

by Maxine

Today, July 7, is the 100th birthday of science fiction writer, Robert Heinlein. Considered by some to be the father of modern science fiction, Heinlein wrote over 50 novels and collections of short stories. He never considered becoming a writer. While serving in the Navy, Heinlein contracted tuberculosis and was at a loss on what direction his life would take. When he saw an ad in a pulp fiction magazine offering $50 for a story, he wrote one but decided it was too good and sent it to a science fiction magazine where it was accepted. And so began his new career. Unlike other science fiction stories at the time that were full of gadgets and imaginary machines, Heinlein's fiction dealt with the world as it was and how it could be imagined realistically in the future.
He was ahead of his time in discussing atom bombs, cloning and how space travel could actually happen.

His most famous book was Stranger in a Strange Land which was about a boy raised by Martians.

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Celebrate the 4th in Detroit

by jillean

Looking for something to do on Wednesday? Check out the 2007 Comerica CityFest in Detroit’s New Center. The celebration starts July 4 and continues through Sunday, July 8th. The events are free and include activities for kids, food from area restaurants and a street market. There will be live performances by Femi Kuti and the Positive Force (son of Fela Kuti), The Wailers, Weird Al Yankovic, The Detroit Cobras and many more. The festival will also host featured artists, rock climbing for kids, Modern Skate and Surf and the Detroit Derby Girls.

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A bittersweet goodbye for Mr. Blair

by remnil

Tomorrow, an event will occur that hasn't happened in fourteen years: the United Kindgdom will have a new Prime Minister. Tony Blair will relinquish his post to Chancellor Gordon Brown.

As noted in NPR's Morning Edition, Blair's ascension was greeted with the hope of a new era for Britain. But despite his accomplishments, Blair's legacy may be forever marked by his decision to join President Bush in waging the Iraq War.

For a rundown of Blair's premiership, check out the BBC's ongoing coverage of Blair's time in office and Gordon Brown's succession.

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Local music groups on stage

by Maxine

A great display of local talent is on hand at Top of the Park this summer. Following are groups whose music you can continue to enjoy by checking out their cd's at the Library:

Hullabaloo. "This rousing band indulges in hip-shaking ska, Latin and rock." "Hullabaloo is sheer energy and fun." (Current Magazine)

Nomo. "Nomo swings a sense of spirituality, soul and grace into pop music." (Detroit Metro Times)

The Terraplanes "A rhythmn and blues powered vehicle that will take you along the entertainment highway to a swinging place where you can jump and shout. (terraplanes.net)

II-V-I Orchestra "Through it all shines the professionalism and dynamic vocal performance of Al Jacquez and the crack II-V-I horn section." (http://home.comcast.net/~iiviorchestra)

The Raisin Pickers "Fans of traditional American music who appreciate aces fiddling, boffo banjo work, strong songwriting and harmonies as sweet as sugar..."(raisinpicker.com)

Dick Siegel "Songs from SNAP! like Angelo's and Carry Me Away
show his troubadour knack for writing both sweet and sorrowful love songs." (CD Baby)

Madcat and Kane "...virtuoso playing and vibrant interpretations. Ruth...one of harmonica's greats...Kane provides a solid rhythmn while still getting in her electrifying solos." (Dirty Linen)

Corndaddy "Corndaddy's music harkens back to the glory days of country rock through filters of power pop, bluegrass and British invasion bombast. (Corndaddy.com)

George Bedard and the Kingpins "...as solid and dependable as a '57 Chevy and as flashy and flamboyant as a long-finned '59 Caddy covertible."
(Arborweb)