traverse
Michael Moore said "In times like these, humor should ride to the rescue." Creator of films such as Roger & me, Sicko and Capitalism: A Love Story, Moore grew up in Michigan and still lives here. Along with Jeff Garlin of Curb Your Enthusiasm fame, the two are the co-founders of the Traverse City Comedy Arts Festival scheduled for Feb. 19th--21st.

Headliners are Roseanne Barr, filmmaker John Waters (Hairspray, Cecil B. DeMented) and Mike Birgiglia. Other acts will feature improvisational groups and premieres of comedy movies — including a short-films competition — plus a show for children.

Most of the events will take place at the State Theatre, a refurbished, 546-seat movie house that Moore helped save from the wrecking ball, and two other downtown showplaces: the City Opera House and the Old Town Playhouse.

For more information go to Traverse City Comedy Arts Festival.

Join us this Friday in the Downtown Multipurpose Room from 6-8:30 pm to celebrate the Caldecott medal winner. The Caldecott Medal has been awarded since 1938 to recognize excellence in illustration. This year the award has gone to Jerry Pinkney's excellent rendition of The Lion and the Mouse, which tells Aesop's classic fable entirely in pictures.

This Friday, after a brief presentation of the Caldecott winner and other historical Caldecotts, you will have the chance to tell stories in pictures yourself. Your imagination is the only limit, so bring all your creativity, enthusiasm and love of art!

DANCING BABIES will be held at Malletts Creek Branch
Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, 11:00 - 11:30 am.
Anuja Rajendra of BollyFit Ann Arbor will lead the program.
This is an active music program for families with babies and children under 5 years old.

Microphone
Coffeehouse is about dropping in to share poetry, monologues, music and good times. When stepping up to the mike you can share the works of others or even better, your own work.

This Friday meet one of our AADL staff members who will talk about a chance for you to be recorded for a podcast about Coffeehouse that will be posted on the library website. Interested? Join us this Friday.

AXIS Coffeehouse | Friday, January 22 | 6:30-8:00 PM | Malletts Creek | Teens Gr. 6-12

What a fun-filled, Madcat fiesta we have planned for you at the Downtown Library on Saturday, January 30th! Ann Arbor's own Peter Madcat Ruth, the well-loved and award-winning harmonica player will perform American folk music on many instruments for kids ages five and up. Of course all Madcat maniacs and kids at heart are invited too!

Saturday, January 30 | 10:00 - 10:45 am | Downtown Multi-Purpose Room

Both Mouse and Gecko learn how to get along and share in this small world, at the Tuesday 10 am and Wednesday 11 am storytimes at the Downtown Library next week.

Note: Due to planned power outage at the Downtown Library, this event has been moved to Traverwood Branch.

We can’t wait for you to hear the drumming and see the joyful dancing of the Akanni Omowale African Drummers and Dancers at our Senegal Family Cultural Celebration on Sunday, January 17 at 2:00 pm at the Traverwood Branch library. Akanni Omowale recently performed at the Museum of African American History in Detroit. After the music and dance we will enjoy a traditional treat and then make colorful giraffe collages. All ages are invited!

Local youth are invited to join AADL in remembering civil rights leader, human rights advocate, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Students in grades k-8 are invited to come to the Downtown Library anytime between 10am and 8pm on Monday, January 18th for our Unity Collage Event. Participants will make collages to celebrate diversity, unity, and the civil rights movement. The collages will be displayed on the Youth Department Bulletin Board.

At 4pm on the 18th, The Ann Arbor Youth Chorale will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a performance featuring songs of peace. The musical event will take place Downtown in the Multi-Purpose Room for students grades k-5.

tomclynes

As a photographer and journalist for National Geographic Adventure, Tom Clynes has traveled around the world. The UM alumnus and author of Wild Planet returns to familiar turf on Wednesday, January 20 with a stunning visual presentation at the Downtown Library of some of the amazing images he's captured on the job.

board-dom

We're teaming up with the Vault of Midnight for family-friendly board games such as Ticket to Ride, and more Euro-style strategy games! Members from the Ann Arbor Go Club will be here to teach and play the ancient strategy game Go We'll have snacks, too.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 | 1 - 4 PM | Downtown, Multi-Purpose Room | Grade K-Adult