Blog Post
June 25th--Act of Grace: A Conversation with Karen Simpson and Robbie Ransom
by hamiltonb
On Saturday, June 25th authors Karen Simpson and Robbie Ransom will discuss their new book Act of Grace from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at the University of Michigan's North Quad, room 2435. Act of Grace explores the story of Grace Johnson, an African American from Michigan who saves the life of a Klan member named Jonathan Gilmore--and the controversy which follows. Simpson and Ransom are both Michigan residents and graduates of Eastern Michigan University well known for their work in gender and cultural studies. The discussion is free and open to the public, and is presented by the Author’s Forum, a collaboration between the U-M Institute for the Humanities, University Library, Great Lakes Literary Arts Center, and the Ann Arbor Book Festival. Don't miss the discussion on this amazing story of forgiveness!
For the official UM Library event posting, click here.
Blog Post
Emancipation Proclamation at the Henry Ford Museum
by sherlonya
How often do you get to see one of the nation's important documents up close and personal? Until Wednesday, June 22, 7:00 AM, the Emancipation Proclamation is on display at the Henry Ford Museum. According to a MLive article, over 7,100 visitors have already ventured to Dearborn to see it. Normally this original, handwritten document is stored at the National Archives. In fact, this is the first time that it has been out on display since the 1980s. It is kept under wraps in order to preserve it; it is sensitive to light. There is no charge for admission. While the Emancipation Proclamation is on display until 7:00 AM tomorrow, the doors to the museum will close at 6:00 AM.
For a dose of history even closer to home try these items:
The Emancipation Proclamation, a book for adults.
You Are There. Abraham Lincoln's Great Moments, a DVD.
The Emancipation Proclamation, a book for children.
Blog Post
Top of the Park 2011!
by ErinDurrett
Looking for something to do this summer?
Top of the Park kicked off this past Friday June 17th. Bands play every evening and movies show Sunday through Thursdays at dusk (10 pm), with the exception of Mondays. TOP will again be officially closed on Mondays i.e. no events/movies/music will take place on Monday evenings. Some of the movies featured this year include: , , Inception, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Back to the Future, Footloose, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Monty Python and the Holy Grail and The Phantom of the Opera Silent Film with Carillon Accompaniment & Guest Soprano.
Tomorrow's entertainment includes: Rock the Mall, a Teen Music Competition and the film The Social Network. This summer's TOP also includes wacky acrobatic troop Strange Fruit performing The Three Belles.
You can view the entertainment schedule at the Festival Website. For a printable Calendar, click here.
Top of the Park is located at Ingalls Mall, directly in front of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies on Washington Street near the Burton Memorial Tower.
Don't forget to check out the performaces at the Mainstage as well. Artist/Comedians that are performing at the Power Center include: Steve Martin, Los Lonely Boys, k.d. lang, The Capitol Steps, and Tom Tom Crew.
Before you go, make sure to check out Festival Rules and Regulations for helpful tips to make everyone's experience more enjoyable.
Check out the Ann Arbor Summer Festival on facebook!
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival runs till July 10th, so come prepared to dance, sing along and have a good time!
Blog Post
Be Well Block Party!
by Beth Manuel
Did someone say Free Health Care? I just did! Packard Health invites you to their annual Youth Health Fair Thursday June 23 from 12:00-5:00 PM. Not only that, the first 300 children will get a free digital thermometer. But wait! There's more! Kids can also get free camp & sports physicals, vaccines and dental screenings. Come on down to 3174 Packard Road Ann Arbor for your child's health screening!
Blog Post
Kids Read Comics!
by anned
The Kids Read Comics Celebration kicks off this Friday, June 17, at 6pm at the Downtown AADL branch with a live comics reading by Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy, X-Men: Misfits) and Raina Telgemeier (SMILE, Baby-Sitters Club). Then at 8pm, Kevin Coppa will join Dave for a live performance of Dave Roman Presents: Avatar: The Last Puppetbender live!
The fun doesn't stop there! Saturday and Sunday (June 18-19), Kids Read Comics will take over downtown Chelsea with free events for comics lovers of all ages! Festivities begin at the Chelsea District Library at 10am, the event will also expand down Main Street to the Clocktower Commons, where shops and restaurants throughout the downtown business district will host artists and special activities from 10am to 8pm Saturday and noon to 6pm Sunday.
Events include:
Artists’ alleys where you can meet comics and animation professionals
Hands-on comics workshops
Art demos and discussions
Portfolio reviews for youth and teen artists
Opening reception for the Comics Jam! art exhibition at the River Gallery (Saturday at 6pm)
For preschoolers through preteens:
Costume parade
Superhero crafts
For teens:
Giant drawing wall and interactive art events
Cosplay classes and marketplace, plus Saturday evening costume contest and masquerade party
For teachers and librarians:
Professional development workshops on Sunday
See a complete list of events on the Kids Read Comics Programming page!
Blog Post
Rainbow Picnic!
by iralax
The whole family is invited to the Washtenaw Pride Picnic, 1-5 pm on Saturday, June 25 at Olson Park, 1505 Dhu Varren Rd, Ann Arbor. You bring your own food and beverages (no hard liquor) and fun stuff like a DJ, lawn games, face painting and relay races will be provided. More information can be found at the Facebook event page by searching for “Washtenaw Pride Picnic.” If you would like to volunteer, contact Scott Klee at scoklee@gmail.com. Everyone under the rainbow is welcome!
Blog Post
Performance Network: "Next Fall" running through July 3
by annevm
The drama Next Fall by Geoffrey Nauffts -- a 2010 Tony nominee for best play -- is running at Performance Network Theater in Ann Arbor through July 3. The play was produced on Broadway by Elton John and his partner David Furnish. You can read a preview of the PNT production here and buy tickets here.
Blog Post
Summer Flicks @ the Michigan Theater
by manz
Summer is the time to relax at the Michigan Theater with the cool A/C and some cool movies after a long day of enjoying the sun.
Check out the 2011 Summer Documentary Film Series, which features a hand-picked selection of some of the best from the past few years. Documentaries such as Marwencol, Winnebago Man, Waste Land, Nenette, and more, will be shown on Mondays at 7pm. See here for full list of movies and dates for the Documentary Series.
Not into documentaries? Then check out the 2011 Summer Classic Film Series, showing on Sundays and Tuesdays through mid-September. View films such as The Godfather, Alien, Amelie, Psycho, and a sing-a-long The Sound of Music, all on the big screen. See here for full list of movies and dates for the Classics Series.
Both series start this weekend at the Michigan Theater!
Blog Post
Park & Read Passes Have Arrived!
by hamiltonb
Now's your chance to get a free one-day pass into any Michigan State Park or recreation area with a Park & Read Pass from AADL this summer! How does it work?
Park & Read Passes are available this year until October 1st, 2011. Get your pass today and enjoy summer in Michigan at the park!
Blog Post
2011 Nichols Arboretum Peony Festival
by hamiltonb
It's almost time to stop and smell the peonies at the Arboretum! The Peony Gardens will be in bloom during this year's Peony festival June 4th to June 12th, and there's lots to see and do. Peonies will be available for sale on June 4th and 5th, with proceeds benefiting the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. There will be live music Saturday June 4th from 11 to 1pm, and guided lunchtime tours at noon June 4th through June 10th. Click here for the official event listing, where you can learn about the festival's Peony Photo Contest, more about the Peony Garden, hours and directions for the Arboretum, and more! Want to start your own flower garden? Check out the AADL's flower gardening resources!