Blog Post
Fela! at Michigan Theater
by manz
If you’re a fan of Fela Kuti’s music, you may be interested in the filmed theatrical production of FELA! coming up at the Michigan Theater, thanks to a partnership between UMS and the theater. FELA! Is a hybrid of dance, theater, and music, and tells the story of afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, whose music is a blend of funk, jazz and African Rhythm. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winning Bill Jones, the film is part of the National Theatre Live series, featuring high-definition screenings of live theater broadcasts by the National Theater, London. It takes place at the Michigan Theater on Sunday, January 30 at 2pm. See the theater's website for more details and ticket information.
Blog Post
ARTomatic
by iralax
The VSA Michigan: "Emerging Artists' Exhibit" is now on display through February 13, 2011, at the UM Taubman Health Sciences Library located on the 4th floor at 1135 E. Catherine in downtown Ann Arbor. This is a juried exhibit that features artists of all ages and levels of experience from across the state. "Since 1977, VSA Michigan has worked to create a society with access and opportunities for children and adults with disabilities so they may experience growth through the arts.” Come and enjoy this exhibit with the whole family! For more information contact: 734.936.1394 or thl-outreach@umich.edu.
Blog Post
After We're Gone...
by Beth Manuel
After We're Gone is a series of 4 training sessions geared toward aging parents who have adult children at home with developmental disabilities. The first session is Thursday January 20th from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at MORC in Auburn Hills. This series is free. Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are appreciated. Call The Arc of Oakland County at 248-816-1900.
Blog Post
Author's Forum: The Protest Psychosis
by annevm
A conversation with Jonathan Metzl, Derek Griffith and Gregory Dalack -- all of the U-M faculty -- is coming up Wednesday Jan. 19 at 5:30 pm in Hatcher Graduate Library, Library Gallery. This Author's Forum is called "The Protest Psychosis: How Schizophrenia Became a Black Disease." In his book The Protest Psychosis, author Metzl writes about how schizophrenia became the diagnostic term overwhelmingly applied to African American men at the Ionia State Hospital and how that mirrored national trends linking civil rights, blackness, and mental illness.
Blog Post
Tuesday Brown Bag Lunch: Contemporary African Art
by annevm
Here’s a chance to have lunch with fascinating people -- and to learn something, too. On Tuesday Jan. 18, from noon-1:30 p.m., enjoy a Brown Bag Lunch at the Institute for the Humanities, 202 S. Thayer, Room 2022. Atta Kwami, visiting artist from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, will be there to give a talk, “Concerning Contemporary African Art: A Critique and Variations on a Theme.” A wonderful opportunity to feed your brain and body at the same time!
Blog Post
Ignite Ann Arbor 5 coming Feb 9th: Propose a 5-minute talk now!
by eli
Ignite Ann Arbor is an evening of quick, fun talks about just about anything. People who are passionate about whatever it is that they're passionate about get 5 minutes and 20 automatically advancing slides in front of a crowd to enlighten, entertain, inform, and illuminate. Past talks have covered Roller Derby, Folding Things, Barefoot Running, and Having a Great Time in Bed. Submissions are now open for Ignite Ann Arbor 5, coming up February 9th at Blau Auditorium. Past Ignite presenters have also been invited to AADL to expand on their talks, including Suzanne Fischer's talk about Early Mechanical Television, and Jack Zaientz's talk about The Silver Age of Jewish Music.
In addition, Brian Wecht and his collaborators from The Story Collider will be coming to AADL on March 11th to present entertaining and personal stories about science, so stay tuned for that!
So, got a great idea for Ignite Ann Arbor 5? Propose it now and see what happens! 5 minutes, 20 slides... what would you say?
Blog Post
25th Annual MLK Day Symposium, January 14th &15th
by hamiltonb
Dr. Bob Moses and the Young People's Project will be speaking at the University of Michigan's 25th annual MLK Day Symposium next Friday, January 14th and Saturday, January 15th. This year's symposium is titled "We the People: Creating a Grassroots Movement to Transform Public Education." Lectures and discussions will focus on quality education as a constitutional right, and exploring and building strategies for the promotion of quality education for all children. Dr. Moses is a noted Civil Rights Veteran, and is leading a national campaign to build support for a constitutional amendment to guarantee a quality education for all American children.
On January 14 from, 5:00-6:30 PM at the University of Michigan, Palmer Commons-Great Lakes Room, Dr. Moses will speak and lead a discussion about quality education and how it can be achieved for all American youth.
On January 15 from 10:00am-3:00PM at the Washtenaw Community College, Student Center Building, Dr. Moses along with representatives of the Young People's Project will facilitate a community forum on quality education—highlighting reform efforts that consider the student perspective. Participants will share their experiences, ideas & visions in a workshop format.
For more information, see the University of Michigan's event announcement.
Blog Post
Thurston Chess Tournament - Calling K-8 Students in Ann Arbor
by Bertha
This largest-of-the-year local kids chess tournament is open to chess players in grades K-8 and directed by chess teacher Ray Garrison. It is an excellent low-key opportunity for families to experience their first kids chess tournament, and a timely warm-up for those who want to play in the upcoming statewide competitions. There are four sections based on age and chess level, with afternoon-only sessions for newer players (including one section dedicated to K-1 players) and all-day sessions for more experienced players. The tournament typically draws 80-100 kids, and all players receive a participation certificate. Fees range from $8-15, with all profits to the Thurston PTO. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Visit wwwThurstonChess.com for more information and registration options. 9:30am-5pm or noon-5pm. Thurston Elementary School, 2300 Prairie, Ann Arbor. For more information, call 663-6326.
Blog Post
What Book Would You Have Chosen For the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads?
by shannon riffe
The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads screening committee reviewed many books before deciding on the official selection of 'Life is So Good.' What book would you have chosen to embody the theme "What Makes Life Worth Living?"
Leave a comment on the wall of our AA/Y Reads Facebook page and let us know your pick!
Blog Post
Boomerang Bonanza and Book Launch!
by manz
Okay makers, mark your calendars. Friday is the book release party for local author David Erik Nelson’s latest endeavor, Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred: Seriously Geeky Stuff to Make with Your Kids. It’s not your average book launch though. In addition to checking out the book and hanging out with the author at this free, family friendly event at the Workantile Exchange, you can also partake in making and throwing boomerangs while enjoying an adult beverage as your kids have fun. The boomerangs are one of the many fun, hands-on projects featured in the book.
Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred also features projects such as a simple electric guitar, board games, an oversized joy buzzer, and kites, to name a few. These make-tastic projects are sure to keep kids and parents busy for hours. If you're curious about the projects, ask the author about them!
The Boomerang Bonanza launch party coincides with Main Street’s Midnight Madness, so there’s no excuse not to pop in and get your make on amidst all that shopping and caroling.
Friday, Dec 3 -- 6–8pm -- Workantile Exchange, 118 S. Main St.