Pioneer High Theater Guild is busy rehearsing Oklahoma! for performances Nov. 7-15. I see on their blog that last month historian Nancy Bryk gave the cast some historical perspective. Ticket info for this fabulous sounding musical is here. All together now: "O-o-o-o-k-lahoma where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain . . ."

Young People's Theater presents the classic Wizard of Oz Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 5-8, in U-M's Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. You can view photos of actresses and actors on the YPT website. Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for age 18 and younger and 65 and older. Originally released as a motion picture in 1939, the story has inspired creations including the 2009 graphic novel Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

On Thursday evening, Nov. 5th, Gregory Kalemkerian, M.D. from the University of Michigan Health System will be giving an interactive, educational presentation featuring a descriptive slide show, discussion, and Q & A on the subject of women and lung cancer risks. The event will take place at the Ypsilanti District Library on 5577 Whittaker Road. The event is free and is presented by the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. To register call 734-998-7071 or go to www.mcancer.org/outreach. For more literature on this subject, see Lung Cancer: What you Need to Know -- Now and Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices -- and Hope from the AADL, or visit UM's lung cancer resource website.

826michigan will host Stephen Elliott, author of seven books, reading from his just-released true crime novel, The Adderall Diaries: A Memoir of Moods, Masochism, and Murder, on Thursday, October 29, at 7 pm on 115 East Liberty Street in Ann Arbor. This free event kicks off their fall adult workshop series “How To Write Like I Do” that begins on Saturday, October 31st, from 1-4 pm, when Stephen Elliott will present: Writing from Experience. Attendees will discuss how to use their own lives as jumping points and framing devices for their stories.

To register for a workshop or learn more about future sessions with graphic novelist Jim Ottaviani or Jeff Meyers, lead film critic at the Metro Times, visit 826michigan here. Coffee and Zingerman’s treats are included in the $60 for a single workshop fee, or $50 per workshop fee for those signing up for multiple workshops.

bookfest

The Ann Arbor Book Festival will present the Fall Writer's Conference on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Pioneer High. The $95 fee includes coffee, three sessions, lunch, and a participant reading time; fulltime students age 17 and older may register for $50. Among accomplished, locally-based authors leading sessions will be Susan Hutton, Michael Byers, Scott Beal, Jeff Kass, Eileen Pollack, and Keith Taylor. To read about these writers and their work -- and to register for the conference -- click here.

The 22nd Annual Jewish Book Festival is coming up Tuesday, November 3 through Sunday, November 15. Twenty authors are scheduled to speak. Events are free and public; lunch may be bought separately for some events. Among authors lined up are Dan Senor, Carol Leifer and Bruce Feiler. Opening the festival on November 3 at 7:30 p.m. is columnist Jeffrey Zaslow, who wrote The Girls from Ames and co-authored The Last Lecture. The local authors' brunch on Sunday, November 15 will feature 11 authors - check it out! Heads up also for the Afternoon Tea introducing Rebecca Rubin, the first Jewish American Girl doll on Sunday, November 8. For complete information, click here.

TheArkSeries

The Series kicked off earlier last week with a performance at UMMA by local musician Timothy Monger, of Great Lakes Myth Society fame. There will be future performances from artists in the Series on Friday October 16, at 7pm and November 13, at 7pm at UMMA.

What is this all about? The Ark asks student songwriters at U of M “to submit their original music demo in order to compete for a live performance showcase at the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) and a chance to perform at The Ark.”

There will be a final performance on Friday, December 4 from 7-9pm that will feature all the performers from the October and November shows. They will be performing in-the-round, and the winners of series will be announced.

Demos are due by September 30 for the October show, and October 27 for the November show. Please see The Ark’s website or the flyer for important information regarding all submission guidelines if you plan on entering. If not, see you at UMMA for the performances!

Michigan native Jon Scieszka will be reading and signing copies of his brand new book Robot Zot, on Tuesday, September 22 at 6pm, at the Borders located at 3140 Lohr Road in Ann Arbor. See here for Borders’ event description.

Robot Zot, illustrated by David Shannon, is in short, “a tale of a quixotic robot determined to conquer the earth.” Tiny Robot Zot battles kitchen appliances galore as he and his sidekick adventure off. Their course takes a shift when they spot the princess (a cell phone) and Robot Zot must prove himself a hero to win her love. Sounds zany!

There's one month left until the gun fires to signal the start of the Chicago Marathon on October 11, and the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon on October 18. First time marathoners looking for some advice can check out the books Run Your First Marathon by Grete Waitz, or Marathon: The Ultimate Training and Racing Guide by eminent training guru, Hal Higdon. For those veteran marathoners looking for some extra racing mojo, see Spirit of the Marathon, the story of several marathon runners of varying experience -- from first timer to pro -- all of whom are filmed while training for, and competing in, the Chicago Marathon.

Volunteers are still needed for both Chicago and Detroit marathons in such exciting positions as Course Marshal, Crowd Control, and Split Timer, so there's still time to sign up to participate in these inspiring events.

Ark

The Ark always has a variety of interesting shows happening throughout the year, so be sure to check out the fall schedule. Upcoming acts include The Proclaimers, who will play The Ark tonight, Monday, September 14, 2009 at 8pm. You won’t have to walk 500 miles to get here, unless they move the show to St. Louis. Grab a copy of Life With You and The Best Of CD at AADL.

Next weekend, Michelle Shocked will be rocking at The Ark as well, on Sunday, September 20th, at 7:30pm. Her website bio boasts, “I’m the most sophisticated hillbilly you’ll ever meet.” Born in Texas, she’s had quite the life. She’s lived everything from mormonism, political activism, homelessness, and institutionalization before landing into the world of music recording and performing. With a 23 year career she has a number of albums under her belt. Hear her newest album, Soul of My Soul, live at The Ark.