TheDittyBops

Ever genre-defying, The Ditty Bops, will play at The Ark this Friday, June 12 at 8pm. Their quirky, and often interactive, performances tend to be pretty playful and include skits, slideshows, puppet shows, and costumes. The Los Angeles duo’s music has been described as a mixture of blues, western swing, folk, ragtime, bluegrass, and musical theater, with sweet vocal harmonies. For a sampling check out their snappy self titled debut album, as well as Moon Over the Freeway.

smartcar

The 9th Annual Mayor's Green Fair will be held this Friday, June 12, 6 ~ 9 p.m. on Main Street in beautiful, green Dowtown Ann Arbor. Foot and pedal traffic only for this celebration of renewable energy, environmental stewardship and sustainable living. Look for organic "light fare" from food vendors, music and crafts for all ages, walking tours and the ever-popular BikeFest.

The Play Ground

Even The Play Ground has to get outside for some fresh air now and then. We are headed to the Downtown library to hear Nancy Findlayson, aka The Lighthouse Lady, talk about the marvelous lighthouse attractions in the state. Touring Michigan is an economical way for us to vacation this summer. Downtown Multi Purpose Room, 7pm.

Westside Farmers Market

Due to zoning restrictions the status of the 2009 season for the Westside Farmers’ Market was in limbo. The City of Ann Arbor has resolved the issue and the Market will run from June 18th – Sept 24th in the Zingerman’s Roadhouse parking lot each Thursday from 3-7pm. For an inside scoop of the larger Kerrytown market, check out Ann Arbor Fresh: recipes and stories from the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market and the Kerrytown Historic District. Hooray for local produce!

bookfest

This year marks the 6th annual Ann Arbor Book Festival. Events have been going on throughout May, with the big street fest happening this weekend! The festival’s mission is “to promote reading, heighten awareness of literacy challenges, and showcase the rich culture of the written word in Michigan and beyond.” There are oodles of events happening all over town with an emphasis on books and reading. The events include book release parties, author readings, panels, fundraisers, live music, a spelling bee, and more! Be sure to check the full schedule for May 15- 17 to see what suits your fancy.

Saturday at the festival also marks the announcement of the winners of AADL’s “It’s All Write!” Short Story Contest.

B-17 Bomber

On Wednesday, May 27th a very special event is planned for all World War II military personnel at the Yankee Air Museum at the Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mi. Map

All Michigan's "Greatest Generation" World War II veterans are invited for a historic group photo on the tarmac of the Yankee Air Museum with the B-17 bomber 'Yankee Lady" as the backdrop.

You are asked to bring a 5x7 photo of yourself from your time in the military. Casual dress is fine, as is full military attire or wearing your military unit's cap.

The event begins at 1:30 p.m. with a reception and the photograph will be taken at 2 p.m.
All participating veterans will receive a copy of this historic group photo.

The Play Ground

Bruce Springsteen famously sings: "The times are tough now, just getting tougher..." Rumor has it that times are tough for some of our local theater companies. There is an excellent play at Performance Network and if you have never seen August Wilson's Pulitzer and Tony winning play, FENCES, this is as good a time as any. This American classic follows one African-American family as they struggle through the 1950s. FENCES explores the complicated relationships that hold families together-- and tear them apart. Performance Network, through May 24th, 663-0681.

breakin'

The Neutral Zone and the University Musical Society (UMS) present Breakin’ Curfew at The Power Center on Friday May 8, at 8pm. Now an annual event, this powerful show features teen acts that were scouted by teens, while being lead by UMS. The end performance showcases a wide variety of local teen talent in all forms and is truly electric. (i.e. If you don't dig the breakdancing, sit tight, the cellist is up next!) This show is popular and tends to sell out, so get your tickets!

earth day

Wednesday, April 22, is Earth Day in Tree Town. Catch the Recycled Materials Art Show at the ReUse Center or drink a toast to Project Grow at Arbor Brewing Company.

The Leslie Science and Nature Center will celebrate Earth Day on Sunday, April 26, with educational displays, hands-on activities, live animal presentations, storytelling and sing-alongs. Join the All Species Parade dressed as your favorite endangered plant or animal. Call 997-1553 or visit the Leslie Science Center's website for more information.

On Saturday, April 25th at 4pm in the Downtown library, Cartoonist Jerzy Drozd, author of The Front: Rebirth and other graphic novels, will deliver a dynamic presentation aimed at adult audiences on the greater significance that superheroes have in our world.

From the author: Superheroes have been an integral part of American culture since the late 1930s. Almost everyone knows what effect Kryptonite has on Superman, why Batman has a disdain for guns, or how Spider-Man learned "with great power comes great responsibility". But are these cultural icons merely a power fantasy for young people, or do they speak to wider human experiences and struggles? And why have they until only recently been a genre exclusive to comic books?

Join cartoonist and teaching artist Jerzy Drozd for an interactive discussion about the role of superheroes in fiction as well as the parallels that can be found when one compares them to characters found in mythology and fables.