Immaculee Ilibagiza, author of Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, will be in Ann Arbor next month to speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 in St. Francis Catholic Church, 2250 E. Stadium. Ilibagiza and seven other women survived 91 days in their bathroom hideout in Rwanda in 1994, during a slaughter of nearly one million ethnic Tutsis in the country. The author's family members were murdered. Her book is being read and discussed by book groups at St. Francis and other churches in One Diocese, One Book. No tickets or reservations are needed for the appearance.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Michigan had its fall kickoff event on Sept. 6, and was it impressive! A large room at the Best Western was packed with hundreds of 55+ adults, signing up for lectures, study groups, and day trips to fascinating regional destinations. Dr. W. Scott Westerman, Jr. gave a spirited talk about the learning process over a lifetime and the many cultural opportunities provided in the Ann Arbor area. Two books on his reading list in the AADL collection are: The Three Pound Enigma by Shannon Moffett, and A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink.

The Play Ground

The Play Ground, being partial to stories about librarians, is mad for "The Music Man" now featured at the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. Meredith Willson called this play his "valentine to a bygone era." A traveling salesman cons the townsfolk into buying musical instruments by posing as an instructor who wants to start a band. His plans to skip town with the cash change when he meets the town librarian. Of course! Lydia Mendelssohn Theater. 971-2228 September 7-9 & 13-16 8 p.m.

Hear ye, hear ye! Be sure to check out the Michigan Renaissance Festival! It runs in Holly this year every weekend from August 18- September 30th and provides a day of entertainment for just about everyone! There are plenty of events, activities, and unique shopping experiences to draw in all sorts of people. This upcoming weekend features the Buccaneer Beer Fest. Argh! If you would like to attend the festivities in costume, feel free to check out one of the library's books on Renaissance clothing, such as Vecellio's Renaissance Costume Book by Cesare Vecellio.

bonsai

The 34th Annual Bonsai Show, presented by the Ann Arbor Bonsai Society, will take place August 25 & 26th from 10 am to 4:30 pm at the U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The show will feature about 100 bonsai, demos, as well as items for purchase such as tools, supplies and books. Admission is $3 and will happen regardless of weather conditions.

The Play Ground

The pineapple is the most well known of the plant family known as Bromeliads. The family contains a wide range of plants including some very un-pineapple like members such as Spanish Moss and aloes, yuccas and some green, leafy grasses. Bromeliads entered recorded history some 500 years ago when Columbus introduced the pineapple (Ananas comosus) to Spain upon return from his second voyage to the New World in 1493. Within 50 years this tropical fruit was being cultivated in India and other Old World countries. Today, they are inexpensive and easy to grow.

To learn more, head over to the annual show of the Southeast Michigan Bromeliad Society. Show and sale of over 200 exotic bromeliad houseplants, including some hybrids from a Hawaii breeder rarely seen in Michigan. U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free admission. 998-7061, (248) 380-7359. August 18 & 19. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

baseball

On September 9th! Do you embroider, knit, crochet, cross-stitch or needlepoint? Do you like baseball or root on the Tigers? If so, this is the event for you! Stitch n' Pitch is an event that combines the stitch arts and baseball. Stitch n' Pitch events are happening across the country and one is coming to Comerica Park on Sunday September 9th. You can sit in the stands, knit a cool scarf alongside other stitch artists and enjoy the baseball game! Anyone is welcome, so don't worry if you're a novice. Tickets are available at various stores around the Detroit area. Looking for a new project or want to hone your skills? Why not try these books out before the game: Quick knits, cool projects, Sublime Stitching, Splendid samplers to cross-stitch. Play ball!

The Magic Stick is the self-proclaimed "Home of Rock" in Detroit. Rumored to be where bands such as the White Stripes got their start, the venue hosts local and national acts at a frenetic pace. There's a bowling alley in the basement, billiards in the bar, a cafe and pizza joint down the stairs, and the Majestic Theater next door. What more do you need to go with your frosty beverage and local rock stars?

Brush up on your local rock history with Grit, noise, and revolution : the birth of Detroit rock 'n' roll and check out upcoming shows including Band of Horses (8/13), Helmet (8/29), the Detroit Cobras (9/1), and many others.

The Play Ground

Woof! It must be told. The Play Ground prefers dogs to plays, movies and concerts. We head up to N. Territorial often for the All Breed Agility Trials and watch the many dog breeds run and compete and smile. Yes, smile.
Sponsored by the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club. Dog trainers from throughout the Midwest and Canada lead their animals through a variety of competitive obedience exercises, such as heeling, retrieving, directed jumping, and 3-speed walking and running. Spectators welcome. August 11 & 12. 1575 E. North Territorial Rd. 426-9120. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Play Ground

"Love is a banquet on which we feed....because the night belongs to lovers..."
The Play Ground loves that song. It was written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith. Unbelievably, Patti Smith will playing The Ark on Thursday. Smith, "punk rock's poet laureate," came to prominence during the punk movement with her 1975 debut album Horses. She has regained prominence recently with her induction earlier this year into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and the recent release of Twelve, a collection of renovative covers of songs by everyone from Dylan and Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana.
Thursday, August 2, 7:30 p.m. 763-TKTS