Blog Post
Criminalization of the mentally ill
by annevm
Few people know as much about unfair treatment of the mentally ill as author Pete Earley who will be in town next month to discuss Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness. His visit is cosponsored by Avalon Housing and the National Alliance on Mental Health. Earley is a former Washington Post reporter. His book tells the story of his mentally ill son Mike, and also profiles what happens to mentally ill inmates in places including the Miami-Dade County Jail. In addition to his Avalon Housing appearance Nov. 4, Earley will speak at the Mallets Creek branch of the library 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday Nov. 5.
Blog Post
The Play Ground
by Albert
The University Musical Society presents the St. Petersburg Philharmonic with a program featuring works by Mozart, Beethoven and Prokofiev. The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra was formed in 1882 and is Russia 's oldest symphony orchestra. It was initially known as the "Imperial Music Choir" and performed privately for the court of Alexander III of Russia. By the 1900s it had started to give public performances. Richard Strauss conducted the orchestra in 1912. Joining them as soloist in Ann Arbor is the talented German violinist Julia Fischer who has been highly praised by critics. She was named Artist of the Year at the 2007 Classic FM Gramophone Awards ceremony.
Hill Auditorium, Sunday, November 4, 7pm.
Blog Post
Cooking Up a Family Cookbook
by Debbie G.
Learn how to compile a keepsake cookbook when culinary historian Pat Cornett explains the basics of how to produce a keepsake family cookbook, including researching family stories and recipes on Wednesday November 7, 2007: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room. Pat says the best cookbooks include recollections about when the food was served, what it was like in the kitchen with Grandma, and family photos. So bring your memories and your notepads and get started saving and sharing your family's recipes.
Blog Post
Why Is The World In Love Again
by John J. Madonna
They Might Be Giants may only be two guys named John, a guitarist and an accordioner, but the music that they produce is something else. The lyrics—funny, tragic, weird, poetic, meaningless—are backdropped by consciously bizarre, irresistibly catchy, and off the wall rocking music. After twenty years, they have but two gold albums to their names, a few minor hit singles. They’ve made serious records, kids records, TV themes (Malcolm In The Middle, The Daily Show,) and unique music videos. And I am happy to say (now that I have my ticket) that They Might Be Giants are coming here to the Michigan Theatre, November 14th.
TMBG’s first records from the late 80’s, their eponymous record and Lincoln, epitomize the quirky musicianship with which TMBG has made their name, featuring prominent, rocking accordion, computer effects care of Apple IIe’s, tongue-in-cheek drum machines, and the oddly charming vocals of the two Johns. After minor success with their first records, Elektra signed them and released Flood. Not their best work, but it became their most popular, featuring a cover of “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” and “Birdhouse In Your Soul,” which may be the greatest song ever made.
Everything thing was turning up roses for TMBG. They played on Carson, Flood went gold… but along came grunge. Grunge destroyed hair metal, synth pop, and everything bad about the 80s. Unfortunately, it destroyed everything good about the 80s, too, like the diverse alternative scene including TMBG. Flood’s follow-up, Apollo 18 did not sell nearly as well. So they expanded their sound by adding a band of Dans, going for a more straight ahead rock motif. While records like John Henry and Factory Showroom don’t get the praises of the earlier records, they still contain the unmistakable sound.
They Might Be Giants made the gigantic documentary Gigantic, highlighting their meteoric rise to… kind of fame. In it, we see a pair of guys excited about their fiercely devoted cult following. I have had the privilege of seeing TMBG twice in my life. Once during their tour of Borders Book Stores across the nation to promote Here Come The ABCs, and I saw them again at the Majestic in Detroit, when they did probably the best show I’ve ever seen (maybe a close second to Dylan.) They closed with “Fingertips.” That knocked me out.
Blog Post
The Play Ground
by Albert
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning 1955 drama about a southern family, centers on a young wife trapped in an unfulfilling marriage with a former football star who pines for his dead friend. As the family gathers one hot night in Mississippi, everything unravels. This production, directed by Barton Bund, features an African American cast. Afterwards, you can compare to the famous Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman DVD of 1958. Blackbird Theater, 1600 Pauline. Tickets $18 (seniors $12, students $8). October 5-7, 12-14, 19, & 20. 332-3848, 8 p.m.
Blog Post
Wiard's Orchards Country Fair
by manz
This fun event is happening every Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 6pm at Wiard's Orchards in Ypsilanti. The Country Fair is a fun, fall "carnival atmosphere" filled with events for the whole family. Go for a pony ride or hay ride, visit the petting farm, hear live music and get lost in the corn maze, just to name a few. And when you're tired of having fun- relax and enjoy doughnuts, caramel apples and fresh cider! And don't forget to pick out apples and pumpkins to take home!
Wiard's Orchards, 5565 Merrit Road, Ypsilanti, Admission $10.50, $8 after 4:30, Under 2 get in free.
Blog Post
The Play Ground
by Albert
Set in the 1840s, Big River is essentially a musical tale of Mark Twain's THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN. Scored by Roger Miller of KING OF THE ROAD fame, this famous journey down the Mississippi on a raft brings Huck and Jim into contact with the some of Twain’s most colorful characters including the scalawags King and Duke. Big River won 7 Tony Awards and 7 Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical and Score. University of Michigan Department of Musical Theatre, Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, October 11-14. 763-3333.
Blog Post
The Play Ground
by Albert
Dianne Reeves' voice has been described as cool, smooth, sultry and romantic.
Hmmm. Just what you need after a stressful day. You might know her from her appearance in the George Clooney film GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK. And soon she will be featured in a movie about Billy Strayhorn. Meanwhile, she and her trio will be appearing at Hill Auditorium with Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo. Kick back and listen. Jazzy. October 12, 8PM.
Blog Post
Refusing to be Enemies
by annevm
A screening of the film "Refusing to be Enemies: The Zeitouna Story" is coming up this evening at 7:15 p.m. at the Michigan Theater. Made by local filmmaker Laurie White, the film is about Zeitouna a local group of Arabic and Jewish women. This remarkable group also is the subject of the DVD Working together: the Arab and Jewish women of Ann Arbor's Zeitouna which you can check out at the library.
Blog Post
Ann Arbor Sunday Artisan Market
by manz
This Sunday, September 30 there will some extra vendors at the popular weekly Ann Arbor Artisan Market. There will be 30 Etsy artists/ sellers from Michigan set up at the event selling handmade wares they they normally sell online in their Etsy shop. (Not familiar with Etsy? It’s an online source for buying and selling handmade items. Makers from around the world set up and manage their own shop and buyers can browse through various search engines to find a huge variety of handmade goods.) Etsy at the Market takes place at the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market in Kerrytown from 11-4pm. A few stand out artists worth checking out are Oh My Cavalier and Rainy Prints. Get shopping! Buy local! Buy handmade!