The Play Ground

She's beautiful, smart and talented and she's coming to Ann Arbor. She was once quoted as saying she would retire when she reached the age of 45. Thankfully for us, Anne-Sophie Mutter says she was misquoted. After embarking on a major Mozart project two years ago, she now turns her attention to JS Bach. She will be playing with the Camerata Salzburg which was founded in 1952 and also has a rich tradition of musical excellence. Hill Auditorium, Sunday, October 19, 7pm.

The Play Ground

We're feeling hip these days. A little hippy too, but that is another story. So we want to be hip and do hip things. We are thinking of going to see The Wayne Shorter Quartet and the Imani Winds at Hill. Shorter will be here to celebrate his 75th birthday. "Universally regarded as a living legend in jazz, Shorter’s great body of work as a composer for such illustrious groups as Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers,Miles Davis’s famous quintet from the 1960s, and the fusion group Weather Report is enough to ensure him a spot in the Jazz Hall of Fame." Opening for him is The Imani Winds, an eclectic African American quintet. The two groups unite at the end of the evening as a nine-piece ensemble, covering a vast range of musical territories. Hill Auditorium, Saturday, September 27, 8 pm.NPR Feature on All Things Considered 3/2/05

The Play Ground

The Play Ground

This year the University Musical Society will be providing a rich season of dance programming. First up is The Mark Morris Dance Group on September 19 and 20. This modern dance ensemble was formed in 1980 and gave its first concert that year in New York City. The company’s touring schedule steadily expanded to include Europe. MMDG is noted for its commitment to live music, a feature of every performance. Power Center, 8pm.

The Play Ground

Can the summer be over already? It must be as we have just received our Calendar of Events from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. We have seen many wonderful student performances over the years--last year's production of Carousel was very professional. The first item we are interested in is on September 19 when the University Symphony Orchestra will perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 and Michael Daugherty's homage to Superman, Metropolis Symphony. There is a great year ahead and we will keep you informed of "not to be missed" events. Hill Auditorium, 8pm.

The Play Ground

The Kerrytown Concert House was founded in 1984 and has been going strong since then providing an eclectic assortment of about 70 musical offerings a year.
Next week they are hosting Tumbao Bravo which was formed in 2003 but has already won the 2005 and 2007 Detroit Music Awards in the Best Jazz and World Music categories. Tumbao Bravo is a 5-7 piece Cuban Jazz combo consisting of Congas, Timbales, Sax/Flute/Piccolo, Trumpet/Flugelhorn, Piano, Bass Guitar, and Bongos. Sounds like some cool music for a hot summer night. 769-2999, 8/22/2008 at 08:00pm.

The Play Ground

Even The Play Ground has to eat some time. OK, let us rephrase that-even TPG's puppy has to eat sometime and these homemade biscuits will bring 2 paws up: Amy Samida, owner of the Naughty Dog Café and Alice Lieberson, owner of Dogma Catmantoo will demonstrate how to mix and bake easy treats for your dogs. Everyone will get a chance to decorate pre-baked treats and will leave with dough or a bag of mix to bake at home. Amy and Alice will also discuss healthy eating for dogs. Those fabulous terriers Izzy, Stuart and Albert cannot attend but people of all ages are invited. Sunday July 13, 2008: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm -- Pittsfield Branch: Program Room.

The Play Ground

The Reduced Shakespeare Company has perfomed several times at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival and we have gone to see them each time. They simply make us laugh out loud. A lot. The Boston Herald has described the company as "what the "Daily Show" might be like if it were hosted by the Marx Brothers." RSC's 6000 second, fast paced spoofs of the bible, great books, civilization and, lest we forget, Shakespeare, are creative but hit every nail on its head. This year RSC tackles The Complete History of America(abridged). Ditch your textbooks for the Power Center on Sunday night, June 29, 8:00 p.m.

The Play Ground

I don't know. Maybe it is the sudden cold spell that is upon us that has me longing for summer-again. Maybe I am just longing for the old days of summer camp. At any rate, the Park and Rec program, "Summer Solstice Full Moon Paddle," at Gallup Park sounds very exciting and romantic. Rent a boat and paddle around Gallup Pond in the moonlight to observe birds and other animals as they prepare for their nocturnal lives. Canoes, kayaks, and equipment provided. Bring a flashlight. Meet at Gallup Park Canoe Livery, $18 per boat. 668-7411. Friday, 8-11 p.m. Sigh.

The Play Ground

Each year The Residential College at the U puts on Shakespeare in the Arb. This has become a very popular tradition. The current production is Two Gentlemen of Verona. This is a delightful comedy of rivalries and full of subplots. A very nice evening when you include a stroll through the Arboretum. Bring your own chair or blanket, dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes. (You'll be traveling throughout the Arb to follow the performers.) If you will need mobility assistance during the performance, please call 734.647.7600 to make arrangements.
Meet at the Peony Garden entrance at 1610 Washington Heights. Tickets go on sale at 5:30 p.m. Space limited, 998-9540. June 12-15, & 19-22. All shows are at 6:30pm.