The 4 Mistakes Pet-Owners Make When Selling Their Homes

Selling a house is hard enough, but selling a house when you have a pet is even harder. A Boston real estate agent recently quoted in TIME relayed a story in which an owner’s cats lowered a condo’s sale price by $30,000. That’s a hefty chunk of change, even if your cats are adorable.

It can be hard to be objective when you’re blinded by love for your furry friends. But don’t get in your real estate agent’s doghouse. Here, from the experts at ABODO Ann Arbor, are four mistakes to avoid.

  1. Thinking You Can Handle the Carpets Yourself
    Sure, baking soda and vinegar might be good enough for you. When Fido gets a little anxious or Fluffy drags a half-pound of litter into your carpet, you might even break out the big guns. Maybe you even invested in a carpet cleaner. But everyday conditions aren’t house-showing conditions. When you put your place on the market, be smart and call in the professionals. You don’t want your carpets to look well-loved, even if they’re clean. You want them to look (and smell) new.
  2. Thinking the Little Things are Normal Wear and Tear
    If you have a dog, you probably don’t even see the scratches on the door. If you have a cat, you’re probably used to a ripped window screen or two. But potential buyers notice those things, and the last thing you want is for them to assume that there’s even more pet-related damage that they aren’t seeing. So fix the obvious damage: Replace damaged woodwork, paint over the scratches, and for goodness sake, take care of your yard. If your lab dug holes in it, fill them. If there are dead spots in the grass, invest in some fertilizer. And it goes without saying: Make sure there aren’t any “gifts” in the grass.
  3. Leaving Pet Paraphernalia Out
    You might think: Maybe my buyer also loves cats. Who cares if there’s a three-story cat house in the living room, or a hairy dog bed in the corner of the dining room? Buyers. Buyers care. Even a clean litter box emits an unpleasant smell, so while you’re carrying out the cat, take the box along with you. Similarly, soggy rawhide bones, fraying tennis balls, and destroyed scratching posts probably don’t send the right message about the condition and cleanliness of your home either.

 

  1. Introducing Potential Buyers to Your Pet
    We get it: Myrtle loves to purr and enjoys scratches under her chin. But you can never predict how a potential buyer will react to your pet, or how your pet will react to a potential buyer. Better to keep your furry friends out of sight for the duration of the tour. Take the dog for a walk. Consign your cat to her crate in the garage or the laundry room. Whatever you do, don’t just lock your pet in the bedroom — after all, buyers will want to see it.

Ann Arbor Community Events and Entertainment for April

April has arrived and there is something for everyone here in Ann Arbor. Take a look at a few of the events happening around town this month!111 N Ashley

April 7, 2013

Festifools

FestiFools (and FoolMoon) are produced by WonderFool Productions. FestiFools brings students and community volunteers together to create unique public art that is free and accessible to everyone. Specifically, we make huge-mongous papier-mâché puppets and march them around downtown Ann Arbor on a Sunday early in April.

Main Street
Full event info

When: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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April 13, 2013

Storytime at the Museum

Children ages four to seven are invited to hear a story in the galleries. Student docents and UMMA staff will bring art to life as they read stories related to the art on display and invite responses from our youngest patrons. Each story is followed by a short art activity. Parents must accompany children. Siblings are welcome to join the group. Meet at the Information Desk.

University of Michigan Museum of Art UMMA
Full event info

When: 11:15 am to 12:00 pm

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April 2013

Natural Area Preservation Volunteer Events – April 2013

City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation (NAP) works to protect and restore Ann Arbor’s natural areas and to foster an environmental ethic among its citizens. This involves conducting plant and animal inventories, ecological monitoring, and stewardship projects in Ann Arbor parks. These tasks are performed by both staff and volunteers. Volunteer opportunities coming up in April are listed below.

 

Ann Arbor Area
Full event info

When: On Going April 2013

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April 19th – 21st,  2013

Saline Area Players present:  Willy Wonka

The Saline Area Players will perform Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.  The action centers on Willy Wonka, the world famous candy maker who is about to retire and is looking for an heir. He offers a tour of his factory and a lifetime of chocolate to the 5 lucky children who find the golden tickets in his chocolate bars. Charlie Bucket’s family is very poor and he can’t even afford to buy a chocolate bar, but he hopes.

Ellen Ewing Performing Arts Center
Full event info

When: 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
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April 21, 2013

Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival

The Ann Arbor Area Earth Day Festival is an annual celebration coordinated by the Environmental Education Network of Washtenaw (EE-NOW), a coalition of over fifteen local environmental nonprofits and agencies, and held at Leslie Science & Nature Center. A limited number of innovative clean energy groups and businesses are highlighted each year, as coordinated by the nonprofit Clean Energy Coalition.  This free, family-friendly event features displays from 40 local environmental, non-profit, and governmental organizations; live animal demonstrations; hands-on activities; product & toy testing; live entertainment; green building & commuting technologies; energy topics; water awareness; sustainable agriculture; and more.

Leslie Science & Nature Center
Full event info

When: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

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April 21, 2013

Sky Tri Sprint, Mini Sprint, Relay

A fundraiser for the Skyline swim program, Sky-Tri is a great early season tri with a pool swim!  Perfect for first timers or for those who want to get an early start on the 2013 race season. A mostly flat bike course along scenic Huron River Dr. and a flat and fast run course around school grounds and through Ann Arbor neighborhoods.

Ann Arbor Skyline High School
Full event info

When: 06:45 am to 10:30 am

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April 26-27th, 2013

The Sklar Brothers

Ya gotta love this high energy, razor sharp, hysterically funny comedy duo. As stars of ESPN Classic’s “Cheap Seats,” a show that showcased the twin’s wits as they “ripped on” classic sports, their popularity has grown by leaps and bounds. Growing up outside of St. Louis, RANDY & JASON SKLAR had a typical suburban upbringing – playing soccer and baseball after school, hanging out with friends. Then they found comedy.

Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
Full event info

When: 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm
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Above was a sampling of the activities occurring in our community during the month of April. Please be sure to check out one of the many events being held during the month and have a good time!

Click here to view community events in Ann Arbor, MI for the month of March.

 

To view the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau,
click here and choose your own criteria and dates.

Click here to search all Ann Arbor Area Michigan
homes and condos with pictures and tours – FREE

Kathy Toth and Team
www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

Ann Arbor Community Events and Entertainment for March

March has arrived and there is something for everyone here in Ann Arbor. Take a look at a few of the events happening around town this month!

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March 07, 2013

Author Event:  Sarah Erdeich with ‘Generation Roe’

Meet author, activist and Ann Arbor native Sarah Erdreich at Nicola’s Books for a discussion of her first book, ‘Generation Roe: Inside the Future of the Pro-Choice Movement’. Inextricably connected to issues of autonomy, privacy, and sexuality, the abortion debate remains home base for the culture wars in America. Yet, there is more common ground than meets the eye in favor of choice. Her book tells the stories of those who risk their lives to pursue careers in this stigmatized field. Itoutlines the outrageous legislative battles that are being waged against abortion rights all over the country. With an inspiring spirit and a forward-looking approach, Erdreich holds abortion up, unabashedly, as a moral and fundamental human right.

Nicola’s Books
Full event info

When: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

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March 10, 2013

Shamrocks & Shenanigans 5K Run & Walk

Come out for a morning of fun with the family and help raise money for the CS Mott Save A  Heart organization.

Conor O’Neill’s Tradional Irish Pub
Full event info

When: 8:40 am to 12:00 pm

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March 14, 2013

Wild Swan Theater Presents Shipwrecked!

Wild Swan Theater presents Shipwrecked!, March 14th through 16th at Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College. This stirring coming of age drama is set during a fierce winter storm on Lake Huron. Shipwrecked! is an exciting sailing story, set in 1893, that follows the travails of twelve year old Aaron Buchanan when his family’s schooner is caught in a fierce storm while he is at the helm. Young as he is, Aaron has sailed with his parents for years ferrying cargo from their home port of Detroit to ports through the Great Lakes. As the family is returning from Sault St. Marie on Lake Huron in November with a huge load of Christmas trees, they are caught in a ferocious gale that sweeps through Thunder Bay.

 

Towsley Auditorium at WCC
Full event info

When: 9:00 am to 11:00 am
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March 16, 2013

Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble

The University Musical Society (UMS) presents Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble in a program that will explore, expand, and celebrate contemporary musical crossroads on Saturday, March 16, at 8:00 pm in Hill Auditorium (825 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor). In a brief ceremony at the concert, Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Project will be presented with the 2013 UMS Distinguished Artist Award. The concert is presented as part of the Ford Honors Program, which raises funds for UMS education and community engagement programs. The many-faceted career of cellist Yo-Yo Ma is testament to his continual search for new ways to communicate with audiences and to his personal desire for artistic growth and renewal. Mr. Ma maintains a balance between his engagements as a soloist with orchestras worldwide and his recital and chamber music activities. His discography includes over 75 albums, including more than 15 Grammy Award winners. He is a UN Messenger of Peace and a member of the President .

Hill Auditorium
Full event info

When: 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
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March 19, 2013

51st Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America, established in 1963. Internationally recognized as a premiere forum for independent filmmakers and artists, each year’s festival engages audiences with remarkable cinematic experiences. The six-day festival presents 40 programs with more than 180 films from over 20 countries of all lengths and genres, including experimental, animation, documentary, fiction, and performance-based works.

Michigan Theater
Full event info

When: 05:00 pm to 10:59 pm

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March 23, 2013

Michigan State African Violet Society Show and Sale

African violets and gesneriads presented by the Michigan State African Violet Society.  Come and see the free seminar at 11:30 am.  Experts will be on hand all day to answer any of your questions.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Full event info

When: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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March 29, 2013

Planetarium Show – Larry Cat in Space

A playful, imaginative cartoon about an inquisitive cat who stows away aboard a space ship and visits the Moon. Primarily targeted at grades K-3 but enjoyable for everyone, the show teaches several things about the Moon and includes a short live night sky discussion.

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
Full event info

When: 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm
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Above was a sampling of the activities occurring in our community during the month of March. Please be sure to check out one of the many events being held during the month and have a good time!

Click here to view community events in Ann Arbor, MI for the month of February.

 

To view the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau,
click here and choose your own criteria and dates.

Click here to search all Ann Arbor Area Michigan
homes and condos with pictures and tours – FREE

Kathy Toth and Team
www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

Ann Arbor Community Events and Entertainment for February

February has arrived and there is something for everyone here in Ann Arbor. Take a look at a few of the events happening around town this month!

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February 07, 2013

11th annual Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event

This year’s event focuses on the 2013 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads book selection “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration In The Age Of Colorblindness: by Michelle Alexander and will also explore this year’s theme ‘Understanding Race.’ The keynote speaker for the evening will be one of America’s most influential civil rights attorneys Connie Rice, Co-Director for the Advancement Project, Los Angeles and renowned for her unconventional approaches to tackling problems of inequity and exclusion. Rice has received more than 50 major awards for her leadership of diverse coalitions, and her nontraditional approaches to litigating major cases involving police misconduct, employment discrimination and fair public resource allocation.

Towsley Auditorium at WCC
Full event info

When: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

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February 10, 2013

Whoo’s Your Valentine?

Whoo is your valentine this year? The LSNC Barn Owl of course! His perfectly beautiful heart shaped face will inspire the artist in everyone as we make our own valentines to share with loved ones.

Leslie Science and Nature Center
Full event info

When: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

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February 14, 2013

Tracy Smith

Having made the treacherous climb towards the “sexual peak”, Tracy Smith has honed a hilarious insight, perfect for navigating through the regrets and choices in the mean streets of “Singletown.” With a personality just sweet enough to offset the bitter truth she serves up, Tracy’s sharply written, on target material offers a perspective sure to make men and women laugh out loud.

Tracy’s television credits include a half hour for “Comedy Central Presents,” “Late Fridays” on NBC, “Premium Blend,” “Friday Night” and “Shorties Watchin’ Shorties” on Comedy Central, as well as “The Best of the Fest” on HBO Comedy. She had a one hour special on Canadian television’s Comedy Channel (yes, even comedy has an exchange rate). She’s also been on A & E’s “Evening at the Improv” and “Girls Night Out” as well as “The Wayne Brady Show,” “The Freedom of Speech Comedy Show” and radio’s “The Bob & Tom Show.” She is fast becoming a respected voice in stand up comedy and was selected by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the “Ten Comics to Watch.” Bring your Mom, your spouse, sweetie, significant other, baby’s mama, or whoever, and have riotous night of laughter this Valentine’s Weekend at the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.

Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
Full event info

When: 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm
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February 15, 2013

Kids Night In Mini-camp

We are pleased to offer a Kids Night In mini-camp experience for the first time on Friday, February 15. Kids get a night of structured science play and some quiet late night activities, while parents have a night out on the town! Parents can drop their children off at the Museum of Natural History for a fun evening of science activities, demonstrations, experiments and more. The program runs from 6 to 10 p.m., with pizza provided from 6 to 7 pm.

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
Full event info

When: 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
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February 20, 2013

Folktales and Fantasy

Children and their parents invited to hear folktales about some of the plants at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and create their own story collage and legend about a favorite conservatory plant. Camp Winter-Break programs provide nature-based activities during the local school winter break.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Full event info

When: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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February 24, 2013

Jason Marsalis Vibe Quartet

Jason Marsalis, vibraphone: From a tender young age it was clear that JASON MARSALIS had what it took to be great. Jason is the son of pianist and music educator Ellis Marsalis and his wife Dolores, and the youngest sibling of Wynton, Branford and Delfeayo. Together, the four brothers and Ellis comprise New Orleans’s venerable first family of jazz.?Jason is well known for his prodigal drumming. Working with the Ellis Marsalis trio as well as the Marcus Roberts trio, he has fine tuned his playing in two of the most demanding settings in modern jazz. However, with the release of 2008’s “Music Update,” listeners are now recognizing Jason for his unique sound on the vibraphones.??Since 2000, Jason has been a mainstay on the New Orleans scene as a bandleader from the vibraphone chair. These groups have performed at Snug Harbor, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, The Jazz Playhouse, and The Satchmo Summerfest.??Jason has also appeared at jazz venues through the US and Canada, and has toured Europe on the summer festival scene. His playing is unique; drawing from a wide range of influences, Jason performs original music as well as many hidden gems in the jazz literature and beyond.

As a drummer, Marsalis collaborates frequently with his brothers Delfeayo and Branford, in addition to Marcus Roberts and Ellis Marsalis. When he is not filling the drum chairs in these groups, Jason performs as a vibraphonist with artists such as Shannon Powell, John Ellis, Roland Guerin, Irvin Mayfield, and many others as well as leading his own quartet.

Kerrytown Concert House
Full event info

When: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

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February 28, 2013

Auditions for Anne of Green Gables

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre’s Junior Theatre will be holding auditions for the children’s play, Anne of Green Gables, adapted and directed by Jacqueline Courteau. All auditions take place at A2CT’s rehearsal studio at 322 W. Ann St.

In this charming original adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, from the beloved book by Lucy Maud Montgomery, spunky redhead Anne Shirley, an orphan, is adopted by an elderly brother and sister. Anne learns the ways of their farm and the Cuthberts learn what it’s like to raise a spirited, loving child.

Anne of Green Gables has roles for 16-18 young actors in GRADES 4-12. Those auditioning should arrive at the beginning of one of the regular audition dates and should plan to stay the whole time. Auditions will consist of a mix of theater games and cold readings from the script.

Those auditioning need to attend only one of the regular audition sessions, but should be available for callbacks. Rehearsals for Anne of Green Gables will be Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4-6pm and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm. Production dates are May 18-19, 2013, at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre
Full event info

When: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
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Above was a sampling of the activities occurring in our community during the month of February. Please be sure to check out one of the many events being held during the month and have a good time!

Click here to view community events in Ann Arbor, MI for the month of January.

 

To view the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau,
click here and choose your own criteria and dates.

Click here to search all Ann Arbor Area Michigan
homes and condos with pictures and tours – FREE

Kathy Toth and Team
www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

Ann Arbor Community Events and Entertainment for January

January has arrived and there is something for everyone here in Ann Arbor. Take a look at a few of the events happening around town this month!

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November 24, 2012 – January 06, 2013

Feast! at Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Take a seat at our table as we celebrate food around the world this season at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. In an homage to global foodways, Feast! takes a look at world food traditions and the many ways plants play an indispensable role in cooking, celebrations, holidays, and festivals. Feast! takes its inspiration from the food plants that grow in the conservatory at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and reveals some fascinating history and facts you might not have known about such plants as vanilla, black pepper, cinnamon, and chocolate. Throughout the exhibit you’ll also find seasonal flower displays, decorated holiday trees, a fairy and troll village, activities for kids, and more.

Exhibit highlights:

  • Holiday flower display
  • Seasonal items in the Garden Store
  • Kids’ activities
  • Free conservatory admission
  • Fairy and troll village
  • Open New Year’s Day

Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Ann Arbor, MI
Visit website
Full event info

When: Monday & Tuesday: 10 am-4:30 pm, Wednesday: 10 am-8 pm, Thursday – Sunday: 10 am-4:30 pm
Cost: This is a free event.

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January 07, 2013

Big Band Night: The Paul Keller Orchestra Celebrates The World Premiere of ‘Brill’

In the Multi-Purpose Room: The Performance Network Theatre joins with the Ann Arbor District Library for a night of Big Band music featuring The Paul Keller Orchestra, one of Michigan’s finest, oldest, most-respected and well-traveled jazz big bands.

This do-not-miss event is also a celebration of the world premiere of Brill – David Wells’ comedy (with music) of a washed-up big band songwriter and the introduction of rock and roll that begins performances at the Performance Network on January 10 and runs through February 10. Cast members and Performance Network staff will provide an introduction to this delightful new play at the library concert.

Since its inception in 1989 by string bassist, composer and arranger Paul Keller, the Paul Keller Orchestra has garnered great popular and critical acclaim accepting, among other awards, the 2003 and 2007 Detroit Music Awards for Best Big Band. The Orchestra has recorded seven CDs, enjoyed two European tours, and performed at nearly every Michigan music festival. Their voluminous library of over 1,000 arrangements includes classic, obscure and original big band material from the entire history of jazz.

Brill is a world premiere comedy with music and takes place in the 1959 in Manhattan’s famous Brill Building where a washed up Big Band songwriter faces the inevitability of rock and roll when a young woman shows up at his office with her guitar, her aspirations, and more than a few secrets. Can this odd couple make beautiful music together – or will their culture clash land one of them out on the streets?

Enjoy an evening of music from the big band era performed by on of Michigan’s finest orchestras and learn more about this world premiere play of a big band songwriter!

Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown (main) Branch
Full event info

When: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Cost: This is a free event.

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January 09, 2013

The University of Michigan Hosts Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit: IndiVisible: African Na

An important part of the American story has long been invisible–the story of people who share African American and Native American ancestry. For 500 years or more, African American and Native people have come together, creating shared histories, communities, and ways of life. Often divided by prejudice, laws, or twists of history, African-Native Americans are united by a double heritage that is truly indivisible. Their historic journey will be explored in an upcoming exhibit at the University of Michigan.

IndiVisible: African Native American Lives in the Americas is a Smithsonian traveling exhibition that explores this history. The exhibit will be on display from January 9 to 31, 2013 at the Duderstadt Center Gallery on the University of Michigan’s North Campus, 2281 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. The Gallery is open from 12-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 12-5 p.m. on Sundays. The gallery will be open from 12-6 p.m. on Martin Luther King Day.

Exhibit-opening celebration: In U-M’s Arthur Theatre, 1226 Murfin Avenue on the North Campus. On January 10, 4:00-6:00 p.m, Identities in Black, Red and White: A Roundtable Discussion will celebrate the exhibit’s opening. This public program will address mixed-race identities from autobiographical and storytelling perspectives and within the context of social and cultural analysis. The roundtable panelists express a mixed native identity of some kind — whether that connection is via family ties and/or cultural ties:
-Dr. Tiya Miles, U-M professor of Afroamerican and African Studies and Native American Studies-Moderator
-Dr. Adesola Akinleye, dance scholar and founder of Dancing Strong
-Elizabeth Atkins, U-M alumna and Detroit-based best-selling novelist and journalist
-Dr. Robert Keith Collins, assistant professor of American Indian Studies at San Francisco State University.
-Dr. Philip J. Deloria, U-M professor of History, American Culture, and Native American Studies

A reception and exhibit viewing will follow the discussion.

The Identities in Black, Red and White: A Roundtable Discussion and IndiVisible exhibit viewing will also celebrate the beginning of the Understanding Race Theme Semester, a campus-wide program that will explore issues of race through courses, events, performances, and exhibits from January through April. Many of these events are open to the public. The theme semester is organized by the U-M’s College of Literature, Science and the Arts.

The Ann Arbor display of IndiVisible is coordinated by the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History. Support for the IndiVisible exhibit and opening event was provided by the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; Museum of Natural History; Department of Afroamerican and African Studies; Native American Studies Program; Center for Engineering Diversity and Outreach; and Department of English. The Smithsonian Community Grant program, funded by MetLife Foundation, is a proud sponsor of these public programs. Smithsonian and MetLife Foundation logos are attached.

IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas was developed, produced, and circulated by the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.

Arthur Miller Theatre, U-M Walgreen Drama Center
Full event info

When: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
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January 11, 2013

JAZZ MASTER SERIES: Featuring guitarist Johnny Lawrence

Johnny Lawrence: John E. Lawrence, a life long resident of Ypsilanti is one of Michigan’s most talented and respected guitarists. John is now gaining national recognition with the recent contract with Mel Bay Publications, Inc., one of the country’s largest publishers of instructional materials. Among Mr. Lawrence’s many accomplishments is a performance at Carnegie Hall. In addition to touring throughout the United States and performing at Jazz Festivals such as: Boston Globe, New Orleans, and Montreaux Detroit, he has performed in Haiti, Surinam, Germany, and the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

John has made television appearances on three nationally syndicated programs: Kelly & Company, PM Magazine and Good Morning America. He has also performed with Atlantic Records recording artists, Straight Ahead, a Detroit-based female jazz group.

Tad Weed: Tad Weed is a powerhouse of a pianist who recently relocated from Los Angeles to the Midwest. Tad’s discography includes over a dozen CD’s, and he has performed with some of the greatest names in jazz including John Patitucci, Mundell Lowe, Carmen McCrae, Charles Lloyd and Woody Herman. His artistically rich and diverse background allows him to command a wide range of styles, from Be Bop to the Blues, and from Funk to the Avant Garde. He has played concerts, clubs, television and radio around the world, in such exotic places as Brazil and China, as well as Holland, England, France, Germany and Finland. Some of his more noteworthy appearances include The Concord Jazz Festival, The Boston Globe Jazz Festival at Symphony Hall, The Kool Jazz Festival and The Berlin Radio Festival.

Kurt Krahnke: Acoustic Bassist Kurt Krahnke is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, but also studied at the New England Conservatory of Music. He toured the east coast with Ron Levy for two years and then returned to Detroit, where he taught with the Summer Music Program under the direction of Wendell Harrison. Since his return to Michigan, Krahnke has played with Phil Lasley, Jimmy Giuffre, Joe Henderson, Sonny Fortune, Pinetop Perkins, Russell Green, and toured and recorded with Leon Thomas. In 1989, Kurt performed as a finalist in the Hennessey Jazz Search in Hollywood, CA, with the Steve Wood/Brad Felt Quintet. Krahnke played and toured with the acclaimed JC Heard Orchestra from 1986-89 and received the Best Jazz Bassist award from the Metro-Times. Kurt has recorded and played with Paul VornHagen for eight years and continues to serve as a mentor for young bassists in the region.

Sean Dobbins: Sean Dobbins got his start as a sought-after Detroit area jazz sideman at a young age, when he would regularly play with Blue Note artist Louis Smith.

Though still young by jazz standards, Dobbins has amassed an impressive list of playing companions. He has performed/toured/recorded with Johnny Basset, Benny Golson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Frank Morgan, Joey DeFrancesco, George Cables, James “Blood” Ulmer, Paul Finkbeiner, Larry Willis, Rodney Whitaker, Johnny O’Neal, Paul Keller, Tad Weed, Kurt Krahnke, Kelly Broadway, David “Fathead” Newman, Donald Walden, Ramona Collins and Michael Gabriel. Sean’s sound can best be described as hard-driving, solid rhythm with refreshing melodic sensibility. Some of Sean’s influences include Art Blakey, Jeff Hamilton, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Ed Thigpen, Sonny Payne, and also Detroit area greats Gerald Cleaver and Pete Siers.

A product of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Sean has stayed devoted to education throughout his life. Early mentor Louis Smith, an Ann Arbor Public Schools band teacher, impressed the importance of a good education upon Sean at an early age. Sean is known in his community as a band director, drum teacher and positive influence for many.

Kerrytown Concert House
Full event info

When: 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
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January 20, 2013 – January 25, 2013

Ann Arbor Restaurant Week

Extraordinary three course dinner menus and prix fare lunch menus from Ann Arbor’s best restaurants. Experience cuisine that delights your palate and defines the art of dining in Ann Arbor. With nearly 50 restaurants to choose from, now is your chance to discover new restaurants and enjoy favorites at a discounted price. Make reservations early at participating restaurants. Tables fill fast during this great event.

Ann Arbor, MI
Full event info

When: Jan 20, 2013 @ 11:00 am to Jan 25, 2013 @ 8:00 pm

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January 24, 2013

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre presents ‘Bedroom Farce’

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre presents the lively comedy, Bedroom Farce, directed by Paul Bianchi, January 24-27, 2013 at the University of Michigan’s Arthur Miller Theatre.

Bedroom Farce, by premier British playwright Alan Ayckbourn, is a wild romp set in the middle of the sexual revolution of the 70’s. Over the course of one Saturday evening, a troubled couple, Susannah and Trevor, inflict their misery on unsuspecting parents, friends, and exes. In three separate bedrooms, sexual tension, marital strife, and hijinx ensue.

“This play is a celebration of the eccentricities of ordinary life,” says director Paul Bianchi. “Even though it is set in London, the plot and humor are universal. The play is not your standard farce; in fact, the original title was Bedroom Farce – A Comedy. Critics were quick to point out that the play is not a farce. There is a lot of physical comedy, but it is the interaction of the characters that drives the plot and the humor.”

The talented cast of Bedroom Farce features Molly Logue as Susannah, Mario Merola as Trevor, Michelle Skrobot as Delia, Roger Kerson as Ernest, Morgan Brown as Malcolm, Emily Caffery as Kate, Jarrod Cassar as Nick, and Ashley Davis as Jan.

Arthur Miller Theatre, U-M Walgreen Drama Center
Full event info

When: 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm

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January 25, 2013 – January 26, 2013

The Ark Presents: The 36th Ann Arbor Folk Festival

The 36th Ann Arbor Folk Festival, a fund-raiser for The Ark, Ann Arbor’s non-profit home for folk, roots, and ethnic music is Presented by The Ark with the University of Michigan Center for Campus Involvement. The Festival takes place at Hill Auditorium on Friday, January 25 and Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. each night.

Friday:
CITY AND COLOUR
RODRIGUEZ
TRAMPLED BY TURTLES
DELTA RAE
CARL BROEMEL
FRONTIER RUCKUS
BROWN BIRD
COLIN HAY, MC

Saturday:
THE HEAD AND THE HEART
LUCINDA WILLIAMS
DAR WILLIAMS
FRANK FAIRFIELD
THE STEEL WHEELS
BROTHER JOSCEPHUS AND THE LOVE REVOLUTION
DREW NELSON
COLIN HAY, MC

Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University, Ann Arbor
Full event info

When: Jan. 25, 2013 – Jan. 26, 2013: 6:30pm each night
Cost: One night: $35-$160, Series: $60-$290
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Above was a sampling of the activities occurring in our community during the month of October. Please be sure to check out one of the many events being held during the month and have a good time!

Click here to view community events in Ann Arbor, MI for the month of December.

 

To view the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau,
click here and choose your own criteria and dates.

Click here to search all Ann Arbor Area Michigan
homes and condos with pictures and tours – FREE

Kathy Toth and Team
www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

 

Tubing, Skiing, and Snowmobiling Oh My | Ann Arbor Winter Wonderland

Pure Michigan knows how to present our Michigan winters in the best light.  I happen to love the outdoors and winter fun.  Every Saturday morning at 7 am I was on a bus bound for a local ski resort for ski lessons with my 5 brothers and sisters.

Mount Brighton which is the closest ski hill for us in Ann Arbor was home to many ski outings for me.  I was on the volunteer ski patrol while in the Blizzard Ski Club and continued patrolling at Blue Mountain in Ontario.

For years we have enjoyed snowmobiling at Higgins Lake and always brought a large can of chunky soup to heat over a camp fire for lunch.  There are many trails.  Once when they were building I75 in Roscommon, we had amazing hills and ditches to glide on and jump.  The next year the road was operational so our playground was off limit.

From our door, we can slap on the boards to cross country or mountain bike in Stinchfield Woods. I think the best tubing around is at Vet’s Park.  Let me know what you enjoy about our local winter fun and your favorite tubing spot.

We are here to welcome you and your family to Ann Arbor.  Let us show you Ann Arbor Area housing options. 

Ann Arbor Community Events and Entertainment for December

December has arrived and there is something for everyone here in Ann Arbor. Take a look at a few of the events happening around town this month!

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Dec. 06, 2012 – Dec. 09, 2012

Wild Swan Theater presents: A Christmas Carol

Adventure Series, Ages 7+

Based on the novel by Charles Dickens and adapted for Wild Swan by Jeff Duncan with original music by composer Tom Schnauber, Wild Swan’s version of this wonderful holiday classic has been created especially for family audiences. A Christmas Carol tells of the astonishing transformation of miserly old Ebeneezer Scrooge after he is visited by three spirits on the night before Christmas.

Towsley Auditorium, Morris Lawence Bldg, at WCC , 4800 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor
View Website
Full event info

When: Thurs & Fri – 10:00a.m. & 12:30p.m. Sun – 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $10-Youth & Senior; $15-Adults, $3 Lap Pass ( 2 and under)

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Dec. 06, 2012 – Dec. 09, 2012

UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance Presents: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

One of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream conjures a mystical existence where chaos, love, obsession, and transformation collide. In the four worlds of the Dream, the privilege of the court, the rebellion and hormonal surge of the lovers, the magical domestic unrest of the fairies, and the boundless naïve enthusiasm of the rude mechanicals are thoroughly interwoven through Shakespeare’s unparalleled lyrical poetry. Combining epiphanies, malicious tricks, spells, abandonments, betrayals, and reconciliations, A Midsummer Night’s Dream leads us on an exhilarating journey through love’s fire.

Power Center for the Performing Arts, 121 Fletcher St. Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm
Cost: $20-$26
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December 07, 2012

The Michigan Theater Presents: Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

It’s the eve of Christmas in northern Finland, and an ‘archeological’ dig has just unearthed the real Santa Claus. But this particular Santa isn’t the one you want coming to town. When the local children begin mysteriously disappearing, young Pietari and his father Rauno, a reindeer hunter by trade, capture the mythological being and attempt to sell Santa to the misguided leader of the multinational corporation sponsoring the dig. Santa’s elves, however, will stop at nothing to free their fearless leader from captivity. What ensues is a wildly humorous nightmare – a fantastically bizarre polemic on modern day morality. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is a re-imagining of the most classic of all childhood fantasies, and is a darkly comic gem soon to be required perennial holiday viewing.

Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Friday December 07, 2012 at 7:00pm & 10:00pm
Cost: General Admission: $10, Students/Veterans/Seniors/Children under 12: $8
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December 08, 2012

Tiny Expo 2012

Ann Arbor’s biggest little indie arts & craft fair is back again! The Tiny Expo will feature local artists and crafters selling their wares, displays of unusual merit, food, film and libations.Come get your holiday gifts from the locals!  The holiday pandemonium takes place at Metal and Pot & Box on Felch St in Downtown Ann Arbor.

220 Flech St, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Saturday December 08, 2012 from 10:00am-7:00pm
Cost: This is a free event.

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December 08, 2012

UMS Presents: The Dianne Reeves Quartet with Special Guest Raul Midon

Can music surprise? Blue Note recording artist Dianne Reeves is one of the pre-eminent jazz vocalists in the world today. This special concert is opened with a set by Raul Midón, a blind singer-songwriter and guitarist whose singular, timeless soul/pop/jazz sound resulted in a standing ovation when he appeared on “Late Night with David Letterman” and an open invitation back to “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Guitar magazine describes him as “One of those rare musical forces that reminds us how strong and deep the connection between man and music can sometimes be.”

Mention the promo code AAACVB and get 25% off your ticket purchase! There are three easy ways to order:
1. By phone. Contact Sarah Wilber, Group Sales Coordinator, at 734-763-3100 and mention the promo code.
2. In person. Visit the Michigan League Ticket Office (911 N. University Avenue, Ann Arbor) and mention the promo code.
3. Online. Online orders can be placed at www.ums.org – pick the performance, choose your seats, and enter the promotion code at checkout.

Hill Auditorium, 825 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Saturday December 08, 2012 at 8:00pm
Cost: $10-48

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December 09, 2012

Ann Arbor Antiques Market

In 2012, the Ann Arbor Antiques Market will continue its tradition as a mainstay in the field of antiques and select collectibles. The Market offers the public a vast selection of quality antiques in the comfortable surroundings of seven buildings and numerous tent canopies.

For 44 years the Ann Arbor Antiques Market has offered a wide range of quality antiques and collectibles to buyers throughout the United States and Canada.
Exhibitors have sucessfully offered for sale every type of antique imaginable from early Americana to Art Deco. The large crowds at each show have provided dealers with knowledgeable customers and have given an economic boost to the entire field of diversified collecting throughout the years.

Washtenaw County Farm Council Fairgrounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Sunday December 09, 2012 – To Be Announced
Cost: To Be Announced
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December 31, 2012

Guy Hollerin’s & 89.1 WEMU Present: 2012 New Years Eve Blues Bash!

Guy Hollerin’s & WEMU have planned an amazing night to help ring in 2013!  Check out all the details below, definitely sounds like it’s going to be one heck of a party!

Light Midnight Hors d’oeuvres Buffet, party favors, balloon drop, champagne toast and live entertainment featuring Chris Canas Blues Revolution opening at 8:00pm and The Bluescasters taking the stage from 9:30pm to 1:00am.
Limited Menu will be available from 7:00pm until 11:00pm
Get a ticket and a hotel room for $113.00; add a ticket for $20.00
Get your reservations in quick only 200 tickets available.  No Reserved Seating.  First Come, First Served Basis.  Doors Open at 7:00pm, No Cancellations.

Guy Hollerin’s, 3600 Plymouth Rd Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Monday December 31, 2012 at 7:00pm
Cost: $20
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Above was a sampling of the activities occurring in our community during the month of October. Please be sure to check out one of the many events being held during the month and have a good time!

Click here to view community events in Ann Arbor, MI for the month of November.

To view the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau,
click here and choose your own criteria and dates.

Click here to search all Ann Arbor Area Michigan
homes and condos with pictures and tours – FREE

Kathy Toth and Team
www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

Ann Arbor Community Events and Entertainment for November

November has arrived and there is something for everyone here in Ann Arbor. Take a look at a few of the events happening around town this month!  Check out  your favorite U of M local M in video below.

UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance Presents: Band-O-Rama: American Salute

Band-O-Rama showcases the rich heritage of the UM band program by featuring music across the broad spectrum of American cultural life. Traditional marches and folk songs, Broadway show-tunes, and rock-n-roll favorites will be performed. Music paying tribute to cultural icons and geographic landmarks will be also be presented along with the best college fight song in America! Leave politics at the door for a truly partisan “Go Blue!” celebration.

Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University, Ann Arbor
View Website
Full event info

When: Saturday November 03, 2012 at 7:30pm
Cost: $5-$18
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November 10, 2012

The Academy of Early Music presents Cappella Pratensis

Cappella Pratensis performs “For Eternal Glory and Remembrance”  Missa de Sancto Donatiano by Jacob Obrecht

The Dutch-based vocal ensemble Cappella Pratensis – literally ‘Cappella des prés’ – champions the music of Josquin des Prez and the polyphonists of the 15th and 16th centuries. The group combines historically informed performance practice with inventive programmes and original interpretations based on scholarly research and artistic insight. As in Josquin’s time, the members of Cappella Pratensis perform from a central music stand, singing from the original mensural notation scored in a large choirbook.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 306 North Division Street, Ann Arbor
View Website
Full event info

When: Saturday November 10, 2012 at 8:00 PM
Cost: $25-35

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November 11, 2012

Kerrytown Market & Shops Holiday Open House

Kerrytown’s Annual Holiday Open House kicks off the season with live music, art demonstrations, face painting, storytelling with Mother Goose, and great pre-holiday sales from our merchants.

Kerrytown Market & Shops, 407 North Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Sunday November 11, 2012 from 10am-6pm
Cost: TBA
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November 11, 2012

Leslie Science and Nature Center Presents: Veterans Day Event and Enclosure Dedication

The Leslie Science & Nature Center is proud to announce a Veterans Day event for our community from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 11 on our grounds at 1831 Traver Rd, Ann Arbor MI.   We appreciate the dedication and sacrifices of our nation’s veterans, and we wish to provide a celebratory event in their honor. This event is free of charge, and we welcome all members of the community, young and old, to join us as we celebrate our nation and the men and women who have chosen to serve.

The November 11 event will kick off with a brief program including music, special guests, an honor guard, and a ribbon cutting of our new Bald Eagle’s enclosure, dedicated to our nation’s veterans. Following the ribbon cutting, we invite all attendees to explore the Leslie Science & Nature Center grounds, including our Critter House, woods, lawns, and Raptor enclosures. Sit to partake of refreshments, chat with neighbors and friends to learn more about their experiences or connections to veterans and currently deployed service members, and take photos with our Bald Eagle. We will also be supporting deployed personnel by offering a letter-writing station with the opportunity for children to draw pictures to send overseas. We will be collecting items for care packages from attendees, who are welcomed to bring donations including toiletries, non-perishable and non-melting treats like candy and beef jerky, magazines and paperback books, writing paper and envelopes.

Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Rd. Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Sunday November 11, 2012 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: This is a free event.
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November 17, 2012

UMS Presents: The Dave Holland Big Band

Does rhythm cause transformation? A bassist, composer, band leader and a master of time and rhythm, Dave Holland is in his fifth decade as a performer, and his music possesses a rich and kaleidoscopic history.

With his third appearance at UMS since 2003, Dave is joined by his Big Band and their rich, lively, and utterly kinetic sound.

Mention the promo code AAACVB and get 25% off your ticket purchase! There are three easy ways to order:
1. By phone. Contact Sarah Wilber, Group Sales Coordinator, at 734-763-3100 and mention the promo code.
2. In person. Visit the Michigan League Ticket Office (911 N. University Avenue, Ann Arbor) and mention the promo code.
3. Online. Online orders can be placed at www.ums.org – pick the performance, choose your seats, and enter the promotion code at checkout.

Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Saturday November 17, 2012 at 8:00pm
Cost: $18-48

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November 18, 2012

Ann Arbor Antiques Market

In 2012, the Ann Arbor Antiques Market will continue its tradition as a mainstay in the field of antiques and select collectibles. The Market offers the public a vast selection of quality antiques in the comfortable surroundings of seven buildings and numerous tent canopies.

For 44 years the Ann Arbor Antiques Market has offered a wide range of quality antiques and collectibles to buyers throughout the United States and Canada.
Exhibitors have sucessfully offered for sale every type of antique imaginable from early Americana to Art Deco. The large crowds at each show have provided dealers with knowledgeable customers and have given an economic boost to the entire field of diversified collecting throughout the years.

Washtenaw County Farm Council Fairgrounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Sunday November 18, 2012: Time To Be Announced
Cost: To Be Announced

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November 25, 2012

Kerrytown Market & Shops Annual Tree Lighting Festival

Welcome the holidays in the Kerrytown courtyard where they’ll have Christmas carols, candle luminaries and best of all Santa to light the tree!

Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market, Fourth Avenue between Catherine and Kingsley St.
Visit website
Full event info

When: Sunday November 25, 2012 from 5pm-6pm
Cost: This is a free event.
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November 30, 2012

The 4th Annual KindleFest

The KindleFest Market, or Christkindlmarkt as known in Germany, will feature artisans, farmers and retailers selling their holiday wares plus traditional food, mulled wine and beer. Kerrytown area retail businesses will be open late on this evening as they participate in the festivities, offering special holiday bargains. KDA teams up with the Tübingen Sister City Group of Ann Arbor to add some more of the German Chriskindlmarkt cultural traditions to the event. Family-friendly, and keeping in the spirit of an outdoor holiday market, there will be pretzels, bratwursts, roasted nuts, Glühwein (a mulled wine) and beer, fire pits to keep warm and for s’more roasting, caroling, strolling musicians, Santa, lots of lights and more.

At 7pm, the Children’s Lantern Parade will take place. Bring your family to the Kindlemarket for an exciting children’s lantern parade, modeled after the German St. Martin tradition that celebrates Samaritan deeds. At the parade, the children will illuminate the neighborhood with their colorful lanterns while singing American Christmas carols. Lanterns are $10 each and pickup begins at 6:30pm, or bring your own!

415 North 4th Avenue, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Friday November 30, 2012 at 6pm
Cost: This is a free event.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Above was a sampling of the activities occurring in our community during the month of October. Please be sure to check out one of the many events being held during the month and have a good time!

Click here to view community events in Ann Arbor, MI for the month of October.

To view the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau,
click here and choose your own criteria and dates.

Click here to search all Ann Arbor Area Michigan
homes and condos with pictures and tours – FREE

Kathy Toth and Team
www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

Ann Arbor Community Events and Entertainment for October

October has arrived and there is something for everyone here in Ann Arbor. Take a look at a few of the events happening around town this month!

____________________________________________________________________________________

October 03, 2012

Oyster Fest at Real Seafood

Make your reservations for one of Real Seafood’s most famous and favorite events of the year…

Oyster & Beer Dinner!

Salad, Entree & Dessert included with unlimited fresh, cold-water Oysters and select micro-brewed beer from Short’s Brewing Company

341 S Main, Ann Arbor
View Website
Full event info

When: Wednesday October 03, 2012
Cost: $64.95 per person
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October 04, 2012

UMS Presents: Basiani

Can music transcend? Ensemble “Basiani” was created in 2000 with the blessing of Ilia II – Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia.

UMS is pleased to introduce to Michigan audiences the highly praised choral/folk music ensemble, Basiani, from the Republic of Georgia. The extraordinary program performed by Basiani is representative of Georgia’s musical heritage and comprises samples from almost every geographical region of the Republic. It is an exceptional, highly memorable performance that embraces the range and variety of Georgian folk culture and its distinctive, highly developed forms of polyphony – a central aspect of the cultural legacy that led to UNESCO’s designation in 2001 of Georgian folklore as a masterpiece of the spiritual treasury of the world’s “non-material” culture (which includes folk traditions as a bearer of cultural heritage).

Commenting on their 2010 appearance at Lincoln Center as part of a Mostly Mozart program, James Oestreich wrote in The New York Times that Basiani’s performance of “Georgian polyphony descended from an ancient tradition… stole the main show [at Alice Tully Hall]…. The ensemble, singing in close harmony, presented sacred and folk music displaying polyphonic devices ranging from simple drones to intricately interwoven melodies, which often crossed or combined to produce harmonies pungent to the Western ear.” UMS looks forward to sharing the vocal mastery of this magnificent musical ensemble in a program of discovery and revelation.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 2250 East Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor
View Website
Full event info

When: Thursday October 04, 2012 at 7:30pm
Cost: $25-35

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October 07, 2012

“Journey to Freedom” Underground Railroad Bus Tour

The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes, hidden places, determined citizens and self-liberated people of color seeking freedom. Two essential routes to Detroit and ultimate safety in Canada crossed in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Discover the role Washtenaw County played on this docent guided tour by the exteriors of local and nationally-known Underground Railroad landmarks, sites and homes.

The tour season runs April-October, we also offer talks and presentations. Those without transportation are encouraged to call at least three weeks before the scheduled dates.

African-American Cultural and Historical Museum, 3261 Lohr Road Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Sunday October 07, 2012; 2 – 5pm
Cost: $20 per person / without transportation
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Oct. 11, 2012 – Oct. 13, 2012

UMS Presents: Theatre de la Ville: Ionesco’s Rhinoceros

Can performance create tension and inspiration? A farce. A tragedy. An experiment of the mind. Rhinoceros was first written as a short story in 1957 by Eugène Ionesco, who was influenced by his time in Romania as a young man, when nearly everyone around him converted to fascism.  The animals in the play represent authority in all of its horrific glory. Rhinoceros was the first time Ionesco wrote characters with a plausible psychology, and he used the conventions of theater to tell a story about protest and conformity.

Rhinoceros is a parable about French collaboration with the Nazis. It begins in a small town square where Jean meets his apathetic friend Berenger for a drink. Soon a rhinoceros runs through the square, shocking all except Berenger.  As the square is overrun with rhinos, people in the town transform into rhinos as well. Berenger, on the other hand, transforms from indifference and aimlessness to a strong human identity with something to believe in and fight against: the tyranny of the rhinos.  It all serves as a metaphor for people resisting the crowd and standing up for their own ideas.

Ionesco is considered a leader of the “Theater of the Absurd” – plays in this style suggest that human existence has no meaning.  Playwrights whose work is often characterized in this style also include Samuel Beckett, Jean Genet, Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard, Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Fernando Arrabal, and Edward Albee.

Experimental, emotional, and emphatic – this performance is not to be missed.

Power Center for the Performing Arts, 121 Fletcher Street, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: 10/11–7:30pm, 10/12–8:00pm, 10/13–8:00pm
Cost: $18-48
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Oct. 20, 2012 – Oct. 21, 2012

Ann Arbor Antiques Market

In 2012, the Ann Arbor Antiques Market will continue its tradition as a mainstay in the field of antiques and select collectibles. The Market offers the public a vast selection of quality antiques in the comfortable surroundings of seven buildings and numerous tent canopies.

For 44 years the Ann Arbor Antiques Market has offered a wide range of quality antiques and collectibles to buyers throughout the United States and Canada.
Exhibitors have sucessfully offered for sale every type of antique imaginable from early Americana to Art Deco. The large crowds at each show have provided dealers with knowledgeable customers and have given an economic boost to the entire field of diversified collecting throughout the years.

Washtenaw County Farm Council Fairgrounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: To be Announced
Cost: To Be Announced

________________________________________________________________________________________________

October 27, 2012

UMS Presents: The Mariinsky Orchestra of St. Petersburg

Can emotion be performed? Valery Gergiev has long been associated with the Mariinsky (formerly known as the Kirov) Orchestra – including 11 previous UMS appearances.

This program features Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, which had its world premiere in 1913 in Paris, just 16 days after Hill Auditorium opened. The ballet, with choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky, caused a scandal, yet it has had a tremendous impact on music for the past 100 years and is now considered a masterpiece of the 20th century.

The concert also features piano soloist Denis Matsuev, who made his UMS debut with the Mariinsky in October 2010 and returned for an equally stunning recital in January 2012. He returns as piano soloist for Shostakovich’s Concerto in c minor for Piano, Trumpet, and String Orchestra.

“Ever since his triumph in the 1998 Tchaikovsky Competition, Denis Matsuev’s name has inspired awe and amazement in musical circles. And for once, the hype…is, if anything, low-pitched. For here is a virtuoso in the grandest of Russian traditions…” (Gramophon Magazine)

Hill Auditorium, 825 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Saturday October 27, 2012 at 8:00pm
Cost: $10-80

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October 28, 2012

Annual Family Halloween Party

Have a Halloween that’s fun, safe and educational as well!  By combining entertaining activities with informal science learning, the Exhibit Museum’s Family Halloween Party has become one of the most popular Halloween activities in the area.

Partygoers will journey through the Museum, discovering special stations and displays full of hands-on activities.  Many favorite stations will be back, along with new stations, and live animals.

Come in costume (not required, but recommended) and don’t forget your goodie bag – we”ll be handing out treats.  The party is suitable for all ages, and is FREE!  No reservations or tickets are necessary.

Exhibit Museum of Natural History, 1109 Geddes Ave, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Sunday October 28, 2012: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cost: This is a free event.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Oct. 31, 2012 – Nov. 03, 2012

Kerrytown Concert House presents: 16th Annual Edgefest

The 16th annual Edgefest (October 31 – Nov 3, 2012) will explore new music created by today’s American improvisers and composers who now, more than ever, are reaching back to multiple artistic roots, reflecting a growing awareness of the cultural complexity of contemporary American society.  The accumulations of different origins, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, filtered by contemporary, uniquely American experiences, have produced a cornucopia of new music; a blending of improvisational-avant jazz with the composers’ own—often multiple–artistic/cultural roots. 

In the tradition of Edgefest the roster includes international musicians as well as performers and ensembles from our home community of Southeast Michigan and showcases some of the most celebrated and creative multi-instrumentalists on the scene today.

415 North 4th Avenue, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Oct. 31, 2012 – Nov. 03, 2012; 7:00p.m. & 9:30p.m.
Cost: $10 -$30 Individual events, $135 Edgepass, $50 Saturday daypass
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Above was a sampling of the activities occurring in our community during the month of October. Please be sure to check out one of the many events being held during the month and have a good time!

Click here to view community events in Ann Arbor, MI for the month of September.

To view the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau,
click here and choose your own criteria and dates.

Click here to search all Ann Arbor Area Michigan
homes and condos with pictures and tours – FREE

Kathy Toth and Team
www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

 

 

 

Ann Arbor Community Events and Entertainment for September

September has arrived and there is something for everyone here in Ann Arbor. Take a look at a few of the events happening around town this month!

____________________________________________________________________________________

September 06, 2012

Fashion’s Night Out

Briarwood Mall Fashion’s Night Out attendees can snag swag bags and prize giveaways, indulge in fashion, beauty and makeover treatments, sample food and drinks and watch fashion shows highlighting fall’s hottest trends.

Fashion’s Night Out celebrates more than just apparel and accessories; Briarwood Mall guests can also check out fashionable cakes! Zingerman’s will host a Fashion Cake Decorating Contest. Shoppers can vote for their favorite cake, with the winner receiving a cake decorating class seminar, “BAKE-cation!”, valued at $500. All of the cakes will then be auctioned off with proceeds benefitting the Simon Youth Foundation

Fashion’s Night Out is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. Goodie bags will be passed out to the first 300 guests starting at 6 pm.

Briarwood Mall, 100 Briarwood Circle, Ann Arbor
Full event info

When: Thursday September 06, 2012; 6pm – 8pm
Cost: This is a free event.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

September 07, 2012

Leslie Science Center Summer Safari

It’s the “tail” end of summer, and an animal safari is in order. Animal tales, crafts and a safari style nature walk will provide just the right amount of adventure for this Summer Safari.

Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty Street Ann Arbor
Full event info

When: Friday September 07, 2012; 10 – 11:30am
Cost: $7 per child.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

September 09, 2012

2012 Kerrytown Bookfest

The 10th Annual Kerrytown BookFest will again be held in the Farmers’ Market in the historic Kerrytown district of Ann Arbor, Michigan this fall on Sept. 9th.

The Kerrytown BookFest is an event celebrating those who create books and those who read them. The primary goal is to highlight the Ann Arbor area’s rich heritage in the book and printing arts while showcasing local and regional individuals, businesses, and organizations.

The festival feature authors, storytellers, publishers bookbinders, book artists, book illustrators, poets, letterpress printers, wood engravers, calligraphers, papermakers, librarians, teachers, publishers, new, used, and antiquarian booksellers and many others associated with books and their diverse forms, structure, and content. The children’s area, with storytelling and creative activities, is always popular as well.

Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market, 315 Detroit Street, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Sunday September 09, 2012; 11:00am
Cost: This is a free event.
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Sep. 14, 2012 – Sep. 15, 2012

The Ark Presents: The Second City

Founded in Chicago in 1959, The Second City made the world safe for improv comedy and has become the premier training ground for comedy’s best and brightest. Second City alumni include Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Alan Arkin, Joan Rivers, Peter Boyle, Harold Ramis, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, George Wendt, John Candy, Bonnie Hunt, Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Horatio Sanz, and countless others. An evening with The Second City provides audiences with hilarious satire, cutting-edge improvisation, and the chance to see comedy stars in the making. No topic is off limits for The Second City, and if your parents asked you not to speak about it at the dinner table, chances are it will be made into a source of fun. If you’ve seen The Second City before, be aware that the troupe maintains several different shows at any given time. This year’s “Laughing Matters” tour has never been presented before at The Ark; it showcases the comedy world’s next generation in an evening of hilarious sketches and Second City’s trademark improvisation. With economic uncertainty, political gridlock and a dearth of Khardashians clogging up our televisions, laughing has never mattered more and The Second City is here to bring some well needed silliness and hilarious spontaneity to a world in need of some comic relief. “The Second City: Laughing Matters” puts comedy first in a wickedly funny revue that skewers and celebrates in equal doses.

The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor
Visit website
Full event info

When: Sep. 14, 2012 – Sep. 15, 2012; Show starts at 8:00pm, doors open at 7:30pm
Cost: $25, $20 with student ID in person at MUTO & Ark box office
________________________________________________________________________________________________

September 21, 2012

Leslie Science Center: Fall is Fabulous

Leaves change colors, the weather turns cooler, and animals get busy preparing for winter.  Help us celebrate the season change with stories, pumpkin crafts, leaf collecting, and apple cider.

Leslie Science Center, 1831 Traver Road, Ann Arbor
Full event info

When: Friday September 21, 2012; 10 – 11:30am
Cost: $7 per child.

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September 27, 2012

UMS Presents: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra

As part of the Hill 100 celebration, UMS is proud to present the Chicago Symphony. Their first ever UMS concert was in 1892 – 13 years after UMS began – and they have performed more than 200 UMS concerts. They opened Hill Auditorium on May 14, 1913 at the 20th Ann Arbor May Festival.

The concert—and the Hill 100 season—opens with Wagner’s Overture to The Flying Dutchman, a work that they performed at that same May Festival the season that Hill Auditorium opened.  Frequently heard in the 1920s, this piece has not been programmed on a UMS concert in nearly 35 years.  In 1888, Richard Strauss worked with Wagner at Bayreuth on a production of Tristan und Isolde, and some believe that his tone poem Death and Transfiguration, completed just a year later, was inspired in part by the “love-death” from Tristan. Cesar Franck’s most well-known work, the Symphony in d minor, dates from the same period and rounds out the program.

Hill Auditorium, 825 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor
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When: Thursday September 27, 2012; 7:30pm
Cost: $10-100, see website for more details

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Sep. 28, 2012 – Sep. 29, 2012

UMS Presents: Suzhou Kun Opera Theater of Jiangsu Province

Can something 600 years old still feel young?  A collection of scenes from Kunqu, the Classical Opera of Globalized China.

In 2001, UNESCO declared kunqu, the 600-year-old grand opera of China, a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” The declaration not only affirms the artistic and cultural distinctions of the genre, which is known for its perfect blending of dramatic literature, soulful singing, and elegant dancing, but also creates a context for its revival in contemporary and globalized China. The genre is now enjoying a revival, attracting audiences inside and outside China with performances that judiciously blend classical stories and performance practices with contemporary staging interpretations and technologies. Kunqu is recognized internationally for being both authentic and yet fresh and updated. In its own way, it is similar to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s fresh, yet authentic, interpretations of classical English plays.

Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor
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When: Sep. 28, 2012 – Sep. 29, 2012; 8:00pm
Cost: $30-40
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September 29, 2012

The Ark Presents: Nanci Griffith

Nanci Griffith has appeared at The Ark many times, going back to the 1980s, and each of her shows brings something new. Over the years, perhaps no other songwriter has fused introspective folk songwriting with popular and country roots so thoroughly. On Nanci’s own 19 albums she draws on personal confessions, a photographer’s eye for Texas landscapes, and social and political themes, forging a kind of homespun but often complex Texas poetry that nobody else has quite matched. She also has a portfolio of songs that became major country hits for other artists, like “Love at the Five and Dime” (Kathy Mattea) and “Outbound Plane” (Suzy Bogguss). In the genre of the woman-hitting-the-road anthem, Nanci achieved a pair of enduring classics with “Listen to the Radio” and “Ford Econoline.” Nanci’s latest release, “Intersection,” is described by Amazon.com as “an album about difficulties, about anger, about things that slip away and things that explode.”

The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor
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When: Saturday September 29, 2012; Shows start at 8:00pm, doors open at 7:30pm
Cost: $45
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Above was a sampling of the activities occurring in our community during the month of September. Please be sure to check out one of the many events being held during the month and have a good time!

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