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Calendar of Events

Saturday, November 28, 2009

6-8 p.m. Vault of Midnight.

Guy Davis: Vault of Midnight.

This Michigan comic book artist, best known for his work on the Sandman Mystery Theatre series about a vigilante whose main weapon is sleeping gas, discusses his work. Signing. 219 S. Main. Free. 998-1413.

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

22nd Annual Handspinners' Holiday Fair: Spinners' Flock.

U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free admission. Wheelchair-accessible. 769-1657, 662-6366.

10 a.m.

"Dexter Breakfast Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.

Every Sat. Beginner-friendly slow-paced (22 miles) and moderate/fast-paced (30-80 miles) round-trip rides to the Dexter Bakery. A very popular ride. Also on Sat.: "Sunrise Saturday Ride" (sunrise, Wheeler Park), a very slow-paced 22-mile ride (662-0205, 971-9201) to Dexter for breakfast and back. Note: Riders should be prepared to take care of themselves on all AABTS rides. Carry a water bottle, a spare tire or tube, a pump, a cell phone, and snacks. meet at Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St., or at Barton Park, Huron River Dr. Free. For information, call 996-9461 (Nov. 7 ride), 761-5959 (Nov. 14), 426-5116 (Nov. 21), 996-4985 (Nov. 28).

10:30 a.m.-midnight.

Remote-Controlled Car Racing: Washtenaw RC Raceway.

Nov. 21 & 28. One of the largest regular gatherings of RC racers in the country features off-road dirt-track racing for stock and modified model electric trucks and buggies. Spectators welcome. Food concessions. Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. Doors open at 8 a.m. Free admission. $16 to race. (313) 565-2815.

11 a.m.-5 p.m.

"Wonderful and Unusual Gifts": Nature's Expressions.

Nov. 28 & 29. Show and sale of crystalline mineral specimens, fossils, shells, mounted butterflies and insects, and more. 3443 Daleview Dr. (off N. Maple Rd. north of Huron River Dr.). Free. 994-3048.

11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Local Ann Arbor Eclectic Artists Open House and Sale.

Nov. 28 & 29. 505 Lakeview Ave. (off Liberty east of Wagner). Free admission. 663-7114, 741-4441.

11 a.m.

Storytime: Nicola's Books.

Every Sat. Storytelling program for kids age 7 & under. Nicola's, Westgate shopping center. Free. 662-0600.

Noon.

Draw Doubles: Local 101 Disc Golf Club.

Every Sat. All invited to play disc golf at one of Hudson Mills Metropark's 24-hole courses. Beginners are paired with advanced players to create parity. Prizes. Golf discs available free. Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Rd. (between Dexter-Pinckney Rd. & Huron River Dr.), Dexter. $5 per player; free for spectators. $4 vehicle entrance fee. 449-4300.

12:30 p.m.

U-M Exhibit Museum Planetarium.

Every Sat. & Sun. and Nov. 27. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows. The Sky Tonight (1:30 & 3:30 p.m., plus 11:30 a.m. Sat. and Nov. 27 only) explores the current night sky. Stars of the Pharoahs (12:30 p.m. Sat. only) explores the use of science in ancient Egypt to tell time, make a workable calendar, and align huge buildings. Two Small Pieces of Glass: The Amazing Telescope (2:30 p.m. Sat., Sun., & Nov. 27) explores how telescopes work and what they can do U-M Exhibit Museum, 1109 Geddes at North University. $4.75. 764-0478.

1 p.m.

"Allison Investigates": Barnes & Noble.

Canton teen Taylor Joseph discusses her 2nd novel, a fast-paced adventure about a precocious teen who investigates the theft of a neighbor's car. Signing. Barnes & Noble, 3235 Washtenaw. Free. 973-1618.

1 p.m.

"The New UMMA": U-M Museum of Art.

Every Sat. & Sun. beginning Nov. 7. Docent-led tours of the recently renovated museum. UMMA, 525 S. State. Free. 764-0395.

2-4 p.m.

"Calling All Knitters": Ann Arbor District Library.

Big Girl Knits author Jillian Moreno introduces adults and youth in grades 4 & up to the basics of knitting. Bring your own needles; yarn provided. AADL Traverwood Branch, 3333 Traverwood at Huron Pkwy. Free. 327-4200.

2 p.m.

Dinosaur Tours: U-M Exhibit Museum.

Every Sat. & Sun. 30-minute docent-led tour of the museum's dinosaur exhibits. U-M Exhibit Museum, 1109 Geddes at North University. Free, but limited to the first 15 people to sign up for each tour. 764-0478.

2 p.m.

"The Image Wrought: Historical Photographic Approaches in the Digital Age": U-M Museum of Art.

Nov. 14 & 28. Docent-led tours of the current exhibit. UMMA, 525 S. State. Free. 764-0395.

2-4 p.m.

Ann Arbor Juggling Arts Club.

Every Sat. All invited to practice their juggling skills. Beginners welcome. Indoor location TBA in case of inclement weather. U-M Diag. Free. 761-1115.

2 p.m.

Warhammer/Warmachine Open Play: Get Your Game On.

Every Sat. All invited to play these 2 tactical miniatures board games. Get Your Game On, 709 Packard. Free. 786-3746.

3 & 8 p.m.

"Christmas Carol'd": Performance Network Professional Season.

Every Thurs.-Sun. (except Nov. 26 & Dec. 25), Nov. 19-Dec. 27. David Wolber directs local playwright Joseph Zettelmaier's fast-paced, gleefully inventive adaptation of Dickens' classic Christmas tale in which 5 actors play more than 40 roles. Stars John Seibert. Performance Network, 120 E. Huron. Preview tickets: whatever you can afford to pay (Nov. 19), $22 (Nov. 20 & 22), and $30 (Nov. 21). Nov. 27 opening night tickets: $39 & $41 includes reception. After Nov. 27: $27 & $29 (Thurs.), $32 & $34 (Fri. & Sun.), $25 & $27 (Sat. matinee), $39 & $41 (Sat. eve.). $3 discount for seniors age 60 & over. Tickets available in advance at performancenetwork.org & by phone, and at the door. $10 student discount in advance, half-price student tickets at the door only. For reservations, call 663-0681; to charge by phone, call 663-0696.

3 & 8 p.m.

"Escanaba": Purple Rose Theatre Company.

Every Wed.-Sun. (except Nov. 26) Sept. 17-Dec. 19. See review. Guy Sanville directs the world premiere of Jeff Daniels' comedy, the third in his deer-hunting Yooper trilogy that includes the hugely successful Escanaba in da Moonlight and Escanaba in Love. This installment reveals the origins of some of the Soady family's time-honored deer camp traditions. Stars Julian Gant, Wayne David Parker, and Tom Whalen. Purple Rose, 137 Park St., Chelsea. $25 (Sun. eves., Wed. & Thurs.), $33 (Sat. & Sun. matinees), & $38 (Fri. & Sat. eves.) in advance and at the door. 433-7673.

3 & 8 p.m.

"Annie": Encore Musical Theatre Company.

Nov. 27-29 & Dec. 3-6, 10-13, & 17-19. Daniel Cooney directs Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, and Thomas Meehan's upbeat, Tony Award-winning 1976 musical comedy inspired by the Little Orphan Annie comic strip. Set in Depression-era New York, the plot follows the adventures of the plucky Annie and her faithful sidekick pup Sandy as they escape an orphanage run by the despicable Mrs. Hannigan and eventually find a home with the millionaire Daddy Warbucks, rubbing elbows with FDR along the way. Songs include "Tomorrow," "We`d Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover," "Hard-Knock Life," and "Easy Street." Cast TBA. Encore, 3126 Broad St., Dexter. Tickets $28 (members & seniors, $25; groups of 10 or more, $22) in advance at theencoretheatre.org and at the door. 268-6200.

3:45-5 p.m.

"4th Annual Turkey Burn Workout": Quest Martial Arts.

All age 12 and over invited for a kick boxing-style workout. Kids ages 12-17 must be accompanied by a parent. Wear workout clothes and socks. Quest Martial Arts, 2111 Packard. Free. 332-1800.

6 p.m.

Board Game Night: Get Your Game On.

Every Thurs. & Sat., except Nov. 26. All invited to bring a favorite board game or play one of the store's. Get Your Game On, 709 Packard. Free. 786-3746.

7 & 9:30 p.m.

Heywood Banks: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.

Nov. 27-29. Heywood Banks is the stage name of Howell native Stuart Mitchell, a very animated comedian known for his silly musical spoofs, goofy prop humor, and sight gags. Since adopting the nerdy, quietly psychotic Banks persona in the mid-80s, he has risen from a regional favorite to a national star. A longtime local favorite--he even played a few shows at Rick's American Cafe in the pre-Comedy Showcase days--he is making his 10th annual Thanksgiving weekend appearance. Preceded by 2 opening acts. Alcohol is served. Note: The 7 p.m. shows on Nov. 27 & 29 are all-ages shows (youths 16 & under must be accompanied by a parent). The early shows each night are nonsmoking shows. old VFW Hall (below Seva restaurant), 314 E. Liberty. $17 reserved seating in advance and general admission at the door. 996-9080.

7-9 p.m.

“Renewable Energy”: Sustainable Michigan

Screening of Geoff Lawton's documentary Introduction to Permaculture Design. 7-9 p.m., 1725 Charlton. Free. 644-1520.

7:30 p.m.

U-M Ice Hockey vs. Wisconsin.

Yost Ice Arena, 1016 S. State at McKinley. $19-$25. 764-0247.

8 p.m.

Jeff Daniels & Friends: Big Pickle Productions.

Playwright and Purple Rose Theatre founder Daniels, who is also a prolific folk-style singer-songwriter, hosts an evening of music by an array of acts from around the state, performing separately and together, with an emphasis on songs celebrating Michigan. Performers include Kalamazoo neo-klezmer sextet Red Sea Pedestrians, local spoken word artist Paul Princen, a rootsy acoustic folk-rock Chelsea trio led by singer-songwriter and guitarist (and Jeff's son) Ben Daniels, and the Lansing-based swing and jazz band Shout Sister Shout, a joint project of the velvet-voiced young Cadillac singer-songwriter Rachael Davis and the versatile Lansing acoustic string quartet Steppin' in It, and the Scottville Clown Band, a Scottville (MI) concert band of 60+ members that dress in clownish costumes. A benefit for Purple Rose Theatre. Michigan Theater. Tickets $22.50-$75 in advance at the Michigan Union Ticket Office & all other Ticketmaster outlets, and at the door. To charge by phone, call 763-TKTS.

8 p.m.

"If Only in My Dreams": Blackbird Theatre.

Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 4-6, 12 & 13. Blackbird artistic director Barton Bund and longtime Blackbird actor William Myers 8|present a series of holiday-themed monologues in the voices of Jack Kerouac, Dylan Thomas, Truman Capote, and Canadian novelist Roch Carrier. Blackbird Theatre, 1600 Pauline (at Kay Pkwy. east of Stadium). $20 (seniors, $15; students, $10) in advance at blackbirdtheatre.org and at the door. 332-3848.

8 p.m.

4th Saturday Contra Dance: Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance.

With live music. No partner needed. All dances taught. Beginner lessons at 7:40 p.m. 8 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. 8 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. $9 (members, $8; students, $5). 730-6919.

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