SUMMER ARTS FESTIVALS:
Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights A weekly summer festival of free concerts, children's entertainers and other attractions staged simultaneously every Thursday evening in downtown Chelsea on Main Street. Festival continues Aug. 9 with Bluebird, Fender Benders, Kynne and more; then Aug. 16 with Lisa Pappas & Friends, On The Fence, String Cheese and others. Chelsea: 734-475-1145. http://www.chelseafestivals.com
Summer in the Park A season-long series of events in downtown Detroit that includes "Lunchtime Arts" (weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through Sept. 28), "Culture Corner Weekends" (through Aug. 24) and "Healthy Moves" (through Aug. 25). Campus Martius Park. Free. Detroit: 313-962-0101. http://www.campusmartiuspark.org
ARCHITECTURE/GARDEN TOURS:
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Take a tour behind the scenes and examine special subjects that provide a new perspective on the family that left an indelible mark on the automotive industry, the arts community and the region. Some advance reservations are required; fees vary. Open Tue.-Sun. Grosse Pointe Shores: 313-884-4222. http://www.fordhouse.org
Movie Palaces Tour Participate in a walking tour of Detroit's entertainment district and go on a "behind the scenes" look inside seven of Detroit's still accessible early 20th century movie theaters. Preservation Wayne. Aug. 18. $40 (which includes a boxed lunch at the Detroit Opera House). Detroit: 313-577-7674. http://www.preservationwayne.org
ART, HISTORICAL & SCIENCE MUSEUMS:
Arab American National Museum "The Photography of Suleiman Al Awadi" (through Aug. 19); and "Threads of Pride: Palestinian Traditional Costumes" (through Nov. 25). Open Wed.-Sun. Dearborn: 313-582-2266. http://www.arabamericanmuseum.org
Cranbrook Art Museum A contemporary art museum located at the heart of Cranbrook Educational Community, one of the nation's greatest architectural complexes. Open Wed.-Sun. $6 museum admission. Bloomfield Hills: 248-645-3314. http://www.cranbrookart.edu/museum
Cranbrook Institute of Science Permanent exhibits include: "Life Changes Over Time"; "Ice Ages Come And Go"; and "Peoples of the Woodlands: Objects of Great Lakes Native America." Open daily. $8 museum admission. 248-645-3200. http://science.cranbrook.edu
Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad Thomas the Tank Engine rolls into town for the "Day Out With Thomas 2007: All Aboard Tour," which includes a 40-minute ride, storytelling, and a 20-minute performance by special guest Bob the Builder. Fri.-Sun., Aug. 17-26. $18. Flint: 800-648-7275. http://www.geneseecountyparks.org
Detroit Historical Museum Exhibits include "Treasures of the Collection," "Fabulous Five: Detroit Music Legends" and "Detroit Then & Now." Wed.-Sun. $5 admission. Detroit: 313-833-1805. http://www.detroithistorical.org
Detroit Institute of Arts While the museum is closed to complete renovations, the DIA presents "Fore! Fun," a one-of-a-kind, 10-hole mini-golf course on the north lawn. Runs Wed.-Sun., through Labor Day. $5. Detroit: 313-833-4005. http://www.dia.org
Detroit Science Center Exhibit: "Our Body: The Universe Within." Extended through Sept. 3. $24.95/adults, $19.95/children; includes general museum admission. Open daily. Detroit: 313-577-8400. http://www.detroitsciencecenter.org
Flint Institute of Arts Exhibits include: "Artists of the Great Lakes: 1910-1960." Through Aug. 19. Open Tue.-Sun. Flint: 810-234-1695. http://www.flintarts.org
The Henry Ford At Henry Ford Museum: "Rock Stars' Cars & Guitars," featuring more than 19 legendary cars and 30 guitars that are synonymous with rock 'n' roll (through Sept. 30; $14 museum admission); at Greenfield Village: The Fifth Annual World Tournament of Historic Baseball (Aug. 3-5; $20). Admission free with membership. Dearborn: 313-982-6001. http://www.thehenryford.org
Kresge Art Museum Michigan State University's collection of over 7,000 works of art, offering a rich diversity of style, technique and media, spanning 5,000 years of human history. Open daily. East Lansing: 517-353-9834. http://www.artmuseum.msu.edu
Longway Planetarium Michigan's largest planetarium hosts numerous programs and activities for people of all ages. $5/adults, $4/children. Flint: 810-237-3400. http://www.longway.org
Michigan State University Museum Exhibits include: "Workers Culture in Two Nations: South Africa and the United States." Through Aug. Open daily; free admission. 517-355-2370. http://www.museum.msu.edu
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit A non-collecting institution responsive to the cultural content of our time, fueling crucial dialogue, collaboration and public engagement. Open Wed.-Sun.; free admission. Detroit: 313-832-6622. http://www.mocadetroit.org
Plymouth Historical Museum Exhibit: "Plymouth Rides the Rails," an exploration of the history of trains in Plymouth from 1871 to the present. Through Nov. 1. $5. Open Wed., Fri., Sat. & Sun. Plymouth: 734-455-8940. http://www.plymouthhistory.org
Sloan Museum Exhibits include: "Fair Housing in Flint" (through Nov. 4); and "Rides and Rebels," a celebration of the adventure, look and lifestyle of motorcycles (through March 2008). $6. Open daily. 810-237-3450. http://www.sloanmuseum.com
University of Michigan Museum of Art Exhibits include: "Out of the Ordinary/Extraordinary: Contemporary Japanese Photography." Through Sept. 16. Open Tue.-Sun. at its temporary UMMA Off/Site location at 1301 South University Avenue. Ann Arbor: 734-763-UMMA. http://www.umma.umich.edu
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts UICA presents work that is innovative, challenging, and may not fall within the conventional bounds of the visual arts. This includes non-traditional approaches, use of materials, and display, as well as work that is installation-based and/or non-commercial in nature. Open Tue.-Sun. Grand Rapids: 616 454 3994. http://www.uica.org
ART GALLERIES:
Amazwi Contemporary Art A unique gallery that gives voice to a diverse array of African artists, while broadening appreciation of their talent and understanding of their cultures. Saugatuck: 269-857-5551. http://www.amazwi.com
Ann Arbor Art Center Exhibit: "Made in Michigan: Blown and Sculpted Glass" (through Aug. 12); and "Photographer, Michelle Stamler," (through Aug. 12). Ann Arbor: 734-994-8004, ext. 110. http://www.annarborartcenter.org
Biddle Gallery Exhibits: "Vessels" by John Albert Murphy (through Aug. 31); "Climate Controlled Art Fair" (through Aug. 31); and "Dreaming Through Reincarnation" by Ryan Weiss (Aug. 6-31). Open Mon.-Sat. Wyandotte: 734-281-4779. http://www.biddlegallery.com
Biegas Gallery Exhibit: "Dancing the Line," the paintings of New York artist Leah Keller. Through Sept. 15. Detroit: 313-961-0634. http://www.biegas.com
Community Arts @ Paramount Gallery Exhibit: The "2nd Annual Cruiz'n Exhibit," featuring local automotive artists Mike DeFazio, Charles Maher and Dennis Reardon. Through Aug. 31. Open Mon.-Sat. during Paramount Bank's regular business hours. Ferndale: 248-414-6500. http://www.theparamountgallery.com
Detroit Artists Market In celebration of its 75th anniversary, DAM presents its Summer Ceramics Market featuring works by the best local ceramists. Through Aug. 25. Open Tue.-Sat. Detroit: 313-832-8540. http://www.detroitartistsmarket.org
Gallery Project Exhibit: "Turning Points," which features artists who utilize personal, political and cultural points of transition as subject matter and bases for their work. Through Sept. 9. Open Tue.-Sun. Ann Arbor: 734-997-7012. http://www.thegalleryproject.com
Lawrence Street Gallery Exhibit: The Twentieth Anniversary Special Invitational Show." Through Aug. 24. Open Tue.-Sat. Ferndale: 248-544-0394. http://www.lawrencestreetgallery.com
Rayn Gallery Exhibit: "From the Void," the debut exhibit by surrealist painter Tom Wagner. Detroit: 313-894-4731. http://www.myspace.com/rayngallery
Riverside Arts Center Exhibit: "Work! An Artist's Impression" by EMU professor and printmaker Richard Fairfield. Through Sept. 2. Open Thur., Sat. & Sun. Free. Ypsilanti: 734-480-2787. http://www.riversideartscenter.org
Saugatuck Center for the Arts Exhibit: "Natural Affinity," featuring the stunning botanical photographs of Kim Kauffman. Through Sept. 24. Free. Saugatuck: 269-857-2300. http://www.sc4a.org
Severance Gallery The Midwest Society of Erotic Photography presents its inaugural exhibit, "Summerotica," a breathtaking, two-story group exhibit by nearly two-dozen artists. Open Saturdays through Aug. 25 or by appointment. Detroit: 313-832-3744. http://www.myspace.com/s3v3ranc3
DANCE, MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS:
Lowell Showboat The Sizzlin' Summer Concert series continues with the Great Lakes Band (Aug. 16). Free. Lowell: 616-897-8545. http://www.lowellartscouncil.org
Saugatuck Center for the Arts The "Summer in the Studio" series continues with: the multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Natalia Zukerman at the SCA Performance Studio. Aug. 13. $15. Saugatuck: 269-857-2399. http://www.sc4a.org
Stars in the Park A free outdoor concert series at Heritage Park continues with: the Chris Roach Band (Aug. 9); and the Farmington Community Chorus (Aug. 16). Farmington Hills: 248-473-1857.
Wyandotte Waterside Concerts The free series concludes with Ed Pelts and Co. Aug. 15 at Bishop Park. Free. Wyandotte: 734-324-4506. http://www.wyan.org
FILM & VIDEO:
Comcast Summer Film Series Head to downtown Detroit for an evening of current releases and family favorites shown outdoors on a big screen. Every Saturday night through August 18; begins at 8 p.m. with musical entertainment. Campus Martius Park. Free. Detroit: 313-646-4329. http://www.comcastfilmseries.com
Detroit Area Peace with Justice Network The 62nd anniversary of the nuclear blast at Nagasaki is observed with the Robert Richter documentary "The Last Atomic Blast" at 4 p.m., Aug. 9, followed by a discussion at 6:30 p.m. with local peace activists. Our Lady of Fatima's Bradley Hall, Oak Park. Free/donations accepted.
Detroit Film Theatre Celebrating 30 years as one of America's most comprehensive, popular acclaimed showcases of contemporary and classic world cinema. DFT at the Detroit Institute of Arts. $7.50. Detroit: 313-833-3237. http://www.dia.org/dft
FIA Theater Quality avant-garde, independent and international films that otherwise would not be seen in the Flint area. FIA Theater at the Flint Institute of Arts. Every weekend, Fri-Sun. $6. Flint: 810-234-1695. http://www.flintarts.org
Michigan Theater Ann Arbor's daily selection of specialty cinema, including documentaries, independent, foreign, and classic films ($8.50). Military veterans will be admitted free through the four-day Memorial Day Weekend. Ann Arbor: 734-668-TIME. http://www.michtheater.org
The Mitten Movie Project A filmmaking collective that exhibits the work of filmmakers in Michigan on the first Tuesday of every month. Main Art Theatre. $10. Royal Oak: 248-346-8449. http://www.thoughtcollide.com
Redford Theatre An historic 1928 movie house in northwest Detroit with an original Barton Theatre Pipe Organ that presents classic film series, organ concerts and special events in a beautifully restored setting. $4/regular tickets; $5/special movie tickets. Detroit: 313-537-2560. http://www.redfordtheatre.com
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts West Michigan's "best alternative film theater" presents cutting edge movies seven days a week. $4-$7. Grand Rapids: 616 454 3994 . http://www.uica.org
SPOKEN/WRITTEN WORD:
EchoVerse Poetry Series & Slam Enjoy national and local feature performances, in the city's most nurturing environment for creative expression every. Every Friday at the Java Exchange Cafe in Detroit's TechTown. $5-$7. Detroit: 313-822-6456. http://www.echoversepoetry.com
Shaman Drum Bookshop Events for young and old; call for details. Ann Arbor: 734-662-7407.
UICA Writers' Studio A weekly gathering that provides criticism and inspiration to those whose passion is writing. Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. Every Wed. beginning at 6:30 p.m. Grand Rapids: 616-454-7000. http://www.uica.org
ARTS NEWS & FUNDRAISERS:
LOWELL AREA ARTS COUNCIL – will present "Art Attack 5," its casual and cool annual fundraiser to benefit council programs, Aug. 18, 616-897-8545; UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY – tickets for all 2007/08 events will go on sale Aug. 13 for UMS donors of $250 or more, Aug. 13 via the internet and Aug. 20 by phone or in person, 734-764-2538.
