ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN/GARDEN TOURS:
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Fall Behind the Scenes tours include "Staff Life on the Estate," "The Secrets Behind the Paintings" and "Cotswold Architecture." Open Tue.-Sun. $10 fee applies to these tours; reservations required. Grosse Pointe Shores: 313-884-4222. http://www.fordhouse.org
ART, HISTORICAL & SCIENCE MUSEUMS:
Cranbrook Art Museum Exhibits include: "Think Again! The Presence of the Past in Contemporary Art" (through Oct. 15); "Critical Mass: Metalsmithing at Cranbrook under Gary Griffin" (through Nov. 26); and "Treasures of Cranbrook Museum: Selections from the Permanent Collection" (Sept. 9-Jan. 21, 2007). Open Wed.-Sun. Free with $6 museum admission. Bloomfield Hills: 248-645-3314. http://www.cranbrook.edu/museum
Cranbrook Institute of Science Exhibits include "When Crocodiles Ruled" (through Dec. 31). Open daily. Free with $7 museum admission. 248-645-3200. http://science.cranbrook.edu
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 Exhibits include: "Annie Leibovitz: American Music" (through Jan. 7, 2007). Open Wed.-Sun. $6. Detroit: 313-833-4005. http://www.dia.org
Detroit Science Center Upcoming Exhibit: "Magic: The Science of Illusion" (opens Oct. 7). Open daily. $11/adults; $10/children (includes general museum admission). Detroit: 313-577-8400. http://www.detroitsciencecenter.org
Flint Institute of Arts Exhibits include: "Excavating Egypt: Great Discoveries from the Petrie Museum of Archeology" (through Jan. 7, 2007) and "Rembrandt: The Consummate Etcher and Other 17th Century Printmakers" (through Nov. 5). Tue.-Sun. Flint: 810-234-1695. http://www.flintarts.org
Longway Planetarium Programs include "The Sky Above Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," "Black Holes and Star Signs" and "Stars of the Pyramids." (Through Dec. 24.) $5/adults, $4/children. Flint: 810-237-3400. http://www.longway.org
Michigan State University Museum Exhibits include: "Lest We Forget: The Triumph Over Slavery (through March 4, 2007); and "Siyazama, Traditional Arts, Education and AIDS in South Africa" (extended through Jan. 7, 2007). Open daily; free admission. 517-355-2370. http://www.museum.msu.edu
University of Michigan Museum of Art Exhibits include: "Mary Lucier: The Plains of Sweet Regret" (through Nov. 19). 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
ART GALLERIES:
Ambient Gallery Exhibit: "History," a solo exhibition featuring the new works of sculptor, Stephen Kosinski (through Oct. 28). Tue.-Sun. Grosse Pointe: 313-882-8888. http://www.ambientgallery.com
Ann Arbor Art Center Exhibits include: "84th Annual All Media Exposition," featuring 52 diverse works by Michigan artists. Oct. 13-Nov. 11. Open 7 days. Ann Arbor: 734-994-8004, ext. 110. http://www.annarborartcenter.org
Biddle Gallery Exhibit: "Aliens," a mixed media show about UFOs and aliens. Oct. 9-Nov. 10. Open Mon.-Sat. Wyandotte: 734-281-4779. http://www.biddlegallery.com
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center Exhibits include: "BBAC Faculty Exhibit." Oct. 13-Nov. 10. Free admission. Birmingham: 248-644-0866. http://www.bbartcenter.org
City Gallery Exhibit: "Fibers 2006," an exhibit of fibers, weaving and mixed media by the Michigan Weavers Guild at Costick Center. Through Oct. 24. Open during regular business hours. Farmington Hills: 248-473-1856.
Farmington/Farmington Hills City Hall Exhibit: "Celebrating Nature's Beauty," showcasing more than 50 color photos of scenic vistas by Don McKercher. Through Oct. 20. Open during regular business hours. Farmington Hills: 248-473-1856.
Gallery Project Exhibits include: "Nature Reperceived." Through Oct. 22. Open Tue.-Sun. Ann Arbor: 734-997-7012. http://www.thegalleryproject.com
Lawrence Street Gallery Exhibit: "Think Small," a juried exhibit of small works. Through Oct. 28. Open Tue.-Sat. Ferndale: 248-544-0394. http://www.lawrencestreetgallery.com
Macomb College Art Gallery Exhibit: "With a Distant Lens: Reflections on an Unfolding Universe," presenting select works by Barbara Cervenka, O.P. and Sherri Smith. Through Oct. 12. Open weekdays and 90 minutes prior to Macomb Center events. Clinton Twp: 586-286-2089. http://www.macombcenter.com
Octane Photographic Studio Exhibit: "Track Rabbits," featuring recent paintings by Detroit-based artists Marke Heggie, Serge Gay Jr. and Nathan Lee Marcy. Through Oct. 15. Ferndale: 248-399-2355. http://www.octanephotographic.com
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts Exhibits include: "The Red Thread Exhibition" (through Oct. 15); "Installation and Kinetic Works" (through Oct. 13); "Intra-Terrestrial Surroundings" (through Oct. 13); and "A Day in the Life of Death" (through Nov. 24). Open Tue.-Sun. Grand Rapids: 616 454 3994. http://www.uica.org
DANCE, MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS:
Broadway Revue II Soloists from Michigan Opera Theatre will perform Broadway favorites in an intimate setting at the Farmington Players Barn Theatre. Oct. 13-14. $18. Farmington Hills: 248-473-1857.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra Events include: "Classics Unmasked: The Firebird" (Oct.6-8, $19-$69); "Jazz Club @ The Max: Anne Calloway Hampton" (Oct. 6, $7); and "Motown Magic" (Oct. 12-15, $15-$70). Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center. Detroit: 313-576-5111. http://www.detroitsymphony.com
Flint Institute of Music A special presentation about ancient Egyptian instruments is followed by a spirited performance by the Shahnaz Arabic Music Ensemble. Wed., Oct. 11 in the MacArthur Recital Hall. Free admission. Flint: 810-237-3122. http://www.flintinstituteofmusic.org
Fontana Chamber Arts The world premiere performance of the commissioned jazz suite "Portraits of the Promised" by Stefon Harris. Chenery Auditorium. Thu., Oct. 5. $22-$30. Kalamazoo: 269-387-2300. http://www.fontanachamberarts.org
Macomb Center for the Performing Arts Events include: The Capitol Steps (Fri., Oct. 6; $42-$48); and Trinity Irish Dance Company (Sun., Oct. 8; $36-$45). Clinton Twp: 586-286-2222. http://www.macombcenter.com
MSU School of Music Events include: "Symphony Orchestra" (Sat., Oct. 7 at Cobb Great Hall, $8); "Count Basie Orchestra Swing Dance" (Thu., Oct. 12 at MSU Union Ballroom, free). East Lansing: 517-355-5340. http://www.music.msu.edu
Oakland University Dept. of Music, Theatre & Dance "Octubafest," a series of free concerts and events for brass lovers at Varner Recital Hall begins with a faculty recital. Sat., Oct. 13. Rochester: 248-370-2030. http://www.oakland.edu.mtd
Tecumseh Civic Auditorium Events include: Glenn Miller Orchestra (Sat., Oct. 7; $16); and Mbongi Dance Theatre (Sat., Oct. 14; $14). Tecumseh: 517-423-6617. http://www.tecumsehcivic.com
University Musical Society Season continues with Jazz pianists Marian McPartland and Bill Charlap (Sat., Oct. 7 at Hill Auditorium; $10-$80); and the Martha Graham Dance Company (Oct. 13-14 at Power Center; $16-$48). Ann Arbor: 734-764-2538. http://www.ums.org
FILM & VIDEO:
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, Detroit. $7.50. 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, Flint. Every weekend, Fri-Sun. $6. 810-234-1695. http://www.flintarts.org
Michigan Theater Ann Arbor's daily selection of specialty cinema, including documentaries, independent, foreign, and classic films. Plus, 25 films from the Sundance Film Festival will be screened through Nov. 5. $8.50. 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, Royal Oak. $10. 248-346-8449. http://www.thoughtcollide.com
Red Barn Theater Lakeshore Arts Alliance presents a new film studies program hosted by William Muzzillo that covers a variety of film genres. Meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month through Dec. 12. $5. 269-857-5300.
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. 313-537-2560. http://www.redfordtheatre.com
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts West Michigan's "best alternative film theater" presents cutting edge movies in Grand Rapids seven days a week. $4-$7. 616 454 3994 . http://www.uica.org
THE WRITTEN/SPOKEN WORD:
Shaman Drum Bookshop Events in Ann Arbor for young and old; call for details. 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, Grand Rapids. Every Wed. beginning at 6:30 p.m. 616-454-7000. http://www.uica.org
UM Frankel Center for Judaic Studies Lecture: "Lucretia and Her Sisters: Shame, Sex and Religious Differences in Late Antiquity" by Virginia Burrus. Rackham Auditorium, Ann Arbor. Tue., Oct. 10. 734-764-0314.
V.I.B.E. Open Mic Poetry Series A unique and comfortable entertainment experience that serves as a new platform for artists, musicians and poets to gather, reflect and be inspired in a loft setting. Element, on the third floor of the Clark Lofts building in downtown Detroit. Every Sunday. $7. 313-963-6034. http://www.clarklofts.com/element
WORKSHOPS, FUNDRAISERS, ETC:
FLINT INSTITUTE OF MUSIC – will hold a reception to introduce the first-ever Black Family Classical Music Festival, Oct. 12, 810-237-3125; CLARKSTON COMMUNITY BAND – Twelfth Annual "Tailgator" sponsored by Brose Electric and The Print Shop to raise funds for the band, Oct. 6, in the tent between 5911 & 5897 Dixie Highway; SAUGATUCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS – will present a workshop "Wine for the Senses," Sat., Oct. 14, 269-857-2399; FLINT INSTITUTE OF MUSIC – conducting a six-week class, "Vienna Nights: Behind the Music," beginning Oct. 14, 810-238-1350, ext. 3.
