Architecture/Gardens/Tours:
Holiday Magic at the Ford House Explore and enjoy the interior beauty of the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House as it offers the sights, sounds and tastes of the holiday season. Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, Grosse Pointe Shores. Tue.-Sun., through December (except Christmas and New Year's Day). $8. 313-884-4222. http://www.fordhouse.org.
Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village Recall the sites, sounds and excitement of holidays past while strolling through the historic streets of Greenfield Village. The Henry Ford, Dearborn. Dec. 16-23. $15/non-member adult, $10/non-member child. 313-982-6001. http://www.thehenryford.org.
Art, Historical & Science Museums:
Cranbrook Art Museum Current exhibit: "Ruth Duckworth, Modernist Sculptor," Wed.-Sun., through Jan. 15, 2006. Free with $6 museum admission. 1-877-462-7262. http://www.cranbrook.edu.
Cranbrook Institute of Science Ongoing exhibit: "It's a Nano World," the wonders of the smaller side of science – nanobiotechnology. Daily through Dec. 31. Admittance free with $7 museum admission. 248-645-3245. http://www.cranbrook.edu.
Detroit Historical Museum Current exhibit: "Reflections, The Mary Wilson Supremes Legacy Collection," through Feb. 12, 2006. ALSO: "American Icons: Detroit Designs." Open Wed.-Sun. $5. 313-833-1805. http://www.detroithistorical.org.
Detroit Institute of Arts Ongoing exhibit: "Camille Claudel & Rodin: Fateful Encounter", Wed.-Sun. through Feb. 5, 2006. $14. 313-833-4005. http://www.dia.org.
Flint Institute of Arts Ongoing exhibit: "Andy Warhol: A to Z," through Dec. 31. ALSO: "Art a la Carte," a free weekly Wednesday noontime series of fun and interesting programs; bring a lunch. Open Tue.-Sun. 810-234-1695. http://www.flintarts.org.
The Henry Ford Ongoing exhibit: "Beyond the Magic – 50 Years of Disneyland," daily through Jan.1, 2006. $10 plus general admission to The Henry Ford. 313-982-6001. http://www.thehenryford.org.
University of Michigan Museum of Art Opening exhibit: "Dutch Prints," Dec. 24-March 26, 2006; Ongoing exhibit: "Betye Saar, Extending the Frozen Moment," through Jan 8. Open Tue.-Sun. 734-763-UMMA. http://www.umma.umich.edu.
Art Exhibits/Galleries:
Actual Size Biennial, Vol. 2 A multimedia exhibit that includes sculpture, painting, photo, assemblage and more. Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit in the Woodbridge Historic District, Detroit. Through Dec. 18. Open one hour prior to concerts and special events and Saturday afternoons. 313-899-CAID. http://www.thecaid.org.
Art for the Holidays An annual holiday exhibition featuring ceramics, paintings, jewelry, cards and more at reasonable prices. Detroit Artists Market, Detroit. Tue.-Sat. through Dec. 23. 313-832-8540. http://www.detroitartistsmarket.org.
Celebrate Clay '05 A highly competitive, juried exhibition features works by contemporary ceramicists. Lawrence Street Gallery, Ferndale. Tue.-Sat., through Dec. 23. 248-544-0394. http://www.lawrencestreetgallery.com.
Collaborators 2 The second multimedia exhibition of work in a wide range of styles and ideas. Gallery Project, Ann Arbor. Tue.-Sun., through Dec. 31. 734-997-7012. http://www.thegalleryproject.com.
First Annual Holiday Salon A show featuring the works of numerous artists. Ambient Gallery, Grosse Pointe. Through Jan. 15, 2006. 313-882-8888. http://www.ambientgallery.com.
Kindred Spirits An exhibition of the works of three distinguished professors from EMU's Department of Art: Barry Avedon, John DeHoog and Richard Washington. Washington Street Gallery, Ann Arbor. Tue.-Sun., through Feb. 5, 2006. 734-761-2287. http://www.wsg-art.com.
Out of the Gates An exhibit of photos by Ahron Foster that documents Christo and Jean Claude's Central Park installation of "The Gates." Gallery 2 of the Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor. Through Dec. 23. 734-994-8004. http://www.annarborartcenter.org.
Wish You Were Here An exhibition that recalls the simpler days of the telegram, the letter and the postcard. Primary Space, Hamtramck. Thu.-Sat., through Jan. 28, 2006. 313-870-9470. http://www.pr1maryspace.com.
Dance, Music & Performing Arts:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra The DSO celebrates the holidays with several exciting events, including " "Ode to Joy" (Dec. 15-18), "Joy! A Gospel Christmas" (Dec. 23) and a concert featuring Al Jarreau (Dec. 23). Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, Detroit. Prices vary; call for details. 313-576-5111. http://www.detroitsymphony.com.
Great Music in a Great Space Popular music series continues Sun., Dec. 18 with "A Festival of Lessons and Carols," a traditional Christmas service featuring the combined Cathedral choirs. The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, Detroit. Suggested donation: $10. 313-833-7547. http://www.detroitcathedral.org.
Holiday Pops A musical extravaganza featuring numerous community choirs and dance troupes. Flint Symphony Orchestra at The Whiting, Flint. Sat.-Sun., Dec. 17-18. $10-$32. 810-237-7333. http://www.flintinstituteofmusic.org.
Too Hot to Handel The Rackham Symphony Choir's annual holiday classic that celebrates much of the unique musical talent that is Detroit. Detroit Opera House, Detroit. Sat.-Sun., Dec. 17-18. $18-$58. 313-237-7464. http://www.rackhamchoir.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. Every Fri.-Mon. $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/non-members. 810-234-1695. http://www.flintarts.org.
Michigan Theater Holiday Classic Film Series featuring some of the most beloved movies of all time. Dec. 18 & 20 $8.50. 734-668-TIME. www.michtheater.org.
Redford Theatre An historic 1928 movie house in northwest Detroit with its 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. Call 313-537-2560 for tickets and schedule information. 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:
Friday Night Poetry Jam 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 Friday. 313-963-6034. http://www.clarklofts.com/element.
The Writer's Corner 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.
