Art & Around for the period Dec. 1-10

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.

Art Exhibits/Galleries/Museums:

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.
Andy Warhol: A to Z A special exhibit of the artist who erased the distinction between fine art and popular culture. Flint Institute of Arts, Flint. Tue.-Sun., through Dec. 31. $7/free on Saturdays. 810-234-1695. http://www.flintarts.org.
Art a la Carte A weekly noontime series of fun and interesting programs. Flint Institute of Art, Flint. Every Wednesday. Free admittance; bring a lunch. 810-234-1695. http://www.flintarts.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.
Betye Saar: Extending the Frozen Moment A major exhibit that surveys the accomplishments of the artist known for her richly evocative assemblages that incorporate found objects and photographic fragments that serve as a vital metaphor for the African American experience. University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor. Tue.-Sun., through Jan. 8, 2006. 734-763-UMMA. http://www.umma.umich.edu.
Beyond the Magic – 50 Years of Disneyland A rare and innovative exhibit that includes art and artifacts focused on the creation and development of Disneyland. The Henry Ford in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering, Dearborn. Daily through Jan.1, 2006. $10 plus general admission to The Henry Ford. 313-982-6001. http://www.thehenryford.org.
Camille Claudel & Rodin: Fateful Encounter An exploration of the work of two sculptors whose artistic and personal lives were intimately entwined. Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit. Wed.-Sun. through Feb. 5, 2006. $14. 313-833-4005. http://www.dia.org.
Collaborators 2 The second multimedia exhibition of work in a wide range of styles and ideas. Gallery Project, Ann Arbor. Tue.-Sun., Dec. 1-31, with an opening reception Dec. 2. 734-997-7012. http://www.thegalleryproject.com.
The Grids of Life An exhibit of new paintings by New York artist David Fludd. Sherry Washington Gallery, Detroit. Through Dec. 3. 313-961-4500. http://www.sherrywashingtongallery.com.
It’s a Nano World The wonders of the smaller side of science – nanobiotechnology – are explored through eight hands-on activity stations and various interactive pods. Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills. Daily through Dec. 31. Admittance free with $7 museum admission. 248-645-3245. http://www.cranbrook.edu.
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.
Ruth Duckworth, Modernist Sculptor The first comprehensive retrospective of the artist’s work includes approximately 80 works. Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills. Wed.-Sun., through Jan. 15, 2006. Free with $6 museum admission. 1-877-462-7262. http://www.cranbrook.edu.
Wish You Were Here An exhibition that recalls the simpler days of the telegram, the letter and the postcard. Primary Space, Hamtramck. Thu.-Sat., Dec. 3-Jan. 28, 2006. 313-870-9470. http://www.pr1maryspace.com.

Dance, Music & Performing Arts:

Bach’s Lunch A brown bag series of chamber music provided by Helix 7. People’s Church, Robertson Room, East Lansing. Fri., Dec. 2. Free admission/canned goods requested for LAAN. 517-332-5073.
Csardas: The Tango of the East A dance and music spectacular featuring the Budapest Ensemble from Hungary. Pease Auditorium on the campus of Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti. Sat., Dec. 3 only. $25-$35. 734-487-2282. http://www.emich.edu/convocation.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra The DSO celebrates the holidays with several exciting events, including Handel’s “Messiah” (Dec. 3-4), a night with the Boys Choir of Harlem (Tue., Dec. 6) and the third Young People’s Concert of the season, “Santa’s Workshop” (Sat., Dec. 10). Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, Detroit. Prices vary; call for details. 313-576-5111. http://www.detroitsymphony.com.
Diet Coke Can Save Your Life A dance concert featuring guest choreographer Alexandra Beller. Oakland Dance Theatre and the OU Repertory Dance Company at Varner Recital Hall on the campus of Oakland University, Rochester. Fri.-Sat., Dec. 2-3. $10. 248-370-3013. http://www2.oakland.edu/mtd.
Gloria Ars Nova’s 27-voice choral ensemble opens its 16th season with a program that features the world premiere of “Magnificat” by Houston composer Antonio Martinez. First United Methodist Church, Royal Oak. Sun., Dec. 4. $15. 248-541-4100, ext. 1311. http://www.arsnova-mi.org.
LCC Jazz Band Concert A variety of jazz genres, including classic big band, bebop, afro-Cuban and funk will be featured in this annual December concert. Dart Auditorium, Lansing. Sat., Dec. 10. Free admission. 517-483-1488.
Messiah The University Musical Society, the UMS Choral Union and the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra usher in Christmas with their annual performance of the Handel classic. Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor. Sat.-Sun., Dec. 3-4. $10-$30. 734-764-2538. http://www.ums.org.
The Nutcracker The world-acclaimed Joffrey Ballet returns in this stunning holiday treat. Detroit Opera House, Detroit. Thu.-Sun., Dec. 1-4. $28-$70. 313-237-7464. http://www.michiganopera.org.
The Nutcracker The holiday classic with guest artists from the Dance Theatre of Harlem. The Flint Institute of Music at The Whiting, Flint. Sat.-Sun., Dec. 3-4. $9-$29. 810-237-7333. http://www.flintinstituteofmusic.org.
The Sounds of Christmas A spectacular holiday concert featuring the Brass of Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings along with three state award-winning choirs from local high schools. Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Clinton Twp. Tue., Dec. 6. $15-$25. 586-286-2222. http://www.macombcenter.com.

Festivals:

Noel Night The 33rd annual celebration of Detroit’s diverse holiday traditions amid the state’s premier arts and cultural institutions, historic churches and area galleries. Midtown Detroit’s Cultural Center. Sat., Dec. 3. Free admission. 313-577-5088. http://detroitmidtown.com.

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.
Holiday Classic Film Series It’s not the holidays without some of the most beloved movies of all time. Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor. Dec. 4-6, 11, 13, 18 & 20 $8.50. 734-668-TIME. http://www.michtheater.org.
Interior Vision A 14-week series of films is the subject matter of a UM course in Film and Video Studies 331. Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor. Every Monday through Dec. 12. $8.50. 734-668-TIME. http://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.

Poetry Reading & Book Signing Reception for new art and poetry book about rural and small town life in Michigan. Biddle Gallery, Wyandotte. Fri., Dec. 9. 734-281-4779. http://www.biddlegallery.com.
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.

Call for Entries, Classes & Workshops:

BIDDLE GALLERY – Tile pressing demonstration, Dec. 2, 734-281-4779.