City Guide
Annual Events
NOTE: This calendar spans two years--always check the year as well as the date.
Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair, Michigan Union ballroom, 530 S. State. Jay Platt, 995-1891. About 40 antiquarian book dealers sell 1st editions, old and collectible books, children's books, Americana, prints, and more. Co-sponsored by the U-M Clements Library. May 20, 2012. jplatt@provide.net, annarborbookfair.com
Ann Arbor Art Fair. This event, which is composed of 4 independent fairs, draws more than 1,000 artists and, promoters claim, more than half a million visitors over 4 days. The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original (994-5260, artfair.org), is at Ingalls Mall between North University and W. Washington. The State Street Area Art Fair (663-6511, a2statestreetartfair.com) is in the shopping districts around State and Liberty. The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair (662-3382, theguild.org/art_fair_summer.html) has a downtown section on Main and Liberty and a campus section on S. State. Ann Arbor's South University Art Fair (663-5300, a2southu.com) occupies most of the South University business district and adjoining East University and Church. In addition to the fairs, there are free concerts and a variety of food and drink vendors. July 20-23, 2012
African American Downtown Festival. 485-8889. Crafts, merchandise, food, and kids' activities at N. Fourth Ave. and Ann St. Musical, theatrical, and dance performances. June 2, 2012. clpfestival@gmail.com
Ann Arbor Film Festival, Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 995-5356. Started in 1963, the longest-running independent and experimental film series in North America exhibits 6 days of screening films of all lengths and genres celebrating film as art. The festival also includes panels, workshops, multimedia installations, and parties. Award-winning films screened Sun. evening. Mar. 27-Apr. 1, 2012. info@aafilmfest.org, aafilmfest.org
Ann Arbor Folk Festival, Hill Auditorium. 761-1800. Two concerts of roots and acoustic music to benefit The Ark. Features well-known acts along with musicians on the rise. Jan. 27 & 28, 2012. feedback@theark.org">feedback@theark.org, theark.org
Ann Arbor Summer Festival. 994-5999. Tickets: 764-2538. Ticketed performances of music, dance, comedy, and theater by national and international artists at various campus and downtown venues. Also, Top of the Park, a nightly series of free outdoor concerts, movies, and family activities at Ingalls Mall on North University (except Mon.). June 15-July 8, 2012. annarborsummerfestival.org
Apples & Honey, Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow. 971-0990. Celebrates the fall Jewish holidays. Shofar blowing, crafts, inflatable bouncers for children, games, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, and more. Gifts and Judaica for sale. Israeli food, kosher baked goods, and lunch available. Sept. 25, 2011. jcc@jccfed.org, jccannarbor.org
The Ark's Storytelling Festival, 316 S. Main. 761-1800. International, national, and regional storytellers present programs. Sat. 7:30 p.m. (aimed at adults), and Sun. 1 p.m. (aimed at kids). Feb. 18 & 19, 2012. feedback@theark.org">feedback@theark.org, theark.org
Dancing in the Streets, 769-1052. Dance downtown to a variety of live music. Parade, children's activities. Sponsored by AACTMAD, the Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance. Sept. 4, 2011. hellmann@umich.edu">hellmann@umich.edu, aactmad.org
Dawn Dance Weekend, Clague Middle School, 2616 Nixon. 677-0212. A nonstop weekend of folk dancing to live music, plus workshops on music, dancing, and calling. Feb. 24-26, 2012. hellmann@umich.edu">hellmann@umich.edu, aactmad.org/ddw
Earth Day Festival, Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver. Educational displays, music, hands-on activities, face painting, animals, clean energy expo, and family entertainment including storytelling and sing-alongs. Includes the All Species Parade, with many participants in costumes representing plants and animals. 12-4 p.m. Apr. 22, 2012. nstone@a2gov.org, a2earthday.org
Edgefest. 769-2999. One of North America's premier alternative music festivals, featuring jazz and experimental music at Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave., and other locations. Oct. 19-22, 2011. kch@kerrytown.com">kch@kerrytown.com">kch@kerrytown.com">kch@kerrytown.com, kerrytownconcerthouse.com
FestiFools. 763-7550. A downtown spectacle of larger-than-life puppetry and pageantry which everyone is invited to help create and operate. Also, musical entertainment. Apr. 1, 2012. startproject@umich.edu">startproject@umich.edu, festifools.org
FoolMoon. 763-7550. Procession of participants carrying hand-made luminary sculptures on Washington St. from dusk to midnight. Also features food, live music, shadow puppets and film projections. March 30, 2012. startproject@umich.edu">startproject@umich.edu
Green Fair.794-6161, ext. 41602. Exhibits on environmental groups, products, and issues. Clean energy expo, alternative fuel vehicles, live music, and activities for children. June 8, 2012. cschopieray@a2gov.org, a2gov.org/green
Home Grown Festival. 619-0429. Local food celebration at the Farmers' Market. Activities include hairloom tomato tasting, kids' activities, music, and information booths. Sept. 8, 2012. eatlocal@homegrownfestival.org, homegrownfestival.org
Huron River Day, Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller. 794-6240. River exhibits, discounted canoe and kayak rentals, 1-mile run, a 5K walk and run, live music, food vendors, and a children's activity tent. July 17, 2012. csaam@a2gov.org, a2gov.org/hrd
Jewish Book Festival, Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow. 971-0990. Adult and children's authors speak in the evenings (except Fri.) and at noontime "Lunch and Learn" events. Books for sale. Nov. 1-15, 2011. mimiweisberg@jccfed.org">mimiweisberg@jccfed.org, jccannarbor.org
Jewish Film Festival, Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty. Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center. Apr. 29-May 3, 2012. mimiweisberg@jccfed.org">mimiweisberg@jccfed.org, jccannarbor.org
Juneteenth, Wheeler Park. 761-9084. Observance of the announcement of the end of slavery in Texas and the Southwest on June 19, 1865. Performances by local musicians, games, health and nonprofit information, concessions, and a children's area. Sponsored by Ann Arbor NAACP. June 26, 2012. wvhamp@comcast.net, n444@sbcglobal.net, hvcn.org/info/a2naacp
Kerrytown BookFest. 669-0451. Exhibits, artisans, and demonstrators of book arts from papermaking to publishing to calligraphy at the Ann Arbor Farmers' Market. Speakers, readings, children's activities, panel discussions, and more. Sept. 9, 2012. bookfest@kerrytownbookfest.org, kerrytownbookfest.org
Michigan A Cappella Festival (MACFest), Rackham Auditorium. 763-1107. A showcase for all 15 U-M a cappella groups. Nov. 5, 2011. umacappella@umich.edu, umich.edu/~umsing
Minifest. Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. 769-2999. Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival presents concerts featuring internationally known artists and new chamber ensembles. Jun. 17, 24, 26, 2012. kch@kerrytown.com">kch@kerrytown.com">kch@kerrytown.com">kch@kerrytown.com, kerrytownconcerthouse.com
OutFest, Celebrates diversity of gender identity and sexual orientation. Features, music, dancing, and speakers. Location TBD. Everyone welcome. Sept. 29, 2012. info@jimtoycenter.org, jimtoycenter.org
Rolling Sculpture Car Show, 668-7112. More than 400 antique, classic, and concept cars on display downtown. July 13, 2012. maura@mainstreetannarbor.org">maura@mainstreetannarbor.org, mainstreetannarbor.org
Shakespeare in the Arb. 647-7600. University students and local actors in an alfresco production of a Shakespeare play that moves through various settings in the Arb. 2012 dates TBA. mbgna.umich.edu
Taste of Ann Arbor. 668-7112. Bite-sized samples from local restaurants and cafes, live music, and children's activities. Downtown. June 3, 2012. maura@mainstreetannarbor.org">maura@mainstreetannarbor.org, mainstreetannarbor.org
Townie Street Party. Fund-raiser and kick-off event for the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original. Live music, food and drinks, and free art activities. Also, kids' art fair. July 16, 2012. towniestreetparty.com
Wine, Women, and Song. Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. 769-2999. Local, notable singer-actresses perform songs from musical theater to light opera, including some original numbers. Wine included in admission. Jan. 27-29, 2012. kch@kerrytown.com">kch@kerrytown.com">kch@kerrytown.com">kch@kerrytown.com, kerrytownconcerthouse.com
Ya'ssoo Greek Festival. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3109 Scio Church. 332-8200. Features local bands and homemade Greek food and pastries. June 2012 dates TBA. annarborgreekfestival.org
