U-M MUSEUM OF ART (UMMA)

Thru June 6

ART, ANTI- ART, NON- ART:

Experimentations in the Public Sphere in Postwar Japan, 1950-1970

Highlights a dynamic phase of avant-garde art in postwar Japan characterized by self-reflection and multimedia experimentation.

Thru July 18

UMMA PROJECTS: Oliver van den Berg

Berlin-based sculptor Oliver van den Berg produces objects based on such technical equipment as flight recorders, planetarium projectors, and-most recently-enormous banks of microphones or television cameras.

Thru July 25

WRAPPED IN SILK AND GOLD:

A Family Legacy of 20th-Century

Japanese Kimono

Wrapped in Silk and Gold presents for the first time the Museum's recently acquired collection of deluxe kimono, haori, obi, and other traditional Japanese women's garments dating from the 1930s through the end of the 20th century.

May 15-August 22

TURNING POINT:

Japanese Studio Ceramics in the

Mid-20th Century

A priceless selection of ceramics dating from the 1930s through 1970s by leading figures and "living national treasures.” The collection of approximately 50 works offers a focused look at the Japanese studio pottery movement at a moment of exceptional creativity and lasting influence.

Admission to the UMMA is free. $5 suggested donation is appreciated. 525 S. State St., Ann Arbor 734.764.0395. http://www.umma.umich.edu.

May 7

FIRST FRIDAYS

DOWNTOWN ANN ARBOR

Participating galleries include WSG (Washington Street Gallery), Clay Gallery, and 16 Hands. Info: http://www.wsg-art. 

May 8-June 12

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE

Reception: Sat., May 8, 6-8 pm

A juried exhibit of artwork in all media featuring artist’s interpretations of water’s presence in the landscape and life of Michigan. River Gallery, Chelsea, 734.433.0826, http://www.chelsearivergallery.com. 

May 8

BEAR TRACK STUDIOS OPEN HOUSE

Award-winning nature/wildlife artists Lori Taylor, Lisa Ramlow and Marie Rust will have their newest works on display at their studio/gallery, along with works by several other nature-themed artists. Chat with the artists, walk the trails, bird-watch and save 10% on your purchase. Sat. 10-6pm. 7477 Farley Rd, Pinckney, 734.223.8612, http://www.beartrackstudiosllc.com.

May 16

CIRCLE OF ART

Circle of Art is a party, a project and a group effort by artists and art lovers to help fight hunger where we live. Simply stated, a bunch of artist donate small works of art, Saline Picture Frame Co. mats them all and hosts a party, lots of people come to the party and bid on the art and then Food Gatherers uses the money raised to feed hungry people. Sun. 12-5pm, Saline Picture Frame Company, 7641 N. Ann Arbor Rd., Saline. 734.429.3352. http://www.circle-of-art.net.

May 20

A TASTE OF ART AND LIFE

Tour a local home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, watch area artists create their craft, and enjoy great food from top regional restaurants at the Arts Council of Greater Lansing’s 4th Annual “A Taste of Art and Life” on Thurs., May 20 from 5-8pm. 517.372.4636, http://www.lansingarts.org.

Thru May 23

BRIGHTON ART GUILD

Reception: Fri., May 14, 6-8pm

The Brighton Art Guild proudly announces a new group of artists for their monthly series of exhibits at the CoBACH Center in downtown Brighton. During April and May, the artists exhibiting will be Sue Balk, Hank Cornille, Jeremy Eden and Leah Kucharek. 

Brighton Art Guild, 810.225.8197, http://www.brightonartguild.com.

May 24 - 28

SONGS OF THE BIRDS

Reception:  Wed., May 26, 4-7pm

MA Thesis Exhibition by Carol Hanna. Free and open to the public. Ford Gallery, Ford Hall at EMU. 734-487-0465, or gtom@emich.edu.

May 27-July 24

WOODWARD AVENUE

Highly esteemed and critically acclaimed Belgian artist Jef Geys will present a new body of work specifically based on Detroit entitled Woodward Avenue. MOCAD, 4454 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, 313.832.6622, http://www.mocadetroit.org. 

May 27-July 26

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING

Detroit-based artist Mitch Cope and architect Gina Reichert develop the installation, called The Neighborhood Machine. The exhibition will consist of sculptures, documents, drawings, video and photographs. MOCAD, 4454 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, 313.832.6622, http://www.mocadetroit.org.

Thru May 29

JAMIE VALEN

Photography by Valen, pen & ink drawings and jewelry by local artists.  Artistica Gallery, 3203 Broad St., Dexter, 734.426.1500, http://www.artisticagallery.net.

Thru May 29

WRITING ON THE WALL

Reception: Fri., May  7, 7-9 pm

A Two Man Show by Royce Disbrow and His Alter Ego Rinoceronte Aqqbar Proclajo. Clay Gallery, 35 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor, 734.662.7927, http://www.claygallery.org.

Thru May 31

BALANCE:

AN ARTIST’S

COLLABORATIVE GAME

Reception: Fri.,

May 7, 6-8pm

Thirty-eight women artists have been paired to create three original works each, based on the theme of Balance. Through "Call and Response" exchanges, the process of collaboration has been recorded through images and insights. U of M Duderstadt Center Gallery, 734.424.0206, christykel@hotmail.com.

Thru June 9

ART AT THE LIBRARY

Reception: Sun., May 16, 2-4pm

Fiber Art  by Jill Ault and Watercolor Paintings by LeAnne Sowa at the Brighton District Library as part of the Art at the Library 2010 Series. Free to the public. 810.225.1665, http://www.brightonartguild.com.

Thru June 12

PAINTINGS AND CONSTRUCTIONS

Recent works by Matthew Breneau. The works for this show reside somewhere between sculpture/construction and non-representational painting. Paint Creek Center for the Arts, Rochester, 248.651.4110, http://www.pccart.org. 

Thru June 13

THE PRINT EXHIBITION

Reception: Fri., May 14, 6-8pm

Free Printmaking Demo: May 16, 12:30-2pm

An annual juried exhibition that celebrates the depth and variety of work created by Michigan artists working in the print medium. From traditional forms to contemporary interpretations, The Print presents a wide range of focused, unique points of view. Ann Arbor Art Center. 734.994.8004, http://www.annarborartcenter.org.

Thru June 13

IMAGING THE FUTURE

Reception: Fri., May 7, 6-9pm

A multimedia exhibit in which 26 artists, architects, engineers, scientists, and fashion designers attempt to visualize what life in the future will be like. Gallery Project, 734.997.7012, http://www.thegalleryproject.com.

Thru June 14

CIAO, ITALY: ART QUILTS

Michigan Quilt Artists Invitational

The 12th annual exhibit of the Michigan Quilt Artists Invitational exploring the past and present influences of Italy. Gifts of Art Gallery–Taubman Health Center South Lobby, Floor 1, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor.

Thru June 15

OPEN BOOK

Curated by two EMU graphic design professors, Leslie Atzmon and Ryan Molloy, the show includes work by several major national and international artists. University Art Gallery, 210 EMU Student Center, 900 Oakwood Ave. Ypsilanti, 734.487.0465, http://www.emich.edu/fordgallery.

June 19 - July 31

INNER WORLDS AND ANIMALS

Reception, June 19, 7 -11 pm

This show will feature veteran artist's Charles Aimone's "dog paintings," along with sculptures of Joan Painter Jones. Aimone's highly layered paintings reflect on the mysterious intelligence of animals. Art & Ideas Contemporary Art Gallery, 15095 Northville Rd., 734.420.0775, http://www.artandideasgallery.com.

Thru June 30

SALINE MILLS

Reception May 21, 7-9:30pm

Paintings and photos of Historic Saline Mills by many local artists will be displayed at My Favorite Café, 101 S. Ann Arbor St. Sponsored by Two Twelve Arts Center, 734.944.4054, http://www.twotwelvearts.org.

Thru July 3

ROBERT FRANK PHOTOGRAPHS, 1955

Over 60 rare and many never-before-seen black-and-white photographs taken in Detroit by legendary artist Robert Frank are the subject of this exhibition. Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, http://www.dia.org.

Thru Aug 1

GREAT LAKES PASTEL SOCIETY

Opening reception May 8

The Great Lakes Pastel Society's 2010 National Show, with representation from artists throughout the US and Canada. Saline artist, Linda Kortesoja Klenczar has two pastels in the show. Midland Center for the Arts 1801 W. Saint Andrews, Midland, 989.631.5930, http://www.mcfta.org.

Thru Aug 8

THROUGH AFRICAN EYES:

THE EUROPEAN IN AFRICAN

ART, 1500 TO PRESENT

This exhibition explores the artistic consequences of the variations and dynamics of cultural exchanges between Africans and Europeans over 500 years, making it the broadest analytical overview on the subject to date. Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, http://www.dia.org.

Thru September 30

CHIHULY AT FREDERIK MEIJER

GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK:

A NEW EDEN

Celebrate the masterwork of Chihuly with a breathtaking and exclusive outdoor sculpture exhibition. This exhibit will include thousands of pieces of glass in 15 different settings across the 132-acre grounds. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 888-957-1580, http://www.meijergardens.org.

Thru Spring 2011

ART TRAIL TECUMSEH

Explore this free outdoor sculpture exhibit at your own pace in historic downtown Tecumseh. 517.424.6003, http://www.downtowntecumseh.com

THEATRE & DANCE

 May 6-9

THE LARAMIE PROJECT

By Moises Kauffman and the Tectonic Theatre Project. Directed by Kat Walsh. Both an award-winning play and an HBO film, The Laramie Project is one of the most important--and moving-theatrical works in the last several decades. Thurs-Sat. 8pm, Sun. 2pm. Arthur Miller Theater, 1226 Murfin Ave., UM North Campus, Ann Arbor. http://www.a2ct.org.

May 9

THE HABIT OF ART

UMS and the Michigan Theater present a high-definition broadcast of the National Theatre of London's "NT Live's"  latest production. Sun. 7:30pm. The Habit of Art contains adult content and is not suitable for children under 15 years. Tickets and information available at 734.764.2538, http://www.ums.org. 

May 13-16

THE SECRET GARDEN

Adapted from the beloved book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Produced by A2ct Jr. Thurs-Fri, 7pm, Sat-Sun, 1 & 4pm. Performed in University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor. Junior Theatre shows may only be purchased by calling or visiting the A2CT office or at the door. http://www.a2ct.org.

May 14-16

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

Performed by the Ann Arbor Young Actors Guild. Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor, 734.913.9800, http://www.aayag.org.

May 15

LaRON WILLIAMS

Performance Network Theatre presents acclaimed storyteller, LaRon Williams, on Saturday, May 15 at 1pm. This all-ages show, part of the Children’s Theatre Network’s Saturday Series for Young Audiences, will be followed by a milk and cookies reception. 734-663-0681, http://www.performancenetwork.org.

May 19

ODISSI with Shreelina Ghosh

A performance of Odissi, the two-thousand year old classical dance of India. Shreelina will begin with an introduction to the history of the dance and also discuss technical aspects before she begins her performance. Wed. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Multi-Purpose Room, Ann Arbor District Library, Main Branch, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor. 734-327-4200, http://www.aadl.org.

May 21

PEOPLE DANCING'S 25th

ANNIVERSARY

Gala concert featuring dancers from Movement Artists' Guild performing company choreography. Fri. 8pm, reception to follow. Greenhills School, 850 Greenhills Dr., Ann Arbor. Advance tickets at http://www.peopledancing.org.

Thru May 29

OUR TOWN

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1938, this icon of American dramatic history spans thirteen years in the town of Grover’s Corners, a quintessential small community with characters reflecting the hopes and dreams, the failures and successes, of people everywhere. Special half-price student matinee performances are scheduled for Tuesday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 18 at 11am. Purple Rose Theatre Company, 734.433.7673, http://www.purplerosetheatre.org.

June 3-20

CLUB MOROCCO

An Original Swing Musical by Jon Huffman and Barbara F. Cullen with musical arrangements by Ashton Wolf. The heat at the core of the evening's entertainment is provided by Zoot-suited bandleader Chick Valentine and his onstage band, The Swing Street All-Stars. The Encore Musical Theatre Company,    3126 Broad Street, Dexter, 734.268.6200, http://www.theencoretheatre.org. 

June 10-July 18

THE SEAFARER

The Seafarer follows four Irish mates on an all-night bender of drinking and poker. Whiskey bottles empty, words fly and their game turns a dark corner when a mysterious stranger wants a piece of the action. 734.663.0681, http://www.performancenetwork.org.

June 17 -Aug 28

BOEING-BOEING

A French farce by Marc Camoletti, adapted by Beverley Cross. Parisian lothario Bernard juggles three fiancees, each beautiful airline hostesses with frequent layovers in Paris. Bernard's carefully constructed timetable runs like clockwork until unexpected schedule changes bring all three to his apartment at the same time, and his "ideal life" unravels all in one nonstop night. Boeing-Boeing originally premiered in Paris in 1960. Directed by Nathan Mitchell. The Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea; 734.433.7673, http://www.purplerosetheatre.org.

MUSIC