Autumn Pathways by pentax hammer (gary syrba)

The crowds and traffic have subsided, the harvests are bountiful and the mosquitoes are few and far between. What we're trying to say is that autumn is perfect time to get out and enjoy a color tour, take in a late season festival or event, go camping or hit some of Michigan's numerous wineries and pick up a few bottles for holiday gifts or get-togethers.

MyNorth.com produced a great video a while back that takes you on a tour of Northern Michigan's wine country and we think it is worth a watch and will entice you to plan a visit. On that note we should point out that Absolute Michigan is giving away a pair of tickets for the Toast the Season wine trail event which takes place on the Leelanau Peninsula on November 14 & 15.

MyNorth.com Video: Sit Back and Tour Northern Michigan's Wine Country

Hoping to get one more wine tour in this summer? Or maybe you're envisioning those glorious fall days when wine is an excellent excuse to drive through our wine country. Sit back and get some ideas as we visit Chateau Grand Traverse (cgtwines.com) on the Old Mission Peninsula; Traverse City's urban wineries, Left Foot Charley (leftfootcharley.com) at The Village in Grand Traverse Commons (old state hospital grounds) and Black Star Farms (blackstarfarms.com) in the Mercato, also in the Commons (Black Star also has its winery just south of Suttons Bay); and Shady Lane Cellars (shadylanecellars.com) near Suttons Bay.

Enjoy watching the lush landscape as the vintners each tell us what makes them unique and what it is like growing and selling wine in Northern Michigan.

Also be sure to check out our monthly calendars on Absolute Michigan's home page as well as keywords Halloween, maze, pumpkin, cider and more!

Green Rocks by {D}

Scientists say that 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the safe upper limit for life as we know it. We're currently pushing 400, and this Saturday (October 24, 2009) is the 350 International Day of Climate Action, a day designed to show through public action that life as we know it is something we're interested in keeping.

The science of 350 is as inexorable as an approaching train and basically goes like this: For all of human history until about 200 years ago, our atmosphere contained 275 parts per million of carbon dioxide. Beginning in the 18th century, people began to burn coal and gas and oil, causing the stored carbon in the fuel to rise. It's currently at 390, and is rising by about 2 parts per million every year. CO2 traps heat, and this heat causes glaciers to melt, water sources to fail, farmland to turn to desert and lakes to dry up. It also helps diseases like malaria to spread and is a prime factor in the rise of invasive plant and animal species (and growth of the seaweeds like that on the rocks above that are increasing on Michigan's beaches).

Although Michigan is just about the best place to be in a warming, drying world, Lisa from Ishpeming notes in the posting for her talk titled Three Degrees: The Great Lakes and Climate Change that:

NOAA scientist have predicted that if the world temperature increases by three degrees, the Great Lakes will be come incontinuous, ie, they will shrink to a point where they will no longer be connected.

If the concept of your great-grandchildren walking to the UP without the need for the Mackinac Bridge (as they fight off a water-starved world probably) bothers you, it might be time to raise your voice to say that you'd prefer a different future. Below is a map of 350 actions scheduled for in Michigan. A couple that caught our eye were:

• Saginaw River Basin 350 Festival
• TC-350 Climate Action Festival and TC-350 Ball
• 350 @ The Big House (Ann Arbor)
• Bike Rally to the Michigan Capitol

November by Karen from Michigan

Here's a bunch Michigan festivals & events for the month of November. As usual, there's no way to get them all, so please add links and information about the one's we've missed (or reviews of ones we have here) in the comments below.

November Fast Facts

• The Leonids meteor shower reaches its peak around November 17
• November's birthstone is the yellow topaz.
• Its birth flower is the chrysanthemum.
• November 10th is the birthday of the United States Marine Corps
• November 11th is Veterans Day
• Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.
• The day after Thanksgiving in the USA, a famous day for shopping, known as "Black Friday."
• Monday immediately following Thanksgiving Day in the USA is know as Cyber Monday

- November, Wikipedia

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln, proclaimed the last Thursday of November to be a National Day of Thanksgiving(pdf).

November Quotes

"All in November's soaking mist
We stand and prune the naked tree,
While all our love and interest
Seem quenched in the blue-nosed misery."
- Ruth Pitter

"November always seemed to me the Norway of the year."
- Emily Dickinson

"So dull and dark are the November days.
The lazy mist high up the evening curled,
And now the morn quite hides in smoke and haze;
The place we occupy seems all the world."
- John Clare, November

"November's sky is chill and drear,
November's leaf is red and sear."
- Sir Walter Scott

"The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they say, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early."
- Gordon Lightfoot, "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald"

Things to Do, Places to Go

October 23 - November 30
Northern Michigan C. S. Lewis Festival - Traverse City
The Northern Michigan C. S. Lewis Festival welcomes you to our annual month-long celebration. Events take place during late October and November in the Petoskey area on Little Traverse Bay, including music & theater performances, school & library programs, scholarly lectures, community discussion groups, and more.

November 7 & 8 and November 14 & 15
Toast the Season Wine Tour - Leelanau Peninsula
The annual Toast the Season wine trail tour features a special wine pour, accompanied by holiday themed gourmet food, at each of the 17 Leelanau Peninsula member wineries. At your starting winery you will be given a commemorative glass, a unique holiday ornament and a holiday gift basket from the members of Sleeping Bear Gourmet (a group of local, fair trade and organic food producers).

November 10
31st Annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service - Whitefish Point
The service includes reflections, music, and the Call to the Last Watch Ceremony in which the ship’s bell is run 29 times for each crewman who went down with this famous vessel – plus a 30th ring for all who have lost their lives on the Great Lakes.

November 10
Annual Fitzgerald Memorial Service - River Rouge
November 10 - Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service. A memorial service for the men lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald will be held on November 10 at Dr. Henri Belanger Park in River Rouge, Mi. The service will be held near the Mariners Memorial Lighthouse beginning at 6:00 p.m. The tug boat will be on hand to take out a wreath to be placed on the river. The service will feature a plaque presentation, bell ringing, lantern lighting, and refreshments will be served.

November 14 - 21
Kalamazoo Russian Festival - Kalamazoo
Celebrate the partnership between Kalamazoo, Michigan and Pushkin, Russia at this years Kalamazoo Russian Festival; a unique Russian cultural event in the Midwest.

November 12 -14
International Wine & Food Festival - Grand Rapids
After celebrating an amazing opening year, Michigan's largest International Wine & Food Festival returns to grace the 40,000 square foot elegance of DeVos Place's Steelcase Ballroom. This festival has established itself as Michigan's premier event for the celebration and tasting of the finest foods, wines, beers and spirits. From the connoisseur who lives and breathes for the finer things in life to the novice looking for an introduction to the world of food and spirits, the International Wine & Food Festival will deliver a grand experience that is sure to please every palette.

November 15 - 30
Deer Hunting (Regular Firearm Season)
If you think this isn't a major event, then you probably live south of Clare.

November 16 - 21
7th Annual Children's Film Festival - Saugatuck
Artful, educational, funny, thought-provoking films for young audiences (made by both adult and young filmmakers).

November 20
Silver Bells in the City - Lansing
Silver Bells in the City, which attracts 120,000 attendees, annually features an Electric Light Parade followed by the lighting of Michigan’s official Christmas tree and a firework show (weather permitting) over the State Capitol.

The entire evening is also filled with free family entertainment including free admission to Lansing’s cultural institutions, horse-drawn wagon rides on Washington Square, and performances by more than 50 local arts and cultural institutions throughout downtown Lansing.

November 21 - December 31
Battle Creek International Festival of Lights - Battle Creek
The six-week holiday lighting extravaganza in greater Battle Creek, Michigan, features over one million sparkling lights, special events, lighting displays, and entertainment.

November 26
Detroit's Thanksgiving Day Parade - Detroit
The theme for the 83rd America’s Thanksgiving Parade® is Together We Shine. The theme celebrates The Parade Company bringing a spark of magic and people together to enjoy one of Detroit’s largest and free events where for one special moment, families can be entertained, share a tradition and create a memory. As we celebrate the theme of this year’s Parade, we are asking the metro Detroit community to join together to celebrate this civic event that is so important to our community.

November 27
Fantasy of Lights - Howell
Parade & Town Activities in Historic Howell, Michigan

November 27 - 29
Dickens Festival - Holly
In the quaint Village of Holly, Michigan, amidst the great Victorian period architecture, Charles Dickens characters come to life in the streets at the annual Dickens Festival. Music and merriment is what it's all about. Come join the fun and be sure to visit the businesses who sponsor this event for you. Dress warm. Better yet, dress period and participate in the all new costume contest.

November 27 - December 20
Santa's Village - Chesaning
Experience Santa's Village - North Pole USA.Young and old alike will enjoy a visit to the enchanged village. Nestled snugly at the North Pole (aka, Saginaw County Fairgrounds, Chesaning, Michigan), Santa's Village embodies the spirit and excitement of the holiday season.

North Pole Express Engine 1225 arrives at Santa's Village at 11 am and 5 pm daily while the Village is open. View the steam engine made famous in the movie Polar Express. North Pole Express passengers will join the festivities in the Village for approximately two hours each trip.

November 27 - December 30
Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic - Flint
This holiday fantasyland features thousands of sparkling lights and Michigan’s most spectacular moving light display, the Huckleberry Railroad. The entire village is aglow with colored lights and more lights decorate the railroad’s locomotive, coaches and trackside displays.

Costumed villagers prepare for the holiday season in the village’s homes and shops. The Colwell Opera House presents live entertainment and Santa Claus talks with the children. See model trains, craft demonstrations, holiday music and unique shopping opportunities delight all ages.

November 28
Great macaroni & Cheese Bake-Off - Old Mission Peninsula
The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula will host local restaurants who have turned the classic comfort food, Macaroni and Cheese, into culinary marvels! This rich and creamy fare is paired with wines from Old Mission - Rieslings, Pinot Grigios, Chardonnays and more. Taste what our local Chefs have come up with this year!

The two-day Michigan Story Festival offers a complete showcase of the power of storytelling in all its art forms. Michigan Story Festival is one of the only storytelling festivals to integrate the stories of many cultures and traditions. With the exception of the opening and closing performances, there is no charge to experience the magic of Michigan Story Festival events and presentations.

The sharing of stories, from the great myths and legends of the world to the everyday stories of everyday people, allows us to view the human experience and the world in different ways. The Michigan Story Festival, developed as an initiative among Central Michigan University, the Mount Pleasant Community, and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, will provide a venue for those stories.

The aim of the festival is to bring together those who have found their narrative voices and those who have not. The resulting creative dialogues will take the form of performances, exhibits, workshops, and lectures presented both by those experienced in sharing their stories and those who would like to learn.

The annual Toast the Season wine trail tour is a great chance to experience the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula. event features a special wine pour accompanied by holiday themed gourmet food at each of the 17 Leelanau Peninsula member wineries. At your starting winery you will be given a commemorative glass and a holiday gift bag featuring a unique holiday ornament and food & drink from the members of Sleeping Bear Gourmet, a group of local, fair trade and organic food producers.

the biggest pumpkin in Michigan by farlane

Halloween season of course means pumpkins, and if possible, the bigger the better!

The largest pumpkins are Cucurbita maxima. They were cultivated from the hubbard squash genotype, crossed with kabocha-pumpkin types by enthusiast farmers through intermittent effort since the early 1800s.

Weigh-off competitions for giant pumpkins are a popular fall festival activity. It's hard to believe that just 30 years ago, 460 pounds was the world record for the largest pumpkin until Howard Dill (of Nova Scotia) broke the record in 1981 with an almost  500 pound pumpkin. Dill patented the seeds as Dill’s Atlantic Giant and he's really the father of all the giant pumpkins today, most of which are borne from crossing and re-crossing his patented seed with other varieties. In 1994, the Giant Pumpkindom passed the 1,000-pound mark and the current record is from September 2007, when Joe Jutras of Rhode Island whelped a 1,689-pound monster!

Michigan's largest this year (pictured right) was 1489 pounds, grown by Ken Sweet of Washington, Michigan. It was carved by Frankfort master carver Ed Moody. Speaking of Frankfort & pumpkins, here's a video from a few years back showing who wins when giant pumpkin meets car! As promised, here's the pumpkin slideshow from the Absolute Michigan pool on Flickr!

ArtPrize 09-Open Water no.24 by deviant_anomaly

ART PRIZE 2009-0032 by RichardD72

AND THE WINNER IS... by rkramer62

DETAIL FROM WINNERS CANVAS by bitsorf

The first-ever ArtPrize in Grand Rapids has ended with Open Water no. 24, a 6' x 19' oil painting by Ran Ortner being chosen as the winner by public vote from 1,262 artists who exhibited at 157 venues across the city. A former pro motorcycle racer, Ortner will receive a quarter of a million dollars for his finish. The Freep reports:

Ortner said he was stunned by his win. “Wow. Exhilarating, captivating, ridiculous. Can’t get my head around it.”

It means a lot to him that those choosing his work were not professional art critics but people who were moved by his work. “There’s been a heart connection here,” he said.

And it has been good for those who voted, Ortner said. “All of a sudden, those who know nothing about art have an opinion that matters,” he said. “It really has a life larger than anything anybody anticipated.”

ArtPrize 2009 Winners

1. Ran Ortner – Open Water no. 24
2. Tracy Van Duinen – Imagine That!
3. Eric Daigh – Portraits
4. David Lubbers – The Grand Dance
5. Bill Secunda – Moose
6. Nessie Project – Nessie on the Grand
7. John Douglas Powers – Field of Reeds
8. Sarah Grant – The Furniture City Sets the Table for the World of Art
9. Jason Hackenwerth – Ecstasy of The Scarlet Empress
10. Michael Westra – winddancer 2

You can get some more links to coverage at Who won ArtPrize? on the ArtPrize blog and stay tuned to absolutemichigan.com/ArtPrize for news about ArtPrize 2010!

Check out this video below for some scenes from the Winners Celebration - the close of this dance number is really impressive!

More videos can be found at ArtPrize 2009 Absolute Michigan.

ART PRIZE 2009 by RichardD72

Michigan has taken the national stage with one eye on the ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids and the other on it's burgeoning and award winning wine industry which gaining credibility amongst wine experts and wine lovers. This is truly a positive and a definite 180 degree flip from most of the national news our state receives as of late.

ArtPrize garners national attention in the New York Times

The New York Times reports on the competition and the overwhelming positive response and impact on Grand Rapids in their article Eyes on the ArtPrize by Micheline Maynard. The article also takes note of several of the exhibits including some of the final top 10 entries. The winner of ArtPrize drew over 1,200 artists and has had about 32,000 people register to vote on the works. The winner will be awarded 250,00 with a minimum of $7,000 for the nine runners-up.

No matter who wins, the 17-day competition has spurred a lively debate in Grand Rapids, a city of about 200,000 with a tradition of interest in art. It is home to several museums and a college of art and design.

“Every conversation I’ve had here for the past two weeks has been about art,” said Dustin Dwyer, a correspondent for Michigan Radio, a public radio network, who is based in Grand Rapids and has reported on the competition since its inception earlier this year. “From that perspective, it’s a success. But are we rewarding good art? That’s up for question.”

Be sure to check out Absolute Michigan on Location - ArtPrize and the Absolute Michigan's ArtPrize 2009 Page.

Michigan wine continues to gain ground as a world class product

The 45th parallel yielding good wine from Michigan, ABC reports.

Other national news regarding Michigan wines and wine trails

Off the beaten wine trail: Explore four emerging regions - USA Today

Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan: The state's 56 wineries are spread across Michigan along four wine trails, but most of the best grapes are grown near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan and its bays.

Exotic vacations may be closer than you think: Napa Valley-esque wine tastings - CNN

If it's wine you want, find an alternative to Napa Valley in Michigan's Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas. Here you'll discover more than 850 acres of land and more than 20 wineries for your choosing.

The area offers tastings and gourmet meals, and Kantrowitz says, "The region is particularly known for its great pinot blancs."

The new Napa Valley: Taste one of Obama's favorite wines at this Michigan winery - Examiner.com

The rumor is that Michigan is soon to become the new Napa Valley. With climate changes potentially affecting the California coastline, Napa vineyard owners are looking to Northern Michigan to grow their grapes.

Part of the appeal of Northern Michigan is the colder climate on the 45th Parallel where grapes for rare ice wines flourish. For more information on why wines do so well along the 45th parallel, read the Chicago Tribune’s story on this region.

Best North American Wine Destinations - Digital City

8. Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City lends itself to making Baco Noir and Cabernet Franc, thanks to grapes that grow near the shores of Lake Michigan, offering a unique climate. The rest of the state's wines come from Michigan wine country, where you can also find rare fruit and ice wines.

According to Michigan Wines - The Official Website of Michigan's Wine Industry:

Michigan's wine, grapes and grape juice products and related industries ...

... produced nearly $790 million of total economic value to the State of Michigan in 2005

... paid more than $42 million in state and local taxes in Michigan, and an additional $42 million in federal taxes

... account for more than 5,000 jobs across the state, for a payroll of more than $190 million

Check out their collection of photos of Michigan's vineyards and wineries.

The week-long series of beer-centric events will be held at participating venues in Detroit, with satellite events at Metro-Detroit brewpubs. These events will consist of brewery tours, tasting flights, meet-the-brewer sessions, food pairings, and a wide array of other unique activities. Events will be hosted by Detroit Beer Week staff and the Detroit Beer Barons, a group of Metro-area brewery personalities.

“We wanted to stay away from the traditional ‘drink this beer, get a keychain’ –type promotions, and instead focus on events that give value to the consumer and to the venue hosting the event,” stated Jon Piepenbrok, principal organizer of the events, AKA Chief Imaginationer.

The grand finale of Beer Week is the Inaugural Harvest Festival, hosted by the Michigan Brewers’ Guild and Metrotimes on Saturday, October 24, in Eastern Market.

While the Guild is not organizing Beer Week events, they have given their full support and cooperation to the organizing committee. “When the Guild announced the Harvest Festival in Eastern Market, we not only saw an opportunity to promote Michigan Beer in southeast Michigan,” stated Jon Piepenbrok, “but to promote the Great City of Detroit, as well; and the Guild has been extremely supportive of our efforts, even including information about events on their website at www.michiganbrewersguild.org.”

The participating venues include Slow’s Bar BQ, Foran’s Grand Trunk Pub, Park Bar, Motor City Brewing Works, Traffic Jam & Snug, Atwater Block Brewery, Detroit Beer Company, Wolfgang Puck Grille, Michael Symon’s Roast, 24Grille, and Fender’s Pub at the Omni Hotel.

A complete, updated list of events and information can be found Facebook.

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry contributes over $24 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $133 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #6 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

The Michigan Brewers Guild exists to unify the Michigan brewing community; to increase sales of Michigan-brewed beer through promotions, marketing, public awareness and consumer education; and to monitor and assure a healthy beer industry within the state. For more information, including a list of Michigan microbreweries, log on to www.michiganbrewersguild.org.

Local Apples by nasunto

Fall is here and that means it is once again time to enjoy Michigan's largest and most valuable crop - the apple. With temperatures unseasonably flirting with the freezing point, the race is on to harvest the prized fruit. Adding to this challenge is the fact that Michigan is enjoying it's largest crop in nearly 10 years with an expected crop of 26 million bushels compared to the typical crop of 20 million bushels. The uptick in the number of bushels has been attributed to this year's cool temperatures and more than average rain.

Michigan Farms & Mills

Fresh is the air in the orchards. Fresh are the fruits and vegetables we pick ourselves. Fresh is the fun we have with our families on a visit to Michigan’s farms and mills. This is the refreshing way to answer questions like “Mom, where do apples come from?” This is where open-air markets and u-pick farms enliven our recipes. This is the true meaning of the phrase: farm fresh. So let’s visit the farms and mills. Because nothing refreshes our lives like Pure Michigan.

Check out the huge list of Michigan farms and mills from PureMichigan.org.

Some Michigan Apple Quick Facts - check out more at the Michigan Apple Committee website.

• Apples are Michigan’s largest and most valuable fruit crop, with a value of about $100 million annually to the apple grower.
• Value-added marketing and processing enhance the economic contribution of Michigan Apples up to $700 million of economic impact annually.
• There are over 7.5 million apple trees in commercial production, covering 37,000 acres, on 950 family-run farms throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
• Small family farmers who operate their own orchards dominate the Michigan apple industry. According to statistics, 99 percent of Michigan orchards had fewer than 100 acres in apples.
• Longtime favorite varieties still dominate Michigan’s orchards. The most prevalent variety remains the Red Delicious, followed closely by the Golden Delicious. The Gala is rapidly gaining on tradition, however.
• The Honeycrisp variety is continually growing in popularity. Look for it in September and October, and enjoy it while you can, as it will most likely be gone by mid-November! A growing number of Honeycrisp tree plantings still aren’t in pace with its popularity among consumers! Honeycrisp has a crisp, juicy bite and a sweet flavor. They are best for fresh eating and also a great addition to salads!

New Kid on the Branch

A newcomer to Michigan's apple varieties is the SeeTango. MyNorth.com takes a at this much anticipated arrival in their article - The SweeTango Apple Makes Its Northern Michigan Debut.

Five Northern Michigan apple growers were among the first in the country to plant and harvest the world’s newest designer apple, the SweeTango. The apple, developed at the University of Minnesota, is a cross between the crispy, juicy Honeycrisp (the must-have apple of the last decade, also developed by the University of Minnesota) and the sweet flavored Zestar apple. The SweeTango is "a fabulous piece of fruit," says Mark Evans of Evans Brothers Fruit Company in Frankfort, one of the five Northern Michigan members of the Next Big Thing, the SweeTango growers’ cooperative.

SweeTango - A Sneak Preview

Find out all kinds of interest information about apples at the Michigan Apple Committee's website including the history of apples, the growers and the most popular varieties.

Little do most people realize that there are actually thousands of apple varieties and Michigan has many antique apple farms who strive to preserve them. Absolute Michigan's own Andrew McFarlane took note of one such orchard, Christmas Cove Farm in Leelanau in his article - Antique Apples.

Over on Michigan in Pictures there's a cool old apple picking photo from Old Mission in the 1890s courtesy the Archives of Michigan.

Check out more apple related information and websites using Absolute Michigan keyword apple.

Michigan Apple Recipes

Honey Crisp Apple and Endive Salad with Maple Apple Vinaigrette - via Great lakes chef extraordinaire Eric Villegas

Double Apple Galette - via Great lakes chef extraordinaire Eric Villegas

Barbeque "Mopping" Sauce W/Apple Cider Vinegar, Maple and Jalapeno - via Great lakes chef extraordinaire Eric Villegas

Ginger Apple Stir Fry - via Taste the Local Difference

Grilled Chicken with Apples and Feta - via Taste the Local Difference

Apple Lime Salsa - via Taste the Local Difference

Oktoberfest is Mid-Michigan’s only authentic German festival, and the authentic food, imported German beer, and traditional German dancing, bring crowds from all over the state. Every year the festival continues to grow, and this year the festival is expected to attract more people than ever. No one will want to miss out on the “music, essen and bier” at the 2009 Old Town Oktoberfest!

For more information and/or tickets visit, www.oldtownoktoberfest.com or visit the Old Town Commercial Association website.

A Brief History of Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest began as a celebration of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese’s marriage on October 12, 1810. This year, Munich is celebrating the 176th anniversary of Oktoberfest. Throughout the past 199 years, Oktoberfest has become the world’s largest festival and brings nearly six million attendees to Munich during the sixteen-day event to experience their Bavarian culture.

TravelChannelTV - Shane-O guides us through Munich's biggest party - Oktoberfest.

Find your way to Oktoberfest in Lansing's Old Town

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Photo: You with the camera, enough pictures!! by Daylily18

The ticket giveaway is now over with and our winners have been notified.... Tickets for the show are on sale now! So even if you didn't win we urge you head to Detroit for wonderful evening of top notch entertainment.

About the Show

It's here, and it's "AN ELLE OF A SHOW" (TIME Magazine). The hilarious MGM film is now a smash hit musical, and now LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is coming to you. Legally Blonde follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn't take "no" for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. After turning Broadway and MTV hot pink, this “Feel-Good Song and Dance Juggernaut” (New York Magazine) is “The Best New Musical Around!” (WOR).

For complete inforamtion about the show and the national tour visit the official Legally Blonde The Musical website.

About Broadway in Detroit

Broadway in Detroit and Nederlander Detroit have been bringing the Detroit area the Best in Broadway Shows since 1961 to fabulous venues including the Fisher Theatre, Gem Theatre and the Detroit Opera House. For a full list of events go to www.BroadwayInDetroit.com.

Video from the Road

Check out Legally Blonde on Tour YouTube Channel. Backstage behind-the-scenes footage shot by cast members of Legally Blonde The Musical National Tour!

Footage of the girls taping the Bonnie Hunt Show

Also, on YouTube is the Legally Blonde The Musical channel from the Broadway production with several videos featuring scenes from the show.

You can also join Legally Blonde The Musical on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Click here to view the embedded video.

My Life In the Bush of Ghosts by DaddyNewt

Be afraid, be very afraid!!! Once again our Fearsome Finder of Frights has compiled a list of haunted houses, corn mazes and scary attractions. You can also check Absolute Michigan keyword haunted and (as always) if you know of one we missed, please post it in the comments!

Spooky Quotes

'Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world. ~William Shakespeare

Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen,
Voices whisper in the trees, "Tonight is Halloween!" ~ Dexter Kozen

Hold on, man. We don't go anywhere with "scary," "spooky," "haunted," or "forbidden" in the title. ~Shaggy from Scooby-Doo

History of Halloween - Wikipedia

Halloween has origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain [pronounced: sow- wen] (Irish pronunciation: [ˈsˠaunʲ]; from the Old Irish samhain, possibly derived from Gaulish samonios). The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is sometimes regarded as the "Celtic New Year". Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient Celtic pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The ancient Celts believed that on October 31st, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the living and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which the bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks being worn at Halloween goes back to the Celtic traditions of attempting to copy the evil spirits or placate them, in Scotland for instance where the dead were impersonated by young men with masked, veiled or blackened faces, dressed in white

Halloween Celebrations Rise as Consumers Look to Escape Everyday Realities - via National Retail Federation

The spookiest holiday of the year may bring a bit of needed relief to consumers and retailers. According to the National Retail Federation’s Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, more consumers plan to celebrate the holiday this year (64.5% vs. 58.7%). This year, the average person plans to spend $66.54 on the holiday, up from $64.82 one year ago. Total Halloween spending for 2008 is estimated to reach $5.77 billion.

Paranormal resources and groups in Michigan

Michigan's Otherside - Your guide to Michigan's paranormal world & beyond

Haunted Places in Michigan

Haunted Michigan

Haunted Travels of Michigan

West Michigan Ghost Hunters Society

SE Michigan Ghost Hunters Society

Ghost Hunters of Southern Michigan

Motor City Haunt Club

Find a pumpkin patch near you

The U-Pick Farms & Farmer's Market 2009 Directory

"This Is Halloween" - from "The Nightmare Before Christmas"

The 2009 Michigan Haunted Houses, Mazes & Attractions List - We have to caution you that many of these sites are graphic - parental guidance is advised!

Amazing Acres Corn Maze and Pumpkin Farm - Edwardsburg
Amazing Acres Corn Maze and Pumpkin Farm is a truly unique family entertainment experience. Take some time this Fall to make memories that will last a lifetime. The farm is over 90 acres and is packed with events for every member of the family, young or old. Explore the 14 acre corn maze with over 3.5 miles of paths. Keep a watchful eye for the 12 hidden check points! The Maze is available both Day and Night!

Amazing Corn Maze - Leonard
Can You Find Your Way Out?

Bestmaze - Williamston/Webberville
If another maze you are interested in will not put their picture on the website there is a reason!!! We have had a system in place for years of sweeping through our maze at end of each night. Even if we have no cars in the Bestmaze lot we still sweep through the maze in case a few kids were dropped off and parents went to Mc Donald's.

Blake's Nighttime Spooky hayride & 3 Story Haunted Barn - Armada
Imagine yourself on a journey through acres of unspeakable fiendish ghouls, special effects, laser beams, strobe lights, and unimaginable horror. Then you've found yourself in the midst of Michigan's larger than life Blake's Nighttime Spooky Hayride. If you survive that then you'll be dared to find your way through Michigan's only 3-Level Haunted Barn and Black Hole. Don't forget the free cider and donuts at the witches cauldron on the hayride! If you survive Blake's Halloween terrors, you can calm your nerves around one of the many bonfires.

Castle of the Dead - Roseville
The Halloween Season is fast approaching! If you haven't experienced the Castle... you have yet to experience true fear! I dare you to compare! NO haunted house can match the fear of the CASTLE OF THE DEAD!!!!!

Circus Park Corn Maze - Clio
This years theme is "Down on the Farm" in honor of our Illustrious Potentate Ivan C. Sparks. There are 2 mazes in our 10 acre field. Come on out and get lost! We will have flashlights available for you nighttime adventures and our nightly campfire will be roaring to warm you up on those chilly evenings.

ChelseaMaze - Chelsea
Our challenging maze has trivia signs and 3 separate entrances that promote competition and teamwork.

Crots Corn Maze - Ottawa Lake
We're open from September 19 through November 1, 2009 Saturday and Sunday Only!

Deadly Intentions - Warren
Our Only Goal is to Scare You to Death

Depner Farms Corn Maze - Caseville
"MaZe-O-Saurus" opened on August 7th and our return visitors are saying it's more corn-fusing than ever! We'll be here
each Saturday and Sunday 'til November 1st, so come on down and GET LOST for a half-a-day or maybe more Open Saturdays & Sundays 'til November 1st!

Erebus Haunted Attraction - Pontiac
World's Largest Walk Though Haunted House

Erwin's Barn of Horrors & Terrorfying Corn Maze - South Lyon
Erwin’s Barn of Horrors with the Mystery of the Black Hole! "Where Evil Stalks"

Exit 13 - Mt. Morris
Flint Area's Preeminent Haunted House

Empire Eagles Field of Screams - Empire
A haywagon ride through a haunted Leelanau fores, always the last 2 weekends of October and Halloween.

Fear Farm - Casco
Corn Fun Family Farm has 2 challenging corn mazes with 4 miles of meandering trails, and for October we have added a new Haunted corn field!

Fun Acres Corn Maze - South Rockwood
Fun Acres Family Fun Farm is a seasonal agritourism adventure for families to learn and play. The combination of agriculture and entertainment is sure to both challenge and entertain your whole family!

Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village - Greenfield Village
Step back in time to a turn-of-the-20th century Hallowe’en. Follow an endless path of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns and meet colorful characters along the way. Feel the whoosh as the headless horseman rides by, banter with a clever witch, and make stops at several treat stations spread throughout Greenfield Village. It’s frightfully fun for the whole family! Members of The Henry Ford receive discount admission and an exclusive opportunity to purchase tickets in advance.

Haunted Barn and Wagon of Fear - Mason
Enter if you dare the Haunted Barn maybe you'll be able to make it through to enjoy the next day or maybe not. Our barn is well over a hundred years old and has seen many strange things, if it could only talk or ... can it. We have many souls in the barn from the century past. Some farm animal souls still linger; they join us now and then. This time they're not on the dinner menu. Be prepared to experience a screaming good time.

Haunted Corn Maze - Bloomfield Hills
three mazes of varying conveniently located on eight acres at Bloomfield Hills Scholls' Historic Bowers Farm.

Haunted Farm of Terror - Lexon Township
Haunted Farm of Terror in Lenox TWP offers over 20 acres of haunted hayrides, corn mazes, horror movies, tasty treats and haunted houses for your haunted Halloween pleasure!

Haunted Hallows - Westland
Acres of Hair Raising Spooky Attractions

Heck of a Corn Maze - Monroe
More than 8 acres! Open weekends September 12 - October 31

HellBlock13 - Wyandotte
You’ve heard the legends and told the rumors. Now find out the truth for yourself. With over 13,000 square feet and indoor waiting, this twisted twisting labyrinth of fear and torment will have your eyes bulging, skin crawling and heart pounding. See if you can break free from the imprisoned demons that are ready to pass judgment on your soul.

Jackson’s Underworld - Jackson
Jackson’s Underworld, were you’ll uncover the soft underbelly of the most impressive animatronics and props not found in any other haunt in Michigan. As you trudge through the massive 30,000 sq ft, keep to the path, we wouldn’t want you to get lost.

Jacob's Corn Maze - Traverse City
We are located 3.5 Miles from West Grand Traverse Bay off M-72. Our farm is on the left, on the hill, has a big silo, and is just past the big windmill!

Krazy Hilda's Barn of Doom & Coleman's Corn Maze - Saline
Be There If You Dare My Pretty...

Miller's Big Red Haunted Hayride - Washington
The wagon pulls out once again as Miller's Big Red transforms the orchard into a foggy playground filled with 9 foot monsters, creatures of the night, and the Demon of Doom. Will you spot them before they spot you?

Morrow Road Haunted Trail & Hayride - Clay
The Morrow Road Film is having another Haunted Trail & Hayride! This fundraiser event will offer a chance to meet the director of the film, and the trail is even longer than last year's in a brand new location! And the hayride will take those brave enough to the actual haunted road at night.

Motor City Massacre - Roseville
Haunted House & Maze of Horror

New Salem Corn Maze - Dorr
Bring the whole family on down for the fall fun extravaganza! Activities include: hay rides, our corn maze, petting zoo, childrens corn maze, 5 acre pumpkin patch, and alot more!!

Night Terrors - Ypsilanti
Beware! This is not just another haunted house! The grounds of Wiard's Orchards south of Ypsilanti, Michigan (near Ann Arbor, in Washtenaw County) are said to be truly haunted. The history of these lands has lived in haunted houses of Michigan lore for centuries. Those who have dared to set foot on the haunted grounds of this old orchard say they can still hear the howling sounds of the night. At least it's been said by the few brave souls who have survived, and the fear will always live on with them. There comes a time in each of our lives when we must face our fears and face the terror of these haunted lands. What's your Fear? Is it the dark? Is it death? Is it the old neighborhood haunted house? Or is it just the unknown? Be prepared to confront those fears at one or all of the Wiard chilling haunted attractions: the Ultimate Haunted Barn, the Asylum, The Mineshaft, Hayrides of the Lost, The Labyrinth and Alien Caged Clowns. Because at Night Terrors WE PUT TERROR IN YOUR FACE!! We're NOT just another haunted house in Michigan!

Phantasmagoria - Okemos
Lansing Area's Premiere Haunted House

Saint Lucifer's Haunted Asylum - Flint
Mid-Michigan's Top Scare

Salem's Haunted Barn - Capac
4000 square feet of Terror

Scarefest Scream Park - Lenox Township
Featuring the Hayride of Doom and Forest of Darkness & Terror Zone Maze!! Metro Detroit's Halloween Park.

Slaughtered at Sundown - Armada
Glimpse the Grim Face of Death

Slaughterhouse, Haunted Maze & Blood Bath & Beyond Hayride - Fowlerville
Haunted House - Corn Maze - Haunted Maze - Haunted Hayride

Spooky Trails - Swartz Creek
Corn maze and other haunted attractions...

S.S. City of Milwaukee Annual Ghost Ship - Manistee
Fridays & Saturdays in October (and Halloween) the 76 year old car ferry features four stories of unsettling oddities

Talladay Farms Corn Maze - Milan
Maps are in sealed envelopes and cost $1. We have checkpoints throughout the maze. If you get lost, you can find a checkpoint and look on your map at the correlating numbers to figure out where you are. If you make it through the mazes without opening the map, you get your dollar back. We will also have letters on the checkpoints. If you can find all of the checkpoints and write down each letter that is at the checkpoints, your name will be submitted for a grand prize drawing at the end of the season!

Terror in Townsend Forest - Clarkston
Dusk til Last Victim, ¼ Mile of TERROR Filled Forest Trails

Terrorfied Forest & Manor - Pinckney
Welcome to The Terrorfied Forest, Southeastern Michigan's Premier Outdoor Haunted Attraction. It's not for the faint of heart, This is TEEN & ADULT entertainment. The tall pines whisper for you to "come, Join your departed ancestors", as you walk among them.
Should you choose to ignore them, they have been known to emerge out of a tree and make off with your soul. You will never know when or where they will appear, but they will know where you are and strike at your most vulnerable moment.

The Crypt Haunted House - Burton
More thrills and chills than ever! It is in your face Crypt chilling! A haunted house with actors and more state of the art effects than any other haunt! Experience the black hole, claustrophobia & more, so beware of the Crypt! Not recommended for small children or sissies.

The Deadland Haunted House - Davison
Bring all your friends out to see what we have in store for you...

The Fear Factory - Mt. Clemens
30 Minutes of Relentless Bloody Terror

The Haunted Forest - Dryden
Take a guided 20 minute tour through the haunted forest. The forest is not recommended for children under ten.

The Haunted Winery - Farmington
"We Are Not Out To Make A Killing -We Just Want To Scare The Hell Out Of You!"

The Haunting - Adrian
A Haunted House to Die For

The Homer Mill - Homer
Ever Been So Scared the Hairs on the Back of Your Neck Stand Up?

The Lab - Grosse Ile
Called one of the best themed attractions in the U.S. by Haunted Attractions Magazine, The Lab boasts more scares per square foot than any other haunted attraction. Gen-Tech Laboratories is a secret government funded genetics lab, where something has gone wrong…very wrong. Mutants, freaks, zombies and 9-ft tall monsters roam the halls, along with all the demented doctors who are ready to use you as their next experiment in this interactive adventure.

The Scream Machine - Taylor
The Scream Machine IS BACK!! HAS BEEN REVAMPED AND EXPANDED!! With new special effects and scares for the 2009 season including BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND.. THE HELLEVATOR!! THIS PORTAL TO THE UNKNOWN takes you to the depths of your worst FEARS WERE NIGHTMARES AND REALITY COLLIDE.

Twist of Evil - Brownstown
Twist of Evil is Downriver's Premeir Haunted Attraction... THE PLACE THAT GIVES DEMONS NIGHTMARES!!

Uncle John's Cider Mill Corn Maze - St. Johns
Get lost in Uncle John’s 5-acre corn maze!

Westview Orchards Corn Maze - Washington
Well, you knew Tom Izzo was outstanding in his field ... so he's been honored with a six-acre corn maze in his image.

Katrina Schumacher, co-owner of Westview Orchards and Adventure Farm in Washington Township, said Izzo and Michigan State's Final Four run were the inspirations for the maze -- which proclaims him "Coach of the Ear." Ha!

Wrong Turn Campground & Bloody Butcher House! - Hudson
Hours: Dusk 'til whenever!

The contest is now complete and the winners have been notified.

If you did not win tickets they are still available for purchase online. Reviews of the tour have been very positive, so if youare a fan we suggest you don't miss Daughtry's first arena tour!

Their most recent release Leave This Town continues its impressive streak of success. The album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, has sold more than a half million copies in it's first five weeks. The album's first single, "No Surprise," reached No.1 on the Hot A/C chart. It is the band's fourth #1 hit, a rare feat for any recording artist.

After finishing a sold out club tour, Chris Daughtry stated the band is busy preparing for the upcoming arena tour. "We dreamed about how it would feel playing these songs to packed arenas, and we're excited to get our chance," Chris says, "We have a great show planned and can’t wait to hit the road to share it with our fans."

Check out the video for daughtry's latest single "No Surprise"

Check out many more videos on Daughty's Official YouTube Channel

Join Daughtry on Facebook and MySpace

Cribbage Pegs by the photoshoparama

The American Cribbage Congress will be holding the Grand National 28 in Grand Rapids on September 25–27, 2009. In addition, the Grass Roots Tournament of Champions will be held on Friday, September 25. Entrants who want to play Grass Roots cribbage on Monday–Thursday nights will have plenty of opportunity, for Michigan boasts thirteen Grass Roots clubs.

All events will be held at the same location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, located near the airport on the southeast side of town (5700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids MI 49546). A special cribbage rate is available for all GN players (make reservations by calling 800.227.6963).

The event received a nice writeup in the Grand Rapids Press on mlive.com titled - Cribbage tournament brings nation's best players to Grand Rapids in battle for cash

It’s the first time this Who’s Who battle of card sharks has visited the state. For cribbage groupies, it’s a chance to see De Lynn Colvert, of Missoula, Mont., who is billed as the greatest player in the cribbage universe.

Ace cribbage players are sticklers for the rules, but the state’s mightiest wooden board warrior said all is fair in friendly banter.

While game code is sacred and “timber haulers” are despicable, that doesn’t stop experts from serving up a tall tales and trash talk.

These human calculators “love to drink, play cards and tell lies,” said Jeff Shimp, 70, of Grand Haven, who holds the imposing title of Life Master One Star in cribbage circles.

The tournament is expected to draw about 350 cribbage players from across the country. They will battle for bragging rights and a top prize of about $1,500, depending on the event’s take. Other tournaments, including more than a dozen satellite tournaments, kicked off Friday at the hotel.

mlive.com also has another feature with Muskegon cribbage board collector Dan Betz who 450 boards many of which were crafted by the Drueke Co., founded in Grand Rapids in 1914 and now is located in Ludington.

Nomade" by the pentax hammer (gary syrba)

This annual celebration of autumn at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park highlights thousands of flowering chrysanthemums in both interior and exterior venues. ColorFall tours of the gardens, trees and sculpture collection are a visual delight. Harvest at Michigan's Farm Garden includes heiloom vegetables, herbs, maize, gourds and giant pumpkins. Floral displays by leading area florists and a variety of seasonal demonstrations round out this botanic gala of color.

ColorFall Events Schedule

The Beauty of Fall by CaptPiper

A sampling of Michigan festivals & events for the month of October. As usual, there's no way we'll get them all, so please add links and information about those we've missed (or reviews of ones we have here) in the comments below.

Quotes

"October's poplars are flaming torches
lighting the way to winter."
- Nova Bair

“On the motionless branches of some trees, autumn berries hung like clusters of coral beads,
as in those fabled orchards where the fruits were jewels . . .”
- Charles Dickens

"I saw old Autumn in the misty morn
Stand, shadowless like Silence, listening
To Silence."
- Thomas Hood

Fast Facts - Wikipedia

• October's birthstone is the opal. The opal is thought to have the power to predict illness. This is because the opal responds to heat. If you are sick your temperature increases before signs of illness appear. The increased body heat causes the opal to loose its shine, leaving it dull and lacking color. It is also said that the opal will crack if it is worn by someone who was not born in October.
• Its birth flower is the calendula.

The Harvest Moon - SPACE.com

Oct. 4, 2:10 a.m. EDT -- Full Harvest Moon. Traditionally, this designation goes to the full moon that occurs closest to the Autumnal (fall) Equinox. The Harvest Moon usually comes in September, but sometimes it will fall in early October as is the case in 2009; the next time won't come until 2017. At the peak of the harvest, farmers can work into the night by the light of this moon. Usually the full moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice -- the chief Indian staples -- are now ready for gathering.

Things to Do and Places to Go

Thru October 31
Colorfall - Grand Rapids
This annual celebration of autumn at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park highlights thousands of flowering chrysanthemums in both interior and exterior venues. ColorFall tours of the gardens, trees and sculpture collection are a visual delight. Harvest at Michigan's Farm Garden includes heiloom vegetables, herbs, maize, gourds and giant pumpkins. Floral displays by leading area florists and a variety of seasonal demonstrations round out this botanic gala of color.

Saturdays and Sundays in October
The Famous Pumpkin Train - Coopersville & Marne Railway
Saturday trains depart the station at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Passengers are entertained with music, jokes, songs and dance written especially for the youngest riders and performed by The Great Pumpkin, Scarecrow and Little Crow.

Thru October 31
Michigan's Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events - UP
Comprehensive listing of events in the Upper Peninsula provided via the Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association.

October 2 - 3
The Red Flannel Festival - Cedar Springs
The Red Flannel Festival Board of Directors has been working diligently to provide fresh new events for the 70th “Soaring at 70…and Beyond!“ Festival celebration. “The board has added 18 new events in the last few years,“ said President Michele Tracy Andres. “This board is extremely dedicated to ensuring the Red Flannel Festival the biggest and best ever! We’re already working on plans for the 71st celebration in 2010!“

October 2 - 4
Scarecrow Festival - Trenton
The Trenton Scarecrow Festival is one of the best of its kind in the Southeast Michigan area. We are a Family event for all ages - a fall festival featuring a Scarecrow Contest a Dog Costume contest, children's area with games/rides, a carnival, local and national musical acts, a karaoke Scarecrow Idol contest, and many other events.

October 3
Oktoberfest - Douglas
Beery Field in Douglas, while it's not Germany, it does have a festive atmosphere, beer, brats, prizes galore and music. The festival begins at Noon and goes until 8:00 PM.

October 3 - 4
First Annual Skitoberfest Weekend - Boyne Falls
Join us for the first annual Skitoberfest, a fall extravaganza and homecoming taking place in the Boyne Mountain Village and surrounding area. Skitoberfest celebrates the coming winter season with a Snowsports Summit hosted by Cary Adgate and the best of fall’s family offerings in an Oktoberfest style setting. Highlights include great food, Michigan brews, live music, meet and greet with Winter X-Games gold medalist, Simon Dumont, and former U.S. Ski Team Coach, Greg Needell plus local art, kids’ art, parade and more. Everyone is invited to experience this two day event and a special welcome goes to our family of loyal BOYNE homeowners and passholders. It's art, it's drama, it's entertainment plus food, beer, wine and fun for everyone!

October 3 - 4 & 10 - 11
Benzie County Fallfest - Benzie
Enjoy a scenic chair lift ride, taste the great soups in the Fall Soup Contest, get your "once a year chance" to get a piece of Cherry Hut's apple cinnamon pie, watch the Pumpkin Carving of Ed Moody, or guess the weight in the Giant Pumpkin Weigh off!

Enjoy the parade, or canoe or kayak while enjoying the beautiful colors of Fall !

October 8 - 11
Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival - Alpena
The four day event provides activities for the young and old including lighthouse tours (aerial, boat or personal vehicle), entertainment, and vendors. The festival boasts over 100 maritime related vendors including lighthouse preservation groups, artists, authors and more.

October 9 - 10
Old Town Oktoberfest - Lansing
Mid michigan's only German-style event, will feature all things German, including live Polka, dancing, tasty food, and 12oz souvenir mugs filled with world renowned German-style beer.

October 9 - 10
Applefest Days - Charlevoix
Apple fest days at Friske's Farm Market Wagon rides, U-pick apples, our own Miss Apple everything apples. At the market: apple pie, apple donuts, caramel apples, and apple brats in the cafe. It’ll be a bushel of fun at Friske's!!

October 9 - 11, 16 - 18, 23 - 25
Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village - Dearborn
Step back in time to a turn-of-the-20th century Hallowe’en. Follow an endless path of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns and meet colorful characters along the way. Feel the whoosh as the headless horseman rides by, banter with a clever witch, and make stops at several treat stations spread throughout Greenfield Village. It’s frightfully fun for the whole family!

October 9 - 11
Color Cruise & Island Festival - Grand Ledge
Take a trip down memory lane in an old-fashioned covered wagon or glide down the scenic Grand River on a riverboat. Pioneer demonstrations captivate visitors with freshly popped black kettle caramel corn, live folk music, traditional dance and more.

October 9 - 12
Harvest Days - Harbor Country
This three-day weekend gives ample time to explore farm and field, but it also brings the celebration to the back door of our many shops, galleries, restaurants and lodging facilities. Many of our Harbor Country businesses-from New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert and Sawyer-host special events that include open houses, gallery and artist receptions, culinary demonstrations, special sales, and family fun activities.

October 10 - 12
CRANE FEST XIV - Baker Sanctuary
Anywhere between 2,000 - 6,000 Sandhill cranes congregate at the Michigan Audubon Baker Sanctuary along with thousands of birders! This event is the largest wildlife congregation in Michigan that attracts as many as 10,000 folks over the weekend.

October 18
Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon - Detroit
Get down to Motown for the 2009 Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon! They're celebrating their 32nd anniversary with an exhilarating, world-class, international marathon. With a unique course crossing the U.S./Canadian border twice and great musical entertainment along the way, there’s no end to the excitement of running this race!

October 23 - 24
The Michigan Story Festival - Mt. Pleasant
The two-day Michigan Story Festival offers a complete showcase of the power of storytelling in all its art forms. Michigan Story Festival is one of the only storytelling festivals to integrate the stories of many cultures and traditions. With the exception of the opening performance, there is no charge to experience the magic of Michigan Story Festival events and presentations.

October 30
Food, Wine and All That Jazz - Grand Rapids
A fantastic evening of food, wine and jazz music at the Public Museum in Grand Rapids hosted by WGVU and D&W Fresh Market. With over 300 wines and food from around the world to sample, all included in one ticket price. This is the MUST attend event of the fall.

Also be sure to check out Absolute Michigan keywords "haunted", "maze", "apple" and "harvest"!

The Invitational Cookout portion of the festival features well-known chefs from throughout the Great Lakes Region, including:

• Chef Chris Pandel from The Bristol, Chicago
• Chef Matt Pietsch from Salt of the Earth, Fennville
• Chef Rob Hammond from Food Dance Café, Kalamazoo
• Chef Matthew Millar from New Holland Brewing Co., Holland
• Chef Chad Miller from Restaurant Bloom, Grand Rapids
• Chef Brian Perrone from Slows Bar BQ, Detroit (www.slowsbarbq.com)

“These chefs were hand-selected to compete in the PORKAPALOOZA Invitational Cookout because they share a common interest in the pursuit of culinary quality and a belief in championing local, sustainable lifestyles,” says Fred Bueltmann, Beervangelist at New Holland Brewing.

Each restaurant is asked to showcase at least one primary pork dish, as well as two regionally-influenced side dishes providing sourcing information that demonstrates the technique and provenance of their food.

The event will shine a light on some of the areas treasures, including not only the products available, but the creative energy of many local artisans and musicians. Well over 1000 people are expected to attend and organizers proudly practice earth-friendly ideals, showcasing the realities of sustainable living and entertaining.

Local beers and wines from New Holland Brewing Company and Fenn Valley Winery will make for pleasant pork pairings. New Holland will present Charkoota Rye – a smoked rye dopplebock brewed to celebrate PORKAPALOOZA and the art of charcuterie. They will bring a host of other beers including the autumn favorite Ichabod Pumpkin Ale, as well as Mad Hatter IPA, Full Circle, The Poet Oatmeal Stout and Dragon’s Milk barrel-aged ale. Fenn Valley, which is located adjacent to the fest site, will serve a selection of their favorite award-winning red and white wines.

Throughout the day, an impressive back-to-back line-up of entertainment will keep the toes tapping, including:

• Various David Teske
• 1:00pm Dave Boutette
• 2:00pm Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys
• 3:00pm HOG CALLING COMPETITION
• 3:30pm Ben Bueltmann & Pontchatrain
• 4:30pm Mark Duval & Two Track Mind
• 6:30pm Mountain Men
• 8:00pm Midtown Underground

Blankets, chairs and water coolers are welcome. The event is held in a grass field, so sturdy shoes are recommended. Guests are not allowed to bring food or alcohol into the event. All ages are welcome, but guests 21 and older will need to show ID to receive a wristband to consume alcohol. Special activities are also planned for the younger attendees.

Tickets are available now for PORKAPALOOZA and are $8 per person in advance ($12 the day of) with parking at $5 per car. Admission includes access to the unlimited live entertainment. Food and beverages are sold separately. Admission tickets are available online at http://pork.newhollandbrew.com or by visiting New Holland Brewing and other vendors to be listed on the website.

For more information about PORKAPALOOZA, contact New Holland Brewing at 616-355-NHBC.

***The contest is now complete and our winner has been notified***

AMERICA'S HOTTEST DANCE SHOW

Summer sensation SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE kicked off its fifth season with a two-night, four-hour season premiere Thursday, May 21 & 27 and concludes with a two-night, four-hour season finale August 5 & 6 on FOX. Hosted by Cat Deeley, the original dance competition series will inspire and amaze viewers as dancers skilled in styles ranging from hip-hop to ballroom compete to be named America's Favorite Dancer.

Last season's winner, Joshua Allen, danced off with a $250,000 cash prize, the title of America's Favorite Dancer and an offer for a featured dance role in the upcoming Adam Shankman film "Step Up 3-D."

Tickets for the tour are on sale and available at Ticketmaster.com

Check out more videos including video profiles of the top 10 dancers on the So You Think You Can Dance website

Keep up to date with the latest info:

Join So You Think You Can Dance on Facebook

Becomes friends with So You Think You Can Dance on MySpace

Farmer's Market @ the Michigan Capitol by ChristineElise

In celebration of Michigan's rich agricultural history and farming tradition, Governor Granholm has designated September 13-19 "Select Michigan Week." In celebration of this special week, the Governor is personally inviting you to the "Select Michigan" Farmers' Market on Thursday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., which will be located on the east lawn of the State Capitol, rain or shine.

You can purchase fresh seasonal produce, including eggs, honey, grains, beans, jams, jellies, cut flowers, perennials, baked goods, wood products, and much, much more - all grown and processed in our state. If you can't attend the "Select Michigan" Farmer's Market on September 17, there are hundreds of farmers' markets in communities throughout the state where you can buy fresh produce and other items made in Michigan. By spending just $10 a week on Michigan products, we can keep nearly $40 million circulating in our economy each week. And, that's not small change.

Thursday's market coincides with Michigan's annual "Select Michigan Day," designated by the Michigan Legislature to raise awareness about local food and agriculture - Michigan's second largest industry. More than 200 commodities are grown in Michigan, contributing $71.3 billion to our state's economy annually and employing more than one million Michigan residents.

September 17 also kicks off the 2009 Michigan Harvest Gathering. In addition to purchasing Michigan foods for ourselves and our families, we can buy fresh, local products and also give local by contributing Michigan foods to local food banks. In doing so, we are helping our neighbors-in-need by providing them with fresh, local, healthy food. The Food Bank Council of Michigan will be on-site at the Select Michigan Farmers' Market, and I encourage you to make a purchase at the market and donate directly to the food bank.

Selecting Michigan-grown and Michigan-processed foods helps our economy, strengthens Michigan's family farms, improves the quality of life for our citizens in both rural and urban areas, and preserves the state's rich and diverse agricultural heritage.

Locally-grown food is fresher and supports Michigan's local communities by improving the economic, environmental, and social well-being of those communities and the state.

The farmers' market is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Food and Farming Systems, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service, with additional support from the Michigan Farmers Market Association, the Food Bank Council of Michigan, and Michigan farmers and specialty crop producers. If you have any questions, please contact Erin Groeb, Michigan Department of Agriculture at (517) 373-2469.

Old Town Blues Fest 2008 by ChristineElise

The Old Town BluesFest is a two-day FREE music festival that brings national, regional, and local acts to an audience of roughly 15,000 people from across Michigan and nearby states.

BluesFest's music truly is living music, history in the making. Each artist at the festival is asked to play an original composition, something that hasn't been played at any other festival.

This year's festival will take place Friday, September 18 (4pm-12:30am), and Saturday, September 19, 2009 (2pm-12:30am), in the streets of Old Town, surrounded by the best of the Capital City's art galleries as well as unique retail stores and grand architecture. Vendors lined the streets offering ethnic food, beverages, art, clothing, and crafts, and nearby galleries and boutiques opened their doors during festival hours.

BluesFest will become better stewards of our environment this year, implementing on-site recycling under the direction of a volunteer "Green Team." A green pledge booth will feature hundreds of giveaways, free watering stations are available and volunteers will wear donated organic T-shirts.

Video Flashback

From the 2008 Old Town BluesFest, 'New Hawaiian Boogie by George Bedard' shot by Scott Allman.

Dedication to Lansing

Old Town BluesFest started in 1994 under the name OctoberFest. Lansing's alternative radio station, 92.1 WWDX, signed on as media sponsor, and MessageMakers became its founding business sponsor.

The festival featured such renowned artists as Kid Rock, Marcy Playground, Duncan Sheik, Nineteen Wheels and local showstoppers such as Powerface, Knee Deep Shag, The Lash, and The Weepers.

In 2003, the festival committee decided to transform the fall music festival into Old Town BluesFest and was pleased to announce 94.9 WMMQ as the new radio sponsor.

In its early years, the festival brought out 2,000-3,000 people; now that has increased to over 15,000.

BluesFest's updated format has featured nationally recognized blues artists such as Junior Watson, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, W.C. Clark, Carl Weathersby, Sharrie Williams, Smokin' Joe Kubek, Bnois King, Reverend Raven, Toni Lynn Washington, Byther Smith, Grana' Louise, bugs Beddow band, Alberta Adams, A.C. Reid, Son Seals, plus popular performers from around the state such as Lady Sunshine and the X Band, Calvin Cooke and Sacred Steel Ensemble, Mojo Phoenix, Those Delta Rhythm Kings, Root Doctor, Doug Deming and the All Stars, JR Clark, and The Automatic Blues Band.

Beautiful! by Pentax K1000 Gal

The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) have teamed together with area restaurants for the third annual Old Mission Peninsula Wine & Food Celebration. The event takes place this Saturday (September 12) from 3-8 PM at Bowers Harbor Park on the Old Mission Peninsula.

A ticket includes a souvenir glass, wine tasting tickets and live music from the Northwestern Michigan College Community Concert Band. Menu offerings will range in price from $3-$10.

For further information, call 231.944.1300.
2008 Harvest Stompede051 by lpwines

The Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association's annual Harvest Stompede Vineyard Run & Walk and Wine Tour over the weekend of September 19 & 20. It's considered one of the most scenic running & wine touring events in the Midwest and is returning to the Leelanau Peninsula for the eighth year.

The race itself is the kickoff of the weekends festivities and will be held on Saturday, September 19 at 9 a.m. Designed for both serious and recreational runners & walkers, it's a great event for spectators as well. Race coordinator Nate Rousse says "This is a one-of-a-kind annual run sponsored by the Traverse City Track Club and hosted by the Leelanau Peninsula winemakers. The course winds through absolutely gorgeous vineyards and is open to the public only on race day."

The Harvest Stompede Wine Tour follows the race and offers a special pour and food celebrating the season at each of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association member wineries.

There are still some tickets available and you can get tickets and more information on the Harvest Stompede page at the LPVA web site. Also check out these slideshows from the 2007 and 2008 Harvest Stompede!

More than 150 beers from some of Michigan's finest microbreweries and brewpubs. Live music. Food available for purchase. Rain or shine.

The first-ever Michigan Brewers Guild U.P. Oktoberfest is coming September 12 . . . and it’s crossing the Big Mac bridge to do so! The excitement is taking over the heart of the Upper Peninsula and spreading!

Though Michigan craft beers have long been established in the Upper Peninsula, September 12 in Marquette unveils the first U.P. craft beer tasting event sponsored by the Michigan Brewers Guild. Set in the historic beauty of Marquette’s lower harbor at Ellwood Mattson Park, this singular beer event summons the great tastes of Michigan craft brews to the heart of the U.P. Just in time for Michigan’s craft brewers to unveil their fall-winter offerings, the U.P. Oktoberfest is sure to be the number one beer-lovers regional event this fall.

TICKETS

Purchase online or call 877-772-5425. For an updated list of ticket outlets please visit the MASH, at www.mbgmash.org. The cost to attend is $30 in advance, $35 at gate. Limited ticket availability. Advance ticket purchase encouraged. Includes 12 drink tokens. Additional tokens available inside festival. Must be 21 or over.

Michigan Uncorked is a regular column by Lorri Hathaway and Sharon Kegerreis, writers who are passionate for Michigan and authors of award-winning From the Vine: Exploring Michigan Wineries. Learn all about Lorri & Sharon and their book at www.michiganvine.com.

Love Cabernet Franc? Head to Old Mission Peninsula. The top three honors for the first-ever Michigan Cabernet Franc Wine Challenge were exclusively awarded to wines grown from the region.

The winner of the competition and the coveted Harding's Cup was Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery’s 2007 Artisan Series Cabernet Franc. Brys Estate also took the bronze third place medal for its 2007 Cabernet Franc. And, just down the road from Brys Estate, Two Lads Winery won the silver second place medal for its Reserved Cabernet Franc.

The Michigan Cabernet Franc Wine Challenge, held at the historic Park Club in downtown Kalamazoo in August, was the brainchild of Terry Stingley of Harding's Friendly Markets based in Kalamazoo. Twenty-two wines from 18 Michigan wineries and one wine from the Chinon region of the Loire Valley of France (all 2007 vintage), were evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges.

"It was a great opportunity to taste an exceptional array of well-made wines from a stunning Michigan vintage," said Master Sommelier Claudia Tyagi, who was one of the six judges for the competition. "It is so exciting to realize that we are on the ground floor of something huge for Michigan's future. It was not inappropriate to compare these wines to a classic French Chinon, but our beauties left the Chinon in the dust."

Photo credit: Patrick Brys

Mackinac Bridge Walk by carolynne marie

Since1882 the first Monday of September has been recognized as a time to salute Americas workers with festivals, cookouts and parades on "a day off for the working man." With school starting after the Monday, September 7 holiday, the long Labor Day Weekend is an ideal time to squeeze in some last-minute summertime fun. An estimated 1.4 million Michiganians will travel during the 2009 Labor Day holiday, according to a recent AAA survey. Michigan, the Great Lake State, offers ample opportunities to celebrate the end of summer.

Labor Day via Wikipedia

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. In the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the US military and US Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. Cleveland was also concerned that aligning a US labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair. All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Stuff to Do, Places to Go

August 28 - September 7
Michigan State Fair Detroit
The Nation's Oldest State Fair was officially first held in 1849, only twelve years after Michigan attained statehood. At the onset it was customary, in fact, for the fair to be held one year in one city, the next year in another, and there was always a hot contest to be the city selected. The Michigan State Fair settled down at the present fairgrounds in 1905. The 2009 Michigan State Fair will be held August 28th - September 7th.

Popular attractions include the FREE Concerts under the stars in the Band Shell, daily parades, competitions, horse shows, agricultural displays, arts & crafts, racing pigs, rabbits & poultry, dairy exhibits, carnival midway rides & games and the world's largest stove.

August 22 - October 4
Michigan Renaissance Festival Holly
Festival is held on weekends and Labor Day, rain or shine. "visitors may also partake in games of skill or enjoy non-stop entertainment where belly dancers, sword swallowers, musicians, comedians and sword fighters provide merriment for all ages. The Festival is best known for it's awe-inspiring full-contact armored jousting tournaments where gallant knights defend their honor until the last man is standing!"

September 3 - 7
Michigan Peach Festival Romeo
If you are looking for something fun for the whole family, there is no better place to be on Labor Day Weekend! Bring your family & friends to the Michigan Peach Festival in the beautiful Village of Romeo. There's something fun for everyone!

September 4 - 7
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival Hamtramck
Hamtramck Festival has more than 500,000 annual visitors, live music on two stages, carnival rides, Polish Day Parade, samplings of ethnic food, cultural dancers, children's activities, more.

September 4 - 7
Detroit International Jazz Fest Detroit
For 30 years, the Detroit International Jazz Festival (DJF) has attracted visitors and locals to an end-of-summer ritual on Labor Day Weekend that celebrates one of America’s most important art forms. The festival boasts five stages and 100 acts over four days in a city with a rich musical legacy. Sprawling over several city blocks in downtown Detroit – from Hart Plaza to Campus Martius – the festival also offers educational activities, giant puppets, fireworks, rare opportunities to meet the artists and much more. And it’s all FREE!

September 4 - 7
Arts, Beats & Eats Pontiac
Arts, Beats & Eats is excited to add to its name, mission and purpose in 2009. We are now Arts, Beats & Eats - Festival of Hope and we are excited to announce new changes and partners for the 2009 festival.

Arts, Beats & Eats will still feature The HealthPlus Art Fair, one of the top art shows in the US, incredible food, more than 125 bands on six stages, and dynamic and interactive fun for the kids.

September 4 - 6
Logging Fest Newaygo
The Logging Fest takes place over Labor Day Weekend. Newaygo was built around the logging industry, and we are celebrating our logging heritage. Highlights of the Logging Fest include the Chainsaw Sculpture Competition and Auction, Lumberjack's Competition and Fireman's Water Battle. The Arts & Crafts Show in Brooks Park is host to exhibitors from all over the country displaying their arts and crafts. The local merchants have sidewalk sales. The event also includes kids activities and games, and on Sunday a parade route goes through downtown Newaygo.

September 5 - 6
Marquette Area Blues Fest Marquette
The Marquette Area Blues Society has announced the headline performers for the 2009 Marquette Area Blues Fest. The festival, now in it's 6th year, will once again be held at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in downtown Marquette over Labor Day Weekend. The dates are Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, 2009. Featured performers on Saturday include Blue Bass entertainment recording artists Biscuit Miller & the Mix, VizzTone recording artist Gina Sicilia and Chikan Howse Records recording artist James "SUPER CHIKAN" Johnson.

On Sunday, the featured performers are Michigan's very own "The King of the Party Blues" Maurice Davis, Shanachie Entertainment recording artist Curtis Salgado and Blind Pig recording artists Smokin' Joe Kubek and B'nois King. Also on the bill for the weekend will be the finest in local and regional blues performers. The music will begin both days at 1-pm with gates opening at noon. Be sure to take in the food and merchandise vendors as well as the workshops offered during the weekend to make it a complete blues experience!

September 7
Labor Day Bridge Walk Mackinaw City
The Labor Day Bridge walk, recognized as "the world's greatest walking event", brings over 70,000 people to the area. Buses are available for transportation to the north end of the bridge. Participants walk from the north side to the south. At the finish line you are awarded a certificate of completion.

More Labor Day Getaway Resources

Stretch Your Labor Day Holiday with Michigan Fairs and Festivals from PureMichigan.org

Labor Day Getaways from the West Michigan Tourist Association

MDOT Halts Most Work for the Labor Day Weekend from MDOT (54 work zones will be active so check it out to plan your route)

Michigan's Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events - All the happenings are listed here

Thinking of doing some camping then check out this cool 'Campground Search' from the DNR

If you are not hitting the road then take a virtual Labor Day tour of Michigan courtesy of our Absolute Michigan Flickr pool

Traverse City Wine & Art Festival by M'Lynn Heartwell Mike Brenton from the Lansing City Pulse attended the wine fest. In Sampling the Champs he writes about the festival and the Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition: This year’s Best of Class and Judge’s Merit winners included six wines from Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula and an Ice Wine from Fenn Valley Vineyards, south of Holland. It is a testament to the quality grape growing and winemaking in the Traverse City Region... Complete competition results are posted at www.michiganwines.com, but it is helpful to taste wines before purchasing. Fortuitously, the Traverse City Wine and Art Festival held its inaugural celebration on Aug. 22 at the Grand Traverse Commons. Twenty-two area wineries and several diverse restaurants rimmed the edges of a circus-sized tent, while wine devotees sampled many of the Gold Medal and Best of Class wines. Forming a perimeter around the tent was a juried fine arts show, featuring many artists recognizable from the East Lansing Art Fair. On a stage off to the side, Okemos’ own Thom Jayne & the Nomads entertained the crowd, along with other bands.

Buckwheat Zydeco at the Beer Fest II by Andy McFarlane Absolute Michigan's Cherie Spaulding braved the downpour at the beer festival. In If you brew it she reports: What occurred at The Village Saturday afternoon was no small feat. Had the sun simply offered her face in typical August fashion, hosting a Microbrew & Music festival would have been worry enough. Add to the challenge: rain, rain, rain. Still, not a grim face in the crowd. Smiles protruded from hooded hatters toting biodegradable koozies thermally insulating samples of amber ale and chocolate stout. Huddled and gathered beneath large and small tents, attendees dodged rain drops pelleting the lawn. Despite Mother Nature's drab set decoration, Traverse City's Microbrew & Music Festival proved to be a brilliant affair, as folks flooded the lawn of the old State Hospital grounds, sipping suds in the (sometimes) pouring rain... After Saturday's event, the only hard evidence we have is that nothing--not even cool wet weather--will stop Michiganders from their microbrews, music and good eats. And yes, they seemed happy. Northern Michigan's thirst to celebrate with friends and family can neither be quenched or denied. Rain or shine--if you brew it, they will come!

Click for more wine fest photos by M'Lynn, and Absolute Michigan also brought in photographer Jesamin Califf who has a great gallery from the inaugural TC Wine & Art Festival.

I had the good fortune to be involved with both events - the TC Wine & Art fest as an organizer and the TC Beer fest as a participant. While I have to admit that it was a lot more fun to be on the participant end, the most exciting thing about the week for me has been looking forward to what the week holds in 2010 and beyond.

Plans are already afoot to turn the week into a celebration of community, culture and the culinary offerings of the new foodie mecca that is the Traverse City area. Stay tuned!

"We've extended our efforts to stay connected with travelers. Social media allows us to get the Pure Michigan message out to potential visitors on other platforms," commented George Zimmermann, Vice President of Travel Michigan, a business unit of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "It opens another line of communication with travelers."

In addition to the most popular state tourism Web site, michigan.org, visitors now have other means to stay up-to-date on Michigan tourism deals, discounts and events.

Connect and get the inside scoop on where the fish are biting, what greens are running fast and how you can make your visit Pure Michigan at the newly launched blog, Pure Michigan Connect. Read about bloggers' experiences along the nation's longest fresh water coastline or experience at a small town celebration. Take a minute to comment on the blog posts, or submit one of your own.

Follow @PureMichigan on Twitter for the latest events and breaking news, along with some fun behind-the-scenes information on all the things going on with Michigan tourism. Search hashtags #puremichigan, #MIevents, #MIdine, #MIgolf, #MIfish, and #MIwine, for all the latest.

Join the Pure Michigan Fan Page on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the latest events in Michigan and talk to others with the same love for Michigan. The fan page is another great resource for planning a trip.

In addition, visitors can now enjoy all the photos from the Pure Michigan Photo Contest on Flickr, or watch all of the Pure Michigan commercials on YouTube.

Michigan.org continues to be a source for Michigan travel information, featuring more than 12,000 attractions, events, hotels, resorts, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses.

Travel Michigan, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is the State of Michigan's official agency for the promotion of tourism. Travel Michigan markets the state's tourism industry and provides valuable visitor information services.

Dave Brubeck Quartet by Maia C

For more than a quarter century, the Detroit International Jazz Festival has entertained millions of fans with jazz legends ranging from Herbie Hancock to Yusef Lateef and Ron Carter. Today, it ROARS on six stages over four days, with blues, gospel, R&B, and one of the finest jazz lineups on the planet. The 2009 festival takes place this weekend and is the 30th annual. Mark Stryker writes:

Detroit's remarkable jazz history has a lot of heroes, but none loom larger than the three incomparable Jones brothers from Pontiac, who came roaring out of the local scene at midcentury to become major influences -- Hank as a pianist, Thad as a composer, arranger and bandleader and Elvin as a drummer.

So it's only fitting that the 30th anniversary edition of the Detroit International Jazz Festival, which runs Friday through Monday, would pay homage to the first family of Detroit jazz with the subtitle of "Keepin' Up with the Joneses."

Hank, the eldest and only surviving brother, who still plays beautifully at age 91, headlines an opening night double-bill with Chick Corea, and artist-in-residence John Clayton has written a 30-minute commissioned suite for big band and jazz quintet that honors the Jones brothers. On a deeper level, the entire weekend lineup is deep with other famous jazz families, from the Brubecks to the Heaths.

Other featured performers are Wayne Shorter, Corea, Clarke & White, Dave Brubeck, the Clayton Brothers Quintet and Christian McBride (complete schedule via the Freep.)

Be sure to enjoy this report from the 2008 Detroit International Jazz Festival hosted by Jim McClain and shot and produced by Scott Allman for Absolute Michigan.

Plan on it for 2009!