Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. - Confucius by Church of One

The day for lovers, sweethearts, paramours and chocoholics is drawing near. Like it, love it, or hate it, Valentine's Day has become an annual tradition. Such a tradition, that according to the Greeting Card Association, over one billion valentines will be given out, and eighty five percent of those by women.

As you celebrate the holiday, consider making your day special with something from Michigan. There's plenty of delicious Valentine's Day recipes from Pure Michigan at Michigan.org. The Food Network also offers up some culinary advice on the 'Holiday's & Parties' section of their website. Lansing's WLNS CBS channel 6 website has a complete Valentine Day section on their website. Over at mlive.com you can check out "Valentine's Day is perfect for creating fun foods with kids".

Of course, if you're looking for something to compliment that tasty treat, consider the MDA's Wine Recommendations for that special day. According to the Wine Market Council and Merrill Research, a whopping 95 percent of wine drinkers agree that wine makes a perfect gift and 50% of both men and women said they would rather receive wine of Valentine’s Day, compared with 41% who preferred a box of chocolates. You can't go wrong with a Michigan wine!

Pure Michigan has put together a great selection of Romantic Escapes in Michigan. Their getaways and packages are perfect for couples who are looking to get away from it all (but not each other). Join the wineries of Leelanau, Old Mission & Traverse City for the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival Winter Wine Wonderland at the Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest at the Grand Traverse Resort for a celebration of wine, gourmet desserts, art & fun this Valentines Day.

Get a whole ton more events for the Valentine's Day/President's Day Weekend via Pure Michigan.

If you're left scratching your head over what to buy him or her, be sure to check out 'In tough times, Cupids can shoot for a bargain Valentine's Day' from The Detroit News or from WLNS.com, 'Valentine's Day Gift Giving Guide' for that perfect gift!

Don't forget the furry friends in your life, be a homeless pet's Valentine. WXYZ-TV 7 in Detroit is hosting their Annual Valentine's Day Telethon to support the Michigan Humane Society. Tune in or donate online!

If that's not enough and you really want to get your Valentine on, check out Absolute Michigan keyword Valentine for food & gift ideas.

For a little eye candy, you should check out the Valentine slideshow from the Absolute Michigan flickr pool!

We also have a large number of Michigan web sites to check out (though if we're missing one, be sure to add a link to it).

Flowers & Florists … say it with flowers

Chocolate … there's also candy companies

Candles … lighting the way for romance for thousands of years

Jewelry … silver & gold, platinum and bronze, pick your favorite.

Wow, you actually made it to the end of this post!

Now head over to NPR and check out their article 'Listeners Pick Love Songs for Valentine's Day'....

Iron Works #2 - Cranbrook by MikeRyu

Our Michigan February Event Calendar shows that the more the weather tries to keep us holed up, the more ways we find to get out and have fun!! Of course, there's still many, many more and we invite you to fill us in on other February events in the comments.

February Fast Facts - Wikipedia

• Having only 28 days in common years, it is the only month of the year that can pass without a single full moon.
• It has 29 days in leap years, when the year number is divisible by four (except for years that are divisible by 100 and not by 400 in the Gregorian calendar)
• It is the only month of the calendar that once every six years and twice every 11 years, will have only four full 7-day weeks.
• Its birth flower is the Viola (plant) and the Primrose.
• Its birthstone is the amethyst.

February Quotes

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." - Edith Sitwell

"Surely as cometh the Winter, I know
There are Spring violets under the snow." - R. H. Newell

"February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March." - Dr. J. R. Stockton

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour." - John Boswell

"February makes a bridge and March breaks it." - George Hebert

Notable February Dates from Michigan History Magazine

• February 13, 1855 The Michigan legislature protects escaped slaves.
• February 24, 1863 Michigan supports the Emancipation Proclamation.
• February 17, 1864 The First Michigan Colored Infantry is mustered into federal service.
• February 21, 1905 The National Ski Association is organized in Ishpeming.
• February 20, 1909 The Hudson Motor Car Company is organized.
• February 2, 1936 Ty Cobb becomes one of the first players selected to enter the newly formed Baseball Hall of Fame.
• February 8, 1985 The Stroh Brewery announces it is closing its Detroit plant.

Things to Do, Places to Go

February 2 - 7
International 500 Snowmobile Race Sault - Sault Sainte Marie
2009 marks the 41st running of the International 500 Snowmobile Race and they invite YOU to join them for this outstanding event that is second to none! "All the thrills of NASCAR" All the excitement of I-500 Snowmobile Racing.

February 3 - 6
Winter Carnival - Houghton
Michigan Tech often registers more than 200 inches of snow in a season. Not content to let this abundant natural resource go to waste, students band together in an annual celebrtion of our beautiful, tough, exhilarating, and character-building climate. For complete event detail visit their website.

February 4 - 7
12th Annual Michigan International Auto Show - Grand Rapids
This is the greatest annual opportunity to view your "next new car!" More than 35 car manufacturers from around the world will bring their finest traveling displays with 300 + new vehicles - including sedans, vans, SUV's, trucks, hybrids and sports cars. Not only is the Auto Show the BEST place to shop and compare options for every day vehicles, it is also the first opportunity for West Michigan residents to see many of the most recently released or "soon to be released" models!

February 4 - 7
North American Snow Festival - Cadillac
Opening ceremonies begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Fox Hill Event Center on February 4. Various events take place on Lake Cadillac on February 4 - 7.

February 4 - 7
59th Annual Perchville USA - Tawas
The 59th Annual Tawas Perchville Festival includes a Perchville queen, live entertainment, a Polar Bear Swim, a "Chilly" Cook-off, ice-fishing contest, the Perchville USA Parade, and many more fun winter events.

February 6
White Pine Stampede - Mancelona
The White Pine Stampede is a major Nordic Ski race, part of the Michigan Cup series and the Midwest's premier Nordic event. The White Pine Stampede has a 50 Kilometer Event, a 20 Kilometer Event, and a 10 Kilometer Timed Tour.

February 6 & 7
Taste the Passion - Leelanau
Love is in the air as you celebrate the upcoming Valentine's Day at the "Taste the Passion" weekend February 6 & 7. This special weekend celebrates wine, chocolate and love in anticipation of Valentine's Day! The combination of winter's beauty in Leelanau with the special pleasures of life always makes for wonderful weekend.

The weekend starts on Saturday as participants head to their first winery stop to collect a souvenir glass. Then the fun begins with special pours and tasty chocolate treats offered at wineries between the hours of 11am and 5pm on Saturday, and Noon and 5pm on Sunday. However, because one cannot survive on chocolate alone (tempting as it may sound), savory dishes will be served at a number of tasting rooms.

February 12 - 14
Detroit's Winter Blast - Detroit
Many signature winter activities are returning with free ice-skating in Campus Martius Park, Professional skating demonstrations, unique sculptures in the Ice Garden, the Meijer Kid’s Family Fun Zone and more. Detroit’s music scene will be on display on two stages, with more than 50 entertainment acts performing. Plus- you can always find a place to warm-up with DTE Energy’s Comfort Zones. You’ll find heat every 150 feet on the Winter Blast site, including both heated tents and warming stations in local buildings.

February 12 - 14
West Michigan Youth Wintersportsfest
Three days, 22 Sports competitions and 3,000 athletes. Open to any athletes 18 and under. This will be an awesome event with youth athletes from all over the state and Midwest! There will be 20 sporting events taking place in 3 days with 3,000 athletes in participation. There will be indoor and outdoor activities including events like bowling, target shooting, figure skating, and many more

February 12 - 14
North American VASA - Traverse City
The VASA weekend festival of Races includes both a 27 and 50km special classic skiing race, a 12km Timed Class, and a 6km and 16km challenge. Junior VASA Races are also part of the weekend festival.

February 12 - 15
Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest - Traverse City
The Third Annual Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest is a three-day wintertime celebration chock-full of fun for all ages in the Cherry Capital of the World, President’s Day Weekend, February 13-16, 2009. Whether you enjoy outdoor activities with wintry frost nipping at your nose, or indoor activities that warm the body and soul, we have something sure to please you and your loved ones.

February 13 - 21
Detroit Boat Show - Detroit
The Detroit Boat Show has been staged every year for 51 years, and is known as the premier boating event in the State of Michigan. The Detroit Boat Show is known as one of the top boat shows in the country in regards to size, sales and attendance.

February 14
Winter Wine Wonderland - Traverse City
Join the wineries of Leelanau, Old Mission & Traverse City at the Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest at the Grand Traverse Resort for a celebration of wine, gourmet desserts, art & fun this Valentines Day. The Wine Festival will take place on Sunday February 14th from 3-8 PM (Fireworks at 7 PM) .

February 19 & 20
Frost Bite Winter Festival - Harrison
Event takes place on 5 groomed nine-hole courses, where novice and veteran golfers hit brightly colored tennis balls over the snow. Bring a partner and sign up for the two-person scramble. Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, men's and women's divisions.

February 19 - 21
U.P. Pond Hockey Championship - St. Ignace
The 2010 U.P. Pond Hockey Championship will be played on the Wild Ice of Moran Bay, Lake Huron, downtown St. Ignace, Michigan! We hope to have 160 teams competing for prizes!

February 19 -21
UP 200, Midnight Run Sled-Dog Championships and The Jack Pine 30 - Marquette
Three UP sled dog races provide a variety of challenges for mushers. The UP 200 is actually 240 miles in length and is a qualifying race for the Iditarod. Over 15,000 visitors come to Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.) to see the U.P. 200! It is a favorite winter event for local residents and out of town guests. The U.P. 200 has a dedicated group of over 500 volunteers from the U.P. and the mid-west region that come together to stage this great event each year.

February 26
The Great Wine & Food Symposium
Escape the snow with an evening of indulgence at The Great Wine & Food Symposium, west Michigan’s premier wine tasting event. You'll enjoy gourmet food selections, as well as over 300 wines and beers from around the world. Sample these tastes as classical music drifts through the halls and the snowflakes drift outside.

February 27
The Outhouse 500 - Coopersville
Join in with the hilarious and wacky fun of the 6th Annual Outhouse 500 on Main Street in Historic Downtown Coopersville! Hosted by the Main Street Merchants Association. Teams parade, then race their uniquely decorated outhouses down Main Street!

February 27
Winter Beer Festival - Grand Rapids
The 5th Annual Winter Beer Festival will take place Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at the Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, just north of Grand Rapids. The Winter Festival is a unique opportunity to sample some of the best beers in the world, all brewed in Michigan. We are expecting more than 35 Michigan microbreweries and brewpubs to participate and there will be more than 200 different beers available to sample. The event is open from Noon to 5:00pm.

February 27
Trenary Outhouse Classic - The Outhouse Races - Trenary
The Outhouse Classic is an annual race in Trenary where outhouses are built and raced down the main street. There are categories: speed, presentation, best use of theme, most humorous, best workmanship, and most miles traveled. Families come to the event to watch and to compete, there are two different age brackets making competitions fair. A few years ago nuns came to compete and built the Vati-Can. Make sure to head on up to Trenary for the annual Outhouse Classic. Read Absolute Michigan's Sports that ARE Silly: Outhouse Racing or watch Outhouse Classic Outhouse Race in Trenary, Michigan.

Guardian by Ralph Krawczyk Jr

Our years of neglect of the ongoing structural problems in our budget has left Michigan in a position where we're cutting all kinds of services drastically. When you're taking millions from classrooms, public safety and basic human services for our most needy, it's hard to advocate against cuts for the arts.

However, after watching this video from ArtServe Michigan, that looks at the jobs & economic impact of the arts and the bigger picture of how art & civilization work together, I have to say that Michigan needs to think long and hard about how we will foster art & culture in these challenging times.

What do you think? Watch the video and comment below or over on the ArtServe blog.

Also check out the 4400 plus "art" slideshow in the Absolute Michigan pool.

Quotes

"New Year ceremonies are designed to get rid of the past and to welcome the future." - New Year's Customs

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.
A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves." - Bill Vaughan

"To leave the old with a burst of song,
To recall the right and forgive the wrong;
To forget the thing that blinds you fast
To the vain regrets of the year that's past." - Robert B. Beattie

The Happenings

The HOT New Year’s Eve - Grand Rapids
Join in the fun downtown Grand Rapids this year with The HOT New Year’s Eve Party at Rosa Parks Circle. Featuring live free concerts from Priscilla Renea, Uncle Kracker, and Boys Like Girls and DJ Curtis Avison as well as a ball drop at midnight featuring a giant illuminated globe above the stage.

50 Monroe Rocks New Years Eve Party hosted by T.G.I. Fridays
Step out of the cold & the crowds & still be part of the action. Watch the ball drop in comfort from the lobby of 50 Monroe, located across the street from Rosa Parks Circle. Your ticket to a rockin New Years eve includes live entertainment, all-you-can-eat T.G.I. Fridays munchies and a champaign toast to ring in 2010. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at the downtown Fridays, 50 Monroe NW, or by calling 616.742.8443 or 1592@crww.com.

T.G.I. Fridays Rockin' New Years Eve Tent
Escape the cold for a cold one in the T.G.I. Fridays Rockin' New Years Eve Tent located across the street from the ball drop & the Rosa Parks Circle Stage in the parking lot on the corner of Monroe and Louis. Cover to the clear-sided, heated tent is only $5 bucks. Stop in and pick-up your ticket early & move to the front of the line ahead of the crowd. 21 & over only - bring your holiday green -because the tent bar is cash only. 616.742.8443 or 1592@crww.com.

New Year's Fest - Kalamazoo, MI
Welcome to New Year's Fest – a performing arts celebration in downtown Kalamazoo. Hosted on December 31, 2009. New Year's Fest provides 28 different entertainers who perform inside 9 buildings surrounding Bronson Park.

Resolution Ball - Detroit, MI
Two of the biggest area promoters come together to put on the single largest New Years Eve celebration in the Detroit area. 313rd.com in partnership with TheSocialConnection.com, presents the Resolution Ball at the Fillmore in downtown Detroit. A black tie optional event featuring an open bar, food and great music all night. Pre-sale tickets available, more details coming soon...

New Years Eve Detroit - Detroit, MI
New Year's Eve Detroit offers an all inclusive party for couple and singles. We offer a fun and fashionable event where just about everything is included and you DO NOT have to leave by 1AM when the party is in high gear. From a chef prepared dinner buffet with dessert to Champagne toast, noisemakers and a late night/early morning snack we provide all the essentials for a roaring good time.

New Year's Eve Detroit 2010 - Detroit, MI
NYEDetroit.com is run by local event and marketing company, The Social Connection, and is designed to showcase all of the NYE parties offered in metro Detroit with FREE listings, search engine optimization and an aggressive digital and traditional media campaign.

The NYEDetroit.com website provides a virtual cafe for partygoers in metro Detroit to search for and learn about the many NYE party options offered and then how to purchase their tickets.

New Year's Nation Detroit - Detroit, MI
DeNew Year’s Nation is the only event of its kind, connecting thousands of people in multiple cities on the biggest night of the year.

On New Year’s Eve 2010, more than 15,000 guests in 10 cities will join the New Year’s Nation celebration as thousands more join the party on-line with NYN-TV, New Year’s Nation’s live broadcast.troit's Largest & Most Exclusive New Year's Event-Live broadcast connecting 8 Cities. 5HR Open Bar, Food Stations, Balloon Drop & Champagne Toast:That 80s Band:DJ Urban Kris

Downtown New Year's Eve Gala & Fireworks - Mt Clemens, MI
Join us for the 16th Annual Downtown Mount Clemens New Year's Eve Gala. This is Metro Detroit's Best Family New Year's Eve Party featuring live entertainment and Midnight fireworks! Schedule for the evenings festivities are as follows:

Pistons vs. Bulls - Auburn Hills, MI
Watch the ball drop ... through the net!

Griffins vs. Hamilton Bulldogs - Grand Rapids, MI
13th Annual New Year's Eve Celebration/Griffins Calendar Giveaway presented by Fox Motors! Fan 4-Pack: Fans can receive four tickets and $12 in concession cash for a great low price. Jersey Auction: Griffins jerseys designed by Chad B. Stilson will be worn by the players and auctioned off following the game to benefit Grand Valley State University's club rollor hockey team. Post-Game Skate: Bring your own skates to take to the ice following the game.

New Year's Eve at The B.O.B. - Grand Rapids, MI
Ring in the New Year in style at The B.O.B. with a bash that is highly anticipated every year. Live entertainment and a ton of options to choose from.

Craig's Cruisers New Years Eve Parties - Grand Rapids, MI
Festive food and family fun for everyone! Two different party times. Both parties include Craig's Special New Years Eve Feast! Join Cruiser and count down to 2010! Balloon drop at Midnight! Music and Karaoke by DJ Specialists (6pm to 1am). Party favors and bubble machine. Unlimited Indoor Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, High Ropes Course and Frog Hopper. Plus, unlimited play on all video games (non-redemption). Times are 4pm-8pm or 9pm-1am.

Ring In the New Year at Boyne Highlands Harbor Springs, MI ...or at Boyne Mountain Boyne Falls, MI
Ring in the New Year at Boyne Highlands with choice of several festivities. Fine dining specials in the Main Dining Room, The Olympic Buffet, a party in the Slopeside Lounge and the Zoo Bar.

Grand Traverse Resort New Year's Celebration - Traverse City, MI
There's simply no better place to celebrate New Year's Eve than Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. This year, we're offering three different parties. "Dancing through the Decades" Live Concert ~ Presented by Pepsi * Latin New Year's Eve at Aerie Restaurant & Lounge * Kid's New Year's Eve Fun

New Year’s Eve Dinner Train: Murder Mystery Charlotte & Blissfield, MI
Join us for a 5-course meal and 5-star service on the longest continuously operating dinner train in North America, as we bid farewell to 2009 and welcome in 2010. Our famous Murder Mystery Dinner Train features a leisurely 3-hour trip while a comedic murder mystery unfolds tableside.

Frankfort, Michigan Lighthouse and Beach by forestlady

Here's a few highlights of the many events being held around Michigan for the month of January. A lot of them are out in the snow for snowmobiles, skates, skis and sled dogs, but there's also a chance to heat up with the Ann Arbor Folk Fest, Ferndale Blues and the Detroit Auto Show. The weatherman says there's a 100% chance we didn't get them all so please add links and information for those we missed along with reviews of ones we list in the comments below!

• January is named after Janus (Ianuarius), the god of the doorway; the name has its beginnings in Roman mythology, coming from the Latin word for door (ianua) - January is the door to the year.
• January's birthstone is the garnet which represents constancy.
• Its birth flower is the Dianthus caryophyllus or Galanthus.

"New Year's Day is everyman's birthday." - Charles Lamb

"The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months!" - Edward Payson Powell

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." - Edith Sitwell

All Month
Ice Skate Campus Martius Park - Detroit
Skating among the skyscrapers at Campus Martius Park. At 64 feet by 120 feet, it's a bit larger than the Rink at Rockefeller Center and showcases surround-sound music and color-changing lighting. Skaters and visitors can enjoy a warming pavilion for renting and changing skates, as well as outdoor seating. The rink is open daily until March.

January 9
Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race - Newberry
We are again looking forward to pristine trail conditions over beautiful terrain. Each year we seem to get just the right amount of snowfall, and each year our trail crews do a fantastic job of preparing great racing conditions for all our classes.

January 11 - January 24
The North American International Auto Show - Detroit
Experience the next generation of transportation at the North American International Auto Show 2010. See more than 700 vehicles on display, representing the most innovative designs in the world and experience North America's largest and most prestigious automotive showcase.

January 16
Winter Warm-Up Weekend - Traverse City
Cabin Fever? Cooped up with the kids! If you are looking for an excuse to take a weekend getaway, then look no further! The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) has teamed up with peninsula area businesses for 2009’s WINTER WARM UP. Guests may visit any of the five Old Mission wineries between 12-5 to purchase a souvenir mug. This mug is your “ticket” into each participating winery and business on Old Mission, entitling you to mulled wine tasting, desserts, appetizers and other special promotions. On Saturday Jan 17, 2009 each of the wineries will have a special artistic/performance offering! Some peninsula area restaurants are offering special promotions when you present your mug.

January 16 - 17
Kalkaska Winterfest - Kalkaska
One of the largest races in the Midwest. Longest continuous running race in Michigan -- Since 1965. Largest purse in Michigan -- $6,000. The only race in the state with an Unlimited/Open Class.

January 22-24 and 29-31
Tip Up Town USA - Houghton Lake
It's hard to put into words how Tip Up Town USA has come to be the very description of winter fun and enjoyment for the whole family at Houghton Lake. Thousands of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and neighboring residents return each year to see this largest Winter Festival in Michigan, held annually the last two weekends in January. Whatever the weather, TUT will be fun, fun, fun all the way. There will be all the usual popular attractions - the carnival, parade, Polar Bear Dip, Family Fun Tent, Beverage Tent, crazy games and more! Plus, the Ice Fishing contests will be bigger and better than ever and we're adding Broomball this year!

January 27 - February 1
Zehnder's Snowfest - Frankenmuth
Zehnder's Snowfest has been host to one of the top snow sculpting events in North America for the past 19 years. Visitors have enjoyed larger-than-life snow sculptures and beautifully detailed ice carvings each year. Zehnder's Snowfest 2010 will again dazzle and excite you with snow and ice sculptures created by professional ice and snow carvers from around the world.

January 29 - 30
Ann Arbor Folk Festival - Ann Arbor
In keeping with the Festival's longstanding reputation, each night will feature a blend of renowned and up-and-coming performers, providing audiences with the opportunity to hear popular artists working at the top of their field while discovering terrific new talent. All funds raised through the Festival benefit The Ark, Ann Arbor's non-profit home for folk, roots, and ethnic music.

January 29 - February 6
Ferndale Blues Festival - Ferndale
The Ferndale Metro Blues Festival has been a hugely popular and wildly successful event. In fact, it was an official sanctioned event of Super Bowl XL in 2006. The Ferndale Metro Blues Festival averages more than 60 concerts held over nine days at two dozen locations in the region.

January 30
Subaru Noquemanon Ski Marathon and mBank Half Noque - Marquette
The MGH Noquemanon Ski Marathon and mBank Half Noque, both in their eleventh year, continue to attract cross country skiers from around the nation and around the world. Thousands of skiers have taken the 51K or 25K trek from Ishpeming, the birthplace of organized skiing and home to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame to Marquette’s Superior Dome, the world’s largest wooden domed stadium along the shores of Lake Superior.

January 30
Heikinpäivä - Hancock
Heikinpäivä is set for January 30, 2010, with events throughout the week leading up to the primary festival day, as well as the days immediately following. Organizers keep a watchful eye on the celebration's uniquely ethnic flavor and it features Finnish crafts, music, food, films and games. Although a Hancock City event, the Heikinpaiva spirit has spilled into neighboring communities from Calumet to South Range.

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.

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.

***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

As always, the festival site will have a Disc Golf Course Designed by Stephanai Myers of Disc Golf Michigan. The festival site is also strategically located near various mountain biking trails and the Pine River, a National Wild and Scenic River, a world class blue-ribbon trout stream, and a renowned paddle sports playground. Kestelwoods restaurant, party store and campground is a convenient 6 minute walk from the festival grounds.

New to the Festival
New this year will be the addition of a beer tent, featuring some of the finest handcrafted brews from the great beer state, served up in a micro beer festival format. We're proud to announce our all new Farmers Market full of local produce and specialty baked goods.

Vendor Village
In Hoxeyville we understand the vendor village is the nucleus of any good festival. We always strive to feature the finest artisan, craft and food vendors from our region, with a focus on specialty foods with locally grown and organic ingredients.

Just some of the artists include:
Buddy Guy, Galactic, Bill Frisell Trio, The New Orleans All-Stars, Melvin Seals & JGB, Greensky Bluegrass, Great American Taxi, Ekoostic Hookah, Seth Bernard & May Erlewine, Steppin' In It, The Macpodz and many, many more....

Location
Located in Beautiful Northwest Lower Michigan in the Heart of the Manistee National Forest, The Festival Grounds are located just west of The Kestelwoods Store and Campground off M-37 in Wexford County (1 1/2 hrs N of Grand Rapids, 40 Min. S of Traverse City) This year the site has been expanded to 75 acres and features ample areas for shaded walk-in and car camping, and open and level fields for RVs and Campers. This year we have a new Venue area that will be home to the The Main stage, Vendor Village and a Beer Tent featuring some of the finest brews from the region.

About the Festival

The Traverse City Wine & Art Festival is being organized in order to create a landmark celebration of the wine, food and culture for the region. It will feature 22 wineries from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas along with a selection of Traverse City and Leelanau restaurants providing food & desserts. Art Center Traverse City will be coordinating a sampling of artists and arts organizations who will display and sell their work in booths ringing the tent. Music will be offered for the duration, headlined by Michigan's own Thom Jayne and the Nomads who play a truly unique blend of world and Celtic infused jazz. The music will be punctuated by original dance from the Michigan Dance Collective.

Saharan Caravan by Thom Jayne and the Nomads

"The Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association is excited to be building a major wine festival that will showcase the amazing wines of our region against the beautiful backdrop of the Grand Traverse Commons. We feel that the blend of art, food and wine is a natural combination that highlights three things we do very well in Northwest Michigan," said festival chairperson Jaclyn Eikey. "With the addition of some really eclectic music and entertainment, I think it will be an experience like none other offered in our area. The proceeds from this year's party will help us build a festival that we feel will become one of the highlights of summer in the Traverse City area."

Tickets

Tickets are limited and can be purchased online for $20 per person and will be available for pickup on the day of the event. You can also pick them up at the following locations:

Bel Lago, Black Star Farms (All 3 locations), Bowers Harbor, Brys Estate, Chateau Chantal, Chateau de Leelanau, Chateau Fontaine, Chateau Grand Traverse, Cherry Republic Winery, Ciccone, Forty-Five North, Gill's Pier, Good Neighbor Organic, L. Mawby, Leelanau Wine Cellars, Left Foot Charley, Peninsula Cellars, Shady Lane Cellars, Silver Leaf, Tandem Ciders, Traverse City Convention , & Visitors Bureau, Turtle Creek, Two Lads, Willow Vineyard

Tickets purchased online will be available for pickup on the day of the event. They are nonrefundable but can be transferred to another name if you are unable to attend. YOU MUST BE 21+ to attend.

Ann Arbor Street Fair by Photo Credit Peter Leix

Established in 1960, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is the Original of the now four award-winning Ann Arbor Art Fairs:

• The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original
• The State Street Area Art Fair
• The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair
• Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair

Together, the fairs attract over 500,000 attendees from across the nation. The Original Fair was named the Number One Art Fair in the country by AmericanStyle magazine readers survey (October 2004) and has made the Top Ten Fairs and Festivals list every year since.

Our mission is to increase public knowledge and appreciation for contemporary fine arts and fine crafts by creating opportunities that connect artists, the Ann Arbor community and the general public to their mutual benefit, culminating in a top quality juried street art fair.

The Street Art Fair is set on North University Avenue and on the University of Michigan’s Central Campus, amidst most elegant architecture and beautifully landscaped pedestrian walkways, including the landmark Burton Carillon Tower.

Interested in learning more about our history? Check out these sections from Street Beat, a unique, quirky guide to Ann Arbor and the Art Fair. You may download Street Beat in its entirety.

To celebrate 50 years of originality, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is exhibiting original posters, art, and photographs spanning its first half-century. Visitors to the exhibit can explore the history of the Fair through narrative panels chronicling each decade from its humble beginnings to its place today as one of the most highly regarded art fairs in North America. Included in the exhibit is an original retablo by artist Nicario Jiminez depicting the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. Also check out the online collection of images from the history of the Fair that is a part of AADL’s picture Ann Arbor collection.

Bubble and Droplet. by G0Da

It seems that many media outlets are preaching the "staycation" this year. We say cut some corners, pack a lunch, brew your own coffee, just do what you have to do and support the festivals, events, cities and businesses that are making things happen. You might just have some fun and create some great memories in the process.

As usual we by no means have listed all the events happening around Michigan. Add ones we missed (with links) in the comments below!

July Quotes

"Many public-school children seem to know only two dates: 1492 and 4th of July; and as a rule they don't know what happened on either occasion. - Mark Twain

"Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels." - Mark Twain

"Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit." – Henry David Thoreau

"You know, when you get your first asparagus, or your first acorn squash, or your first really good tomato of the season, those are the moments that define the cook's year. I get more excited by that than anything else." - Mario Batali

"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." - Lewis Grizzard

Fast Facts - Wikipedia

• The second half of the year commences in July
• The birthstone for July is a red ruby
• July was renamed for Julius Caesar... Previously, it was called Quintilis...

Stuff To Do!

June 12 - July 5
Ann Arbor Summer Festival Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an exhilarating celebration of performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. Each year, this three-and-a-half-week cultural and social event offers dozens of performances, activities, screenings, and more, with eclectic music, dance, comedy, film, visual arts, and family fun.

Now celebrating its 26th season, the festival has invigorated the cultural life of the community for over two and a half decades. It brings the world to Ann Arbor: innovative artists, enthusiastic audiences, eager students, curious visitors, and anyone looking to be inspired and entertained on a Michigan summer evening.

July 1 - 5
Comerica Cityfest Detroit
Comerica Cityfest is a five-day outdoor food and culture rich entertainment street festival in Detroit’s historic New Center over each Fourth of July weekend. The event exemplifies city life, (what it is and what it could be), in one of Detroit’s fastest growing 24-hour districts.

A diverse and family friendly crowd looks forward each year to our free national and local talent on four stages, over 40 Michigan restaurants selling “tastes” of their specialties, free stage shows, activities for children, and a marketplace of unique Detroit products and memorabilia. Comerica Cityfest is free and open to the public.

July 1 - 5
Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival Battle Creek
Twenty Six Years and Counting...The US Air Force Thunderbirds and Over 60 Hot-Air Balloons Headline Acts at the Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival.

Appearing for the 26th time in Battle Creeks Field of Flight and Air Show history, will be the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. Featured as one of America’s top-precision aerial demonstration teams, the Thunderbirds, over 60 hot-air balloons and an array of aerial demonstration teams will color the skies over W.K. Kellogg Airport during the 2009 event that will be held the week of July 1 - July 5.

As one of Michigan’s largest family festivals, the event began in 1980 with only hot-air balloons and has grown to become one of the largest air shows in the country. "The hot-air balloons will always have a special place at our event, said Barbara Haluszka, Executive Director. "But adding the air shows has definitely put us on the map in the aviation world."

July 2 - 5
Rothbury Rothbury
This year the Rothbury Music Festival takes place July 2-5, 2009 in Rothbury, Michigan (near Muskegon). RothburyFour days of music on six stages feature some of the biggest musical acts around.

The Rothbury Think Tank will be focused on finding energy independence and feature the innovators, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, celebs, and rabble rousers who – in this time of economic, energy and climate crisis – are offering a green path to a brighter future.

July 4
MichiganFireworks.com - Independence Day Michigan
Currently listing 372 Fireworks displays in Michigan for 2009!

July 4 - 12
National Cherry Festival Traverse City
The National Cherry Festival features over 150 events including free air shows over the Bay, colorful parades & marching bands, music shows, sporting events, rides & carnival games on the midway, pie-eating contests, clean blue skies, warm sunshine, crowds of smiling faces, and loads of luscious cherries prepared every way you can imagine!

July 6 - 12
Common Ground Lansing
Common Ground is situated in downtown Lansing along the banks of the Grand River in Adado Riverfront Park. Common Ground is an event for all your senses. This annual celebration features an outstanding line-up of musical acts, focusing on top-level, national, contemporary music performers, scores of food vendors, and a dynamic display of outdoor interactive activities for kids. With an attractive, intimate venue, state-of-art production and a comprehensive array of patron amenities, the festival is the premier special event of the summer in the greater Lansing region.

July 10 - 11
Idlewild Music Fest Idlewild
In its heyday, the Idlewild Resort area was the place to perform for musicians and other entertainers who had already "arrived" and for those that were hoping to get noticed. The Idlewild Music Fest recognizes these musical roots with a three-day celebration. Coordinated and supported by business leaders, the nonprofit community and faith community of Lake County, the Idlewild Music Fest brings an unmistakable beat back to echo across Idlewild Lake and Williams Island, if just for awhile.

July 10 - 11
Michigan Elvisfest Ypsilanti
The world-renowned Michigan Elvisfest began in 2000 in Ypsilanti, Michigan's Historic Depot Town. Beautiful Riverside Park is the place where Elvis fans flock by the thousands every July to pay homage to the King of Rock & Roll and to hear the most award-winning professional Elvis Tribute Artists in North America, as well as other talented Legend Tribute Artists.

July 10 - 12
Blissfest Cross Village
he 29th Blissfest Music Festival will present a world of innovative folk and roots music and dance at the Festival Farm in unique and picturesque northern Michigan. It is truly a blissful musical weekend to be shared with families, friends and music-lovers of all ages. This year's 29th Celebration will feature Jamband, Bluegrass, Blues, Cajun, Celtic, Folk, Jazz, Latin, Ethnic and World music and dance. Follow the links above for all the details of the 29th annual festival. Remember, Life is Bliss so follow your Bliss to the Blissfest!

July 11 - Aug 9
Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire Battle Creek
Neither heat, rain nor scary beast will shut our gates. They will open at 10:00 am to the Queen's delight and close at 7:00 pm with the children's sighs. Come spend your day with us.

Welcome to the Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire - West Michigan premier Artisan Marketplace. With over 100 vendors selling their wares and crafts, you will find everything from turkey legs to wood-carving, leather to silks, and blacksmiths to fairy wings. Silver Leaf offers vendors that will appeal to both men and women and the young and the young at heart. Shop ‘til you drop at the Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire.

July 14 - Aug 2
The Michigan Shakespeare Festival Jackson
The Michigan Shakespeare Festival has been presenting the timeless themes and glorious language of William Shakespeare since 1995, growing each year into a premier regional event that draws respected actors from across the nation, and satisfied audiences from throughout the Midwest.

Check out their Face Book page!

July 15 - 18
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair Ann Arbor
Established in 1960, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is the Original of the now four award-winning Ann Arbor Art Fairs:

* The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original
* The State Street Area Art Fair
* The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair
* Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair

Together, the fairs attract over 500,000 attendees from across the nation. The Original Fair was named the Number One Art Fair in the country by AmericanStyle magazine readers survey (October 2004) and has made the Top Ten Fairs and Festivals list every year since.

July 16 - 19
Venetian Festival St. Joseph
The name implies gracious glides on a glowing river and the gentle sounds of water rippling as gondoliers pole their slender boats and sing soft love songs to couples snuggled in the bows. Such were the hot days and long nights in Venice, Italy, where Venetian Festivals started so many years ago.

In St. Joseph, they still celebrate hot July days and long summer nights with boat rides and love songs and couples holding hands. The Venetian Festival on the St. Joseph River is all of that and so much more.

July 16 - 19
Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium Grand Marais
The oldest kayaking symposium on the Great Lakes welcomes paddlers of all ages and abilities for a weekend packed with fun and learning opportunities. Grand Marais has a protected harbor that is ideal for class sessions and skills practice while offering a perfect starting point for unforgettable trips along the scenic lakeshore.

July 18 - 19
Concert of Colors Detroit
The Concert of Colors is metro Detroit’s free annual diversity music festival. It is presented by ACCESS/Arab American National Museum, New Detroit Inc. and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) with the goal of bringing together metro Detroit’s diverse communities and ethnic groups by presenting musical acts from around the world. Over its 16-year history, the festival has become a beloved highlight of metro Detroit’s summer festival season.

July 17 - 19
Michigan Storytellers Festival Flint
See website for details...

July 17 - 19
Hiawatha Music Festival Marquette
The Hiawatha Festival is the only event of its size and scope in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Without Hiawatha, local performers and fans would have to travel between four and six hours to the nearest festivals of its size and type.

Each year's event features traditional-music styles that include bluegrass, old-time, Cajun, Celtic, acoustic blues and folk - including singer/songwriters - and dance. Mainstage acts include nationally known performers as well as regional and local favorites.

July 17 - 19
Quake on the Lake Waterford
Over the past 9 years, “Quake on the Lake” has gained a reputation as one of the premier summertime events in/around Oakland County, Michigan. It has become a “must attend” event for North American Inboard Hydroplane owners and drivers; and since its inception, nearly 300,000 people have witnessed world-record racing performances from the top teams in the business. The event is the proud recipient of 15 American Power Boat Association (APBA) records being set in 5 different racing classes making Pontiac Lake one of the fastest one-mile race courses in the country!

July 18 - 19
Ragtime Street Fair Dearborn
Come dance, enjoy and celebrate Ragtime in Greenfield Village all weekend long. Our popular new signature event focuses on the early “jazz age” of 20th century America’s first decades. The unique, ragged rhythms of this hugely popular genre present the background for two days of dancing, music, drama, parades and fantastic food. Ragtime Street Fair is free to members and free with Greenfield Village admission.

July 24 - 25
Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival Ypsilanti
The Michigan Brewers Guild’s Summer Beer Festival is a showcase event featuring well over 200 beers from more than 30 Michigan breweries.

July 24 - 26
Yale Bologna Festival Yale
Every July Yale plays host to the Yale Bologna Festival, a 3 day weekend event that closes the streets and transforms this small community of just under 2,000 to a gathering of over 20,000 Bologna starved party-goers! A tradition in Yale since 1989, this festival has grown considerably since its humble beginnings. The festival draws people from all around Michigan as well as other states, eager to see who will be the next King and Queen of Bologna. The Bologna Festival includes such events as the famed outhouses races, a street dance, fireworks and a parade down Main Street that continues to grow each year.

July 25 - 26
Art On The Rocks Marquette
Located in a beautiful wooded area on the shore of Lake Superior in north Marquette. Enjoy the 51st annual Art On The Rocks at Presque Isle Park.

July 24 - Aug 2
Coast Guard Festival Grand Haven
As we celebrate the 219th birthday of the United States Coast Guard and the 84th anniversary of the founding of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, as we know it today, they welcome you and thank you for your support of these gallant men and women who serve us all year long...the members of the United States Coast Guard!

Enjoy your visit...There is only one COAST GUARD CITY USA and we're ready to show you a wonderful time!

July 28 - Aug 2
Traverse City Film Festival Traverse City
The Traverse City Film Festival has grown to become one of the largest film festivals in the Midwest, and one of the most respected in the country. Last year, there were over 80,000 admissions to nearly 100 screenings, a number of them U.S. or world premieres. A special emphasis is given to foreign films, American independents, documentaries, and films which have been overlooked but deserve the attention of a public starved to see a good movie.

July 30 - Aug 2
Woodtick Music Festival Hermansville
The Woodtick Music Festival is a home-grown, Upper Peninsula style shindig featuring a variety of regional and not so regional bands who all have one thing in common....they're damn good!

A Handfull of Cherries by Julie70

Remember the sights, sounds, and smells of a summer celebration in your hometown when you were a kid? Well, happy days return to Traverse City's beautiful Lake Michigan shores July 4-11, 2009, during the National Cherry Festival featuring over 150 events including free air shows over the Bay, colorful parades & marching bands, music shows, sporting events, rides & carnival games on the midway, pie-eating contests, clean blue skies, warm sunshine, crowds of smiling faces, and loads of luscious cherries prepared every way you can imagine! For more information call 800-968-3380.

A Short History of The National Cherry Festival

The Cherry Festival began in 1926 as the Blessing of the Blossoms Festivals in the spring. In 1933 it was renamed the National Cherry Festival and moved to mid to late July in order to coincide with the cherry harvest. It was then later moved again to early July in order to simultaneously occur with the Fourth of July weekend. The festivals annual attendance is now over 500,000 over the course of eight days. The National Cherry Festival has played host to many special guests and dignitaries, including President Gerald R. Ford, Former Astronaut James Lovell, PGA Touring Professional Dan Pohl, Jerry Mathers, and an assortment of Michigan governors.

Global Wine Pavilion

The National Cherry Festival will feature a Global Wine Pavilion that will offer wine lovers of all levels an unsurpassed wine experience on the beautiful, tree-studded former Clinch Park Zoo property in downtown Traverse City. The three night event, Thursday, July 9; Friday, July 10; and Saturday, July 11 will feature a superb collection of over 90 wines selected by Master Sommelier Ron Edwards of Petoskey, Michigan.

The Pavilion will showcase award-winning local, domestic, and international wines covering all major grape varieties and price ranges. In addition, 15 acclaimed craft-brewed international beers will appeal to the hops lover. “This bay side Festival venue will offer the opportunity for wine, beer, and food enthusiasts to enjoy and learn about many award winning wines including several that are produced right here in northern Michigan”, noted Tim Hinkley, National Cherry Festival Executive Director.

More National Cherry Festival Links

• National Cherry Festival web site
• Area lodging, dining & more at Absolute Michigan keyword "Traverse City"
• Food Network: Top 5 Video featuring the National Cherry Festival
• Traverse City Record Eagle: National Cherry Festival Guide
• 1354 Cherry Related Recipes from FoodTV.com
• National Cherry Festival from Wikipedia
• The Unofficial National Cherry Homepage
• Michigan Cherries
• Absolute Michigan keyword search "Cherry"

After tallying the votes from an enormous number of submissions we have identified our winner. Drum roll please......

"I moved from Michigan to Florida this January for work. People said "Florida in the winter....wow, you're lucky" and "you got a job in this economy, man, you're lucky". Well let me tell you something my Michigan friends....you can take a man out of Flint, but you'll never take the Flintstone out of the Man. Give me one excuse to leave this this oceanside resort for a reunion with the best people in the world, my Michigander soul people, and I won't be taking Interstate 75 south again. This Michigan Man is ready to find a way to join all the spirited people celebrating our nations birth with some Great Times in the Great Lakes.....and I thank you absolutemichigan.com for bringing me home!!! Say Yeah to Rothbury, the best music line up of the year....Say Yes to Me in M!ch!gan!!!"

Stace S

Rothbury Snoop Dogg Crowd by Dave Vann

We are pleased to announce that just as we did last year we are having another Rothbury Ticket Giveaway thanks to the very generous festival organizers. This year we will be giving away a pair of 4 day GA Tickets camping included!

Tickets can still be purchased and just like last year's Rothbury Festival they are offering a variety of packages to suit all lifestyles. Unique to this year's festival are the 2 day Saturday & Sunday tickets.

About the Rothbury Music Festival

This year the Rothbury Music Festival takes place July 2-5, 2009 in Rothbury, Michigan (near Muskegon). Four days of music on six stages feature some of the biggest musical acts around including THE DEAD • BOB DYLAN AND HIS BAND • THE STRING CHEESE INCIDENT • WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY • THE BLACK CROWES • DAMIAN 'JR. GONG' MARLEY & NAS • STS9 • G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE • GOV'T MULE • UMPHREY'S MCGEE • BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE • YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND • and about a jillion others!

The festival also will be showcasing "Circus & Theater", a feature that demonstrates the festival's commitment to the performing arts and theatrical culture.

All kinds of interesting Environments & Experiences where you can wander through the Sherwood Forest and stumble upon its many mysteries. Put your hands on some great new gadgets and games at the Festival’s Epicenter or wake up and get loose in a unique yoga journey.

The Rothbury Think Tank will be focused on finding energy independence and feature the innovators, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, celebs, and rabble rousers who – in this time of economic, energy and climate crisis – are offering a green path to a brighter future.

Rothbury in Video and Pictures

Checkout more Rothbury videos on their YouTube channel!

There is also this awesome slideshow from Rothbury 2008 via Flickr...

Where's Waldo? by murn

On her blog Relish, photographer Myra Klarman has posted Marching toward FestiFools 2009, a great collection of photographs from snooping around the studio over the last several weeks to document the massive “behind-the-scenes” effort that goes into creating the 1-hour spectacle that is the annual FestiFools.

FestiFools 2009 takes place in Ann Arbor this Sunday (April 5) at 4 PM sharp in downtown Ann Arbor (Main St., between Washington and William). You can get all the details at festifools.org and even volunteer to help if you want.

Here's a great slideshow of FestiFools photos from the Absolute Michigan pool on Flickr!

Waves Of Fire by siskokid

Students For Sustainable Living, Students Against Sulfide Mining and other Northern Michigan University student organizations invite you to attend the Superior Water Festival in Marquette this weekend (April 3-5, 2009).

The latest in the ongoing Water Festival takes place on the campus of Northern Michigan University in beautiful Marquette on the shore of the world's largest freshwater body, Lake Superior. The weekend will feature regional water luminaries, local legends, world-class Michigan musicians, students from Northern and all over the state and people who care about water issues gathering for a weekend of music, food, community, panels, workshops, dances and celebration to honor & protect our water locally and address global challenges.

Friday's activities will include guided hikes throughout the day. Saturday will mark the start of on-campus festivities at 10:00 a.m. and will continue until 5:00 p.m., to be followed by an evening potluck, a film showing by Jeff Gibbs and a concert featuring Seth Bernard, Daisy May, Michael Beauchamp, Brandon Foote, Susan Fawcett, Frank Youngman, Hawks & Owls and Grassmonkey. Sunday's schedule will feature more activities and music.

Panels, workshops, films and presentations will cover topics including the spirituality & symbolism of water in different cultures & religions; food systems, ethics and their impact on our environment; Great Lakes/Lake Superior watershed discussions; case studies on the past, present and future of dams; Native American/First Nations unique perspective on and relationship with water; health and social justice issues pertaining to water; and the legacy of mining in the U.P. and its impact, among others.

There will be many family-oriented activities throughout the weekend including music by the Earthwork musicians, NMU students and Michigan performers, the Marshland kids' parade, story-telling, poetry readings, Native American dance and a community sing.

Please join our coalition to celebrate the water and culture of the Great Lakes Basin and the U.P. For more information, please email us at cyoungma@nmu.edu.

The event is free and open to the public and you can get more information by contacting Callie Youngman, from The Water Festival web site and also on Facebook.

Here's a little pickin' on Old Man at the Mill from Hawks & Owls:

Ginny, You Are My Shining Star by docksidepress

We have compiled an extensive list of Valentine's Day Events, Gift Ideas, Getaways & Dating Ideas, Giveaways and Parties for Singles, Couples & Kids. With Absolute Michigan's Mondo Valentine's Day Rundown you have no excuse in not charting out a stellar V-Day. Just scroll through this seemingly endless page of options and I think you will find something that tickles your fancy and hopefully that your significant other for this year and for those to come. On to the list....

Valentines Day Events Around Michigan

Brian Vander Ark
Valentines dinner and show packages! In conjunction with the special show Brian is doing, he teamed up with THE BOB in Grand Rapids to offer some package deals of dinner and show tickets. See the flyer HERE to get more info and the number to call.A Valentine's Day Celebration Of Love Songs with Brian Vander ArkWhen: February 14, 2009 - 8:30pmWhere: Grand Rapids Ballet Theatre (Wege Theatre) (341 Ellsworth Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, MI.)Tickets: $20 Reserved SeatingDescription: Brian Vander Ark performs in the beautiful Wege Theater. He will be performing love songs from his catalogue, and also classic love songs from the 60's and 70's. He'll also be taking online requests and dedications (via email). Joining him are his wife, Lux Land, Randy Sly on the grand piano and AJ Dunning from The Verve Pipe. This will be a great after dinner treat!Tickets are on sale now. Here's the link to the Ticketmaster page online: TICKETMASTER LINK People can also order by phone at 616.456.3333 or by coming in person to the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. - Visit Brian's website

LSO Pops: Broadway Romance
Wharton Center for Performing Arts
David Wiley, Guest Conductor
Christina Saffran Ashford, Soprano
Norman Large, Tenor
This Valentine's Day, join us in the Wharton Center for some of Broadway's finest love songs, including favorites from South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, The Music Man, Camelot, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera.
Click here to purchase tickets. - Visit their website

The Elixir of Love
Luscious. Humorous. Magical. Romantic. Donizetti’s charming and sentimental score spins a lighthearted vision of love, as the humble and young Nemorino pines for the breathtaking beauty Adina. His belief in the power of a magic love potion allows this tender comedy to become a gentle expose on romance, class and hope, all leading up to one of opera’s happiest endings. By Gaetano Donizetti. Sung in Italian with English Titles. Opera Grand Rapids, DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids, (616) 742-6500 Devos Performance Hall

The Detroit Repertory Theatre's "RED NIGHT" BENEFIT - Celebrates the Drama, Passion, and Fun of the Color Red
On Saturday, February 14, 2009, the Detroit Repertory Theatre welcomes the public to an evening of drama, romance, a silent auction, champagne, and appetizers at the Board of Trustees' annual "RED NIGHT" benefit beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 each, or $50 for two. All ticket buyers also get a chance at door prizes like chocolate, flowers and gift baskets by calling 313-868-1347 for RED NIGHT reservations. Proceeds from the evening will be used to support the Theatre's Guardian Fund. The Rep is located at 13103 Woodrow Wilson in the heart of Detroit, 48238. More information may be found at www.detroitreptheatre.com

My Folky Valentine at The Ark
What better time than Valentine's Day to explore how married couples make music together? "My Folky Valentine” is The Ark's annual celebration of romance! Each year we present a few of Michigan's top musical couples, in the round during Valentine's Day week. Your hosts, Annie and Rod Capps, have invited some of their most talented friends: Allison Downey and John Austin, the Milroys, J. Oscar and Lauran Bittinger, and Jan Krist and Alan Finkbeiner, to share the stage for an evening of grand collaboration and anything but love songs! . . . Okay, well, maybe a few love songs.

Tickets $15 Buy Online or Buy In Person

Detroit: All You Need is Love, Classic Mystery Tour
Celebrate Valentine's Day with the Fab Four's greatest hits; Penny Lane, I am the Walrus, Yesterday, and of course All You Need is Love. More than a just a rock show, this is a night of Beatles tunes sung, played and performed exactly as they were written. It's the best of the Beatles like you've never heard before: LIVE! - Visit their website

Heart Tugging Tunes
The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra will perform heart-tugging classics from Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet" to "Unchained Melody" from the 1990 romantic drama "Ghost" during "Valentine Hearts." The concert, which will feature Grand Rapids guest vocalist Kathy Wagner and conductor John Varineau, is scheduled at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Ave. Tickets range from $10 (for students) to $40.

For more information, call 387-2300 or go to www.kalamazoosymphony.com

Breathe Owl Breathe Valentine's Day Concert
Join us for chocolates and a special concert on Valentine’s Day

Breathe Owl Breathe sounds as intimately familiar with woods and wild as their band name suggests, but there is an air of cosmopolitan sophistication, too. Micah Middaugh, Andréa Moreno-Beals, and Trevor Hobbs weave songs that are simultaneously playful and thoughtful, simple and intricate. Their layering of guitar, cello, banjo, drum set and harmonizing vocals, as well as some unusual musical uses of instruments and other found objects, results in a very creative and original sound. 8:00 pm. Tickets $12 Adults/ $5 Students available at Leelanau Books in Leland and Brilliant Books in Suttons Bay.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of Fine Arts group at Suttons Bay Schools and all proceeds go directly to fine art programs in the schools. Old Art Building

Unique Valentines Gifts

Michigan Wines for your Valentines
Valentine Wine Recommendations: Sparkling Wines - Go with anything; but especially diamonds and gold!! Or, just do the sparkling wine. Sparkling wines can be served before, during and after dinner.Michigan Wines

Basket Full of Gifts
Baskets Full of Gifts was founded in 1999 to fulfill the gift-giving needs of businesses and individuals throughout Northern Michigan. The company specializes in providing private and corporate gift solutions to:

• Celebrate holidays and weddings
• Thank employees, customers and business associates
• Commemorate birthdays, anniversaries and store openings

To order baskets call (888) 388-9404 or visit Baskets Full of Gfits

Speechless Chocolates
Alpena chocolatier Danielle Mulvena keeps winter in the Northern hinterland lively by dreaming up confections: Absinthe truffles; Medjool dates stuffed with sherry caramelized almonds and then coated in dark chocolate and smoked sea salt; tangy sweet strawberry balsamic caramels. Find her Speechless Chocolates online and in gourmet shops across the North.
For more information, please visit Speechless Chocolates

lil' Miss cupcake
lil' Miss Cupcake is bringing the Cupcake Craze to Grand Rapids, MI! lil' Miss Cupcake is dedicated to bringing you yummy homemade cupcakes that look fabulous and taste amazing! Let us do the work for your holidays, birthdays, bridal/baby showers, special events, or just because! We welcome you to experience happiness in every lil' bite with lil' Miss Cupcake! Please call 616.340.3496 or visit lil' Miss Cupcake

Patricia's Chocolates
Patricia’s Chocolate is an artisan selection of premier ganache chocolates and caramels. Handcrafted from only the finest domestic and imported French couverture cocoas in the commercial kitchen in her home in Grand Haven, Michigan, there are no artificial flavorings, additives, or preservatives in Patricia’s chocolates. For more information call 616.842.5999 or visit Patricia's Chocolates

The perfect Valentine: A love letter
Linda S Mah of the Kalamazoo Gazette gives tips on how to write your own love letter.
"If your love is incomparable, then perhaps your Valentine's Day sentiment should be, too. So you might want to pass up the Hallmark display and attempt a more singular expression of all the wonder, devotion and awe your loved one inspires in you.You might want to write a love letter." To read the rest of the article, click here The perfect Valentine

River of Glass
Elegant gifts of blown glass including ornaments, art platters and plates, bowls and vases, paper weights, and drinking glasses. Some pieces are the size of a shot glass while others are 3 feet tall. The gallery is open for buyers and browsers Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am until 6 pm and Sunday from noon until 5 pm. For more information call 586-954-4994 or visit www.river-of-glass.com/

Traverse City Central High School Choral-Aires
You can send your sweetheart something special this year by confessing your love through song. But don't worry, you aren't the one who has to do the singing. A quartet from the Traverse City Central High School Choral-Aires will do it for you. The valentine's will be delivered this Friday and Saturday. For $50 you get two songs, a truffle from Charles Layton Chocolates, a personalized card and a red rose and vase, all delivered in person. There is one stipulation, you do have to live within 15 miles of downtown Traverse City. If you live too far away or would like to spend a little less, for $10 you can get an E-Valentine. A video link attached to the e-mail will sing your sweetheart two songs. E-Valentines will be sent on the Valentine's Day. For more information call 231.590.1075.

Heart-shaped Valentine's Day Cakes
Bella Creamery

Great Harvest Bread Honey Bear
Great Harvest's Honey Bear, made out of whole wheat bread, is not sweet and that's the point. Many people don't like to receive gifts that are sweet and fattening for Valentine's Day. The bear satisfies that. The Honey Bear is only $7.95. For those who like chocolate, the bakery's Brownie Hearts, chocolate bread with dried cherries, is also popular for $8.50. - Visit their website

Stop & Kiss Card Game
Stop & Kiss, invented by Lynn Baldwin of Livonia, is a unique card game designed especially for couples. Celebrate your relationship. Connect with the one you love. Take time out of your busy lives to relive memorable moments and focus on your shared future. Stop & Kiss Card Game

Valentines Cards from Michigan Companies
Gallery 19 , Grand Rapids
Avanti Press , Detroit
Burke Design , Ontonagon
Veggie Cards , Ann Arbor

Create your own Valentine with Homemade Paper
We are your best source for all your handmade paper art and paper crafting needs. We are continually working to bring you the finest creative handmade paper, unique papers and crafting accessories you will find. Journal, notebooks, and crafting embellishments also available. Creative Papers Online, 738 Airport Blvd. Ste. 2, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 Toll-Free: 1-800-PAPER-40 (727-3740)

Make your Valentine's Card Stand Out with a Cloth Envelope
Our unique cloth envelopes are a new and exciting way to send your message. These colorful envelopes beg to be opened and will stand out even in a large stack of mail. Not only will they get opened but because of their beauty they will be saved to be seen by others. Made of durable cotton, they can even be reused. 5581 Trager Rd, Traverse City, 231-995-9515 Cloth Envelope

Enjoy a Gourmet Night In with A Personal Chef
The Original Wandering Gourmet Personal Chef Service, presents Michigan’s finest in fresh, home-cooked meals, ready when you are! The Original Wandering Gourmet will create your menu based on your tastes and dietary preferences; or simply link to our Menu page for quick selection ordering. On your scheduled cook day, The Original Wandering Gourmet will arrive at your home bringing all of the ingredients and equipment needed to prepare your meals. The Original Wandering Gourmet will travel anywhere within 50 miles of our office in Warren to cook for you at no additional charge. Special arrangements can be made for greater distances. Gift certificates available. For more information call 586.212.1599 or visit The Original Wandering Gourmet.

Romantic Valentine Getaways

Amway Grand Romance Plus Package
Romance Package Includes:

• Overnight accommodations for two in a Classic Guest Room featuring a plush Concierge bed with pillow top mattress, down pillows and cozy linen sheets for one relaxing evening
• Complimentary bottle of wine; choice of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, White Zinfandel or Sparkling Wine
• One (1) $50 Food & Beverage Voucher
• Truffles
• Complimentary use of the Plaza Fitness Center
• Valet or Self parking
• Late check-out (2pm)

For more information call 1.800.253.3590 or Click here to make your reservations online. - Visit their website for more details

Valentine Lodge
Our Bed and Breakfast is a three-story Victorian situated on two acres of shady garden in a residential area within walking distance of Lake Michigan, a half mile from Douglas Beach and a mile from Oval Beach.
Call for reservations at (269) 857-4598 or visit Valentine Lodge

Country Hermitage Bed & Breakfast
Active couples who love getting out in the fresh air and enjoying Northern Michigan's winter wonderland will love the Country Hermitage Bed and Breakfast's ski and romance package. You'll enjoy two nights accommodations in the B&B's elegant rooms, a two-day rental of cross-country skis or snowshoes, a bottle of Chateau Chantal's sparkling wine, Celebrate, and two souvenir Country Hermitage B&B champagne flutes. Set out and explore the B&B's 400-acre cherry orchards, woodlands and adjoining golf courses on your cross-country skis or snowshoes. Or visit the many wildlife areas close by that have miles of trails for the novice or experienced skier/snowshoer. Want to go the extra mile for your Valentine? Add on one of the inn's special extras: an in-house massage, a bouquet of flowers or chocolates. Call 231-938-5930 for reservations.

Valentine's Weekend at Chateau Chantel
Chateau Chantal, Traverse City,
Tailor you stay with Chateau Chantal this Valentine's weekend or go for the gusto! Offerings include celebrating breakfast in bed Saturday morning, getting "naughty" as soon as you arrive, on-site side-by-side one hour massage and dinner at the Old Mission Tavern. Tailor your weekend a la carte or get it all for the special one in your life! For more information call 231-223-4110 or visit www.chateauchantal.com

Couples Retreat at Twin Gables Inn - Twin Gables Inn, Saugatuck
Juggling the demands of your busy lifestyle sometimes leaves little time for you and your partner to connect and spend some time together in a calming, restful and relaxing atmosphere. Twin Gables wildly successful all inclusive spa weekends has now been expanded to include you and your partner. You will receive the services of a professional massage therapist as well as experienced beauty professionals. Make the time for each other and immerse yourself in the indulgences that a weekend of pampering will provide. Your weekend package for rooms 5-11 - $375.00 and luxury rooms 1-4 and 12-14 - $450.00
For more information call 269-857-4346 or visit www.twingablesinn.com

Fun Valentine's Day Dating Ideas

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides Downtown Grand Rapids
Go over the Grand River and through Ah-Nab-Awen Park as you view some of the architectural and scenic highlights of downtown Grand Rapids in one of our beautiful 19th Century Vis-a-vis white carriages. Sit back and enjoy a slower pace while viewing the lovely landscaping and fountains surrounding the Gerald Ford Museum and the Grand Rapid Public Museum. Hear the clip-clop of horse hoofs as you cross the lighted bridges over the Grand River.Reservations are recommended; cost varies. For more information call (616) 893-4984 or visit Grand Carriages

Murder Mystery Trains

1. Boards 1 hour before departure at 451 N. Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI
2. Boards 1 hour before departure at Blissfield depot, 301 E. Adrian St., Blissfield, MI

Join us for a 5-course meal and 5-star service on the longest continuously-operating dinner train in North America. Our famous Murder Mystery Dinner Train features a leisurely 3-hour trip through the Michigan farmland while a comedic murder mystery unfolds tableside. You'll die laughing!

Reservations are REQUIRED and can generally be made up to 24-hours before departure. The train begins boarding approximately one hour before departure. Tickets are $69.95 per person, which does not include bar service or gratuity. Sorry, group discounts are NOT available for this event, since it falls on Valentine's Day.

Call 1-888-GO-RAIL-1 (888-467-2451) or visit Murder Mystery Train for more information and reservations.

Blast from the Past Prom Night - Hess Lake Rentals, Newaygo
Hess Lake Rentals is proud to present "Blast from the Past Prom Night." Girls, this is your chance to get your significant other to finally take you to the prom that you originally may have missed, step up the romance in your relationship or simply have a night away from it all with your old high school friends. What ever your situation, you definitely don't want to miss this fun time. Dress in 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s prom attire with your spouse, significant other, girlfriends, etc. There will be voting for prom King and Queen and Court, photo booth, DJ, dinner, dancing and much more! Accommodations are only a few miles from the fun at any Hess Lake Rentals-Wisner vacation home rental. For more information call 616-638-9384 or visit www.hesslakerentals.com

Cupid's Couples Course at Swiss Valley Ski Area - Swiss Valley Ski Area, Jones
Valentine’s Weekend is coming up and Saturday Swiss Valley will celebrate in style. Bring your date Saturday for 2 for 1 lift tickets and ski rental from 6:00PM-10:00PM. We will also have live music in the Chalet by Three Rivers local, Mark Higgins, and a dinner special for two! A Bloody Mary Bar, with all your favorite fixins is planned from 6:00-9:00PM. AND….We will have a Cupid’s Couples Course Challenge , connected couple compete through a obstacle for chances to win $100.00 , $50.00 and $25.00 Yesterday’s gift certificates. For more information call 269-244-5635 or visit www.skiswissvalley.com

Great Backyard Bird Count - Otis Sanctuary, Hastings
The Otis Sanctuary will be hosting activites on Saturday, February 14th, in conjunction with the Great Backyard Bird Count. Activities include guided walks (8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.), self guided hikes (all day),
discounted birdfood sales (while supplies last! Starts at 9:00 a.m.), and we'll be counting birds at our feeders! There will be hot drinks and snacks on hand, come on out and say hi! For more information call 269-948-5777 or visit www.otissanctuary.org

9th Annual Pink Ice Game
The K-Wings' Pink Ice Game versus Port Huron, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Wings Stadium. A local couple will be married during the game and there will be a four-course meal from 5 to 7 p.m. prior to the game at The Icehouse Bar Grille. Tickets are $50 per couple and include the meal, a rose and an alcohol-free beverage. Reservations can be made by calling 345-1125, ext. 243, or 492-9319. www.wingsstadium.com

Valentine's Skate Date
Feb. 12, 6 to 8 p.m. at Millennium Park in Portage. It's $10 per person and includes skating, rental, a floral gift, a Spicy Pickle box lunch and sparkling grape juice. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 10. For more information, call 329-4522.

Non-Traditional Valentines Day Events

Valentine's Day Massacre 80th Anniversary - The West Michigan Connection
The Chicago St. Valentine’s Day Massacre 80th Anniversary - The West Michigan Connection
This year will be the 80th anniversary of one of the most notorious events in crime history – The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. This incident has been recounted time and again in articles, books, television and the movies. On Saturday, February 14, the 80th anniversary, there will be special presentations, displays and more at The Old Jail Museum, 13 Walnut Street, Allegan, MI 49010 and The Griswold Auditorium, 401 Hubbard St Allegan, MI 49010. This special event is being brought to you by the Allegan County Historical Society. For more information call (269) 673-8292 or visit Allegan County Historical Society

ZOOROTICA: A Valentine’s Day to Remember!!
Tired of the same old dinner and a movie on Valentine’s Day? Do you want to surprise your special someone with a unique, exciting and educational experience that neither of you will ever forget? Then join Binder Park Zoo for a special “ZOOROTICA” tour and learn about the love lives of the scaly and slimy, the furry and fanged, and the feathered and flighted. Cost per couple is $50 and reservations must be made by February 10 by calling the zoo office Monday thru Friday- 8:30 am to 5 pm. Binder Park Zoo, Battle Creek, (269) 979-1351

STAR TREK Ultimate Wedding Package
POP THE QUESTION ON VALENTINE’S DAY IN ‘STAR TREK® THE EXHIBITION’ TO WIN A STAR TREK WEDDING AT THE DETROIT SCIENCE CENTER
Have you ever dreamed of getting married on the bridge of Star Trek’s U.S.S. Enterprise? This Valentine’s Day, visitors to STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION at the Detroit Science Center will have a chance to win this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Any couple who attends STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION and becomes engaged in the exhibit on Feb. 14, 2009 will be entered into an on-line contest to win a June wedding to be held in the exhibit. Couples will receive a complimentary photo in the exhibit, which will be posted on www.detroitsciencecenter.org from Feb. 16 – March 16, 2009, where site visitors will have an opportunity to vote on the couple they would like to see married in the exhibit. - Visit their website for details

Valentines Day Online Giveaways

The Valentine’s Day Anti-Recession E-Session Giveaway Contest

Epic Motion, a Michigan based wedding and event video production company, is giving an engagement session away for free.
"Email us if you’re interested AND if you meet the following criteria…

1. You are engaged to be married
2. You like to smile and laugh
3. You make a cute couple
4. You don’t mind spending an hour or two in the cold
5. You’re both pretty available the second week of February (hopefully the 11th or 13th) to film near Detroit
6. You’re tired of the recession already"

For more information, check out Wed Michigan's Valentines Day Giveaway

"In the spirit of the season... the romantic snowfalls, snuggling with your loved one, and of course, Valentine's Day, Wed Michigan is announcing it's first official giveaway! To enter, email me at wedmichigan@gmail.com with your engagement story by February 12th. Whether your story is romantic, funny, or didn't quite go as planned, Wed Michigan wants to hear them all. I will post my top three proposal picks and the winner will be announced on February 14th, Valentine's Day! "

Valentines Day Parties for Singles or Couples

Lover’s Lane
Come on down to New Holland Brewing Co. for their Lover's Lane party on February 14 from 8 pm to close! Make sure you are sending the right sign: wear red if you're taken; yellow if you're unsure and green if you're available. They will have rotating drink specials depending on what color you're wearing.
New Holland Brewing Co. Holland 616-355-6422 www.newhollandbrew.com

Ballroom Dance Valentine's Day Party
BALLROOM DANCERS - Singles and Couples Welcome to our Valentine's Day Party. Areas best place to Ballroom Dance. Voted Readers Choice Award 2008 for Favorite Place to Dance. Over 3,000 sq. ft hardwood dance floor. You are invited to our beautiful studio for an evening of dance. Celebrating our 19th Anniversary. Dress Code Required. $14.00 per person For more information call 269-383-4020 for reservations.

Bayside Travellers Dance Society Valentine's Dance,
4:30-6:30 p.m. fiddle jamboree; 7-7:45 p.m. Ceili dance workshop, 8-11 p.m. contra and square dancing, live music by Malarky, dances called and taught by Dan Gorno, $10 adults, $6 students with ID, $8 dance society members; Twin Lakes Park, Gilbert Lodge, 6800 N. Long Lake Road, TC; 313-2596. Bayside Travellers Dance Society

Valentines Day with the Kids

Valentine's Party
Jungle Joe's Family Fun Center, 7255 S. Sprinkle Road, Portage, 324-1992.

Heart-shaped pizzas
Papa Murphy's Take N Bake Pizza, Feb. 9-14. They are $6.99 for a large pepperoni pizza. www.papamurphys.com.

There were many bad poets in the 19th Century, an era when people penned over-the-top verses as serious and popular entertainment. But according to the Literary Encyclopedia, America's most famous bad poet was Manton, Michigan's Julia A. Moore.

The wife of a farmer and the mother of ten, Moore published her first book of poetry in 1876, unaware that people were buying it mostly to laugh at her verses about tragic death and lost love. Even Mark Twain said her poetry always made him laugh. She was finally shamed out of her writing career, although every year the Flint Public Library remembers her with a bad poetry contest. And she will remain the champion of invented, mystifying words such as the strangely undecipherable, "Hithertoherebefore."

You can read the full story of Julia A. Moore and samples of her verse in "Strange Michigan: More Wolverine Weirdness" by Linda S. Godfrey and Lisa A. Shiel. Regarding the image, I can only say that someone got a little carried away. They are resting comfortably in a safe and cushiony room.

More about Julia Ann Moore (because we just couldn't leave well enough alone)

The Wikipedia entry for Julia Ann Moore relates that her first book of verse, The Sentimental Song Book was published in 1876 and it quickly went to a second printing and then was republished under the title The Sweet Singer of Michigan Salutes the Public. It sounds as if it was very consciously promoted as bad poetry and received extremely biting reviews ("Shakespeare, could he read it, would be glad that he was dead"). An excerpt from Grand Rapids suggests that they might have been somewhat justified:

Indian girls and boys were seen,
With their bow and quiver,
Riding in their light canoes
Up and down the river.
Their hearts were full of joy,
Happy voices singing
Made music with forest birds,
They kept the valley ringing.

While she was the butt of jokes for much of her career, Moore ended her last appearance at the Grand Rapids Opera House by telling the jeering crowd: "You have come here and paid twenty-five cents to see a fool; I receive seventy-five dollars, and see a whole houseful of fools."

Burst by SNWEB.ORG Photography

This morning we're excited to unveil our Michigan Event Calendar.

It uses Google Calendar technology - which means you can take it with you on your phone or to your Outlook. We've also got a list of other calendars you can check for even more things to do.

We're still of course going to be doing The Week and our monthly calendars of events, but this will allow us to feature even more events and to take things a bit further into the future.

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by Amy Loo Who

Established in 1960, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is the Original of the now four award winning art fairs together attracting over 500,000 attendees from across the nation. Among the many accolades received by the fair is the Number One Art Fair rating in the country (October 2004) and Top Ten Art Fair (October 2005, 2006 and 2007) by the AmericanStyle readers survey.

The 49th annual Fair will take place July 16-19, 2008 on the Ingalls Mall Lawn by the Burton Memorial Tower, North University, and the Diag on the Central Campus at the University of Michigan. The Fair will feature 170 juried artists, five New Artists from local universities and colleges, the Potters Guild and an array of free art activities and performances for the whole family to enjoy.

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Directions:

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And so is the CSL Tadoussac by mdprovost

"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." -Measure for Measure

Hundreds of years later, Shakespeare still has wisdom aplenty to share. You can pick up some of that, along with a healthy dose of entertainment at the The Michigan Shakespeare Festival in Jackson. It starts Tuesday (Jul 15) and continues through August 3rd.

There's a whole slew of other events in our July Michigan Event Calendar for this weekend including the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Venetian Festival in St. Joseph, the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium in Grand Marais, Concert of Colors in Detroit, Michigan Storytellers Festival in Flint, the Hiawatha Music Festival in Marquette, Waterford's Quake on the Lake boat race, the Ragtime Street Fair in Dearborn and the Great Lakes Irish Music Festival at Comstock Park in Grand Rapids.

The photo above is from the early stage of last weekend's Port Huron to Mackinac sailing race. I'm told it was one of the faster ones on record - the bigger boats were actually moving faster than the Coast Guard Cutter that was going to mark their midway times - and that one boat made just two jibes! Hope the wind is at your back this week and as always, post your comments & observations below!

< The Week for July 7 - 13, 2008 | The Week for July 21-27, 2008 >

Wheeling You In by One Foot Over The Moon

Although we try and keep you posted every month about great Michigan festivals and events, this month we'll try and give a little extra special love to all of Michigan's cool summertime and early fall festivities.

We started it off yesterday with our Rothbury ticket giveaway and we're talking with other festivals about similar giveaways. As always, our July calendar is full to bursting as well!

Who knows, we might even get to some ourselves!

Anyway, please use the comments to shout out your own favorite Michigan festival (large or small) or anything else that seems to fit here!

Behind the Tulips by lorainedicerbo

The Week is where we post comments about the news, happenings and events of the week. We invite you to do the same.

Our Michigan May Event Calendar is jam packed full of fun. There are a bunch of events this weekend including the Victorian Days in Grand Ledge, the Spring Sip & Savor in the Leelanau Peninsula, the Green Street Fair in Plymouth and the Tulip Time Festival in Holland
.

ArtServe Michigan is a statewide arts and cultural advocacy organization that seeks to support, strengthen and build awareness of arts, culture and creativity in Michigan.

This Wednesday (March 18, 2008) in Lansing, ArtServe Michigan hosts their annual Arts & Culture Advocacy Day. It offers artists and arts supporters a chance to network with peers from all over Michigan, to learn about important issues and the state, to speak with legislators about the importance of the arts in our state.

The life-size portraits of twelve icons of hip-hop culture capture the larger than life personas embodied by these men, who are among the wealthiest and most influential individuals of our time. Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Common, Kanye West, Reverend Run, Duke, Lil Jon, Don "Magic" Juan, Whoo Kid, Marc Ecko and Russell Simmons are portrayed by Melamid as they are in life ‚ serious, ambitious, powerful and compelling. The twelve, dressed in their everyday clothes, are rendered with Old Master style and quality, providing a provocative visual context and an association with masterpieces of the past.

The opening takes place on Friday, February 8th and will feature Detroit-based emcee, spoken word poet and "Afroflow" creator Mike-E Ellison along with a live set by James Pennington a.k.a. the Suburban Knight. The exhibition runs through April 20th and there is also an exhibit by Japanese fashion designer Rei Kawakubo.

Image credit: Kanye West, 2005, oil on canvas by Alexander Melamid

Aslan by Michael Morris

The annual C. S. Lewis Festival is a month-long exploration of the life and works of C.S. Lewis held in Petoskey, MI. While Lewis is best known as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, he was also a leading theological scholar whose works included Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters.

In an article from the Northern Express, Festival co-founder and Board of Directors President, David Crouse remembers the inception of the festival in 2002: "At the first planning meeting for the Festival, there were all these people who attended, far more than I ever imagined, and they represented this fascinating convergence of the arts, faith, and educational community of Northern Michigan. Nearly all of them had a close, intimate knowledge of Lewis’s work. All of this interest in a small community of 6,000."

The festival is held over the next four weekends. It kicks off this weekend (Oct 26-28) with Dr. Jerry Root, Wheaton professor and Dr. Christopher Mitchell, of The Wade Center presenting The Question of God: C. S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life, for which there is also a PBS special.Other highlights include Narnia: The Musical, a gallery reception of Michael Morris' Narnia inspired artwork, English Dinner & Theatre An Evening with Lewis featuring acclaimed English actor David Payne, a C.S. Lewis Juried Fine Art Exhibition & Reception, CS Lewis Writing Workshops and a host of panel presentations, lectures and other events - click for the full schedule!

Parade 2 by joojanta

Here's a few 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.

October 26 - November 18
C.S.Lewis Festival - Petoskey
A four weekend festival celebrating the life and work of C. S. Lewis through collaborations by the arts, education, and faith communities.

November 3
Michigan vs. Michigan State Football Game
The annual game between Michigan's 2 largest universities doesn't gather the press (or enmity) of Michigan-Ohio State, but it's still a big game!

November 8-10
Michigan Festival of Sacred Music - Kalamazoo
The Michigan Festival of Sacred Music offers events which represent diverse religious traditions, promoting mutual respect and understanding through sharing the music treasured by these traditions.

November 10 & 11 and November 17 & 18
Toast the Season Wine Tour - Leelanau Peninsula
Annual wine trail tour features a special wine pour and holiday themed gourmet food at each winery along with a holiday gift basket & ornament.

November 9-10
Kalamazoo Russian Festival
Celebrate the partnership between Kalamazoo, Michigan and Pushkin, Russia at this years Kalamazoo Russian Festival; a unique Russian cultural event in the Midwest.

November 10
Keweenaw Art Affair - Houghton
A juried fine art & craft sale featuring over 40 of the Cooper Country's finest artists at the Houghton High School Gym.

November 15-30 2007:
Deer Hunting (Regular Firearm Season)
If you think this isn't a major event, then you probably live south of Clare.

November 16
Silver Bells in the City - Lansing
The entire evening is filled with fun, a parade, free family entertainment, including admission to downtown cultural institutions, horse-drawn wagon rides on Washington Square, ice sculptures and performances by nearly 50 local arts organizations.

November 17
Dutch WinterFest - Holland
The city comes alive with dozens of events reminiscent of the joyful holidays of yesteryear. Events include a HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE, PARADE OF LIGHTS, SINTERKLAAS EVE, ICE SCULPTING…

November 19 - December 31
Battle Creek International Festival of Lights
The six-week holiday lighting extravaganza in greater Battle Creek, Michigan, features over one million sparkling lights, special events, lighting displays, and entertainment.

November 22
Detroit's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Celebrate the 81st anniversary of the America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, one of the largest and most spectacular parades in the nation!

November 23-25
Village of Holly Dickens Festival - Holly
Charles Dickens’ Merry Old England comes alive in the atmosphere of turn of the century buildings, welcoming shopkeepers, and skilled craftspeople.