Is it really December already?  The snowflakes will be falling before we know it. Well if you are like me, you are buzzing around shopping, baking and decorating…. take a break form the chaos and have some fun. Below, find highlights for a few of the events that I found interesting for this month in the Ann Arbor Community. Try something new this season and Merry Christmas! Pictured is the Ann Arbor Library – Pittsfield Branch.

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7/30/2009 – 1/31/2010

WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS: PLAY THE BELLS AT KERRYTOWN

Play the charming melodies of the Kerrytown Chime – a seven-ton, world class musical instrument made up of 17 bells in a tower. Choose from over 100 songs and follow the numbers to play the Kerrytown Chime. All ages welcome, kids and adults. Free.

Please note, this event takes place Weds and Fri from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm and on Sat from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm.

Kerrytown Market and Shop
407 N. Fifth Ave.,
Ann Arbor, MI
Phone: (734) 369-3107
Event Website

Hours: Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
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11/19/2009 – 12/27/2009

CHRISTMAS CAROL’S AT THE PERFORMANCE NETWORK THEATRE

Ebenezer Scrooge is just about the meanest old dude in London. But when three Christmas ghosts pay a spooky visit, his “humbug” comes back to haunt him. Five actors play over forty roles in this fast-paced, gleefully inventive new adaptation. A fresh, fun holiday event the whole family can enjoy. Starring John Seibert, directed by David
Wolber. Story by Charles Dickens, adapted by Joseph Zettelmaier.

Performance Network Theatre
120 East Huron Street
Ann Arbor, MI
Phone: (734) 663-0681
Event Website

Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. Saturday matinee on December 5 & December 19 at 3 p.m.
Cost: $27-$41
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12/2/2009

SWELL SEASON WITH SPECIAL GUEST RACHAEL YAMAGATA

The Swell Season are Glen Hansard (from Irish band, The Frames) and Marketa Irglova (a classically trained Czech pianist and vocalist). They entered the spotlight last year with two Grammy nominations and an Oscar win for Best Original Song, “Falling Slowly.” That win was for the indie film, “Once,” which was a big hit here at the Michigan Theater two years ago. Hansard and Irglova also composed the score along with the original soundtrack work. They played the film’s two lead characters too!The Swell Season will release their new album ‘Strict Joy’ on Oct. 27. In their fall music preview, the Wall Street Journal said ‘Strict Joy’ “builds on the couple’s earthy musical chemistry by adding layers, such as the reserved horns on “Low Rising,” a slow burning soul numbeThe duo’s live shows have been described as “cathartic” (Chicago Tribune), “mesmerizing” (Cleveland Plain Dealer) and “magnetic” (Arizona Republic).

The Michigan Theater
603 E. Liberty Street
Ann Arbor, MI
Map/Driving Directions
Theater Website
Phone: (734) 668-TIME

Hours: 7:30 PM
Cost: $29.50-$35.00
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12/3/2009 – 1/17/2010

WILD WONDERFUL WINTER: A SEASON’S TALE

An interactive exhibit and display in the Matthaei Botanical Gardens Conservatory takes visitors on a journey through the winter season. Pick up a “passport to summer” for discovering the plants of the world, enjoy a winter hike to look for signs of animal life outdoors, and learn about and create your own snowflakes. During the exhibit the conservatory will be transformed into a winter wonderland with a variety of white flowers and a tree decorated with natural ornaments. Above drop-in activities during the exhibit are included with admission to conservatory.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum
1800 N. Dixboro Road
Ann Arbor, MI
Website
Phone: (734) 647-7600

Hours: Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun., 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Wed., 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Cost: Adults 18 and over: $5; children 5-17: $2; under 5 free
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12/4/2009

MIDNIGHT MADNESS ON ANN ARBOR’S SOUTH MAIN STREET

The Main Street Area’s Midnight Madness is an Ann Arbor Holiday tradition! Witness the debut of Main Street’s Holiday lights, and shop til you drop until midnight!

Roving performers add to the Holiday mood.
S. Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI
Website

Hours: 5:00 p.m. – Midnight
Cost: FREE!
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12/4/2009

MOONLIGHT MADNESS CRAFT SHOW

Over 135 creative craft persons, showcasing their most recent and exceptional work, from throughout Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio will travel to this show. Other crafters include decorative painting, stoneware, rugs, birdhouses, holiday decorating ideas, ceramics, calligraphy and clothing. All of these products are designed, made and displayed by the individual crafters and available at affordable prices. All artists will be present and available to customize and personalize their works.

Saline Middle School
7190 N. Maple Road
Saline, MI
Venue Website

Hours: 5 p.m.- 11:00 p.m.
Cost: $2.00
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12/4/2009 – 12/06/2009

CHELSEA’S ANNUAL HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS

Chelsea Hometown Holidays is a fun-filled weekend celebration which marks the beginning of the holiday season. Ushering in the festivities will be a tree lighting ceremony and visits with Santa, plus lots of other holiday activities and entertainment, indluding a parade at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 5.

Chelsea will be decked out in holiday splendor to warm your hearts and your spirit. Browse the shops and attend the many special events planned to capture the spirit of the holiday season.

Downtown Chelsea
Chelsea, MI
Website
Phone: (734) 475-1145

Hours: Festivities begin on Friday, December 4 at 6 p.m. and continue through Sunday,
December 6. See website for more details.
Cost: FREE
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12/4/2009 – 12/13/2009

IF ONLY IN MY DREAMS

An evening of unconventional Christmas stories from Dylan Thomas, Jack Kerouac, Truman Capote, and more.

1600 Pauline Blvd
Ann Arbor, MI
Website
Phone: (734) 332-3848

Hours: Friday (Dec. 4 only) and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.
Cost: $10-$20
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12/05/2009

TWO TWELVE ARTS CENTER HOLIDAY SALE

Free gift wrapping available on items purchased. The sale will continue until Friday, December 18th ending with the Meet the Artist Reception from 7-9 p.m. Watercolors, pastels, photography, quilted purses and art quilts, mosaics, jewelry, pottery, cards, soaps, fused glass, felted purses, hand knit items, and much more. Surprise loved ones this Holiday season with unique gifts at reasonable prices. Art for all budgets!

212 Arts Center
212 West Michigan Ave.
Saline, MI
Website
Phone: (734) 944-ARTS

Hours: Mon.-Wed., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m.
Cost: TBA
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12/10/2009 – 12/13/2009

WILD SWAN THEATER PRESENTS: LITTLE WOMEN

The March sisters, Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth, are growing up in Civil War-era New England. When their beloved mother Marmee must leave them to visit their ailing father at the front, the sisters must face life together.

Towsley Auditorim, Morris Lawrence Building, Washtenaw Community College
4800 East Huron River Drive
Ann Arbor, MI
Theater Website
Phone: (734) 995-0530

Hours: Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Cost: Children $8, Adults $12

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12/13/2009

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE AT THE MICHIGAN THEATER

See this Holiday classic in the historic Michigan Theater!

George Bailey spends his entire life giving up his big dreams for the good of his town, Bedford Falls, as we see in flashback. But in the present, on Christmas Eve, he is broken and suicidal over the misplacing of an $8000 loan and the machinations of the evil millionaire, Mr. Potter. His guardian angel, Clarence, falls to Earth, literally, and shows him how his town, family, and friends would turn out if he had never been born. George meant so much to so many people; should he really throw it all away?

The Michigan Theater
603 East Liberty Street
Ann Arbor, MI
Website
Phone: (734) 668-TIME

Hours: 4 p.m.
Cost: $9 for adults, children under 12 free

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12/17/2009

RIDERS IN THE SKY: CHRISTMAS THE COWBOY WAY

An off-the-wall Western-style Christmas show! With more than 30 years of great entertainment “the cowboy way” under their belts, Riders in the Sky rolls on with their mix of Western song classics and zany cowpoke send-ups. This holiday season they’re on tour with what we’re sure will be a one-of-a-kind program of cowboy Christmas music.

The Ark
216 South Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI
Website
Phone: (734) 761 – 1451

Hours: 8 p.m.
Cost: $20

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Above was a sampling of the activities occurring in our community during the month of October. There are many interesting events from concerts to apple picking to musicals to holiday fun! There is something for everyone this month so do something new then let me know how it was!

To view the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau,
click here and choose your own criteria and dates.
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