Author and journalist James Mitchell celebrates the release of The Walrus and the Elephants: John Lennon’s Years of Revolution with a reading and discussion on John Lennon’s special relationship with Ann Arbor.

The opening chapter of the book takes place in Ann Arbor and details the historic benefit concert that Lennon headlined that was held for poet-activist John Sinclair to challenge his ten year prison sentence for possessing two joints.

Based entirely on new interviews and research, "The Walrus and the Elephants" is the first book about John Lennon to show how his emergence as a solo artist, his embrace of radical politics and feminism, and his love affair with New York City coincided. From controversial television appearances, to benefit concerts, to his new, post-Beatlemania band, the book is Lennon’s story told by a cast of close friends and fellow activists who got to know the man behind the legend.

James Mitchell is the author of "But for the Grace: Profiles in Peace from a Nation at War," the story of an orphanage in Sri Lanka's war-torn northeast, rock biography "It Was All Right: Mitch Ryder's Life in Music," and tales from a rural newspaper, "Applegate: Freedom of the Press in a Small Town." A reporter and editor for more than twenty years, his writing has appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The Humanist, and Starlog.

For more on John Lennon's visit to Ann Arbor, visit the library's freeingjohnsinclair.aadl.org, which includes an audio recording of John and Yoko's intention of coming to Ann Arbor.

Whether you call them franks, wieners, or red hots, hot dogs are as American as apple pie, but how did these little links become icons of American culture? World-renowned hot dog scholar Bruce Kraig investigates the history, people, décor, and venues that make up hot dog culture and what it says about our country. Did you know that Flint, MI has a distinctly different "dry" coney dog compared to Detroit's style? Erin sits down with Bruce to talk the history of hot dogs in all their glory!

Look beyond the idyllic tourist image of Hawaii and explore the deeper beauty and sacred heritage of Hawaii and its volcanoes through its cultural traditions, history, literature, music, and art with authors Tom Peek and Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, and artist Catherine Robbins. The program will include author readings, cross-cultural discussion, nature photography, and volcano-inspired art. The event features:

Hawaii-based writer Tom Peek, who will read from his new novel, "Daughters of Fire," a gripping story of interracial and intercultural romance, political intrigue, myth and murder, set atop the volcanoes of the Big Island of Hawaii and filled with complex characters that reveal the true heart of Hawaii.

Ann Arbor-based writer Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, who will read from her new chapbook, "Where the Lava Meets the Sea—Asian Pacific American Postcards from Hawai‘i," in which she explores the natural wonders, many cultures, and interesting characters of Big Island as she searches for home in Hawaii, and instead discovers an Asian Pacific American sense of belonging.

Hawaii-based artist Catherine Robbins, who will discuss her volcano-inspired paintings and artistic practice.

While he was in town for the 40th anniversary of the John Sinclair Freedom Rally, Wayne Kramer, lead guitarist and co-founder of the seminal Detroit/Ann Arbor band, MC5, sat down to talk with us. Wayne discusses the early years of the band and the influence of jazz, Sinclair, and Detroit culture on their music.

Whether you call them franks, wieners, or red hots, hot dogs are as American as apple pie, but how did these little links become icons of American culture?Join hot dog scholar Bruce Kraig and photographer Patty Carroll for a fascinating and colorful look at the history, people, decor, and venues that make up hot dog culture and what it says about our country! Their 2012 book "Man Bites Dog: Hot Dog Culture In America" will be on sale, and the event includes a book signing.In this fascinating book, world-renowned hot dog scholar Bruce Kraig investigates the history, people, decor, and venues that make up hot dog culture and what it says about our country. These humble sausages cross ethnic and regional boundaries and have provided the means for plucky entrepreneurs to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Hot dogs, and the ways we enjoy them, are part of the American dream.Bruce Kraig has loved hot dogs since his first bite at Nathan's when he was 5 years old. Since then he has studied hot dogs, and for over 25 years, has been the leading authority on the culture of Hot Dogs. As the authority on the culture, lore and history of hot dogs, he has appeared often in national media, including documentaries by the History Channel and the Discovery Channel. As the leading expert on hot dogs, Kraig has appeared on ABC Nightline, Martha Stewart Radio, ABC National News and NPR's Talk of the Nation, and in the spring of 2009, CBS News, WGN and NBC News Chicago, as well as BBC News and Radio New Zealand-all about hot dogs.Patty Carroll, currently Adjunct Full Professor of Photography at the School of The Art Institute Of Chicago and at Columbia College Chicago, is a distinguished photographic artist with a deep interest in American popular culture. She has published and exhibited widely on American cultural topics including Elvis Impersonators, American suburban lawns, and resorts at night, as well as hot dog stands. Her books include: "Living The Life: The World Of Elvis Tribute Artists," "Culture Is Everywhere" and her hot dog stand photos are included in "Changing Chicago."

One of the things that makes the Internet such a great and useful place are all of the resources created by huge numbers of strangers pooling their knowledge and work. While the content for these sites is created by a large number of users, behind the scenes there are a small number of administrators and moderators working to maintain a certain level of content and steer the sites in a particular direction.

Panelists John and Leni Sinclair, Pun Plamondon, David Fenton, and Genie Parker--all members of Ann Arbor's White Panthers and Rainbow People's Party--participate in this panel discussion which is part of the of 'Freeing John Sinclair: The Day Legends Came to Town,' a series of events celebrating the launch of AADL's Freeing John Sinclair website (available at aadl.org beginning on Friday, December 9), marking the 40th anniversary of the John Sinclair Freedom Rally that took place in Ann Arbor on December 10, 1971. These five panelists were central to many of the actions and ideals surrounding Ann Arbor's late-1960s counter-culture. For this event, they'll reflect on what they called their "total assault on culture" during the late 1960s and early 1970s - what worked, what didn't, and what it means today.The panel will be moderated by Professor Bruce Conforth of the University of Michigan Program in of American Culture. This special event will be held in Pendleton Room of the Michigan Union, 530 S. State Street on the UM Campus.

Join us to view this acclaimed film - - the powerful harrowing and ultimately inspirational story of six months in 1961 that changed America forever - and stay for the post film discussion led by Civil Rights Leader Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. - who was a Freedom Rider.In 1961, more than 400 black and white Americans risked their lives--and many endured savage beatings and imprisonment--for simply traveling together on buses and trains as they journeyed through the Deep South.

Cleveland Confidential Book Tour features three author-musicians who hail from Cleveland but whose influence is without boundaries. Cheetah Chrome (Rocket From The Tombs, Dead Boys), Mike Hudson (The Pagans) and Bob Pfeifer (Human Switchboard, Tabby Chinos)will read excerpts from their books, answer questions and discuss their careers. A book signing will follow and books will be on sale. Cheetah Chrome is best known as guitarist/founding member of both Rocket From The Tombs and Dead Boys. As a songwriter his work has been covered by artists such as Guns n Roses, Pearl Jam and the Beastie Boys. He still performs and records with Rocket From The Tombs, as well as Batusis (with Sylvain Sylvain). His new book "Cheetah Chrome - A Dead Boy's Tale From The Front Lines Of Punk Rock" is the no-holds-barred autobiography - a tale of success and excess--amazing music, legendary antics, epic drug use, and eventual resurrection--that only a true rock and roller could deliver.Mike Hudson founded the American punk rock group the Pagans in 1977. His work has appeared in Hustler, the Associated Press, Master Detective, Field & Stream and many other publications. He is currently the founding editor and CEO of the Niagara Falls Reporter, a New York tabloid specializing in politics and organized crime. "Diary of A Punk," his autobiography, is a classic rock and roll memoir that dishes the inside dope on the groundbreaking American punk rock movement and many of its top stars.Bob Pfeifer was a founding member and primary songwriter for the critically acclaimed band, Human Switchboard. He went on to be Senior Vice President A&R / Epic Records and President of Hollywood Records (The Walt Disney Company). He is responsible for the sale of 50 Million albums having worked with Alice Cooper, Joe Satriani, Ornette Coleman, The Screaming Trees, Elton John, among many others, and soundtracks like the Crow: City of Angels and Lion King. Bob's novel, "University of Strangers," has as its center a sensational case - that of American student Amanda Knox and the brutal murder of her roommate. A unique blend of fact and fiction, it is a spellbinding account of the violence, corruption and celebrity worship that characterize much of 21st century life.

There are 62 LEGO bricks for every person in the world, and at age 30, Jonathan Bender realized that he didn't have a single one of them. While reconsidering his childhood dream of becoming a master model builder for The LEGO Group, he discovers the men and women who are skewing the averages with collections of hundreds of thousands of LEGO bricks. What is it about the ubiquitous, brightly colored toys that make them so hard for everyone to put down? Join as for a fun filled evening as Jonathan relates the LEGO adventures and discusses his new book "LEGO: A Love Story." The event will include a book signing and books will be on sale.In search of answers and adventure, Jonathan Bender set out to explore the quirky world of adult fans of LEGO (AFOLs) while becoming a builder himself. As he participated in challenges at fan conventions, searched for the largest private collection in the United States, and visited LEGO headquarters (where he was allowed into the top secret set vault), he found his LEGO journey twinned with a second creative endeavor--to have a child. His two worlds intertwined as he awaited the outcome: Will he win a build competition or bring a new fan of LEGO into the world? Like every really good love story, this one has surprises--and a happy ending. Ann Arbor also features prominently in the story, as Ann Arbor's own BRICK BASH was one of the first events Bender attended as he was getting back into LEGO. Bender's back for BRICK BASH 2011, which is Saturday, 3/19 at WCC!Whether you're an avid LEGO freak or a onetime fan who now shares LEGO bricks with your children, this book will appeal to the inner builder in you and reignite a love for all things LEGO.