Author Susan Messer Discusses The Detroit Riots Of 1967 And Her Book, 'Grand River and Joy'

Susan Messer's 2009 novel, 'Grand River and Joy,' offers a fascinating glimpse of several northwest Detroit neighborhoods during the long, hot summer of 1967. This fascinating work weaves the stories of a Jewish shoe wholesaler, his family, and the African-American father and son who live above his business at Grand River and Joy. The book has been chosen by the U-M Honors College to be read by its incoming 2010 freshmen over the summer. Join us as Messer, of Oak Park, Ill. discusses the book and the issues it raises - racial strife, white flight, blockbusting and how learning about Detroit's past might help in planning for its future. A booksigning will also occur and books will be for sale at the event.

Michael Erlewine Discusses His Book 'Blues in Black & White: The Landmark Ann Arbor Blues Festivals'

Michael Erlewine, the award-winning archivist of popular culture, who founded and built the largest music review database in the world, All-Music Guide, has written a fascinating new book that chronicles the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival.The first Ann Arbor Blues Festivals, in 1969 and 1970, brought together the greatest-ever selection of blues performers and helped bring modern blues music to a wider audience. Never before had such a far-reaching list of performers been assembled. These groundbreaking festivals were the seed that grew into the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival, which was continued annually for many years.

Ignite Second Stage: Early Mechanical Televisions With Suzanne Fischer, Curator Of Technology At The Henry Ford

Ignite Ann Arbor is a biannual event that brings passionate people from throughout our community on stage to present 20 slides in 5 minutes about their interests. At Ignite Second Stage @ AADL, some of the best Ignite Ann Arbor presenters are invited to AADL to give an expanded version of their talk.Television before World War II?

Underground Railroad Historian Carol Mull Introduces The Library's New Online Product 'Signal Of Liberty' And Discusses The Underground Railroad

Step back into history as Underground Railroad Historian Carol Mull introduces the Library's new online product, Signal Of Liberty - a digitized version of a weekly abolitionist newspaper published in Ann Arbor between 1841 and 1848. Users will be able to browse issues of the paper and it will be full-text searchable on aadl.org. This project is part of the Making of Ann Arbor partnership with the Bentley Historical Library and the University of Michigan Digital Library Production Services. Refreshments will be served at this kick-off event, which will include a demo of this new historical resource and a discussion of the Underground Railroad by this prominent local historian and author. Carol teaches and lectures extensively on the Underground Railroad and has written a book on its history in Michigan, due to be published Spring, 2010.

Galapagos: Darwin's Paradise Presented By Wildlife and Nature Travel

175 years have passed since Darwin's famed 'Voyage of the Beagle,' where he extensively studied the birds and tortoises of the Galapagos and developed the theory behind his infamous publication 'The Origin of Species.' During this presentation, Jessica Pociask of Wildlife And Nature Travel will lead a photographic tour through the rare and endemic wildlife that make the Galapagos stand out on the list of must-see places to visit. You will also learn how this incredible place became the foundation for evolution and modern day biological themes.

Author Doug Stanton Discusses His Book - Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story Of A Band Of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan

Bestselling author Doug Stanton will discuss the amazing story of the small band of Special Forces soldiers who went on a secret mission to battle the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan immediately following September 11th, and achieved victory.

National Library Week Author Event: Grant Brown Discusses His Michigan Notable Book 'Ninety Years Crossing Lake Michigan: The History Of Ann Arbor Car Ferries'

In 1892, the Ann Arbor Car Ferries shook the transportation world by doing what was then deemed impossible, carrying loaded railroad cars by ship across the 62 miles of open water between Frankfort, Michigan and Kewaunee, Wisconsin. Crossing the lake with loaded freight cars was a treacherous task that presented daily obstacles.

Who Is Anton Chekhov?

Join Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures, Michael Makin and Residential College Drama Lecturer Katherine Mendeloff as they examine Chekhov's role in Russian literature and society and as transformer and innovator of Russian drama. U-M acting students will also perform several scenes from Uncle Vanya featuring costume, live music and other scenic elements, setting the stage for a lively discussion of Chekhov's classic play and the challenges set forth for actors and directors in mounting this production.

Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Reads Event: Historic Photographs of Ann Arbor With Local History Experts Wystan Stevens and Kingsbury Marzolf

Join Wystan Stevens, local history buff and Former Kempf House Museum Curator, and Kingsbury Marzolf, retired UM Architecture Professor, for a delightful look back in time as they present photographs from the very rare local history book, Art Work of Washtenaw County, published in 1893. Photos include buildings, Main Street scenes and more. Marzolf and Stevens will provide delightful commentary for each.This event is co-sponsored by the Washtenaw County Historical Society and is also held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Current Ecological Issues of the Great Lakes with James S. Diana, Director, Michigan Sea Grant College Program, University of Michigan

The Great Lakes have undergone massive environmental change since European settlement. Landscape alteration, water use, industrial processes, overfishing, and introduction of exotic species have all contributed. Future trends for the Lakes are also difficult to predict because new species or problems intervene before the current trends are completed. So, what lies ahead for our Great Lakes - and what is their current condition today?Join us for this fascinating presentation by James Diana, Director of the Michigan Sea Grant College Program at the University of Michigan. This event is held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan and Jerry Dennis' award-winning book The Living Great Lakes: Searching For The Heart Of The Inland Seas.