The Calendar - Recreational Activities

This Week's Events

Recreational Activities
Despite Ann Arbor's "four seasons a day" weather, its numerous parks and sports venues provide ample opportunity to work up a sweat, or just get out and about. The Calendar covers them all.

Highlights this week:

34th Annual Dexter-Ann Arbor Run: Ann Arbor Track Club.

"The Joint Is Jumpin'!": The Choral Connection.

Ann Arbor-Motown Hash House Harriers.

Monday
May, 2008

9 a.m.
"Monday Chelsea Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Monday. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 35-45 or 55-65 miles, to either the Munith or Stockbridge area. meet at Aberdeen Bike & Fitness, 1175 S. Main, Chelsea. Free. (517) 285-6830.

9 a.m.
"Memorial Day Democratic Ride":: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. The assembled riders determine the ride's pace and destination. All invited. Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St. Free. 904-6431.

9 a.m.
"Back Roads Ramble": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Monday. Slow-paced ride, 12-35 miles, along dirt and gravel roads to Independence Lake and other low-traffic destinations. meet at 960 Forest Rd. (off Country Club Dr.), Barton Hills. Free. 761-2885, 663-5060.

5:30 p.m.
"Paved Roads Country Roads Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Monday. Fast-, moderate-, and slow-paced training ride, 18-24 miles, along country roads west of town. meet at Royster Clark, 885 Parker Rd. at Pine Cross Lane (just south of Jackson Rd.), Scio Twp. Free. 426-5116.

Tuesday
May, 2008

6 p.m.
"Huron River Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Tuesday. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 18-40 miles, to Dexter and back. meet at Rudolf Steiner School, 1655 Newport Rd. Free. 662-0205.

6 p.m.
"Big Sky Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Tuesday. Moderate-paced ride, 20-35 miles, along flat, relatively quiet picturesque roads south of Ann Arbor. meet at York Baptist Church, 1220 Stony Creek Rd. at Platt. Free. 971-5763.

6:30 p.m.
Ann Arbor Front Runners.:Every Tuesday & Thursday. Gay, lesbian, and straight runners invited to choose a distance of 3-5 miles to run with Front Runners members. meet at Furstenberg Park, off Fuller Rd. across from Huron High School. Free. 741-1763.

7-9:30 p.m.
English Country Dancing: Ann Arbor Council for Traditional Music and Dance. Every Tuesday . Historical and traditional English dancing. Today: callers Gates and Arlene Kindel with music by West, Baird, and Susie Lorand. All dances taught. No partner or experience needed. Dress comfortably and bring flat, nonslip shoes (running shoes OK). Chapel Hill Condominium clubhouse, 3350 Green Rd. $7 (students, $4; children age 13 & under, free). 665-7704.

Wednesday
May, 2008

"Saline Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Wednesday. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 30 miles or more, south to Milan and then west to the area around Britton-Macon. 6 p.m., meet at municipal parking lot on Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. south of Michigan Ave., Saline . Free. 645-5840.

6 p.m.
"West Side Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Wednesday. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 22-25 miles, and a slow-paced ride, 13-18 miles, to the Dexter Dairy Queen and back. Now in its 30th year, this ride is a favorite with newcomers and casual riders. sharp, meet at Sweepster parking lot, 2800 N. Zeeb Rd. Free. 426-5116 (longer ride), 665-4552 & 761-2659 (shorter ride).

9:30-11 p.m.
Wednesdays @ Michigan Union: Swing Ann Arbor. Every Wednesday. Swing dancing to prerecorded music. No partner needed. Bring casual or nicer shoes that stay on your feet when you're active. Preceded by beginning Lindy (6:30 p.m.), intermediate swing (7 p.m.), progressive Lindy hop (8 p.m.), and beginner East Coast (9 p.m.) lessons. Michigan Union Pendleton Room (occasionally Ballroom or U-Club). $5 (includes lessons). 945-8428.

Thursday
May, 2008

8 a.m.
"Spring Migration Walk in Nichols Arboretum": Washtenaw Audubon Society Every Thursday, April 10-May 29. All invited to join club members for a walk through the Arb to look for resident birds and early migrants, which begin arriving in earnest toward the end of April Meet at the cul-de-sac at the end of Riverview off Geddes. Free. 994-3569.

9 a.m.
"Jackson County Brunch Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Thursday. Moderate-paced ride, 25-50 miles, along the less traveled roads of scenic Jackson County. meet at Cavanaugh Lake Park, Cavanaugh Lake Rd., Waterloo Recreation Area, 3.2 miles west of Chelsea. Free. 994-5908.

10 a.m.
"Spring Unfolding Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Thursday. Beginner-friendly slow-paced ride, 10-15 miles, around Ann Arbor neighborhoods to explore the delights of local gardens, parks, and cafes. meet at Gallup Park Canoe Livery, 3000 Fuller Rd. (west side of Huron Pkwy.). Free. 971-5763.

6 p.m.
"Chelsea Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Thursday. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 20-30 miles, to either Dexter, Grass Lake, Munith, Stockbridge, or the Waterloo Recreation Area. meet at the north side of Aberdeen Bike & Fitness, 1178 S. Main, Chelsea. Free. (517) 285-6830.

6:45 p.m.
"Thursday Evening Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Thursday. Fast/moderate-paced 25-mile ride around northeast Ann Arbor that includes some good chances to improve your climbing skills. meet at the Fuller Pool parking lot, Fuller Rd. Free. 996-9122.

7:30-9:30 p.m.
Tartan & Thistle Scottish Country Dancers.:Every Thursday. Instruction for intermediate-level dancers in a wide range of traditional and contemporary Scottish dances, followed by social dancing. Soft-soled shoes recommended. Refreshments. the barn at Gretchen's House V, 2625 Traver (off Nixon). $5. 769-4324, 426-0241.

9 p.m.
Renaissance Dances: Bedlam. Every Thursday. Beginning to experienced dancers invited to try English country dances, 15th- and 16th-century Italian dances, bransles, pavanes, almans, and more. Instruction provided. Wear comfy clothes and shoes. Michigan League Room D. Free. 971-1809.

Friday
May, 2008

9 a.m.
"Huron River Bike Trail Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Friday. Slow-paced ride, 13 miles or more, along the Huron River from Bandemer Park to Parker Mill, along with some alternate routes. meet at Gallup Park Canoe Livery, 3000 Fuller Rd. (west side of Huron Pkwy.). Free. 663-4498.

6 p.m.
"Dexter DQ Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Friday. Slow-paced 26-mile ride to the Dexter Dairy Queen for a snack. Abbot School, 2670 Sequoia Pkwy. (off Maple 1 block south of Miller). Free. 662-0205.

Saturday
May, 2008

6:01 a.m.
"Sunrise Saturday Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Saturday. Very slow-paced 22-mile ride to Dexter for breakfast. Begins at sunrise. meet at Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St. Free. 665-6327, 913-9851.

8 a.m.-noon.
"Oak Openings Stewardship Day":: Wild Ones. All invited to help plant native species and weed out invasive plants from this savanna in the Arb. Preceded by a talk on the history of Oak Openings by a naturalist TBA. Bring a cushion or stool to sit on, gloves, and tools if you have them. Refreshments. U-M Nichols Arboretum, meet at the Reader Center. Free. 662-9997.

9 a.m.
"T'ai Chi Ch'uan at the Cube.":Every Saturday & Sunday. Local t'ai chi instructor Chad Eisner leads a session of these slow meditative movements for beginning and advanced practitioners. U-M Cube, between the Union and the SAB. Free. 930-2747.

9 a.m.
"Dexter Breakfast Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Saturday. Beginner-friendly slow-paced (22 miles) and moderate/fast-paced (30 to 80 miles) round-trip rides to the Dexter Bakery. A very popular ride. Note: Riders should be prepared to take care of themselves on all AABTS rides. Carry a water bottle, a spare tire or tube, a pump, a cell phone or change for a phone call, and snacks. meet at Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St., or at Barton Park, Huron River Dr. Free. For information, call 646-4978.

10 a.m.
Walk: Grex. Every Saturday. All invited to join members of this local computer-conferencing group for a walk from Gallup Park through Nichols Arboretum meet in Gallup Park parking lot, 3000 Fuller Rd. (west side of Huron Pkwy.). Free. 741-9351.

Noon.
Draw Doubles: Local 101 Disc Golf Club. Every Saturday. All invited to play disc golf at one of Hudson Mills Metropark's 24-hole disc golf courses. Disc golf is a popular sport played with a Frisbee-like disc; the goal is to land the disc in a "pole hole" in the fewest shots. In draw doubles play, beginners are paired with advanced players to create parity. Prizes. Golf discs available free from the Hudson Mills Metropark office. Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Rd. (between Dexter-Pinckney Rd. & Huron River Dr.), Dexter. $5 per player; free for spectators. Vehicle entrance fees: $4/day, $20/year ($12 for seniors age 62 & over). 449-4300.

Ultimate Frisbee: Ann Arbor Ultimate. Every Saturday (tentatively). All invited to join a pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Note: Overly aggressive players are politely asked to leave. 2:30 p.m., Fuller Field. Free. * info@a2ultimate.org

1-4 p.m.
"Chi-Do": Peaceful Dragon School. Adults invited to practice Chi-Do, a potpourri of qigong, acupressure, dynamic movements, and meditation designed for relaxation. Peaceful Dragon School, 1945 Pauline, suite B. $50. Preregistration required. 741-0695.

7 p.m.
Dr. Grangelove's 5th Saturday Contra and English Dance: 5th Saturday Productions. Cleveland caller Becky Hill calls English dances (7 p.m.) and contras and more (8:30 p.m.) to music by Debbie Jackson, Dave Orlin, and Brad Battey. Food available. No partner needed. Wear cool, casual clothes and flat, smooth-soled shoes for dancing. Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. (1'da2 mile south of I-94), Saline. $12. 484-9964.

8 p.m.-midnight.
"The Joint Is Jumpin'!": The Choral Connection. Carolyn Tjon Burnstein directs this 20-member song-and-dance troupe in a musical revue of 40s jazz standards, 50s & 60s TV theme songs, an American Bandstand tribute, a beach Boys medley, Broadway tunes, and more. Followed by dancing to big-band swing music by the popular and versatile Saline Big Band. Refreshments available. Washtenaw Community College Morris Lawrence Bldg., 4800 E. Huron River Dr. $20 in advance & $22 at the door. 944-7729.

Sunday
June, 2008

8 a.m.
34th Annual Dexter-Ann Arbor Run: Ann Arbor Track Club. The area's biggest running event, this race typically draws thousands of runners from throughout southeast Michigan. Includes 5- & 10-km and half-marathon runs and 5- & 10-km fitness walks. Awards to the overall winners and top finishers in each running age group. All races conclude at the new Ann Arbor Skyline High School on North Maple. (Construction on Huron River Drive prevents the race from following its traditional route downtown to Main Street.) Postrace entertainment includes live rock 'n' roll by George Bedard & the Kingpins. Preceded on May 31 by a Race Expo (2-6 p.m.) that includes a kids run ($12 in advance, $15 at the Expo) at various distances, depending on age, from 50 meters to 1'da2 mile for kids ages 2-12, along with a chance to meet 2008 Olympic marathon qualifier Brian Sell and 2004 Olympic marathon alternate Clint Verran. Also, refreshments and running gear vendors. (10-km run & walk) & 9:05 a.m. (5-km run & walk), Skyline High School, 2552 N. Maple, & 8:50 a.m. (half marathon), Creekside Intermediate School, 2615 Baker Rd., Dexter. Entry fees for individuals: $30 (5- & 10-km) & $35 (half marathon) at dexterannarborrun.com by May 30, $35 (5- & 10-km) & $40 (half marathon) at the Race Expo. No day-of-race registration. Entry forms available at local sporting goods stores. 663-9740, 487-5616.

8:30 a.m.
"A2Sunday Runners": Two Dogs Running. Every Sunday. All invited to join informal runs of 5-7 miles along various scenic routes. meet at Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, Kerrytown. Free. 657-0214.

9 a.m.
"Dansville Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Fast-paced 100-mile ride to Dansville to look for a good lunch spot. Also, at 10 a.m. moderate-paced 60-mile and slow-paced 36-mile rides to the same destination leave, respectively, from Pierce's Pastries Plus on Middle Street in Chelsea and from the corner of Gregory and Carr roads in Gregory. meet at Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St. Free. 996-9461 (100-mile ride), (517) 522-6429 (60-mile ride), 761-1147 (36-mile ride).

9 a.m.
"T'ai Chi Ch'uan at the Cube.":Every Saturday & Sunday. Local t'ai chi instructor Chad Eisner leads a session of these slow meditative movements for beginning and advanced practitioners. U-M Cube, between the Union and the SAB. Free. 761-5204.

10:15 a.m.
Ultimate Frisbee: H.A.C. Ultimate. Every Sunday. All invited to a very relaxed pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. Mitchell Field. Free. 846-9418.

"Amazing Animal Adaptations": Waterloo Natural History Association. Naturalist Jean McKim displays live birds, reptiles, and other animals and discusses the adaptations that enable them to survive in their habitats. 2-3 p.m., Eddy Discovery Center lower parking lot, Bush Rd. (west off Pierce Rd. from I-94 exit 157), Chelsea . $2 (families, $5). Preregistration required. Vehicle entrance fees: $6/day, $24/year ($6/year for seniors age 65 & over). 475-3170.

1-5 p.m.
Guided Tours: Waterloo Area Farm Museum. Every Friday-Sunday, June 1-August 31. Museum docents give tours of the artifact-filled historic farmhouse, which contains everything from feather trees to a wooden wheelchair in the attic. Waterloo Area Farm Museum, 9998 Waterloo-Munith Rd. (left off Clear Lake Rd. 5 miles north from I-94 exit 153), Waterloo Recreation Area. $3 (seniors, $2.50; kids ages 5-17, $1). (517) 596-2254.

1-4 p.m.
Bird Hills Neighborhood Coalition Series: Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation Division. All invited to help city parks natural area preservation staff restore and maintain the natural areas in Bird Hills Park. Minors must be accompanied by an adult or obtain a release form in advance. meet at the Bird Rd. entrance to Bird Hills Park. Free. 996-3266.

1 p.m.
Pinckney State Recreation Area Hike: Sierra Club. Land use consultant Barry Lonik leads a hike of 3-4 miles through the hills. meet at City Hall to carpool. Free. 677-0823.

1 & 3 p.m.
Sharon Mills Tours: Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. June 1 & 8. WCPARC staff lead 30-minute tours around this park on the River Raisin that features a newly operational hydroelectric generator, a beautiful multicolored stone house, a wooden mill, and a former winery, plus spots for fishing, canoeing, and picnicking. Sharon Mills Park, 5701 Sharon Hollow Rd. (between Pleasant Lake & Sharon Valley rds.), Manchester. Free. 971-6337.

1-3 p.m.
Contact Improv.:Every Sunday. All invited to try this interactive, freeform dance style that involves contact with one or more partners. It can involve improvisational lifts and other experimentations with gravity. You might find yourself upside down, so dress appropriately for easy movement. No partner required; beginners welcome. (The 1st Sunday of each month begins with an hour of formal instruction.) Followed by discussion and socializing. The Mind Body Spirit Academe, 1785 W. Stadium. $5-$10 sliding scale based on ability to pay. 604-4416.

2-4 p.m.
"Hike to the Back Woods 'Knob'": Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. WCPARC naturalist Faye Stoner leads a hike through the hilly glacial topography of Brauer Preserve's west woods to look for wildflowers and ferns. Bring bug spray. Brauer Preserve, Parker Rd. just south of Waters Rd., Freedom Twp. Free. 971-6337.

3 p.m.
Ann Arbor-Motown Hash House Harriers.:Every Sunday & occasional Saturdays. The local chapter of an unorthodox running club for people who like to make a game of running. Each runner's task is to follow a trail designed to be confusing. The usual result is that the lead (i.e., fastest) runners run the longest distance, so that runners of varying abilities complete the course in nearly the same time. Each run includes at least one pit stop (with beer & pop hidden along the way) and is followed by a trip to a nearby restaurant. location TBA. Free. Weekly locations available at a2h3.org.

6-8 p.m.
Ann Arbor Morris Dancers.:Every Sunday. All invited to try this boisterous, jingly English ceremonial dance said to have originated a millennium ago as a pantomime of war between Moors and Crusaders. Wear athletic shoes. location TBA. In case of rain, under the Dental School overhang, 1011 North University. Free. 747-8138.

8-10 p.m.
U-M Ballroom Dancers.:Every Sunday. Ballroom dancing to recorded music, including fox-trots, waltzes, cha-chas, rumbas, tangos, swing, and more. No partner necessary. Preceded at 7 p.m. by beginning lessons and practice. Michigan League Ballroom (June 1) & Michigan Union Ballroom (June 8, 15, 22, & 29). $3. 763-6984.

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