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:

"Back Roads Ramble": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.

"Paved Roads Country Roads Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.

The Barony of Cynnabar.

Monday
October, 2008

9 a.m.
"Back Roads Ramble": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Mon. 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 p.m.
"Paved Roads Country Roads Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Mon. Fast-, moderate-, and slow-paced training rides, 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.

7 p.m.
The Barony of Cynnabar. Every Monday except Oct. 6. All invited to join members of this local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism to work on re-creating different aspects of medieval culture, including combat, dancing, singing, clothing, and many other arts & crafts. 1311 EECS, 1301 Beal, North Campus. Free. Information at cynnabar.org.

7:30-9:30 p.m.
Tartan & Thistle Scottish Country Dancers. Every Mon. 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 Rd. (off Nixon Rd.). $5. 769-1052, 425-0241.

Tuesday
October, 2008

5:30 p.m.
"Huron River Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Tues. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 18-40 miles, to Dexter and back. meet at Forsythe Middle School, 1655 Newport Rd. Free. 662-0205.

7-9:30 p.m.
English Country Dancing: Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance. Every Tues. Historical and traditional English dancing. Today: callers Ray Bantle and Drake Meadow with music by the Scalar Scalawags. 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
October, 2008

2-4 p.m.
"Weed 'n' Sing": Community Farm of Ann Arbor. Oct. 1, 15, & 29. All invited to sing rounds and other songs while weeding the farm's crops. An organizer says that musical weeding "makes the plants grow better, and it makes your insides vibrate more harmoniously." Community Farm of Ann Arbor, 1525 S. Fletcher Rd. north of Scio Church Rd., Chelsea. Free. 475-7451.

5:30 p.m.
"West Side Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Wed. 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 31st 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).

8 p.m.
"Wednesday Night Lights": Wheels in Motion. Every Wed. Nighttime mountain-bike rides through different local trails and parks each week. meet at the U-M Diag. Free. 971-2121.

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

Thursday
October, 2008

8-11 a.m.
"Fall Songbird Migration in Nichols Arboretum": Washtenaw Audubon Society. Every Thurs., Aug. 28-Oct. 16. WAS members lead a hike through the Arb to look for fall warblers and other southbound migrants. meet in the cul-de-sac at the end of Riverview (off Geddes near the east end of Dow Field). Free. 677-3275.

10 a.m.
"Sugar Maple Rides": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Oct. 14, 16, 21, & 23. A series of leisurely weekday rides, 10-15 miles, around local neighborhoods to check out the progress of our city's glorious fall colors. meet at Gallup Park canoe livery, 3000 Fuller Rd. (west side of Huron Pkwy.). Free. 971-5763, 663-5060.

7:30-10 p.m.
Israeli Dancing: Jewish Community Center . Every Thurs. except Oct. 9. West Bloomfield dance instructors Cheryl Felt and Amnon Steiner lead a variety of Israeli dancing to recorded music. Easy dances and oldies the first hour followed by intermediate and requests. Beginners welcome. New dances taught each week. Wear sneakers or other flat, comfortable shoes. JCC, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. (off Stone School Rd. south of Packard). $6 (kids, $3). 971-0990.

8 p.m.
"Moonshadow Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Slow-, moderate-, and fast-paced rides, 8-24 miles, along the Gallup Park pathway. Weather permitting. Mitchell Field parking lot (east end), Fuller Rd. Free. 424-2802.

Friday
October, 2008

10 a.m.
"Huron River Bike Trail Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Fri. 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.

8:45-11:45 p.m.
Friday Night Swing: Ann Arbor Swing Dance Association. Every Fri. Swing dancing to prerecorded music. No partner needed. Bring hard-soled shoes. Preceded at 8 p.m. by beginning lessons. Dakota Bldg., 1785 W. Stadium. $5 (includes lessons; students, $3). 972-9141, 417-9857.

9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Singles Dance: Parents Without Partners. Oct. 3, 17, & 31. All singles invited for an evening of dancing and socializing. Recorded 70s to contemporary dance music played by DJ John Brown. Cash bar. Smoking allowed in designated areas. Preceded at 8 p.m. by free dance lessons. All encouraged to come in costume on October 31. Grotto Club, 2070 W. Stadium. $8 (PWP members, $6). 973-1933.

Saturday
October, 2008

7:51 a.m.
"Sunrise Saturday Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Sat. 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.

9 a.m.
"Longest Hardest Day of Golf": Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. A 2-person scramble (both players hit the best ball on every shot), with the pins placed in the most difficult possible location - and a good chance the weather will be lousy. Open to all golfers; no handicaps. Leslie Park Golf Course, 2120 Traver Rd. $50 per person (includes greens fee, continental breakfast, lunch, & prizes). Preregistration required. 994-1163.

9 a.m.
"Dexter Breakfast Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Sat. 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. Also, a slow-paced 8-mile prebreakfast ride to Zingerman's for coffee & conversation leaves 842 Greenhills Drive at 8 a.m., with a noon return. 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 761-1147 (Oct. 4 ride), 276-2043 (Oct. 11), 761-9894 (Oct. 18), 994-6340 (Oct. 25), & 775-1156 (prebreakfast ride).

9 a.m.-noon.
Volunteer Stewardship Workday: Ann Arbor Parks Department. Oct. 11, 18, 19, & 26 (different locations). All invited to help city parks natural area preservation staff maintain the natural areas in various city parks. Wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Followed by short nature walks. Today: a trip Swift Run Park to collect seeds from native plants. Eddy St. off Verle from Platt). Free. 996-3266.

Noon.
Draw Doubles: Local 101 Disc Golf Club. Every Sat. All invited to play disc golf at one of Hudson Mills Metropark's 24-hole disc golf courses. 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. $4 vehicle entrance fee. 449-4300.

3rd Saturday Contra Dance: Cobblestone Farm Dancers. Robin Warner and Peter Baker call to music by Licketysplit. No partner needed; all dances taught; beginners welcome. Lesson at 7:45 p.m. Wear cool, casual clothes and comfy, flat, smooth-soled shoes. 8 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. ( 1/2 mile south of I-94). $10. 426-0241.

1-4 p.m.
Volunteer Stewardship Workday: Ann Arbor Parks Department. Oct. 11, 18, 19, & 26 (different locations). All invited to help city parks natural area preservation staff maintain the natural areas in various city parks. Wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Followed by short nature walks. Today: a trip to Mary Beth Doyle Park to disperse native plant seeds. parking lot off Packard across from Easy St. Free. 996-3266.

4 p.m.
Ultimate Frisbee: Ann Arbor Ultimate. Every Sat. (tentatively). All invited to join a pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. The club also sponsors pickup games Wednesdays (Fuller Field, 6 p.m.), and Sundays (Mitchell Field, 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.). Note: Overly aggressive players are politely asked to leave. Fuller Field. Free. info@a2ultimate.org

7:30 p.m.
Dexter Twirlers Square Dance Club. Oct. 4 & 18. Glen Geer calls square dances for experienced dancers to recorded music. No partner necessary. Wear soft-soled shoes (not tennis shoes). St. Andrew's Church, 7610 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. $5. 433-0308.

Sunday
October, 2008

1-4 p.m. Sunset Rd.
Volunteer Stewardship Workday: Ann Arbor Parks Department. Oct. 11, 18, 19, & 26 (different locations). All invited to help city parks natural area preservation staff maintain the natural areas in various city parks. Wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Followed by short nature walks. Today: a trip to Sunset Brooks Nature Area to remove invasive plants and spruce up the trails. at the end of Brooks St. Free. 996-3266.

8:30-10:30 a.m.
Falun Gong. Every Sun. Local practitioners introduce this Chinese discipline, which consists of 5 exercises and meditation. location TBA. Free. 834-4978.

8:30 a.m.
"A2Sunday Runners": Two Dogs Running. Every Sun. 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.
"T`ai Chi Ch'uan at the Cube." Every Sun. 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.

9 a.m.
Lakes Ride: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Fast-paced 95-mile ride along a route that passes 5 lakes west and north of Manchester. meet at Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St. Free. 944-0730.

10-11:30 a.m.-noon.
Meditation: Karma Thegsum Choling. Every Sun. All invited to join a chanting meditation. KTC, 614 Miner (off Miller). Free. 761-7495, 678-7549.

10 a.m.
"Sunday Morning Cider Mill Ride": Wheels in Motion. Every Sun. A casual 40-mile ride through hilly back roads to look at fall colors. With a stop at the Dexter Cider Mill for snacks. meet at Barton Park, Huron River Dr. Free. 971-2121.

10:15 a.m.
Ultimate Frisbee: H.A.C. Ultimate. Every Sun. 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.

1-4 p.m.
Tour: Kempf House Museum. Every Sun. Guided tours of this restored 19th-century Greek Revival home, named for the family of German American musicians who occupied it at the turn of the 19th century. Kempf House, 312 S. Division. Admission $1 (children under age 12, free). 994-4898.

1-3 p.m.
Contact Improv. Every Sun. 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. 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.
Family Dance: Pittsfield Union Grange. All children and their parents or grandparents invited for an afternoon of contra and square dancing with callers John Freeman, Ed Vincent, and David Park Williams with music by David West and Donna Baird. Followed by Grange-baked cookies. Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. ( 1/2 mile south of I-94). $12 per family. 769-1052.

3 p.m.
Ann Arbor-Motown Hash House Harriers. Every Sun. & occasional Sat. 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 Sun . All invited to try this boisterous, jingly English ceremonial dance based on the 15th-century Spanish moresca . 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 Sun. except Oct. 26. 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 Union Ballroom. $3. 763-6984.

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