African American Downtown Festival, 211 1/2 N. Fourth Ave. 769–0288. Crafts, merchandise, and food. Musical entertainment includes jazz, R&B, and pop. Sponsored by Community Leaning Post, Inc. Spring 2008 date TBA. E-mail: clpfestival@msn.com

Ann Arbor Art Fairs. Ann Arbor’s gigantic art festival actually is four separate fairs that draw more than 1,000 artists and close to half a million visitors to downtown and the campus area over four days. Free concerts and a huge variety of food and drink vendors. Also, a Townie Street Party the Monday before the fairs. The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original (994–5260, www.artfair.org), surrounds Burton Tower. The State Street Area Art Fair (663–6511, www.a2state.com) is in the shopping districts around State Street, while the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair (662–3382, www.michiganguild.org) has a downtown section on Main and Liberty and a campus section on S. State. Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair (663–5300, www.a2southu.com) occupies South University and parts of East University and Church sts. July 16–19, 2008.

Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival, P.O. Box 7456, AA 48107. Two days of concerts at Gallup Park. Also, a children's area. Aug. 2 & 3, 2008. peterandrews@provide.net, www.a2.blues.jazzfest.org

Ann Arbor Book Festival, 500 S. Main, AA 48104. 369–3366. Author talks and signings, writing workshops, spelling bees, poetry slams, book art displays, children’s activities, and thousands of books for sale, at various downtown locations. May 15–18, 2008. aabf@aabookfestival.org, Wroben3357@aol.com; www.aabookfestival.org

Ann Arbor Film Festival, Michigan Theater. 995– 5356. One of the oldest film festivals in North America. Six nights of experimental, avant-garde, and independent short films in traditional and digital formats. Also, screenings and discussions with guest filmmakers. Winning films are screened Sun. evening. Mar. 25–30, 2008. info@aafilmfest.org, www.aafilmfest.org

Ann Arbor Folk Festival. 761–1800. Two concerts of roots and acoustic music in the U-M’s Hill Auditorium benefit the Ark. Features well-known acts along with singer-songwriters on the rise. Jan. 25 & 26, 2008. feedback@theark.org, www.theark.org

Ann Arbor Powwow, U-M’s Crisler Arena. 763– 9044. Native American singers and dancers, artists, drummers, and vendors from much of North America. Everyone welcome. Apr. 5 & 6, 2008. powwowpeople@umich.edu, www.umich.edu/~powwow

Ann Arbor Summer Festival. 994–5999. Tickets: 764-2538. Ticketed performances of theater, dance, comedy, and music by national and international artists at the Power Center and Hill Auditorium. Also, local and regional performing artists at Top of the Park, a nightly series of free concerts and movies. Free dance lessons, artist discussions, and workshops at various locations. June 13–July 6, 2008. www.annarborsummerfestival.org

Apples & Honey, 2935 Birch Hollow. 971–0990. Family event celebrates the fall Jewish holidays. Shofar blowing, crafts, inflatable bouncers for children, games, face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, and more. Gifts and Judaica items for sale. Israeli food, kosher baked goods, and lunch available. Sept. 9, 2007. jcc@jccfed.org, www.jccannarbor.org

The Ark’s Storytelling Festival, 316 S. Main. 761–1800. International, national, and regional storytellers present programs geared toward adults Fri. & Sat. 7:30 p.m., and kids Sun. 1 p.m. Feb. 15-17, 2008. feedback@theark.org, www.theark.org

CabaretFest, 415 N. Fourth Ave. 769–2999. A series of concerts at Kerrytown Concert House with national and regional cabaret artists. 2008 date TBA. kch@kerrytown.com, www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com

Dancing in the Streets, 769–1052. Dance to many kinds of live music. Parade, miniconcerts, and children's activities. Sponsored by the Ann Arbor Council for Traditional Music and Dance.Sept. 2, 2007; Aug. 31, 2008. hellmann@umich.edu, www.aactmad.org

Dawn Dance Weekend. 747–8138, 665–7704. A nonstop weekend of folk dancing to live music, plus workshops on music, dancing, and calling. Clague Middle School, 2616 Nixon. Feb. 29-Mar. 2, 2008 hellmann@umich.edu, www.aactmad.org/sa/ddw/ddw_home.html

Downtown Block Party, P.O. Box 7596, AA 48107. 668–7112. Race cars and rock music on Main and Liberty. Aug. 13, 2007; 2008 date TBA. info@mainstreetannarbor.org, www.mainstreetannarbor.org

Earth Day Festival. 997–1553. Educational displays, hands-on activities, live animal presentations, and family-oriented environmental entertainment, including storytelling and sing-alongs, all at Leslie Science Center. About 50 exhibits by environmental nonprofits. Includes the annual All Species Parade, with participants in costumes representing plants or animals. April 20, 2008. fkrawcke@a2gov.org, www.a2gov.org/lsc

Edgefest, 415 N. Fourth Ave. 769–2999. One of North America’s premier alternative music festivals; features jazz and creative music at different locations. Oct. 17-20, 2007. kch@kerrytown.com, www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com

Fesifools. 615–8648. A parade on Main St. of oversize puppets, which are all are invited to help create, plus musical entertainment. Apr. 6, 2008. startproject@umich.edu, www.lsa.umich.edu/startproject

Green Fair. 994–2766. Showcases environmental groups, products, and issues with exhibits and festivities downtown. Live music, live birds of prey presentations, youth games, art exhibits, and Bike Fest. June 13, 2008. www.a2gov.org (search for "GreenFair"

Huron River Day. 662–9319. At Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller. River exhibits, discounted canoe and kayak rentals, one-mile and 5K runs, a 5K walk, live music, and a children’s activity tent. July 13, 2008. www.a2gov.org/HRD

Jewish Book Festival, Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow. 971–0990. Adult and children’s authors speak in the evenings (except Friday) and at four noontime “Lunch and Learn” events. Also, books for sale. Nov. 11-18, 2007. jcc@jccfed.org, www.jccannarbor.org/

Juneteenth, P.O. Box 3399, AA 48106. 761–9084. Observance, at Wheeler Park, of the announcement of the end of slavery in Texas and the Southwest on June 19, 1865. Includes music, poetry, storytelling, performances, plus games, a children's area, health and nonprofit information, concessions, and arts and crafts sales.June 21, 2008. E-mail: normamccuiston@aol.com

Kerrytown BookFest, 410 N. Fourth Ave., AA 48104. 669–0451. At the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market, exhibits, artisans, and demonstrators of book arts from papermaking to publishing to calligraphy, plus speakers, readings, children’s activities, panel discussions, and more. Sept. 9, 2007. bookfest@kerrytownbookfest.org, www.kerrytownbookfest.org

Lenore Marwil Jewish Film Festival, The Jewish Community Center screens about 20 films at the Michigan Theater. May 11–15, 2008. jcc@jccfed.org, www.jccannarbor.org

Michigan A Cappella Festival. 763-1107. A showcase for all 12 groups in the U-M’s A Cappella Council. Oct. 27, 2007. umacappella@umich.edu, www.umich.edu/~umsing

MiniFest, 415 N. Fourth Ave. 769–2999. Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival presents concerts featuring internationally known artists and new chamber ensembles at Kerrytown Concert House. June 2008 date TBA. kch@kerrytown.com, www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com

OutFest, 995–9867. Block party at the Ann Arbor Farmers' Market celebrates diversity of sexuality and gender. Everyone welcome. Aug. 18, 2007; 2008 date TBA. michaelmc@wrap-up.org, www.wrap-up.org

Rolling Sculpture Car Show, P.O. Box 7596, AA 48107. 668–7112. More than 400 antique, classic, and concept cars on display at this eclectic downtown party. July 11, 2008. info@mainstreetannarbor.org, www.mainstreetannarbor.org

Shakespeare in the Arboretum. 647–7600. University students and local actors in an alfresco production of a Shakespeare play that moves through various settings in the Arb. June 5–8, 12–15, and 19–22, 2008. www.mbgna.umich.edu

Taste of Ann Arbor and the Rest of the World, P.O. Box 7596, AA 48107. 668–7112. Entrees and desserts from the kitchens of local restaurants and cafes. Music and dance on three downtown stages, plus children’s activities. June 1, 2008. info@mainstreetannarbor.org, www.mainstreetannarbor.org

Wine, Women, and Song, Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. 769–2999. Ten of the area’s notable singer/actresses create and perform songs from contemporary musical theater to light opera, including solo and ensemble production numbers. Jan. 18 & 19, 2008. kch@kerrytown.com, www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com

Ya'ssoo Greek Festival. 663–0270. At Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3109 Scio Church. Two-day celebration features musical entertainment and Greek food.2008 date TBA. www.stnickaa.org/Events/Greek_Festival/Greek_Festival.htm.com