With the current debate over whether Ann Arbor should fund a new downtown library, Concentrate's Natalie Burg takes a look at communities around the country that have decided to invest in updating their libraries, not only to meet the changing demands of today but to ready themselves for tomorrow.
Aesthetically speaking, the shelter in Ann Arbor's Allmendinger Park is best described as functional. Others might be less generously inclined. This weekend, however, it becomes an example of how public art and community engagement can transform a nondescript building into a vibrant neighborhood asset.
A trio of U-M architecture grad students were tasked with envisioning what the proposed $12 million rec center on Ypsilanti's Water Street property might look like. One plan highlights Ypsi's downtown, the other its park. Both are exciting and innovative approaches to urban development.
The parking lot behind Ann Arbor's Downtown Home & Garden, which is arguably as scenic as parking lots get, is getting its own scene. Bill's Beer Garden opens there on October 18, next to Mark's Carts outdoor food court. Patrons may bring food from the carts into the garden. It's "the combination of the location, the existence of [Mark' Carts] and the incredible Michigan craft beer industry all kind of coming together, and I think we're going to produce a very nice operation, a very nice place where people will want to come to and want to be," says owner Bill Zolkowski. A beer shed modeled after a Parisian news stand now sits in the lot. A pavilion with a permanent roof, radiant heat, and seating has been built on either side of the greenhouse to the rear of the garden store at 210 S. Ashley St. Bill's Beer Garden will be open from 5-11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 4-9 p.m. on Sundays, until December 2. It will re-open on St. Patrick's Day 2013, Zolkowski says. He plans to hire 8-12 staffpersons. It can seat 160 people at tables on the pavilion and classic open-air beer garden benches. "You're very likely to be sitting next to someone you don't know and end up in a conversation with people, interactions with people that you did not come in with and you didn't anticipate when you walked in the front gate. And that really has been almost a trademark of classic beer gardens, and we want to replicate that..." Zolkowki says. "We'll expand the community, give the community a space with which to come and to hang out. We think it's going to work real well in a city like Ann Arbor." Source: Bill Zolkowski, owner of Bill's Beer Garden Writer: Tanya Muzumdar
Next month Ann Arborites decide whether to fund a millage for art in public places. Last week, Concentrate's speaker series invited Deb Polich, executive director of the Arts Alliance, and city councilmember Christopher Taylor to provide some background and insight. No worries if you couldn't be there. We've got the video.
Theremins and hapi drums and stylophones, oh my! Photographer Doug Coombe makes the case for why Ann Arbor's District Library is cooler than a cucumber on ice. Check out his picture du jour!
Care for a little Higgs boson with your pint of stout? Once a month U-M's Museum of Natural History plays host to the Science Cafe at Conor O'Neil's. Mixing libations with inspiration, this highbrow happy hour introduces locals to university researchers while addressing the latest scientific hot topic. Think of it as a way to strengthen and lose brain cells at the same time.
This ain't just another version of Monopoly. Or another excuse to push a pop-o-matic. Board games have grown up and they're attracting a new and diverse generation of devotees. Employing smarts, strategy, and social engagement, these challenging and often cooperative games have found both popular and economic success in Ann Arbor.
Time to get your fingers ready and raring for Pianos 'Round Town, the public art project that places 8 sets keyboards in locations around Ypsilanti. Expect instances of true musical inspiration, random plunking, and more than few kids banging away. Pianos arrive Sept. 21 and can be found in front of Sidetrack, Nelson Amos Studio, The Ypsilanti Co-op, Tower Inn, Red Rock Barbecue, Café Racer, the Depot Town Dispensary and Mix until Oct. 9. Excerpt: "During Pianos 'Round Town eight pianos are placed in front of various businesses around the city for public use. Anyone who is having a musical whim can sit down and play. The event is inspired by the "Play Me, I'm Yours" public artwork project by British artist Luke Jerram. Jerram travels to large cities around the world and places pianos in public areas for people to play. The project began in 2008 and has traveled from London to New York and even Grand Rapids, Mich. " Read the rest here.
Grab your lederhosen and get your spaetzle on! This weekend is the last of the German summer shindigs at Ann Arbor's German Park. Since 1938 this Teutonic social club has been hosting dances and parties. Today it attracts summer crowds in the thousands. No surprise really. The Mitten is home to nearly 350 German-owned companies.
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