Our Town Art Show supports outreach programs for our benefit

Work of art by R. Sherman.

At the heart of The Community House mission to provide programs and services to help people improve and enrich their lives are its outreach programs. Since 1923, it has provided everything from free classes and community forums that inspire creativity to programs that foster racial equality and ethnic diversity.

But hefty goals need funding.

It's for this cause that The Community House presents its annual Our Town Art Show and Sale, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Oct. 13-15.

"It is our signature event and the largest fundraiser of the year for The Community House," said chairperson Rebecca Sorenson.  

Additionally, the juried, all media show serves as a forum for Michigan artists to show, demonstrate and sell their work. Pieces range from traditional to contemporary with 30 percent of the proceeds from the sales of the art to benefit the outreach programs.

Opening night for the show is Oct. 12 starting at 5:30. Tickets for sponsors and benefactors are $200. Guests are treated to a strolling dinner, live entertainment and the first opportunity to preview and purchase art. Festivities will include an artists' award reception and the presentation of a commemorative tile designed by Novi artist Rachelle Nozero. The giving of the tile has been a tradition since the show began 26 years ago. Friend tickets, with admission to the preview at 6 p.m. are $75.

New to the show last year and being repeated again because of its success is the collaborative piece of art. "It was a little scary last year," said Nozero of the blank canvas that sat on an easel greeting preview guests. After the first hour - aside from the initial rendition of the tile design -- there were only a few colored splotches. But, as the night wore on a group of children attending the event caught on to what the canvas was all about and went to work filling up the space. Their initiative created a whirlwind of activity and by midpoint that evening everyone wanted in on it. "It ended up being this beautiful, wonderful piece that we raffled off," said Nozero, who was the one who initiated the project.

Her late husband Larry Nozero was a professional saxophone player. As a renowned jazz artist and session musician for Motown he enjoyed the opportunity of collaborating with other artists to create beautiful music. Nozero always thought it would be neat to do something similar with artists in her circle.

This year's canvas will features a rendition of the 2011 tile only instead of raffling the painting off at the end of the night, there will be an auction. 

Painting by Teri Selik.

"Art in Vogue" is a second gala event, Oct. 13, which brings art and fashion together. Local boutiques have been invited to pick one piece from the show and use it as inspiration for a fashionable outfit. It's a fun evening and always a surprise as you never know what will end up on the runway. A flashy red car was the inspiration for a bright red dress last year.  All of the models are professionals who have donated their time to benefit the Community House. Also supporting the event is Black's The Salon of Birmingham.

Tickets for the event, open to all ages, are $30 and include dinner plus one beverage. This event also features a collaborative work of art - this one a sketch of Elizabeth Taylor submitted by Tom Maniaci of Frame Your Face in Birmingham. For $20 a square guests can add a touch of their own style to the canvas, which will also be auctioned off.

"Many of the artists are expected to attend the opening night and often can be found close to their pieces of art," said Sorenson. "And it's kind of fun to talk to them and find out what inspired them."

The Community House is at 380 South Bates Street, Birmingham. For reservations or further information call 248-644-5832 or visit The Community House

DAYTRIPPING
Looking for other great activities for the family to do? Check out our list of events going on in the Metro Detroit area:

Benefit bookstore

The Friends of the Warren Public Library will run a used bookstore in the old Warren Village Fire Hall, at 5959 Beebe Street, to benefit the library. Guests will find books, DVDs, CDs, VHS, record albums and cassettes in all genres, for all ages. Nothing will be priced over $4. Children’s books will be 25 cents for hardcover, 10 cents for paperbacks. Hours: Oct. 7, 14, 21, 22, and 29, from 9 a.m. – noon.

Comedian Mike Green

Laugh for a cause

The Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan, which provides beds and essential furnishings to children and families in need, will present its annual Furniture Bank Comedy Night, from 6-9 p.m., Oct. 19 at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 South Troy Street, Royal Oak. Headlining the show this year is comedian Mike Green, with special guest Phenicia Banks. Tickets: $40 each includes hors d’oeuvres, 50/50 raffle and live auction. For more information email: comedynight@furniture-bank.org

Historical Society

Cemetery Walk of Save Our Depot/Lenox-New Haven Historical Society and New Baltimore Historical Society, 1 p.m. Oct. 8, at Centennial Cemetery on Clark Street (27 Mile Road), New Haven. Participants meet at Grand Trunk Depot on Victoria near Main Street and the railroad tracks for hayride to cemetery. Free; refreshments follow at train depot. Call 586-749-6583.

Irishfest

The Macomb County Warming Center will present its annual Irishfest fundraser, Oct. 16 at St. Margaret of Scotland Church gym, 21201 13 Mile Road, St. Clair Shores. Entertainment will include a performance of Irish folk music by Charlie Taylor, Larry Larson and “Fiddling George” Chirota. Admission is free but donations will be gratefully accepted. Further information, call 586-321-0998.

Pancake breakfast

VFW Bruce Post 1146 and Shorewood Kiwanis host pancake breakfast, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 9, at the Bruce Post, 28404 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores. Admission $7 adults, $3 younger than 7; proceeds to World War II Michigan War Veterans Memorial Legacy Project. Call 586-707-2100.

Garden Club

Mount Clemens Garden Club meeting, noon Oct. 10, in Mount Clemens Public Library Community Room, 150 Cass Ave. Slide presentation on “Native Plants for Your Garden” by Metro Beach Nature Center. 586-286-5034.

Big Family

Charity auction to benefit Big Family of Michigan, 6:30-10 p.m. Oct. 13, at San Marino Club, 1685 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy. Proceeds go to support abused and foster children in Michigan. Evening includes dinner and auctions. Visit Big Family of Michigan

Chili Cook-off

Ray Township chili cook-off, 7 p.m.-midnight Oct. 14, at the sponsoring Timberwood Golf Course, 27300 31 Mile Road. Event features chili judging, cash bar, music and dancing. To enter chili contest, register at Ray Township office, 64255 Wolcott road, 586-749-5171.

Fall Film Festival

MJR presents the 2011 Free Children’s Fall Film Festival, free for children 12 and younger, adults $1, at Chesterfield Crossing Digital Cinema 16, (586) 598-2500; Marketplace Digital Cinema 20, 586-264-1514; and Partridge Creek Digital Cinema 14, 586-263-0084. Schedule includes: “Judy Moody,” Oct. 8-9; “Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” Oct. 15-16; “Rio,” Oct. 22-23; “Spy Kids,” Oct. 29-30. No advance ticket sales; show times posted three days in advance of each showing.

Homes Tour

Mount Clemens Historical Commission 18th Annual Historic Homes Tour, Oct. 8. For details and $12 advance tickets, visit Mount Clemens Historical Commission call 586-465-1538, or go to the Mount Clemens Public Library, 150 Cass Ave. Tickets $15 day of event.

Focus: HOPE Walk

Four-mile walk to benefit Focus: HOPE, 11:30 a.m. entertainment, 12:30 p.m. walk Oct. 9, at the Resource Center, 1355 Oakman Blvd., Detroit. Visit Focus Hope

Senior Expo

Free 18th Annual Senior Expo 2011, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 13, at Assumption Cultural Center, 21800 Marter Road, St. Clair Shores. Day includes exhibits and give-aways, complimentary luncheon and raffle, entertainment by Gentlemen of Swing, community resource information, health screenings, and “Ask the Experts.” Doors open 8:15 a.m. Free shuttle service from Grosse Pointe Woods Lakefront Park. For details, 586-779-6111 ext. 4.

‘Michigan’s Harvest’

“Michigan’s Harvest: Food, Family and Community” program series runs through Nov. 19, at the Lorenzo Cultural Center at Macomb Community College, Garfield and Hall roads, Clinton Township. The program includes more than 30 free presentations, a series of five free exhibits and three special events (admission fee). For series and registration information, Macomb Center for Performing Arts or 586-286-2222 or 586-445-7348.

Senior volunteers

Senior Companion Program of Macomb, sponsored by Catholic Services of Macomb, needs volunteers age 55 and older to provide companionship and support to other area adults. Volunteers must meet income eligibility guidelines and have reliable transportation; benefits include a tax-free stipend for their services. Call 586-756-1435.

Warren art

Warren Tri-County Fine Arts Association member Pep Moroni displays his oil paintings at Warren City Hall, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Saturday during October. Group’s meeting 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11, at Warren Community Center. Demonstration by watercolor artist Rick Burger. Visit www.warrenfinearts.com.

Art exhibit

“Made in Michigan” annual exhibit at City Gallery, 292 Cass Ave., Mount Clemens, through Oct. 30, features work by Mount Clemens Art Association member Louise Parrish, retired Mount Clemens High School art teacher. Call 586-469-8781.

Santa Fabio

Mitch Greenberg (Freud) and 

Cory Krebsbach (C.S. Lewis) in Freud’s Last Session.

Century Theatre

“Freud’s Last Session” on stage 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, through Nov. 20, at Century Theatre, 333 Madison Ave., Detroit. For tickets, $34.50-$44.50, call 313-963-9800 or Ticketmaster.com.

Line Dancing

Line dancing and couples classes, Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. beginners, 7:15 p.m. beginner plus, 8:15-9 p.m. couples, at Roseville Recreation Center, 18185 Sycamore, east of Gratiot, north of Interstate 696, $5 per session. Call 586-777-7242 or countrycuzzins@wowway.com.

Blind bowlers

Macomb Blind Bowlers for visually impaired and/or blind individuals 18 and older, league bowling 11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Fraser Star Lanes, northeast corner of 14 Mile and Garfield roads. Fee $10 per week. Call 586-360-9543.

Community theater

*“Never Too Late,” presented by Rodgerland Productions and Sterling Heights Lions Club, Saturdays, through Oct. 22, at Lions Club, 12828 Canal Road, west of Schoenherr. Buffet at 6:30 p.m., show follows; tickets $25 including tax and tip. For reservations, 586-776-9844.

*Broadway Onstage continues season with the comedy “Love Song,” 8 p.m. Oct. 8, at the theater, 21517 Kelly Road at Toepfer, Eastpointe. Tickets $16. Call 586-771-6333.

*Musical “Meet Me in St. Louis” opens season for Stagecrafters, through Oct. 9, at the Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette, Royal Oak. Advance tickets $18 and $20, online at Stagecrafters or by phone 248-541-6430.

Square dancing

Patches Squares dance club hosts beginning square dance lessons, 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at First United Methodist Church of Warren, 5005 Chicago Road. First class (no matter when dancers start) is free, $3 for following sessions. Call 248-613-3169.

Pet adoptions

Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society pet adoptions, dogs, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 1 at Petsmart at Hall and Schoenherr roads, Utica. Call 313-891-1088.

Collectors show

Military Collectors’ Show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4, sponsored by Men’s Auxiliary to VFW Bruce Post No. 1146, 28404 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores. General admission $5. Refreshments available; patrons may bring military items to sell, trade or display.

Palette Club

Lakeside Palette Club has studio space 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays in Room 111 of Adult Education Center on Masonic near Jefferson. Call 586-350-4518 or visit www.lakesidepaletteclub.org.

Fishing clubs

Vanguard Trout Unlimited for fishing enthusiasts meets 7:30 p.m. second Thursday monthly at Rochester’s Dinosaur Hill. Also, Fishing Buddies Fishing Club gathers 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays at Rochester Hills OPC, 650 Leticia Drive. Call 248-375-1931.

Farmers Market

Mount Clemens Farmers Market open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 19, at 141 North River Road. Locally grown products, including flowers. Visit www.mountclemensfarmersmarket.com.

Artists Association

Grosse Pointe Artists Association 73rd Annual Members Show, through Oct. 22, at 16900 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe. Opening reception 6:30-9 p.m. Sept. 9. Call 313-821-1848.

TODAY'S MUSE

 I've been on a calendar, but never on time -- Marilyn Monroe