Daytripping: What's a family to do this weekend?

DAYTRIPPING

Check out this list of activities going on in the Detroit area in the next couple of weeks:

Winterfest 2012

New Baltimore Winterfest, Jan. 27-29, activities include entertainment and wine tasting in tent, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27, $5 admission; chili cook-off 6 p.m. Jan. 28, $5; fishing tournament Jan. 27-28; kids costume party 2 p.m. Jan. 28, at Rec Center; pancake breakfast Jan. 29; polar bear plunge Jan. 29. Call 586-716-3797.

Warm-Up Party

Ray Township Historical Society holds a Mid-Winter Warm-Up Party, 7-10 p.m. Jan. 28, at Ray Township Senior Center, 64255 Wolcott Road, north of 29 Mile Road. Admission $5, features euchre, refreshments, silent auction. For details, 586-784-9221.

Library programs

Grosse Pointe Public Library Classic Books Lecture Series opens with discussion on Sir Thomas More's "Utopia," 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26, in Grosse Pointe South High School auditorium, 11 Grosse Pointe Blvd. at Fisher Road. Fee $10, free for Friends members, students, teachers. Call 313-343-2074 ext. 6 or www.gpfriends.org.

Presentation by librarian Tracy Harnish on history of Valentine's Day, 7 p.m. Feb. 2, at Sterling Heights Public Library, 40255 Dodge Park Road, includes slide show, display, holiday refreshments and make-your-own Valentines. Registration required by calling 586-446-2640 or at www.shpl.net.

ABC TV's Happy Days cast.

Happy Days writer

TV writer Mark Rothman ("Laverne & Shirley," "Happy Days," "The Odd Couple") talks about his new book and gives behind-the-scenes look at TV shows, 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 31, at Chesterfield Township Library, 50560 Patricia.

'Meet the Caterer'

Stevenson High School All-Night Party Parent Group hosting "Meet the Caterer" event, 6-9 p.m. Feb. 3, in the school cafeteria, includes more than 25 vendors, food samples from caterers, and party ideas. Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Call 586-323-7152 or email lisa.pusz@yahoo.com.

Valentine Dance

Fraser First Booster Club hosts Valentine Dance, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11, at Zuccaro's Banquet hall, 20400 S. Nunneley, Clinton Township. Dinner 7:30 p.m.; $30 tickets include open bar, meal, auctions, raffles. For tickets, 586-296-1690 or at Fraser Activity Center, 34935 Hidden Pine Drive.

Family dinner

Ray Township hosts family dinner night, includes hot dogs, crafts, bingo, 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 27, at the township hall, 64255 Wolcott Road. Admission $2 per person, free younger than 2 years. Registration required by calling 586-749-5171.

Winter Fest

Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center presents Winter Fest and Family Cookout, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 28, at 4101 River Bends Drive, Shelby Township. Day includes winter wildlife walk, crafts, animals; guests can bring food to cook out. Register at: 586-323-2478.

Elks fundraiser

Mount Clemens Elks host Roaring '20s/ Millionaires  fundraiser, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 28, at the hall, 179 S. Main St. Dinner 6 p.m., music during dinner, followed by '20s orchestra from 8 p.m. to midnight; admission $25, includes prizes, games. Casino Speakeasy ($5 additional admission). Costumes welcome. Call 586-917-9174 or 586-463-2124 (after 3 p.m.).

Quilt display

"Quilt Art: International Expressions" display, Jan. 28-March 25, at Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, complimentary admission to show. Special related programs also scheduled, including quilted clothing, artful fabrics and quilts, and making quilts. Visit www.fordhouse.org or call 313-884-4222. Michelle Mitchell of Clinton Township presents "Tea & Textile" quilted clothing program, 1-3 p.m. Feb. 13, fee $35, $30 for members.

On stage

Stagecrafters presents "Kiss of the Spider Women: The Musical," Thursday through Sunday through Feb. 12, at the Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette, Royal Oak. Advance tickets $18 and $20; call 248-541-6430 or go to www.stagecrafters.org. Any available tickets $2 more at box office one hour before play.

Grosse Pointe Theatre presents "Jekyll & Hyde," 8 p.m. through Jan. 28, in Fries Auditorium of Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms. For tickets, $24, (313) 881-4004 or www.gpt.org.

Broadway Onstage live theatre presents comic mystery "Cahoots," 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. select Sundays through Feb. 11, at 21517 Kelly Road at Toepfer, Eastpointe. Opening night tickets $14, all other performances $16; call 586-771-6333.

Box Theater stages "Spring Awakening," 7 p.m. Feb. 10-12, 16-17, at the Emerald Theatre, 31 N. Walnut, Mount Clemens. Tickets $25 reserved, $20 general admission, portion of sales goes to Turning Point shelter. Call 586-954-2311 or go to www.theboxtheater.com. Show contains adult themes and language.

Avon Players Community Theatre presents the comedy "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," 8 p.m. Jan. 27-28, 2 p.m. Jan. 28, at 1185 Washington Road, Rochester. Not recommended for children. Tickets, $16-$18, available at www.avonplayers.org, the box office or (248)608-9077.

Meadow Brook Theatre presents "Nunset Boulevard," through Jan. 29, at the theater on the Oakland University campus in Rochester. For tickets, $24 to $39, call 248-377-3300 or go to www.ticketmaster.com.

Rosedale Community Players present "Deathtrap," 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 3-25, at Peace Lutheran Chruch, 17029 W. 13 Mile Road, Southfield. Call 313-532-4010 or go to www.rosedalecommunityplayers.com.

Theater auditions

Junior Actors of Ridgedale auditions for "Cinderella's Glass Slipper," 2-4 p.m. Feb. 4, at the theater, 205 W. Long Lake Road, Troy. Performance dates March 24-25. For details, call 248-969-7718 or visit www.ridgedaleplyers.com.

Meadow Brook Theater open auditions for comedy "Coin Toss," 7-9 p.m. Jan. 26, at 207 Wilson Hall on the Oakland University campus, Rochester. Performance dates 7 p.m. March 26-27. Go to www.mbttheatre.com.

Grosse Pointe Theatre auditions for "Hairspray," 1-5 p.m. Jan. 28, and 3-7 p.m. Jan. 29, at the rehearsal studio, 315 Fisher Road at Maumee, Grosse Pointe Farms. Performance dates May 6, 9-13 and 17-20, 2012, at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Fries Auditorium. GPT also holding dance workshops to help those interested in auditioning, 7-10 p.m. Jan. 17 and 24, at the rehearsal studio. Call 313-886-8901 or visit www. gpt.org.

Comedy for a Cause

Comedians Anthony Griffith and Ron Pearson appear in Comedy for a Cause benefit for Promise Village Home for Children, doors open 6 p.m., show 7 p.m. Feb. 17, at Woodside Bible Church, 6600 Rochester Road, Troy. Free-will offering. Call 877-A-PROMISE or visit www.promisevillage.com.

Penny Auction

Anchor Bay High school Family Penny Auction (raffle party), doors open 4 p.m., raffles 6 p.m., prizes include tools, toys, games, clothes, household items, gift baskets. Food and beverages available, all at the high school's South Commons, 6319 County Line Road, Fair Haven; proceeds to Junior ROTC program.

Art programs

Local artist Dominic Pangborn in art show and book signing to benefit Wigs 4 Kids, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 1, at Grosse Pointe War Memorial. Admission $25, includes copy of his book "Follow Me," wine and cheese reception. For tickets, www.wigs4kids.org or 586-772-6656.

"Wit and FUNction" exhibit at Pewabic Pottery, 10125 E. Jefferson, Detroit, through March 18. Features "witty, amusing and functional pieces" from six artists. Call 313-626-2000 or go to www.pewabic.org.

Annual Members' (Juried) Exhibition at Starkweather Arts Center, Feb. 3-25, opens with free reception 7-9 p.m. Feb. 3, at the Center on Main Street north of 32 Mile Road in Romeo. Gallery open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. For information, email info@starkweatherarts.com.

Mount Clemens Art Association meets 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6, for "Creative Direction" painting demonstration at 7 p.m., in lower level of Mount Clemens Public Library, 150 Cass Ave. Call 586-469-8781.

Grosse Pointe Artists Association "Urban Edge" exhibit through Feb. 25, at 16900 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe. Call 313-821-1848.

Metoparks events

Interpretive events at Wolcott Mill Historic Center, Ray Township, include "Sounds of Music," 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Feb. 4, making music with simple instruments for ages 6-10 years, $4; "Colors & Shapes" Valentine-theme projects, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Feb. 11, $5 per child; "maple Sweetness" harvest, 12:30 and 3 p.. Feb. 25-26, $5 adults, $3 children. At Farm Center: "Harness & Hitch" wagon ride, 1 p.m. Feb. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29, $5 per person. For registration and other activity information, 586-752-5932 or 800-477-3175.

At Lake St. Clair Metropark, "Coyotes, Foxes & Wolves in Michigan, 1 p.m. Feb. 5, $3 per person; Winter Search Party - Looking for Insects," 1 p.m. Feb. 11, $3 per person; Preschool Nature Club - The Valentine Bears," 1 p.m. Feb. 12, ages 3-6, $3 per child. For registration and other program information, call 586-463-4332.

Free concert

Matthew (Boogie Woogie Kid) Ball performs free concert in honor of Black History Month, 2 p.m. Feb. 12, at Clinton-Macomb Public Library, Main Branch, 40900 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township. Call 586-226-5020.

Go Comedy!

"The Time Machine" continues 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through March 2, at Go Comedy! Improv Theater, 261 Nine Mile road, Ferndale. Tickets $15 at www.gocomedy.net or 248-327-0575.

Detroit Zoo

Wild Winter weekends at Detroit Zoo, 10 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, include African Adventure, Feb. 11-12, and Safari Social, March 10-11; all programs 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For information, 248-5717 or www.detroitzoo.org.

Dance classes

*Beginner and beginner plus line dancing classes, 12:30-2 p.m. Thursdays at the Warren Community Center, 5460 Arden Road, off Mound Road between 13 and 14 Mile roads), Warren, $4 per person, countrycuzzins@wowway.com or call 586-777-7242.

*Line Dancing Classes, beginners 7 p.m., easy intermediate 7:40, couples 8:20, at Roseville Recreation Center, 18185 Sycamore, $5 per person. Call 586-445-5480 or 586-777-7242.

*Line and couples dancing for beginner to intermediate, starting in late January, in Utica, Shelby Township and Clinton Township, Danceduo@wideopenwest.com or 586-286-6002.

Art Center

Anton Art Center 2012 exhibits include Michigan Annual XXXVIII, Jan. 27-Feb. 24; "Where Are They Now?" Feb. 17-March 18; Macomb County K-6 Biennial, March 4-18; Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Show, April 1-22, and Macomb Community College Department of Continuing Education, Oct. 2-21, at 125 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens. Call 586-469-8666.

'Now Showing'

Spirit of Women "Now Showing" programs Feb. 15 and March 21, at Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lakeshore Drive, include movies and popcorn, health tips, hors d'oeuvres and wine (cash bar) in Fries Ballroom starts at 6 p.m. with movie at 7. Admission $12 for each day. Sponsored by War Memorial, Beaumont Health System and Grosse Pointe Public Library. Advance registration required, 313-881-7511 or www.warmemorial.org.

Clothing swap

MacombCountyCafe Yahoo! Group clothing swap, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. third Wednesday quarterly, at the DAV Hall, 47326 Dequindre, Utica. Call 586-739-5267.

Music Hall

"A Brown Bear, A Caterpillar And A Moon: Treasured Stories by Eric Carle," presented 2 p.m. Jan. 28, at Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison, Detroit. Show includes music, visual effects, puppetry. Tickets $7 children, $17 adults, at box office or www.ticketmaster.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.

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.

Volunteers needed

Macomb Literary Partners needs volunteers to help adults become better readers; applicants trained to tutor an adult 2 hours per week, with training sessions held on weekends or evenings. Call 586-286-2750.

Detroit Historical Guild seeking volunteers interested in participating in historical activities, including flea markets at Historic Fort Wayne, tea parties, excursions to historic sites, etc. Call 586-777-5898.

Features Editor Debbie Komar contributed to this list.