DAYTRIPPING: Events and activities the entire family might enjoy

Macomb Daily file photo of Habitat for Humanity build by Craig Gaffield.

What’s a family to do this weekend? Check out our listing of events and activities coming up in the Detroit area:

Helping Habitat for Humanity

VG’s shoppers are encouraged to make a donation to Macomb County Habitat for Humanity at the check-out during a special promotion that begins Feb. 19 and runs through March 10. Participating stories include VG’s at: 40832 Ryan, Sterling Heights, and 50820 Schoenherr in Shelby Township. Shoppers can purchase $1, $5 or $10 donations. As a thank-you, participants will receive four in-store coupons.

Unique show

Drum! At the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. Driven by youthful, enthusiastic energy, who combine the fiddling of "Riverdance" and the percussion of "Stomp" it is a unique evening of entertainment. Tickets: $29-$39, available online at www.dearborntheater.com For further information, call 313-943-2354.

Spaghetti dinner

South Lake High School Drama Club hosts spaghetti dinner fundraiser, 4-7 p.m. Feb. 21, in the school cafeteria in St. Clair Shores. Tickets, $10 adults, $5 children and students, available at the door or in advance at 586-435-1400. Proceeds go to March 30-31 production of “The Wiz.”

Book sale

Special used book sale features children’s and large-print books, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 18, at Clinton-Macomb Library Main Branch, 40900 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township. Proceeds go to library programs.

Tea Party

Oakland Mall’s kids’ club The Giggle Gang in cooperation with Broadway in Detroit hosts a benefit “Beauty and the Beast Tea Party,” 11 a.m., noon, 1, 5 and 6 p.m. Feb. 15, in the Troy mall’s Center Court. Free for Giggle Gang members, $3 for others; face painting $1. Reservations required and may be made at the Oakland Mall’s Information Center, 14 Mile and John R roads.

Vendor show

Relay for Life vendor show/fundraiser, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 25, at Fraser Lions Club, 34540 Utica Road. Products represented include Pampered Chef, Tupperwar, Tastefully Simple, Avon. Refreshments available. Proceeds to American Cancer Society/Relay for Life. For information, cward8110@wowway.com.

Metoparks event

Interpretive events at Wolcott Mill Historic Center, Ray Township, include “Maple Sweetness” harvest, 12:30 and 3 p.m. Feb. 25-26, $5 adults, $3 children. For registration and other activity information, 586-752-5932 or 800-477-3175.

Historical societies

Roseville Historical and Genealogical Society free program on the battle of “Bloody Run Creek,” 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21, at the library. Call 586-447-4560 or www.rosevillelibrary.org/rhgs.htm.

Greater Clinton Township Historical society presents lecture on “Detroit River Disasters and Great Lakes Losses: Maritime Mishaps Along Our Shores,” 7 p.m. March 12, at Clinton Macomb Public Library, 40900 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township. Call 586-286-9173 or clintontwphistory.org.

Birthday party

Washington Historical Museum hosts George Washington Birthday Party, 1-4 p.m. Feb. 19, at 58230 Van Dyke north of 26 Mile Road. Free event includes cherry desserts, viewing of museum exhibits and entries for George Washington art contest. Call 586-786-5304 or www.washhistsoc.org.

Benefit show

Laurette Designs presents Art, Fashion & Fun show, Feb. 17, at Empire Lounge, 52963 Van Dyke, Shelby Township, to benefit Turning Point shelter in Macomb County. Artist reception 8-10 p.m., admission $10; 9-11 p.m. art show; midnight “Sexy Angel Fashion Show” by Laurette Designs.

Dining Out

Troy Dining Out group schedule includes 7 p.m. Feb. 15, Olive Garden in Sterling Heights; CJ Brewery in Plymouth, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 18; Detroit River Walk & Lunch, 10 a.m. March 10, and Brio Tuscan Grill in Clinton Township, 5:30 p.m. March 17. For reservations and details, www.meetup.com/troy-dining-out.

Dance program

Detroit Dance Collective presents “Dances from the Heart,” 1-4 p.m. Feb. 12, at Leon & Lulu, 96 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson. Tickets $25 at the door, $20 in advance at www.detroitdancecollective.org. Proceeds benefit DDC.

On stage

L’Anse Creuse High School production of Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors,” runs 7 p.m. Feb. 23-24, at the John R. Armstrong Performing Arts Center. Tickets $5.

“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.

Box Theater stages “Spring Awakening,” 7 p.m. Feb. 11-12, 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.

Ridgedale Players present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Feb. 17-March 4, at the playhouse, 205 W. Long Lake Road, Troy. For tickets, $17, $15 students and seniors, 248-988-7049 or www.ridgedaleplayers.com.

Grosse Pointe Theatre production of “Moonglow” opens with 8 p.m. gala Feb. 17 at Edsel & Eleanor Ford Visitors Center, 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores; performances continue 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 18-19, 24-26 and March 2-4. Gala tickets $50 to benefit Alzheimer’s Association, $15 for other performances. Call 313-881-4004.

Rosedale Community Players present “Deathtrap,” 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through Feb. 25, at Peace Lutheran Church, 17029 W. 13 Mile Road, Southfield. Call 313-532-4010 or go to www.rosedalecommunityplayers.com. RCP auditions for comedy “Moonlight and Magnolias,” 5 p.m. Feb. 19 and 7 p.m. Feb. 20, at Peace Lutheran Church, 17029 W. 13 Mile road, Southfield. Performance dates April 20-May 12. Call 248-258-5368 or www.rosedalecommunityplayers.com.

Comedy for a Cause

“Clean 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. Freewill 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., Feb. 25, 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.

Ladies Night

Annual Ladies Night at Macomb Bike and Fitness, 6-9 p.m. Feb. 21, at 28411 Schoenherr, south of 12 Mile Road, Warren. Free event includes information on health and fitness, new products, bicycle rides, etc.; for reservations, 586-756-5400 or ride@macombbike.com.

Black History

“Celebrate Black History!” special events at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Feb. 11-12, 15-19 and 22-26, include “Minds on Freedom Show,” and musical, dramatic and interactive performances on weekends. For complete schedule, visit www.thehenryford.org.

Detroit Historical Society monthly film series presents “The Freedom Train,” 1 p.m. Feb. 11-12, at the Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodard a Kirby. Movie free with museum admission $6 adults, $4 ages 60 and older, college students with ID, and ages 5-18; free ages 4 and younger. Call 313-833-1801.

Art projects

“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, through Feb. 25, 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.

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

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.

Concert sounds

Warren Symphony Orchestra Continental Kaleidoscope Concert and Workshop, 3 p.m. Feb. 19, at Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Garfield and Hall roads, Clinton Township. Performance features Greg Cunningham conducting and the Bernard Woma Ensemble. Tickets $23, with discounts for seniors and students, free for youth; visit www.warrensymphony.org. Pre-concert workshop at 1:30 p.m. for local students; ticketholders may observe.

Macomb Symphony Orchestra presents “America the Beautiful,” 3 p.m. March 4, at Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Garfield and Hall roads, Clinton Township. Tickets $18 adults, $15 students, seniors and children, at Macomb Center box office or call 586-286-2222 or visit www.macombsymphony.org.

Matthew (Boogie Woogie Kid) Ball performs free Mardi Gras concert, 7 p.m. Feb. 18, at Hope United Church of Christ, 35127 Garfield, Clinton Township, 586-296-8760.

Rochester College Music Department concert featuring its a capella chorus and concert band, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21, at the college theater, 800 W. Avon Road, Rochester Hills. Free, donations accepted. Call 248-218-2149 or email music@rc.edu.

Rackham Symphony Choir presents “Cool Night of Hot Jazz X3,” 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11, at Andiamo Warren, 7096 14 Mile Road, west of Van Dyke. For tickets $70, call 313-4040222 www.rackhamchoir.org.

Madison Chorale performs “Love Concert,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11, at First Congregational Church of Royal Oak, 1314 Northwood Blvd. Admission $10 at the door. For details, www.madisonchorale.org or 248-229-4055.

Suzuki Royal Oak Institute of Music faculty concert, 5 p.m. Feb. 12, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 202 E. Fifth St. Free, donations accepted for special programs and institute activities. Call 248-561-7227.

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.

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.

Art Center

Anton Art Center 2012 exhibits include Michigan Annual XXXVIII, through 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.

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.

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.

Features editor Debbie Komar contributed to this list.

TODAY'S MUSE

People who know how to employ themselves always find leisure moments, while those who do nothing are forever in a hurry -- Jean-Marie Roland