HERITAGE
ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 2-B
www.heritage.com
August 19, 2010
Festival to feature pooch contest Pet owners are invited to participate in the Doggie Days of Summer Pooch Contest at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Westgate Shopping Plaza in Ann Arbor. The contest, taking place as part of the Westgate Festival, is open to dogs young or old, large or small. It will be judged in the following categories: cutest dog, ugliest dog, best trick, smallest dog (tail to nose) and largest dog (tail to nose). For the safety of the animal, no cats are allowed. For a $2 registration fee, per category of entry, all par-
ticipants will receive a gift bag compliments of Wags to Wiskers. A grand prize will be awarded in each category, with a special prize donated by sponsors. Interested pet owners are asked to pre-register via email at www.westgatefestival. com. Walk-in registration is welcome, but participants must arrive no later than 1 p.m. Tail Wagger’s 1990, a local nonprofit organization, will be collecting pet food donations as part of their Pet Food Assistance program. All pet
food collected in Washtenaw County directly benefits the animals in the county. Additionally, all monies from the registration fee will be used for local companion animals in need. For more information on Tail Wagger’s 1990 and the programs it offers, visit www. tailwaggers1990.org. The pooch contest is just one event in the Westgate Festival, beginning at noon and offering a variety of things to do for the entire family.
Visitors can go to the Kids Zone for a cupcake walk, extreme bounce and face painting. Adults can get in on the Quarter Bistro BBQ Block Party and a food and beverage tent featuring a W-4 Country live remote from 1 to 3 p.m. Created by local businesses in Westgate as a way to promote Ann Arbor’s west side, the one-day event promises a little something for everyone with a focus on family entertainment and a back to school theme, including sales on educational items.
‘Scott Pilgrim’ awesome ride Hey, I’m Ryan Michaels, a 13- ally defeat, in mortal combat, Ramona’s seven evil exes. year-old writing movie reviews The entire film plays out and for Heritage Newspapers. I’ve is designed to look like a blend been doing it for two years, between comic books and enjoy it a lot. and ’80s-era videoHere’s my review games. There are of “Scott Pilgrim literally thousands vs. the World.” of visual and audible There are very gags, which can be as few films that random as a faux-TV can come even audience that laughs relatively close to and giggles in some defining an entire parts, to “evil” exes subculture. Enter disappearing and “Scott Pilgrim vs. turning into coins the World,” a whirlwhen Scott defeats ing, lightning-cut him, a la “Super epic made about Mario.” –– and ultimately But, the thing is, for –– the geek genthe countless gimeration. RYAN micks, references Michael Cera, MICHAELS and fights never get who is still as tiring because they gleefully meek as don’t feel tacked on as they flow ever, plays Scott Pilgrim, a 22naturally. They are as natural year-old bass guitarist stuck at an element to this film as, say, something of a crossroads in dialogue or pace. his life. This movie bounces about He finds interest in very with a giddy exuberance that little, aside from his music and is nothing short of amazing to hanging out with his roomwatch. I am not exaggerating mate, Wallace. But, then, the in saying that neither I nor pink-haired, elusive, mysterianyone else ever quite seen ous Ramona Flowers enters his anything like this. life. Although a good deal of Scott is instantly smitten by the cast intentionally play it her. And after some very awkover-the-top, the performances ward courting, the two begin are nevertheless great. Cera to date. doesn’t really deviate from his But before the two can truly standard, awkward, offbeat settle down and focus on their persona here, but to make up relationship, Scott must liter-
MOVIES IN REVIEW
for it showcases both his killer comic timing and a previously unknown anecdote: This dude can seriously kick some butt as an action hero. Mary Elizabeth Winstead, as Ramona, doesn’t have the meatiest of roles. That said, she demonstrates that she has serious potential as a comedic and actually, dramatic actress. This has a remarkably strong supporting cast. Anna Kendrick, just coming off of her great turn in “Up in the Air,” shows up as Pilgrim’s younger sister, and knocks it out of the park, something she has developed a knack for doing. The actors portraying Ramona’s “Seven Exil Exes” are an absolute blast to watch. Brandon Routh and Jason Schwartzman, in particular, have fantastic comic timing. But Ellen Wong as Scott’s obsessed teenage ex, Knives Chau, delivers an absolute breakout performance, as a girl who absolutely refuses to give up her beloved “Scotty.” It’s pretty astonishing what a great cast has been assembled. But the thing that really, truly and entirely blows my mind about “Scott Pilgrim” is its ability to maintain a ridiculously manic pace, with sight gags and action sequences flying by in seconds, and yet touch me deeply on an emotional
level. There’s something to be said for a movie where one moment a character is pulling a “Power of Self-Respect” energy sword above his chest, and the next touching the audience emotionally without it feeling forced or contrived. The emotional arcs of both Scott and Ramona remain genuinely poignant, transcending the films own tone to become a great love story in its own right. “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” is a giddy, gleeful ode to youth, to love, and to the fixations of geek culture. Few movies have ever stirred up such a profound emotional reaction in me as this. Many people likely will disagree with this review –– for the most part because of a generational gap. And that’s fine by me because similar to the way that nowadays kids watch “Star Wars” or “Back to the Future” and marvel, in 20 years young movie-goers today will look at “Scott Pilgrim” and marvel. Young or old, I know I always will. I give it four out of four stars. Film critic Ryan Michaels, an incoming freshman at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor and two-time winner of the Michigan Press Association Better Newspaper Contest for his reviews, can be reached through mrogers@heritage.com.
Night Life
Live music ■ The Ark 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor Telephone: 761-1451 Website: http://theark.org Thursday: Trina Hamlin and Dan Navarro, 8 p.m., $15, blues, contemporary songwriters and groups. Friday: Beth Nielsen Chapman, 8 p.m., $17.50, contemporary songwriters and groups. Saturday: Lonesome County, 8 p.m., $15, bluegrass/newgrass. Sunday: Suzanne Westenhoefer, 8 p.m., $26, comedy. Monday: Todd Snider, 8 p.m., $25, Americana, alt-country. Tuesday: Take a Chance Tuesday with Baskery, 8 p.m., free, Americana, alt-country. Wednesday: The Justin Nozuka Band and Alex Cuba, 8 p.m., $25, contemporary songwriters and groups. ■ The Blind Pig 208 S. First St. Telephone: 996-8555 Website: www.blindpigmusic. com Thursday: Greensky Bluegrass, with Rootstand, $12/advance, $15 day of, 18 and older, 9 p.m. Friday: Hollow Drive, with Sin Theorem and It Lies Within, $5/ under 21, $8, 18 and older, 9:30 p.m. Saturday: Nickie P., with Tree City and Duke Nukem, $7/under 21, $10, 18 and over, 9:30 p.m. Monday: Blind Pig Karaoke, no cover, 21 and over, 9:30 p.m. Wednesday: One.Be.Lo, $5/ under 21, $8, 18 and over, 9:30 p.m. ■ Cavern Club Four clubs in one at 210 S. First St. Telephone: 332-9900 Website: www.cavernclubannarbor.com ■ Conor O’Neill’s 318 S. Main St.
Telephone: 665-2968 Website: www.conoroneills.com Thursday: Mossy Moran, 9:30 p.m. Friday: DJ FM, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday: Randy Brock Band, 9:30 p.m. Sunday: Traditional Irish Session 7 to 10 p.m.; Stoos Karaoke at 10 p.m. Monday: Pub Trivia with Barry Aherne, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday: Restaurant Appreciation Night. Wednesday: Music Trivia with Barry Aherne, 8:30 p.m. ■ Crazy Wisdom Tea Room 114 S. Main St. Telephone: 665-9468 Website: www.crazywisdom.net Tea and Tunes 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. No cover charge. Thurs: Ben Daniels Band with Nicholas Painter Friday: Merely Miss Katie Saturday: As the Crow Flys ■ Goodnite Gracie 301 W. Huron St. Telephone: 752-5740 Website: www.goodnitegracie. com ■ The Habitat Ultralounge The lounge at Weber’s Inn features dance bands 3050 Jackson Road Telephone: 665-3636 Website: www.webersinn.com Live dancing with the area’s best bands. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:45 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday 8:45 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Thursday: Dave Hamilton Friday, Saturday: Bugs Beddow Band Sunday: Starlight Sundays, with music by D.J. Mechial E. White Monday: Monday Night Groove, with music by Groovematist Mechial E. White Tuesday and Wednesday: Soulstice
REGIONAL CALENDAR: THINGS TO DO CHELSEA
433-5499.
■Taste of Tantre Zingfeast 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday: Tantre Farm owner Richard Andres and Zingerman’s Deli chef Rodger Bowser host an all-youcan-eat family-style dinner featuring organic produce. Zingerman’s tent, 422 Detroit St. $40 in advance and at the door. 663-3400.
■ Chelsea Chess Club 3 p.m. Saturdays: Wendy’s, 1640 Commerce Park. Free. 475-1583.
■ Chelsea Ride 6 p.m. Thursdays, 9 a.m. Mondays: Meet at Aberdeen Bike, 1175 S. Main St. Free. 1517-285-6830. ■ Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday: Music and entertainment in downtown Chelsea. Free (fee for carriage ride). 475-1145. ■ “Boeing-Boeing” 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, ending Aug. 28: Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St. 433-7673. ■ Waterloo Area Farm Museum 1 to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday: 9998 Waterloo-Munith Road, Chelsea. $4 (age 62 and older, $3; ages 5-17, $2; ages 4 and younger, and members, free). 1517-596-2254. ■ “Read to the Library Dog” 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday: For age 6 and older. Chelsea District Library, 221 S. Main St. Free. 475-8732. ■ DJ Night: Arctic Coliseum 7:15 to 9 p.m. Saturday: 501 Coliseum Drive. $8 includes skate rental. 433-2244. ■ Chelsea Farmers’ Market 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays: Park Street. Free admission. 475-1145. ■ Chelsea Teddy Bear Co. 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday: 400 N. Main St. Free.
■ Baby Time 10:30 a.m. Tuesday: Chelsea District Library, 221 S. Main St., Chelsea. Free. 475-8732. ■ Chelsea Community Fair 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Aug. 28. Complete schedule at chelseafair.org. Chelsea Fairgrounds, Old US12 Chelsea. $7 (10 and younger, free) daily admission; $25 five-day pass. Free for age 65 and older Aug. 26. 475-1270. ■ Summer Story Time 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Wednesday: Chelsea District Library, 221 S. Main St. Free. Pre-register by calling 4758732.
DEXTER ■ “The Sound of Music” 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Encore Musical Theatre Company, 3126 Broad St., Dexter. $28 (seniors and students, $25; groups of 10 or more, $22) at theencoretheatre.org and at the door. 2686200. ■ Summer Concert Series 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday: Dave Boutette. Monument Park gazebo. Free. 426-0887. ■ Story Times 11 a.m. Thursday and Monday; and 1 p.m. Monday: Dexter District Library, 3255 Alpine St., Dexter. Free. 4264477. ■ Draw Doubles Disc Golf Noon Saturdays: Hudson Mills Metropark, 8801 North Territorial Road. $5 vehicle fee. 449-4300.
■ “Bats Incredible” 8 p.m. Saturday: Slide-illustrated talk and hike. Hudson Mills Metropark, 8801 North Territorial Road, Dexter. $2.Preregistration required. $5 vehicle fee. 426-8211. ■ “Walk Huron River” 9:30 a.m. Sunday: Huron River Watershed Council. Meet at Hudson Mills Metropark Rapids View parking lot, 8801 North Territorial Road, Dexter. Free. $5 vehicle fee. Pre-register at 769-5123, ext. 605. ■ Free Fishing 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday: License required if 18 or older. Tackle, including poles, and bait provided, or bring your own. Hudson Mills Metropark, 8801 North Territorial Road, Dexter. $2.Preregistration required. $5 vehicle fee. 426-8211.
SALINE ■ Thursday Night Contra 7 p.m. Thursday: 4531 Concourse Drive. $7 (students, $4). ■ Movie in the Park 9 p.m. Friday: “A Bug’s Life.” Mill Pond Park, West Bennett Street, free. 429-3502. ■ Pittsfield Open Band 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday: Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Road. Free. 9949307. ■ Third Saturday Contra Dance 8 p.m. Saturday: Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Road. $10. 426-0241. ■ Farmers’ Market 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays: South Ann Arbor Street in downtown Saline, and 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Saline District Library, 555 N. Maple Road. Call 4293518.
■ Rentschler Farm 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays: 1265 E. Michigan Ave. Enter through the shopping center and park within the farm complex. Call 944-0442. ■ Saline Railroad Depot Museum 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays: 402 N. Ann Arbor St. Call 9440442. ■ Horse Show: Spur of the Moment Club 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday: Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Saline. Free. 645-4918. ■ Free Ice Cream Every Sunday Noon to 8 p.m.: Ice cream served by Saline Lions Club, compliments of Zippy Auto Wash and free to everyone in a car. Zippy Auto Wash, 233 W. Ellsworth Road. 994-6368. ■ Preserving Traditions 1 p.m. Sunday: “Salsa Canning Workday.” Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Road. Free. Reservations at preservingtraditions.org. ■ New Horizons Band: Saline Senior Center 7 p.m. Tuesday, 1 p.m. Thursday: Bring an instrument and music stand. Instruction for novices on Tuesdays. Liberty School band room, 7265 SalineAnn Arbor Road. Free. 4291742. ■ Cruise Night 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday: American Legion Hall, 320 W. Michigan Ave., Saline. Free. 429-7310. ■ “Staying Sage as You Age” 4:30 p.m. Wednesday: Panel discussion with local educators and seniors services workers. Saline District Library, 555 N. Maple. Free. Pre-registration
required. 429-5450. ■ Saline Ride 6 p.m. Wednesday: Municipal parking lot, Ann Arbor-Saline Road, south of Michigan Avenue. Free. 645-5840. ■ “Schoolmares” 7 p.m. Wednesday: Local writer Tina Jones reads her new children’s book. Saline District Library, 555 N. Maple, Saline. Free. Pre-registration required. 429-5450.
YPSILANTI ■ 5K Summer Fun Runs 7 p.m. Thursday: All runners invited to race on the Concordia University campus. 4090 Geddes Road. $5 (age 13 and younger, $3); registration 6:15 p.m. 502-4809. ■ Chamber Music Concert 7 p.m. Thursday: Suzuki Institute faculty concert, with pianist Charles Bath and violinists Terry Durbin, Joanne Bath, and Scott Esty. EMU Holy Trinity Student Parish, 511 W. Forest St, Ypsilanti. $15 at phoenixensemble.com or by phone. 3582100. ■ “Bare” 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday: Dynamic Stage Productions. Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St, Ypsilanti. $15 and $18 at dynamicstageproductions.com, by phone, and at the door. 3586879. ■ Crossroads Summer Festival 7 p.m. Friday: Harper, and Flying Latini Brothers; 7 p.m. Saturday: Lady Sunshine and the X Band, and Eddie Hughes Washington Street at Michigan Avenue. Free. 717-7305. ■ Ypsilanti Heritage Festival Noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Sunday: Depot Town/Riverside Park, Ypsilanti. Free admission (nominal charge for some special events). 4836071. ■ Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation Historic Home Tour Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday: $10 in advance or $12 day of the event. Call 483-5688 or 4265057. ■ Washtenaw Classic Auto Show 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays: 3362-3402 Washtenaw Ave. service drive. Free admission. 3693012. ■ Running the Rails 8 a.m. Sunday: Ypsilanti Area Jaycees. 5K run/walk, a 10K running race, and half-mile Kids Fun Run. Registration and packet pick-up begins 6:30 a.m. at the Corner Brewer, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. http://runnintherails.eventbrite.com. ■ Women’s Equality Day 7 p.m. Monday: American Association of University Women. Women in period costumes read works by women’s suffrage advocates. Talks by community leaders and a proclamation by Major Hieftje. Refreshments. Wahtenaw Community College Health and Fitness Center, 4833 E. Huron River Drive. Free. 663-3763. ■ Auditions: Ann Arbor Cantata Singers Tuesday and Aug. 28 or by individual appointment. E-mail a uditions@a2cantatasingers.org or call 730-0160. For information, visit www.a2cantatasingers. org ■ Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor Area Robotics Club 7 p.m. Wednesday: A2 Mech Shop, 240 Parkland Plaza, 179 Little Lake Drive. Free. 3321000.