By Evelyn Cairns
Live music by pianist Len Buckman will be an added feature of the 24th annual Art Ambience Juried Art Exhibition and Miniature Show opening reception April 8 at the Woodhaven Community Center. The show will continue on April 9 and 10.
The reception will begin at 6 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres prior to a 7:30 p.m. ceremony at which prizes of $300, $200 and $100 will be presented to first-, second- and third-place winners, respectively.
Theodore W. Vassar, an award-winning transparent water colorist and water-medium artist who has taught at Monroe Community College for 40 years, is the juror. His paintings have been selected for exhibit in juried national, region, state and local art exhibitions.
Buckman, who has studied with jazz pianist Andrew Jones, Jamey Aebersold and Michael Leibson, performs at receptions, art shows, galleries and country clubs throughout southeastern Michigan and Myrtle Beach.
Demonstrations by artists are planned on April 9 and 10, when hours will be noon to 5 p.m.
Scheduled on both days are Maureen Keast, mini books; Charlene Quiel, watercolor; Mary Lou Richard, origami; and David Matt, woodcarving.
Additional demonstrators on April 9 will be David Grose, painting, and July Nelms, ornaments, and on April 10, Gloria Dunn, clay creations; Rita Gazdag, wood burning; Sally Morris, watercolor, and Betty Trombetta, calligraphy.
Some of the artists will invite the audience to participate in make-and-take projects.
There is no charge for the show or demonstrations. The Woodhaven Community Center is at 23101 Hall Road, off West Road.
WCCC to host ‘Bridge to Asia’
The Wayne County Community College Downriver Campus will host a cultural program titled “Bridge to Asia” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 9 at the college, 21000 Northline Road, in Taylor.
President Anthony Arminiak will welcome the public to the program, which will begin with “Hindu Temple Rhythm,” featuring the Vidyanjali East Indian Folkloric Dancers.
Also participating in the event will be the Japanese Society of Detroit Women’s Club, which will present a kimono demonstration and tea ceremony.
The final segment of the program will feature the Michigan New Century Chinese School in folkloric dance and traditional- dress demonstrations.
In addition, cultural presentations, art exhibits and hands-on activities are planned.
There is no charge for the event, which is designed to educate the community through artwork, dance, music and exhibits reflecting the diversity of the Asian culture, a college spokesman said.
‘Mamma Mia’ will be staged
The smash-hit musical “Mama Mia!” featuring the songs of ABBA, will return to the Fisher Theater for performances from April 13 through 17.
The play, one of Broadway’s top-selling musicals, revolves around a single mother who owns a small hotel on a Greek island and her bride-to-be daughter, who is seeking the identity of her father, whom she wants to walk her down the isle.
Ticket prices range from $29 to $85, including parking. They are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787. For more information, call (313) 872-1000.
Save the date . . .
April 9, 10 — Detroit Historical Society Guild Flea Market, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Historic Fort Wayne, 6325 W. Jefferson (at the foot of Livernois); guided tours of the fort will be available both days; free admission to flea market; tours, $3; secured parking, $5 per vehicle; refreshments and baked goods will be offered for sale; for more information, call (717) 495-4995 or (586) 771-1353.
April 16 — Annual dinner dance for the benefit of the Henry Ford Estate – Fair Lane; 6 p.m. at The Henry Hotel; for additional information, call Breon Moriarty at (313) 593-3889 or email [email protected].