By Evelyn Cairns
The Southern Great Lakes Symphony will offer the public a peek at what goes on behind the scenes when the orchestra presents its third Backstage Pass fundraiser from 5 to 10 p.m. March 24 at the Wyandotte Arts Center.
Symphony members will play selections from classical to jazz as guests observe and interact with musicians performing on the three levels of the center, at 81 Chestnut.
In addition to performances by the full orchestra and ensembles, the evening will feature food, beverages, live and silent auctions and a raffle.
The auction and raffle prizes are for accommodations at Charlevoix, Costa Rica and Steamboat Springs condos.
Tickets are available at the following three price levels by calling Debby Mitek at 734-671-8343 or going to www.sgls.org:
Guest — $30, includes admission, general seating, food and a cash bar available.
Special Guest — $50, includes admission, general seating, food, two alcoholic-beverage tickets and an etched souvenir wine or pub glass.
VIP — $100, includes reserved table, food, an open bar, an etched wine or pub glass and a color photo opportunity with SGLS music director Charles Greenwell.
For additional information, go to the SGLS website at www.SGLS.org.
College books ‘Yankees’ play
The baseball season will open (unofficially) at 7:30 p.m. March 25 with a performance of the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical “Damn Yankees” at the Heinz Prechter Educational and Performing Arts Center of Wayne County Community College Taylor, 21000 Northline.
A contemporary version of the opera “Faust,” the musical is based on the novel “The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant,” by Douglass Wallop.
It tells the story of a middle-aged baseball fanatic who trades his soul to the devil for a chance to lead his favorite team in the pennant race against the New York Yankees, only to realize the true worth of the life, and wife, he left behind.
Written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross of “The Pajama Game” fame, “Damn Yankees features the hit songs “Whatever Lola Wants” and “You Gotta Have Heart.”
Tickets, $40 and $45, and more information are available by calling the Taylor campus box office at 734-374-3200 or going to www.wcccd.edu.
Therapy event is scheduled
Registrations are being accepted for a dance-, music- and pet-therapy program to be held from 1:30 to 4:30 March 29 at the Senior Center of the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan, Dearborn.
An interactive event for caregivers, the program, titled “Exploring the Senses through Therapeutic Arts,” is being presented by the Wayne Community Action Agency, the Adult Well-Being Services and The Information Center.
According to a spokeswoman for the Taylor-based Information Center, the session is designed to improve the quality of life of those who may or may not have dementia-related disabilities. Participants will include Karen Barsy, dance therapist; Michael Krieger, music specialist; and Mary Chamberlin, pet therapist.
There is no charge for the program. Registrations are being accepted by Nancy Coman at 734-955-6752; Helen Streett, 734-629-5004; and Erica Hartman, 734-282-7171.
Coming up . . .
March 20, 24, 27, 31 — Spring star talk programs hosted by the Henry Ford Community College Planetarium; 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 p.m. Saturdays; at the Science building, Room S-126; free admission; registration not required; for more information, call Steven Murrell at 313-317-1536.
March 30 — Overture Society of Southern Great Lakes Symphony fundraiser, “Spring Song Fest”; so-cial hour at 7 p.m.; entertainment at 8 p.m.; at the Grecian Center, 16300 Dix-Toledo, Southgate; $20 per person; for tickets and more information, call Glo-ria King at 313-386-9305 or 313-690-3644.
March 30 — Unveiling of the Global Art Project for Peace Collaborative work and reception; 6 to 8 p.m. at the Downriver Council for the Arts gallery in the Wyandotte Arts Center, 81 Chestnut; no charge.