A reception at 6 p.m. May 4 will kick off the 31st annual exhibition of Art Ambience at the Woodhaven Community Center, 23101 Hall Road.
The show will continue on May 5 and 6 with art demonstrations and children’s make-and-take activities. There is no charge for the reception or the exhibit.
Originated by Sharon Simms, the exhibition showcases Downriver artists at all levels, from sculpture and painting to wood carving.
In addition to hors d’oeuvres, the reception will feature an address by Woodhaven Mayor and art supporter Patricia Odette, current chairwoman for the American Cancer Society’s Woodhaven/Brownstown Relay for Life.
Entertainment will be provided by acoustic guitarist Richard Allen.
The juror for the show, which offers a total of $1,200 in prizes, was Jan Brown, an award-winning abstract artist who has received many awards and accolades in her field. She has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Michigan State University, as well as a master’s degree in art.
“Stars over the Ruins,” by Theresa Moore of Taylor, will be among the many works available at the Art Ambience 31st anniversary exhibition May 4 to 6 at the Woodhaven Community Center. An opening reception is planned for 6 p.m. May 4 at the center, 23101 Hall Road. There is no charge for the reception or the show.
Artists who will conduct demonstrations and offer interactive participation opportunities from 1 to 4 pm. May 5 and 6 are as follows:
May 5 — Rita Gazdag, wood burning; Roberta Harris, plaster work in paint; Maureen Cassidy Keast, water media; Julie Klein, watercolor; Theresa Moore, linocut printmaking; Nancy Knapp, pastel; Melanie Ursing, children’s make and take; and Jackie Walock, watercolor.
May 6 — Alicia M. Bogus, balloon creations; Maryjo Caruana, ink stippling; Gazdag, wood burning; Keas, water media; Joe Lippo, sculpture; MaryLou Reichard, Oriental paper folding; and Walock, watercolor.
Co-chairs of the show are Judith Nelms and Gazdag.
Groovy tunes are scheduled
Groovy tunes from pop to folk rock will be on the program for a Seaway Chorale and Orchestra concert titled “Good Vibrations” at 7:30 p.m. May 4 and 5 at the Flat Rock Community Auditorium in Flat Rock High School, 25600 Seneca.
Among the numbers to be performed by women of the chorale are “Be My Baby,” featuring soloist Lin Dishaw, and “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, soloist Courtney Lynn.
Among the numbers to be sung by the men’s group are “Just My Imagination” and Neil Sedaka’s “Calendar Girl.” Other songs to be featured include “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” “This Land Is Your Land,” “Higher and Higher,” “Unchained Melody” and “Stand by Me.”
For Beatlemania fans, the singers will perform “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Penny Lane,” “Yesterday” and “Hey, Jude.” The Voices of the Young will sing “So Long Farewell.”
In keeping with the title of the show, “Good Vibrations,” the program will feature the song popularized by the Beach Boys in 1966.
Other numbers to be performed include “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” from the Boys’ “Pet Sounds” album. The arrangements are by Anthony Lai, director of the Seaway Chorale and Orchestra.
Concert tickets are available from chorale members, at showtix4u.com, by calling 866-967-8167, 734-675-3548, 734-675-2459 or going to www.seaway chorale.org. Presale ticket prices are $10, adults or seniors, and $6, students with school identification. Tickets will cost $12 at the door.
Artist slated for meeting
The Downriver Arts & Crafts Guild has scheduled a presentation by artist Darcel Deneau for its meeting at 6 p.m. May 8 at the Southgate Veterans Memorial Library, 14680 Dix Toledo Hwy.
Deneau, who is known for her vibrant, colorful images of Detroit representing her enthusiasm for the city’s revival, earned a bachelor of fine arts degree at the College for Creative Studies.
Her work is on display in the collections of Nathan Forbes the Hudson-Weber Foundation, the University of Michigan, Carhartt, Gretchen Valade and Ameriprise Financial.
The meeting is open to the public without charge.
Society sets history talk
Jim Craft, Oakland County historian, writer and educator, will discuss his research on the “Burned-Over District” May 2 as part of the Lincoln Park Historical Society’s continuing Speakers Series.
There is no charge for the program, scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Historical Museum, 1335 Southfield Road.
The term “burned-over district” is attributed to author Charles Grandison Finney, who wrote in 1875 about an area in central and western New York where the Second Great Awakening of new religious movements and religious revivals took place.
Craft will explore the results the events had on Michigan history. He is currently writing a series of short history books aimed at presenting important aspects of American history from a local perspective.
For more information, call 313-386-3137.