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Megan Crosbie

Sonic Lunch, downtown Ann Arbor’s free lunchtime music concert series, released their highly anticipated 2012 summer line-up.  Sonic Lunch’s fifth season features returning local favorites Laith Al-Saadi, Jill Jack, and Macpodz. Big names expected to draw a large crowd include Mayer Hawthorne and the County, Mitch Ryder, and Detroit band Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

Brought to you by Bank of Ann Arbor, Sonic Lunch concerts take place from 12:00pm to 1:30pm on Thursdays in Liberty Plaza, at the corner of Liberty and Division in downtown Ann Arbor.

Who are you the most excited to see perform this summer at Sonic Lunch?




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Megan Crosbie

Each week, for 12 weeks, we will write about something fun to do in Chelsea, Michigan.  Located just 15 minutes west of Ann Arbor, Chelsea has a vibrant downtown, with a mix of retail, galleries and restaurants.

  1. See a Live Performance at the Purple Rose Theatre Company
  2. Visit the Chelsea Center for the Arts
  3. Spend a Day Playing at the Chelsea TreeHouse
  4. Take a Tour of the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company
  5. Dine at The Common Grill

#6. Tour the Jiffy Mix Factory

With roots in the flour milling business dating back to the early 1800s, the iconic Chelsea Milling Company is a family-operated manufacturer in Chelsea, Michigan. Mabel White Holmes, grandmother of the current President of Jiffy Mix, Howdy S. Holmes, developed and introduced to the market the first prepared baking mix product in 1930. Currently, Jiffy Mix offers 22 “Jiffy” mixes to consumers across the country and in some foreign countries.

Have you have wondered how Jiffy Mix makes their delicious, fast and easy mixes? Free tours are available to the public Monday through Friday. Advance registrations are required. For more information or to make a reservation to tour the Jiffy Mix factory, call (734) 475-1361.

Of their 22 different “Jiffy” mixes, which one is your favorite?




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Megan Crosbie

Each week, for 12 weeks, we will write about something fun to do in Chelsea, Michigan.  Located just 15 minutes west of Ann Arbor, Chelsea has a vibrant downtown, with a mix of retail, galleries and restaurants.

  1. See a Live Performance at the Purple Rose Theatre Company
  2. Visit the Chelsea Center for the Arts
  3. Spend a Day Playing at the Chelsea TreeHouse
  4. Take a Tour of the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company

#5. Dine at The Common Grill

Located in the heart of downtown Chelsea, The Common Grill is an upscale American Bistro founded by Craig Common over 20 years ago. The Common Grill presents fresh and delicious dishes and provides outstanding service, earning the restaurant critical praise and a devoted clientele.

Receiving accolades in Gourmet and Bon Appetit, The Common Grill was most recently named one of Detroit’s Top 10 Restaurants in the national-edition Zagat guide.

Do you have plans for Mother’s Day?  The Common Grill is the perfect place to celebrate any occasion!

What is your favorite item on the menu at The Common Grill?




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Megan Crosbie

Each week, for 12 weeks, we will write about something fun to do in Chelsea, Michigan.  Located just 15 minutes west of Ann Arbor, Chelsea has a vibrant downtown, with a mix of retail, galleries and restaurants.

  1. See a Live Performance at the Purple Rose Theatre Company
  2. Visit the Chelsea Center for the Arts
  3. Spend a Day Playing at the Chelsea TreeHouse

#4. Take a Tour of the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company

Do you want to learn about the history of the teddy bear or discover the process of making a teddy bear?   The Chelsea Teddy Bear Company, located in downtown Chelsea, Michigan, offers public factory tours on Saturdays at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm where you will see the teddy bear design areas, warehouse facility, dressing/assembling stations and the Toy Museum.

Founded in 2003, the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company is known for their personalized teddy bears sold to the military and over 2,800 college stores across the United States and Canada. Constructed with the highest quality materials and finest workmanship, every bear sold by the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company is made of soft, rich fabric that will bring joy and excitement for years.

> Visit their website for more information.




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Reinhart Realtors

Each week, for 12 weeks, we will write about something fun to do in Chelsea, Michigan.  Located just 15 minutes west of Ann Arbor, Chelsea has a vibrant downtown, with a mix of retail, galleries and restaurants.

  1. See a Live Performance at the Purple Rose Theatre Company
  2. Visit the Chelsea Center for the Arts

#3. Spend a Day Playing at the Chelsea TreeHouse

Voted one of the best places for kids in the Detroit area by parents, Chelsea TreeHouse is an indoor playground and café.

With a new 9,000 square foot location in Chelsea, Michigan, Chelsea TreeHouse features a huge climbing and play structure, five slides, a baby and toddler area, swinging bridges, basketball hoops and a huge tree house. Climbing structures are big enough for kids of all ages – grown-ups can play too!

Healthy snacks, delicious sandwiches and gourmet coffee from Zingerman’s Coffee Co. are also available.  Chelsea TreeHouse serves family-friendly food that is fresh, natural and homemade daily. Whether you want a balanced meal or an afternoon snack, we have something for everyone.

The Chelsea TreeHouse is a fun place to bring your family and friends for the day to run, slide, climb and play!

For more information about the Chelsea TreeHouse, please visit their website.

Have you been to the Chelsea TreeHouse?  Tell us about your experience by leaving a comment.




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Reinhart Realtors

Each week, for 12 weeks, we will write about something fun to do in Chelsea, Michigan.   Located just 15 minutes west of Ann Arbor, Chelsea has a vibrant downtown, with a mix of retail, galleries and restaurants.

  1. See a Live Performance at the Purple Rose Theatre Company

#2. Visit the Chelsea Center for the Arts

Spend an enriching day at the Chelsea Center for the Arts in downtown Chelsea.   The Chelsea Center for the Arts is a non-profit community organization offering classes, workshops, exhibitions and special events throughout the year.   At the Chelsea Center for the Arts, you are encouraged to discover new skills or refine existing ones by participating in diverse music and art programs led by hands-on, experienced instructors.

Music Lessons
Private and group music study, led by highly trained instructors, is available for all ages and abilities, including:

  • Piano
  • Guitar, violin, and cello
  • Voice/singing
  • Clarinet, flute, recorder

Art Classes and Workshops
Creative visual art classes, workshops, and studio time are accessible for all ages, including:

  • Painting
  • Pottery
  • Sculpture
  • Photography
  • Drawing

Center Gallery
Free, and open to the public, the Center Gallery showcases fine art created by instructors, students and local artists.  Artwork on display includes paintings, photography, stoneware, sculpture, jewelry, art, glass, textiles and more.

For more information about the Chelsea Center for the Arts, visit their website.




image link is broken
Reinhart Realtors

Each week, for 12 weeks, we will write about something fun to do in Chelsea, Michigan.  Located just 15 minutes west of Ann Arbor, Chelsea has a vibrant downtown, with a mix of retail, galleries and restaurants.

#1. See a Live Performance at the Purple Rose Theatre Company

The Purple Rose Theatre Company, founded in 1991 by Jeff Daniels, is a leading American theater dedicated to producing the New American Play as well as creating opportunities for Midwest theatre professionals.  Located in downtown Chelsea, the Purple Rose Theatre Company is a not-for-profit dedicated to serving their audience by providing outstanding entertainment.

The Purple Rose Theatre Company produces four shows a year.  Take a trip to Chelsea to see a live performance.  Onstage now at the Purple Rose Theatre Company is White Buffalo, an award-winning new play that portrays a magical story of forgiveness, hope and belonging.

For more information about the Purple Rose Theatre Company, visit their website.

> Search for Chelsea Homes for Sale




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Megan Crosbie

FoolMoon, the magnificent moonlight event created as a kick-off to FestiFools, returns for another night of foolish fun in downtown Ann Arbor.

An enormous procession of hand-made illuminated sculptures carried by dancing merrymakers will make their way downtown to Washington Street at dusk on Friday, March 30th. The evening will include craft brewed beer, shadow puppet performances, building-sized experimental films and other luminary surprises.

The 6th Annual FestiFools, a giant papier-mâché puppet parade in downtown Ann Arbor, is Sunday, April 1st from 4pm to 5pm.

FestiFools and FoolMoon are part of a planned effort to spotlight Ann Arbor as a vibrant place to create, live, entertain and do business. FestiFools is a non-profit production of the START Project, a University of Michigan Lloyd Hall Scholars Program initiative.

For more information about FoolMoon or FestiFools, visit their website.




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Reinhart Realtors

Each week, for 12 weeks, we will feature one of our top 12 reasons to live in Ann Arbor.

  1. Exceptional Public Schools
  2. Vibrant Local Culture
  3. Great Commuting Options
  4. Job Opportunities
  5. University of Michigan
  6. Location, Location, Location
  7. Eclectic Mix of Restaurants and Bars
  8. Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
  9. Healthy Community

#10. Fairs and Festivals

From nationally renowned fairs and festivals to grassroots events, Ann Arbor offers something for everyone all year long.

Ann Arbor Art Fairs
Arguably the most popular event with the most national exposure, the Ann Arbor Art Fairs are a group of four award-winning art fairs that take place annually. Over 500,000 visitors, from Ann Arbor and around the world, attend the fairs. The four fairs consist of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original; The State Street Art Fair, the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair, and Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair. The 2012 art fairs are scheduled for Wednesday, July 18 through Saturday, July 21.

Ann Arbor Summer Festival
Held for just over three weeks in late June and early July, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an exhilarating celebration of preforming arts, indoor and outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. The Ann Arbor Summer Festival offers dozens of performances, activities, and exhibitions for people of all ages. The 2012 Ann Arbor Summer Festival kicks-off on Friday, June 15.

Ann Arbor Folk Festival
The Ann Arbor Folk Festival is a fundraiser for The Ark, a non-profit club for acoustic music. The two-night event showcases dynamic and different music.

FestiFools & FoolMoon
FestiFools, a non-profit production of the START program at the University of Michigan, bring together students and community volunteers to create unique papier-mâché puppets. On Sunday, April 1st, the enormous puppets (and their makers) will march down the streets of downtown Ann Arbor for everyone to enjoy.

The masterminds who created the beloved FestiFools parade, have expanded their foolishness to include FoolMoon. This sublime moonlit event, scheduled from dusk to midnight on Friday, March 30th, is a kick-off event for FestiFools. The evening will feature an enormous procession of hand-made illuminated sculptures carried through downtown Ann Arbor to Washington Street. This nighttime extravaganza is fun for the entire family.

Ann Arbor Film Festival
The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America. This six-day festival presents features more than 180 films from over 20 countries of all lengths and genres. The 50th Ann Arbor Film Festival kicks-off on Tuesday, March 27th at the Michigan Theater.

> Click here to search for homes for sale in Ann Arbor




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Megan Crosbie

Readers of AnnArbor.com voted Dexter Cider Mill the best Cider Mill in Washtenaw County. Lesser Farms & Orchard and Wasem Fruit Farm rounded out the top three.

One of the oldest operating cider mills in Michigan, Dexter Cider Mill is making cider the same way it was made over 120 years ago. Dexter Cider Mill uses 3 – 5 varieties of locally grown and hand-picked apples that are pressed using an oak rack press to make their delicious apple cider. In addition to apple cider, families from all over come to the Dexter Cider mill to enjoy fresh apples, doughnuts, caramel apples and baked good.

The Dexter Cider Mill, located at 3685 Central Street in Dexter, Michigan, is open from late August to mid-November, Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. For more information about the Dexter Cider Mill visit their website.




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