Come to The Henry Ford July 2-5 at 6pm and celebrate with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra! This year is the 16th annual "Salute to America" at the Henry Ford. Come when the gates open, get a good seat and even enjoy a picnic from home. The evening is then filled with patriotic marches and a tribute to our veterans of all ages. The night ends with the 1812 Overture along with a fireworks show and a real cannon! Check out the website for ticket information and celebrate our independence. Read about Greenfield Village in A home for our heritage : the building and growth of Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum, 1929-1979.

The Magic Stick is the self-proclaimed "Home of Rock" in Detroit. Rumored to be where bands such as the White Stripes got their start, the venue hosts local and national acts at a frenetic pace. There's a bowling alley in the basement, billiards in the bar, a cafe and pizza joint down the stairs, and the Majestic Theater next door. What more do you need to go with your frosty beverage and local rock stars?

Brush up on your local rock history with Grit, noise, and revolution : the birth of Detroit rock 'n' roll and check out upcoming shows including Band of Horses (8/13), Helmet (8/29), the Detroit Cobras (9/1), and many others.

Is the most mentally stimulating part of your lunch break the surprise of turkey on rye instead of turkey on wheat? No more! The Herb David Guitar Studio is highlighting local musicians on the Liberty Plaza throughout the summer. Music plays from noon until 2 pm, Monday through Saturday, and is free of charge. So take your turkey on wheat down, enjoy some sunshine, and support your local musicians.

Meanwhile tap your inner-musician by checking out AADL's collection of books on how to play the guitar, piano, and even the harmonica!

Were you like me and spent your formative years in various bands? Not the kind with kids with cool haircuts and loud guitars, rather the kind with uncomfortable uniforms and instruments with spit valves. If you can relate then you should check out the Ann Arbor Civic Band as they kick off their summer season with March Mania, June 27th at 8pm in the West Park Band Shell. Concerts will run weekly through July.

If you are eager to get in the marching spirit listen to The World's Greatest Marches, the United States Marine Band, and the Boston Pops Orchestra. And just for giggles, check out the picture book, Olivia Forms a Band.

Did you wear flannel shirts and Doc Martens in the early 90's? Do you strongly identify as a Generation Xer? Then, you'll be happy to know that Dinosaur Jr., the indie rock band from the 90's, will be in Ann Arbor June 3rd and 4th at the Blind Pig. The original members recently reunited for a new album, their first since 1988, and are now on the road. However, if you're expecting a greatest hits set, you'll be a bit disapointed. The band is said to be primarily performing from their latest album, Beyond. So leave your flannel at home and discover something new. Doors open at 9:30 pm starting with Michigan band, Awesome Color.

Kristin Hersh, former lead singer of the Throwing Muses and current leader of 50 Foot Wave, will be performing some of her solo work Thurs., May 24th at 8 pm at The Ark. Known for her work in the alternative post-punk scene, Hersh is now known for her songwriting and poetic innovation. She's even got a blog!

Want to get to know her music a little better before heading to the show? Check out her albums at the AADL. Still want more? Check out some her musical influences: Talking Heads, Violent Femmes, Meat Puppets, Dead Kennedys, and Velevet Underground.

Elvis Costello is returning to Ann Arbor! The Summer Festival, which technically starts on June 16th, is bringing him to Hill Auditorium on June 13th. Costello will be acompanied by his band The Imposters and the New Orleans stylings of Allen Toussaint. "No dancing," by the way, is a track from his first album, My Aim is True.

Short for “emotion”, emo is a term used to describe emotionally-charged hardcore punk music. From quiet ballads to high-pitched guitar licks, poetic lyrics to a unique style of dress, emo is alive and well and coming to Ann Arbor!

Rainer Maria, an emo rock band, will play Sunday, May 14th at the Blind Pig. If you like a little pop with your punk or just want to try something new, check out this trio from Madison, Wisconsin. Named after the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke, the band has been on the music scene since 1995 and has released four albums. Catastrophe Keeps Us Together is their latest album and was released just last month.

If you like Rainer Maria you might also enjoy:

Crimson by Alkaline Trio
From Under the Cork Tree by Fall Out Boy
Louder Now by Taking Back Sunday

Current magazine says this “rousing band indulges in hip-shaking ska, Latin, and rock.” I’d add swing and rockabilly to that mix, but whatever you call it, Hullabaloo is sheer energy and fun. They play at T.C.’s Speakeasy in Ypsi on Saturday night. If you can’t wait that long, try one of Hullabaloo’s CDs from the Library collection.

Kids ages 2-6 (and their grown-ups) get the exciting chance to listen as cellist Eric Amidon and pianist Kathryn Goodson from the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra play a G Major suite by Bach, an E Minor fugue by Brahms, The Swan by Saint Saens, Romanian Folk Dance by Bartok, and Voice of the Whale by Crumb! Does it get any better than this? Yes; they will get to move around the big room to all of it with Gari Stein! It's a great way to learn to listen and move to great classical music with folks who really know their notes. Two half-hour sessions on Friday morning, May 5; 9:30 and 10:30.