IndyFlix will screen 'The People Speak'
TRAVERSE CITY -- IndyFlix@theState will screen the 2009 documentary "The People Speak," based on Howard Zinn's book "A People's History of the United States."
The film features a cast of actors and musicians who either read from documents taken from regular people living during critical times in American history or perform songs popular at the time. Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Sean Penn, Bob Dylan, Pink, Bruce Springsteen and many others are featured. Zinn, who died on Jan. 27, 2010, presides over the entire performance and provides narration.
The film will be shown at 6 p.m. on Monday at the State Theatre, 233 E. Front St. For details or tickets, call 947-4800 or visit www.statetheatretc.org.
'Noises Off' auditions at OTP
TRAVERSE CITY -- 'The comedy "Noises Off" will close the Old Town Playhouse's 50th season. It will be staged May 14 through 29.
Auditions for the production will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday at the playhouse, 148 E. Eighth St. Auditioners should be prompt as auditions will start with a group exercise.
"Noises Off' has parts for four women and five men. Character descriptions may be found on the Old Town Playhouse Web site, www.oldtownplayhouse.com, and scripts are available for perusal at the OTP business office.
For more information, call 947-2210 or visit the Web site.
Nature program will spotlight penguins
TRAVERSE CITY -- Hungarian-born ornithologist Akos Hivekovics will share his experiences studying the penguins of Antarctica at the next "Live! @ the Library" program.
Hivekovics spent five summers in Antarctica and has won awards for his photography. He recently published "Antarctica: Through a Photographer's Eyes" to raise awareness and funds for the Save the Albatross campaign through BirdLife International. In 2006, he founded Wildlife and Nature Travel, a tour company dedicated to responsible , sustainable travel.
Hivekovics will discuss "The Penguins of Antarctica" at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave. Admission is free and the public is welcome. For details, call 932-8500.
Two contra dances to be held March 13
TRAVERSE CITY -- Bayside Travellers Dance Society will host contra dances for experienced and beginning dancers on March 13.
An intermediate contra dance will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. for those who know contra dance steps. A workshop for beginners will be held from 7 to 7:45 p.m., followed by a contra dance for everyone from 8 to 11 p.m. No partner is necessary.
All activities will take place at Twin Lakes Park, 6800 N. Long Lake Road, with live music by the O'Schraves family band from Ontario, Canada. All dances will be called and taught by Lisa Joy Ornstein from Chicago.
The afternoon dance is $12 for adults and $10 for students and dance society members. The evening dance is $10 for adults, $6 for students with ID and $8 for members. Call 313-2596 or visit www.dancetc.com for more information.
Celtic Crossroads celebrates Ireland
TRAVERSE CITY -- Long ago in Ireland, neighboring communities met at the crossroads between towns and villages to socialize. Celtic Crossroads will take the audience back to that time when they perform on March 15 at the City Opera House. They will be joined by the Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums.
The group features seven world-class musicians playing more than 20 instruments, plus dancing by some of Ireland's best-respected dancers. While Celtic Crossroads focuses on keeping the tradition of Irish music alive, each performer also high-kicks the tradition into the 21st Century. Their inventive arrangements and bass-driven grooves are steering Irish acoustic music into new territory.
Celtic Crossroads will take the stage at 7 p.m. The doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $22 in advance or $25 the day of the show. They are available at the Opera House, 106 E. Front St., Oryana Natural Foods or at www.porterhouseproductions.com.
Join the fun at Lucky Leprechaun Ball
TRAVERSE CITY -- Travel to the Emerald Isle without leaving town at the Lucky Leprechaun Ball sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. This year's event also will benefit the Father Fred Foundation.
Kilkenny's Irish Public House, 400 W. Front St., will open at 5 p.m. on March 14 for an evening of fun activities and live music by Song of the Lakes. Everyone is invited to try their Irish tenor in the "Danny Boy" singing contest, test their knowledge in an Irish Trivia Contest and bid on items in the Couch Potato Auction.
Admission to the family-friendly, smoke-free event is $10 for adults and free for children ages 15 and younger. Tickets are available at Nolan's Tobacco Shop, the Father Fred Foundation, North Peak Brewing, Kilkenny's or at the door.
-- Compiled by Stephanie Beach
