The United States Air Force Band of Flight Concert Band will present a free concert at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 7 in the Michael A. Guido Theater at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave.

To reserve a seat, please call the theater box office at 943-2354.

The largest and most versatile unit of the United States Air Force Band of Flight, the Concert Band will present “On Tour,” featuring a variety of new and well-known works, including marches, vocal selections and patriotic music.

The performance will spotlight an arrangement by Tech. Sgt. Scott Wise, a Quincy, Mich., native and Interlochen Arts Academy graduate. A live narrator will read excerpts from a 1940 radio broadcast by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during Sergeant Wise’s composition, “The Arsenal of Democracy,” which tells the story of Detroit and the United State’s industrial contributions to European allies during World War II.

The United States Air Force Band of Flight is one of 12 bands in the Air Force. The band’s purpose is to support the global Air Force mission in war and peace by fostering the national heritage and by providing professional musical products and services for official military, recruiting and community relations events.

For more information about this and other performances by the United States Air Force Band of Flight, please visit www.bandofflight.af.mil.

The dedication for a new playscape for Morningside Park in southeast Dearborn was attended by  Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr., Severstal’s Vice President Bruce Black and assistant Judy Young; Dearborn Community Fund chair Karen Nigosian and Exec. Dir. EmmaJean Woodyard; Dearborn Recreation Commission Chair Johanna Seidel and Commissioner Louie Moussa; Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns member Gary Filiak; and City of Dearborn Department of Recreation & Parks Director Gregory Orner and Deputy Directory Eric Peterson.

Children who play at Dearborn’s Morningside Park are enjoying a new playscape thanks to employees of Dearborn-based Severstal North America who pitched in with their employer and collaborated with the non-profit Dearborn Community Fund to purchase new playground equipment.

The $15,000 donation to purchase the playscape, complete with slides and a mini climbing wall, included $8,450 that employees raised through raffle ticket sales at Severstal’s open house last fall. The company contributed an additional $6,550 to fund the purchase of the playground equipment which is compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

Morningside Park is nestled in a residential community on Morningside Ave. near Wyoming St. in southeast Dearborn. Every day, dozens of children and their families visit the park which is maintained by the City of Dearborn’s Department of Recreation and Parks.

Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr., joined Severstal Dearborn’s Vice President and General Manager, Bruce Black, Dearborn Community Fund Board Chair Karen Nigosian, Morningstar neighborhood residents, and members of the City’s Recreation Commission, on September 17 to dedicate the new playscape. At the ceremony, Mayor O’Reilly thanked Severstal and its employees for their continued support of the Dearborn community.

Severstal worked with the Dearborn Community Fund (DCF) to organize their fundraising raffle, determine how the funds they raised could be used to benefit the community, and order the playground equipment.

Working closely with other organizations and the City of Dearborn, the DCF raises funds and organizes volunteer support for arts, cultural and recreational programs that enhance the quality of life in Dearborn.

For more information about the Dearborn Community Fund, click HERE or call Executive Director EmmaJean Woodyard at 313-943-5478.

The West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority is sponsoring the first annual West Dearborn “Oktoberfest” event today, Oct. 5 from 5-11 p.m. The event includes children’s activities, food trucks, vendors, beer, live music, a Vegas Tent, and more.

The “Oktoberfest” is just one in a series of events the West Dearborn DDA and local businesses are partnering with to put on to generate business in downtown West Dearborn.

The West Dearborn DDA says the idea for “Oktoberfest” originated out of collaboration with the West Dearborn DDA and the Parking Advisory Commission.

The participants of the committee were: West Dearborn DDA, Dearborn Chamber of Commerce, Dearborn Exchange Club, Double Olive, Moose’s Martini Pub, The Well, Merchant’s Fine Wine, Reborn Magazine.

The event is also being sponsored by many of our West Dearborn sponsors who will participate as vendors at the event advertising their businesses by selling food, products, etc. These sponsors are:

• Double Olive
• The Well
• Moose’s Martini Pub
• Detroit Dogs
• Pizza Kitchen
• Catering by Ed
• Le Cigar
• Edible Arrangements
• Dearborn Animal Shelter
• La Pita
• Salon West of Dearborn
• Reborn Magazine
• Powerhouse Gym
• East Town

Also two food trucks: Green Zebra and Treat Dreams. The Dearborn Exchange Club is also hosting the “Vegas Tent.”

The Westborn Market, Dearborn Chamber of Commerce and the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority will be hosting the third and final Food Truck Rally on Friday, Sept. 21, behind The Double Olive bar.

While there has been some debate on this site about whether these moving restaurants help other nearby restaurants, local bars seemed to have benefited.

The rally will have 10 different Food Trucks with an assortment of food to satisfy all taste buds. Live music will also be provided so it should be a good event for the entire family. The event takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

What does the future hold for the Dearborn Historical Museum?

On Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at the McFadden-Ross House acting museum curator Jack Tate will present an informational talk on what the future holds for Dearborn’s museums.

The presentation is presented by the League of Women Voters Dearborn/Dearborn Heights.

Tate, a former chairperson of the Dearborn Historical Commission, was named acting chief curator of the Museum in July 2012. He serves as a volunteer while the Museum transitions into a new business model, a response to the city’s ongoing financial challenges.

Tate will provide an update on the status of the museum and an explanation of how he and the Historical Commission are managing its daily operations in the wake of the city of Dearborn slashing the museum’s budget and eliminating its full-time curator and another part-time employee.  Attendees will hear about not only immediate plans for the museum but also what the future might hold for one of the city’s beloved treasures.

Parking is available immediately behind the museum. There is also a parking lot north of the Museum within a short walking distance. The museum is located at 915 S. Brady St. just north of Michigan Ave.

Simple refreshments will be served. Please call the League of Women Voters office at 313-278-6476 for more information.

The Dearborn Recreation and Parks Department is offering the season’s final Music Under the Starts Concert Thursday, Aug. 30 at Dearborn Hills Golf Course.

The free 7:30 p.m. concert features local favorite Fifty Amp Fuse.

Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the live music.

For more information, call 313-943-2354.

“The Dance of Bliss” by sculptor Mike Sohikian is one of the 22 pieces of art that will be viewed and discussed during the guided tour on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012. The sculpture, which is available to be purchased for $7,500, is on display in the Starbucks courtyard on Michigan Avenue in west Dearborn through May 2013.

The public is invited on a guided tour of Dearborn’s “Outside Art Gallery” at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Traveling on a small bus, participants will learn more about 22 works of art currently on exhibit throughout the community.

On exhibit are eight Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) Inside/Out Project reproductions, on display through September; 12 Midwest Sculpture Initiative pieces, and two Pockets of Perception (POP) student design team sculptures.

The tours, led by artist and educator Wendy Sample, will commence at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center (FCPAC) and make stops at art installation locations in east and west Dearborn.

The tours, part of the “Art Connects Dearborn” project, are presented by the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority, West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority and the Dearborn Community Fund (DCF).

Reservations are required and will be on a first come, first served basis. The cost is $10 per person.

Tours will leave from the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center (FCPAC). Participants will gather at the FCPAC in Wet Room 2 at 6:30 p.m. for a tour overview. The tour lasts approximately two and a half hours and concludes with the return to the FCPAC.

For additional information or to make a reservation, contact the Dearborn Community Fund at 313-943-5478 or mail your reservation to: Art Connects Dearborn Tour, Dearborn Community Fund, 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126. Checks should be made payable to the Dearborn Community Fund.

Dearborn’s Jazz on the Ave concert series kicks off this Wednesday, July 11, at Dearborn City Hall Park, 13615 Michigan Ave. at Schaefer.

This signature East Downtown Dearborn event is made possible through the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority, Oakwood Healthcare System, Hi-Falutin’ Music, the Dearborn Community Fund, The Times-Herald, Dearborn Press & Guide and Metro Times.

The free concerts are from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and stake out a good spot for great music in the park. Neighborhood restaurants will be on site, offering some tasty food to make it a picnic dinner during the show.

Here’s the schedule to mark your calendars:

• Wednesday July 11: Alexander Zonjic & Friends
• Wednesday July 18: Four80East featuring Marcus Anderson
• Wednesday July 25: Dave McMurray
• Wednesday August 1: Phil Denny & Nate Harasim
• Wednesday August 8: Tim Bowman
• Wednesday August 15: Alexander Zonjic All Star Jam

WAR will perform at Dearborn Homecoming Aug. 4 at 8:30 p.m.

Dearborn’s annual Homecoming festival will feature musical guest WAR, the longtime feel-good funk and rock band on Aug. 4.

WAR, with 14 Top 40s hits, is a favorite at festivals across the country. Better known songs from the group include: “The World is a Ghetto,” “All Day Music,” “Spill the Wine,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Low Rider,” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”.

WAR has toured globally playing an eclectic array of festivals, including the “Summer Sonic Festival” in Japan in 2009.

For more information on WAR, click HERE.

In addition to WAR, contemporary hits and 80s and 90s rock music will be performed by local band Riot House on Sunday, Aug. 5. They take the Main Stage at 8:30 p.m.

For more information on Riot House, click HERE.

Starting off the Main Stage festivities on Friday, Aug. 3 from 8:30 – 10 p.m. will be Dearborn’s Rhythm & Blues Blast! Featuring Thornetta Davis and Laith Al-Saadi.

Additional musical entertainment throughout the weekend includes Friday acts Dr. Pocket at 6 p.m. and The United Snakes at 7 p.m.

Saturday’s stage entertainment features the Players Guild of Dearborn at noon, Mustard’s Retreat at 3 p.m., Barry Rickey at 5 p.m. and the Bomb Squad at 6 p.m.

Sunday’s stage entertainment features Mustard’s Retreat at 3 p.m., Junction Groove at 4 p.m, Pete “Big Dog” Fetters Band at 5 p.m. and Fifty Amp Fuse at 6 p.m.

Oakwood Healthcare is the presenting sponsor of the 2012 Homecoming festival. The City of Dearborn and the Dearborn Community Fund, a nonprofit organization, are the organizers of the annual family-friendly event.

All shows at Homecoming are free and all are invited to stay for fireworks on Saturday and Sunday nights.

For more information, visit www.cityofdearborn.org or call 313-943-2285.

Hundreds of talented Dearborn students, ranging from kindergarten to high school, will perform, display, and demonstrate their arts during the 2012 Youth in Arts Festival and opening of the 2012 Dearborn Public Schools City Wide Art Show.

This free event is open to the public and will take place on Wednesday, April 25, from 4 to 8:30 pm, at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., in Dearborn. The annual event is a cooperative project by the Dearborn Community Fund (DCF) and the Dearborn Public Schools. Honorary chairs for the evening are Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr., DCF Chair Karen Nigosian, and Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Brian Whiston.

Those attending the Youth in Arts Festival will enjoy the artwork of students participating in the all-school City Wide Art Show exhibit in the Padzieski Art Gallery. The Art Show runs from April 25 through May 28, 2012.

Two and three dimensional art will not be the only evidence of artistic ability on display. The Elementary Honors Choir, directed by Jim Walters, the Secondary Honors Choir, directed by Jennifer Pegouske, and the Dearborn High School Choir, directed by Carmelle Atkins will provide guests with outstanding vocal entertainment. In addition, the Henry Ford Community College Blue Fusion Vocal Jazz Ensemble under the direction of G. Kevin Dewey will take part in the evening’s showcase of local talent.

Rounding out this celebration of the arts will be instrumental performances by the Fordson Jazz Band conducted by Scott Guthre, the Edsel Ford High School Chamber Group conducted by Mike Kalasz, and the Maples Music Ensemble conducted by Catherine Odam-Prowse. Dearborn Youth Symphony ensemble will also perform in the theater lobby.

As a special treat, Dearborn High School Theater students will add a dramatic element to the program under the direction of Greg Viscomi, the 2011 winner of the Mayor’s Arts Award.