This weekend's events around Ann Arbor are as eclectic as its citizens. From Billy Jonas to free open stage events to a free Mardi Gras celebration and building clinics, there is something for everyone in the family; kids of all ages and teens are bound to find something fun to participate in.

Start your weekend by enjoying an early free Mardi Gras celebration by the the FLY Children's Art Center (637 S. Main St., Ann Arbor) and the Ann Arbor School for Performing Arts. From 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 4, kids, teens and adults will enjoy live music as well as make their own Mardi Gras masks and necklaces.

Then on Saturday, kids (ages 5-12) can build their own race car at the Home Depot during a free kids building clinic (3300 Carpenter Road, Ypsilanti). Later in the day, kids are center stage at a monthly open drum circle 3-4 at Oz's Music Environment (1922 Packard Road, Ann Arbor) followed by a free open stage 4-5 p.m.  It's a great opportunity for children to explore making music or for budding performance artists to get on the stage; the cost for the drum circle is reasonably priced at $10 per family.

There are other low-cost events this weekend for families, too, including an art Tile Workshop for $35 for kids and teens over age 12. The workshop held on Saturday, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., offers participants a guided tour of the Motawi studio, professional tile-making instruction, and materials to create one 3-inch by 3-inch tile. Participants may also enjoy seeing their tiles on exhibit at the Arab American National Museum through June 12 and receive two free AANM admissions to view their tiles in the exhibition. The workshop is limited to 30 participants, so be sure to call 734-213-0017 to register. More information is available at the Motawi Tileworks Website.

On Sunday, 1 - 2:30 p.m., families can also check out Billy Jonas performance at The Ark (316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor). Tickets for the concert are steal at only $10 and include explosive energy, singalongs, bangalongs, whisperalongs and songs improvised from scratch — in other words be ready for audience participation! For tickets call 734-761-1451 or visit The Ark website.

Don't forget too, there are many great maple sugar events at Hudson Mills, Kensignton and in Ann Arbor continuing this weekend during maple syrup season!

As a note to readers, I'd like to include more events for teens; however there doesn't seem to be as many of those in the area. If you hear of events and activities for teens and older kids happening around Ann Arbor, please send them to me at tmayrend at gmail dot com for consideration in my bi-weekly posts!

Tammy Mayrend is a Ann Arbor search marketing professional and mother of two who blogs on low-cost local activities, events, and Ann Arbor area freebies for families at annarbormom.com.