Top entertainment and event photos from around Ann Arbor in 2012

Posted on Thu, Dec 27, 2012 : 6:05 a.m.

Top entertainment and event photos from around Ann Arbor in 2012

By AnnArbor.com Staff

The audience waves mobile phones above their heads during Tionna Griffin's rendition of 'California King Bed' during 'FutureStars', Pioneer High School's annual talent competition on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2011. Griffin was the audience favorite, and ended up winning the competition. Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com

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The audience waves mobile phones above their heads during Tionna Griffin's rendition of 'California King Bed' during 'FutureStars', Pioneer High School's annual talent competition on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2011. Griffin was the audience favorite, and ended up winning the competition. Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com

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The audience waves mobile phones above their heads during Tionna Griffin's rendition of 'California King Bed' during 'FutureStars', Pioneer High School's annual talent competition on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2011. Griffin was the audience favorite, and ended up winning the competition. Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/012112_ENT_FutureStars_CA_020_fullsize.JPG
Caravan of Thieves point to the audience for their participation during the 35th Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival at Hill Auditorium on Saturday, Jan. 28. Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/012812_ENT_Folk_Fest_CA_003_fullsize.JPG
MC Heywood Banks sings a comedic song before introducing the next performer during the 35th Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival at Hill Auditorium on Saturday, Jan. 28. Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/012812_ENT_Folk_Fest_CA_004_fullsize.JPG
Jamie Register, of Brooklyn, New York, practices behind stage before she has to perform for the 'Folk The Police' event at the Blind Pig in downtown Ann Arbor, Mich. on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/012912_ENT_Folk_The_Police_CA_001_fullsize.JPG
Couples dance together during the first night of reopening Live at PJ's night club in downtown Ann Arbor on Friday, Feb. 3. Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/020312_ENT_LIVEatPJs_CA_005_fullsize.JPG
Lore Godsey, of local band Runeship of the Rhyme Traveler, strums his guitar on stage during the weekly 'Acoustic Open Mic' night at Woodruffs in Ypsilanti on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/021412_ENT_Woodruffs_Open_Mic_CA_003_fullsize.JPG
A tambourine is passed around during the 100th 'Bang!', a mixtape dance party, at the Blind Pig bar in downtown Ann Arbor on Saturday, March 10, 2012. Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/031012_ENT_Bang_BlindPig_CA_022_fullsize.JPG
Huron High School student Charlie Nicoli plays the xylophone along with members of Mariology Friday night during the 9 annual Breakin' Curfew at the Power Center. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/051112_ENT_BREAKINCURFEW_JMS05_fullsize.JPG
Dan Rather to a crowd at the Michigan Theater. /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/052112_ENT_DANRATHER_JMS73_fullsize.JPG
Bonnie Raitt and her band performs at Hill Auditorium. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/052512_ENT_BONNIERAITT_JMS06_fullsize.JPG
Ann Arbor resident Forrest Hejkal performs "Midnight Special" on guitar and harmonica as people walk by during Taste of Ann Arbor on Main Street. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/060312_ENT_TASTEOFANNARBOR_JMS02_fullsize.JPG
Dancers perform "Greening the Way" in a parking lot off of Liberty Street during "Corsets, Grains and Greenways" presented by Ann Arbor Dance Works in downtown Ann Arbor. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/060812_ENT_DANCEWORKS_JMS12_fullsize.JPG
Ypsilanti resident Tracy Williams listens in the crowd as live music is performed during the opening day of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Ingalls Mall. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/061512_ENT_SUMMERFEST_JMS09_fullsize.JPG
Members of the Third Coast Kings, a funk and soul band, perform on stage during the opening day of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Ingalls Mall. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/061512_ENT_SUMMERFEST_JMS10_fullsize.JPG
Rackham Hall is lit with colorful lights as members of the Third Coast Kings, a funk and soul band, perform on stage during the opening day of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Ingalls Mall. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/061512_ENT_SUMMERFEST_JMS13_fullsize.JPG
Al Green performs on stage at Hill Auditorium. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/061612_ENT_ALGREEN_JMS10_fullsize.JPG
George Bedard & the Kingpins performed during a benefit concert for Ann Arbor musician Scott Morgan. Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/062012-AJC-scott-morgan-benefit-concert-03_fullsize.JPG
A large crowd gathers to watch Mitch Ryder perform during Sonic Lunch in downtown Ann Arbor. A portion of E. Liberty St. was shut down to accommodate a large stage a crowd expected for the show. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/062112_ENT_Mitch_Ryder_MRM_01_fullsize.JPG
Mitch Ryder performs during Sonic Lunch in downtown Ann Arbor. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/062112_ENT_Mitch_Ryder_MRM_08_fullsize.JPG
Esperanza Spalding played at the Power Center during the Ann Arbor Summerfest night. Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/062112-AJC-esperanza-spalding-01_fullsize.JPG
A large crowd gathered for the Esperanza Spalding concert at Power Center during the Ann Arbor Summerfest. Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/062112-AJC-esperanza-spalding-02_fullsize.JPG
Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright plays the piano and sings as he performs on stage at the Power Center. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/063012_ENT_RUFUS_JMS03_fullsize.JPG
Acrobatic troupe Circa performs at the Power Center. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/070612_ENT_Circa_MRM_18_fullsize.JPG
Alabama resident Mckenzie Hewett, 6, dances along to the music during the last night of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Ingalls Mall. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/070812_ENT_SOLONGSUNDAY_JMS04_fullsize.JPG
George Bedard and the Kingpins perform during the last night of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Ingalls Mall. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/070812_ENT_SOLONGSUNDAY_JMS08_fullsize.JPG
George Bedard and the Kingpins perform on stage as hundreds of people dance during the last night of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Ingalls Mall. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/070812_ENT_SOLONGSUNDAY_JMS10_fullsize.JPG
Tribute Artist Chris Ayotte of Canton holds the hand of an audience member as he performs on stage at Elvis Fest in Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/071312_ENT_ELVISFEST_JMS06_fullsize.JPG
Steven Daniel, a photographer from Pennsylvania, sits with his pet cat Jasper as fair goers stop to pet him on the corner of E. Liberty St. and S. Thompson during the State Street Area Fair Art . Jasper, 4, has been traveling with his dad since he was a kitten and even has portraits of himself available for sale. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/071812_NEWS_Art_Fair_MRM_33_fullsize.JPG
Pittsfield resident Kevin Mount holds his 16-month-old son, Alexander, up for a drink on South University at Ann Arbor's South University Art Fair. Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/072112-AJC-South-University-Art-Fair-04_fullsize.JPG
Mayer Hawthorne performed for Sonic Lunch at the Michigan Theater. Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/072612-AJC-Mayer-Hawthorne-Sonic-Lunch-13_fullsize.JPG
Andrew Mayer Cohen, the lead singer of Mayer Hawthorne, holds up his hand to silence the band for a moment during the show. Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/072612-AJC-Mayer-Hawthorne-Sonic-Lunch-16_fullsize.JPG
Melissa Bruzzano lead singer of The Fortytwo performs during the AnnArbor.com Summer Concert series. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/081712_ENT_Summer_Concert_MRM_05_fullsize.JPG
Taylor Tinkham (center) does The Hustle with many others on Washington St. in Ann Arbor. Tinkham says she came downtown to do work when she found the festival and decided to join in. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/09022012_ENT_Dancing_in_the_Streets_DJB_06_fullsize.JPG
Mark Griffin and his wife Susan walk through Ann Arbor Farmer's Market during the tenth annual Kerrytown BookFest. The Griffins walked over to the event after attending church that morning. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/09092012_ENT_Kerrytown_BookFest_DJB_06_fullsize.JPG
Sam Beam from Iron and Wine performs with Glen Hansard during an encore at Michigan Theater. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/09152012_ENT_IronandWine_GlenHansard_DJB_0978_fullsize.JPG
Glen Hansard left Michigan Theater and played through an alley. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/09152012_ENT_IronandWine_GlenHansard_DJB_1130_fullsize.JPG
Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com Ben Harper laughs as one fan tells another fan to "shut up" so Harper may play the next song at the Michigan Theater. /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/09262012_ENT_BenHarper_JT_06_fullsize.JPG
Joe Jackson performs at the Michigan Theater. Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/09272012_ENT_JoeJackson_JT_04 (1)_fullsize.JPG
Ingrid Michaelson band and Sugar & the Hi-lows make an appearance in the encore at the Power Center for Performing Arts. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/09302012_ENT_Ingrid_Michaelson_DJB_0731_fullsize.JPG
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Filmmaker Oliver Stone smiles as he answers a question from Michigan alum and journalist Bob Woodward as part of the Penny Stamps Lecture Series at the Michigan Theater. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/102512_ENT_OliverStone_MRM_04_fullsize.JPG
National King Entertainer of the Year Spacee Kadett of Southfield performs during Boylesque, a drag queen and king show, at Woodruff's in Ypsilanti. The night before Thanksgiving is the biggest bar night of the year. Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/11142012_NEWS_BarNight_JT_19_fullsize.JPG
Dan Savages asks the audience not to applaud after answering every question at Michigan Theater. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/00 YIR Entertainment/cache/12022012_ENT_DanSavage_DJB_0203_fullsize.JPG

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There's no denying that one of the main perks of living in the Ann Arbor area is the abundance of entertainment options.

No matter where you live in Washtenaw County, you're only a short drive or walk from venus like Hill Auditorium, the Michigan Theater, the Blind Pig, Woodruff's, and the Purple Rose, where local and national talent take stage.

What was your favorite event, show, or performance that you attended in 2012?

Comments

fishjamaica

Fri, Dec 28, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.

Primus put on the best show of 2012 in A2!

PersonX

Thu, Dec 27, 2012 : 2:54 p.m.

It is really a shame that the AA blog would focus only on pop and related matters, with a token jazz (or pseudo-jazz) event and a few other things just to pretend to be inclusive. Surely, the wonder of Ann Arbor is the broad array of entertainment and art offerings, not just the predictably popular ones, nice as they may be. Perhaps as a resolution for the New Year you could be a little more broadminded in the future. Life is more interesting outside the mainstream ....

racerx

Thu, Dec 27, 2012 : 2:24 p.m.

Derek Trucks Band. Pat Metheny.

Dog Guy

Thu, Dec 27, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.

To win this contest, must we identify the 42 uncaptioned photos in as much detail as the sample?