Check out our picks for the best in visual art, music, family fun, theater, film and more this week, and then vote on the event that interests you most.
• Monday, February 1Federico Fellini's "8 ½": Director Federico Fellini's semiautobiographical rumination on the joys and rigors of filmmaking — as well as lovers past and present — won two Oscars: Best Foreign Language Film and Best Costume Design. At the Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty Street, at 7 p.m. | More info
• Tuesday, February 2 "826michigan Omnibus, Volume 2" release party: The "826michigan Omnibus" is the official collection of fiction, poetry and essays written by 75 local school-aged students who participate in 826michigan’s after school tutoring, creative writing workshops, in-school programs and community activities. 826michigan celebrates the book release with refreshments, student readings and your first chance to purchase the book. At 826michigan, 115 East Liberty Street, at 7 p.m. | More info | AnnArbor.com story
• Tuesday, February 2 Opera on Tap - Fundraiser for Haiti: Frenchie's is bringing opera to the masses once again! The theme for the February show is "Love Is All You Need," so come for an evening filled with all the ups and downs of singers in love! All proceeds from this performance will be donated to Doctors Without Borders, an organization providing aid to victims of the earthquake in Haiti. At Frenchie's, 56 East Cross Street in Ypsilanti; dinner at 7:30, show at 8:30 p.m. | More info | More local events benefiting Haiti
• Tuesday, February 2-Sunday, February 7 (continues through Sunday, February 21) "Natural Landscapes": Karin Wagner Coron is known for her landscapes, but in this show we find a series of paintings which are a departure from her usual work. The title, “Natural Landscapes” refers to landscapes untouched by man. These sequential paintings are much like a visual journal highlighting details of unaltered dunes and wide-open skies. At WSG Gallery, 306 South Main Street. | Dates and times | AnnArbor.com story
• Wednesday, February 3 "The Swan Thieves" reading/signing: University of Michigan alum and bestselling author of "The Historian" Elizabeth Kostova discusses and signs copies of her new novel, "The Swan Thieves." At Nicola's Books, 2513 Jackson Road, at 7 p.m. | More info
• Thursday, February 4 The Bad Plus: Progressive-jazz-rock trio known for their ambitious deconstructions of well-known pop/rock songs, mixed in with their interpretations of modern-classical pieces. At the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 North University Avenue, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. | More info | AnnArbor.com story
• Thursday, February 4-Saturday, February 6 "(Re)Visionary Dances": The University Dance Company offers a program of 4 modern dances, including Paul Taylor’s “Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rehearsal)” and 3 faculty works. At Power Center for the Performing Arts, 121 Fletcher Street. | Dates and times | AnnArbor.com story
• Thursday, February 4-Sunday, February 7 (continues through Sunday, February 21) "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee": Encore Musical Theatre Company presents a musical that focuses on a group of competitive, young spelling bee contestants. At Encore Theatre, 3126 Broad Street Suite A in Dexter. | Dates and times | AnnArbor.com story
• Friday, February 5 Ben Huh: The founder of Failblog.org & Icanhascheezburger talks about his life as an Internet content connoisseur, what that means and how he got started as the leader of a media empire. At the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch, 343 South Fifth Avenue, at 7 p.m. | More info
• Friday, February 5 Hott Lava III: Ninety minutes of experimental film, plus a rare live performance by jazz/experimental music purveyors Chicago Underground Duo. At the Yellow Barn, 416 W. Huron Street; doors at 8 p.m., films start at 8:45 p.m. | More info | Further details in Facebook event listing | AnnArbor.com story about previous Hott Lava | More
• Saturday, February 6 Chocolate Crush 2010: Join in for a celebration of Wild Swan Theater's 30th year at the beautiful Matthaei Botanical Gardens Conservatory. Stroll through the amazing indoor gardens, view live and silent auction items, take your chance on a diamond truffle raffle. At the Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 North Dixboro Road, at 7:30 p.m. | More info
• Sunday, February 7 Chinese Spring Festival Gala: The Spring Festival is the most important Chinese festival that is, celebrated in all corners of the globe. Participants at the Gala will be immersed in the festive atmosphere experiencing first-hand the celebration of this festival. At the Eastern Michigan University Student Center auditorium, 900 Oakwood Street in Ypsilanti, at 4 p.m. | More info
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