Cranbrook Art Museum will open the new exhibition MR. MDWST - A REAL GOOD TIME by BEVERLY FRE$H with an exclusive ArtMembers' Opening Reception on February 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. MR. MDWST premieres new work and performances by BEVERLY FRE$H, the artist persona for Zack Ostrowski, a graduate of the Academy's 2D department. Don't miss a special performance by "MR. MDWST" during the opening at 6:30 pm. That same evening, Detroit sculptor Patrick Hill will also add new work to the current exhibition The Cranbrook Hall of Wonders: Artworks, Objects and Natural Curiosities. Memberships can be purchased at the door at half-price during the opening reception. Ostrowski and Hill both return on Sunday, February 8 for public lectures and an encore performance. Visit the Museum website for the full schedule of upcoming Museum events.

The Institute invites adults 21+ to a night of science, fun, food, libation, and exploration when CIS After Dark explores Love After Dark on Thursday, February 12 at 

7:00 pm. Guests will meet scientists, artists, thinkers, tinkerers, and innovators, enjoy live demonstrations, enticing conversations, engaging activities, and more. Join us to learn ballroom dancing, determine the sex of a cockroach, or play the "Mating Game." CIS After Dark is a "something different" for fans of science and fun. Tickets start at just $10 for Members. For more information or to register, click here or call 248 645.3210.

The Institute's popular lecture series in partnership with The Nature Conservancy returns with four Thursday night lectures starting February 19. Nature Conservancy scientists will focus on the challenges and solutions facing the Great Lakes region from its river systems to its dunes. Each lecture features a 6:30 pm "Meet the scientist" with cash bar, followed by a 7:00 pm lecture and questions in the auditorium at the Institute of Science. Individual lecture tickets are $10 for Members of Cranbrook Institute of Science and The Nature Conservancy, and $12 for non-Members. Click here to review topics and dates. Preregistration is strongly encouraged! Call 248 645.3210 or register online.

The Institute of Science explores the mysteries of space with two exhibitions in one during Cranbrook Space Odyssey, starting February 20. Complementing the Institute's own astronomical collections and research facilities, Cranbrook Space Odyssey offers visitors the opportunity to explore our galaxy and beyond. Highlights include, a Moon Rock on loan from NASA's John Glenn Research Center, rarely seen Desert glass specimens formed by asteroid impacts from the Institute's own collections, a space suit from the Apollo 8 flight, and new objects which will rotate through the exhibition during its run. Members including CEC families are invited to a preview of Cranbrook Space Odyssey on Friday, February 20 at 6:00 pm. Cranbrook Space Odyssey is a Cranbrook-exclusive event and is free with admission through August 31. 

Cranbrook Performing Arts department presents 

Little Shop of Horrors, a deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical that has devoured the hearts of theatre-goers for over 30 years, on February 20, 21, 27 and 28, at 7:30 pm. According to the Music Theatre International's website, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world. The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out-of-this-world origins and intent towards global domination! Reserve your tickets today!

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America, recognized as a premiere forum for independent filmmakers and artists. Cranbrook Art Museum will serve as a venue for the tour on February 22 and March 1, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, showing 18 of the short films, featuring award-winning and selected new work. The six-day festival presents 40 programs with more than 180 films from over 20 countries of all lengths and genres, including experimental, animation, documentary, fiction, and performance-based works. Cranbrook Art Museum will show Digital Program A and B from the schedule found by clicking here. 

Become a docent and help share the rich history of Cranbrook House, the oldest manor home in metro-Detroit and a National Historic Landmark, by attending docent training on Tuesdays, March 3 through April 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Designed in the Arts & Crafts style by noted Detroit architect Albert Kahn for Cranbrook founders George and Ellen Booth, the estate is open seasonally for tours and special events. Tours are typically about an hour in length. No experience necessary to join. Enthusiasm, strong public speaking skills, and an interest in art, architecture and history is encouraged. Participants must become Cranbrook House and Gardens Auxiliary members to complete the docent training program. Find out more and register here.

Former Michigan residents Rick and Dolores Hill are currently planetary scientists at the Lunar Planetary Lab at the University of Arizona. Like many others they cite their experiences at Cranbrook Institute of Science during their formative years as major influences on their career choices. Rick is currently involved with the Catalina Sky Survey, based at the University of Arizona. The astronomical survey is focused on the discovery and study of Near Earth Asteroids and Comets, objects that could potentially impact the Earth. Rick recently discovered and named a new asteroid (73517) "Cranbrook". The official asteroid citation reads, Cranbrook Institute of Science, is an educational institution that was a formative influence for a number of space scientists, astronomers and educators. Rick also named asteroid (71480) "Roberthatt" for the institute's legendary Director from 1935 to 1967 Dr. Robert Hatt, and asteroid (84884) "Dorismcmillan" after Doris Mcmillan, a science educator at the Institute in the 1960's who influenced a number of space scientists, astronomers and educators. Let's hope none of these asteroids lands near the Cranbrook campus any time soon! Submitted by John Zawiskie, Curator of Earth and Life Sciences at Cranbrook Institute of Science. 

GradSchoolHub.com, an online resource designed to help graduate students choose a degree and graduate school, has named Cranbrook Academy of Art the most beautiful place in United States to go to grad school.  Points were given to each university based on the beauty of the surrounding natural environment, including access to natural areas and activities as well as notable natural features and climate. The beauty of the built environment and awards related to historic preservation or architectural beauty were also considered. Cranbrook Academy of Art is the top ranked among thirty schools. Click here to read more.