Toni Morrison's "Margaret Garner" receives its world premiere this month at Detroit's Michigan Opera Theatre.

Based on a true story of a runaway slave who sacrifices her children rather than see them returned to slavery — a story that also inspired Morrison's novel "Beloved".  The opera (by Richard Danielpour and Toni Morrison) was co-commissioned by MOT, Cincinnati Opera, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. Originally, marquee opera superstar Jessye Norman was to have appeared in the Detroit production in a supporting role but withdrew from the cast for "personal reasons".

Not to worry, rising star Angela Brown has stepped in to join mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves (in the title role) and baritones Rodney Gilfrey and Gregg Baker when "Margaret Garner" is presented by Michigan Opera Theatre at the Detroit Opera House, May 7 through 22.

"Now That I Can Dance: Motown, 1962" follows the real-life story of five teenagers who would go on to perform Motown Record's first No. 1 hit as Motown's first girl group, the Marvelettes.

Created by the internationally-acclaimed Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, the parallels between Mosaic's young artists and those who made Motown famous more than forty years ago are obvious. The play is based on oral histories shared by Marvelette Katherine Anderson Shaffner and many other Motown pioneers, from performers to sound engineers -- all of whom Mosaic's young artists personally interviewed.

The Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit presents the world premiere of "Now That I Can Dance - Motown, 1962" at the Detroit Institute of Arts' Detroit Film Theater space, May 13-15 and 20-22.

"Going Dutch", the photographic exhibition at the Detroit Museum of New Art, features art by Gon Buurman, Carla van de Puttelaar, and Inez van Lamsweerde. Or not. Maybe. But... it could all just be a tongue-in-cheek ruse by the gallery's maestro, artist Jef Bourgeau.

Bourgeau has stirred things up at other arts organizations before, but those skirmishes usually had to do with unsavory allegations like, oh... obscenity and religious insensitivity.

So, "Going Dutch" could be an installation celebrating centuries-old artistic traditions from The Netherlands and honoring the artistry of the very real photographers Buurman, van de Puttelaar, van Lamsweerde. Or Bourgeau may just be "Going Dutch", through May 21 at the Detroit Museum of New Art.

Barbecue is slow food. Barbecue is something that requires patience to get it right and makes the wait that much more worth it when it comes out of the pit. Barbecue is an American institution and a way of life.

Barbecue is not fancy; it’s meant to be sloppy and kind of messy. You’re supposed to use your hands and take your time to enjoy it. Barbecue makes you feel good and reminds you of good times. Barbecue is roots food. And yes, it is good for the soul.

Barbecue is also coming to downtown Detroit. Once Chef Brian Perrone gets the sauces and smoke just right, he'll invite you over to try some at Slows Bar BQ, 2140 Michigan Avenue. Hopefully opening this month, but they're in no rush...

As the University of Michigan Museum of Art warms up for what is sure to be its summer blockbuster exhibit entitled Pop! (opening in June), our eye was caught by two quieter shows the museum is opening this month.

Monte Nagler one the followers of Ansel Adams who called themselves Group f/64.  Dedicated to a style of sharply-detailed, "straight" photography, the artists set their camera aperture "f-stop" so an image background would be as crisp as the foreground.  In conjunction with a book of his work that will also be released this month, Nagler's rich and simple images of the Great Lake State will be shown in an exhibit entitled "Monte Nagler's Michigan".

At the same time, works by one of the Harlem Renaissance's most prolific painters and printmakers will be on display in "Jacob Lawrence: In Focus".  Both University of Michigan Museum of Art exhibits open May 28 and will be on view through September 11, in Ann Arbor.

Tango Paradiso is a vibrant ensemble that performs with the classic Argentinean tango instrumentation of bandoneon, violin, guitar and bass.

The group is dedicated to performing traditional and post modern tango music, from Tango classics, to their own unique, tango influenced arrangements of jazz and New Music. The group's debut CD, "Tango Paradiso", was nominated for a 2002 West Coast Music Award as Best World Release.

For their Windsor Symphony Orchestra debut, Tango Paradiso's musicians will perform along with two exquisite tango dancers, Semiral Tuncer and Elaine Carson. This final performance of the symphony's pops season will be May 7 & 8 at the Chrysler Theatre, Windsor.