Pop Culture Checklist

Welcome to the weekly buzz, a segment that offers listings of upcoming shows, movies and local and regional events. As always, please add any events or shows not mentioned.
POTTER MANIA!
Well, Potter fans, the time is almost here. At 12:01 a.m. Saturday, you can finally start reading the final Harry Potter book. Two main characters will die – who will it be? I have a small wager with a co-worker (aka Shawn) that Potter will NOT die. I can’t wait for that chocolate Frosty, Shawna!
Anyway, the book “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling is supposedly the last book so enjoy! There are numerous “Harry Potter” parties being thrown Friday night in anticipation of the book release. Check Tuesday’s Evening News for the complete listing. The library, Waldenbooks, all major book stores, and other local stores will be open Friday night for the book release. Check out all the details in the Evening News!
LOCAL EVENTS
–Stephon Marbury will be in Monroe on Saturday! The New York Knicks player will make an appearance at 11 a.m. Saturday at Steve & Berry’s at Frenchtown Square mall, 2121 N. Monroe St. He’ll be available for autographs for about an hour.
-“Jazz in the Square” is a new local event that will include jazz performances at the Loranger Square pavilion in downtown Monroe. The first performance will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday. The lineup includes regional Jazz artists like Urban Transport featuring Vincent Chandler, the Duane Parham Society, Lin Rountree & Shelby Brown and more.
–Sherman Arnold (Elvis Tribute Group) will perform at 7 p.m. tonight at St. Mary’s Park. In case of rain, it will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
–18^th annual Southeast Michigan antique tractor and engine show is being held Friday through Sunday at Nike Park, Newport Rd., west of Telegraph Rd. It features case tractors and economy engines. It also has kids activities, an auction, flea market, entertainment, and fireworks on Saturday.
–St. Patrick Catholic Church festival will be held Friday through Sunday at the church, 2996 W. Labo Rd., Carleton. For more information, 654-2500.
–The Southern Michigan Fire Muster will be held Saturday and Sunday in conjunction with the Huron Hometown Days Festival. The fire muster features vintage fire apparatus. Local fire departments also will show modern equipment. It will be held at Waltz Memorial Park, in Waltz.
–The 31^st annual Summerfield-Petersburg community days will be held from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and noon to 1 a.m. Saturday at Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department, Sylvania-Petersburg Rd. Plenty of activities are being held during the two-day event. The theme is Hawaiian luau.
REGIONAL EVENTS
–The 48^th annual Ann Arbor Street Fair is currently going on through Saturday. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
–The finale of “Rally by the River” at Promenade Park, Toledo, will be Friday night. The Gin Blossoms will be the final act, taking stage at 8:30 p.m. Prior, other area bands will perform. It begins at 6 p.m. Friday at the park. Cost is $5 a ticket. Kids 12 and younger are free with a paid adult. To buy a ticket, call (419) 249-4090.
–“Roar on the River” will be held in Trenton from Friday through Sunday. It features hydroplane races, along with food, boating events, and a fireworks display on Saturday. It will be held at Elizabeth Park.
–The Lucas County Fair will run from Tuesday through July 29 at the Lucas County Fairgrounds in Maumee, Ohio.
–The Seneca County Fair will run from Monday through July 30 at the Seneca County Fairgrounds, in Tiffin, Ohio.
MOVIES
David Duchovny recently announced that an “X-Files” sequel will be coming to a theater near you. He said he will get the script next week, penned by creator Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz. Both Duchovny and co-star Gillian Anderson are committed to the project.
In other news,
–Jared Leto will join “Mr. Nobody,” a romance drama. It’s a multi-layered love story that used the “butterfly effect,” in which one single occurrence can cause a ripple or domino effect and have a significant outcome.
–John Leguizamo has been cast for M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Happening.” He joins Mark Wahlberg and Spencer Breslin in the film based on a global environmental disaster that threatens the existence of mankind.
Shooting begins next month in Philadelphia. It will be released on Friday, June 13, 2008.
–“Ace Ventura 3” is on its way. It will star Josh Flitter, who will play the son of Ace Ventura and becomes a pet detective for the 7^th grade. He works on a case involving a stolen baby panda. Shooting begins in September.
And to answer your question: No, Jim Carrey is not in the movie.
–Brittany Murphy will star in a fantasy comedy “The Other Side.” Jason Lee, Giovanni Ribisi, Jim Broadbent, Tim Roth, and Lili Taylor also will star in the movie. It’s about a grad student (Murphy) who begins working at a scientific institute on a remote island. She finds an eccentric community who are hiding a secret about a tragedy that took place years ago. Production begins in November.
New films opening on Friday:
-I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
-Hairspray
-Sunshine
TV SHOWS
Not too many new shows are popping up in the next week, besides a new drama starting on AMC. “Mad Men” will air at 10 p.m. Thursdays on AMC. It follows big-time ad man Dan Draper in 1960s New York during the “Golden Age” of advertising.
On Monday, the “CMA Music Festival” will air at 9 p.m. on ABC. It will feature several country singers, including Carrie Underwood, Big and Rich, Rascal Flatts, and many more.
Here’s a list of who will be on all your favorite talk shows today and Friday:
TODAY
David Letterman – Kevin James, White Rabbit
Jay Leno – Don Cheadle, Puddle of Mudd
Jimmy Kimmel – Chris Hansen, Kalai
Late Late Show – Rosie Perez, David Milch, Patti Smith
Conan O’Brien – Queen Latifah, Fountains of Wayne
Last Call – Floyd Landis
FRIDAY
Regis and Kelly – Kevin James, Rupert Grint, Eric Ripert
The View – Ashley Judd, guest co-host Sherri Shepherd
David Letterman – Anne Hathaway, Nick Griffin
Jay Leno – Glenn Close, Sebastian Manisalco
Jimmy Kimmel – Austin Nichols
Late Late Show – Parker Posey, Ian Hunter
Conan O’Brien – Kevin James, Jordana Spiro
Last Call – Petra Nemcova, Mims
MUSIC
–Riverfest ’07 is being presented by 93.9 The River radio station. It features Guster, Ben Kweller, Chantal Kreviazuk & Bedouin Soundclash. It’s being held on Friday night at the Fillmore Detroit (formerly known as State Theatre). Doors open at 5 p.m., show is at 7 p.m.
Here are some new CD releases on Tuesday:
–Hanson, “The Walk”
–Prince, “Planet Earth”
–Billy Ray Cyrus, “Home At Last”
–Silverchair, “Young Modern”
–Johhny Cash, “The Great Lost Performances”
–Puddle of Mudd, “Famous”
–Sum 41, “Underclass Hero”

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