Hammer And Coop

Ann Arbor food & drink calendar

Thursday Night Rush Hour Relief at the Wine Bar. 5-7 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor. An exploration of wine, cheese and appetizers. This week's topic: Italian Red Wines. $17.

The Monthly Slurps. 5-7 p.m. Spotted Dog Winery, 108 E. Michigan Ave., Saline. Stop in for an after-hours wine and food event. Price: TBD. www.spotteddogwinery.com .

(un)Corked -- Summer in a Bottle -- Sauvignon Blanc. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Alley Bar, 112 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor. June is coming and no grape does better to help us celebrate than the sauvignon blanc. One of the six original noble grapes and perhaps one of the parents of the cabernet sauvignon this grape can quench any thirst. Its crispness and pungency are as attractive to some as it can be aggressive to others. $10. www.producestation.com .

Soft-Shell Crabs 101. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Unlock the mystery of this perennial summertime favorite: soft-shell crabs. Menu includes classic soft-shelled crab sandwich with basil-pesto dressing; tempura soft-shelled crabs; cornmeal-crusted soft-shelled crabs; corn salad; jicama slaw and more. $65. 734-645-1030.

Saturday

Learn to Make Fresh Mozzarella. Noon-2:30 p.m. Zingerman's Creamery, 3723 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. Learn how to stretch your own from-scratch fresh mozzarella at home. $50 (or $45 if paid in advance). Reservations required at 734-929-0500.

Brews Crews Homebrew Competition Awards. 9 a.m. Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. A Homebrew competition co-sponsored by Arbor Brewing Company and the Ann Arbor Brewer's Guild. Stop in to sample the finest homebrew creations and watch enthusiasts compete for the coveted Best of Show honors. Free. www.arborbrewing.com .

Velvet Hammer Day. Noon. Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. The first Saturday in June celebrate the Corner Brewery's anniversary with a one-day-only tapping of the Velvet Hammer. Velvet Hammer is an old ale aged for six months in a gueuze-inoculated oak barrel and then corked in a 750 and bottle-conditioned for a minimum of two months. www.arborbrewing.com .

Puff the Magic Pastry. 1-5 p.m. Zingerman's Bakehouse, 3711 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. Learn how to make your own puff pastry dough and several ways to use it - palmiers, shells for fruit tarts or savory fillings, and napoleons. $125. www.bakewithzing.com .

MINI Goes To The Movies With "Hammer and Coop" Ads - Automotive ...

New York, NY – February, 2007… Following a number of mysterious appearances on movie screens and billboards across the country, this month MINI USA finally offered an answer to the burning question: Who are “Hammer and Coop”?! MINI USA officially unveiled the project – a highly stylized series of web-based films about a new action hero (“Hammer”) and his souped-up sidekick (“Coop”) – on the website www.hammerandcoop.com. Each webisode promises action, adventure and intrigue, and is sure to keep online audiences riveted to their computer screens. All six films, which will be rolled-out over the next month, were directed by Todd Phillips (Old School, Starsky and Hutch) and starring actor Bryan Callen.

The first two “webisodes” of the viral series debuted online today to coincide with the launch of the new 2007 MINI. Over the next month, the following four will be released – in addition to a mock music video for Asia’s “Heat of the Moment,” a popular 80s song featured in the last webisode of the series. All of the films were approached with the same level of enthusiasm as any Hollywood endeavor – hiring a cast and crew of over 70 people, including top actors, a world-famous director, and professional stunt men. From February 22 through March 23, cinema trailers will be showing in nearly 1900 theaters nationwide.

“MINI is so much more than a brand; it is a lifestyle,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. “MINI enthusiasts embody the same sense of creativity, passion, fun, and lust for life that went into the making of these films. MINI owners are also a highly interactive online community, so we are looking forward to the reaction from people around the country, who will undoubtedly enjoy these films and share them with friends.”

The nationwide campaign also includes an array of unique and fun creative components. In addition to the visually engaging billboards that will be unveiled in Miami, Los Angeles and New York City, the creative team of Butler, Shine, Stern and Partners (MINI USA’s ad agency) has worked with MINI to create movie posters, print ads, a MySpace page, YouTube strategy, and a number of fun accessories for purchase online – including iron-on logos for tee-shirts, vintage lunchboxes, and gear inspired by the series.

“Working with MINI USA allows us to stretch creatively and expand on concepts that other, more conservative companies might shy away from,” said John Butler, Executive Creative Director and Founding Partner at Butler, Shine, Stern and Partners, MINI USA’s ad agency. “The result is always very fun and interactive – in a nutshell, very MINI.

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