Great Lakes Options (12)

Carnegie Museum of Art

When it comes to aluminum, Pennsylvania's Carnegie Museum of Art is not putting a lid on it. The Pittsburgh gallery is launching the first major museum exhibition to explore ways in which the metal has inspired creativity and design innovations in furniture, fashion and fuel consumption. Focal points of "Aluminum by Design: Jewelry to Jets" include an aluminum-and-gold French bracelet, circa 1858; the rainbow-hued Colorama tumblers, so in vogue during the 1950s; haute couture designer Paco Rabanne's aluminum-disk dress, which took runways by storm in 1969; and Marc Newson's 1985 "Lockheed Lounge" furniture, reminiscent of the streamlined, riveted surface of jet airliners.

Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for students. Runs through Feb. 11. Call (412) 622-3131 or click to www.cmoa.org for more information.

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

Go fly a kite. Enthusiasts from around the world will demonstrate their skills at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison, Wis., for the city's third-annual "Kites on Ice" winter festival. The event includes kite-building workshops, historical displays and stunt shows. Takes place on Feb. 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Call (608) 278-9666 or visit mononaterrace.visitmadison.com/home.htm for more information.

Cranbrook Institute of Science

Choirs from seven churches in and around Pontiac, Mich., will congregate at the Cranbrook Institute of Science on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. for the second-annual "Gospel Showcase: History and Music" concert. This nondenominational Black History Month tribute features music by David Gough, executive director of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Detroit. Tickets are $10 per person. The institute is located at 39221 Woodward Ave. Call (248) 645-3210 or click to www.cranbrook.edu/institute for more information.