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Events in January 2023
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January 29, 2023
“Cultural Exchange Rate”: University Musical Society.
Jan. 24–29. Lebanese artist Tania El Khoury shares her family’s memories of life in villages on the border of Lebanon and Syria through this interactive performance art piece in which each ticketholder is invited to peek into various boxes to explore the sounds, images, and textures hidden inside that are built out of recorded interviews with El Khoury’s late grandmother, material from her newly discovered relatives in Mexico City, and family memories of more than a century of border crossings. Timed entry every 90 minutes, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. U-M Stamps Gallery, 210 S. Division. Tickets $25 (students, $12) in advance only at tickets.UMS.org. 764–2538.
“The Plastic Bag Store”: University Musical Society/U-M Museum of Art/U-M Graham Sustainability Institute.
Jan. 17 and every Wed.–Sun., Jan. 18–Feb. 5. Film and theater director Robin Frohardt’s public art installation and immersive film screening uses humor and a critical lens to question our culture of consumption and convenience, with a focus on the effects of single-use plastic addiction. Shelves are stocked with thousands of original sculptures of everyday goods—produce and meat, dry goods and toiletries—all made from discarded single-use plastics. Several times a day, the “store” is transformed into a film screen that uses puppetry, shadowplay, and handmade sets to tell a darkly comedic story of how what we value least may become our most lasting cultural legacy. The Plastic Bag Store premiered in Times Square in 2020 and has toured across the U.S. 8 p.m. (Tues.), 6 & 8 p.m. (Wed.–Fri.); 2, 4, 6, & 8 p.m. (Sat.); & 2, 5, & 7 p.m. (Sun.), location TBA at tickets.ums.org. Mask required if Washtenaw County is in the CDC’s high-risk category. Tickets $30 (students $12) in advance at tickets.ums.org, at the Michigan League box office, & by phone, and (if available) at the door. 764–2538.
“You on the Moors Now”: Pioneer Theatre Guild.
Jan. 27-29. Alex Leydenfrost & Julia Glander direct high school students in Jaclyn Backhaus’s 2019 play, a work of feminist meta-fiction that brings together a quartet of 19th-century literary heroines—Jane Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet, Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, Louisa May Alcott’s Jo March, and Emily Brontë’s Catherine Earnshaw—who, after rejecting marriage proposals from their respective suitors, turn tradition on its head and speak freely and farcically about love, relationships, social pressures, and the patriarchy. 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun), PHS Little Theater, 601 W. Stadium. Tickets $15 (students & seniors, $10) in advance at bit.ly/phsyouonthemoorsnow & at the door. kelmigianj@aaps.k12.mi.us.
Alex Belhaj’s Crescent City Quartet: North Star Lounge.
Jan. 8 & 29. Local ensemble led by guitarist Belhaj that plays a range of New Orleans jazz styles, from struts, stomps, cakewalks, and rags to pop tunes, marches, and classical favorites. 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m., North Star Lounge, 301 N. Fifth Ave. $35 includes brunch. Reservations recommended. Nstarlounge.com.
Museum Highlight Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History.
Every Sat. & Sun., except Jan. 1. 30-minute tour of the museum exhibits and galleries, including Evolution: Life Through Time and artist Jim Cogswell’s Unseen Worlds installation. Also, an introduction to some current U-M biological sciences research projects. Noon & 2 p.m., MNH, 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. 764–0478.
“Preschool Expo”: Ann Arbor District Library.
Representatives from area preschools are on hand to answer questions from parents of prospective preschoolers. 1–4 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. 327–4200.
Yoga with Cats: Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Every Thurs. & Sun., except Jan. 1. Humane Society education reps introduce all ages to the basics of hatha-style yoga, which integrates breath with movement. Also, interact with adoptable cats. Dress prepared to work out. Suitable for age 12 & up, all 16 & under must be accompanied by adult. 7:30–8:30 p.m. (Thurs.) & 8:30–9:30 a.m. (Sun.), Tiny Lions, ste. A1, 5245 Jackson Rd., $10. Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org, 661–3575.
“Rescue Reading”: HSHV.
Every Sun., except Jan. 1 (10–11:30 a.m.): Kids invited to read to adoptable animals to work on their reading skills, using their own or provided books. Also, a group read-aloud and a dog meet-and-greet. For kids ages 6–11. No adults. HSHV. $15. Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org, 661–3575.
“Ancient Wisdom. Modern Times”: Jewel Heart Tibetan Buddhist Center Sunday Talks.
Every Sun. Livestream talks by Jewel Heart resident spiritual advisor Demo Rinpoche, followed by a discussion facilitated by Jewel Heart staffers. Once a month, Demo Rinpoche presents a story from Jakata Tales, the Indian canon of 547 poems, dated 300 BC–400 AD, that concern the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form. The Jan. 15 topic is “The Hermit,” a tale about the generosity of teaching. 11 a.m., for URL preregister at bit.ly/jeweldharmatalk. Free. 994–3387.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Natural History Museum.
Every Tues.–Sun., except Jan. 1. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s Nature Lab and Micro Worlds Lab to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. Schedule subject to change. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., MNH, 1105 North University. Free. 764–0478.
H.A.C. Ultimate.
Every Sun. All invited to a relaxed pickup game. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. 11:15 a.m., Fuller Park, just west of the pool & parking lot (or occasionally across the street). Free. HAC-UltimateList@GoogleGroups.com, 846–9418.
“Critter House Open Hours”: Leslie Science & Nature Center.
Every Sun., except Jan. 1. A chance to view LSNC birds of prey and its Critter House animals, which include frogs, turtles, snakes, and other species native to Michigan. Noon–3 p.m., LSNC, 1831 Traver. $5 suggested donation ($20/family). lesliesnc.org, 997–1553.
Auditions for "The Fourth Messenger": Off-Leash Arts
Off-Leash Arts seeks 8 highly qualified actor-singers of all genders, ethnicities, and age ranges (17+) for a concert reading of The Fourth Messenger, a musical by Tanya Shaffer and Vienna Teng. The performance will take place at The Ark in Ann Arbor, on March 18, 2023. The event will be a fundraiser for The Ark. The performance will be directed by Giovanni Rodriguez and Tanya Shaffer and music directed by Rebecca Biber. Pays $200 stipend.
Award-winning San Francisco area playwright Tanya Shaffer, now an Ann Arbor transplant, has joined forces with Indie-Folk-Pop singer-songwriter and U of M alumna Vienna Teng — the only artist ever to win four Independent Music Awards in a single year — to create a groundbreaking musical reimagining of the Buddha story in a contemporary American setting, with a female Buddha figure. The musical has had prior productions in California, Taiwan, and New York. This concert reading at The Ark in Ann Arbor, one of the nation’s top folk venues, will be the musical’s Midwest Premiere. The San Francisco Chronicle dubbed it "an absolute delight," and Times Square Chronicle wrote, "This show helped heal a piece of me ... We need more shows like this to heal our world."
Go to fourthmessenger.com to schedule audition, tickets at https://theark.org/event/the-fourth-messenger-230318/. No cost to audition. tanyashaffer@gmail.com. fourthmessenger.com.“Creature Encounters”: The Creature Conservancy.
Every Sat. & Sun., except Jan. 1. Conservancy staffers show off some animals native to South America, including the sloth, macaw, and tegu (2 & 4 p.m.). Also, a zookeeper talk with a red-footed tortoise (3 p.m.) and a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals, including a reindeer, a wolf hybrid, and more. 1–5 p.m., Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $13 (kids ages 2–12, $11; under age 2, free) at the door; $1 discount for advance purchase at thecreatureconservancy.org. 929–9324.
“Pinkfong Sing-Along Movie 2: Wonderstar Concert”: Fathom Events.
Fathom Events. 973–8424 (Ann Arbor 20), 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $11.50–$12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomevents.com/events and at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline), different times.
Jan. 28 & 29: Animated kid-friendly sing-along featuring various characters from this South Korean children's entertainment company including Baby Shark, Hogi, and Poki. 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. (Emagine only).
Video Game Tournaments: Ann Arbor District Library.
Jan. 28 & 29. Adults and kids ages 8 & up invited to play against each other in rounds of Super Smash Bros. (Jan. 28) and Mario Kart (Jan. 29). Prizes. 1–4 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. 327–4200.
Joe Gascho: U-M Music School Faculty Recital.
This U-M early-music professor performs harpsichord works TBA. 1:30 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg. Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. 615–3204.
“Animal Tracks”: Waterloo Natural History Association.
Illustrated talk by naturalist Robert Ayotte on print patterns found in snow, common mammal signs, and scats. Followed (if there is snow on the ground) by a one-hour hike to look for tracks and other signs. Be prepared for icy trails. 2–3 p.m., Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd., Chelsea. $2 (families, $5). Preregistration required by calling 475–3170; space limited. $12 Michigan recreation passport ($17 at the gate) required.
“Fab Four British Invasion”: Ann Arbor Concert Band.
David Leach conducts this local volunteer ensemble in a program of works by four 20th-century English composers, including Ralph Vaughan Williams’ 1924 masterpiece of counterpoint Toccata Marziale and the much-loved 1923 English Folk Song Suite. Also, 3 works by Gustav Holst (the 1911 Second Suite for Military Band, the “March” from the 1928 A Moorside Suite, and the 1930 Hammersmith), 2 Percy Grainger marches (the accessible 1905 “Lads of Wamphray March,” adapted from the traditional Scottish border ballad, and his 1916 “Children’s March: Over the Hills and Far Away.”), and Gordon Jacob’s 1928 An Original Suite. 2 p.m., Michigan Theater. Tickets $10 (kids age 13 & under, free) at michtheater.org/events and at the door. aaband.org, 478–7515.
Sphinx Symphony Orchestra: University Musical Society.
Postponed from January 2021. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this Detroit ensemble of top Black and Latinx professional musicians from around the country, directed by Tito Muñoz, is making its first national tour. Under the direction of Eugene Rogers, the Sphinx vocal ensemble Exigence, with soprano soloist Aundi Marie Moore, joins for several pieces, including Joel Thompson’s Seven Last Words of the Unarmed, a powerful multimovement choral work that memorializes the last words spoken by 7 African-American men killed by police or other authority figures. The program also includes Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Ballade for Orchestra, Imani Winds founder Valerie Coleman’s “Seven O’Clock Shout,” Michael Abels’ “Delights and Dances,” Augustus Hill’s arrangement of the traditional “Fix Me Jesus,” Carlos Cordero’s award-winning 2020 a cappella work “Holding Our Breath,” singer-songwriter John Legend & rapper Common’s “Glory,” and Carlos Simon’s “Motherboxx Connection.” 2 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Mask required if Washtenaw County is in the CDC’s high-risk category. Tickets $17–$66 (students $15–$63), in advance at tickets.ums.org, the Michigan League box office, & by phone, and (if available) at the door. 764–2538.
“Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist”: Fathom Events.
Fathom Events. 973–8424 (Ann Arbor 20), 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $11.50–$12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomevents.com/events and at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline), different times.
Jan. 26-29: (Kevin Sorbo, 2023). Action sequel about a world left in chaos after millions of people vanish in a rapture-like event. 7 p.m. (Thurs. & Fri.) and 3 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.).
“The Complete Organ Works of J.S. Bach”: U-M Music School.
Jan. 8, 15, & 29. Part of a series of 18 concerts in which U-M organ professor James Kibbie performs all of Bach’s 281 surviving organ works. Today’s program: Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C Major, Trio Sonata IV in E Minor, selections from the Leipzig Chorales, and the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Preceded at 3:40 p.m. by a brief introduction to the program. 4 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg. Blanche Anderson Moore Hall, 1100 Baits. For livestream see smtd.umich.edu. Free. 615–3204.
“The Complete Organ Works of J.S. Bach”: U-M Music School.
Jan. 8, 15, & 29. Part of a series of 18 concerts in which U-M organ professor James Kibbie performs all of Bach’s 281 surviving organ works. Today’s program: Concerto in C Major, Preludes in G Major & A Minor, Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, Trio in G Major, chorales from the Orgelbüchlein and Kirnberger collections, and individual chorales not a part of any collection. 4 p.m.
“Winter Jam 2023”: Jam Nation.
Touring Christian pop music festival includes sets by the Nashville-based pop-rock band We The Kingdom, Lafayette (IN) pop-rock singer Jeremy Camp, New York City–based hip-hop artist Andy Mineo, Lexington (KY) native singer-songwriter Anne Wilson, the Knoxville-based metal and rock band Disciple, and the contemporary Christian group Newsong. Also, a talk by writer Zane Black. A pre-jam show at 4 p.m. features sets by the Bayside Church (Sacramento) ensemble Thrive Worship, pop singer Sean BE, and the pop sister duo Renee. 5–9:30 p.m. (doors open at 3 p.m.), EMU Convocation Center, Ypsilanti. Tickets $15 at the door only. 2023.jamtour.com.
P.O.R.K. - Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings: Zal Gaz Grotto
10-piece early big band led by Chris Smith, specializing in music of the 1920s and 30s. Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Duke Ellington and other jazz legends are prominent in their repertoire. For listening or dancing.
2070 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor. cash at the door. $10. cdsmith68@gmail.com. https://www.facebook.com/porkjazz. 248-446-0403.Ann Arbor Go Club.
Every Sun., except Jan. 1. Players of all skill levels invited to play this challenging strategy board game in person. Game materials provided. 5:30 p.m. until whenever, Conor O’Neill’s, 318 Main St. Free. For more info, email Drew at dwright8182@hotmail.com or check bit.ly/annarborgo.
“Pokémon Family Night”: The Creature Conservancy.
All age 8 & up invited to see a display of Pokémon-related animals, including a muntjac deer, wolf, skunk, coyote, and more. 6–8 p.m., Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $25 (kids age 8 and up, $15) in advance at TheCreatureConservancy.org. 929–9324.
Ann Arbor Morris.
Every Sun., except Jan. 1. All invited to try this boisterous, jingly English ceremonial dance thought to be descended from the 15th-century Spanish moresca. Wear athletic shoes. 6–8 p.m., Concourse Hall, 4531 Concourse Dr. Free. Email a2morris@umich.edu or call 717–1569 in advance to confirm location.
“Sunday Evening Game Night”: Ann Arbor Adventure Club.
Every Sun. An evening of playing popular board games online. You help decide which game to play at the beginning of the night. Have a pencil and paper handy. 7 p.m., for URL email burrbarr7@hotmail.com. Free.
“The UnClub”: The Theater Shop.
Every Sun., except Jan. 1. Performances by aspiring and experienced comics from former Tonight Show staff writer Chili Challis’s comedy dojo. Emcee is Mark Sweetman. 7:30 p.m. The Ypsi Alehouse, 124 Pearl St., #100, Ypsilanti. Mask and vaccination encouraged. Free. facebook.com/thetheatershop.
RESCHEDULED for Mar. 3 & 4 - “Wine, Women, & Song XXI: Coming of Age”: Kerrytown Concert House.
Originally scheduled for Fri. Jan. 27-Sun., Jan. 29, 2023; rescheduled to Fri. Mar. 3 & Sat. Mar. 4, 2023. Current ticketholders see KerrytownConcertHouse.com for details on how to get their tickets transferred. Remaining tickets will go on sale once all transfers have been honored.
Popular annual show, with local female vocalists TBA presenting musical numbers about friendship, irreverence, fun, and dressing up. Piano accompanist is R. MacKenzie Lewis. 7:30 p.m., KCH, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Livestream available at KerrytownConcertHouse.com. Tickets $29–$80 in advance online and (if available) at the door. 769–2999.
Symphony Band Chamber Winds: U-M Music School.
This music student ensemble performs a program TBA. 8 p.m., Macintosh Theater, 1100 Baits Dr. Free. 764-0583.
