Observer Editor
Community Listing
Online Event
Creative Washtenaw Event
Free Event
Donation Suggested
Hybrid Event
Events in September 2022
Looking for live music tonight?
Visit our Nightspots listing.
September 29, 2022
“Ain’t Misbehavin’”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company.
Every Thurs.–Sun., Sept. 15–Oct. 2. Gerry McIntyre directs this local professional theater company in Richard Maltby Jr.’s joyful, high-energy 1978 Broadway musical revue that pays tribute to legendary Harlem Renaissance composer-pianist Fats Waller, master of the stride jazz piano and creator of indelible tunes. Five performers present an evening of Waller’s buoyant, often slyly raunchy songs, with their sophisticated, hook-filled melodies. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 3 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), Encore Maas Mainstage, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $54 (seniors & youth under 18, $52) in advance at theencoretheatre.org and at the door. $20 student rush tickets (if available) an hour before showtime. 268–6200.
“My Policeman”: State Theatre.
Opens Oct. 21 (tentative): (Michael Grandage, 2022). Romantic drama set in Brighton, England, in the 1950s. A gay policeman, played by Harry Styles, marries a female schoolteacher. Based on the Bethan Roberts novel. Various times. State Theatre. Mask and proof of vaccination (or negative Covid test within 72 hours) required for all patrons over the age of 12. Tickets $10.50 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; MTF members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see MichTheater.org.
Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards.
Every Sat. & Sun., Sept. 10–Oct. 30 and Wed.–Fri., Sept. 23–Oct. 28. A carnival atmosphere with a variety of family-oriented fall activities on this family farm. Wagon rides, a petting farm, a corn maze, and more. An apple cannon, paintball, apple or pumpkin picking, and other activities available Sat. & Sun. for an extra charge. Cider and donuts available. No pets. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Wed.–Fri.), Wiard’s Orchards, 5565 Merritt Rd. (east of Carpenter), Ypsilanti. Weekend admission: $23.50 (babies under 2, free). Weekday admission: $17.50 (babies, free) online only at wiards.com. 390–9211.
Layli Long Soldier: U-M English Department Zell Visiting Writers Series.
This Santa Fe-based Oglala Lakota poet reads from and discusses her work. Her 2017 debut collection Whereas offers a 28-poem sequence, composed in response to the U.S Congressional Apology to Native Peoples Act signed by Barack Obama in 2009, exploring the systemic cultural erasure of native tribes. Followed by a Q&A. Also, tomorrow Soldier gives a free talk on “Documentary Poetics: Searching for the Emotional Subject(ive) Inside the Object(ive) Language of the Document” (10–11 a.m., 3222 Angell Hall). 5:30–6:30 p.m., UMMA Stern Auditorium, 525 S. State. Livestream available for both programs at tinyurl.com/ZellWriters. Free, but capacity limited. asbates@umich.edu.
Flower Arranging Salon: Pittsfield Township Community Center
Flower Arranging Salon, no instructor, $20 ($10 subsequent weeks) (Thurs. 9:30-11 a.m.). Pittsfield Township Community Center (701 W. Ellsworth, 822-2120, recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov). Free. Check meeting status before coming.
$20, $10 subsequent weeks.“Fall Migration in Nichols Arboretum”: Washtenaw Audubon Society.
Every Thurs., Aug. 25—Oct. 27. WAS members lead a hike through the Arb to look for fall warblers and other southbound migrants, many of which are in their 1st-year plumage. 8—11 a.m., meet in the cul-de-sac at the end of Riverview (off Geddes near the east end of Dow Field). Free. Washtenawaudubon.org.
“Turmoil in Eastern Europe: Ukraine and Beyond”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Thursday Morning Lecture Series.
Every Thurs., Sept. 22–Oct. 20 & Oct. 28. Series of 6 weekly talks exploring political and social transformations in
Ukraine since the fall of the Soviet Union. Sept. 22: WSU political science professor Kevin Deegan-Krause on “Understanding Eastern Europe.” Sept. 29: Oakland University political science professor Paul Kubicek on “Ukraine Is Not Russia: A Brief Survey of Ukrainian History.” Oct. 6: Oakland University biology professor Taras K. Oleksyk, a Ukraine native, on “A Better Future for Us All: Why the World Needs to Learn About the Ukrainian Identity.” Oct. 13: Retired U.S international development officer Susan Fritz on “Considerations for a Post-Conflict Assistance Program in Ukraine.” Oct. 20: Avant-Garde Ukrainian Theatre (Toronto) technical director Andriy Pereklita on “Ukraine and Its Culture, the Present Looking Through the Mirror of the Past into the Future.” Oct. 28: U-M public policy professor John Ciociari on “Understanding Global Responses to the War in Ukraine.” 10–11:30 a.m., WCC Morris Lawrence Bldg. Towsley Auditorium, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Preregistration required at olli-umich.org. $61 (members, $36) for the 6-lecture series. $10 per lecture for members. Membership, $25 a year. 998–9351.
Mah-jongg: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program
Mah-jongg (Thurs. 10 a.m.–noon) in person. U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program. 2401 Plymouth Rd. Free. 998–9353.
Free.“Little Paws Story Time”
Sept. 8, 15, 22, & 29 (10:30–11:30 a.m.). Stories, crafts, finger plays, and interaction with adoptable cats and dogs. For kids ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult. HSHV, 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. $5 per kid (babies under age 1, free). Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org.
Preschool Storytimes: Ann Arbor District Library
Every Thurs. Half hour program of stories and songs for kids ages 2–5 (with caregiver). Thurs. 11 a.m. (Traverwood). Free. 327–4200.
Free.ACBL-sanctioned Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center
ACBL-sanctioned Bridge (Thurs. noon–3:30 p.m.). $9; members, $8. Ann Arbor Senior Center (1320 Baldwin Ave., 794–6250). Check meeting status before coming.
$9; members, $8..Open Board Gaming: Sylvan Factory.
Every Thurs. & Sun. All invited to play new and old board games. Noon—4 p.m. (Thurs.) & noon—6 p.m. (Sun.), Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium Blvd. Free. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929—5877. sylvanfactory.com/event-schedule.
U-M Center for Japanese Studies Thursday Lecture Series.
Every Thurs. (except Sept. 1). Talks by national and global scholars. Sept. 8: U-M CJS director Reginald Jackson discusses the history and future of the CJS in “Looking Forward: A Communal Blueprint for our CJS 75th Anniversary Events.” Sept. 15: University of Chicago history professor Harry Harootunian joins Reginald Jackson to discuss his most recent book, “Archaism and Actuality. Historical Form, Time and Fascism in Modern Japan.” Sept. 22: U-M Japanese studies postdoc Ryan Masaaki Yokota on “Okinawan Independence and Autonomy Debates in the 1980s.” Sept. 29: U-M postdoc Jessica A. Fernández de Lara Harada discusses the experience of Mexicans of Japanese descent in “Racism, Mestizaje, and the American World War II Ethnic Cleansing of Latin American Japanese.” Noon–1:30 p.m. 110 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. For livestream preregister at bit.ly/umcjslectures. Free. umcjs@umich.edu, 764–6307.
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club.
Every Thurs., Fri., & Tues. All invited to play a 499er game (Thurs.) or ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Fri. & Tues.). 1–4 p.m. or so (arrive by 12:50 p.m.), City Club, 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $6 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email kahanae@yahoo.net or ronmeade@comcast.net beforehand.
Wise Guys: Conversations for Men: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program
Wise Guys: Conversations for Men (Thurs. 1–2:30 p.m.) via Zoom. U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program. Free. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353.
Free.“Poland As a Front-Line State: How to Defend Pax Europaea”: U-M Copernicus Center for Polish Studies.
Talk by former Polish Ambassador to Russia Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz. 4–5:30 p.m., Palmer Commons, 100 Washtenaw. For livestream preregister at myumi.ch/Qe9Nk. Free. 764–0351.
Trust in elections: Preserving democracy from the ballot box: The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP)
In the wake of the January 6 insurrection and amidst widespread efforts to undermine election results, Americans have a growing lack of confidence in the integrity of the country’s electoral system. This distrust has many state and local election officials in a balancing act between administering the upcoming election and combating the spread of misinformation from the last one.
Election officials are working in an unprecedented climate of antagonism, misinformation, and even personal threats. Join the Ford School of Public Policy and the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) for a conversation about the processes at the local level from the perspective of those charged with protecting the integrity of our democratic elections.
Panelists:
- Barb Byrum, Ingham County Clerk
- Sherikia Hawkins, Southfield City Clerk
- Christopher Thomas, former Director of Elections for the state of Michigan
- Adam Wit, Harrison Twp. Clerk and director of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks
- Moderated by Edie Goldenberg, Professor Emerita of Public Policy and Political Science and founder of Turn Up Turnout (TUT)
“Asian Americans and Religious Freedom”: U-M Donia Human Rights Center Lecture.
Roundtable discussion moderated by U-M American culture professor Melissa Borja. 4:30—6:30 p.m., Michigan League, 911 North University Ave. Free. ii.umich.edu/humanrights.
Michigan Marching Band Practice.
Every Mon.–Thurs. The U-M’s highly disciplined 200-plus-member marching band or sections thereof can be seen and heard practicing on Elbel Field. All welcome to find a spot in the bleachers and get a sneak preview of upcoming halftime shows. Rehearsals usually last 1–2 hours. 4:45 p.m., Elbel Field, Hill at Division. Free. 764–0582.
“Legendary Drag Queens”: U-M School of Art & Design Penny Stamps Speaker Series.
Postponed from Jan. 13. L.A. Department of Cultural Affairs performing arts director Ben Johnson hosts a gathering of 6 performers from two
notoriously fabulous nightclubs—San Francisco’s Aunt Charlie’s and Detroit’s Gigi’s Cabaret—to reflect on the changes in the once-gritty gay bar scene. The event is inspired by James Hosking’s Beautiful by Night, a project on view at the Institute for the Humanities Gallery (see Galleries). 5:30 p.m., Michigan Theater. Free. Masks & proof of vaccination (or negative Covid test within past 72 hours) required. 936‑0671.
“U-M Museum of Anthropological Archaeology at 100”: U-M Conference.
Sept. 29–Oct. 2. Talks by scholars from around the world about archaeological theory and practice, the current state of the discipline, and its possible futures. 5:30–8 p.m. (Thurs.), 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m. (Fri.), 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Sat.), & 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. (Sun.), Rackham Amphitheatre (4th floor), 915 E. Washington. Livestream available. Free. Preregistration required at sites.lsa.umich.edu/ummaa-at-100.
“Repairsday Thursday”: All Hands Active.
Every Thurs. All invited to drop in with broken electronics, furniture, toys, and any other odd item for AHA members to try to repair and offer advice. Repairs not guaranteed. 6–8 p.m., All Hands Active, basement of 255 E. Liberty, ste. 225. Livestream available at MeetUp.com/AllHandsActive/events. Free; donations welcome. Mask required. info@AllHandsActive.org.
BattleTech: Classic: Sylvan Factory.
Every Tues. All invited to play this fast-paced tabletop miniatures war game. No experience or materials needed. 6–9 p.m., Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium Blvd. Free. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877. sylvanfactory.com/event-schedule.
Fall Farm Festival: Trinity Health Ann Arbor.
Family-friendly farm games. Live music by local classic rock cover band Ain't Dead Yet. Bring chairs or a blanket and your own picnic, or purchase food at the farm. 6–8 p.m., The Farm at Trinity Health, 5557 McAuley Dr., Ypsilanti. Free admission. stjoesfarm.org.
In person silent meditation
Insight Meditation Ann Arbor offers meditation every Thursday evening at Zion Lutheran Church; 1501 W Liberty. Please come in back door. Two sittings: 6:30-7:00, and 7:15 to 8:00, come to either or both. Please mask in building. No charge, donations gratefully accepted.
“Solar Stories”: City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations/Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association.
Ann Arborites share (via Zoom) their experience using solar energy. Q&A. 7–8 p.m., for URL preregister at bit.ly/a2energy. Free. jroth@a2gov.org.
Jonathan Taylor Quartet: Blue LLama Jazz Club
JONATHAN TAYLOR is a Detroit-based drummer, improviser, composer, and educator. A tireless collaborator, Taylor has performed with luminaries of creative music, such as Wadada Leo Smith, Dave Liebman, Michael Formanek, Tomeka Reid, Jaribu Shahid, and John Lindberg.
314 S. Main St , Ann Arbor. Pre-Pay Cover or Dinner+Show at opentable.com. $15–75. hello@bluellamaclub.com. bluellamaclub.com. 734-372-3200.Live Trivia at Bløm Mead + Cider: Bløm Meadworks
Free live trivia every Thursday with Sporcle! Two one-hour-long games every Thursday (7pm & 8pm) with prizes for first and second place teams. No limit to group size - come by yourself or with a team! Great tunes, awesome host + lots of seasonal meads, ciders, beers and food.
100 S 4th Ave, Suite 110, Ann Arbor. Free. hello@drinkblom.com. https://www.drinkblom.com/events. 734-548-9729.Making Michigan: “To put living force into the symbols”: The Journeys of Anatol Rapoport: Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan
As a boy, Anatol Rapoport and his father succeeded in a daring escape from the Soviet Union. He went on to become a leading mathematical psychologist, semanticist and game theorist, making major contributions to the understanding of strategy, conflict, war, and peace -- always intent on tying strategic analysis to the conscientious appreciation of real human beings. As he wrote at one point, "One cannot play chess if one becomes aware of the pieces as living souls . . . ." Rapoport spent a significant portion of his variegated career at U-M, where among other things he helped found the Mental Health Research Institute and organize the first Teach-In, on the Vietnam War. Join us for an exploration of Anatol Rapoport's journeys -- personal and intellectual -- with three panelists: Shirli Kopelman, leading researcher, expert, and educator in the field of negotiations at the U-M Ross School of Business; Anthony Rapoport, son of Anatol and principal violist with Sinfonia Toronto and the Windermere Quartet; and Roger Rapoport, LSA '68, award-winning author and filmmaker and author of "A Professor's War for Peace."
1398 East Ann (entrance on Observator St._, Ann Arbor. Online and in person at the Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory. Register at https://myumi.ch/xmXjl.. Free. gdkrenz@umich.edu. https://bentley.umich.edu/news-events/making-michigan-series/. (734) 764-3639.“Grown Folks Storytime”: Booksweet Bookshop.
Ann Arbor Civic Improv performers use favorite childhood books suggested by audience members as a launch pad for comedic improvisational sketches. Age 18+ only. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Booksweet, Courtyard Shops, 1729 Plymouth Rd. Mask and proof of vaccination required. $5. Preregistration required at shopbooksweet.com/events.
“Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow”: U-M Theater Department.
Thurs.–Sun., Sept. 29–Oct. 9. Ryan Dobrin directs U-M theater majors in Halley Feiffer’s 2019 Off-Broadway sendup of Anton Chekhov’s beloved psychological drama Three Sisters. While not deviating from the original story about 3 high-minded young women trapped in a turn-of-the-century Russian provincial village, Feiffer superimposes a modern, Western sensibility and vernacular, transforming the play, with hilariously devastating consequences, into a deftly comedic (and raunchy) exploration of unchecked privilege. Ages 17 and up; contains vulgar language and sexual situations. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), U-M Walgreen Drama Center Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin, North Campus. Tickets $30 (students, $13) in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu and at the door. 764–2538.
General Meeting: Ann Arbor Ski Club.
The chance to learn about the club’s downhill and cross-country ski and snowboarding outings, and other social activities. Followed by dancing to music spun by a DJ. Must be 21 or older. 7:30–10:30 p.m., UA Local 190 Hall, 7920 Jackson Rd. $5 (members, free). a2skiclub@gmail.com.
Outdoor Movie Night: Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority.
Outdoor showing of Encanto (Byron Howard, Jared Bush, 2021), the animated Disney feature about a family living in a magical Colombian village. 7:30 p.m., Frog Island Park, 699 Rice St., Ypsilanti. Free. elize@ypsilantidda.org.
Free. elize@ypsilantidda.org.Pub Quiz: Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub.
Every Thurs. Local high school English teacher Barry Aherne throws out questions for anyone to answer at this popular weekly trivia fest. Come with a team (up to 6 people). Prizes. 7:30 p.m. or so, Conor O’Neill’s, 318 S. Main. $5 team fee that goes to the winning team. 665–2968.
Yoga with Cats: Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Every Thurs. & Sun. 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, 5245 Jackson, ste. A1. $10. Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org, 661–3575.
German Conversation.
Every Thurs. & Tues. All German speakers, native or non-native, invited for conversation with either or both of 2 long-running groups, the A2 Stammtisch (8 p.m. Thurs.), and the German Speakers Round Table (7:30 p.m. Tues.). Various times, Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, 120 W. Washington. Free admission. Preregistration for Thurs. A2 Stammtisch requested at heerdeolind@yahoo.com. 812–6375 (Tues.).
Jazz Ensemble: U-M Music School.
Ellen Rowe directs this music student group in a program of jazz tunes by Thad Jones, Benny Carter, Les Hooper, and others. 8 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg. Hankinson Rehearsal Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. 615-3204.
Michigan Playwrights Festival: Theatre Nova.
Sept. 29–Oct. 9. Readings of new full-length plays by Michigan playwrights. Tonight: Ann Arborite Catherine Zudak’s Nuns at the End of the World, in which an Irish convent is cut off from the world. Note: The Festival begins on Sept. 30 with Quan Chambers’ Our Place. 8 p.m., Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron. Mask & proof of vaccination required. Tickets $10 (Festival pass, $30) in advance at.theatrenova.org/michigan-playwrights-festival-2022 & at the door. 635–8450.
