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Events in September 2022
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September 30, 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.
“Pickleball”: Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.–Sun., Sept. 30–Dec. 17. Rhiannon Ragland directs the world premiere of actor-playwright (and Purple Rose founder) Jeff Daniels’ comedy about America’s fastest growing sport. Four below-average players try to overcome their own limitations to achieve greatness in a game that has nothing to do with pickles. Daniels’ wife became addicted to the game, which Daniels described in a 2021 interview as “half-court basketball for elderly people.” Cast: Ryan Carlson, Kate Thomsen, Lynch Travis, Jonathan West, and Tom Whalen. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Mask and proof of vaccination required. Tickets $34–$52 in advance at PurpleRoseTheatre.org and by phone, and (if available) at the door. Discounts available for students, seniors, teachers, military personnel, and groups. 433–7673.
Billy Ray Bauer: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Sept. 30 & Oct. 1. This dynamic Detroit comic uses a fine repertoire of voices and dialects to deliver funny one-liners and lively stories, often drawn from his experiences raising 4 sons. Preceded by 2 opening acts TBA. Alcohol is served. 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 10 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $15 reserved seating in advance at aacomedy.com before 6 p.m. the night of the show; $17 general admission at the door. 996–9080.
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.
Say Yes Fest Closing Celebration + RE:CLAIM After Party + Silent Disco: Express Your Yes and CultureVerse
CultureVerse + Express Your Yes Foundation + NOW Studios + RE:CLAIM + Petals Sandcastle are pleased to invite you to an enchanting, provocative evening of dreams & drama... art, ideas, & possibility !
In a world at siege ––divided into brutally savage us-versus-them binaries -–community, creativity, love, laughter, peace, play, justice, authentic connection, music, dancing, drag queens, and maybe a few cocktails –– are needed now more than ever!
We're rolling so much YES into one evening - so let's break it down!
1) Closing Party for Say Yes Fest and the multimodal immersive exhibition of Petals Sandcastle at CultureVerse! Say Yes Fest was birthed in a desire to make fabulous, provocative FREE events and space for our community to come together to play and dream and build and learn and grow and connect and really see and feel and hear each other in order to engage in a collectively cultivated, creative-centric community conversation.
(Learn More: https://www.cultureverse.org/events/say-yes-fest)
2) AfterGlow for RE:CLAIM project– a groundbreaking collaboration between Youth Arts Alliance, Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice, Washtenaw My Brother's Keeper, Amplify Project, Title Track and a collective of over 100 artists, advocates, and movement builders that seek to honor the complexity and diversity of the community through an immersive exhibition and performance series taking over the Washtenaw County Trial Courthouse. The collective momentum of RE:CLAIM seeks to honor creative visions for community wellness while acknowledging the impact the criminal legal system has on all of us. visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reclaim-tickets-412906944787 to learn more!
3) Silent Disco Takeover Of Main Street! Come shake your tail feathers in community with friends, family, and strangers as we dance through the night thanks to QuietCoyote.com!
Something to chew on...
What if we were ALL free? All empowered and safe and seen? Loved and looked after? What if we truly were One Nation, Undivided? Is this possible? Do we even want it? How do we shingle a single roof above our overlapping dreams and persecution?
Maybe creation is war's kryptonite. Maybe we're here to transmute the grief into gasoline for a brighter collective blaze. maybe Love WINS! Come play! Eyes open! Ready to be alive! To think and feel and surrender to fully being human in this life.
CultureVerse, 309 S Main St, Ann Arbor. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/say-yes-fest-closing-celebration-reclaim-after-party-silent-disco-tickets-426763871227?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb. FREE. NOW@expressyouryes.org. expressyouryes.org/sayyesfest. 9103351469.U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater.
Every Fri., Sat., & Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Expedition Reef (11:30 a.m.) reveals the secrets of coral reefs, the “rainforests of the sea” that are the Earth’s most vibrant and endangered marine ecosystems. The Sky Tonight (12:30 & 2:30 p.m.) is an exploration of the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own. Tales of the Maya Skies (1:30 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics that enabled them to predict solstices, solar eclipses, weather patterns, and planetary movements. Various times, U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Check ummnh.org for the latest Covid protocols. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.
“Joe’s Breakfast Club”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.
Every Fri. Moderate-paced ride, 20 miles or more, to Dexter and beyond. Pack a lunch or stop in Dexter for coffee or breakfast. 9 a.m. sharp, meet at Barton Nature Area parking lot, W. Huron River Dr. near Bird Rd. Free. a2dan@sbcglobal.net.
Rise & Shine Exercise: Pittsfield Township Community Center
Rise & Shine Exercise (Mon. & Fri. 9-9:45 a.m.). Pittsfield Township Community Center (701 W. Ellsworth, 822-2120, recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov). Free. Check meeting status before coming.
Free.“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.
“Clague School Gravel Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.
Every Fri. Slow/moderate-paced 18-mile gravel road ride with a rest stop at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northfield Twp. 10 a.m. sharp, meet at Clague Middle School, 2616 Nixon. Free. aabts.org
“In Process: A Symposium in Honor of Ray Silverman”: UMMA.
Sept. 30 & Oct. 1. Inspired by retiring U-M art history, museum studies, and African studies professor Ray Silverman’s seminal volume, Museums as Process: Translating Local and Global Knowledges, this symposium features panels of visiting scholars, artists, and public policy professionals on the methodologies, challenges, and benefits of collaboration in scholarship, museum work, and art production. Panel discussions on Sept. 30 include Ghana (1:30–3 p.m.) and East Africa (3:30–5:30 p.m.). On Oct. 1: Museum and Heritage Studies (10 a.m.–noon) and U-M Collaborations (1:30–3 p.m.). 10 a.m. For panelists and full program, see bit.ly/raysilverman. UMMA Helmut Stern Auditorium, 525 S. State St. Free.
City Park Walks: Ann Arbor Senior Center
City Park Walks (Fri. 10–11 a.m., starting Sept. 9). Weekly guided 1-mile walk at a different city park each week. Preregister at mfulton@a2gov.org or 794–6250. Ann Arbor Senior Center (1320 Baldwin Ave., 794–6250). Free.
free.Crafting Crew: Pittsfield Township Community Center
Crafting Crew, bring your craft project, no instructor (Fri. 10-11:30 a.m.). Pittsfield Township Community Center (701 W. Ellsworth, 822-2120, recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov). Free. Check meeting status before coming.
Free.Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops.
Every Fri., Sat., & Wed. All invited to play one of 200 songs, with melodies transcribed in numbers, on the 17-bell chime’s numbered keys. Ambitious players can add chords. Kids welcome. Noon–12:30 p.m. (Fri. & Wed.) & 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.). Kerrytown Market. Free. ofGlobal@aol.com.
Tai Chi: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program
Tai Chi (Mon., Wed., & Fri., noon–12:30 p.m.) via Zoom. U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program. Free. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353.
Free.Walking Group: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program
U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program. Free. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353.
Free.Bridge: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program
Bridge (Tues. & Fri. 1–4 p.m.) in person, no partner needed, call if interested. U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program, 2401 Plymouth Rd. Free. 998–9353.
Free.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.
Preschool Storytimes: Ann Arbor District Library
Every Fri. Half hour program of stories and songs for kids ages 2–5 (with caregiver). Fri. 1 p.m. (Westgate). Free. 327–4200.
Free.“Nutty for Squirrels”: Pittsfield Township Parks and Recreation
Sept. 30 (1:30–3 p.m.). Outdoor program for kids age 5–12 to learn about the 9 species of Michigan squirrels, go on a squirrel scavenger hunt, and more. Dress for the weather and bring water. Marsh View Meadows, 300 E. Textile Rd., Saline. $15 (Pittsfield residents, $10). Preregistration required at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov or 822–2120.
$15 (Pittsfield residents, $10).The war in Ukraine: Russia, the EU, and NATO: The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies (CREES).
Please join us for a discussion of the diplomacy between the United States, key NATO allies, and Russia surrounding the war in Ukraine. Genevieve Zubrzycki, University of Michigan Professor of sociology, will moderate an armchair conversation with three noted experts: former Polish Ambassador to Russia Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle, and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun. They will examine key Western interests at stake, the evolution of U.S. and NATO approaches to Russia, and evident Russian aims in Ukraine and the surrounding region. They will also discuss the road ahead, identifying realistic goals for diplomacy in the months and years ahead and ways to pursue those objectives most effectively.
Weill Hall, 735 S. State St., Ann Arbor, Michigan. None. https://fordschool.umich.edu/event/2022/war-ukraine-russia-eu-and-nato.Ya'ssoo Gyro Drive-Thru: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
September 30—4-7pm. Drive thru, pick up, and enjoy a delicious Gyro Dinner that includes Tzatziki Sauce, Greek Salad, Spinach Pie, and Bottled Water all for $18. Greek Butter Cookies 3 for $5. Opa! St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3109 Scio Church Road.
3109 Scio Church Road, ANN ARBOR. --. --. secretary@stnickaa.org. annarborgreekfestival.org. 734-332-8200.Game Night: Sweetwaters Café Downtown.
Sept. 2, 16, & 30. All invited to play any type of tabletop game, including board games, role-playing, and card games. Bring your own game, or use one provided. Limited to first 15 attendees each week. 6–9 p.m., Sweetwaters, 123 W. Washington St. Free, but food & drink purchases expected for table use. Preregistration requested at victor@LHPress.com.
Magic: The Gathering Game Play: Sylvan Factory.
Every Fri., Sat., Mon., & Wed. All invited to play various forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. Friday Night Magic rotating draft (Fri. 6–10 p.m.), cost varies. Intro to Magic: The Gathering (Sat. noon–3 p.m.), Free. Commander Pods, casual groups of 4 players (Sat. 6–10 p.m.), free. Just Another Modern Monday power cards (Mon., except Sept. 5, 6–9 p.m.), $10. Casual Commander, the most popular form of the game (Wed. 5–8 p.m.), free. Prizes paid in store credit. Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
Ann Arbor Happy Hour at LIVE: Unsponsored event
Enjoy live music every Friday from 6:30-9pm at LIVE Nightclub. NO COVER. Each week features a different band of varying genres. There is a full service bar and plenty of room to dance. This event is a townie favorite. Hosted by Randy Tessier.
102 S 1st St, Ann Arbor, MI., Ann Arbor. FREE. Mike@liveA2.com.Marcus Elliot Quintet: Blue LLama Jazz Club
MARCUS ELLIOT is a saxophonist, composer, improviser, and educator based in Detroit, Michigan. His compositions and improvisations have been described by the New York Times as “convincing and confident, evolved in touch and tone…”, and the Detroit Free Press has said, “Marcus Elliot represents next generation of jazz”.
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.Andy Pitz: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Sept. 30 & Oct. 1. New York comic known for his “clean comedy, but not that boring kind” who tells relatable tales of family life and more. Preceded by 2 opening acts. Alcohol is served. 7:15 p.m. (Fri.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $16 reserved seating in advance at etix.com, $18 general admission at the door. 996–9080.
“HEM: An Interview”: Kerrytown Concert House.
Sept. 30 & Oct. 1. In Michigan playwright Robert Beaupré’s one-man play, Arthur J. Beer directs and stars as Ernest Hemingway, sharing his thoughts on war, writing, and the women in his life. A founding member of Manchester’s Black Sheep Repertory Theater, Beaupré died of Covid-19 in March 2020. 7:30 p.m., KCH, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Mask encouraged. $29-$50 (students, $19) in advance online and at the door. kerrytownconcerthouse.com, 769–2999.
"Coming Up for Air": Michigan Theater.
(Robert Cicchini, 2019). Drama about a single mom trying to help her son, a star college diver who disappears after a mental breakdown. Includes a reception at 6:45 p.m. and a post-screening discussion with the director, screenwriters Roger Rapoport and Deborah Staples (also one of the film’s stars), and Staples’ costar Chase Yi. 7:30 p.m. $15 ($12 MFT members). Michigan Theater. Mask and proof of vaccination (or negative Covid test within 72 hours) required for all patrons over the age of 12. Tickets in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see MichTheater.org.
“Earthly Baroque”: Musicians of the Old Post Road (Academy of Early Music).
This Boston-based chamber ensemble specializing in Baroque to early Romantic music performed on period instruments presents a program of Baroque works inspired by nature. Program: Vivaldi’s lively Il Gardellino (Goldfinch) concerto, Biber’s Sonata Representativa, Werner’s Il Novembre suite, the ensemble’s reconstruction of J.F. Lampe’s playful Cuckoo Concerto, and works named for birds and butterflies by Couperin and Rameau. The musicians are cellist Daniel Ryan, flutist Suzanne Stumpf, violinist and violist Sarah Darling, viola player Marcia Cassidy, and harpsichordist Michael Bahmann. Preceded at 7:15 p.m. by a lecture on the program by the musicians. 8 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Liberty St. Tickets $30 (seniors age 65 & over, $25; students, $10) in advance by Sept. 23 at academyofearlymusic.org or by phone; $5 more after Sept. 23. 228–4338.
“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.
Jonathan Edwards: Green Wood Coffee House Series (First United Methodist Church).
A veteran blues-based singer-songwriter best known for his early 70s hits “Sunshine” and “Don’t Cry Blue,” Edwards sings his easy-feeling songs and delicately poetic love songs in a throaty, mellifluous tenor. A superb acoustic and electric guitar stylist, he’s also known for his hilarious between-songs commentary. 8 p.m., FUMC Green Wood Church, 1001 Green Rd. at Glazier Way. Tickets $20 in advance at greenwoodcoffeehouse.org and at the door. 665–8558.
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.
Symphony Band: U-M Music School.
Michael Haithcock directs this music student ensemble in 20th-century American composer William Schuman’s Chester Overture, Stravinsky’s Symphonies of Wind Instruments, a new symphony band arrangement of Argentinian tango master Astor Piazzola’s sinfonia Buenos Aires, and contemporary American composer Steven Bryant’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone–an ensemble tour-de-force that mixes styles, including jazz improvisation–featuring soloist Brain Kachur, a U-M concerto competition winner. 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Free. 764–2538.
Social Dance: The Dance Pavilion.
Every Fri. Ballroom dancing to recorded music. No partner or experience necessary. Preceded from 8–8:30 p.m. by a group lesson. Bottled water & chips provided. 8:30–10:30 p.m., Dance Pavilion Studio, 1918 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti. $15. TheDancePavilion.com, 369–9700
Riverside Swings: Swing Ann Arbor.
Sept. 9, 16, 23, & 30. Swing dancing to recorded music. No partner or experience needed. Wear comfortable low-grip/tread shoes. Preceded at 8 p.m. by a lesson. 9–11 p.m., Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti. $5 (students, $4). riversidearts.org/event/riverside-swings.
"Mean Girls": State Theatre.
Sept. 30 & Oct. 3. (Mark Waters, 2004). Hit teen comedy about female high school social cliques. Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tiny Fey, Amy Poehler.
9:30 p.m. (Fri.) & 7:30 p.m. (Mon.). 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.
