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Events in December 2022
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December 1, 2022
“A Christmas Story: The Musical”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company.
Every Thurs.–Sun., Nov. 25–Dec. 18. Dan Cooney directs this local professional theater company in the 2007 musical version of the 1983 movie comedy about a boy living in 1940s Indiana who longs for a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Music and lyrics by the songwriting team of U-M alumni Pasek and Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land). Book by Joseph Robinette. 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.
“A Christmas Story: The Musical”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company.
Every Thurs.–Sun., Nov. 25–Dec. 18. Dan Cooney directs this local professional theater company in the 2007 musical version of the 1983 movie comedy about a boy living in 1940s Indiana who longs for a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Music and lyrics by U-M alumni songwriting team Pasek and Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land). Book by Joseph Robinette. 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. 23. 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. Cast: Ryan Carlson, Kate Thomsen, Lynch Travis, Jonathan West, and Caitlin Cavannaugh. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. 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.
“War in Ukraine”: Ann Arbor Coalition Against the War.
Dec. 1–3. Talk by Scott Ritter, the UN chief weapons inspector in Iraq, 1991-1998. He decried the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq and believes the war in Ukraine is a dangerous proxy war. 6:30 p.m. (Dec. 1), Cottage Inn, 512 E William; 6 p.m. (Dec. 2), Journey of Faith Church, 1900 Manchester; & noon (Dec. 3), AADL Downtown. AnnArborCoalitionAgainstTheWar@proton.me.
35th Annual Hometown Holiday: Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dec. 1–30. Family activities all month, including concerts, Santa visits, crafts, gift wrapping events, and more. Gingerbread house displays in shop windows, and luminarias along Main St. in the evening. Merchant sales with entertainment and refreshments at many stores. For full list of events, see chelseamich.com/calendar. Fri., Dec. 2: Tree lighting ceremony and Santa’s arrival (6–6:30 p.m., Pierce Park). Sat., Dec. 3: All the Trimmings Holiday Art Show with an array of works by local artisans (10 a.m.–3 p.m., Chelsea Fairgrounds, W. Old US-12 at Manchester Rd.). Quilt display, craft and bake sale, silent auction, and free quilt giveaway at the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Annual Quilt Show & Sale (10 a.m.–3 p.m., St. Barnabas, 20500 W. Old US-12). Light Parade (6 p.m., along Main St.) featuring dozens of lighted floats and vehicles, marching bands, Santa, and more. Sun., Dec. 4: Hometown Holiday Concert (3 & 7 p.m., First Methodist Church) presented by the Chelsea Chamber Players and Chelsea High School Students. Fri., Dec. 9: Three Men and a Tenor (7 p.m., Chelsea High School Auditorium, $25 at eventbrite.com & (if available) at the door), holiday-themed concert of original tunes and popular songs by this popular Michigan-based a cappella quartet whose shows mix comedy and music. Downtown Chelsea. Free (except as noted). chelseamich.com/calendar, 475–1145.
Preschool Storytimes: AADL.
Every Mon.–Fri. & Dec. 11. Half hour program of stories and songs for kids ages 2–5 (with caregiver). Mon. 10:30 a.m. (Pittsfield), Tues. 11 a.m. (Downtown), Wed. 10:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Thurs. 11 a.m. (Traverwood), Fri. 1 p.m. (Westgate), and Dec. 11 1 p.m. (Pittsfield).
Santa: Briarwood Mall.
Daily Nov. 23–Dec. 24 (Mon.–Sat. noon–8 p.m. & Sun. noon–6 p.m.). All kids invited to sit with Santa; photos available for purchase. Dec. 11 is “Pet Photo Night” (6–8 p.m.) for 4-legged, leashed, friendly pets that weigh less than 60 lbs. A session for kids with special needs is held before the mall opens on Dec. 4, 9–10:30 a.m. Note: Santa takes breaks 3–4 p.m. Briarwood Von Maur court. Appointments encouraged at simon.com/santa. 769–9610.
“Will Democracy Survive”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Distinguished Lecture Series.
Every Thurs. (except Nov. 24), Nov. 3–Dec. 15. Six weekly lectures by prominent political scholars, presenting and explaining the current challenges to democracy both at home and abroad. Nov. 3: “The Four Threats to Democracy: Should We Be Worried.” Talk by Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) government professor Suzanne Mettler. Nov. 10: “The Hollow Parties: American Political Parties at the Precipice.” Talk by Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore) political science professor Daniel Schlozman. Nov. 17: “The Obstacles of Germany's Past Will Not Recede: Germany's Role in Contemporary Europe.” Talk by U-M comparative politics and German studies professor Andrei Markovits. Dec. 1: “Alignment: A Democratic Theory of Election Law.” Talk by Harvard University law professor Nicholas Stephanopoulos. Dec. 8: “Voter Turnout in 2022 and What it Means Going Forward.” Talk by Oakland University political science professor David A. Dulio. Dec. 15: “America Between Illiberal Democracy and Electoral Authoritarianism.” Talk by U-M Emerging Democracies professor Dan Slater. 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.
Free. Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd., or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353. No meetings Nov. 24 & 25.
Today:
Mah-jongg (Thurs. 10 a.m.–noon) in person.
“Little Paws Storytime”: HSHV.
Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 (10:30–11:30 a.m.). Stories, crafts, finger plays, a tour of the adoptable cat area, and a dog meet and greet. For kids ages 2-5 (with caregiver). $5 per child (babies under age 1, free). Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Natural History Museum.
Every Tues.–Sun., (except Dec. 3) through Dec. 23. 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.
Holiday Artist Market: The Guild of Artists & Artisans.
Every Tues.–Sat., Nov. 25–Dec. 22. Juried show & sale of works in various media and styles by over 50 area artists. Featuring jewelry, functional and decorative ceramics, small and large paintings, prints, fiber art, wood carvings, and more. Also, every Fri. & Sat., artist trunk shows. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., The Gutman Gallery, 118 N. Fourth Ave. Free admission. 662–3382.
ABCL-sanctioned Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
$9; members, $8. Preregister at mfulton@a2gov.org or 794–6250. Ann Arbor Senior Center (1320 Baldwin Ave., 794–6250). Free. Check meeting status before coming.
U-M Center for Japanese Studies Lecture Series.
Dec. 1 & 8. Talks by visiting scholars. Dec. 1: University of Rhode Island Asian history professor Timothy George on “Minamata: Lens on Postwar Democracy and Persistent Legacy of the Transwar Period.” Noon–1:30 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. For livestream preregister at events.umich.edu/group/1003. Free. 764–6307.
“Telling: Part 1”: First Baptist Church Ad Libitum Concert Series.
A program of Christmas music from the 20th and 21st centuries. The church’s organist Shin-Ae Chun performs 19th-century German composer Carl Reinecke’s Christmas Sonatina, her own arrangements of “In the Bleak Mid-Winter” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” and, with Bethlehem UCC church organist Gail Jennings, Kyle Shaw’s Fugue on “Veni, Veni Emmanuel” for Four Hands. Gail and her husband, retired U-M violin professor Andrew Jennings, perform pioneering early 20th-century African American composer Florence Price’s “Adoration,” Piazzolla’s “Ave Maria,” and a collage of Christmas carols. Also, retired St. Paul Lutheran Church organist (and Boychoir of Ann Arbor founder) Tom Strode performs 20th-century Belgian American composer Gaston Dethier’s “Christmas (Variations on Adeste Fideles).” 12:15 p.m., First Baptist Church, 517 E. Washington. Free. fbca2.org, 663–9376.
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club.
Every Thurs., Fri., & Tues. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Fri. & Tues.) or a 499er game (Thurs.). 1–4 p.m. or so (arrive by 12:45 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.
Free. Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd., or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353. No meetings Nov. 24 & 25.
Today:
Wise Guys: Conversations for Men (Thurs. 1–2:30 p.m.) via Zoom.
Afternoon Carillon Concert: U-M Music School.
Every Mon.–Fri. Dec. 1–9. A U-M student or faculty carillonist, and occasional guest performers, play Lurie Tower’s prized set of 60 Dutch bells. 1:30–2 p.m., Lurie Tower, 1230 Murfin, North Campus. Free. 764–0583.
“Stillness, Stuck-ness, and Sensing Against the Archive”: U-M Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies.
Mississippi State University history professor Alexandra Hui discusses how the concept of stasis informs the historical record. 4–6 p.m., 1014 Tisch Hall, 435 S. State. Free. 615–7400.
“The Petroleum Papers: Inside the Far-Right Conspiracy to Cover Up Climate Change”: U-M Net Impact/Booksweet Bookshop.
Brooklyn-based investigative journalist Geoff Dembicki discusses his new book about how companies like Exxon, Koch Industries, and Shell built a global right-wing echo chamber to protect their oil extraction operations in the Canadian tar sands. Followed by a signing and Q&A. 5:30–7 p.m., U-M Ross School of Business rm. 1240, 701 Tappan. Preregistration required at bit.ly/geoffdembickitalk. Free. 929–4112.
Tracy Reese: U-M Stamps School of Art & Design Penny Stamps Speaker Series.
This Detroit-born fashion designer, whose signature dresses employ rich, daring colors and unique prints, discusses Hope for Flowers, her new, ethically sourced “slow fashion” brand. 5:30 p.m., Michigan Theater. Free. 668–8463.
“D & D Adventures”: Sylvan Factory.
Every Thurs., Fri., Mon., & Tues. All age 16+ invited to play Dungeons and Dragons role-playing games. 6–8 p.m. (Thurs.), 6–10 p.m. (Fri.), & 5–8 p.m. (Mon. & Tues.), Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium Blvd. $10. Preregistration recommended. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
“Repairsday Thursday”: All Hands Active.
Every Thurs. All invited to drop in with broken electronics, furniture, toys, and any other 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 recommended. info@AllHandsActive.org.
Aaron Jonah Lewis: Ann Arbor District Library.
Performance by this acclaimed Detroit-based banjo virtuoso whose latest album, Mozart of the Banjo, highlights the work of renowned 19th-century English banjo composer Joe Morley. 6–7 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. 327–4200.
Die Cutter Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library.
Adults and kids age 5 & up invited to make greeting cards and other craft projects with a bewildering array of die cutting and embossing equipment. 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Malletts Creek, 3090 E. Eisenhower. Free. 327–4200.
Louise Penny: Literati Bookstore.
Sold Out. Waitlist available at literatibookstore.com/event/sold-out-literati-bookstore-presents-louise-penny. 6 p.m., Rackham Auditorium. $32 (includes a signed copy of the book). 585–5567.
In person silent meditation: Insight Meditation Ann Arbor
Meditate with others, two sittings:
6:30-7:00 pm
7:15-8:00 pm
Come to either sitting or both.
“I Heard the Bells”: 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.
Dec. 1-4: (Joshua Enck, 2022). Drama chronicling Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s composition of the beloved Christmas carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” 7 p.m. (Thurs. & Fri.) & 4 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.).
“On the Trail of an Ice Age Mastodon”: U-M Museum of Natural History William R. Farrand Memorial Lecture.
U-M paleontology professor Daniel C. Fisher describes the life of the Buesching mastodon (represented by the large cast skeleton displayed in the museum atrium) from adolescence to the mating-season battle that claimed his life. 6 p.m. public reception precedes the talk. 7 p.m., U-M Museum of Natural History, 1105 North University. Also livestreamed; for URL see ummnh.org. Free. 764–0478.
“Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus”: Saline Area Players.
Dec. 1–4. Debra Nichols directs local actors in North Carolina playwright Jamie Gorski’s recent heartwarming play based on the famous 1897 newspaper editorial answering an 8-year-old’s question. 7 p.m. (Thurs. & Fri.) & 3 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), The 5th Corner, 211 Willis Rd., Saline. $10 in advance & at the door (3 and under free). Venue has some stairs; masks recommended. SalineAreaPlayers.org. 730–1055.
Annual Show-and-Tell & Holiday Party: Huron Hills Lapidary & Mineral Society.
All invited to bring rocks, minerals, or jewelry to show off. Silent auction. Refreshments. 7 p.m., West Side United Methodist Church social hall, 900 S. 7th St. Free. 665–5574.
Father Gabriel Richard High School Drama Program.
Dec. 1, 2, & 4. Elizabeth Champion directs high schoolers in a student-written Christmas mystery drama (title TBA) which puts the audience in the midst of a Christmas Eve party where murder is afoot, accompanying detectives through a series of interrogations to compile clues and catch the culprit. 7 p.m. (Thurs. & Fri.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), FGRHS Auditorium. Tickets $5 at the door only. echampion@fgrhs.org.
Piano Bar Thursday: Mr B & John Tbone Paxton: North Star Lounge
Blues and boogie-woogie pianist Mark Lincoln Braun has become one of the premiere purveyors of a vanishing art. Having learned his craft first-hand from the early masters, he is a rare living link to the first generation of blues and boogie pianists. $10 Cover.
301 N. Fifth Ave, Ann Arbor. northstarloungea2@gmail.com.“Comedy Jamm”: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Dec. 1, 8, & 15. Performances by up to 12 aspiring area stand-up comics. Alcohol is served. 7:15 p.m., 212 S. Fourth Ave. $5 in advance at etix.com and at the door. 996–9080.
“Death by Hanging”: State Theatre.
State Theatre. Film screenings every Tues. & Thurs.–Sun. Mask required. Tickets $10.50 (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8:50; MTF members, $8; matinee $7.50) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see MichTheater.org.
Dec. 1. (Nagisa Oshima, 1968). A dark Japanese New Wave satire about a Korean immigrant sentenced to death who survives his execution, sending the authorities into a panic. In Japanese, subtitles. 7:15 p.m.
“Goodfellas”: State Theatre.
State Theatre. Film screenings every Tues. & Thurs.–Sun. Mask required. Tickets $10.50 (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8:50; MTF members, $8; matinee $7.50) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see MichTheater.org.
Dec. 1. (Martin Scorsese, 1990). Pitch-perfect darkly funny mobster classic. Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro. 7:30 p.m.
“National Theatre Live: Much Ado About Nothing.”: Michigan Theater.
Michigan Theater. Film screenings every Wed.–Sun. Mask required. 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. Different times.
Dec. 1: Broadcast of a taped performance of the National Theatre (London) 2022 production of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, here set at a hotel on the Italian Riviera. When the owner’s daughter weds a dashing young soldier, not all guests are in the mood for love. 7:30 p.m. $25 (University Musical Society members, $21).
Comhaltas.
Every Thurs., except Dec. 22 & 29. All invited to join members of this local chapter of the Detroit Irish Music Association for an informal evening playing traditional Irish music on various instruments. Lessons offered. 7:30–9:30 p.m., FUMC Green Wood Church, 1001 Green Rd. at Glazier Way. Free. facebook.com/DetroitIMA.
Jazz and Percussion Concert: EMU Music Department.
Donald Babcock directs this music student Jazz Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble and small combos in a program that includes pieces by Hoagy Carmichael, Quincy Jones, David Gillingham, Lynn Glassock, and others. 7:30 p.m., EMU Pease Auditorium, 494 College Pl., Ypsilanti. Free. 487–6842.
Pub Quiz: Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub.
Every Thurs. Local high school English teacher Barry Aherne poses the questions 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.
“AfteRparTy”: U-M Dance Department BFA Concert.
Dec. 1–3. U-M dance seniors Lindsey Kamyszek, Grace Mahalick, Mikaela Meyer, and Payal Parida perform their solo choreography and lead fellow dance majors in their group pieces. 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.), U-M Dance Bldg. Performance Studio Theatre, 1000 Baits Drive. Tickets free, at the door only. 763–5460.
German Conversation.
Every Thurs., and 2nd & 4th 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. Dec. 13 & 27). Various times, Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, 120 W. Washington. Free admission. Preregistration for Thurs. A2 Stammtisch requested at heerdeolind@yahoo.com. 812–6375 (Tues.).
