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Events in November 2022
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November 27, 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 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. 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. 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.
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater.
Daily. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Sea Monsters (11:30 a.m.) follows a curious dolichorhynchops (an extinct species of marine reptile) as she travels through the most dangerous oceans in history, meeting long-necked plesiosaurs, giant turtles and fish, sharks, and the most dangerous sea monster of all, the mosasaur. 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. Mars: One Thousand One (1:30 p.m.) tells the story of what humans might face with the first manned journey to Mars. Various times, MNH, 1105 North University. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.
“Rescue Reading”: Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Every Sun. (10–11:30 a.m.). Kids read to adoptable animals to work on 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, 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. $15. Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org, 661–3575.
Southeast Michigan Model Train Show and Sale: Rails on Wheels.
Display and sale of vintage and modern model trains and equipment on more than 125 tables, plus large operating layouts on display. Food available. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. Admission $5 (kids age 11 & under, free with an adult; early bird admission at 8 a.m., $10). RailsOnWheels@yahoo.com.
Ypsilanti Artisans Holiday Market.
Nov. 26 & 27, Dec. 4, 11, 17, & 18. Sale of works in various media and styles by over 40 Ypsilanti-based artisans. Featuring jewelry, ceramics, prints, fiber art, wood crafts, and more. Food from Casablanca Moroccan Restaurant available for purchase. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Ypsilanti Freighthouse, 100 Market Pl., Ypsilanti. Free admission & parking.
“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. 11 a.m., for URL preregister at bit.ly/jeweldharmatalk. Free. 994–3387.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Natural History Museum.
Every Tues.–Sun. 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.
Sunday Artisan Market.
Every Sun. Juried market of local handmade arts and crafts, now in its 31st year. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Farmers Market Pavilion, Kerrytown. Free admission. 913–9622.
H.A.C. Ultimate.
Every Sun. All invited to a relaxed pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. 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.
Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27. A chance to view LSNC birds of prey and Critter House animals, which include frogs, turtles, snakes, and other species native to Michigan. 12–3 p.m., LSNC, 1831 Traver. $5 ($20/family). LeslieSNC.org, 997–1553.
“Creature Encounters”: The Creature Conservancy.
Every Sat. & Sun. Conservancy staffers show off some animals native to Michigan, including a cougar, an opossum, a wood turtle (2 & 4 p.m.) and a coyote (3 p.m.). Also, a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 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.
“Creature Encounters”: The Creature Conservancy.
Every Sat. & Sun. through Dec. 18. Conservancy staffers show off some animals native to Eurasia, including a reindeer, a wolf hybrid, and a shire horse (2 & 4 p.m.). Also, a zookeeper talk with a Burmese python (3 p.m.) and a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 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.
Autumn Nature Walk: Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation Division/Ann Arbor District Library.
A city naturalist leads a walk through Ruthven Nature Area, known for its glacial terrain (including a kame and kettle area) and its diverse flora and fauna. Dress for the weather and bring water. 1–2 p.m., Ruthven Nature Area, NE corner of Huron Pkwy. & Geddes (park at the Gallup boat dock lot at the SE corner of Huron Pkwy. and Geddes, then use Geddes crosswalk to get to Ruthven). Free. Preregistration highly recommended. bit.ly/a2stewardworkday, 794–6627.
Coding Lab: Ann Arbor District Library.
Nov. 1 & 27 Adults and kids age 12 & up invited to learn basic coding. Nov. 1: The chance to write a text-based adventure game. Nov. 27: Explore coding with Scratch, an easy drag-and-drop interface. 6–7 p.m. (Nov. 1) & 1–2 p.m. (Nov. 27), AADL Downtown Training Center. Free. 327-4200.
"Elf": Michigan Theater.
(Jon Favreau, 2003). Hugely popular Christmas comedy with Will Ferrell as a human raised by Santa’s elves who learns about his origins and travels to New York city to meet his biological father. 1:30 p.m. Michigan Theater. Mask and proof of vaccination (or negative Covid test within 72 hours) required for all patrons over the age of 12. Free. For updated schedule, see MichTheater.org.
“Sanctuary City”: Theatre Nova.
Every Thurs.–Sun., Nov. 4–Nov. 27. Carla Milarch directs Pulitzer-winning Polish American playwright Martyna Majok’s fast-paced, unsparing, and unsentimental drama about a pair of teenage lovers, undocumented immigrants who must navigate the broken promise of “sanctuary” when one of them learns that his mother will return to her country of origin. A New York Times reviewer called the play “masterly,” saying it “snaps with surprises” and “effectively embodies the way external forces—in this case, immigration policies in the United States—distort the inner lives of actual humans.” 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Mask & proof of vaccination required. Tickets $22 in advance at theatre-nova.ticketleap.com & at the door. 635–8450.
Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild.
All invited to listen to guild members swap stories or bring their own to tell, either in person or online. 2–4 p.m., AADL Downtown Freespace (3rd fl.). Livestream available by preregistering at annarborstorytelling.org. Free.
Folded Paper Gift Boxes: Ann Arbor District Library.
Adults and kids age 8 & up invited to learn how to make small decorative paper boxes. 2–3 p.m., AADL Pittsfield. Free. 327–4200.
Game Playtesting: Michigame Design Lab.
Nov. 13 & 27. All invited to try out new board and card games from local designers and provide feedback. 2–6 p.m. Bløm Meadworks, 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food and drink encouraged. 548–9729.
Ann Arbor Go Club.
Every Sun. Players of all skill levels invited to play this challenging strategy board game in person. Game materials provided. 5 p.m. until whenever, Conor O’Neill’s, 318 Main St. Check Facebook page bit.ly/annarborgo or email Drew at dwright8182@hotmail.com to confirm location. Free.
Ann Arbor Morris.
Every Sun. 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.
