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Events in August 2022
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August 17, 2022
DTE Rate Case Info Session: Ann Arbor for Public Power
DTE has an electricity rate case pending with the Michigan Public Service Commission. Learn what it means for costs and services and how to give feedback to the MPSC.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwude-urjgvGtaDULl4McMp36kPR5U0ojOS
After registering, watch for a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Free. annarborpublicpower@gmail.com. annarborpublicpower.org. 734-272-5194.U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater.
Daily. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Expedition Reef (12:30 p.m.) reveals the secrets of the “rainforests of the sea,” the world’s most vibrant and endangered marine ecosystems. The Sky Tonight (1:30 & 3:30 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 (2:30 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Maya 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.
“Junior Naturalist: Crickets, Grasshoppers, & Katydids”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission.
Aug. 17 (10–11:30 a.m.): “Junior Naturalist: Crickets, Grasshoppers, & Katydids”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission. WCPARC naturalists Elle Bogle & Kelsey Dehring lead kids ages 7–11 in learning about local members of the order Orthoptera–grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Nets provided. West Lake Preserve, 14980 Waterloo Rd., Chelsea. Free. Preregistration required at bit.ly/wcprc2022 (activity #841004), boglee@washtenaw.org.
Mind Matters Brain Games: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Every Wednesday Via Zoom at bit.ly/a2braingame, passcode: 739714. Free. Check meeting status before coming. 794–6250
“Playgroups for Babies”: Ann Arbor District Library.
Every Mon.–Wed. For kids up to 24 months (with caregiver). No older siblings. Mon. 10:30–11:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Tues. 11 a.m.–noon (Traverwood), Wed. 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. (Westgate). Free. 327–4200.
“Tiny Tails Story Time”: Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Aug. 10, 17, & 24 (10:30–11:30 a.m.): “Tiny Tails Story Time”: Humane Society of Huron Valley. Stories, crafts, finger plays, and interaction with adoptable cats. For kids ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult. Tiny Lions Lounge, 5245 Jackson Rd. $7 per kid (babies under age 1, free). Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org.
Preschool Storytimes: Ann Arbor District Library.
Every Mon.–Fri. (except Aug. 1): Preschool Storytimes: Ann Arbor District Library. 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). Free. 327–4200.
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops.
Every Wed., Fri., & Sat. 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.
Every Mon., Wed., & Fri. 30 min. online lesson on gentle Tai Chi for older adults. Beginners welcome. 2401 Plymouth Road. For URL, go to bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. For more information, email info.tswp@umich.edu or call 998-9353.
Walking Group: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
(Mon., Wed., & Fri. 12:30–1 p.m.) via Zoom. For URL, go to bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. For more information, email info.tswp@umich.edu or call 998-9353.
“Live Trivia”: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Aug. 3 & 17 (1–2 p.m.): “Live Trivia”: Ann Arbor Senior Center. All invited to form (or join) a team of 4 or 5 persons to compete in a 2-round online trivia contest. Questions geared towards ages 55 & up, but all ages welcome. Prizes (pickup only). Online at bit.ly/a2seniortrivia, passcode: 194912. Free. 794–6250.
Chess: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Every Wednesday 1-4 p.m. In person, all levels welcome, call if interested. 2401 Plymouth Road. Free. 998-9353, info.tswp@umich.edu.
OLLI Commons: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
OLLI Commons: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Ongoing social and discussion groups (via Zoom), free for members ($25 annual membership fee). For more information and to register, see olli-umich.org or call 998–9351. “The Schmoozery: At Our Age, In This Age” (Wed. 1–2 p.m.). Group conversation about aging, generations, and related topics, facilitated by local playwright and oral historian Hank Greenspan, a retired U-M psychology professor.
“Family Nature Adventures: Insect Sweep Netting”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission.
Aug. 17 (2–3:30 p.m.): “Family Nature Adventures: Insect Sweep Netting”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission. WCPARC naturalists Elle Bogle & Kelsey Dehring show families all about insects and arachnids and lead them in sweeping the fields to find insects. Nets provided. West Lake Preserve, 14980 Waterloo Rd., Chelsea. Free. Preregistration required at bit.ly/wcprc2022 (activity #841002-C). Space limited to 15. boglee@washtenaw.org.
Kids Crafts: Ann Arbor District Library.
Aug. 1–6, 8, 10, 15, 17–19, 21, 23, 24, & 27: Kids Crafts: Ann Arbor District Library. AADL staffers lead hour-long workshops for kids ages 5-10. Aug. 1 (2 p.m., Downtown): “Slime Time.” Aug. 2 (2 p.m., Traverwood): “Paper Robot Gliders and Balancing Paper Robots.” Aug. 2 (2 p.m., Malletts Creek): “Felt Chain Garlands.” Aug. 3 (2 p.m., Westgate): “Scratch-Off Art.” Aug. 4 (2 p.m., Traverwood) & Aug. 15 (2 p.m., Westgate): “Domino Days.” Aug. 5, (1 p.m., Downtown) & Aug. 21 (2 p.m., Traverwood): chance to build a “Tiny Window Greenhouse” and plant a seedling. Aug. 6 (noon, Westgate): “Paper Plate Flying Saucers.” Aug. 8 (2 p.m., Pittsfield): “Button Tree Painting.” Aug. 10 (2 p.m., Mallets Creek): “Craft-tastic!” Creative crafting using pipe cleaners, pom-poms, clothes pins, and more. Aug. 17 (2 p.m., Pittsfield): “Duct Tape Balls” to use on a playground. Aug. 18 (2 p.m., Downtown): “Paper Bag Astronaut Helmet.” Aug. 19 (2 p.m., Malletts Creek): chance to build and test a “Solar S’mores Oven.” Aug. 23 (2 p.m., Downtown): “Cabbage Juice Chemistry.” Aug. 24 (1 p.m., Malletts Creek): “Diorama-Ram.” Aug. 27 (1 p.m., Malletts Creek): “Crowns, Crowns, Crowns!” Free. 327–4200.
“Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Ghost Machine”: Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.–Sun., Apr. 15–Aug. 27. Angie Kane directs the world premiere of Livonia playwright David MacGregor’s drama that imagines the Victorian sleuth, aided by Dr. Watson and Irene Adler, solving the disappearance of world-changing inventions by clients Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. Cast: David Bendena, Caitlin Cavannaugh, Mark Colson, Sarab Kamoo, Rusty Mewha, and Paul Strobili. 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 $25–51 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.
“Casual Commander”: Sylvan Factory.
Every Wed. All invited to play the most popular format of collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. Prizes paid in store credit. 5–8 p.m., Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium Blvd. Free. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
“West Side Nite Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.
Every Wed. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 10 to 30 miles, along the B2B Trail to Hudson Mills Metropark and/or Dexter Huron Metropark with a possible visit to the Dexter Dairy Queen. This ride is a favorite with newcomers and casual riders. 5 p.m. sharp, meet at Forest Lawn Cemetery parking lot, corner of Broad & Grand, Dexter. Free. 426-5116.
Board Game Night: Bløm Meadworks.
Every Wed. All invited to play popular board games. “Board Game Guru” on hand to answer questions. 5–8 p.m., Bløm, 100 S. Fourth Ave. Proof of vaccination required to sit indoors; outdoor seating available. Free, 548–9729.
“Transparent Inks & Letterpress Printing”: Ann Arbor District Library Letterpress Lab.
Aug. 17 & 27. All adults age 18 & up invited to learn the basics of mixing transparent ink (the sort of ink used in highlighters). Also, the chance to blend a rainbow of transparent tones to print on a Vandercook cylinder press. The program begins with a safety & equipment orientation. 5:30–7:30 p.m. (Aug. 17) & 2–4 p.m. (Aug. 27), AADL Downtown. Free. 327-4200.
Depot Town Cruise Nights: Ypsilanti Auto Museum.
Every Wed., Aug. 3-24. Old car cruise, hula hoop contest for kids (7 p.m.), and free ice cream. Artwork, crafts, & antiques for sale. 6-9 p.m., E. Cross St. between Rice St. and N. River St., Ypsilanti. Free. facebook.com/depot-town-cruise-nights, info@ypsiautoheritage.org
“Paddle the Huron River”: Hudson Mills Metropark.
Aug. 3, 17, & Sept. 14. All age 12 & up (people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult) invited to paddle the Huron by kayak to enjoy the scenery and discuss the wildlife with a park naturalist. Skip’s Canoe Livery provides the gear. Park at the main parking lot at Delhi Metropark and take the walking path to Skip’s to catch the shuttle to Dexter-Huron Metropark. Participants must be able to carry 20 lb.s and use both arms through a full range of motion. 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Aug.) & 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Sept.), Delhi Metropark, 3902 E. Delhi Rd. $30 per person. Preregistration required at bit.ly/huron-paddle-hudson by 4 p.m. 7 days before the program date. $7 vehicle entrance fee. 426–8211.
“Native Garden Tour”: Wild Ones.
Local Feral Flora landscape architecture company owner Matt Demmon leads a tour of his parents’ property, a good example of how a one-acre lot can be transformed over a few years to a place of beauty featuring native plants. Carpooling advised because parking is limited. To carpool, meet at the Miller Rd. Park & Drive at 6:15 p.m. 6:45-8:30 p.m., 7314 Park Lake Dr., Dexter. Free. a2wildones@gmail.com, bit.ly/native-tour.
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to CCC”: Children’s Creative Center.
Aug. 17–21. Gayle Martin, Laurie Atwood, and Abby Vermeulen direct local kids in their original musical production about a boy whose mother won’t let him play in the neighborhood’s popular dodgeball games and the day when he finally gets the chance. Features musical numbers adapted from Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and other shows. The Aug. 20 performance is followed by a post-performance reception ($100 suggested donation; reservations required at ChildrensCreativeCenter.org) with food & drink from local restaurants TBA . Proceeds benefit Friends of CCC, which assists homeless and disadvantaged families with childcare costs. 7 p.m. (Wed.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Children’s Creative Center, 1600 Pauline (at Kay Pkwy. east of Stadium). Tickets pay what you can in advance at ChildrensCreativeCenter.org or at the door. 769–0019.
“The Storm Is Upon Us: How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything”: Literati Bookstore At Home with Literati.
Journalist and conspiracy researcher Mike Rothschild joins fellow reporter Patrick Strickland to discuss (via Zoom) his latest book, a deep dive into the origins of the QAnon movement from the background conspiracies and cults that fed it, to its embrace by right-wing media and Donald Trump. 7 p.m., for URL see literatibookstore.com/event/2022-08. Free. 585–5567.
Kerrytown Crafters.
Every Wed. All crocheters, knitters, spinners, weavers, felters, sewers, and other crafters invited to work on their own projects with others. Questions welcome, help available. 7 p.m. or so, for URL join facebook.com/groups/KTCrafters. Free. 926–8863.
Meditation & Discussion: Ann Arbor Karma Thegsum Chöling.
Every Wed. All are invited for a dharma discussion. The program begins with a group meditation. 7-8 p.m., 614 Miner (enter through back door). Also livestream; for URL see annarborktc.org. Free. 678-7549.
Tribute to Horace Silver: Detroit Jazz Festival All-Star Band: Blue LLama Jazz Club
The Detroit Jazz Festival and the Blue LLama Jazz Club join forces to present a tribute to jazz great Horace Silver with an all star quintet led by saxophonist Christopher B. Collins, who serves as the President and Artistic Director for the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation.
314 S. Main St , Ann Arbor. Pre-Pay Cover at opentable.com. $20. hello@bluellamaclub.com. bluellamaclub.com. 734-372-3200.“Nerd Nite Ann Arbor”: Ann Arbor District Library.
Popular monthly event featuring several speakers TBA (at annarbor.nerdnite.com) who give fun yet informative 20-minute talks about things that interest them, everything from the science of solar cells to the genealogy of Godzilla. 7:30 p.m., York, 1928 Packard. Free. 327–4200.
Open Rehearsal: The Arbor Consort.
Every Wed. All singers invited to rehearse with this semi-professional a cappella ensemble that performs Renaissance and Victorian-era music in period dress. The official madrigal group of the Michigan Renaissance Festival. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Dixboro United Methodist Church, 5221 Church Rd. Free. TheArborConsort.org.
The Harry Allen Quartet: Kerrytown Concert House.
Jazz ensemble led by acclaimed New York City-based tenor saxophonist Allen, whom a Jazz Journal reviewer calls “rich and satisfying when he’s balladeering, mind blowing when he’s cooking.” With Chicago guitarist Andy Brown and 2 local favorites, bassist Paul Keller and drummer Pete Siers. 7:30 p.m., KCH, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Mask & proof of vaccination (or negative Covid test within past 72 hours) required. Livestream available. $29–$50 (students $13) in advance online and at the door. Mask required. kerrytownconcerthouse.com, 769–2999.
Latin Social Practice Party: The Dance Pavilion.
Every Wed. Latin dancing to recorded music. No partner or experience necessary. 9–9:45 p.m., Dance Pavilion Studio, 1918 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti. $5. TheDancePavilion.com, 369–9700.
Open Dancing: Swing Ann Arbor.
Every Wed. 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., Vandenberg Rm., 2nd fl., Michigan League, 911 North University. Mask and proof of vaccination (with booster) required. $5 (free for members and those who attend the lesson). swingannarbor.com.
