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Events in February 2023
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February 6, 2023
“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.
“Facing the Laughter: Minnie Pearl”: Fathom Events.
Feb. 6: (Barbara J. Hall, 2023). Documentary about the life and work of Sarah Cannon, aka Minnie Pearl, a serious, educated Nashville socialite who had once dreamed of becoming a Shakespearean actress but found fame playing a simple country girl, going on to become an icon of country music radio and TV. 4 p.m. (Emagine only) & 6:30 p.m. 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.
“Playgroups for Babies”: AADL.
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).
“Salt: Dispersed”: University Musical Society Digital Presentation.
Jan. 17–Feb. 13. Online presentation of this very personal monologue by performance artist Selina Thompson which premiered at the 2017 Edinburgh festival. At once dramatic, sad, and comic, it’s about a journey she made by cargo ship to retrace the triangular route of the transatlantic slave trade. Salt is Thompson’s response to being both British and a descendant of a people enslaved by the British. Anytime from Jan. 17 until Feb. 13. For URL, go to ums.org/performance/salt-dispersed, or preregister to be reminded. Free. 764–2538.
Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory.
Every Mon.–Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play various forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. Wed. 5–8 p.m.: Casual Commander, the most popular form of the game, free. Fri. 6:30–10 p.m.: Magic rotating draft, cost varies. Sat. noon–3 p.m.: Intro to Magic: The Gathering, free. Sat. 6–10 p.m.: Commander Pods, casual groups of 4 players, free. Mon. 6:30–10 p.m.: Power Cards, $10. Tues. 6–9 p.m.: MTG Pauper, a fun and fast format for all skill levels, $5. Prizes paid in store credit. Various times. Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
Preschool Storytimes: AADL.
Every Mon.–Fri. 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 & Malletts Creek), Wed. 10:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Thurs. 11 a.m. (Traverwood & Pittsfield), Fri. 1 p.m. (Westgate), and Tues., Feb. 21, 7-7:30 p.m. (Westgate).
Open Cards and Games: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
Every Mon, Jan. 9- Mar. 31. Free (except as noted) in person weekly activities. Check meeting status before coming. 9-11 a.m., Pittsfield Township Senior Center, 701 W. Ellsworth Rd.. Free. recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. 822–2120.
Rise and Shine Exercise: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
Every Mon & Fri., Jan. 9- Mar. 31. Free (except as noted) in person weekly activities. Check meeting status before coming. 9-10 a.m., Pittsfield Township Senior Center, 701 W. Ellsworth Rd.. Free. recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. 822–2120.
Weekly Rehearsal: Women’s Chamber Chorus.
Every Mon., Jan. 23–Apr. 24. All invited to join this independent 30-member local women’s chorus to sing an eclectic program including classical, folk, Broadway, pop, and jazz. Ben Gaughran directs; Joshua Marzan accompanies. Concert on Apr. 28. 10–11:30 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, 1432 Washtenaw. Free to visitors ($125 per semester for those who join). womenschamberchorus.com, 665–9271.
“Preschool ArtStart”: AADL.
Feb. 6, 8, & 9 (10:30–11 a.m., different locations): AADL staff lead children ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult, in fun, process-based arts and crafts. AADL Traverwood (Mon.), AADL Pittsfield (Wed.), & AADL Malletts Creek (Thurs.).
Exercise with Karen: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
Every Mon, Jan. 9- Mar. 31. Free (except as noted) in person weekly activities. Check meeting status before coming. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Pittsfield Township Senior Center, 701 W. Ellsworth Rd.. Free. recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. 822–2120.
BFA Theater Design & Production Portfolion Exhibition: School of Music, Theater and Dance
Take a peek behind the scenes of the plays, musicals, and operas at the University of Michigan. Explore the work of The Theater and Drama Department’s undergraduate Stage Managers, Designers, and Technicians.
2281 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor. N/A. Free. gallery-support@umich.edu. https://www.dc.umich.edu/2023/01/28/bfa-theater-design-and-production-portfolio-exhibition/. 7347630606.Tai Chi: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
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:
Tai Chi (Mon., Wed., & Fri. noon-12:30 p.m.) via Zoom.
Duplicate Non-sanctioned Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Mondays 12:30–3:30 p.m. $3; members, $2. Ann Arbor Senior Center (1320 Baldwin Ave., 794–6250). Free (except as noted) weekly activities. Check meeting status before coming.
Walking Group: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd., or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353.
Today:
Walking Group (Mon., Wed., & Fri. 12:30–1 p.m.) via Zoom.
Euchre: 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.
Today:
Euchre (Mon. 1–3 p.m.) in person.
Bridge: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
Every Mon, Jan. 9- Mar. 31. Free (except as noted) in person weekly activities. Check meeting status before coming. 1:30 p.m., Pittsfield Township Senior Center, 701 W. Ellsworth Rd.. Free. recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. 822–2120.
“Revisiting Du Bois and ‘The Propaganda of History’”: U-M Faculty Senate 32nd Annual Davis, Markert, Nickerson Lecture on Academic and Intellectual Freedom.
New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie discusses the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois and the revisionist history of the post-Civil War era. 4–5:30 p.m., 100 Hutchins Hall, 625 State. Livestream available at bit.ly/jamellebouieumtalk. Free. 764–0303.
“The Invention of Fascist Governmentality: 1925-1940”: U-M Center for European Studies Distinguished Lecture.
Talk by Columbia University history professor Victoria de Grazia. 4–5:30 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. For livestream preregister at myumi.ch/J8m4D. 764–0351.
Ann Arbor Area Scrabble Club.
Every Mon. All invited to play the classic word game, using the 6th-edition Scrabble dictionary. Bring your own set, if you like. 4–8 p.m., Arbor Brewing Company Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. Free. burrbarr7@hotmail.com. [2x]
"2023 Humanities Afrofutures”: U-M Institute for the Humanities.
Feb. 1, 6, 9, 15, 20, & 23. A month-long series of talks, panel discussions, and film screenings on the past, present, and future of feminist African and Afroamerican studies. Feb. 6 (5:30 p.m., Rackham East Conference Room): Panel discussion on “Local Afrofutures: Communities and Connection” with southeast Michigan activists, including NEW Ann Arbor president Yodit Mesfin, Grove Studios educational programs coordinator Rod Wallace, and Allied Media Conference program manager Liz Kennedy. Various times & locations. Free. 936–3518.
“Liar, Dreamer, Thief”: Ann Arbor District Library Author Event.
Michigan poet and short fiction writer Maria Dong reads from and discusses her debut novel, a surreal story about a woman obsessed with a coworker who accuses her of causing his death before he commits suicide. Signing. 6:30–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown 4th fl. Free. 327–4200.
“The Black Fives: The Epic Story of Basketball's Forgotten Era”: Literati Bookstore.
Historian Claude Johnson, founder of the Black Fives Foundation, discusses his new book about the African American basketball teams that flourished prior to the NBA’s racial integration in 1950. 6:30 p.m., Literati, 124 E. Washington. Free. 585–5567.
“Inside Michigan Basketball”: WTKA (1050 AM)/ WXYT (1270 AM).
Feb. 6, 15, 21, & 27. Brian Boesch and Terry Mills host a live radio broadcast from inside the Pretzel Bell with popular U-M men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard and U-M women's coach Kim Barnes Arico. 7 p.m., Pretzel Bell, 226 S. Main. Seating limited. Free admission, but must order food & drinks to sit. bit.ly/insideMIbasket.
“You Can’t Take It with You”: Michigan Theater.
Feb. 4 & 6: (Frank Capra, 1938). Delightful screwball comedy adaptation of Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman’s 1937 Pulitzer Prize-winning play. When a young woman brings home her fiancé—the son of a Wall Street tycoon—to introduce him to her family, a collection of good-hearted eccentrics, a conflict between respectability and self-reliance is kindled. James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore. 7 p.m. (Sat.) & 7:30 p.m. (Mon., $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.
Opera on Tap.
Local singers perform arias and art songs. Tonight’s theme: “Hearts on Fire!” 7:30 p.m. (seating begins at 6 p.m.), Ypsi Alehouse, 124 Pearl St., Ypsilanti. Free; donations accepted. Buy your own food & drink. Reservations required at bit.ly/operaontapreservations. 678–2782.
Tartan & Thistle Scottish Country Dancers.
Every Monday. Jigs, reels, and strathspeys. Usually with live music by Susie Lorand, Josh Burdick, & friends. All dances taught; beginners welcome (this month is a particularly good time to start). 7:30–9:30 p.m., Genesis, 2309 Packard. Mask and vaccination required. $5. 274–0773.
“Take Flight”: U-M Concert Band.
Courtney Snyder and grad student conductor Daniel Johnson lead this music student ensemble in a concert of works inspired by elements of sky and flight. Program: Contemporary Chinese composer Shuying Li’s “The Last Hive Mind,” MSU composition professor Spencer Arias’ “Colorful Clouds,” contemporary American composer Frank Ticheli’s “Angels in the Architecture,” Derek Jenkins’ “We Seven,” and “Red Cape Tango” from the renowned U-M music faculty composer Michael Daugherty’s 1996 Superman-inspired Metropolis Symphony. 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Free. 615–3204.
Comedy Open Mic: The Blind Pig.
Every Mon. Performances by up to 15 aspiring stand-up comics from around the state. Local comics emcee. To perform, sign up by sending a message on Instagram, bit.ly/comedyblindpig. Age 21 & up only. 8–9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, 208 S. First St. Free. 996–8555.
