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Events in August 2022
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August 10, 2022
“Bullet Train": State Theater
Opens Aug. 10: “Bullet Train” (David Leitch, 2022). Action comedy set aboard a Japanese bullet train. Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock.
Various times. State Theater. 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.
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.
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.
“La Fille du Régiment”: Fathom Events
Fathom Events. Special screenings in local theaters with reduced capacity. For updated schedule, see FathomEvents.com/events. $12.50 (unless otherwise noted) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter, 973–8424), Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline, 316–5500).
Aug. 10: “La Fille du Régiment.” Reprise of an April 2008 broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera production of Donizetti’s 1840 opera, a madcap physical comedy about a feisty tomboy raised by a regiment of French soldiers. Performed in French, with English supertitles. Ann Arbor 20 only. 1 p.m. $15.
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.
77th Manchester Community Fair.
Aug. 9–13. Carnival midway rides and games (beginning Aug. 10), concessions, tractor pulls, livestock shows, live music, and more. Rides & games open at 3 p.m. (Wed.-Fri.) & 1 p.m. (Sat.); on Friday, “Toddler Time” rides (1-3 p.m.) suitable for age 7 & under. Also, an opening parade (Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m.), an International Demolition Derby (Aug. 10, 7 p.m.), Drag Races (Aug 11, 7 p.m.), a Rodeo (Aug 12, 7 p.m.), Side by Side and Pit Bike Races (Aug 13, 7 p.m.). For complete schedule, see ManchesterFair.org. 5–10 p.m. (Tues.), 2–10 p.m. (Wed. & Thurs.), noon–10 p.m. (Fri.), & 9 a.m.–10 p.m. (Sat.), Alumni Memorial Field, E. Vernon & Wolverine, Manchester. Admission: $7 (kids age 5 & under, free; fair pass, $30). Sat. before 3 p.m., $5. Wristbands for rides, price TBA. 428–8429 (fair week only), ManchesterFair@yahoo.com.
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.
“Evening Mindfulness Hike”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission.
All invited to join WCPARC naturalist Elle Bogle and mindfulness instructor Julie Woodward for a quiet meditative walk through the woods to connect with nature. 6–8:30 p.m. County Farm Park, Medford Pavilion. Free. Space limited to 15 people. Preregistration required at bit.ly/wcprc2022 (registration #841006-C), 971–6337.
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
Randy Kaplan: Ann Arbor District Library.
Aug. 10 (6:30–7:30 p.m.): Randy Kaplan: Ann Arbor District Library. An interactive program, for kids & families, of old-time blues, vintage jazz, and pop ballads intermixed with comedic storytelling by this nationally renowned roots-rock singer-guitarist, a U-M grad best known for his “not-JUST-for-kids” CDs. AADL Downtown. Free. 327–4200.
“An Evening of Poetry and Written Word”: Crazy Wisdom Poetry Circle.
All invited to read and discuss (via Zoom) poetry or short fiction. Have your original work ready to share, if you wish. For guidelines, see cwcircle.poetry.blog/poetry-workshop-guidelines. 7–9 p.m. (sign-up for new participants begins at 6:45 p.m.), for URL email cwpoetrycircle@gmail.com. Free. 668–7523.
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.
Shelley Wong & Khadijah Queen: Literati Bookstore At Home with Literati.
These 2 up-and-coming poets read and discuss (via Zoom) their new collections. Wong’s As She Appears considers how women inhabit and remake their environment, with a focus on the experience of queer women of color. Queen’s Anodyne combines traditional and experimental lyrical forms to explore the small moments that enrapture us amidst daily threats of cataclysm. 7 p.m., for URL see literatibookstore.com/event/2022-08. Free. 585–5567.
Lake Street Dive: The Ark. Sold Out.
7:30 p.m., Michigan Theater. Proof of vaccination required. Tickets $123 and up on reseller sites linked from ticketmaster.com. 662-0600.
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.
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.
