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Events in February 2023
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February 8, 2023
“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.
"Lourdes": Fathom Events.
Feb. 8 & 9: “Lourdes” (Thierry Demaizière & Alban Teurlai, 2021). Documentary about a tiny French mountain village that became a pilgrimage destination after 1858—when a 14-year-old peasant girl claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary in a remote grotto—and today welcomes over 6 million annual visitors. French, subtitles. 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.
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).
Coffee & Conversation: Pittsfield Township Community Center.
Every Wed. & Fri., Jan. 9- Mar. 31. Free (except as noted) in person weekly activities. Check meeting status before coming. 8:30-10 a.m. (Wed.) & 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Fri.), Pittsfield Township Senior Center, 701 W. Ellsworth Rd.. Free. recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. 822–2120.
Mind Matters Brain Games: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Via Zoom at bit.ly/a2braingame, passcode: 739714. Ann Arbor Senior Center (1320 Baldwin Ave., 794–6250). Free.
Wednesday Workshops: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Feb. 8: “Care Management Support.” Feb. 15: “Introduction to iPhone and iPad.” Feb. 22: “Senior Housing Resources.” Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Free. Preregistration requested by emailing hnordenbrock@a2gov.org.
“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.).
“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.
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.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.
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.
U-M Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies Noon Lecture Series.
Feb. 8, 15, & 22. Talks by visiting scholars. Feb. 8: Dartmouth College Russian and comparative literature professor Ainsley Morse discusses Soviet children’s literature in “Playing with Words, Talking about War.” Feb. 15: Catholic University Leuven (Belgium) sociology postdoc Anastasiya Halauniova on “Other Kinds of Beauty: Aesthetic Valuation and the Making of Cities in Eastern Europe.” Feb. 22: Clark University (Worcester, MA) political science professor Valerie Sperling on “Unpacking ‘Traditional Values’ in Russia’s Conservative Turn: Gender, Sexuality, and the Soviet Legacy.” Noon–1:20 p.m., 555 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. For livestream preregister at umich.edu/crees. Free. 764–0351.
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.
Bingo: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
Every Wed., Jan. 9- Mar. 31. Check meeting status before coming. 1-3 p.m., Pittsfield Township Senior Center, 701 W. Ellsworth Rd. $1 per card. recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. 822–2120.
Chess: 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:
Chess (Wed. 1–4 p.m.) in person, all levels welcome, call if interested.
“Human Error”: Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.–Sun., Feb. 3–Mar. 18. Lynch Travis directs the Michigan premiere of Ohio-based playwright Eric Pfeffinger’s political comedy about a liberal couple trying to start a family whose fertilized embryo is accidentally implanted in the uterus of a small-government-supporting NRA cardholder. Cast: Henrí Franklin, Alex Leydenfrost, Kristin Shields, Kevin Theis, and Meghan VanArsdalen. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat., except Feb. 9), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $21–$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.
“The Black Menaces: Social Media, Race, and Activism on College Campuses”: U-M Digital Studies Institute.
Panel discussion on this nationwide coalition of university students fighting to empower marginalized communities through social media. Featuring Black Menaces leadership team members Nate Byrd, Kennethia Dorsey, Kylee Shepherd, Sebastian Stewart-Johnson, and Rachel Weaver. Moderated by U-M communications professor Apryl Williams. 4–6 p.m., East Huron Bldg., 1027 E. Huron. Free. 764–3356.
Board Game Night: Bløm Meadworks.
Every Wed. All invited to play popular board games. “Board Game Guru” on hand to answer questions. 5–10 p.m., Bløm, 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free. 548–9729.
“Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria”: Schuler Books (formerly Nicola’s).
Lebanese American writer George Jreije discusses (via Zoom) his 2022 middle-grade fantasy adventure about a quirky 12-year-old who discovers he comes from a family of alchemists. 6 p.m., for URL preregister at GeorgeJreije.eventbrite.com. Free. 662–0600.
“What is a Waldorf High School?”: Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor.
Steiner teachers talk about the difference between conventional high school education and the Waldorf approach. 6 p.m., Rudolf Steiner High School, 2230 Pontiac Tr. Free. SteinerSchool.org.
Kids Gaming Meetup: Sylvan Factory.
Every Wed. (6–8 p.m.): Kids age 8 & up invited to drop in for casual games of Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, King of Tokyo, and more. Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium Blvd. $10. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
“I Saw Death Coming: A History of Terror and Survival in the War Against Reconstruction”: Literati Bookstore/Ann Arbor District Library.
WSU history professor Kidada Williams discusses her new book about the daily struggles of former slaves in the post–Civil War south. Signing. 6:30 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. 585–5567.
Latin Jazz Wednesday: LL7 Latin Jazz: Blue LLama Jazz Club
Detroit’s premier Latin Jazz group LL7 LATIN JAZZ specializes in smoking hot Latin Jazz a la Poncho Sanchez, Tito Puente and Horace Silver. They also play Latin Dance styles like Salsa and Cha Cha.
314 S. Main St , Ann Arbor. Pre-Pay Cover at opentable.com. $15. hello@bluellamaclub.com. bluellamaclub.com. 734-372-3200.“Community Ecology: Rebuilding Connections Between People and the Land that Supports Them”: Wild Ones.
Talk by William Kirst, co-founder of Adapt, a nonprofit that supports development of landscapes made of native plants and food-producing perennials on small parcels of land. 6:45–8 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens Auditorium, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free; metered parking. annarbor.wildones.org, a2wildones@gmail.com.
“An Evening of Poetry and Written Word”: Crazy Wisdom Poetry Circle.
All invited to read and discuss (via Zoom) their poetry or short fiction. 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.
“King Kong at 90: Visualization in the Art of Stop Motion Animation”: EMU Art Galleries.
Panel discussion with L.A.-based independent film scholar Greg Kulon, Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation collections manager Connor Heaney, and Brigham Young University special collections audiovisual curator Ben Harry. Held in conjunction with the King Kong at 90 art exhibit being held at EMU University Art Gallery through Feb. 23 (see Galleries). 7–8:30 p.m., EMU Student Center Auditorium, 900 Oakwood, Ypsilanti. Free. 487-1268, emugalleries.org.
Ann Arbor Bridge Club.
Every Wed., except Feb. 8. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Bring a partner if you can, or call in advance or arrive 20 minutes early if you can’t. 7–10:30 p.m., Walden Hills clubhouse, 2114 Pauline east of Maple. (Park in the designated spaces in the lot on the north side of Pauline.) $6 per person. 945–6021.
Channeled Spiritual Talk and Discussion: Deep Spring Center.
All invited to share their spiritual and metaphysical questions via Zoom. The evening is led by Aaron, a “being of light” channeled by Barbara Brodsky, who offers a talk on a variety of spiritual practices. Q&A. 7–9 p.m., for Zoom link see deepspring.org/programs. Free, donations accepted.
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.
“Comedy Jamm”: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Every Wed. 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 aacomedy.com; $6 at the door. 996–9080.
“Michigan's Peculiar Politics and Policy”: Pittsfield Union Grange.
Washtenaw County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum talks about why Michigan is so different from its surrounding states, and what that means for its citizens. Preceded at 6:30 p.m. by a potluck; bring a dish to pass. 7:15 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Mask requested when not eating. Free. (307) 760–8570.
“Wednesday Night Swing”: Ann Arbor Swing Dance Association.
Every Wed., except Mar. 1. Lindy hop, East Coast swing, Charleston, and Balboa dancing to music spun by DJs. No partner needed. Wear comfortable low-grip shoes. Preceded at 7 p.m. by a free beginner lesson. 8–10 p.m., Michigan League Vandenberg Rm., 2nd fl. Mask, full vaccination, and boosters required. $5 (free for SAA members). Swingannarbor.com.
