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Events in October 2022
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October 6, 2022
“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. Daniels’ wife became addicted to the game, which Daniels described in a 2021 interview as “half-court basketball for elderly people.” 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.
Preschool Storytimes: Ann Arbor District Library.
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), Wed. 10:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Thurs. 11 a.m. (Traverwood), Fri. 1 p.m. & Oct. 11, 7 p.m. (Westgate). Free. 327–4200.
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater.
Daily. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Expedition Reef (11:30 a.m.) reveals the secrets of coral reefs, the “rainforests of the sea” that are the Earth’s most vibrant and endangered marine ecosystems. 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. Tales of the Maya Skies (1:30 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan 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, MNH, 1105 North University. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.
“Fall Migration in Nichols Arboretum”: Washtenaw Audubon Society.
Every Thurs., Aug. 25–Oct. 27. WAS members lead a hike through the Arb to look for fall warblers and other southbound migrants, many of which are in their 1st-year plumage. 8–11 a.m., meet in the cul-de-sac at the end of Riverview (off Geddes near the east end of Dow Field). Free. Washtenawaudubon.org.
Flower Arranging Salon: Pittsfield Township Community Center.
(Thurs. 9:30-11 a.m.). Flower arranging salon, no instructor. 701 W. Ellsworth, 822–2120, recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov). Free. Check meeting status before coming.
“Cavanaugh Lake Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.
Every Thurs. Moderate-paced ride, 20 to 30 miles, along the less-traveled roads west and north of Chelsea. 10 a.m. sharp, meet at Cavanaugh Lake County Park, 33 Cavanaugh Lake Rd., Chelsea. Free. 717-9583.
“Preventing Falls”: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
(Oct. 6, 10–11 a.m.) led by a Therapy at Your Door representative. Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin. Free. Preregistration required by calling 794–6250.
Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards.
Every Sat. & Sun., Sept. 10–Oct. 30 and Wed.–Fri., Sept. 23–Oct. 28. A carnival atmosphere with a variety of family-oriented fall activities on this family farm. Wagon rides, a petting farm, a corn maze, and more. On Sat. & Sun. for an extra charge, an apple cannon, paintball, apple or pumpkin picking, and other activities available. Cider and donuts available. No pets. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Wed.–Fri.), Wiard’s Orchards, 5565 Merritt Rd. (east of Carpenter), Ypsilanti. Weekend admission: $23.50 (babies under 2, free). Weekday admission: $17.50 (babies, free) online only at wiards.com. 390–9211.
ACBL-sanctioned Bridge
ACBL-sanctioned Bridge (Thurs. noon–3:30 p.m.). $9; members, $8. Ann Arbor Senior Center (1320 Baldwin Ave., 794–6250). Check meeting status before coming.
Open Board Gaming: Sylvan Factory.
Every Sun. & Thurs. All invited to play new and old board games. Noon–6 p.m. (Sun.) & noon–4 p.m. (Thurs.), Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium Blvd. Free. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877. sylvanfactory.com/event-schedule.
U-M Center for Japanese Studies Lecture Series.
Oct. 6, 13, 20, & 27. Talks by visiting scholars. Oct. 6: Emory University anthropology professor Chikako Ozawa-de Silva on “The Anatomy of Loneliness: Suicide, Social Connection, and the Search for Relational Meaning in Contemporary Japan.” Oct. 13: University of California-Irvine Japanese environmental humanities professor Jon L. Pitt on “Becoming Marimo: The Curious Case of a Charismatic Algae and Imagined Indigeneity.” Oct. 20: Tokyo-based American film critic and translator Mark Schilling on “The Japanese Film Industry Today: Problems and Potential.” Oct. 27: University of Hawai’i-Manoa sociology professor Aya H. Kimura on “Tsukemono (Japanese Pickles) and Fermentation: Conversations on Bioeconomy and Sustainability.” Noon–1:30 p.m., 110 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. 764–6307.
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club.
Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Fri. & Tues.) or a 499er game (Thurs.). 1–4 p.m. or so (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), City Club, 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $6 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email kahanae@yahoo.net or ronmeade@comcast.net beforehand.
“Monuments Removed: Colonial-Era Statues in the Era of Decolonization”: U-M Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies.
Cornell University history professor Durba Ghosh discusses the removal of British statues in postcolonial India and Pakistan. 4–6 p.m., 1014 Tisch Hall, 435 State. Free. 615-7400.
U-M Clements Library Tour.
Oct. 6, 14, & 28. Hour-long docent-led tour of the Clements’s early American history collection featuring Benjamin West’s iconic painting The Death of General Wolfe, a Revolutionary War-era trunk that once housed British commander-in-chief Thomas Gage’s papers, the student-curated exhibit Navigating Disability in 19th-Century America, and more. 4:15 p.m., Clements Library, 909 South University. Mask required. Free, preregistration required at myumi.ch/DJ45w. 649–3370.
Michigan Marching Band Practice.
Every Mon.–Thurs. The U-M’s highly disciplined 200-plus-member marching band or sections thereof can be seen and heard practicing on Elbel Field. All welcome to find a spot in the bleachers and get a sneak preview of upcoming halftime shows. Rehearsals usually last 1–2 hours. 4:45 p.m., Elbel Field, Hill at Division. Free. 764–0582.
”Merging Fantasy”: U-M Stamps School of Art & Design Penny Stamps Speaker Series.
The Los Angeles-based The Haas Brothers discuss their psychedelia-informed sculptures, which explore themes of nature, science fiction, and sexuality. 5:30 p.m., Michigan Theater. Free. 668–8463.
Raquel Gutiérrez: U-M English Department Zell Visiting Writers Series.
This Arizona-based nonfiction writer, poet, and art critic reads from and discusses Brown Neon, Gutiérrez’s debut collection of essays exploring intergenerational queer dynamics and what it means to be a Latinx artist in the American Southwest. Followed by a Q&A. Also, tomorrow Gutiérrez gives a free talk “On the Ekphrastic Memoir: Rendering the Creative Commons” (10–11 a.m., 3222 Angell Hall). 5:30–6:30 p.m., UMMA Stern Auditorium, 525 S. State. Livestream available for both programs at tinyurl.com/ZellWriters. Free, but capacity limited. asbates@umich.edu.
“Cheers for Children”: Washtenaw Area Council for Children.
Bourbon tasting and barbeque. Live music by Joanna Sterling, best known as the frontwoman of the former chamber folk-pop quintet Joanna & the Jaywalkers. Auction. Fundraiser for the prevention of child abuse. 6–8:30 p.m., Frutig Farms, 7650 Scio Church Rd. $80 at washtenawchildren.org/events.
“Repairsday Thursday”: All Hands Active.
Every Thurs. All invited to drop in with broken electronics, furniture, toys, and any other odd item for AHA members to try to repair and offer advice. Repairs not guaranteed. 6–8 p.m., All Hands Active, basement of 255 E. Liberty, ste. 225. Livestream available at MeetUp.com/AllHandsActive/events. Free; donations welcome. Mask required. info@AllHandsActive.org.
“Cured”: Ann Arbor District Library.
Free screenings in the AADL Downtown multi-purpose room. Oct. 6: “Cured” (Patrick Sammon & Bennett Singer, 2020). Documentary about the LGBTQ activists who pushed the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses in 1973. 6:30 p.m.
In person silent meditation
Insight Meditation Ann Arbor offers meditation every Thursday evening at Zion Lutheran Church; 1501 W Liberty. Please come in back door. Two sittings: 6:30-7:00, and 7:15 to 8:00, come to either or both. Please mask in building. No charge, donations gratefully accepted.
“Discovering a Forgery: Jupiter's Real Moons and U-M's Fake Galileo Manuscript”: U-M Detroit Observatory.
Talk by University of Georgia history professor Nick Wilding and U-M librarian Pablo Alvarez. 7 p.m., U-M Detroit Observatory, 1398 E. Ann at Observatory. Preregistration required at detroitobservatory.umich.edu. Free. 764–3482.
“Meteorites”: Huron Hills Lapidary & Mineral Society.
Presentation by club member Mike Cannaert. 7 p.m., West Side United Methodist Church social hall, 900 S. Seventh St. Free. 665–5574.
“Solar Stories”: City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations/Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association.
Every Thurs. Ann Arborites share (via Zoom) their experience using solar energy. Q&A. 7–8 p.m., for URL preregister at bit.ly/a2energy. Free. jroth@a2gov.org.
"Elephant": State Theatre.
(Maria Judice, 2022). A meditation on black mobility, terror, and collective mourning. Screened at the Ann Arbor Film Festival in March. FREE for AAFF and Michigan Theater Gold Card members. 7 p.m. State Theatre. Mask and 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.
Ellen Rowe Trio: Blue LLama Jazz Club
ELLEN ROWE, jazz pianist and composer, is currently Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation at the University of Michigan. Winner of the Hartford, CT Advocate Readers’ Poll for Best Acoustic Jazz, she has performed at jazz clubs and on concert series throughout the U.S., as well as touring in Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, South Africa and Australia.
314 S. Main St , Ann Arbor. Pre-Pay Cover at opentable.com. $10. hello@bluellamaclub.com. bluellamaclub.com. 734-372-3200.Live Trivia at Bløm Mead + Cider: Bløm Meadworks
Free live trivia every Thursday with Sporcle! Two one-hour-long games every Thursday (7pm & 8pm) with prizes for first and second place teams. No limit to group size - come by yourself or with a team! Great tunes, awesome host + lots of seasonal meads, ciders, beers and food.
100 S 4th Ave, Suite 110, Ann Arbor. Free. hello@drinkblom.com. https://www.drinkblom.com/events. 734-548-9729.Magic Show: Ann Arbor Baptist Church
Illusionist David Corn performs a free community magic show. Extreme Amazement Guaranteed.
Professional tricks. Hilarious presentation. All ages will love this show. https://www.aabaptist.church/magicandmorality
“Comedy Jamm”: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Every Thurs. 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 etix.com and at the door. 996–9080.
“Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow”: U-M Theater Department.
Thurs.–Sun., Sept. 29–Oct. 9. Ryan Dobrin directs U-M theater majors in Halley Feiffer’s 2019 Off-Broadway sendup of Anton Chekhov’s beloved psychological drama Three Sisters. While not deviating from the original story about 3 high-minded young women trapped in a turn-of-the-century Russian provincial village, Feiffer superimposes a modern, Western sensibility and vernacular, transforming the play, with hilariously devastating consequences, into a deftly comedic (and raunchy) exploration of unchecked privilege. Ages 17 and up; contains vulgar language and sexual situations. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), U-M Walgreen Drama Center Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin, North Campus. Tickets $30 (students, $13) in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu and at the door. 764–2538.
“Sophisticated Ladies”: U-M Musical Theater Department.
Thurs.-Sun., Oct. 6–16. Torya Beard directs music students in Donald McKayle’s 1981 Broadway musical revue celebrating the music of the legendary jazz bandleader, Duke Ellington. With elaborate costumes and electric, swinging choreography to such tunes as “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “I’m Beginning to See the Light,” “Perdido,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” “In a Sentimental Mood,” and more. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat except Oct. 7), 8 p.m. (Oct 7.), & 2 p.m. (Sun), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. Tickets $29–$35 (students, $13) in advance at smtd.umich.edu and at the door. 764-0583.
“The Carpenters Tribute”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company.
Oct. 6–9. An ensemble of musicians performs hits by brother-sister duo Karen and Richard Carpenter, the #1 American recording artists of the 1970s, featuring “(They Long to Be) Close to You” “Top of the World” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” and more. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 3 p.m. (Sun.), Encore, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $48.50 in advance at theEncoreTheatre.org & at the door. 268–6200.
"Truffle Hunters": State Theatre.
(Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw, 2020). Surprising and moving “staged” documentary in which aging Italian truffle hunters reenact events from their rural lives. In Italian. 7:30 p.m. State Theatre. Mask and 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.
Comhaltas.
Every Thurs. All invited to join members of this local chapter of the Detroit Irish Music Association for an informal evening playing traditional Irish music on various instruments. Lessons offered. 7:30–9:30 p.m., FUMC Green Wood Church, 1001 Green Rd. at Glazier Way. Free. facebook.com/DetroitIMA.
Pub Quiz: Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub.
Every Thurs. Local high school English teacher Barry Aherne throws out questions for anyone to answer at this popular weekly trivia fest. Come with a team (up to 6 people). Prizes. 7:30 p.m. or so, Conor O’Neill’s, 318 S. Main. $5 team fee that goes to the winning team. 665–2968.
German Conversation.
Every Tues. & Thurs. All German speakers, native or non-native, invited for conversation with either or both of 2 long-running groups, the German Speakers Round Table (7:30 p.m. Tues.), and the A2 Stammtisch (8 p.m. Thurs.). Various times, Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, 120 W. Washington. Free admission. Preregistration for Thurs. A2 Stammtisch requested at heerdeolind@yahoo.com. 812–6375 (Tues.).
Michigan Playwrights Festival: Theatre Nova.
Sept. 29–Oct. 9. Readings of new full-length plays by Michigan playwrights. Tonight: Arnold Johnston and Deborah Ann Percy’s Small Slam, in which a game of bridge between two couples erupts into conflict. Note: The Festival begins on Sept. 30 with Quan Chambers’ Our Place. 8 p.m., Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron. Mask & proof of vaccination required. Tickets $10 (Festival pass, $30) in advance at.theatrenova.org/michigan-playwrights-festival-2022 & at the door. 635–8450.
Whoa Silent Disco.
Oct. 6, 13, & 20. Dance party with tunes transmitted to dancer’s headphones (provided). 8–10 p.m., Liberty Plaza. Free. Preregistration required at whoasilentdisco.com.
