Observer
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members"Frog and Toad": Wild Swan Theater.
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Two of Arnold Lobel's most beloved characters, Frog and Toad, show how good friends help each other through thick and thin, cheering each other through the hard times, and celebrating life's joys. Join Frog and Toad as they greet spring, plant a garden, and share a basket of cookies. (Special activities provided by Leslie Science and Nature Center after the Saturday performance.)
Towsley Auditorium - Morris Lawrence Building - Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. $10 - $12. 734-995-0530. wildswan@wildswantheater.org www.wildswantheater.org [map]
"The Indexical Print, curated by Andrew Thompson": U-M Residential College.
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Indexical art was defined as artworks whose physical and aesthetic manifestation was correlated and contingent upon specific conditions of the work's subject matter or, as more broadly described, 'the referent' of the work.
Featured in this exhibition are prints by Jay Fox, Ruth Koelewyn & Lee Marchalonis, 3D printed sculptures by Jason Ferguson, jacquard weaving from Cathryn Amidei, data visualizations by Jeffrey Lancaster and site-specific paintings from Ellen Rutt.
Opening reception Friday January 17th, 5-6:30pm
Refreshments will be served
Free and open to the public
Exhibit will be on display January 20 - February 14, Mondays-Fridays, 10am -5pm.
RC Art Gallery East Quadrangle, 701 UNIVERSITY AVE Ann Arbor, MI 48109. Free. rc.communications@umich.edu https:
"Frog and Toad": Wild Swan Theater.
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Jan. 22-25. This award-winning local children's theater presents its adaptation of Arnold Lobel's humorous, compassionate stories about these animal friends. Frog and Toad celebrate life's joys together as they greet spring, share cookies, and plant a garden, showing how good friends help each other through thick and thin. As with all Wild Swan productions, the performance is interpreted in American Sign Language. Audio description and backstage "touch" tours are available by prearrangement for blind audience members. Suitable for grades preK-2.
WCC Morris Lawrence Bldg. Towsley Auditorium, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Tickets $12 (seniors age 60 & over and youth, $10; $3 lap passes available for kids age 1 & under) in advance at WildSwanTheater.ThunderTix.com and (if available) at the door. 995-0530. [map]
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Shops.
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Every Wed., Fri., & Sat., except Jan. 1. All invited to play one of 100 songs, with melodies transcribed in numbers, on the 17-bell chime's numbered keys. Ambitious players can add chords. Local chimemaster Heather O'Neal demonstrates.
Noon-12:30 p.m. (Wed. & Fri.) & 10:30-11 a.m. (Sat.), Kerrytown Market & Shops. Free. 369-3107. [map]
"Lunch & Learn": Temple Beth Emeth.
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Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31. TBE rabbi Josh Whinston leads informal discussions on religion. Bring a bag lunch, if you wish.
Noon, TBE Adult Lounge, 2309 Packard. Free. 665-4744. [map]
"Creature Encounters": The Creature Conservancy.
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Every Sat. & Sun. Conservancy staffers introduce Poco the sloth, a black-and-white tegu lizard, and a 3-banded armadillo on the indoor stage. Guests invited to view other animals on display, including a kangaroo, albino alligator, African crested porcupines, and binturongs. Masks required.
Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. $10 (kids ages 2-12, $8; age 2 & under, free) in advance only at TheCreatureConservancy.org (limited capacity). 929-9324. [map]
"Song of Names": Michigan Theater.
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(François Girard, 2019). Drama about a Polish child violin prodigy whose disappearance remains unsolved for 40 years, until his old friend gets a clue.
Tickets: $10.50 (children under 12, students with ID, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; MTF members, $8; weekdays before 6 p.m., $7.50). michtheater.org, 668-TIME.
LezRead Book Club.
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All queer women invited to discuss 2 books: Haley Cass's romance novel Those Who Wait, and Mariko Tamaki's graphic novel Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me.
For online URL see a2LezRead.tumblr.com. Free. 686-4956.
"As Far As My Fingertips Take Me": U-M Institute for the Humanities (University Musical Society).
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Jan. 24-Feb. 2, except Jan. 27. Lebanese artist Tania El Khoury curates this 10-minute interactive performance art piece in which each ticketholder has a one-on-one tactile interaction with street artist and Palestinian refugee Basel Zaraa. Equipped with a headset playing a prerecorded audio piece, participants stretch their arm through a hole in a wall while listening to Zaraa recount his family's history of dispersion and endless search for home. On the other side of the wall, Zaraa takes a black marker to the participant's fingertips, palm, and forearm, redrawing his and other refugees' journey. The aim is to break through the punditry of the 24-hour news cycle and its attendant apathy in order to awaken empathy through touch.
4-9 p.m. (Jan. 24 & 28-31) & noon-5 p.m. (Feb. 1 & 2), Jan 25 & 26 times TBA; every 15 minutes on the quarter. U-M Institute for the Humanities, 202 S. Thayer. Tickets $25-$30 in advance at tickets.UMS.org. 764-2538.
"Drink & Draw/Imbibe & Inscribe": Pointless Brewery & Theatre.
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Every Fri. All invited to draw or write. Supplies and writing and drawing prompts provided.
4-7 p.m., Pointless, 3014 Packard. Free admission (buy your own beer). (989) 455-4484. [map]
"Parasite: Color": State Theater.
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(Bong Joon-ho, 2019). Satirical black comedy thriller. Korean, subtitles.
State Theatre. Tickets: $10 (students with ID, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8, children under 12, free). statetheatrea2.org, 668-TIME. Town: Ann Arbor.
"Les Misérables": State Theater.
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(Ladj Ly, 2020). Premiere of this drama, inspired by the 2005 Parisian riots, about an anti-crime squad overwhelmed by simmering neighborhood tension & violence. French, subtitles.
State Theatre. Tickets: $10 (students with ID, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8, children under 12, free). statetheatrea2.org, 668-TIME.
"Knives Out": Michigan Theater.
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(Rian Johnson, 2019). Drama about the investigation of the death of a patriarch of an eccentric, combative family. Chris Evans & Daniel Craig.
Tickets: $10.50 (children under 12, students with ID, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; MTF members, $8; weekdays before 6 p.m., $7.50). michtheater.org, 668-TIME.
"Our AI Lets Humans Take Control: Popular Music and Collaborative Artificial Intelligence": U-M School of Music.
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U-M musicology professor Charles Garrett discusses the role of artificial intelligence in commercial music production, including pop singer-songwriter Taryn Southern's 2018 album I AM AI, billed as the first pop album produced by AI.
5 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg. Watkins Lecture Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. 615-3204. [map]
"Pets and Pajamas Movie Night": Humane Society of Huron Valley.
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Ages 5-11 invited to watch 2015 sci-fi comedy Home and interact with adoptable pets. Pizza dinner. Wear pajamas and bring a sleeping bag and pillow.
5-9 p.m., Humane Society of Huron Valley, 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. $35 ($15 for each additional child), preregistration required at HSHV.org
Night Hike: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission.
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WCPARC naturalists lead a hike in the dark. Followed by a bonfire and hot cocoa. Dress for the weather.
6-8:30 p.m., Independence Lake County Park, 3200 Jennings. Free, preregistration required at ParksOnline.eWashtenaw.org. $6 vehicle entry fee. 449-4437, ext. 203. [map]
"Night Hikes ": Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission.
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Dec. 20, Jan. 24, & Feb. 21. A WCPARC naturalist leads a hike in the dark. Followed by a bonfire and hot cocoa. Dress for the outdoors.
6-8:30 p.m., Independence Lake County Park, 3200 Jennings, Webster Twp.. $6 vehicle entry fee. Free. 971-6337. [map]
Game Night: Sweetwaters Downtown.
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Jan. 10 & 24. All invited to play card & board games. Bring your own game, or use one provided.
6:30-10:30 p.m., Sweetwaters, 123 W. Washington. Free. 417-4266. [map]
"Jojo Rabbit": State Theater.
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(Taika Waititi, 2019). Audacious anti-hate satire about a young boy in Hitler's army who finds out his mother's hiding a Jewish girl between the walls of their home. Scarlett Johansson.
State Theatre. Tickets: $10 (students with ID, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8, children under 12, free). statetheatrea2.org, 668-TIME. Town: Ann Arbor.
"Fantastic Fungi": Michigan Theater.
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(Louis Schwartzberg, 2019). Documentary featuring fungi's capacity to heal, sustain, and regenerate life on Earth.
Tickets: $10.50 (children under 12, students with ID, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; MTF members, $8; weekdays before 6 p.m., $7.50). michtheater.org, 668-TIME.
Mark Webster Reading Series: U-M English Department.
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Readings by U-M creative writing grad students. Tonight, fiction by Cherline Bazile and poetry by Aozora Brockman.
7 p.m., UMMA Auditorium, 525 S. State. Free. 764-6330. [map]
Matthew Thorburn & Mary Biddinger: Literati Bookstore.
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New Jersey poet Thorburn reads from The Grace of Distance, his 2019 collection about the distances we experience between ourselves and those we love, how we bridge them, and how we accept them. Ohio-based poet Biddinger reads prose poems from Partial Genius, her recent collection which explores our society's tendency toward self-destruction. Signing.
7 p.m., Literati, 124 E. Washington. Free. 585-5567. [map]
"Artificial Intelligence & Finance": Ann Arbor District Library.
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U-M computer science & engineering professor Michael Wellman discusses the risks & benefits associated with the increasing role AI is playing in finance.
AADL Downtown multipurpose rm., 343 S. Fifth Ave. Free. 327-4200. [map]
"Falsettos": U-M Basement Arts.
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Jan. 24 & 25. Julianna Garber and Sydney Prince direct U-M students in James Lapine and William Finn's 1992 Tony-winning musical, a mixture of comedy and pathos exploring changes brought about by the arrival of AIDS. The play is a meld of 2 earlier works: March of the Falsettos, a 1981 farce about a merry-go-round of relationships begun when a man leaves his wife and son for a male lover, and Falsettoland, a 1991 play about the lives of the same group of characters when one of the men is diagnosed with AIDS.
7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 11 p.m. (Fri.), U-M Walgreen Drama Center Newman Studio, 1226 Murfin. Free. facebook.com
"James & the Giant Peach": Dexter Community Players Youth Theatre.
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Jan. 24-26. Deric Prieskorn & Joy Gee direct young actors in grades K-12 in Ken Jones, Christine Jones, and Jamey Strawn's U-M grads Benj Pasek & Justin Paul's 2010 musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantasy novel, a version of which Encore Musical Theater presents beginning Feb. 28 (see listing).
7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), Copeland Auditorium, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $10 at dextercommunityplayers.org. 726-0355. [map]
Brad Wenzel: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
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Jan. 23-25. L.A.-based comic whose stage persona is a relatable guy who occasionally abruptly detours into surrealism. Preceded by 2 opening acts. Alcohol is served.
212 S. Fourth Ave. $9 (Thurs.) & $12 (Fri. & Sat.) reserved seating in advance at etix.com before 6 p.m. the night of the show; $11 (Thurs.) & $14 (Fri. & Sat.) general admission at the door. 996-9080. [map]
Angell Hall Observatory Open House: U-M Student Astronomical Society.
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All invited to peer through the observatory and rooftop telescopes and to view planetarium shows. Also, short astronomy presentations by club members.
8-10 p.m., 5th floor rooftop observatory, Angell Hall (enter through Haven Hall on the Diag side of the building). Free. 764-3440. [map]
Loadbang: U-M School of Music.
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This NYC-based new-music chamber quartet performs a repertoire of original and commissioned works composed especially for its distinctive instrumentation. Members are baritone Jeffrey Gavett, trumpeter Andy Kozar, trombonist William Lang, and bass clarinetist Adrián Sandi.
8 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg. McIntosh Theatre, 1100 Baits. Free. 615-3204. [map]
Mipso: The Ark.
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Chapel Hill (NC) acoustic string quartet whose music is a brand of rootsy country-folk that blends bluegrass-style vocal harmonies with subtle ensemble playing. Opener: Courtney Hartman, an Americana country-folk singer-songwriter best known as a member of the Boston-based bluegrass band Della Mae.
8 p.m., The Ark, 316 S. Main. $20 in advance at the Michigan Union Ticket Office (mutotix.com) and at the door. To charge by phone, call 763-TKTS. [map]
The Play's the Thing: New Play Festival: Ann Arbor Civic Theatre.
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The Play's the Thing 2020 features area playwrights, including Brian Cox, Hank Greenspan, Jill Halpern, Maureen Paraventi, Kate Umstatter, as well as others. From the poignancy of the Warsaw ghettos to a comedy about the afterlife, each script offers a fresh perspective on topics both timely and timeless. Cydney Marie directs 10-minute plays on Friday at 8pm. Maegan Murphy directs full-length play by Annika Andersson on Saturday at 8pm. Sallie Love directs a series of short plays, on Sunday at 2pm. The festival is a unique collaboration between playwrights, actors and audience members. Local actors bring the scripts to life allowing playwrights to hear their work performed, often for the first time. Following the readings, audience members, actors and the director share feedback with the playwright to facilitate the play's development. All shows are performed as concert readings, scripts in hand. Tickets are free and available at the door. Donations welcomed.
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, 322 W. Ann St. Free. 734-971-2228. a2ctscriptsub@gmail.com www.a2ct.org [map]
"Pointless Improv with This is a Quiz": Pointless Brewery & Theatre.
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Jan. 10, 24, & 31. Performance by this resident improv group. Followed by the League of Pointless Improvisers performing "water form," its original long-form style of improv. Show preceded by a guest improv troupe TBA.
8 & 10 p.m., Pointless, 3014 Packard. Tickets $15 (8 p.m.) & $12 (10 p.m.) in advance at PointlessBrew.com & at the door. (989) 455-4484. [map]
"Roadsigns": Purple Rose Theatre Company.
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Every Wed.-Sun., Jan. 16-Mar. 14. Guy Sanville directs the world premiere of Purple Rose founder Jeff Daniels' new play, a lyrical drama about a young poet who, as he embarks on his own life's journey, encounters a rich gallery of characters on the margins of life who are each following a dream, or hoping to bump into one. Cast: David Bendena, Tom Whalen, Richard McWilliams, Rusty Mewha, Ruth Crawford, K. Edmonds, Kristin Shields, and Caitlin Cavanaugh.
8 p.m. (Thurs.-Sat.), 3 p.m. (Wed. & Sat. & Nov. 29), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $32 (Wed.), $28 (Thurs.), $42 (Fri. eve.), $43 (weekend matinees), $46 (Sat. eve.) in advance (beginning Dec. 9) at purplerosetheatre.org and by phone, and (if available) at the door. Discounts available for students, seniors, teachers, military personnel, and groups. 433-7673. [map]
"The Believers Are But Brothers": University Musical Society.
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Jan. 22-25. Kirsty Housley co-directs Javaad Alipoor in his play, based on real life, about men, politics, and the Internet. It follows the journeys to radicalization of 3 disaffected men whose lives are woven together in an online maze of extremism, anonymity, and hate speech. Using interactive text-alerts and live, digital projections, Alipoor offers the audience what Time Out calls "a window into the frightening virtual world." On Jan. 22 only, a Q&A follows. Recommended for ages 16 & older.
U-M Walgreen Center Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin. Tickets $35-$40 (students, $12-$20) in advance at Tickets.UMS.org, the Michigan League, by phone, and (if available) at the door. 764-2538. [map]
"Wine, Women, and Song: A Funny Thing Happened On the Way…": Kerrytown Concert House.
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Jan. 24-26, & 31 and Feb. 1. Monica Swartout-Bebow directs local woman singers in an elegant evening of jazz, classical, and cabaret songs. With pianist Tyler Driskill. Singers include Laurie Atwood, Linda Beaupré, Sue Booth, Carolyn Burnstein, Roxy Diederich, Shelley MacMillan, Gayle Martin, January Provenzola, Deanna Relyea, Emily Rogers-Driskill, Susan Shipman, Lisa Tucker-Gray, and Kathy Waugh. Wine is served. This popular event usually sells out.
8 p.m. (except Jan. 26, 4 p.m.), KCH, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $25-$75 (students, $15) in advance at a2tix.com. 769-2999. [map]
"Friday Night Swing": Ann Arbor Swing Dance Association/Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance.
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Every Fri. Lindy hop, East Coast swing, Charleston, and Balboa dancing to music spun by DJs. No partner needed. Preceded at 8 p.m. by a free beginner lesson.
9 p.m., Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti. $5 (students and AACTMAD members, $4). (847) 757-0942. [map]
"Purple Rain": Michigan Theater.
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(Albert Magnoli & Prince, 1984). Musical about an aspiring young Minneapolis musician with a troubled home life and a new girlfriend. Prince, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day.
Tickets: $10.50 (children under 12, students with ID, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; MTF members, $8; weekdays before 6 p.m., $7.50). michtheater.org, 668-TIME.
Canceled and Postponed Events:
Canceled Preschool Storytimes: Ann Arbor District Library.
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Every Mon.-Fri. Half hour program of stories and songs for kids ages 2-5 (with caregiver). Siblings welcome.
Mon. 11 a.m. (Westgate & Malletts Creek).
Tues. 10 a.m. (Downtown).
Wed. 10 a.m. (Malletts Creek), 11 a.m. (Downtown), 1 & 6 p.m. (Westgate).
Thurs. 7 p.m. (Pittsfield).
Fri. 10 a.m. (Westgate & Pittsfield).
Various locations, every Mon.-Fri. (see listing). Free. 327-4200.
Canceled: Bridge: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
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Every Mon., & Fri. Seniors invited to play bridge. Some experience necessary.
Turner, 2401 Plymouth Rd. Free. 998-9353. [map]
Nightspots Listings:
Ann Arbor Distilling Co.: Dylan Tolbert
Soulful pop-folk by this Three Rivers singer-songwriter.
Blue Llama: Michael Malis Quartet
Jazz ensemble led by local keynoardist Malis.
Crazy Wisdom Tea Room: Mike Ball
Veteran Whitmore Lake singer-songwriter known for his quirky, funny, and sometimes heartrending blues and folk-style originals.
Earle: Rick Burgess Trio
Jazz ensemble, named after the late jazz pianist and Earle cofounder Burgess, featuring drummer Robert Warren and a rotating roster of bassists and pianists.
Habitat Lounge: Persuasion
Versatile Detroit R&B dance band.
Live: Jive Colossus 
Local 9-piece ensemble with a killer horn section fronted by vocalist Shelly Catlan that plays Afro-Caribbean, funk, rock, and blues dance music.
Mash: Jason Dean
Local postmodern pop singer-songwriter. 6-9 p.m.
Mash: The Scott Martin Band
Canton alt-country-rock quartet led by singer-songwriter Martin.
Rumpus Room: Bag of Brains
Detroit psychedelic pop-folk duo. Opener: Path 2 Ground, a reggae-oriented groove jam band from Milwaukee.
Silvio's Organic Pizza: Mary Ann Kirt
Pop-folk and indie rock originals by this local singer-guitarist.
Ypsi Alehouse: Eric Moore
Veteran local singer-songwriter known for his playfully ironic lyrics and jazz- and blues-inflected fingerstyle guitar playing. 5-7 p.m.
Ypsi Alehouse: The Randaliers
A diverse mix of familiar and lesser-known rock, blues, alt- country and R&B covers by this local trio of chanteuse Vicki Dischler and guitarists C. Russell and Phil Campbell. 8-10 p.m.
Zou Zou's Cafe: Monte Pride
Lansing pop-folk singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist.
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