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Events in February 2026
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February 21, 2026
“Wildflower Winter Sowing”: Stewardship Network Seeds to Community
Observer Editor
Jan. 24 & 25 and Feb. 21 & 22. All invited to sow native seeds and take home ready-to-grow setups to place outside for the cold period they need to sprout in spring. All experience levels welcome; supplies and seeds provided, but bring milk jugs if you have them. Choose one date and time slot. 10 a.m.–noon or noon–2 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. $6 suggested donation at the door; metered parking. Preregistration required at tinyurl.com/um-wildflower-winter. [email protected].
Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company (AARC)
Observer Editor
Every Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Sat. (different AARC locations). Runners of all abilities invited to join a 5K mapped route (Mon. & Thurs.), an interval-based training run (Tues.), or either a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.). 6 p.m. (Mon.), Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsi; 6 p.m. (Tues.) & 7 a.m. (Sat.), AARC Downtown, 209 S. Ashley; and 6 p.m. (Thurs.), AARC Colonnade, 901 W. Eisenhower. Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.
parkrun USA
Observer Editor
Every Sat. All invited to join a timed but noncompetitive 5K run/walk. In the winter, course adjustments for the best footing may move the run to Lillie Park North or Hanselman Dr. Check facebook.com/lillieparkrun for the final location. 9 a.m., Lillie Park South at the northeast corner of the soccer fields, 4365 Platt. Free, but first-timers are requested to preregister at parkrun.us/register and arrive at 8:45 a.m. [email protected], parkrun.us/lillie.
“Morning Music @9:29”: Northside Community Church
Observer Editor
Feb. 7 & 21. Short classical music concerts. Feb. 7: Local pianist-organist Kathryn Goodson performs Florence Price’s Fantasie Nègre No. 4, nocturnes by Francis Poulenc and Ottorino Respighi, and improvisations on celestial themes from Gustav Holst and others. Feb. 21: U-M music students and clarinetist Nick Ebbers join Goodson in a performance of Malcolm Arnold’s Sonatine and other works. Coffee & refreshment. Donations & breakfast items to share are welcome. 9:29 a.m., NCC, 929 Barton Dr. Free. [email protected].
“Galentines Hike”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation
Observer Editor
Adults age 18 & up invited to take a 2-mile hike through Barton Nature Area together. Bring water and snacks, and dress for the weather. Optional coffee chat follows. 10–11:30 a.m., meet at the Barton Nature Area, 1010 W. Huron River Dr. Free. Preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2parksrec. (734) 476–7612, [email protected].
Invasive Species Removal at Trinity Health Ann Arbor: Huron River Watershed Council
Community Listing
Please join us at Trinity Health Ann Arbor's ecological stewardship workday! We'll be removing invasive shrubs on hilly topography to promote the native plants and animals in this amazing woodland. Meeting Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TPdAbhYxWxzTh2gB7
Please make sure to:
- Wear closed toe shoes
- Dress for the weather
- Bring drinking water
- Bring gloves if you have them
- Bring sunscreen and bug spray
Please click the link to sign up!
https://huronriverwatershedcouncil.my.salesforce-sites.com//registerVolunteerEvent2024?cid=701PB00000YGMdhYAH&
Trinity Health Ann Arbor ,Ypsilanti, MI. Free. [email protected] https://huronriverwatershedcouncil.my.salesforce-sites.com//registerVolunteerEvent2024?cid=701PB00000YGMdhYAH& 7345190351.Open House: Allen Creek Preschool
Community Listing
If you are looking for a wonderful part-time school experience for your child, please join us to chat with teachers and explore our purpose-built space. We look forward to meeting you!
2350 Miller Ave ,Ann Arbor. Free. [email protected] https://www.allencreek.org 734 994-3382.Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
Observer Editor
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. (Wed. & Fri.) & 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.). Kerrytown Market. Free. [email protected].
“Demo Fair”: MacTechnics
Observer Editor
Opportunity for Mac enthusiasts to informally discuss and demonstrate what they’ve been learning and doing. Also, a Q&A. 11 a.m.–1 p.m., NEW Center, 1100 N. Main. Also via livestream. For door code or URL, email [email protected]. Free. mactechnics.org.
“From Puzzles to People: Exploring the Cubing Universe”: Ann Arbor District Library
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
Ann Arbor Birth & Baby Fair: The Mamas Network & Michigan Nurture Collective
Community Listing
Join us for the first Ann Arbor Birth & Baby Fair, a community event connecting expecting and new parents with local perinatal and postnatal resources. Meet area providers, doulas, lactation consultants, pelvic floor therapists, mental health professionals, and more — all in one welcoming space.
You’ll have the chance to gather expert guidance, explore products and services that support pregnancy and postpartum wellness, and connect with other local parents and caregivers. Whether you’re preparing for birth or navigating life with a newborn, this fair is your one-stop hub for care, connection, and community. Your village is here!
3909 Research Park Drive ,Ann Arbor. https://themamasnetwork.org/a2bbfair Free. [email protected] minurture.com 2487024531.Digital Security for Artists (and Everyone!): Cluster Museum
Community Listing
This 1-hour skill share workshop introduces participants to simple ways to keep their digital information secure on their phones. It includes a take home reference guide. Great for any tech level, especially beginners. Led by local artist-activists Cam Finch and Dani Smolkin. Sliding scale donation ($0-$10).
CLUSTER Museum 307 N. Main St. ,Ann Arbor MI. Sliding scale donation $0-$10. [email protected] https://clustermuseum.org/events/digitalsecuritypart1“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
Observer Editor
Every Sat. & Sun., and Fri., Feb. 6 & 20. On Sat. and Sun., conservancy staffers show off representatives of some social species who live in organized groups, including a kangaroo, a pancake tortoise, and an alpaca at 1 & 4 p.m., and an animal keeper shows a Patagonian mara, one of the largest rodents in the world, at 2 & 3 p.m. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show off all four animals at 7:30 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. Noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) & 7–9 p.m. (Fri.), CC, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 (kids ages 2–12, $13; under age 2, free) cash or credit at the door only. (734) 929–9324, thecreatureconservancy.org.
Critter House Open Hours: Leslie Science & Nature Center
Lunar New Year Planetarium Show: U-M Museum of Natural History/U-M Center for Chinese Studies
Observer Editor
Feb. 21 & 28. Planetarium show exploring the differences between lunar and solar calendars, and how the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar assigns both animals and elements to each person’s birth year. Also, members of local Chinese and Taiwanese communities discuss how their families celebrate the new year. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Tickets $8 in the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0478.
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater
Observer Editor
Every Fri.–Sun., & Mon. Feb. 16. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Expedition Reef (noon) reveals the secrets of coral reefs, the Earth’s most vibrant and endangered marine ecosystems; The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.) explores the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own; and T. Rex (2 p.m.) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence). Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. $8 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.
“How to Become a Fossil”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
“Dead Moose on Isle Royale”: Dexter & Chelsea District Libraries
Observer Editor
Talk and reading by Jeffrey M. Holden, whose book, subtitled Off Trail with the Citizen Scientists of the Wolf-Moose Project, describes the world’s longest-running predator-prey study and was chosen by both libraries for a community read. 1–2:30 p.m., Dexter District Library, 3255 Alpine, Dexter. Free, but preregistration requested at chelseadistrictlibrary.libnet.info/events, where a livestream link is also available. (734) 475–8732.
"A Father's Silent Cry: 'They Killed My Son'": Supreme Felons Incorporated.
Observer Editor
Gun violence awareness event with talks by Billy Cole, of Supreme Felons Incorporated, and Larmar Thomas of the Ypsilanti Housing Commission. Both men have lost sons to gun violence in the past year. In fact, gun violence is the number one cause of death for Black males between the ages 1-44 in the U.S. 1-3 p.m., Second Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, 301 S. Hamilton St., Ypsi. Free.
Lunar New Year Planetarium Show: U-M Museum of Natural History/U-M Center for Chinese Studies
Observer Editor
Feb. 21 & 28. Planetarium show exploring the differences between lunar and solar calendars, and how the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar assigns both animals and elements to each person’s birth year. Also, members of local Chinese and Taiwanese communities discuss how their families celebrate the new year. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Tickets $8 in the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0478.
Museum Highlight Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History
“Family Program: Winter Survival”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission
Observer Editor
WCPARC naturalist Shawn Severance leads a family-oriented program in learning how to build a foolproof winter campfire and a debris hut shelter. S’mores provided, please bring anything else you would like to cook over a fire. 2–3:30 p.m., County Farm Park, Platt Rd. pavilion, 2230 Platt. Free. Preregistration required (space limited) at parksonline.ewashtenaw.org (#821005). [email protected].
“Fantasy Map Book”: Ann Arbor District Library
“Proof”: EMU Theatre Department
Observer Editor
Feb. 19–22. Meriah Sage directs EMU drama students in David Auburn’s 2000 Pulitzer-winning drama about love and reconciliation. The play follows a woman, her sister, and an unexpected suitor who appears after their mathematician father’s death. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), EMU Sponberg Theatre, 124 Judy Sturgis Hill Bldg., 1030 E. Circle Dr., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (seniors, $15; students, $12; kids 6–12, $7) in advance at emich.ludus.com, at the box office (10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri.), and (if available) at the door. (734) 487–2282.
Chinese New Year’s Celebration: Ann Arbor District Library/Ann-Hua Chinese School
Drop-In Improv Games: Ypsi Improv
Observer Editor
Feb. 3, 14, 21, & 28. All age 16 & up invited to learn about and participate in improv games in a fun, relaxed, and judgment-free setting. No experience necessary. The Feb. 21 & 28 meetings are followed by an hour-long skills session discussing and practicing a specific improv skill. 7–9 p.m. (Tues.), 2–4 p.m. (Sat.), RAC, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $8 (with skills session, $15) in advance via PayPal or Venmo linked from meetup.com/ypsi-improv or in cash at the door.
Lunar New Year Planetarium Show: U-M Museum of Natural History/U-M Center for Chinese Studies
Observer Editor
Feb. 21 & 28. Planetarium show exploring the differences between lunar and solar calendars, and how the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar assigns both animals and elements to each person’s birth year. Also, members of local Chinese and Taiwanese communities discuss how their families celebrate the new year. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Tickets $8 in the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0478.
U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology Saturday Sampler
Observer Editor
Feb. 14, 21, & 28. Docent-led tour exploring “Love and Marriage in the Ancient World” (Feb. 14), ancient writing in “The Lives and Deaths of Hieroglyphs and Cuneiform,” (Feb. 21), and “Highlights of the Kelsey Museum” (Feb. 28). 2–3 p.m., Kelsey Museum, 434 S. State. Free. (734) 764–9304.
“How to Become a Fossil”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
Respite: Staycation Edition: Wanderlark
Community Listing
Introducing RESPITE: one-day, local retreats designed to help attendees breathe, reflect, and connect. The next iteration is taking place at Ann Arbor’s newest, most luxurious hotel, the Vanguard. Attendees will enjoy a restorative yoga practice with Carter, an immersive sound bath, and a mindful wine tasting led by Everyday Wines — with the option to add a communal dinner at La Serre and/or overnight stay at Vanguard to create the ultimate staycation.
Vanguard Hotel - 201 Glen Ave ,Ann Arbor, MI 48104. https://www.wanderlark.com/respite-sign-up $125. [email protected] https://www.wanderlark.com/respite“A Joyride in Memory Care”: Forge Theater
Observer Editor
Feb. 20–22. In the first production at this brand-new theater venue, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit founder Rick Sperling, an Ann Arbor native and longtime fixture in the Michigan theater scene, portrays a multitude of characters in his 90-minute one-man play about his mother’s journey through memory care. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sun.) and 3 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), Forge Theater, 3000 Packard, ste. B (entrance on Platt). Tickets $25 (plus $2.50 fee) in advance at forgetheatercollaborative.com & at the door. (734) 219–9434.
“Kayak”: Theatre Nova
Observer Editor
Every Fri.–Sun., Jan. 30–Feb. 22. Briana O’Neal directs Canadian playwright Jordan Hall’s 3-character comic drama about a doting suburban mother who recounts the chain of events that leaves her stranded in a kayak alone on a vast stretch of water. Her son’s penchant for peacemaking, his love for a woman who’s a preachy environmental activist, and the mother’s own bourgeois complacency all pave the way. 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $32 (seniors, $27; students, $17) in advance at theatrenova.org & at the door. (734) 635–8450.
Lunar New Year Planetarium Show: U-M Museum of Natural History/U-M Center for Chinese Studies
Observer Editor
Feb. 21 & 28. Planetarium show exploring the differences between lunar and solar calendars, and how the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar assigns both animals and elements to each person’s birth year. Also, members of local Chinese and Taiwanese communities discuss how their families celebrate the new year. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Tickets $8 in the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0478.
Pittsfield Open Band: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance
Observer Editor
Feb. 7 & 21. Jam session open to all musicians interested in working on jigs, reels, and waltzes to have fun, learn tunes, and develop contra dance music skills. All instruments welcome. Bring the Ruffwater Fakebook, the Portland Collection, and the Waltz Books if you have them. 3–5 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Masking optional. Free. (734) 709–8748.
Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory
Observer Editor
Every Tues., Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play both casual and tournament forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering (MTG).
Tues. (6:30 p.m.): “MTG Pauper.” A fun and fast format for all skill levels, three rounds. $5.
Wed. & Sat. (5 p.m.): “Casual Commander Night.” A drop-in session of the most popular form of the game. Free.
Wed. (6:30 p.m.): “MTG Standard.” Three rounds, with competitive tournament rules, prizes of store credit. $10.
Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Friday Night Draft.” Cost and format vary.
Various times, SF, 2459 W. Stadium. Various costs. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.
Mardi Gras at Venue!: Venue by 4m
Community Listing
🎭 Mardi Gras Dinner Celebration | Louisiana-Style Feast & Live Music 🎶
Let the good times roll! Join us for an unforgettable Mardi Gras celebration featuring an authentic Louisiana-style buffet, festive flavors, and live New Orleans Jazz music.
Chef Thad Gillies has created a unique and vibrant menu that will bring the spirit of New Orleans right to your table. Expect bold flavors, warm hospitality, and plenty of festive flair as we celebrate Mardi Gras the Louisiana way.
Elevate your experience with a glass (or two?..) of French or Spanish wine, or dive into signature specialty cocktails. Sip on the legendary Hurricane or the Venue exclusive Loup Garou. A non-alcoholic Hurricane will also be available as well as the King Cake Latte, crafted with authentic Cafe Du Monde Chicory Coffee.
Laissez les bons temps rouler! We’ll see you there!
Tickets are $60 per person plus tax and gratuity.
*Spots are limited so gather your friends and secure your spot early.
🍽️ The Buffet Spread | A Taste of Louisiana
Appetizers
• Cajun Deviled Eggs
• Dirty Rice Poppers
• Rillons (French-Louisiana braised pork bites)
Main Dishes
• Crawfish Étouffée
• Classic Jambalaya
• Hearty Gumbo
• Slow-braised Daube
Sides
• Creamy Grits
• Steamed Rice
• Braised Collard Greens
• Choux Mauve (Louisiana-style cabbage)
Desserts
• Fresh-fried Beignets
• Bananas Foster with Praline Topping
Included Drinks
• New Orleans–style chicory coffee
• Iced tea
• Soda
“Smoke & Mirrors Re/Written” Reading: Cluster Museum
“12 Angry Jurors”: Saline Area Players
Observer Editor
Feb. 20–Mar. 1. Veronica Long directs local actors in Sherman L. Sergel’s adaptation of Reginald Rose’s 1954 teleplay 12 Angry Men. The drama, set in a 1957 jury room, explores the grave responsibility of 12 ordinary people as they decide a stranger’s fate. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) and 2 p.m. (Sun.), The Well Church, 211 Willis, Saline. Tickets $15 (students & seniors, $12) in advance at salineareaplayers.org and (if available) via cash, check, or charge at the door. [email protected].
“Defying Gravity: A Tribute to the Music of Stephen Schwartz”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company
Observer Editor
Feb. 19–22. An ensemble of local musicians performs songs written by composer-lyricist Schwartz for the hit musicals Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, and others. In a career spanning over 5 decades, Schwartz has earned 3 Grammy Awards, 3 Academy Awards, and a Golden Globe. His oeuvre includes such well-known songs as “Day by Day,” “Defying Gravity,” “When You Believe,” “Simple Joys,” and more. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Encore, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $34–$56 in advance at theencoretheatre.org (with $4 fee) and (if available) at the door (no fee). (734) 268–6200.
“Drummunity!”
“Proof”: EMU Theatre Department
Observer Editor
Feb. 19–22. Meriah Sage directs EMU drama students in David Auburn’s 2000 Pulitzer-winning drama about love and reconciliation. The play follows a woman, her sister, and an unexpected suitor who appears after their mathematician father’s death. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), EMU Sponberg Theatre, 124 Judy Sturgis Hill Bldg., 1030 E. Circle Dr., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (seniors, $15; students, $12; kids 6–12, $7) in advance at emich.ludus.com, at the box office (10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri.), and (if available) at the door. (734) 487–2282.
Tom Thakkar: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
Observer Editor
Feb. 19–21. Brooklyn-based comic known for his engaging observational humor that takes on such topics as being banned from Twitter, and his experiences being a poor, chubby Indian kid in southern Indiana, and being raised by a hard-working, Red Lobster–managing mom. Opening acts TBA. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), AACS, 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 (Thurs., $15) at aacomedy.com and (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.
“Doubt: A Parable”: P.T.D. Productions
Observer Editor
Feb. 12–15 & 18–21. Local actors perform John Patrick Shanley’s award-winning 2006 drama, later adapted into a film, about a Mother Superior who must decide whether to trust her instincts when she suspects the school priest of having sexual relations with a student or to believe his claims of innocence. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun. & Wed.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (students, seniors, & active military, $15) in advance at ptdproductions.com and at the door. (734) 483–7345.
“Silver & Sunshine”: Jazzistry’s Annual Rent Party
Observer Editor
Dancing to Lady Sunshine and the X Band, the popular local gospel-flavored blues band led by Lady Sunshine, a fiery, rich-voiced singer whose style blends elements of Aretha Franklin, Koko Taylor, and Denise LaSalle. Hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, silent auction. A fundraiser for Jazzistry’s K–12 music education programs. 7:30–10:30 p.m., EMU Student Center Grand Ballroom, 900 Oakwood, Ypsi. Tickets $93 in advance at a2tix.com (table for 10, $792). (734) 761–6024, vincentyorkjazzistry.org.
“The OperaSOUL Experience: Mixtape Edition”: Kerrytown Concert House
Observer Editor
Detroit composer-soprano Kisma Jordan performs classical arias and her own compositions & improvisations to recorded soul and pop tracks and live music by the trio of bassist Darell Campbell, violist Leah Celebi, and violinist Maya Balaji. The program also includes reimagined renditions of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy,” Lennon & McCartney’s “Blackbird,” and other pop tunes. Rescheduled from October. 7:30 p.m., KCH, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $30–$40 (students, $20–$30) in advance kerrytownconcerthouse.com and at the door. (734) 769–2999.
3rd Saturday Contra Dance: Pittsfield Union Grange
The Sebastians: Academy of Early Music
Observer Editor
This New York City–based Baroque and classical music ensemble has been praised for its “sharp-edged and engaging” technique (New York Times) and ability to imbue early music with a “tremendous sense of life and nowness” (New York Classical Review). Tonight, they present “Over the Alps,” a program that traces the migration of Italian musical style as it spread northward in the 17th and 18th centuries—becoming, in the process, the defining sound of the Baroque. The ensemble includes violinists Nicholas DiEugenio and Daniel Lee, cellist Ezra Seltzer, and harpsichordist Jeffrey Grossman. Preceded at 6:45 p.m. by a talk. 7:30 p.m., St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 306 N. Division. $35 (seniors, $30; students, $10) in advance at academyofearlymusic.org/events/lyracle & (if available) at the door. $5 increase after Feb. 13. (734) 228–4338.
“An Evening of Scenes”: U-M Residential College Players
“Kayak”: Theatre Nova
Observer Editor
Every Fri.–Sun., Jan. 30–Feb. 22. Briana O’Neal directs Canadian playwright Jordan Hall’s 3-character comic drama about a doting suburban mother who recounts the chain of events that leaves her stranded in a kayak alone on a vast stretch of water. Her son’s penchant for peacemaking, his love for a woman who’s a preachy environmental activist, and the mother’s own bourgeois complacency all pave the way. 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $32 (seniors, $27; students, $17) in advance at theatrenova.org & at the door. (734) 635–8450.
“The Classic King”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
Observer Editor
Every Wed.–Sun., Jan. 29–Mar. 8. Purple Rose founder Jeff Daniels directs the world premiere of Michigan playwright Richard Johnson’s poignant comedy about three veteran used car salesmen at a Metro Detroit dealership, struggling to cope with a changing industry and customers who are digital natives. When a sharp Gen Z salesman joins the team, he proposes a daring scheme to save the dealership—and its “dinosaur” salesmen—from extinction. Adult language and subject matter. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), & 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.). Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $30–$60 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org & by phone, and (if available) at the door. Discounts available. (734) 433–7673.
“The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade”: U-M Theatre Department
Observer Editor
Feb. 19–22. Malcolm Tulip directs drama students in Peter Weiss’s celebrated 1966 play exploring the limits of politics and the incorrigible perversity of human nature. Set almost entirely as a play within a play, the plot uses the demise of the radical proto-socialist French Revolutionary to fashion an impassioned, often brutally sardonic critique of human aspirations for a better world. Recommended for ages 16 & up. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Power Center. Tickets $29–$35 (students, $16) in advance at smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 764-0583.
39th Annual Storytelling Festival: The Ark
Observer Editor
See 20 Friday. Tonight: Headliners are Adam Booth, a West Virginia storyteller who spins tales rooted in traditional Appalachian folklore, and Jennifer Munro, an award-winning Connecticut storyteller known for her witty stories that celebrate human frailty and courage. Also, performances by Steve Daut, a Chelsea-based fiction writer and playwright whose storytelling style draws on his experience as a magician and comic, and Barbara Schutzgruber, an award-winning local storyteller who specializes in folktales, ballads, and personal stories of resilience. 8 p.m.
Ani Mari: Rancho Tranquilico
Observer Editor
House concert by this Houghton-bred Americana roots music singer-songwriter whose songs weave complex chord progressions with heart-wrenching lyrics. 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.), RT, 11300 Island Lake, Dexter. Park along the driveway. $20 in advance only (space limited) via Venmo @ani-mari or PayPal @aniseigel. (734) 223–2321, [email protected].
Saturday Night Improv: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
Observer Editor
Every Sat. House team Destination Unknown improvises based on a scenario suggested by the audience. Two guest troupes open. Also, on Feb. 7, Love Fools, an improvised dating show with a lineup of strange characters (7:30 p.m., $10). 8:30–9:45 p.m., HSBT, 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events, $18 (if available) at the door. [email protected].
“Pop-Up Comedy”: Don’t Tell Comedy Shows
Observer Editor
Feb. 6, 7, & 21. Both the lineup of stand-up comics and the location are not revealed until the day of the show. Age 21 & up. Drinks available for purchase. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. 7 & 8 p.m. (Feb. 6 & 7) & 9 p.m. (Feb. 21), Ann Arbor locations TBA. Tickets $30 in advance only at donttellcomedy.com/cities/ann-arbor.
Tom Thakkar: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
Observer Editor
Feb. 19–21. Brooklyn-based comic known for his engaging observational humor that takes on such topics as being banned from Twitter, and his experiences being a poor, chubby Indian kid in southern Indiana, and being raised by a hard-working, Red Lobster–managing mom. Opening acts TBA. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), AACS, 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 (Thurs., $15) at aacomedy.com and (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.