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Events in January 2026
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January 12, 2026
Community Listing
Conquer the Cold 2026 Virtual Kickoff: TheRide's getDowntown Program
Community Listing
The Conquer the Cold challenge is for Ann Arbor area community members who walk, bike, carpool, use public transportation, or would like to start. Conquer the Cold helps community members get through the toughest weeks of winter while encouraging use of sustainable transportation.
All are welcome to join the virtual kickoff for Conquer the Cold 2026 to learn more about this opportunity.
During the virtual kickoff, there will be a short presentation about this year's challenge and prizes, time for questions and answers, and opportunities to meet other participants. RSVP for the link to join the Zoom meeting.
https://theride-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/OwxLHuHBT06EnPQvK0obGg ,Ann Arbor. Free. [email protected] ConquerTheCold.orgAdd this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
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“Button Lab”: Ann Arbor District Library
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A chance for adults & kids age 12 & up to make buttons using AADL 1.25-inch or 2.25-inch button makers. Participants may bring or draw their own pictures, or use images from AADL collection of old magazines. 5–6 p.m., AADL Downtown Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company (AARC)
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Every Thurs., Sat., Mon., & Tues. (different AARC locations). Runners of all abilities invited to join a 5K mapped route (Thurs. & Mon.), either a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.), or an interval-based training run (Tues.). 6 p.m. (Thurs.), AARC Colonnade, 901 W. Eisenhower; 7 a.m. (Sat.) & 6 p.m. (Tues.), AARC Downtown, 209 S. Ashley; and 6 p.m. (Mon.), Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsi. Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.
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“Emerging Writers Workshop: Developing Your Story Idea”: Ann Arbor District Library
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Local editor Alex Kourvo and young adult novelist Bethany Neal discuss how to expand a story idea into a full novel by adding a hook, compelling characters, and high stakes. Also, Kourvo and Neal host an open house for writers to connect with one another and/or work on their projects at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 26. 6:30–7:45 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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“Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy”: Literati Bookstore Grassroots Book Club
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All invited to join a discussion, led by Literati manager Clarisse Jorah, of Joyce Vance’s 2025 guide to preserving democracy through civic engagement. 6:30 p.m., Literati, 124 E. Washington. Tickets $5 (can be redeemed for store credit) in advance only at literatibookstore.com. (734) 585–5567.
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“Pacific Materialities: Making the Early Modern”: Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild
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Talk via Zoom on a big screen by historian and fiber artist Stephanie Wong about the textiles (pineapple & banana fibers, wool, and cotton) of the early modern Spanish Pacific, a region around the Philippines defined by a transoceanic trade route between Asia and the Americas. 6:30 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 2nd fl. gathering rm. (elevator access), 1501 W. Liberty. Free. annarborfiberarts.org.
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Group Runs: A2 Runners
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Every Sun., Mon., & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a beginner or advanced 3- to 5-mile group run, followed by socializing at a downtown coffee shop. Noon (Sun.) & 6:30 p.m. (Mon. & Wed.), meet at the Kerrytown clock tower. Preregistration requested at meetup.com/a2runners. Free. [email protected]
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Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory
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Every Mon.–Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play both casual and tournament forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering (MTG).
Mon. (6:30 p.m.): “Just Another Modern Monday.” Three rounds using powerful cards, for experienced players, with prizes. $10.
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 Showdown.” Three rounds, with competitive tournament rules, prizes of store credit. $10.
Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Friday Night Magic.” Cost and format vary.
Various times, Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. Various costs. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.
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“Gundam Premiere Night”: Fathom Entertainment
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(734) 973–8424 (Ann Arbor 20), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi.) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline), various times.
Jan. 12, 13, & 15: “Gundam Premiere Night.” Dubbed (Mon. & Tues.) and subtitled (Thurs.) screenings of 2 feature-length compilations of TV shows from this popular anime franchise about an epic battle between giant piloted robots to determine the fate of Earth. 7 p.m. (Ann Arbor 20 only).
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“Midnight on the Potomac: The Last Year of the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination, and the Rebirth of America”: Ann Arbor Civil War Round Table
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Talk by author Scott Ellsworth. 7 p.m., Trinity Health Administrative Bldg., exhibition rm., 1st fl., 5305 Elliott Dr. Free. aacwrt.org.
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Large Ensemble Meeting: Ann Arbor Recorder Society
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Beginning and advanced players of the recorder and other early instruments invited to play Renaissance and other early music, directed by Janet Cannon. Bring your own music stand. 7–9 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church basement music rm. (enter by the back door), 1501 W. Liberty. First meeting free (annual dues $95). a2recordersociety.org.
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“Cello + Piano. Classical + Jazz.”: U-M Music School
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Detroit Symphony Orchestra cellist Jeremy Crosmer and Juilliard-trained pianist Joel Ayau perform a program highlighted by the premiere of U-M grad Teagan Faran’s Flaschblume, an irreverent jazzy mash-up of Beethoven’s 3rd Cello Sonata, along with Nicholas Canellakis’s arrangement of Gershwin’s Three Preludes, and jazz-influenced classical works by Francis Poulenc. 7:30 p.m., Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits, North Campus. Free. (734) 764–0583.
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Free
Scandinavian Music Jam
Free
Jan. 12 & 26. Bruce Sagan leads an acoustic jam session devoted to traditional music from Sweden and Norway. All instruments welcome, no experience necessary. 7:30–9:30 p.m., in person or virtual TBA. For location, email [email protected]. Free.
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Tartan and Thistle Scottish Country Dancers
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Every Mon. Learn to dance jigs, reels, and strathspeys. All dances taught. Usually with live music by Susie Lorand, Josh Burdick, and friends. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $10 suggested donation (first-timers free). (734) 474–7299, (734) 274–0773.
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Comedy Show: The Blind Pig
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Every Mon. Performances from up to 15 aspiring stand-up comics from around the state. Local comics emcee. Age 21 & up only. Free candy. 8–9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, 208 S. First St. Free. (734) 996–8555.
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