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Events in January 2026
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
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January 28, 2026
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“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
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Every Tues.–Sun., except Jan. 1. 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. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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Free
“Poetic Voice from a Russian Prison: Zhenya Berkovich and Her Striking Protest”: U-M Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies
Free
Russian journalist, playwright, and activist Anna Narinskaya discusses this imprisoned Russian director and playwright who runs a theater group in her penal colony. Noon–1:20 p.m., 555 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. (734) 764–0351.
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Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
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Every Fri., Sat., & Wed. 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. [email protected].
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“The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay”: 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. 24 & 28: “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.” Live (Sat.) & prerecorded (Wed.) broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera’s premiere production of contemporary American composer Mason Bates’s new opera based on Michael Chabon’s sweeping novel about 2 Jewish cousins who create a comic-book superhero, hoping to recruit America into the fight against Nazism. 1 & 6:30 p.m. (Sun., Emagine only). $15.
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Positive Links Speaker Series | Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives: Center for Positive Organizations
Community Listing
Positive Links Speaker Series: Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives
Katina Sawyer
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
Free, registration required to obtain login information
Online
A troubling trend is emerging in today’s workplace: employee morale and overall satisfaction are in sharp decline, despite companies investing more in wellness initiatives than ever before. What’s missing? Contrary to popular beliefs and large investments from companies, “add-on” offerings like wellness classes, mindfulness training, and healthy lifestyle initiatives are not perceived as helpful for improving employee wellness. Many organizations misunderstand wellness―it’s not a program or a box to check. Instead, employees’ actual day-to-day experiences at work and interactions with their leaders are far more important than wellness programs or initiatives.
Learn about a science-backed blueprint for fostering healthier, more productive work environments rooted in actionable steps for leaders to become “Generators”―the leaders organizations and employees value most who cultivate genuine connections, create a positive team culture, and help employees achieve their work and life goals. Gain a clear, data-driven path forward and a concrete plan to turn the session’s insights into action―to become the Generators you and others have the potential to be.
About Sawyer:
Dr. Katina Sawyer is an internationally recognized expert on the science of workplace wellness. She is the co-author of Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives and co-host of the Leading for Wellness podcast, which brings research-backed insights to people passionate about building thriving workplaces. As co-founder of Workr Beeing, Dr. Sawyer is on a mission to make evidence-based wellness strategies accessible to employees everywhere.
Host:
Monica Worline, Faculty Director, Center for Positive Organizations
Series Sponsors:
The Center for Positive Organizations thanks the Sanger Leadership Center, Tauber Institute for Global Operations, and the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurship for their support of the 2025-26 Positive Links Speaker Series.
Series Promotional Partners:
Additionally, we thank Ann Arbor SPARK, the Managerial and Organizational Cognition (MOC) Division of the Academy of Management, and the Organization Development and Change (ODC) Division of the Academy of Management for their Positive Links Speaker Series promotional partnerships.
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Bright Minds Collective: BrightWorks Coworking
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Introducing the Bright Minds Collective – a hands-on brainstorming meetup designed to help you think differently and solve smarter.
Each month, we’ll try out different brainstorming styles—whether it’s fast-paced idea sprints or deeper dive group sessions—so you can sharpen your creative problem-solving skills and bring fresh thinking back to whatever you’re working on.
Whether you’re stuck on a business issue, navigating a creative block, or just want to expand your thinking toolkit, Bright Minds Collective gives you space to workshop real challenges, connect with other bright minds, and walk away with actionable insights.
What you’ll get:
A hands-on look at different brainstorming techniques, guided by experienced facilitators
Time to work through real-life challenges (yours or someone else’s!)
A chance to connect and network with entrepreneurs, creatives, remote workers & more
Fresh ideas + practical takeaways you can put to work right away
BrightWorks Collective is open to everyone! Walk-ins are welcome, but we’d love it if you RSVP so we know you’re coming. Just bring your brain – we’ll bring the coffee.
3027 Miller Road ,Ann Arbor. https://brightworkscoworking.com/bright-minds-collective-rsvp/ Free. [email protected] https://brightworkscoworking.com/bright-minds-collective-rsvp/Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
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“CommuniTEA Table”: The Washtenaw Food Hub
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Every Wed. Food- and agriculture-related discussions & demos, with tastings.
Jan. 7: “Brew’d: Raw Nut & Seed Crackers.” Ypsi brewer Rachel Kanaan shows how to make nutrient-dense raw and fermented crackers in a food dehydrator.
Jan. 14: “Tantré Farm CSA Program.” Tantré Farm cofounder Deb Lentz on this community-supported farm.
Jan. 21: “Brew’d: Mead Making Pt. 2.” Rachel Kanaan and Mason Shipe on the basics of brewing honey wine. $5 at the door.
Jan. 28: “Stitch & B!%@#.” Knitters and crocheters invited to work on projects while local fiber artist Robin Lehman introduces some natural fibers.
5–6 p.m., Washtenaw Food Hub, 4175 Whitmore Lake Rd. Free, except as noted. thewashtenawfoodhub.com.
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Board Game Night: Bløm Mead + Cider
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Every Wed. All invited to play popular board games. Use provided games or bring your own. 5–10 p.m., Bløm, 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729, drinkblom.com/events.
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Letterpress Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library
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Jan. 3, 7, 15, & 28 (different times). All adults invited to learn the basics of letterpress printing with movable type. 1–3 p.m. (Jan. 3) and 5–7 p.m. (Jan. 7, 15, & 28). AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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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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“Gangdong-gu Travelogue”: Ann Arbor District Library
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AADL director Eli Neiburger, librarian Erin Helmrich, and library technician Allison Jones discuss what they learned visiting public libraries on a recent trip to South Korea. 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, 4th fl. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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“Roots & Shoots: Winter Root Vegetable Adventure”: Ann Arbor District Library
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Gather & Grow catering staff lead a tasting of roasted & raw root vegetables and demonstrate how to make pickles. 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown lower level program rm. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Calls from Home: Documentary Screening and Discussion: U-M Carceral State Project
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The Carceral State Project is hosting a free screening of Calls from Home (2023), an intimate portrait of rural prison expansion which documents a longstanding radio show that sends messages of love over public airwaves to reach people incarcerated in Central Appalachia.
Following the film, join us in a discussion with Slyvia Ryerson (director, University of Michigan), Chuck Warpehoski (MI-CEMI) and Ken Nixon (Safe & Just Michigan) addressing the themes of the film, and the challenges families face to stay connected with people in Michigan’s prisons.
The State Theater, 233 S State Street ,Ann Arbor. https://marquee-arts.org/state-theatre/ Free. [email protected] https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/dcc-project/ 505-220-8770.Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
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“The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay”: 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. 24 & 28: “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.” Live (Sat.) & prerecorded (Wed.) broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera’s premiere production of contemporary American composer Mason Bates’s new opera based on Michael Chabon’s sweeping novel about 2 Jewish cousins who create a comic-book superhero, hoping to recruit America into the fight against Nazism. 1 & 6:30 p.m. (Sun., Emagine only). $15.
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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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Organized for Calm: Decluttering Your Space and Mind: Ann Arbor Public Schools Rec & Ed
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Do the words ‘simplify’, ‘minimalism’ and ‘stress relief’ sound like music to your ears? Learn an easy, mindset-friendly approach to decluttering that goes beyond tidying up. We’ll create personalized checklists for each room, explore how to let go of mental and digital clutter, and identify what truly supports your daily peace. Participants will come away with a personalized room-by-room decluttering checklist and a 15-minute-a-day maintenance plan.
Westerman Preschool and Family Center, 2775 Boardwalk Dr. ,Ann Arbor. https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/aareced/activity/search/detail/64504?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true $25.00. [email protected] aarecedonline.com (734) 994-2300 ext. 0.Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
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“First Wives Club”: Michigan Theater
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Film screenings every day. Tickets $10.50 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 and older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar.
Jan. 28: “First Wives Club” (Hugh Wilson, 1996). Comedy starring Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton as revenge-seeking divorcées. 7 p.m.
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Ann Arbor Bridge Club
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Jan. 7, 21, & 28. All invited to play friendly, competitive ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Arrive 20 minutes early if coming without a partner. Call before coming to check that the game is being held. 7–10:30 p.m., Walden Hills clubhouse, 2114 Pauline. (Park in marked spaces in the lot on the north side of Pauline.) $6 per person. (734) 945–6021.
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Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet
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Every Sun., Tues., & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different locations. Rain or shine. 8 a.m. (Sun.) & 7 a.m. (Tues.), Dozer Coffee, 112 Jackson Plz.; and 7 p.m. (Wed.), Fleet Feet, 123 E. Liberty. Free. (734) 929–9022 (Sun. & Tues.) & (734) 769–5016 (Wed.). fleetfeetsemichigan.com.
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Bluegrass Jam Circle: Ann Arbor Senior Center
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Jan. 21 & 28. All musicians invited to bring acoustic instruments to play bluegrass-style music. Vocalists welcome. Inclement weather cancels. Please call by 3 p.m. on the day of the jam with any questions. 7–9 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin. $5. (734) 794–6250, a2blugrass.com.
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“Comedy Jamm”: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
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Every Wed. Performances by up to 12 aspiring and established area stand-up comics. On Jan. 7, attendees can mingle with the comics before they hit the stage during “Comedy Nerdz Happy Hour” (5:30–6:30 p.m.). 7:15 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $5 in advance at aacomedy.com; $6 at the door. (734) 996–9080.
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“Wednesday Night Swing”: Swing Ann Arbor
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Jan. 14, 21 & 28. Lindy Hop, East Coast swing, Charleston, and Balboa dancing to music spun by DJs. No partner needed. Wear comfortable low-grip shoes. Preceded at 6:30 p.m. by a free beginner lesson. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Michigan League Vandenberg Rm. $5 (free for members) at the door. swingannarbor.com/calendar.
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Depot Town Open Mic Comedy Night
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Every Wed. Stand-up comedy open mic emceed by local comic Lisa Green. All age 18 & up welcome to listen, or sign up for a 5-minute set starting at 7 p.m. 7:30–10:30 p.m., 734 Brewing Company, 15 E. Cross St., Ypsi. Free. (734) 340–3468.
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University Philharmonia Orchestra: U-M Music School
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Jayce Ogren leads this music student ensemble in a series of symphonic tone poems, including contemporary American composer Sarah Kirkland Snider’s ocean-inspired Marmoris, Respighi’s The Fountains of Rome, and 19th-century Czech composer Bedřich Smetana’s ode to his native Prague, The Moldau, along with contemporary American composer Mason Bates’s Liquid Interface, an innovative symphony for electronica and orchestra that incorporates house & techno rhythms. 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Free. (734) 764–0594.
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