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Events in January 2026
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January 29, 2026
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Resurgo Reception: U-M Institute for the Humanities
Community Listing
Join us at the Institute for the Humanities for a strolling reception with Stephen McGee, director of the new film Resurgo: The Rise From Within. McGee will share behind-the-scenes insights about the making of the film and Detroit’s inspiring rebirth. There will also be a drawing for 20 attendees to receive a ticket to see the film and light refreshments will be served.
Resurgo will be shown on the big screen at the Michigan Theater on Friday, January 30 at 7pm.
About the film: Detroit, once defined by its iconic ruins like Michigan Central Station and the famed $1 house, has transformed into one of the greatest comeback stories of our time. This stunning cinematic portrait showcases director Stephen McGee’s 20-year journey documenting the city’s evolution, drawn from an extraordinary archive of more than 3 million photographs and thousands of hours of footage.
Institute for the Humanities, 202 S. Thayer ,Ann Arbor. Free. [email protected] https://lsa.umich.edu/humanitiesAdd this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
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“Biomedical Research & Technology: Creation, Development, and Applications”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Thursday Morning Lecture Series
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Every Thurs., Jan. 29–Feb. 26. Series of 5 weekly talks.
Jan. 29: U-M biomedical engineering professor Paul Cederna on “Cyborgs: The Future is Now.”
Feb. 5: U-M neurosurgery professor Maria Castro on “Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy.”
Feb. 12: U-M bioengineering professor Joseph Potkay on “Groundbreaking Advancements in the Robert H. Bartlett Extracorporeal Life Support Laboratory.”
Feb. 19: U-M Institute for Critical Care Research director Kevin Ward on “The Commercialization of Critical Care Technology.”
Feb. 26: U-M biomedical engineering professor Brian Fowlkes on “Tiny Bubbles: Harnessing Their Power in Medicine.”
10–11:30 a.m., Washtenaw Community College Towsley Auditorium (Morris Lawrence Bldg.), 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Preregistration required at olli-umich.org. $105 (members, $70) for the 5-lecture series. $15 per lecture for members. Membership, $35 a year. (734) 998–9351.
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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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U-M Center for Japanese Studies Noon Lecture Series
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Jan. 22 & 29. Talks by visiting scholars.
Jan. 22: Hosei University (Japan) urban & environmental sociology professor Saburo Horikawa discusses Japanese urban preservation policy in “Why Place Matters: The ‘Publicness’ of the Lost Landscape.”
Jan. 29: The new consul general of Japan in Detroit, Hajime “Jimmy” Kishimori, on “Three Questions for Japan in Michigan: Where, Who, and What? An Analysis of Japan’s Presence and Contributions to Michigan.” The Consulate-General of Japan is a business-oriented diplomatic mission in downtown Detroit. Bring a bag lunch.
Noon–1:30 p.m., Weiser Hall, 10th fl., 500 Church. Free. (734) 764–6307.
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Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club
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Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri., except Jan. 2. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) and a 499er game (Thurs.) for players with no more than 499 ACBL master points. 1–4 p.m. or so (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), City Club, 1830 Washtenaw. $9 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email [email protected].
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“Black Boys and the Future of Technology”: U-M Digital Studies Institute
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Online education company Futurlogic founder Jonathan Cropper, Drexel University education technology professor Kareem Edouard, and Latimer founder and CEO John Pasmore are joined by Northwestern University communication studies professor Rayvon Fouché to explore the ways technology can provide new opportunities, pathways, and platforms for Black boys to thrive in the U.S. 4–5:30 p.m., Weiser Hall, 10th fl., 500 Church. Free, but preregistration requested at tinyurl.com/um-disco-1-29-26. Livestream also available.
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“Fathers and Sons: Empire, Execution, and Partition in a Revolutionary Age, 1776–1816”: U-M Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies
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U-M history professor Gregory Dowd discusses the life of Jacob Glen Cuyler, an American born to British loyalist parents in New York who played a role in suppressing the 1815 Slachter’s Nek rebellion in South Africa. 4–6 p.m., 1014 Tisch Hall, 435 State. Free. (734) 615–7400.
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U-M Clements Library Tour
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Hour-long docent-led tour of the Clements’ early American history collection highlighted by a new student-curated exhibit Revolutionary Paine, a collection of materials exploring the impact of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. 4–5 p.m., Clements Library, 909 South University. Free; preregistration required at clements.umich.edu. (734) 649–3370.
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“Collage & Cryptids”: Ann Arbor District Library
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All invited to layer pre-cut paper shapes to create collage monsters. 6–7 p.m., AADL Malletts Creek. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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“Repairsday Thursday”: All Hands Active
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Every Thurs., except Jan. 1. All invited to drop in with broken electronics, furniture, toys, or any other item they’d like to try to repair or repurpose with the help and guidance of AHA members. Repairs not guaranteed. 6–8 p.m., AHA, basement of 255 E. Liberty, ste. 225. Livestream available at meetup.com/allhandsactive/events. Free; donations welcome. [email protected].
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Bad Decisions Track Club
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Every Thurs. Runners of all abilities invited to join this eclectic group of runners ranging from people training for their first 5K to ultramarathoners. Sessions are typically interval-based track workouts, followed by socializing at a nearby brewery. 6 p.m. Ferry Field, State at Hoover. May meet elsewhere if the weather is bad. Free. See walline.wixsite.com/bdtc to sign up for email updates on each week’s workout.
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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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“Field Guide to Falling Ill”: Literati Bookstore
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University of Chicago creative writing professor Jonathan Gleason discusses his new collection of essays exploring illness and medicine. 6:30 p.m., Literati, 124 E. Washington. Free. (734) 585–5567.
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“Informal Performance with TeAda”: U-M Center for World Performance Studies
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This traveling L.A.-based theater group that focuses on stories of immigrants, refugees and Indigenous peoples showcases pieces created at a workshop earlier today. The public is invited to participate in the workshop at 3 p.m. in the Walgreen Drama Center Studio 2 (1226 Murfin, North Campus). 6:30 p.m., Dance Performance Studio, 1100 Baits, North Campus. Free; space limited, arrive early. smtd.umich.edu/world-performance-studies.
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“Six Days in Bombay”: Ann Arbor Jewish Book Series
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Reading and talk by author Alka Joshi about her new novel, the story of a young Anglo-Indian nurse who travels from Bombay to Istanbul, Prague, Florence, Paris, and London to uncover the mystery behind a famous painter’s death. Signing. 6:30–7:30 p.m., JCC, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. Free, preregistration required at jlive.app/events/13368. (734) 971–0990, jccannarbor.org.
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“Learn About Natural Burial and Conservation Burial Grounds”: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth
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Jeremiah Commons conservation cemetery founder Tony Mayotte discusses these burial methods that allow the body to naturally break down into nutrients that can be returned to the earth. 7 p.m., 704 Airport Blvd., ste. 1. Free. (734) 657–5384.
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Detroit Irish Music Association Seisiún
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Every Thurs., starting Jan. 8. All invited to join members of this local chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for an informal evening playing traditional Irish music on various instruments. Lessons offered. 7–9 p.m., Grace Church, main bldg., 3150 Glazier Way. Free. [email protected], detroitirishmusic.org.
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Help Your Teen or Young Adult Find Confidence & Motivation in 2026: Extraordinary Purpose Life Coaching
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Free Masterclass for Parents: How to Help Your Teen or Young Adult Find Confidence, Motivation, and Purpose in 2026
Are you worried about your teen or young adult’s motivation, confidence, or direction?
You’re not alone—and this free live masterclass is for you.
Join Erin & Chris, life coaches for teens and young adults based in Ann Arbor, MI, for a free live masterclass designed to help parents understand what’s really going on beneath the surface—and how to support growth without nagging, pressure, or power struggles.
In this masterclass, you’ll learn how to:
- Help your teen or young adult build real internal motivation
- Support confidence and identity (not just short-term behavior changes)
- Create clarity and direction for their future
- Reduce conflict and support better decision-making
- Move forward with more calm, connection, and momentum at home
- Tuesday, January 27th
- 7:00 PM EST
- Live + Free
👉 Spots are limited. Register now to save your seat and get the replay.
This isn’t about fixing your child.
It’s about learning how to show up in a way that actually works.
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Live Trivia: Bløm Mead + Cider
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Every Thurs., except Jan. 1. Bløm staffers lead 2 rounds of trivia. Teams or single players welcome. Prizes. 7 & 8 p.m., Bløm, 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729, drinkblom.com/events.
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Jen Kober: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
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Jan. 29–31. Louisiana-born comic actress whose credits include The Righteous Gemstones, Hacks, and American Horror Story, known in stand-up circles for her sassy demeanor and shaggy-dog stories about women who are always cold, road trip adventures at Waffle House, garbage suddenly appearing in her house, and other adventures. Opening act TBA. Alcohol served. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $22 (Thurs., $17) at aacomedy.com and (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.
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“The Classic King”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
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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.
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Pub Quiz: Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub
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Every Thurs., except Jan. 1. Popular weekly trivia fest. Come with a team of 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. (734) 665–2968.
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“Up in Smoke”: 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. 29: “Up in Smoke” (Lou Adler, 1978). Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, stoned again in this buddy comedy. 8 p.m.
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Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band: University Musical Society
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This 16-piece big band jazz ensemble of Native American musicians, founded in 2022 by Nez Percé vocalist Julia Keefe, is based on the early 20th-century history of bands on reservations across the U.S. and Canada. The ensemble focuses on reimagining traditional Native melodies as well as works from the Great American Songbook performed by Indigenous jazz musicians of the past, such as singer Mildred Bailey and saxophonist Jim Pepper. 8 p.m. Michigan Theater. Tickets $30–$62 ($15–$20, students) in advance at tickets.ums.org, at the Michigan League, and (if available) at the door. (734) 764–2538.
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Live Trivia: Bløm Mead + Cider
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Every Thurs., except Jan. 1. Bløm staffers lead 2 rounds of trivia. Teams or single players welcome. Prizes. 7 & 8 p.m., Bløm, 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729, drinkblom.com/events.
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