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Events in April 2022
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
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April 30, 2022
Museum Highlight Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History.
Every Sat. & Sun. 30-minute tour of the museum’s exhibits and galleries, as well as an introduction to some current U-M Biological Sciences research projects. 11 a.m. & 1 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Check ummnh.org for the latest Covid protocols. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. 764–0478.
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U-M Natural History Museum Planetarium.
Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Sea Monsters (Fri.–Sun., 11:30 a.m.) follows an adventurous Late Cretaceous dolichorhynchops as she travels through the ocean, encountering long-necked plesiosaurs, giant turtles, sharks, and the most dangerous sea monster of all, the mosasaur. The Sky Tonight (Fri.–Sun., 12:30 & 2:30 p.m.) is an exploration of the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own. Natural Selection (Fri.–Sun., 1:30 p.m.) joins Darwin on his voyage with HMS Beagle to the Galápagos Islands where he was inspired to develop his theory of transmutation by natural selection. Various times, U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Check ummnh.org for the latest Covid protocols. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.
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"Portable Disaster Proof House: Take It With You!!!” an exhibition by Tracey Snelling
Creal Microgallery presents "Portable Disaster Proof House: Take It With You!!!," a small-scale installation work by Tracey Snelling, echoing several other installations by the artist, that are concurrently on view in Ann Arbor. This installation pulls together pop cultural elements to create a "safe space" filled with tropical sunset wallpaper, movie posters, and Keanu Reeves. Snelling's installations often take on multiple scales at once-- existing in life size and miniature simultaneously. This exhibition conjures a space that is at once comforting and overwhelming, centering and disorienting.
Creal Microgallery is a breadbox-sized exhibition space on Creal Crescent in Ann Arbor, visible from the sidewalk and lit up most nights until 11pm.
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“Ann Arbor Group Runs”: Running Fit.
Every Sat. & Tues. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different Running Fit locations. Rain or shine. 8 a.m. (Sat.), 5700 Jackson Rd. & 6 p.m. (Tues.), 123 E. Liberty. Free. 929–9022 (Sat.) & 769–5016 (Tues.).
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Just Between Friends Sale.
Apr. 28–May 1. Show and sale of maternity items, baby and children’s clothes, toys, and baby gear. 4–9 p.m. (Thurs.), 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (Fri.), & 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (Sat.) & 9 a.m.–noon (Sun.), Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. Free, but $3 “priority pass” allows you to cut the line if capacity is full and there is a wait. Also, special times for essential workers. Preregistration required at bit.ly/jbfsale2022. sarahgarot@jbfsale.com.
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parkrun USA.
Every Sat. All invited to join a timed 5-km run/walk. Lillie Park South, 4365 Platt Rd. Free, but first-timers are requested to preregister at parkrun.US/lillie. lillie@parkrun.com.
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“Toddler Outdoor Play with Flowers”: Hudson Mills Metropark Interpretive Nature Programs.
Kids age 2–4 invited to join in exploring what’s blooming, the colors of flowers, and the pollinators that make them possible. Hudson Mills Metropark, Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Rd., Dexter. $5 per kid (adults free), Preregistration required by Apr. 29 at bit.ly/hudsonmills. $10 vehicle entry fee.
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Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops.
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. ofGlobal@aol.com.
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“Creature Encounters”: The Creature Conservancy.
Every Sat. & Sun. Conservancy staffers show off some animals native to South America (2 & 4 p.m.), including the cougar, cane toad (a large, poisonous amphibian), and red-tailed boa, aka boa constrictor. Also, a zookeeper talk with a surprise animal (3 p.m.) and a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 1–5 p.m., Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Mask encouraged. $11 (kids ages 2–12, $9; under age 2, free) at the door; $1 discount in advance. 929–9324.
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“Why Plant Native Plants?”: Hudson Mills Metropark Interpretive Nature Programs.
Adults and kids age 10 and up invited to join in learning about planting with native Michigan plants to beautify your yard, reduce maintenance, and support local bird, insect, and wildlife populations. Also, find out what species work best for different yard conditions. 1–2 p.m., Hudson Mills Metropark, Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Rd., Dexter, $5 ($3 kids). Preregistration required at bit.ly/hudsonmills by Apr. 29. $10 vehicle entry fee.
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Volunteer Stewardship Workday: Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation Division.
Apr. 2, 9, 10, 16, 23, & 30. All invited to help maintain natural areas and remove invasive plants in various city parks. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes and bring heavy gloves; tools, snacks, & know-how provided. Minors must be accompanied by an adult or obtain a release form in advance. Apr. 2 (9 a.m.–noon): Hannah Nature Area, meet at the west end of Bath St., west of 7th. Apr. 9 (1–4 p.m.): Onder Park, meet at the intersection of Hilldale and Brookside Drives. Apr. 10 (1–4 p.m.): Foxfire South, meet at the Dhu Varren Woods trailhead off Dhu Varren Rd., across from Birchwood Dr. Apr. 16 (9 a.m.–noon): Bluffs Nature Area, meet at the park entrance on Orkney. Apr. 23 (9 a.m.–noon): Marshall Nature Area, meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Rd., north of Plymouth Rd. Also Apr. 23 (1–4 p.m.): Folkstone Park, meet at the park entrance at the north end of Folkstone Ct. Apr. 30 (1–4 p.m.): Miller Nature Area, meet at the Arborview Blvd. park entrance, just east of Wildwood Avenue. Various locations. Free. Preregistration recommended at bit.ly/a2stewardworkday. 794–6627.
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“Introductory Bird Walk”: Washtenaw Audubon Society.
Introduction to birding by a WAS member followed by a guided walk to look for local species and migrants. Starts at the library and then heads down the Water Street trail. 2–3 p.m., Ypsilanti Public Library, 229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti. Free. Washtenawaudubon.org.
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“The Mystery of…”: Huron High School Players.
Apr. 29-May 1. Claire Federhofer directs Huron students in Huron senior Ari Yaffe-Inoue’s comic murder mystery driven by audience choices throughout the show. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat.-Sun.), HHS Ingram Theater, 2727 Fuller. Mask required. Tickets $8 (students, staff, & seniors, $6; livestream, $6) in advance at huronplayers.weebly.com/links & at the door. 994-2040.
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“Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Ghost Machine”: Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.-Sun, Apr. 15-Aug. 27. Angie Kane directs the world premiere of Livonia playwright David MacGregor’s drama that imagines the Victorian sleuth, aided by Dr. Watson and Irene Adler, solving the disappearance of world-changing inventions by clients Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. Cast: David Bendena, Caitlin Cavannaugh, Mark Colson, Sarab Kamoo, Rusty Mewha, and Paul Strobili. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Mask and proof of vaccination required. Tickets $25-51 in advance at PurpleRoseTheatre.org and by phone, and (if available) at the door. Discounts available for students, seniors, teachers, military personnel, and groups. 433–7673.
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8th Annual Kid Fest: First Steps Benefit.
Family concert at 4 p.m., with sing-alongs, by local singer-songwriter Joe Reilly, whose playful songs draw on blues, Native American, and other traditional American idioms and address ecological and spiritual themes. The program begins with kids activities. Silent auction of kid-friendly items & drawings for prizes (tickets 4 for $5). Bring snacks & blankets to sit on. Rain date: May 14. Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver Rd. $10 (kids ages 2-17, $5; families, $35) in advance at bit.ly/2020a2kidfest and at the gate. marj.hyde@gmail.com.
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U-M Softball.
This month’s schedule for the powerhouse U-M team includes a 3-game series Penn State (Apr. 8, 4 p.m., Apr. 9, 2 p.m., & Apr. 10, 1 p.m.), Ohio State (Apr. 22, 6 p.m., Apr. 23, 2 p.m., & Apr. 24, noon), and Minnesota (Apr. 29, 6 p.m., Apr. 30, 4 p.m., & May 1, noon) and a single game vs. MSU (Apr. 6, 6 p.m.) & CMU (Apr. 12, 4 p.m.). Alumni Field, 1255 S. State St. $6–10. mGOblue.com, 764–0247.
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“The Mystery of…”: Huron High School Players.
Apr. 29-May 1. Claire Federhofer directs Huron students in Huron senior Ari Yaffe-Inoue’s comic murder mystery driven by audience choices throughout the show. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat.-Sun.), HHS Ingram Theater, 2727 Fuller. Mask required. Tickets $8 (students, staff, & seniors, $6; livestream, $6) in advance at huronplayers.weebly.com/links & at the door. 994-2040.
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“Tuck Everlasting”: Father Gabriel Richard High School Drama Club.
Apr. 28-May 1. Elizabeth Champion directs this student theater ensemble in a production of Chris Miller & Nathan Tysen’s 2014 musical adaptation of Natalie Babbitt’s 1975 novel about a family that has learned the secret of immortality and tries to persuade a young neighbor that living forever may not be such a good thing. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Whitmore Lake High School, 7430 Whitmore Lake Rd. Tickets $10 (kids, $5; families, $30). echampion@fgrhs.org.
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Pipe Organ Concert: First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor/American Center of Church Music.
U-M grad Aaron Tan, winner of the 2021 Canadian International Organ competition, performs on the church’s 41-stop Karl Wilhelm Organ. The program includes contemporary African American composer-organist David Hurd’s Partita on “Detroit,” as well as Baroque music by Bach, Bruhns, Alain, and Muffat. 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, 608 E. William. By donation. 358–4189.
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“A Thousand Faces”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company.
Every Thurs.–Sun., Apr. 21-May 1. Sam Scalamoni directs this local professional theater company in the premiere of the NYC-based husband-and-wife team of Eric Lane and Rachel Devore Fogarty’s 2020 musical about the life of Lon Chaney, a silent film star born to deaf parents who specialized in outsider characters, earning fame as the star of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) and The Phantom of the Opera (1925). Music direction by Gary Adler. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), Encore, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $46 (seniors & youth $44) in advance at theencoretheatre.org and at the door. 268-6200.
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“Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic”: Skyline High School Theater.
Apr. 29–May 1. Anne-Marie Roberts directs SHS students in Matt Cox’s 2015 comedic retelling of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books from the perspective of the underachieving “Puffs.” 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.), SHS Experimental Theater, 2552 N. Maple. Mask required. Tickets $5 in advance only at skylinehstheatre.org/cart. 994–6515.
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Matt McClowry: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Apr. 29 & 30. An awkward, gentle comic trapped in a hulking physique, McClowry surprises with his mordantly dry take on universal topics like family and modern American life. He has performed at the Boston Comedy Festival, Gilda’s LaughFest, and other large venues. Preceded by 2 opening acts TBA. Alcohol is served. 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 10 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $15 reserved seating in advance at etix.com before 6 p.m. the night of the show; $17 general admission at the door. 996–9080.
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“Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Ghost Machine”: Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.-Sun, Apr. 15-Aug. 27. Angie Kane directs the world premiere of Livonia playwright David MacGregor’s drama that imagines the Victorian sleuth, aided by Dr. Watson and Irene Adler, solving the disappearance of world-changing inventions by clients Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. Cast: David Bendena, Caitlin Cavannaugh, Mark Colson, Sarab Kamoo, Rusty Mewha, and Paul Strobili. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Mask and proof of vaccination required. Tickets $25-51 in advance at PurpleRoseTheatre.org and by phone, and (if available) at the door. Discounts available for students, seniors, teachers, military personnel, and groups. 433–7673.
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“The Ladies of Cool”: Kerrytown Concert House.
Acclaimed Detroit jazz vocalist Kathy Kosins, whom the Chicago Tribune called “one of the most alluring voices in jazz,” pays homage to the queens of 1950s West Coast cool jazz, including Julie London, Anita O’Day, Chris Connor, and June Christy. The program includes selections from Kosins’ critically acclaimed 2018 album, Uncovered Soul. She is accompanied by the trio of upright bassist Marion Hayden, pianist Michael Malis, and drummer Tariq Gardner. 8 p.m., KCH, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Mask & proof of vaccination (or negative Covid test within past 72 hours) required. Livestream available at KerrytownConcertHouse.com. Tickets $13–$50 in advance online and at the door. 769–2999.
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“The Long Goodbye”: Michigan Theater.
(Robert Altman, 1973). Neo-noir film co-written by Altman with Raymond Chandler in which Chandler’s iconic PI Philip Marlowe, played by Elliott Gould, is under suspicion for the murder of his buddy’s wife. The story’s period was moved from the 1949 of Chandler’s original novel to 1970s Hollywood. Not initially well-received, the film was later embraced by Pauline Kael and other influential critics. Mask and proof of vaccination (or negative Covid test within 72 hours) required for all patrons over the age of 12. Tickets $10.50 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; MTF members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see MichTheater.org.
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An Evening of Improv: Civic Improv.
Apr. 2, 9, & 30. Performances by the company’s improv troupes. Preceded at 6 p.m., on Apr. 2 & 9 only, by short-form improv games (pay what you can) open to audience members. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (A2CT) Studio, 322 W. Ann Street. Mask and proof of vaccination required. $15 at the door only. 846-2492, civicimprov.org.
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Matt McClowry: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Apr. 29 & 30. An awkward, gentle comic trapped in a hulking physique, McClowry surprises with his mordantly dry take on universal topics like family and modern American life. He has performed at the Boston Comedy Festival, Gilda’s LaughFest, and other large venues. Preceded by 2 opening acts TBA. Alcohol is served. 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 10 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $15 reserved seating in advance at etix.com before 6 p.m. the night of the show; $17 general admission at the door. 996–9080.
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