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Events in April 2022
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April 6, 2022
“A Thousand Ways (Part Two): An Encounter”: 600 Highwaymen (Ann Arbor Summer Festival).
Mar. 8–Apr. 24. Reprise of the summer production of this interactive performance art piece curated by NYC theater artists Abigail Browde and Michael Silverstone—the duo behind the Obie-winning company 600 Highwaymen—in which 2 randomly chosen ticket holders meet on opposite ends of a table, separated by a pane of glass, to follow a scripted set of prompts. The questions start out simple (“Have you ever broken a bone?”) and grow progressively more intimate (“Have you ever broken a heart?”) with the aim of encouraging storytelling, triggering imagination, and nurturing empathy. The hour-long encounter ends in a “startling and powerful,” way according to the New York Times reviewer, who also called the piece “a joy,” and “a work of inquisitive humanity and profound gentleness.” Suitable for ages 16 & up. 1, 2:30, 4, 5:30, & 7 p.m. (Tues.–Sun.), UMMA Irving Stenn Jr. Family Gallery, 525 S. State. Tickets $10 (students, $5). Preregistration required at a2sf.org or by calling 764–2538. Mask required. BoxOffice@a2sf.org
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“Free College Week”: WCC.
Apr. 4–8. Presentations by WCC instructors on automobile technology, broadcasting, entrepreneurship, computer technology, cooking, performing arts, financial planning, sustainability, and other topics. Various times, online at wccnet.edu/events/free-college-week.php. Free. fcw@wccnet.edu.
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'Snails and the Infinite'- an exhibition of sculpture by Robin Carlson
March 13 - April 13. Creal Microgallery presents ‘Snails and the Infinite,' an exhibition of small sculptures by Portland, Maine artist Robin Carlson. These sculptures depict a playful grouping of snails sporting a range of surreal alternatives to traditional shells.
Carlson describes ‘play’ as being one of the primary motivators in her artistic process. “My world, the things I am passionate about and what matters to me at the end of the day, is a place where ‘play’ is taken seriously and everything is a puzzle. Problem solving becomes silly and fun.” The results are indeed silly and fun— snail shells made of sushi, or ice cream sundaes, or gruesomely dislodged eyeballs. They harken back to gift shop miniatures, to emojis, and in some instances to comics and gross-out toys of the 80s and 90s. Carlson says she’s been making toys since she was around 6-7 years old, and has always enjoyed collecting things. Over time she has grown to enjoy creating her own toy collections, exploring variations on a theme. By working from a constant starting point— in this case the snail— she enjoys exploring the infinite possibilities for play.
So, why snails? Carlson says they remind her of the “deep realities of life. When I concentrate on the smallness of the world, the bugs beneath our feet, the flowers popping up in spring, a broken egg on the sidewalk, I remember to be appreciative of nature and all that is small. Within the form of the humble snail is infinity.” Carlson also sees snails as a great example of the universal law of duality: soft and hard, malleable and fragile, fleeting and ancient. The shell is structural, defined and geometric. But a snail’s body is amorphous, ever-changing and organic. It is almost ironic then, that the shell becomes the shapeshifting canvas. Like a hermit crab making a tin can its new home, Carlson swaps in birthday cake or spaghetti and meatballs in place of a snail shell. She encourages viewers to look more closely and pay attention. Carlson’s work invites viewers to use their imaginations and remain open to the unexpected.
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“Mind Matters”: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Every Wed. AASC rec supervisor Brittany Ruthven leads various mental exercises(via Zoom) from Nancy Linde’s 2012 book 399 Games, Puzzles & Trivia Challenges Specifically Designed to Keep Your Brain Young. Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Masks required. For more information email bpatton@a2gov.org or call 794-6250.
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Scrabble: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Every Wed. All ages invited to play this popular word game. Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. $2 (members, free). 794-6250.
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“Tiny Tails Story Time”: Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Stories, crafts, finger plays, and interaction with adoptable cats and dogs. For kids ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult. HSHV, 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. $7 per kid (babies under age 1, free). Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org.
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Emily, San & Brian: Society for Musical Arts.
This local acoustic trio—father & daughter singer—instrumentalists Sandor Slomovits on guitar and Emily Slomovits on violin and pianist Brian Brill–performs songs from classic American musicals from the 1930s through the 1990s. Followed by a meet-the-artists lunch ($15). Ann Arbor City Club, 1830 Washtenaw. $17 (accompanying friend, $15; groups of 4 or more, $10 each; students with ID, $5). Lunch reservations required by calling Debbie Ash at 995–4417. AnnArborSMA.org.
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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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Tai Chi: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Every Mon., Wed., & Fri. 30 min. online lesson on gentle Tai Chi for older adults. Beginners welcome.2401 Plymouth Road. For more information and URL, email info.tswp@umich.edu or call 998-9353.
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Walking Group: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Via Zoom. For more information and URL, email info.tswp@umich.edu or call 998-9353.
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“Italia/ إيطاليا / Itália: Literary Mediations Across the South (Part 2)”: U-M Romance Languages and Literatures.
Italian novelist and journalist Igiaba Scego, who is of Somali origin, and her Brazilian-Portuguese translator Francesca Cricelli, discuss the representation of blackness in non-Anglophone literature. For URL preregister at bit.ly/italiaitalia2. Free. 764–5344.
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“Live Trivia”: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
All invited to form (or join) a team of 4 or 5 persons to compete in a 2-round trivia contest. Questions geared towards ages 55 & up, but all ages welcome. Prizes (pickup only). Online at bit.ly/a2seniortrivia, passcode: 194912. Free. bpatton@a2gov.org, 794–6250.
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Chess: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Every Wednesday. 2401 Plymouth Road. Free. 998-9353, info.tswp@umich.edu.
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The Schmoozery: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Every Wed. Group conversation about aging, generations, and related topics, facilitated by local playwright and oral historian Hank Greenspan, a retired U-M psychology professor.Register online at olli-umich.org/olli-commons. Free. 734-998-9351.
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“Relationships and the Regulation of Stress in Human Development”: U-M Psychology Department Sameroff Lecture Series.
Talk by University of Minnesota psychology professor Megan Gunnar. 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Mask required. 764-2580.
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“The Magic of Moiré Quantum Matter”: U-M Physics Department Ford Motor Company Distinguished Lecture.
MIT physics professor Pablo Jarillo-Herrero summarizes recent advancements in quantum physics. Rackham Amphitheater. Mask required. Free. 764-4437.
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U-M Baseball.
This month’s home schedule includes 3-game series vs. Iowa (Apr. 1-3), Cal State Fullerton (Apr. 8-10), and Ohio State (Apr. 22-24), and a single game vs. IPFW (Apr. 6, 4 p.m.). 4 p.m. (Fri.), 2 p.m. (Sat.), & 1 p.m. (Sun.), Ray Fisher Stadium, 1114 S. State St. $6 ($8 in advance). mGOblue.com, 764–0247.
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Zooniverse Workshop: U-M Clements Library.
Live virtual demonstration of the Zooniverse crowdsourced research platform, currently being used to catalog over 60,000 postcards from the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography. Topics include registration, categorization, transcription, and communication features as well as a review of this special project's goals and outcomes. 4 p.m., for URL preregister at myumi.ch/bRqpX. Free. 764-2347.
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Board Game Night: Bløm Meadworks.
Every Wed. All invited to play popular board games. “Board Game Guru” on hand to answer questions. 5–8 p.m., Bløm, 100 S. Fourth Ave. Proof of vaccination required to sit indoors; outdoor seating available. Free, 548–9729.
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Voice Department Recital: U-M Music School.
Voice students perform works TBA. U-M Walgreen Drama Center, 1226 Murfin. Mask required. Free. 764–0594.
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Jia Tolentino: U-M Hopwood Awards Ceremony.
Lecture by this New Yorker staff writer, a popular cultural critic known especially for her measured yet funny essays on internet and social media culture. This talk highlights the annual ceremony recognizing the winners of this prestigious U-M contest for graduate and undergraduate poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writing. Also, tomorrow Tolentino reads from her 2019 essay collection Trick Mirror (see listing). Rackham Auditorium. Free. 764-6296.
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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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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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“In Praise of Good Bookstores”: Literati Bookstore At Home with Literati.
Seminary Co-op Bookstores (Chicago) director Jeff Deutsch discusses (via Zoom) his new book, a beautifully written loving tribute to independent bookstores and the value of browsing. For URL see literatibookstore.com/event/2022-04. Free. 585–5567.
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“Princess Mononoke”: Fathom Events.
(Hayao Miyazaki, 1997). Dubbed (Apr. 3 & 6) & subtitled (Apr. 4) screenings of this complex anime fantasy adventure set in Japan’s Iron Age that depicts a siege by samurai and forest gods of a remote village populated by outcasts. 7 p.m. (Ann Arbor 20 only). For updated schedule, see FathomEvents.com/events. Tickets $12.50 in advance online (recommended) & at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter, 973–8424), Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline, 316–5500).
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“The Case For Heaven”: Fathom Events.
(Mani Sandoval, 2022). Premiere of this documentary that follows best-selling author and investigative journalist Lee Strobel as he explores evidence for the afterlife. 7 p.m. For updated schedule, see FathomEvents.com/events. Tickets $12.50 in advance online (recommended) & at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter, 973–8424), Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline, 316–5500).
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“The Teacher Shortage in Michigan: Framing Challenges, Envisioning Solutions”: U-M School of Education EdHub for Community and Professional Learning.
Panel discussion (via Zoom) with 482Forward deputy director Arlyssa Heard, Detroit Federation of Teachers president Terrence Martin Sr., U-M Education dean Elizabeth Moje, Michigan state senator Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), and Michigan Department of Education state superintendent Michael Rice. For URL register at bit.ly/teachershortage040622. Free.
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"Creating Your College List": Dexter District Library
Join the Dexter District Library for an informative, in-person session on getting ready to apply for college. Elizabeth Levy, founder of Essay Help for Colleges, will provide tips on selecting colleges and applying using the Common Application. The program is geared toward high school sophomores and juniors getting ready to apply to college, but it is open to all teens and parents. Time will be available at the end of the presentation for participants’ questions. Registration is required and can be done on the Dexter District Library website or by calling the library at 734-426-4477.
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"The Teacher Shortage in Michigan: Framing Challenges, Envisioning Solutions": U-M EdHub for Community and Professional Learning
Among many challenges pressing on schools state- and nation-wide is that of retaining and recruiting teachers. What do we know about the causes of what is commonly referred to as a ‘teacher shortage’? How are leaders in the state working to address this issue? What repercussions does this issue present for families and communities beyond the classroom walls? The EdHub for Community and Professional Learning will host a town hall to discuss these and other questions including how the COVID-19 pandemic has added new complexity to these already sticky problems.
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Kerrytown Crafters.
Every Wed. All crocheters, knitters, spinners, weavers, felters, sewers, and other crafters invited to work on their own projects with others. Questions welcome, help available. 7 p.m. or so, for URL join Facebook.com/groups/KTCrafters. Free. 926–8863.
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Open Rehearsal: The Arbor Consort.
Every Wed. All singers invited to rehearse with this semi-professional a cappella ensemble that performs Renaissance and Victorian-era music in period dress. The Arbor Consort is the official madrigal group of the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Dixboro United Methodist Church, 5221 Church Rd. Free. TheArborConsort.org.
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Visitors Night: Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club.
The chance to see club trains whizzing around on the club’s big, elaborate layout, housed in a depot restored by the club. Michigan Central depot, 3487 Broad, Dexter. Free. Mask required. info@aamrc.org.
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University Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir, University Choir, and Orpheus Singers: U-M Music School.
Kenneth Kiesler and Eugene Rogers lead these music student ensembles in a program that begins with 2 world premieres: U-M alum James Lee III’s Tethered Voices, a powerful piece for narrator and orchestra, and Damien Geter’s Justice Symphony for choir and orchestra, a work that centers on anthems of the civil rights era. All 4 ensembles join together to conclude the program with Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (“Resurrection”). Hill Auditorium. Mask required. Livestream available at myumi.ch/HillWatch. Free. 764-0594.
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Open Dancing: Swing Ann Arbor.
Every Wed. Swing dancing to recorded music. No partner needed. Wear comfortable low grip/tread shoes. Preceded at 8 p.m. by a lesson. Locations TBA at swingannarbor.com/calendar. Mask and proof of vaccination (with booster) required. $5 (free for members and those who attend the lesson). 945–8428.
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