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Events in May 2022
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May 4, 2022
“May the 4th Run with You: A Virtual 4K”: Epic Races.
May 1-31. This Star Wars themed event allows participants to complete a self-timed 4-km run/walk anytime and anywhere during the month. Mailed race packets include a T-shirt, medal, bib, and sticker decal. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the American Association for Cancer Research. Anytime in May. $50. Preregistration required at bit.ly/maythe4thrun2022. info@epicraces.com, 531-8747.
"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.
Wednesday Workshops: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Senior-focused workshops. May 4: “Aging is Not a Disease” on how to live life fully as you age. May 11: “The Betty Brigade” on home organizing. Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Free. Preregister at bpatton@a2gov.org or 794–6250.
“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.
"The Wild Garden": Nicola's Books Storytime.
Washington D.C-based writer and illustrator Cynthia Cliff reads (via livestream) her new children's book about a young girl and her grandfather working to preserve a wild patch of land outside their village garden. For livestream URL see Facebook.com/NicolasBooksA2. Free. NicolasBooks.com.
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.
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.
Walking Group: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Via Zoom. For more information and URL, email info.tswp@umich.edu or call 998-9353.
“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.
Chess: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Every Wednesday. 2401 Plymouth Road. Free. 998-9353, info.tswp@umich.edu.
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.
“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.
May The Fourth Be With You Party
YORK is celebrating May The Fourth Be With You Day with a Star Wars themed costume party! Guests in costume will enjoy 15% off all day/evening. We've got live music planned - don't miss out!
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.
“Introduction to Ann Arbor’s Proposed Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU)”: City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations.
Discussion (via Zoom) by speakers TBA about the proposed creation of an SEU, a city-owned energy utility that would provide electricity from local solar and battery storage systems installed on homes and businesses throughout the City, supplementing the current utility and providing a choice of energy source for residents. 6–8 p.m., for URL preregister at bit.ly/annarborseu. Free.
“Nasty, Brutish, and Short: Adventures in Philosophy with My Kids”: Literati Bookstore At Home with Literati.
U-M law and ethics professor Scott Hershovitz discusses (via Zoom) his new book, an account of his 2 young sons’ attempts to grapple with deep philosophical questions as they learn about punishment, authority, sex, gender, race, the nature of truth and knowledge, and the existence of God. 7 p.m., for URL see literatibookstore.com/event/2022-05. Free. 585–5567.
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.
“Community High School Poetry Night”: Booksweet Bookshop.
Readings by 3 young poets from the CHS poetry club. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Booksweet, Courtyard Shops, 1729 Plymouth Rd. Free. Preregistration required at ShopBooksweet.com. Mask & proof of vaccination required. 929–4112.
“Rum Running in the Sky”: Yankee Air Museum.
Talk by historian Joe Boggs, author of Prohibition’s Proving Ground (2020), the story of smugglers who used airplanes along the Detroit River corridor and beyond during Prohibition. 7:30-9 p.m., YAM, Willow Run Airport (off Ecorse from Beck Road via I-94 exit 190), Ypsilanti. $10. Prereservation recommended at yankeeairmuseum.org/events, 483-4030.
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 official madrigal group of the Michigan Renaissance Festival. 7:30-9:30 p.m., Dixboro United Methodist Church, 5221 Church Rd. Free. TheArborConsort.org.
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. 7:30–10 p.m., Michigan Central depot, 3487 Broad, Dexter. Free. Mask required. info@aamrc.org.
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. 9–11 p.m., 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.
