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Events in June 2022
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June 29, 2022
Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival.
Annual festival of documentary and feature films on Jewish themes. Featuring 5 different films each week available to stream anytime. June 26, noon through July 1, noon (online): “Out of Exile – The Photography of Fred Stein” (Dawn Freer & Peter Stein, 2020). Documentary examining the life of this iconic Jewish photographer famous for his photographs of street scenes of Paris and New York in the 1930s and 40s. “Rose” (Aurélie Saada, 2021). Feel-good comedy drama about a recently widowed Sephardic French grandmother who rediscovers her long ignored aspirations. “Berenshtein” (Roman Shumunov, 2021). Drama about the last surviving member of a group of Jewish partisans who located the Nazi V2 missle development facility as he revisits his wartime memories and grapples with the ensuing dissociation and loss of identity. “Let It Be Morning” (Eran Kolirin, 2021) Lightly satirical drama about a Palestinian man living in Israel who returns to his village to attend his brother’s wedding only to find the road home to Jerusalem blocked by Israeli soldiers. “Shorts II” A collection of short films exploring the topic of family. A Kaddish for Selim (Jane Wells, 2022). Documentary that uses family photos and letters to tell the story of a young Jew in 1912 London who changes his name to join the British army and dies at the battle of Gallipoli. Her Dance (Bar Cohen, 2020). Drama about a trans woman, estranged from her Orthodox Jewish family, who shows up uninvited to her sister’s wedding night Shabbat. No Limits (Uriya Kapach, 2020). Morally complex drama about a pair of Palestinian theives who steal an Israeli woman’s car only to find that her baby is still in the back seat. Pops (Lewis Rose, 2021). Comic drama about the feud that breaks out between a pair of siblings over their late Jewish father’s request to have his ashes sent into space. Winter of '79 (Julia Elihu, 2021). Drama based on true events about a Persian-Jewish mother forced to question her loyalty to her country at the onset of the Iranian revolution. $12 per film; virtual festival pass, $150. Online at Film.jccAnnArbor.org. 971–0990. Various times.
“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. Via Zoom at bit.ly/a2braingame. For more information email bpatton@a2gov.org or call 794-6250.
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 URL, go to bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. For more information, email info.tswp@umich.edu or call 998-9353.
Walking Group: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Via Zoom. For URL, go to bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. For more information, email info.tswp@umich.edu or call 998-9353.
Chess: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Every Wednesday. In person, all levels welcome, call if interested. 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.
“The Fifth Element”: Fathom Events.
(Luc Besson, 1997). Humorous sci-fi adventure set in 23rd-century New York, where a cab driver and a naive “Supreme Being” must save the world from impending evil. Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman. 3 & 7 p.m. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter, 973–8424), Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline, 316–5500). $12.50 in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see FathomEvents.com/events.
“Top of the Park”: Ann Arbor Summer Festival.
See 10 Friday. Tonight in the Kidzone: Chalk Drawing with popular local street artist David Zinn (all day) and Karate Class with Keith Hafner (5 p.m.). On the Power Center Lawn: Acroyoga with Jim Gilligan (5 p.m.). In the Annex tent: The Ann Arbor District Library offers “World Famous Trivia” (5:30 p.m.). On the O&W Grove Stage: The local acoustic jazz ensemble Djangophonique (5 p.m.) plays music inspired by the legendary gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. On the Rackham Stage: Early jazz by the Ferndale acoustic ensemble The Aston Neighborhood Pleasure Club (7 p.m.) and the Detroit big band Planet D Nonet (8:30 p.m.) plays “space-age swing.” The music is followed at 10 p.m. by a screening of the 2020 nature documentary My Octopus Teacher. 5 p.m.–midnight.
“West Side Nite Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.
Every Wed. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 10 to 30 miles, along the B2B Trail to Hudson Mills Metropark and/or Dexter Huron Metropark with a possible visit to Dexter’s Dairy Queen. This ride is a favorite with newcomers and casual riders. 5 p.m. sharp, meet at Forest Lawn Cemetery parking lot, corner of Broad & Grand, Dexter. Free. 426-5116.
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.
“The Fifth Element”: Fathom Events.
(Luc Besson, 1997). Humorous sci-fi adventure set in 23rd-century New York, where a cab driver and a naive “Supreme Being” must save the world from impending evil. Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman. 3 & 7 p.m. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter, 973–8424), Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline, 316–5500). $12.50 in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see FathomEvents.com/events.
Ann Arbor Bridge Club.
Every Wed. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. If you plan to come without a partner, call in advance or arrive 20 minutes early. No refreshments. 7–10:30 p.m., Walden Hills clubhouse, 2114 Pauline east of Maple. (Park in the designated spaces in the lot on the north side of Pauline.) $6 per person. 945-6021.
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.
Meditation & Discussion: Ann Arbor Karma Thegsum Chöling.
Every Wed. All are invited for a group meditation practice and dharma discussion. 7-8:00p.m., 614 Miner St., Enter through back door. Also livestream; for URL see annarborktc.org. Free. 678-7549.
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.
Pink Martini: Ann Arbor Summer Festival.
This polished Portland-based 12-member cabaret ensemble brings a contagious sense of fun to its fizzy cocktail of Cuban and Brazilian jazz, songs from foreign movies, and torchy cabaret songs ranging from a noir version of “Que Sera, Sera” to its original signature song “Let’s Never Stop Falling in Love.” Lead vocalist China Forbes sings English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Greek, and Croatian lyrics in a lush, caramel alto voice. The New York Times calls her “an unpretentious, pitch-perfect chanteuse who can be breathy and girlish or sultry [and who] tempers heartbreak with savoir-faire.” 8 p.m., Power Center. Mask & proof of vaccination (or negative Covid test within past 72 hours) required. Tickets $50–$71 in advance at a2sf.org and (if available) at the door.
“Music in the Park”: Ann Arbor Civic Band Summer Concert Series.
See 15 Wednesday. Tonight “March On” includes works by march king John Philip Sousa, along with marches by James Fillmore, Julius Fucik, Jaime Teixidor, British march king Kenneth Alford, Gustav Holst, and John Williams, as well as “The Victors,” the U-M fight song composed by U-M student Louis Elbel and publicly premiered in 1899 by Sousa himself. 7:30–8:30 p.m.
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.
