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Events in July 2022
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July 26, 2022
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater.
Daily, except July 4. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Expedition Reef (12:30 p.m.) reveals the secrets of the “rainforests of the sea,” the world’s most vibrant and endangered marine ecosystems. The Sky Tonight (1:30 & 3:30 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. Tales of the Maya Skies (2:30 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Maya scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics that enabled them to predict solstices, solar eclipses, weather patterns, and planetary movements. Various times, U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Check ummnh.org for the latest Covid protocols. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.
Youth Show: Washtenaw County 4-H.
July 24-29. Six days of farm animal shows and auctions, plus crafts, exhibits, all-day equestrian competitions, and assorted contests from animal decorating to a goat milk-out. Highlights include the popular “Llama Leaping Contest” (July 27, 2 p.m.), the livestock auction (July 28, 6:30 p.m.), an archery contest (July 29, 1 p.m.), the “Animal Decorator Contest” (July 29, 1:30 p.m.), and the “Ag Olympics” (July 29, 2:30 p.m.) in which 4-H youth compete in Olympic-style games involving water, mud, and agricultural products. For complete daily schedule, see bit.ly/4hwashtenaw2022. 8 a.m.-evening, Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Free. 222-3877.
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club.
Every Fri., Tues., & Thurs. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Fri., Tues.), or a 499er game (Thurs.). 1–4 p.m. or so (arrive by 12:50 p.m.), City Club, 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $6 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email kahanae@yahoo.net or ronmeade@comcast.net beforehand.
“Playgroups for Babies”: Ann Arbor District Library.
Every Mon.–Wed. (except July 4). For kids up to 24 months (with caregiver). No older siblings. Mon. 10:30–11:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Tues. 11 a.m.–noon (Traverwood), Wed. 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. (Westgate).
Preschool Storytimes: Ann Arbor District Library.
Every Mon.—Fri. (except July 4). Half hour program of stories and songs for kids ages 2—5 (with caregiver). Mon. 10:30 a.m. (Pittsfield), Tues. 11 a.m. (Downtown), Wed. 10:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Thurs. 11 a.m. (Traverwood), Fri. 1 p.m. (Westgate).
Bridge: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Every Tues. & Fri. Some experience necessary. No partner needed. 2401 Plymouth Road. Free. Call 998-9353 if interested, info.tswp@umich.edu.
“Ann Arbor Group Runs”: Fleet Feet.
Every Sat. & Tues. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different Fleet Feet (formerly 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.).
“Dog and Suds Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.
Every Tues. Moderate-paced ride, 20 to 30 miles, along the less-traveled roads west and north of Chelsea. 6 p.m., sharp, meet at Aberdeen Bike and Outdoors, 1101 Main St., Chelsea. Start location occasionally changes; see aabts.org. Free. 678-8297.
“Knit Happens”: Ann Arbor Stitch ’n’ Bitch.
Every Tues. All knitters invited to work on their projects and swap tips. 6–8 p.m. or so, Panera Bread, 903 W. Eisenhower. 945–3035. momofpipi@gmail.com.
A2 Urban Forest Ward Walk - Traverwood route: City of Ann Arbor Forestry Department
The City of Ann Arbor first adopted an Urban & Community Forest Management Plan in 2014, recognizing the environmental, economic, and social importance of the city’s tree canopy while developing strategies to maintain its health and resilience.
Now, an update to the Plan will re-engage Ann Arbor residents in envisioning the future of the urban & community forest. Together with local organizations and forestry experts, we will outline current conditions, identify new opportunities and threats, and update the set of recommendations to establish a strong foundation for Tree Town’s future.
As community members who know your neighborhoods best, we need to know what you see! Our Ward Walks program offers several routes throughout the city for people to walk through, making note of tree cover and condition in commercial, residential, school, and park areas. Filling out the observation form, and attaching photos if desired, will give us a sense of how you're experiencing the urban forest.
Guided walks will be held on specific days in July for those who want a group experience. Register and view route maps on the website below.
3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor. https://bit.ly/A2trees. Free. tgiacobazzi@a2gov.org. a2gov.org/Forestry. 734.794.6356.“Tour de Dirt Tuesday Dirt Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.
Every Tues. 20- to 35-mile ride along Chelsea-area dirt roads. Email for upcoming week’s route. 6:15 p.m., sharp, meet at Aberdeen Bike and Outdoors, 1101 Main St., Chelsea. Free. scimitargs@gmail.com.
“Sufi Chanting, Movement, & Meditations”: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth.
Every Tues. Talk (via Zoom) by Imam Kamau Ayubbi. All ages welcome. 6:45–8:15 p.m., for URL see interfaithspirit.org/events/featured-event. $5–10 suggested donation. 327–0270.
“Capture the Flag”: All Hands Active.
Every Tues. All invited to try to capture a virtual flag by solving a computer security problem (or series of problems), ranging from basic computer usage to some programming. Led by AHA members. Beginners welcome. 7 p.m., for URL preregister at meetup.com/AllHandsActive/events. Free, but donations welcome. info@AllHandsActive.org.
“You Cannot Resist Me When My Hair Is in Braids”: Nicola’s Books Poetry Night.
Local poet and essayist Francis Kai-Hwa Wang joins fellow local Asian-American poets Carlina Duan and Zilka Joseph to discuss her new collection of lyric essays, a reflection on lessons learned from both Asian American elders and young multiracial children, punctuated by moments of rich cultural and linguistic nuance. 7 p.m. Nicola’s, 2513 Jackson, Westgate shopping center. Preregistration requested at nicolasbooks.com. Free. 662-0600.
Huron Valley Harmonizers Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Every Tues. All male and female singers invited to join the weekly rehearsals of this local barbershop harmony chorus. 7–8:45 p.m., Interfaith Center, 704 Airport Blvd. Masks encouraged, vaccination required to join. Free to visitors (annual dues for those who join). bit.ly/hvharmonizers. info@HVharmonizers.org, 796–7467.
Skazat! Poetry Series.
Online reading by U-M Stamps School writing coordinator Jennifer Metsker, whose 2021 collection, Hypergraphia and Other Failed Attempts at Paradise, explores the experience of living with bipolar disorder. According to a Poetry Foundation reviewer, readers of the book enter “an associative circus of sonic playfulness unencumbered by the need for sense-making.” Preceded by an open mic. 7–8:30 p.m., for URL preregister at Facebook.com/Skazat. Free. 223–3165.
Virtual Trivia Night: Ann Arbor Adventure Club.
Every Tues. All invited to form teams of 4 or so persons to compete (via Zoom) in a family-friendly 2-round trivia contest featuring questions in a range of fields from entertainment and history to pop culture and geography. Solo competitors are matched up together. 7 p.m., for URL email burrbarr7@hotmail.com. Free.
Voices in Harmony.
Every Tues. Female singers invited to join the weekly virtual rehearsals of this local 40-member a cappella barbershop harmony chorus. 7–9:30 p.m., UAW Local 898, 8975 Textile Rd., Ypsilanti. Mask optional. Free to visitors ($26 monthly dues for those who join). info@voicesinharmonychorus.org, 765–3611.
“Dr. Strangelove”: Michigan Theater.
(Stanley Kubrick, 1964). Painfully hilarious Cold War satire. Considered by many to be a masterpiece. Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden. 1:30 p.m. (Sun.) & 7:30 p.m. (Tues.). 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.
German Conversation.
Every Tues. & Thurs. All German speakers, native or non-native, invited for conversation with either or both of 2 long-running groups, the German Speakers Round Table (7:30 p.m. Tues.), and the A2 Stammtisch (8 p.m. Thurs.). Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, 120 W. Washington. Free admission. 812–6375 (Tues.). Preregistration for Thurs. A2 Stammtisch requested at heerdeolind@yahoo.com.
“Comedy Experiment”: Beer Grotto.
Every Tues. Stand-up showcase featuring sets by local comics TBA. 8 p.m., The Beer Grotto, 8059 Main, Dexter. Free. bit.ly/comedybeergrotto.