Observer Editor
Community Listing
Online Event
Creative Washtenaw Event
Free Event
Donation Suggested
Hybrid Event
Events in December 2022
Looking for live music tonight?
Visit our Nightspots listing.
December 12, 2022
“Anansi the Spider: Re-Spun”: University Musical Society Digital Presentation.
Dec. 5–23 (all day, online). Three members of the Unicorn Theatre (London)—Afia Abusham, Sapphire Joy, and Juliet Okotie—present classic West African and Caribbean tales using story, song, and dance. A long, long time ago, the cleverest of all the animals in the kingdom was Anansi—trickster, mischief maker, and master spinner of yarns. Recommended for kids from 3 to 9. Streaming available with registration at ums.org/performance/anansi-the-spider. Free. umsyouth@umich.edu, 647–4010.
“Playgroups for Babies”: AADL.
Every Mon.–Wed. & Dec. 8. 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), & Dec. 8, 6–7 p.m. (Pittsfield).
Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory.
Every Fri., Sat., & Mon.–Wed. All invited to play various forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. Fri. 6:30–10 p.m.: Magic rotating draft, cost varies. Sat. noon–3 p.m.: Intro to Magic: The Gathering, free. Sat. 6–10 p.m.: Commander Pods, casual groups of 4 players, free. Mon. 6:30–10 p.m.: Power Cards, $10. Tues. 6–9 p.m.: MTG Pauper, a fun and fast format for all skill levels, $5. Wed. 5–8 p.m.: Casual Commander, the most popular form of the game, free. Prizes paid in store credit. Various times. Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
Preschool Storytimes: AADL.
Every Mon.–Fri. & Dec. 11. 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), and Dec. 11 1 p.m. (Pittsfield).
Santa: Briarwood Mall.
Daily Nov. 23–Dec. 24 (Mon.–Sat. noon–8 p.m. & Sun. noon–6 p.m.). All kids invited to sit with Santa; photos available for purchase. Dec. 11 is “Pet Photo Night” (6–8 p.m.) for 4-legged, leashed, friendly pets that weigh less than 60 lbs. A session for kids with special needs is held before the mall opens on Dec. 4, 9–10:30 a.m. Note: Santa takes breaks 3–4 p.m. Briarwood Von Maur court. Appointments encouraged at simon.com/santa. 769–9610.
Tai Chi: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd., or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353. No meetings Nov. 24 & 25.
Today:
Tai Chi (Mon., Wed., & Fri. noon-12:30 p.m.) via Zoom.
Walking Group: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd., or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353. No meetings Nov. 24 & 25.
Today:
Walking Group (Mon., Wed., & Fri. 12:30–1 p.m.) via Zoom.
Euchre: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Free. Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd., or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353. No meetings Nov. 24 & 25.
Today:
Euchre (Mon. 1–3 p.m.) in person.
“D & D Adventures”: Sylvan Factory.
Every Thurs., Fri., Mon., & Tues. All age 16+ invited to play Dungeons and Dragons role-playing games. 6–8 p.m. (Thurs.), 6–10 p.m. (Fri.), & 5–8 p.m. (Mon. & Tues.), Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium Blvd. $10. Preregistration recommended. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
Ann Arbor Area Scrabble Club.
Every Mon. All invited to play the classic word game, using the 5th-edition Scrabble dictionary. Bring your own set, if you like. 5–9 p.m., Arbor Brewing Company Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. Free. burrbarr7@hotmail.com.
“TriviaTime! with Katie and Abbie: Lord of the Rings”: Ann Arbor District Library.
Adults and kids ages 10 & up invited to answer trivia questions about this classic J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy series. Prizes. 6:30–7:30 p.m., AADL Westgate, 2503 Jackson. Free. 327–4200.
“5,000 Blankets”: Fathom Events.
Fathom Events. 973–8424 (Ann Arbor 20), 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $11.50–$12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomevents.com/events and at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter), & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline), different times.
Dec. 12 & 13. (Amin Matalqa, 2022). Inspirational drama, based on a true story, about a boy and his mother who, in the wake of the father’s mental breakdown and disappearance, start a movement to give blankets to the homeless. 7 p.m.
“Conan the Barbarian”: Fathom Events.
Fathom Events. 973–8424 (Ann Arbor 20), 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $11.50–$12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomevents.com/events and at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter), & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline), different times.
Dec. 12 & 13. (John Milius, 1982). Fantasy adventure about a former slave out for revenge against the savage warlord who killed his parents. Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Max von Sydow. 7 p.m.
Large Ensemble Meeting: Ann Arbor Recorder Society.
All beginning and advanced players of the recorder and other early instruments invited to play mostly Renaissance music, directed by viol teacher and early music specialist Janet Cannon. Bring your own music stand, and also bring your own music from 2019 if you have it; if not, cost for music is $7. 7:30–9 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church basement music room (enter by the back door), 1501 W. Liberty. Mask (when not playing) and proof of latest Covid booster required. Free to visitors ($35 yearly dues for those who join). For more info, contact kgilson@earthlink.net 412–9131 or sindikeesan@fastmail.fm (914) 236–6123 (voice only). a2recordersociety.org.
Scandinavian Music Jam.
Dec. 12 & 26. Bruce Sagan and Brad Battey lead an acoustic jam session devoted to traditional music from Sweden and Norway. All instruments welcome, no experience necessary. 7:30–9:30 p.m., in person or virtual TBA. For information, email bsagan@msu.edu. Free. (908) 721–2599.
Tartan & Thistle Scottish Country Dancers.
Dec. 5, 12, & 19. Jigs, reels, and strathspeys. Usually with live music by Susie Lorand, Josh Burdick & friends. All dances taught; beginners welcome. 7:30–9:30 p.m., call 274–0773 for location. Mask and vaccination required. $5.