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Events in December 2022
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December 25, 2022
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December 21, 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.
“It’s a Wonderful Life”: 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. 18 & 21. (Frank Capra, 1946). Sentimental classic about a man who gets a second chance at life on Christmas Eve. James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore. 3:30 & 7 p.m.
“Pickleball”: Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.–Sun., Sept. 30–Dec. 23. Rhiannon Ragland directs the world premiere of actor-playwright (and Purple Rose founder) Jeff Daniels’ comedy about America’s fastest growing sport. Four below-average players try to overcome their own limitations to achieve greatness in a game that has nothing to do with pickles. Cast: Ryan Carlson, Kate Thomsen, Lynch Travis, Jonathan West, and Caitlin Cavannaugh. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $34–$52 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.
“Playgroups for Babies”: AADL.
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.
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.
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater.
Daily, except Dec. 5, 12, 19, 23–26, 31, Jan. 1. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Sea Monsters (11:30 a.m.) follows a curious dolichorhynchops (an extinct species of marine reptile) as she travels through the most dangerous oceans in history, meeting long-necked plesiosaurs, giant turtles and fish, sharks, and the most dangerous sea monster of all, the mosasaur. The Sky Tonight (12:30 & 2:30 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. Mars: One Thousand One (1:30 p.m.) tells the story of what humans might face with the first manned journey to Mars. Various times, MNH, 1105 North University. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.
“Holiday Cookie Exchange”: Pittsfield Township Parks & Recreation.
Seniors invited to bring 3 dozen of their favorite holiday cookies to exchange. Also, participants decorate a gingerbread house to take home. 10 a.m.–noon, Pittsfield Community Center, 701 W. Ellsworth. Free. Preregistration required (with information about cookie type) at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov or by calling 822–2120.
“Tiny Tails Storytime”: HSHV.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Natural History Museum.
Holiday Artist Market: The Guild of Artists & Artisans.
Every Tues.–Sat., Nov. 25–Dec. 22. Juried show & sale of works in various media and styles by over 50 area artists. Featuring jewelry, functional and decorative ceramics, small and large paintings, prints, fiber art, wood carvings, and more. Also, every Fri. & Sat., artist trunk shows. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., The Gutman Gallery, 118 N. Fourth Ave. Free admission. 662–3382.
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops.
Tai Chi: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Walking Group: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Chess: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
“Winter Solstice Hike”: Pittsfield Township Parks & Recreation.
All invited to take a late afternoon hike with a township naturalist at the Lillie Park trail loop and watch the sun set on the shortest day of the year. A bonfire and hot beverages follow. Note: park restrooms are closed until spring. 4:30–5:30 p.m., Pavilion 3, Lillie Park South, 4365 Platt Rd. $12 (Pittsfield residents, $7). Preregistration required at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov or 822–2120.
“A2 Retro Tech Meetup”: All Hands Active.
“Blues Christmas”: First Congregational Church.
Veteran local singer-guitarist Terry Farmer plays classic and folk Christmas tunes in a bluesy style, accompanied by drummer Billy Harrington, Neil Donato and Dale Grisa on piano and organ, bassist Sam Collins, and pedal steel guitarist Mike Harrington. 7 p.m., FCC, 608 E. William. Free; donations accepted. 662–1679.
"8th Annual (almost) Winter Solstice SING!": Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth
Let's come together on the longest night of the year, to sing to the SUN! All are welcome to bring their (masked) voices to sing songs of Peace, Hope, Light and Joy, with song leaders Jean Chorazyczweski, Lori, Eric & Mary Fithian, Alaura Massaro, Linda Teaman and Tom Voiles.
704 Airport Blvd ,Ann Arbor MI 48108. n/a FREE. lorifithian@mac.com https://interfaithspirit.org/events/specialevents/ 734-426-7818.Ann Arbor Bridge Club.
Every Wed., except Dec. 28. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Bring a partner if you can, or call in advance or arrive 20 minutes early if you can’t. 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.
Hot Club Wednesday: Ben Rolston & Friends: North Star Lounge
Back in town for a night of music with hometown friends, Brooklyn based bassist / composer Ben Rolston is an accomplished and compelling performer in an eclectic range of musical styles. Ben has performed with important musical voices like Marcus Belgrave, Laurence Hobgood (Kurt Elling), Tim Ries (Rolling Stones), Dwight Adams (Stevie Wonder), and Nick Dunston, and at world-class venues like The Newport Jazz Festival, Birdland, The Jazz Gallery, and The Green Mill.
301 N. 5th Ave ,Ann Arbor. nstarlounge.comKerrytown Crafters.
Latin Jazz Wednesday: Aguanko: Blue LLama Jazz Club
Conga player and composer Alberto Nacif was born in the isthmus state of Oaxaca on Mexico’s west coast where Cuban derived rhythms were part of everyday music. Nacif and the superlative musicians who make up the sizzling Latin Jazz septet AGUANKO now have a new, all original Latin Jazz recording titled “Pattern Recognition”, produced by Jose “Pepe” Espinosa, and released in July 2018.
314 S. Main St ,Ann Arbor. Pre-Pay Cover at opentable.com $15. hello@bluellamaclub.com bluellamaclub.com 734-372-3200.Meditation & Discussion: Ann Arbor Karma Thegsum Chöling.
“Winter Solstice Celebration”: Kerrytown Concert House.
Local pianist Kathryn Goodson, a U-M music school coach, is joined by other local musicians in performances of music by Brahms, Mozart, Bruch, and others. With violist John Madison, clarinetist Monica Kaenzig, and mezzo soprano Monica Swartout-Bebow. 7:30 p.m., KCH, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Livestream also available. Tickets $29-$50 (students, $19) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com and (if available) at the door. Reservations recommended. 769–2999.
Choir Concert: Huron High School.
Huron student and alumni choirs, musicians from the Huron High School Orchestra, and extracurricular bluegrass musicians perform South African folk music and works TBA by Purcell, Schubert, Randall Stroope, John Leavitt, and Shawn Kirchner. 7:30–9 p.m., HHS Meyers Auditorium, 2727 Fuller. Free. 994–2040.
