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Events in January 2023
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January 19, 2023
“The Plastic Bag Store”: University Musical Society/U-M Museum of Art/U-M Graham Sustainability Institute.
Jan. 17 and every Wed.–Sun., Jan. 18–Feb. 5. Film and theater director Robin Frohardt’s public art installation and immersive film screening uses humor and a critical lens to question our culture of consumption and convenience, with a focus on the effects of single-use plastic addiction. Shelves are stocked with thousands of original sculptures of everyday goods—produce and meat, dry goods and toiletries—all made from discarded single-use plastics. Several times a day, the “store” is transformed into a film screen that uses puppetry, shadowplay, and handmade sets to tell a darkly comedic story of how what we value least may become our most lasting cultural legacy. The Plastic Bag Store premiered in Times Square in 2020 and has toured across the U.S. 8 p.m. (Tues.), 6 & 8 p.m. (Wed.–Fri.); 2, 4, 6, & 8 p.m. (Sat.); & 2, 5, & 7 p.m. (Sun.), location TBA at tickets.ums.org. Mask required if Washtenaw County is in the CDC’s high-risk category. Tickets $30 (students $12) in advance at tickets.ums.org, at the Michigan League box office, & by phone, and (if available) at the door. 764–2538.
Preschool Storytimes: AADL.
“Teaching the Way We Learn”: Ann Arbor Piano Teachers Guild.
Computer Help with Jack Spence: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
“Little Paws Story Time”: HSHV.
Sensation Stations: AADL Malletts Creek.
“Climate Change 2023: Challenges and Solutions”: League of Women Voters of Washtenaw.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Natural History Museum.
“Pegasus: How a Spy in Your Pocket Threatens the End of Privacy, Dignity, and Democracy”: Literati Bookstore At Home with Literati.
French investigative journalists Laurent Richard & Sandrine Rigaud join U-M Wallace House director Lynette Clemetson to discuss (via Zoom) their new book, a meticulously reported investigation into Pegasus, a sophisticated spyware system developed by the Israeli company NSO Group. Noon, for URL see literatibookstore.com/event/2023-01. Free. 585–5567.
“International Neighbors Day”: International Neighbors.
All area women invited to make collages, do other crafts, and listen to the Let's Make Music group perform a few songs. Refreshments. Also, a chance to learn about activity groups, including an English language group. 1-2:30 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church basement community room, 1501 W. Liberty. Free. inannarbor.org, 930-9962.
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club.
Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) or a 499er game for players with no more than 499 ACBL master points (Thurs.). 1–4 p.m. or so (arrive by 12:45 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.
Ikebana International.
All invited to learn about and practice this Japanese style of flower arranging. Floral materials provided, bring your own container and tools. 1–2:30 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. $20. Space limited; preregistration required at a2ikebana@gmail.com. Metered parking. More info at ikebanaannarbor.org.
Wise Guys: Conversations for Men: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
“The Echo of the Whale: Taking History Below the Surface”: U-M Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies.
75th Annual Meeting: Washtenaw County Conservation District.
Ottawa County agriculture and economic resources coordinator Becky Huttenga speaks on farmland preservation in Michigan. Awards presented for distinguished service and volunteer of the year. The program begins with a buffet dinner. 5:30–8:30 p.m., Robin Hills Farm Events Center, 20390 M-52, Chelsea. $20 at washtenawcd.org/events or at the door. 302–8715.
Fady Joudah: U-M English Department Zell Visiting Writers Series.
This Palestinian-born, Houston-based poet, a practicing physician, reads from and discusses his work. His new collection, Tethered to Stars, uses astronomical and other scientific language, shifting between microscopic and telescopic imagery, to explore human nature. Followed by a Q&A. Also, tomorrow Joudah gives a free talk on “Recurrence and Rumination” (10–11 a.m., 3222 Angell Hall). 5:30–6:30 p.m., UMMA Stern Auditorium, 525 S. State. Livestream available for both programs at tinyurl.com/ZellWriters. Free, but capacity limited. asbates@umich.edu.
Titus Kaphar: U-M School of Art & Design Penny Stamps Speaker Series.
Postponed from Jan. 2022. Talk by this noted contemporary painter, sculptor, filmmaker, and installation artist, best known for layering social commentary in his portraits of American Founding Fathers. His work, Flay (James Madison), is the centerpiece of the ongoing UMMA exhibit Unsettling Histories: Legacies of Slavery and Colonialism. 5:30 p.m., Michigan Theater. Free. 936–0671.
“D & D Adventures”: Sylvan Factory.
“Repairsday Thursday”: All Hands Active.
Every Thurs. All invited to drop in with broken electronics, furniture, toys, and any other item for AHA members to try to repair and offer advice. Repairs not guaranteed. 6–8 p.m., All Hands Active, basement of 255 E. Liberty, ste. 225. Livestream available at MeetUp.com/AllHandsActive/events. Free; donations welcome. Mask recommended. info@AllHandsActive.org.
Ellie Martin & Eat It Up Trio: Blue LLama Jazz Club
ELLIE MARTIN is a highly respected vocalist, composer, educator, and jazz studies scholar who performs a wide variety of repertoire from Brazilian music, American Songbook, Bebop, as well as her original compositions. She was the featured vocalist with the National Arab Orchestra in San Antonio, Texas, and has performed alongside jazz luminaries Geri Allen, Terri Lynne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, and the New York Voices.
314 S. Main St ,Ann Arbor. Pre-Pay Cover at opentable.com $15. hello@bluellamaclub.com bluellamaclub.com 734-372-3200.Dwayne Kennedy: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Jan. 19–21. This Chicago comic is a ubiquitous presence on cable TV known for his piercing, keen-witted takes on a wide range of social, cultural, and geopolitical matters. He has had both a Comedy Central Presents and a Showtime special. Preceded by 2 opening acts. Alcohol is served. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $18 ($13 Thurs.) reserved seating in advance at etix.com before 6 p.m. the night of the show; $20 ($15 Thurs.) general admission at the door. 996–9080.
“Stairway to Heaven: A Tribute to Classic Rock”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company.
Jan. 19-22. Members of this local professional musical theater company, with a band led by composer-pianist R. MacKenzie Lewis, perform songs by rock bands of the 1960s and 70s, including hits by The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queen, The Who, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, and more. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 3 p.m. (Sun.), Encore, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $48 in advance at theencoretheatre.org and at the door. 268–6200.
Comhaltas.
Every Thurs. All invited to join members of this local chapter of the Detroit Irish Music Association for an informal evening playing traditional Irish music on various instruments. Lessons offered. 7:30–9:30 p.m., FUMC Green Wood Church, 1001 Green Rd. at Glazier Way. Free. facebook.com/DetroitIMA, contact@detroitirishmusic.org.
Pub Quiz: Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub.
Yoga with Cats: Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Every Thurs. & Sun., except Jan. 1. Humane Society education reps introduce all ages to the basics of hatha-style yoga, which integrates breath with movement. Also, interact with adoptable cats. Dress prepared to work out. Suitable for age 12 & up, all 16 & under must be accompanied by adult. 7:30–8:30 p.m. (Thurs.) & 8:30–9:30 a.m. (Sun.), Tiny Lions, ste. A1, 5245 Jackson Rd., $10. Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org, 661–3575.
German Conversation.
Every Thurs., and 2nd & 4th Tues. All German speakers, native or non-native, invited for conversation with either or both of 2 long-running groups, the A2 Stammtisch (8 p.m. Thurs.) and the German Speakers Round Table (7:30 p.m. Tues., Jan. 10 & 24). Various times, Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, 120 W. Washington. Free admission. Preregistration for Thurs. A2 Stammtisch requested at heerdeolind@yahoo.com. 812–6375 (Tues.).
