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Events in February 2023
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
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February 26, 2023
"Science Forum Demos”: U-M Museum of Natural History.
Every Sat. & Sun. (except Feb. 5 & 11). Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demos for ages 5 & up. “Life: How Do We Find It?” (11 a.m.) features a re-creation of an experiment from the Mars Viking Landers expedition to show how scientists search for life on other planets. A Cow Eye Dissection (3 p.m.) explores how vision works in different animals and how to keep our eyes healthy. 11 a.m. & 3 p.m., MNH, 1105 North University. Free. 764–0478.
Museum Highlight Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History.
Every Sat. & Sun., except Feb. 5 & 11. 30-minute tour of the museum exhibits and galleries, including Evolution: Life Through Time and artist Jim Cogswell’s Unseen Worlds installation. Also, an introduction to some current U-M biological sciences research projects. Noon & 2 p.m., MNH, 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. 764–0478.
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater.
Every Fri.–Sun. & Feb. 20. 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. 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. Also, at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 11, Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago. Various times, MNH, 1105 North University. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.
“Rescue Reading”: HSHV.
Every Sun. (10–11:30 a.m.): Kids invited to read to adoptable animals to work on their reading skills, using their own or provided books. Also, a group read-aloud and a dog meet-and-greet. For kids ages 6–11. No adults. HSHV. $15. Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org, 661–3575.
“Tea 201: Green Tea”: Zingerman’s Delicatessen.
Deli tea specialist Jackson Konwinski discusses green tea history, production, origins, styles, brewing methods, and shares tips for making tea at home. Also, a tasting of 8 different green teas. 10–11:30 a.m., Zingerman’s Deli, 422 Detroit Street. $25 Preregistration required at zingermansdeli.com/events. 663–3354.
Alex Belhaj’s Crescent City Quartet: North Star Lounge.
“Ancient Wisdom. Modern Times”: Jewel Heart Tibetan Buddhist Center Sunday Talks.
Every Sun. Livestream talks by Jewel Heart resident spiritual advisor Demo Rinpoche, followed by a discussion facilitated by Jewel Heart staffers. Once a month, Demo Rinpoche presents a story from Jakata Tales, the Indian canon of 547 poems, dated 300 BC–400 AD, that concern the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form. The Feb. 5 topic is “The Pitcher,” a tale about avoiding intoxication. 11 a.m., for URL preregister at bit.ly/jeweldharmatalk. Free. 994–3387.
“Brick Bash 2023”: Skyline High School Band Fundraiser.
Feb. 25 & 26. Public LEGO building party with a DUPLO play area for young kids and displays of models by LEGO hobbyists from around the country. Also, Gaylord father and son Tim and Zach Croll, 2021 contestants on Fox’s LEGO Masters TV show, in attendance all weekend. Sat. only: a performance by the Skyline Drumline (2 p.m.). Sale of LEGO products, custom sets, and publications. Concessions. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (Sat.) & 11 a.m.–5 p.m. (Sun.), Skyline, 2552 N. Maple. $5 (family, $20). brickbash.com, 637–9429.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Natural History Museum.
Sunday Salon Series: Catch Us While You Can.
Every Sun. A different lineup of activities each week, from readings, concerts, and show & sale of artworks to informal jam sessions and other impromptu events. Also, tea & croissants available for a donation. Feb. 5: Silver and gold jewelry, made using the remains of real honeybees by Chris Hippler. Feb. 12: North Country Opera songwriter Jay Stielstra reads from his first novel, Meet Me at the River (2022), a tale of murder and self-discovery set in the UP. Feb. 19: Live Celtic-grounded original music by local ensemble Nutshell. Also, a reading by local poet Sue Budin, whose 2022 collection is False Borders. Feb. 26: A preview of Reconstructed Landscapes, the Chenille Sisters’ Cheryl Dawdy’s book of collage art, poetry, and song lyrics. Also, Dawdy and friends perform some of her songs. 11 a.m.–1 p.m., A Makeshift Gallery, 407 E. Liberty. Free admission. Cheryldawdy.com, cldawdy@gmail.com.
H.A.C. Ultimate.
“Critter House Open Hours”: Leslie Science & Nature Center.
36th Annual Storytelling Festival: The Ark.
See 24 Friday Events listing. Today: Storytellers featured in the Saturday show—Bill Harley, Sheila Arnold, and Steve Daut—present a program of family-oriented stories. 1 p.m., The Ark, 316 S. Main. Mask required if, per the Washtenaw County Health Department, the county is at a high community level for Covid-19. Tickets $10 on Fri., $30 on Sat., & $15 (kids, $10) on Sun. in advance at the Michigan Union Ticket Office (mutotix.com) & theark.org, and at the door. To charge by phone, call 763–TKTS.
“Scaling the 1870 Brick Wall in African American Genealogy”: Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County.
“Beauty and the Beast”: Burns Park Players.
Feb. 23–26. Burns Park elementary school students, parents, and friends perform this 1994 Disney musical, based on the 1991 animated film adaptation of the classic French fairy tale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. The story concerns an unkind prince who has been magically transformed into an unsightly creature as punishment for his selfish ways. To revert into his true human form, the Beast must learn to love a bright, beautiful young lady who he has imprisoned in his enchanted castle. The score includes the popular songs “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.” 7:30 p.m. (Thurs. & Fri.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), Michigan Theater. Tickets $20–$25 (students, $15) in advance at burnsparkplayers.org & at the door. 763–8587.
“Human Error”: Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.–Sun., Feb. 3–Mar. 18. Lynch Travis directs the Michigan premiere of Ohio-based playwright Eric Pfeffinger’s political comedy about a liberal couple trying to start a family whose fertilized embryo is accidentally implanted in the uterus of a small-government-supporting NRA cardholder. Cast: Henrí Franklin, Alex Leydenfrost, Kristin Shields, Kevin Theis, and Meghan VanArsdalen. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat., except Feb. 9), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $21–$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.
“Pokémon Party”: Ann Arbor District Library.
“The Language Archive”: Theatre Nova.
Every Fri.–Sun., Feb. 3–26. Carla Milarch directs this Michigan premiere of Julia Cho’s whimsical 2010 romantic comedy about a man obsessed with documenting the dying languages of far-flung cultures even as his own capacity to communicate, along with his marriage, is deteriorating. 2 p.m. (Sun.), 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 3 p.m. (Sat.), Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Mask & proof of vaccination required. Tickets $22 ($10 for kids under 17) in advance at theatre-nova.ticketleap.com and (if available) at the door. 635–8450.
“The Mousetrap”: P.T.D. Productions.
Wed.–Sun., Feb. 23–March 4. Veronica Long directs local actors in Agatha Christie's intricate 1952 murder mystery thriller about newlyweds who transform their inherited English manor house into an inn. On opening day, amid rumors of a murderer at large, the inn's somewhat questionable guests become snowbound, and after an unexpected discovery begin eyeing each other fearfully. "One of the most skillfully written murder mysteries ever produced," notes the New York Times. Cast includes Mei-Lin Wong, Gavin Allen, Sam Johnson, Jan Romans, Larry Rusinsky, Eƶra Korycinski, Avery Koenig, and Russ Schwartz. 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun. & Wed.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti. Tickets $20 (students, seniors, & active military, $15) in advance at ptdproductions.com and at the door. 483–7345.
“Winter Woody Plants”: Waterloo Natural History Association.
Naturalist Robert Ayotte gives an illustrated talk on identifying local trees, shrubs, and vines during winter, with a focus on buds, branching patterns, tree silhouettes, and bark. Followed by a hike. Be prepared for icy trails. 2–3:30 p.m., Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd., Chelsea. $2 (families, $5). Preregistration required by calling 475–3170; space limited. $12 Michigan recreation passport ($17 at the gate) required.
Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild.
All invited to listen to guild members swap stories or bring their own to tell. 2–4 p.m., AADL Downtown, 3rd floor meeting room. Mask requested. Online participation available; for URL preregister at annarborstorytelling.org. Please check website for possible last-minute changes due to weather or Covid conditions. Free.
“Once on This Island”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company.
Every Thurs.–Sun., Feb. 23–Mar. 12. Natalie Kaye Clater directs this local professional theater company in a production of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s 1990 Calypso-flavored coming-of-age 1-act pop-rock musical about a rich boy and the peasant girl who rescues him from peril. Adapted from Rosa Guy’s 1985 novel My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl, a retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Little Mermaid. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 3 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), Encore Maas Main Stage, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $54 (seniors & youth under 18, $52) in advance at theencoretheatre.org and at the door. $20 student rush tickets (if available) an hour before showtime. 268–6200.
"As You Like It": The Jeweler's Players
Feb 24-26. Students of St. Augustine's Homeschool Enrichment Program present Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy centered on a noblewoman who must disguise herself as a man in order to win the world’s respect. With its deft counterpointing of multiple plots, its extravagance of word and wit, and its canny assault upon the various socially sanctioned ways in which people inflict themselves upon one another, "As You Like It" is arguably the greatest comic drama in English. It is certainly one of the most entertaining. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 3 p.m. (Sun.), Whitmore Lake High School Auditorium, 7430 Whitmore Lake Rd. Tickets $8 (students, $5; families, $30) at the door. thejewelersplayers.com
"Cocktail Class: Manhattan and Parts Nearby": Tammy's Tastings
Manhattan isn’t the only borough to be immortalized in cocktail form. In this class you’ll mix and drink your way through all of NYC. Then we’ll expand our borders to include some metaphorical neighbors as we explore the world of Manhattan variations.
Your booking includes light snacks (pretzels, nuts). The Last Word is closed during the class, so no food service is available. The class includes a combination of history and stories, technique instruction, and hands-on making of cocktails. Plus sampling, of course! Total consumption is equivalent to 1.5-2 cocktails per person over the 2 hour class.
301 W Huron St ,Ann Arbor. https://www.tammystastings.com/events/manhattan-and-parts-nearby-7/ $59. tammylc@tammystastings.com tammystastings.com 7342763215.Ann Arbor Go Club.
Ballroom Dance Club at the U-M.
Yoga with Cats: Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Every Thurs. & Sun. Humane Society education reps introduce all ages to the basics of hatha-style yoga. 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. [5x] [2 Thurs]
