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Events in February 2023
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February 3, 2023
“D & D Adventures”: Sylvan Factory.
“Salt: Dispersed”: University Musical Society Digital Presentation.
Jan. 17–Feb. 13. Online presentation of this very personal monologue by performance artist Selina Thompson which premiered at the 2017 Edinburgh festival. At once dramatic, sad, and comic, it’s about a journey she made by cargo ship to retrace the triangular route of the transatlantic slave trade. Salt is Thompson’s response to being both British and a descendant of a people enslaved by the British. Anytime from Jan. 17 until Feb. 13. For URL, go to ums.org/performance/salt-dispersed, or preregister to be reminded. Free. 764–2538.
“The Plastic Bag Store”: University Musical Society/U-M Museum of Art/U-M Graham Sustainability Institute.
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, shadow play, 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. 6 & 8 p.m. (Wed.–Fri.); 2, 4, 6, & 8 p.m. (Sat.); & 2, 5, & 7 p.m. (Sun.), 777 Eisenhower Pkwy. 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.
Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory.
Every Mon.–Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play various forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. Wed. 5–8 p.m.: Casual Commander, the most popular form of the game, free. 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. Prizes paid in store credit. Various times. Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory.
Every Mon.–Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play various forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. Wed. 5–8 p.m.: Casual Commander, the most popular form of the game, free. 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. Prizes paid in store credit. Various times. Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
Preschool Storytimes: AADL.
Every Mon.–Fri. 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 & Malletts Creek), Wed. 10:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Thurs. 11 a.m. (Traverwood & Pittsfield), Fri. 1 p.m. (Westgate), and Tues., Feb. 21, 7-7:30 p.m. (Westgate).
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.
Rise and Shine Exercise: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Natural History Museum.
Coffee & Conversation: Pittsfield Township Community Center.
“Investigating Color in Roman Egypt”: U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology Flash Talk.
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops.
Tai Chi: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
U-M Center for Southeast Asian Studies Lecture Series.
Feb. 3 & 10. Talks by visiting scholars. Feb. 3: Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia) anthropology professor Realisa Masardi on “Refugee Youth Agency in Flux: Active and Passive Waiting in Transit Country Indonesia.” Feb. 10: Financial Times Tokyo correspondent Antoni Slodkowski on “Massacre in Myanmar: How Two Reporters Uncovered a Rohingya Mass Grave—and the Price They Paid for It.” Noon, 1010 (Feb. 3) & 110 (Feb. 10) Weiser Hall, 500 Church. For livestream preregister at umich.edu/cseas. Free. 615–4059.
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club.
Every Thurs., Fri., & Tues. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Fri. & Tues.) 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.
Letterpress Lab: Ann Arbor District Library.
“Winter Carnival”: Chelsea American Legion Post 31.
Feb. 3–5. Three days of cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and other winter fun (weather permitting) at Cavanaugh Lake. Also, a euchre tournament (age 18 & older only; $10; prizes) on Fri. 7 p.m., dancing to a live band, BoVine on Sat. 8–11 p.m., the competitive ice fishing derby (weather permitting; adults, $10; kids, $2) on Sat. 7 a.m.–4 p.m. with awards at 5 p.m. Food available. 4–11 p.m. (Fri.), 8 a.m.–11 p.m. (Sat.), & 8 a.m.–noon (Sun.), American Legion Hall, 1700 Ridge Rd., Chelsea. Free admission. 475–1964.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”: The Neutral Zone.
Occasional free screenings for high school-age teens, followed by a chance to discuss the film. Light refreshments. Feb. 3: (Ryan Coogler, 2022). The latest marvel superhero blockbuster about the princess of a reclusive African nation who gains superhuman abilities and dons the mythical Black Panther costume to defend her country. 4:30 p.m., 310 E. Washington. 214–9995.
Opening Reception for Laurén Magda Exhibit: The Gallery at Stone & Spoon
WEMU 5:01 Jazz Series: Ingrid Racine Quintet: Blue LLama Jazz Club
Trumpeter INGRID RACINE transgresses stylistic categories and geographic boundaries in pursuit of her own authentic sound as an improviser and composer. Steeped in the traditions of early jazz and Detroit hard bop, she also melds rock, hip hop and aesthetic influences from across the globe to arrive at her unique sound, which is both confident and versatile.
314 S. Main St ,Ann Arbor. NO COVER required hello@bluellamaclub.com bluellamaclub.com 734-372-3200.“Danish Hygge Cozy Winter”: Ann Arbor District Library.
“Full Moon Hike: Snow Moon”: Pittsfield Township Parks & Recreation.
All invited to take a full moon hike with a township naturalist at the Lillie Park trail loop and listen for the sounds of owls, foxes, and other animals. A roaring fire and hot cocoa follow. Note: Park restrooms are closed until spring. 5:30–6:30 p.m., Pavilion 3, Lillie Park South, 4365 Platt Rd. $12 (Pittsfield residents, $7). Preregistration required at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov or 822–2120.
"Energy Transfer" Exhibition Opening: Ann Arbor Art Center
The Ann Arbor Art Center opens its 2023 gallery season with Energy Transfer, an exhibition featuring a participatory installation by artists Hannah Burr, Jessica Frelinghuysen, Megan Heeres, and Natalia Rocafuerte.
Here, in this space, you will find artwork. Each piece presents a chance to respond with a gesture. Through your observations, your listening, and your movements, the art reaches its potential and becomes complete. Energy Transfer encourages wakefulness: Your charge is to go and do.
117 W Liberty St. ,Ann Arbor. free. info@annarborartcenter.org https://www.annarborartcenter.org/energy-transfer/ (734) 994-8004.Game Night: Sweetwaters Café Downtown.
Feb. 3 & 17. All invited to play any type of tabletop game, including board games, role-playing, and card games. Bring your own game, or use one provided. 6–9 p.m., Sweetwaters back room, 123 W. Washington St. Free, but food & drink purchases required for table use. Preregistration requested at meetup.com/aagame.
"Fieldwork: A Forager’s Memoir”: Literati Bookstore.
Michigan chef and food writer Iliana Regan joins local poet Alison Swan to discuss her new book, an account of how her complex gender identity informs her experience of the natural world, as well as her work as a Michelin-starred chef at the Milkweed Inn, an off-grid, foraging-centered bed & breakfast located in the remote Upper Peninsula. 6:30 p.m., Literati, 124 E. Washington. Free. 585–5567.
First Friday Shabbat: Jewish Cultural Society.
All invited for a dinner from a local restaurant, preceded by a brief secular Shabbat observance with songs, candle lighting, challah and wine rituals. Children welcome. 6:30–8 p.m., JCC, 2935 Birch Hollow. $10 (family, $25; members, free). Preregistration required at JewishCulturalSociety.org. 975–9872.
“Chicago: Teen Edition”: Huron High School Players.
Jan. 27–29 & Feb. 3–5. Huron students perform a stage adaptation of this 1975 musical, a satire on corruption in the criminal justice system and the “celebrity criminal” set in 1920s Chicago. Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse, whose style is strongly identified with the show. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), HHS Ingram Theater, 2727 Fuller. Tickets $15 (students, staff, & seniors, $10) in advance at huronplayers.weebly.com & at the door. 994–2097.
“Disability Pride”: Booksweet Bookshop Local Author’s Night.
“First Fridays: Open Hours for Adults”: The Creature Conservancy.
All age 18 & up invited to see a display of animals native to North America, including the black vulture, beaded lizard, alligator snapping turtle, and coyote. Also, a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals, including a reindeer, bald eagle, macaws, and more. 7–9 p.m., Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $12 in advance at thecreatureconservancy.org, $13 at the door. 929–9324.
“Rhythms of Ireland”: U-M Léim Irish Dance.
“Classic Rock Night”: Ann Arbor Parks & Rec. “Funky Frost Fridays.”
Ian Lara: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Feb. 2–4. NYC-based comic Lara is a Queens native with natural timing and a wealth of clever insights. His fresh takes on sex 2.0, Groupon travelers, dressing for protests, and more fuel his new HBO special, appearances on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and many other TV appearances. Preceded by 2 opening acts. Alcohol is served. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 ($15 Thurs.) reserved seating in advance at aacomedy.com before 5 p.m. the night of the show; $22 ($20 Thurs.) general admission at the door. 996–9080.
“A Modern Exploration of the American Songbook”: Ethnic Heritage Ensemble (The Encore Musical Theatre Company).
Feb. 3 & 4. This ensemble led by Chicago-based percussionist Kahil El’Zabar draws on African rhythms, hip-hop, and R&B to perform avant-garde arrangements of material from the American Songbook, the mythical canon of mostly early 20th-century jazz standards, show tunes, and popular songs. With trumpeter Corey Wilkes, saxophonist Alex Harding, and 2 guest musicians, jazz singer Tammy McCann and keyboardist Justin Dillard. 7:30 p.m., Encore, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $50 (+$3.80 fee) in advance at theEncoreTheatre.org & at the door. 268–6200.
“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.
"Alice Cooper at 75": Michigan Theater/Literati
Discussion between WDET journalist Rob Reinhart and veteran rock journalist Gary Graff about Graff's new book Alice Cooper at 75, a portrait of the Detroit rocker through the conceit of 75 career accomplishments and events. Followed by a screening of the documentary Super Duper Alice Cooper (Sam Dunn, Scot McFadden, & Reginald Harkema, 2014) at 8 p.m. Doors open and book signing at 7 p.m. Talk at 7:30 p.m. $12 (students and seniors, $10; members, $8). In advance at michtheater.org or at the door.
Nate Winn Quartet: Blue LLama Jazz Club
A consummate musician and Detroit native, NATHANIEL WINN discovered his passion for the drums in church at the age of 4. He has had the pleasure to work with many well-known musicians such as Danilo Perez, Robert Hurst, Pat Metheny and Joshua Redman. Nate’s style is influenced by Jazz, Blues and his Gospel upbringing, along with some of his favorite drummers: Brian Blade, Kendrick Scott, and Calvin Rodgers.
314 S. Main St ,Ann Arbor. Pre-Pay Light Fare+Libations or Dinner+Show at opentable.com $35–85. hello@bluellamaclub.com bluellamaclub.com 734-372-3200.“Astronomy Night Open House”: U-M Detroit Observatory.
The chance to learn about the Observatory’s antique telescopes, hear presentations on astronomical phenomena, and (weather permitting) observe the night sky through telescopes. 8–10:30 p.m., U-M Detroit Observatory, 1398 E. Ann at Observatory. Preregistration required at detroitobservatory.umich.edu. Free. 764–3482.
“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.
“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.
“Our Carnal Hearts”: University Musical Society.
Feb. 1–4. U.K.-based performance artist Rachel Mars is joined by 4 female singers in her gleefully wicked ode to the humblebrag and the other forms of envy engendered by the competitive spirit of capitalism. “Not just honest... very funny, too, and streaked with regret,” according to The Guardian reviewer. Structured like a church service, this Edinburgh Fringe Festival hit features audience participation and music by Louise Mothersole. 7:30 p.m. (Wed. & Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri.), & 2 p.m. (Sat.), Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin Ave. Mask required if Washtenaw County is in the CDC’s high-risk category. Tickets $25 (students, $12), in advance at tickets.ums.org, the Michigan League box office, & by phone, and (if available) at the door. 764–2538.
“Sleek Disturbances”: U-M Dance Department.
Feb. 2–5. Amy Chavasse directs dance majors in this annual contemporary dance showcase concert featuring choreography by U-M dance professors Fangfei Miao and Jillian Hopper, with guest choreography by NYC Dance Company directors Sidra Bell and Bryn Cohn. The program explores the idea of place, with the dancers inhabiting spaces that fluctuate between the real and imaginary, conjuring an idea of future realms through a range of movement ideas from the nuanced to the explosive. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat), & 2 p.m. (Sun), Power Center. Tickets $27–$33 in advance at smtd.umich.edu/events and at the door. 764–9537.
Angell Hall Observatory Open House: U-M Student Astronomical Society.
Symphony Band: U-M Music School.
Michael Haithcock leads this music student ensemble in a program celebrating the legacy of local Pulitzer Prize-winning composer William Bolcom, including a performance of his Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Band featuring U-M saxophone professor Timothy McAllister. Also, works by Bolcom’s teacher, Darius Milhaud, Mozart, and a piece by MSU composition professor Zhou Tian that connects American and Chinese musical traditions. Preceded at 7:15 p.m. by a brief talk. 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Free. 615–3204.
