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Events in March 2023
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March 11, 2023
“Cabaret”: Community High School Ensemble Theatre.
Mar. 9–12. Emily Wilson-Tobin directs CHS students in a school-friendly version of this 1966 musical centered on a love triangle and the hedonistic nightlife of a 1929 Berlin club that serves as a metaphor for the desperate distractions of a poverty-stricken people headed towards the disaster of Nazism. It’s adapted from John Van Druten’s 1951 play I Am a Camera, itself based on Christopher Isherwood’s semi-autobiographical novel Goodbye to Berlin (1939) which drew from his experiences in the Weimar Republic and his friendship with cabaret singer Jean Ross. Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), CHS Craft Theater, N. Fifth Ave. at Detroit St. Tickets $20 (students & seniors, $15) in advance only at ShowTix4u.com.
“Science Forum Demos”: U-M Museum of Natural History.
Every Sat. & Sun. (except Mar. 19). 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. “Shedding Light on Magnets” (3 p.m.) explores magnetism, magnetic fields, and what magnets have to do with cell phones. 11 a.m. & 3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Free. 764–0478.
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater.
Every Fri.–Sun. 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. Various times, MNH, 1105 North University. $8 at the door. Limited capacity. 764–0478.
Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet.
Huron Gun Collectors.
Mar. 11 & 12. About 100 dealers and collectors offer guns, knives, ammunition, and other hunting equipment for sale, including antiques and collectibles. Concessions. Youth age 17 & under must be accompanied by an adult. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Sat.) & 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (Sun.), Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Admission $5 (members, $3; kids age 12 & under, free). (517) 546–4710.
Toddler Time
$15 includes one toddler plus an accompanying adult. Children ages 5 and under only. / / Second Toddler (5 and under) $5
Every Friday from 10:00AM - 12:00PM*
Every Saturday from 9:00am-10:00am*
Toddler Time at Launch in Ann Arbor, MI is a great experience for kids 5 and under. Come jump with Mom or Dad without the big kids around! Improves strength and balance while minimizing strain on growing joints. Age-specific time to enjoy the entire park. Great way to socialize children and teach them how to work well with others.
*Excluding holidays and school vacation weeks
*Launch socks required and not included.
ALL Jumpers MUST wear Launch Safety Grip Socks. These socks may be purchased upon arrival for $3 a pair.
BIPOC Bird Walk at North Hydro Park: Washtenaw Audubon Society.
Club member Victor Chen leads a walk for people from BIPOC (Black, indigenous, people of color) communities—and allies—to look for waterfowl and winter birds. Binoculars available to use. 9:30–11:30 a.m., North Hydro Park, Ypsilanti. Meet at the entrance by Ambassador Dr. and Woodale Ave. Free. Washtenawaudubon.org.
“Journey to the Sugarbush”: Hudson Mills Metropark.
Every Sat. & Sun., Mar. 4–19. Maple tree tapping and a visit to the evaporator to see sap being made into syrup. Program takes place primarily outdoors. Followed by a picnic pancake breakfast (preorder only). $6 (family meal $26). Hourly 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Hudson Mills activity center, 8801 North Territorial Rd., Dexter. $5 (kids, $3, children under 2, free), preregistration required at bit.ly/hudsonmillsmar2023 by 4 p.m. the day before the program. Metroparks pass or $10 vehicle entry fee required. 426–8211.
“Old-Time Maple Sugar Festival”: Waterloo Natural History Association.
Activities include a guided walk to see various methods of collecting sap, demos of boiling sap down to make syrup, and a display of antique syrup-making equipment. Maple products available for purchase. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd., Chelsea. Free. $12 ($17 at the gate) recreation passport required. 475–3170.
“Seed Share”: Project Grow.
Huron Gun Collectors.
Mar. 11 & 12. About 100 dealers and collectors offer guns, knives, ammunition, and other hunting equipment for sale, including antiques and collectibles. Concessions. Youth age 17 & under must be accompanied by an adult. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Sat.) & 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (Sun.), Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Admission $5 (members, $3; kids age 12 & under, free). (517) 546–4710.
Photo Monitoring Kickoff: Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation.
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops.
U-M Physics Department Saturday Morning Physics.
Mar. 11, 18, & 25. A popular series of talks, aimed at general audiences, by U-M scholars. Mar. 11: U-M physics demonstration lab technicians Nicholas Arnold, Conor Heaney, and Monika Wood lead a family-friendly demonstration on how energy changes its form in “Physics Goes BOOM: Energy in Action.” Mar. 18: U-M physics professor Bjoern Penning and artist Gina Gibson discuss their work at a dark matter detector located in a former South Dakota goldmine in “UN/EARTH: Science and Art from a Mile Underground.” Mar. 25: Student Presentations by U-M physics grad student Blake Hipsley and astronomy grad student Larissa Markwardt. 10:30-11:30 a.m., 170 & 182 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Also via livestream at saturdaymorningphysics.org. Free. 764–4437.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History.
“You Can Dance!”: University Musical Society.
All age 12 & up invited to learn international club-style ballroom dance moves from tango to the hustle with Detroit dance teacher Mr. Smooth. No dance experience required. 11 a.m.–noon. Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti. Free, preregistration required at ums.org/performance/you-can-dance-ballroom-22-23 (limited capacity).
U-M Softball vs. Georgia Southern.
Mar. 10 & 11. The U-M, a perennial national power, opens its home season with a 2-game series. This month’s schedule also includes a 2-game series vs. Kent State (Mar. 11, 1:30 p.m. & Mar. 12, 2 p.m.), and single games vs. Bowling Green (Mar. 15, 4:30 p.m.) & Oakland (Mar. 29, 4:30 p.m.). 4:30 p.m. (Fri.) & 11 a.m. (Sat.), Alumni Field, 1114 S. State. Tickets (price TBA) at mGOblue.com/tickets & at the gate. 764–0247.
“FoolMoon Intergalactic Garden Community Build”: Ann Arbor District Library.
“Spiral Coils: Community Creations for the Ann Arbor Film Festival”: Ann Arbor District Library.
Art Supply Swap: Ann Arbor District Library.
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. Various costs. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
Salon Series: Catch Us While You Can.
Every Thurs. & Sun. A different lineup of activities each time, from readings, concerts, and show & sale of artworks to informal jam sessions and other impromptu events. This month’s highlights: Mar. 12: Informal jam session. Mar. 16: Cigar Box Guitar and Panjo Jam led by Mike Mouradian using his hand-made 3-string electric cigar box guitars, his banjos made from pans, along with dulcimer and ukulele played by gallery artists TBA. Mar. 19: Staged reading of well-known local playwright Jay Stielstra’s newest play, O’ Say Can You See, a look into the convoluted characters, politics and intrigue leading up to the Civil War. Mar 30: Live auction of selected artworks from the collection of the recently deceased & beloved local arts patron Barbara Kramer. 4–5 p.m. (Thurs.) & noon–2 p.m. (Sun.), A Makeshift Gallery, 407 E. Liberty. Free admission. Cheryldawdy.com, cldawdy@gmail.com.
“Creature Encounters”: The Creature Conservancy.
Every Sat. & Sun. Conservancy staffers show off some animals native to Australia, including the dingo, bearded dragon, and side-necked turtle (2 & 4 p.m.). Also, a zookeeper display of a carpet python (3 p.m.) and a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals, including a reindeer, bald eagle, macaws, and more. 1–5 p.m., Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $13 (kids ages 2–12, $11; under age 2, free) at the door; $1 discount for advance purchase at thecreatureconservancy.org. 929–9324.
“Hansan: Rising Dragon”: State Theatre.
Mar. 11: (Kim Han-min, 2022). Visually spectacular war action film, the second in a trilogy about Korean national hero Yi Sun-shin, who led a 16th-century effort to fight off Japanese invaders. This film centers on the 1592 naval Battle of Hansan Island. Korean, subtitles. 1 p.m. Film screenings every Tues. & Thurs.–Sun. Tickets $10.50 (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8:50; MTF members, $8; matinee $7.50) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see MichTheater.org.
Museum Highlight Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History.
Every Sat. & Sun. (except Mar. 19) and Mar. 27–31. 30-minute tour of the museum’s exhibits and galleries, as well as an introduction to some current U-M Biological Sciences research projects. 1 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) & noon (Mar. 27–31), U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. 764–0478.
“Shrek the Musical”: Greenhills School Department of Fine and Performing Arts.
Mar. 9–11. Gary Lehman directs Greenhills High School students in Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire’s amiable 2008 musical, based on the 2001 animated film, about Shrek, an ogre who endures ridicule and banishment for his appearance but after many adventures, finds confidence, purpose, and true love. The serviceable score includes Neil Diamond’s 1966 hit (for the Monkees) “I’m a Believer.” 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat.), 840 Greenhills Dr. Free. 769–4010.
Intro to Improv for Teens: Ann Arbor District Library.
Open Hours: All Hands Active.
Saturday Sampler: U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology.
“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.
“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.
“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.
Sole Full of Rhythm Fundraiser.
Mar. 10 & 11. A benefit for this local youth dance ensemble features talks, dance demos, excerpts from new repertoire, improvisational games, and live music by the group’s musical director, veteran local jazz pianist Rick Roe. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 4 p.m. (Sat.), Randazzo Dance, 4569 Washtenaw. Preregistration required; email sara@solefullofrhythm.dance. $25 suggested donation.
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. Various costs. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
“Mendelssohn Mystery Madness”: Yotonix (U-M Activities Center).
“The Little Mermaid”: Chelsea Area Players Jr.
Mar. 10–12. Alex Moore directs young actors in grades 3–8 in Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater, and Doug Wright’s musical based on the Disney’s 1989 film adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen tale about a mermaid who falls in love with a human. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Washington St. Education Center, 500 Washington St., Chelsea. $10 (cash only) at Chelsea Hometown Pharmacy and at the door.
“Vertigo”: Michigan Theater.
Film screenings every Wed.–Sun. Tickets $10.50 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8:50; MTF members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see MichTheater.org.
Mar. 11 & 27: (Alfred Hitchcock, 1958). Noir psychological thriller that stars James Stewart as a retired police detective who is afraid of heights and Kim Novak as the woman he becomes obsessed with. Considered by many Hitchcock’s greatest film. 7 p.m. (Mar. 11), 7:30 p.m. (Mar. 27).
Julie Beutel & Bob O'Brien: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth Cafe 704.
Trivia Night Fundraiser: Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic
Trivia games with prizes, free appetizers, cash bar, and silent auction to raise money for the Fiddlers. Live music from the Saline Fiddlers. 7-10 p.m., Tri-County Sportsmans League, 8640 Moon Rd., Saline. $25 at https://bit.ly/fiddlertrivia and at the door.
“Teen Mewvie Night at Tiny Lions”: Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Dulcé Sloan: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Mar. 9–11. This hot observational comic has confidence to spare and a strong point of view. A correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show since 2017, she was named one of Rolling Stone’s 10 Comedians You Need to Know Right Now, and her Comedy Central special was included in the New York Times best-of-comedy roundup. Preceded by 2 opening acts TBA. Alcohol is served. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $25 (Thurs., $20) reserved seating in advance at etix.com and general admission at the door. 996–9080.
2nd Saturday Contra Dance: Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance.
Take3: Kerrytown Concert House Kaleidoscope.
This genre-defying West Coast chamber trio was formed in the practice rooms of Juilliard and the Colburn School. Violinist Lindsay Deutsch, cellist Mikala Schmitz, and pianist Tomomi Sato combine pop, rock, and classical performance styles with a flair for the wild and unexpected. Their repertoire ranges from Bach and Beethoven to Bieber and the Beach Boys, and they are known for an infectious and down-to-earth stage show. 7:30 p.m., KCH, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $29–$50 (students, $19) in advance at KerrytownConcertHouse.com and at the door. 769–2999.
Maria Schneider Orchestra: University Musical Society.
Blurring the lines between genres, composer-conductor Schneider’s work has ranged from commissions by Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra to a collaboration with David Bowie. She has received 7 Grammy Awards, and her latest work, Data Lords (2020), was named Jazz Album of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. Her 18-member jazz orchestra produces lush, complex, and “masterfully played” music that invites the listener to “traverse fantastic orchestral paths,” according to Jazz Trail. 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Tickets $12–$55 in advance at ums.org & by phone, and (if available) at the door. 764–2538.
