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Events in March 2023
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March 12, 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.
Alex Belhaj’s Crescent City Quartet: North Star Lounge.
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.
“Shamrocks and Shenanigans 5K”: Running Fit/Conor O’Neill’s.
1-km & 5-km race and walk that starts and finishes at Conor O’Neill’s. Awards to male and female winners in each age division. Following the race, inside both Conor O’Neill’s and a tent in the parking lot behind it: face painting, bagpipers, Irish music and dancing, food, & more. Proceeds benefit Mott Children’s Hospital Congenital Heart Center. 9:45 a.m. (1k) & 10:15 a.m. (5k), Conor O’Neill’s, 318 S. Main. $34 (5-km) & $18 (1-km) in advance at RunShamrocks.com by Mar. 10; $40 (5-km) & $20 (1-km) race weekend. 929–9027.
“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.
FestiFools Community Artmaking. Wonderfool Productions.
Every Sun., Mar. 12–Apr. 2. All welcome to come make luminaries, costumes, puppets and more to get ready for FoolMoon, a popular downtown public art parade on Apr. 7. This year’s theme is UFOs (Unidentified Foolish Objects). The normally accompanying Festifools parade is canceled this year with plans to return in 2024. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. AADL Downtown. Wonderfoolproductions.org.
Sunday Brunch: Alex Belhaj’s Crescent City Quartet: North Star Lounge
Enjoy an incredible plate of vegan brunch with the joyful New Orleans stylings of Alex Belhaj and his Crescent City Quartet. Price includes brunch plate, coffee & juice, and a concert. Purchase tickets in advance to guarantee your spot. $35
Ann Arbor $35 includes brunch. Reservations recommended.. nstarlounge.com“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 discussion. All invited to attend either online or in person to watch together. Once a month, Demo Rinpoche presents a story from the Jataka Tales (300 BC–400 AD) concerning the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form. The Mar. 5 topic is “The Great Monkey,” a tale about benefiting others. 11 a.m., Jewel Heart, 1129 Oak Valley Dr. Also via Zoom; for URL preregister at jewelheart.org/jataka-tales. Free. 994–3387.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History.
H.A.C. Ultimate.
“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.
“D & D Adventures”: Sylvan Factory.
“Nature Walk at Kuebler Langford Nature Area”: Washtenaw Audubon Society.
Club member Matthew Spoor leads a walk through this woodland natural area to look for resident birds and other interesting things. Limited to 15 people; if walk is full, a second walk will be scheduled for 3 p.m. 1–2:30 p.m., KLNA. Meet at the Beachwood Dr. entrance. Free. Preregistration required at WashtenawAudubon.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.
Shape Note Singing: Ann Arbor Sacred Harp.
Winter Walks- Magic in the Moment
Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting free guided nature walks on select Wednesdays and Sundays. These walks are FREE, no registration is required.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens’ Winter Walks are held most Wednesdays and Sundays through April. These free, guided walks will take place inside the Conservatory (though if the weather is particularly wonderful, we may move outside – watch this page for updates). MBG Winter Walks are designed for all ages to inspire curiosity and learning from each other through activities that model curiosity and honor nature. If we have a sizeable mixed-age group, we may separate into two sets to offer the same content at different levels of engagement.
Wednesday walks begin at 5:30 pm. Sunday walks begin at 1:00 pm. We recommend gathering inside the lobby of Matthaei Botanical Gardens about 10 minutes before the start.
“Talking About Trees”: Michigan Theater.
(Suhaib Gasmelbari, 2019). Documentary about the efforts of 4 retired Sudanese filmmakers to reopen a movie theater in the city of Omdurman in the face of decades of fundamentalist Islamist censorship. Arabic, subtitles. Sponsored by the U-M Weiser Center for Europe & Eurasia. 1:30 p.m. 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.
“Everyday War: The Conflict Over Donbas, Ukraine”: Ypsilanti District Library.
“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.
“Leprechaun Parade”: Kerrytown Market & Shops.
“Odontoglossums”: Ann Arbor Orchid Society Monthly Meeting.
American Orchid Society judge Russ Vernon discusses this high-altitude genus commonly called butterfly orchids. Also, a silent auction, an orchid raffle table, and members show-and-tell. Begins with a brief business meeting. 2–4 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free; metered parking. AnnArborOrchids@aol.com.
“Painted Woodland Pals: Gnomes and Pet Rocks”: Ann Arbor District Library.
“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.
Louis Nagel: Kerrytown Concert House Steinway Sessions.
“Get SCRAPpy!”: AADL.
“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.
Family Concert: Chelsea Chamber Players.
This local ensemble performs Chelsea composer David Mullikin’s Jack and the Beanstalk, a story-piece for small ensemble with narrator Ian Cumming. With violinist Nathan Peters, cellist Sara Cumming, bassist Jed Fritzemeier, and percussionist Trilian Krug. 3 p.m., Chelsea District Library McKune Rm., 221 S. Main, Chelsea. Free. 433–1622.
“The Complete Organ Works of J.S. Bach”: U-M Music School.
Mar. 12 & 19. Part of a series of 18 concerts in which U-M organ professor James Kibbie performs all of Bach’s 281 surviving organ works. Today’s program: The Fugue in F Major, Easter chorales from the Orgelbüchlein, chorales from the Leipzig Collections, and the Prelude and Fugue in D Minor. 4 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg., Blanche Anderson Moore Hall, 1100 Baits. For livestream see smtd.umich.edu/events. Free. 615–3204.
Craft & Drink: Bløm Meadworks.
Step Afrika!: University Musical Society.
This Washington D.C.-based dance company was founded in 1994 by dancers from the U.S. and the Soweto Dance Theater of Johannesburg, South Africa. It blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, traditional West and Southern African dances, and an array of contemporary dance forms to create a unique, complex, polyrhythmic dance style. Also, on Mar. 8 (6–7:30 p.m., Cahoots, 206 E. Huron St.), local dancers TBA lead a participatory introduction ($15) to step dancing; preregistration required at ums.org/performance/ums-101-stepping. On Mar. 13 (11 a.m., Hill Auditorium), a school day performance recommended for grades K–12 is sold out. 4 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Tickets $14–$56 (students, $12–$61) at tickets.UMS.org. 764–2538.
“Black and Blue: The Story of Gerald Ford, Willis Ward, and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech Football Game”: Ann Arbor District Library.
Ann Arbor Morris.
Ballroom Dance Club at the U-M.
“Inside Michigan Basketball”: WTKA (1050 AM)/ WXYT (1270 AM).
Every Sun. Brian Boesch and Terry Mills host a live radio broadcast from inside the Pretzel Bell with popular U-M men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard and U-M women's coach Kim Barnes Arico. 7 p.m., Pretzel Bell, 226 S. Main. Seating limited. Free admission, but must order food & drinks to sit. bit.ly/insideMIbasket.
“Premieres”: Prism Quartet.
Founded in 1984 by U-M saxophone professor emeritus Donald Sinta as an ensemble of U-M alums, this widely acclaimed saxophone quartet presents an eclectic program of new music, including the premieres of New Jersey–based composer Flannery Cunningham’s Oci oci and West Chester (PA) University music professor Adam Silverman’s Title. Also, contemporary Puerto Rican composer Roberto Sierra’s Graffiti II, a new arrangement of Chicago Modern Orchestra Project founder Renee Baker’s Pratigraha, and Venezuelan Alfredo Cabrera’s Rogue Flare, Fly Away. 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 300 N. Washington, Ypsilanti. Mask and vaccination required. Tickets $25 (seniors & students, $20) at the door. $5 discount for advance purchase before Mar. 12 at prismquartet.com using code PRISM5. info@prismquartet.com, (800) 595–4849.
Ann Arbor (Mostly) Acoustic Jam and Open Mic.
Musicians of all ability levels and ages invited to sing and play anything from classic rock, Motown, and blues to bluegrass, folk, and country with others. All acoustic instruments (strings, horns, and woodwinds) welcome. Led by veteran local musicians Bill Connors and Phil McMillion. Open mic the first hour, followed by a whole group jam. 7–9 p.m., Turner Resource Center, 2401 Plymouth Rd. Vaccination recommended, mask optional. $5 for participants (spectators, free). For info, email a2jammers@gmail.com or visit bit.ly/annarboracousticjamfacebook.
