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Events in March 2023
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March 16, 2023
"EcoLive: Using Community-Led Science to Find PFAS in Fish, Water, and More"
Anglers, river enthusiasts, and nature lovers: this webinar is for you!
Join the Ecology Center on Thursday, March 16th, at 5:30 pm for a virtual event on their Healthy Stuff Lab’s new report on PFAS found in fish.
The Ecology Center will share results from their recently-released study of fish sampled from the Huron and Rouge watersheds. PFAS, which are known to threaten health, can accumulate in fish.
The Ecology Center’s Healthy Stuff Lab tests “stuff” for toxic chemicals for almost 15 years. Recent reports have exposed toxic chemicals in children’s car seats, mattresses, flooring, and food packaging.
Register here: https://www.ecocenter.org/ecolive-using-community-led-science-find-pfas-fish-water-and-more
“Preschool Hike: Under the Oak”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission.
Mar. 16 (10–11 a.m.): Ages 2–5, accompanied by a caregiver, invited to join WCPARC naturalist Shawn Severance on a hike to the banks of the mighty Huron to play and explore. Burns-Stokes Preserve, Zeeb Rd. just south of Huron River Dr. Free. Preregistration required (capacity limited) at parksonline.ewashtenaw.org. Registration #831003.
“Trends in Public Education: Challenges, Potential Solutions and Future Directions”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Thursday Lecture Series.
Every Thurs. Feb. 23–Apr. 6 (except Mar. 2). A series of talks by U-M and visiting scholars. Mar. 9: Education Trust-Midwest founder Amber Arellano on “Beyond the Pandemic: Making Michigan a Top 10 Education State.” Mar. 16: TBA. Mar. 23: Michigan health and nutrition services director Diane Golzynski on “Creating the Magic of Belonging in Schools: Health, Safety, and Wellness Strategies to Support Learning.” Mar. 30: TBA. April 6: EMU College of Education dean Ryan Evely Gildersleeve on “Education for the Anthropocene, or How Schools, Colleges, and Universities Get to Change in Service to Community.” 10–11:30 a.m., WCC Morris Lawrence Bldg. Towsley Auditorium, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Preregistration required at olli-umich.org. $61 (members, $36) for the 6-lecture series. $10 per lecture for members. Membership, $25 a year. 998–9351.
Workshop for Families in Need of Caregiving Services: Ann Arbor Senior Center
“Little Paws Story Time”: HSHV.
Every Thurs. except Mar. 30 (10:30–11:30 a.m.): Stories, crafts, finger plays, and interaction with adoptable cats and dogs. For kids ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult. $5 (babies under age 1, free). HSHV. $5 per kid. Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org, 661–3575.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History.
Preschool Storytimes: AADL.
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.
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.
Intro to Archery: Pittsfield Township Parks and Recreation.
Mar. 2, 16, & 23. Introduction to archery, includes safety and basic shooting skills. Equipment provided. No prior experience required. Age 8 and up. 1-2:30 p.m., Pittsfield Community Center, 701 W. Ellsworth. $20 (residents, $15). Preregistration required (space limited) at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov.
Wise Guys: Conversations for Men: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
“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.
"I Want a Better Catastrophe: Navigating the Climate Crisis with Grief, Hope, and Gallows Humor": U-M Residential College
Humorist and climate activist Andrew Boyd, a U-M grad, reads from and discusses his new book. Boyd is currently CEO of the Climate Clock, a global campaign he co-founded that melds art, science, technology, and grassroots organizing to get the world to "#ActInTime." 4 p.m., RC Keane Theater, 701 E University. Preregistration requested at bit.ly/rcandrewboyd Free. 647-9960.
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.
U-M Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies Lecture Series.
Mar. 16 & 30. Talks by U-M and visiting scholars. Mar. 16: U-M history professor Raevin Jimenez on “Speak Politely to the Ancestors: Gender and Moral Community in Southeastern Africa's 2nd-Millennium CE.” Mar. 30: Johns Hopkins University history professor Sasha Turner discusses the life of an enslaved woman who appears multiple times in the diary of an 18th-century Jamaican slaveholder in “Writing Enslaved Women’s Histories from the Crevices of the Archive.” 4–6 p.m., 1014 Tisch Hall, 435 State. Free. 615–7400.
"The Seduction, Refusal, and Retention of Universality in Collections Care": U-M Museum Studies Program
In this presentation, Cara Krmpotich, Director of Museum Studies & Associate Professor of Museum Anthropology, School of Information, University of Toronto discusses how museums’ evolving interpretations of universality directly shape how they care for their collections, their publics, and their environments.
Rackham Graduate School Assembly Hall (4th floor) Free. 734-936-6678.Gary Shteyngart: U-M Judaic Studies Department Belin Lecture.
This bestselling Russian-born writer and humorist, whose irreverent stories blend irony, absurdity, and wit to explore themes of identity, cultural differences, and the immigrant experience, reads from and discusses his work. Shteyngart’s 2021 novel, Our Country Friends, takes inspiration from Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya to tell the story of a group of old friends riding out the Covid-19 pandemic in a Hudson Valley country estate. Followed by a signing and Q&A. 5:30–8 p.m., Weiser Hall, 10th fl., 500 Church. Free. 763–9047.
Patrick Whitaker & Keir Malem: U-M School of Art & Design Penny Stamps Speaker Series.
These British fashion designers discuss their work creating body-based sculptures that occupy a fantastic realm between art and fashion. Their studio, Whitaker Malem, has crafted costumes for James Bond films and superhero movies—most notably over 100 Amazonian armor costumes for Wonder Woman—as well as stage outfits for pop stars such as Madonna, Janet Jackson, Cher, and many others. 5:30 p.m., Michigan Theater. Free. 936–0671.
“A Year in Blooms: Through a Pollinator’s Eyes”: Washtenaw County Conservation District.
“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. Mask recommended. Online participation available at MeetUp.com/AllHandsActive/events. Free; donations welcome. info@AllHandsActive.org.
Lisa Sung Quartet
LISA SUNG is a talented and versatile pianist, studied in both classical and jazz music. Her passion is to interpret world music into jazz. She has performed and recorded with Terell Stafford, Rodney Whitaker, Ron McClure, Stafford Hunter, Marion Hayden, Rob Smith, Thomas Knific, Diego Rivera, Dmitri Methany, Jordan VanHemert, John Webber, and many others.
Paint and Pour
“Mirror, Mirror in the Basement, What is the Faintest Star You Can See?”: U-M Detroit Observatory Science@DO.
U-M astronomy professor Pat Seitzer discusses the story of a 98-inch mirror, which arrived at U-M in the 1930s intended for use in a never-built reflecting telescope in Dexter, and then sat in the Detroit Observatory basement for decades before being shipped off to the UK where it became the first mirror in the Isaac Newton telescope at Herstmonceux. 7 p.m., U-M Detroit Observatory, 1398 E. Ann at Observatory. Preregistration required at detroitobservatory.umich.edu. Free. 764–3482.
“Seussical the Musical”: Horizon Performing Arts.
Mar. 16–19. Connor Thomas Rhoades directs local actors in the 2000 Lynn Ahrens–Stephen Flaherty musical comedy based on the children’s books of Dr. Seuss, with a plot that draws mainly from Horton Hears a Who!, Gertrude McFuzz, and Horton Hatches the Egg. The original production was panned by critics, but the show has had a second life as a popular production in regional and school theaters. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), & 1 p.m. (Sun.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti. Tickets $18 ($16 seniors & students) in advance at horizon.booktix.com, and at the door.
“We Are All Armenian”: Literati Bookstore At Home with Literati.
Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland, WA) visiting English professor Aram Mrjoian joins fellow Armenian Americans Nancy Agabian & Mashinka Firunts Hakopian to discuss (via Zoom) his new anthology of essays that bring together established and emerging Armenian authors to reflect on the complications of Armenian identity today. 7 p.m., for URL see literatibookstore.com/event/2023-03. Free. 585–5567.
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. 7–9 p.m., FUMC Green Wood Church, 1001 Green Rd. at Glazier Way. Free. facebook.com/DetroitIMA, contact@detroitirishmusic.org.
Piano Bar Thursday: Andy Adamson: North Star Lounge
Andy Adamson is a self-taught piano player/composer/singer from Ann Arbor who's played jazz and R&B in and around the Detroit-Ann Arbor music scene for the past 50 years. Recently, Andy has written, produced, and performed 4 original instrumental albums with his jazz quintet. $10 Cover
North Star Lounge, 301 N. Fifth Ave. ,Ann Arbor. $10. nstarlounge.comWeekly Trivia: Bløm Meadworks
Free live trivia every Thursday with Sporcle Live! Two one-hour-long games, every Thursday (7pm & 8pm) with a $15 gift card for first place and a $10 gift card for second place. No limit to group size - come by yourself or with a team! Great tunes, awesome host + lots of seasonal meads, ciders and beers.
Bløm, 100 S. Fourth Ave. ,Ann Arbor. Free admission. 734-548-9729.Matthew Broussard: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Mar. 16–18. Self-effacing and cerebral Atlanta-bred comic who was named Houston’s Funniest Person in 2012 for his playful humor directed at unlikely topics like physics and grammar, Broussard has appeared on the Tonight Show and Conan. Preceded by 2 opening acts TBA. Alcohol is served. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 (Thurs., $15) reserved seating in advance at etix.com before 6 p.m. the night of the show; $22 (Thurs., $20) general admission at the door. 996–9080.
“Choral Cavalcade West”: Pioneer High School.
“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.
“Prometheus. Beginnings”: U-M Dance Department.
Mar. 16 & 17. Tzveta Kassabova directs dance students in their collaborative piece that mixes movement with spoken word inspired by the work of German playwright Kevin Rittberger. U-M composition grad Steve Hilmy accompanies live with his improvisational electronic score. 7:30 p.m., U-M Walgreen Drama Center Newman Studio, 1226 Murfin, North Campus. Free. 615–3204.
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., Mar. 7 & 21). Various times, Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, 120 W. Washington. Free admission. Preregistration for Thurs. A2 Stammtisch requested at heerdeolind@yahoo.com. 812–6375 (Tues.).
