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Events in March 2023
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March 22, 2023
“Lohengrin”: Fathom Events.
Mar. 18 & 22: Live (Sat.) & prerecorded (Wed.) broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Wagner’s soaring opera about a charismatic Arthurian knight sent by God to save a divided kingdom. Features the popular Bridal Chorus, known in English as “Here Comes the Bride.” Noon (Sun., Emagine only). 973–8424 (Ann Arbor 20), 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $11.50–$12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomevents.com/events and at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline), different times.
61st Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival.
Mar. 21–26. The oldest and one of the most prestigious avant-garde film festivals in North America, showcasing new experimental and independent films in a wide range of genres. Also, “Off the Screen” round-table discussions, exhibits, and parties (see aaFilmFest.org for full schedule). Tickets: $150 (buy before Mar. 1, $125; members, students, & seniors, $100) for the entire festival; $85 (buy before Mar. 1, $75) for weekend passes, or $60 (buy before Mar. 1, $60) for an online-only pass in advance at aafilmfest.org. $12 (students, seniors, & members, $8) per screening at the door. All feature films eligible for online viewing are available Mar. 21–29. 995–5356. Michigan Theater (except as noted), various times.
Mar. 22: “Stories Buried and Unburied.” Festival juror Koyo Yamashita presents three films by East Asian women—all under 30 minutes: Flos Pavonis (Aya Momose, 2021) is a Japanese documentary about control over women’s bodies. Trinity (Mowen Wang, 2020) is a Chinese drama about the death of a mother. Mud Man (Chikako Yamashiro, 2017) is a fantastical Japanese drama about colonization. 1 p.m., State Theatre. “Burial.” Emilija Škarnulyté’s competition documentary explores our attempts to bury the immortal, from Etruscan ruins to the radioactive cores of ruined nuclear power plants. 5 p.m., State Theatre.
“Films in Competition 2.” Highlights include Filipa César’s Mangrove School and films about a lost balloon, the edge of Skid Row, and a magical life form. 5:30 p.m.
“Diòba.” Adriana Marcela Rojas Espitia’s competition drama follows a spiritually lost 63-year-old Indigenous woman trying to find her way back to her roots. 7 p.m., State Theatre.
“Expanded Cinema.” Four performances that employ live manipulation of the motion of film images to create a dynamic audience experience. 7:30 p.m.
“The root and the harvest.” Short films from Mexico and Chicago that “speak to each other” about identity and time, curated by Raul Benitez and Tzutzu Matzin. 9 p.m., State Theatre. Free.
“Films in Competition 3.” Highlights include cyanotype sunprints, gargoyles, and Black metamorphosis. 9:30 p.m.
Coffee & Conversation: Pittsfield Township Community Center.
Wednesday Workshops: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
This month: the 3-part workshop “Finding Senior Resources in Washtenaw County” (Mar. 1, 8, & 15), as well as “Intro to Hospice Services” (Mar. 22), and “Avoiding Tax Scams” (Mar. 29). 9:30 a.m., Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Free. Preregistration requested by emailing hnordenbrock@a2gov.org.
“Senior Naturalist Corvids”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission.
All age 55 & up welcome to join naturalist Elle Bogle on a hike to search for and learn about birds in the crow family (aka corvids), known for their intelligence. 10–11:30 a.m., County Farm Park, Medford Pavilion, Medford Rd. entrance near Manchester Rd. Free. Preregistration required by emailing boglee@washtenaw.org.
“Tiny Tails Story Time”: HSHV.
Preschool Storytimes: AADL.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History.
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops.
“Survivors Saving Survivors”: U-M Copernicus Center for Polish Studies Annual Lecture.
Jewish Community Center of Kraków (Poland) CEO Jonathan Ornstein discusses how, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the JCC morphed into one of Kraków’s most important humanitarian aid centers, providing services to over 150,000 Ukrainian refugees. Followed by a talk by photographer Chuck Fishman, who traveled to Poland to document the Jewish community’s commitment to helping Ukrainian refugees. His work is on display beginning March 6 at the U-M International Institute Gallery (see Galleries). Ornstein and Fishman then join CCPS director Geneviève Zubrzycki for a panel discussion. 5–6:30 p.m., location TBA. For location and livestream URL see bit.ly/umpolishstudies. Free. 764–0351.
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.
“Science Café”: U-M Museum of Natural History/Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub.
Rescheduled from Jan. 25. U-M Chemistry professor Charles McCrory and Mechanical Engineering professor David Kwabi discuss current research in “Climate Solutions: Renewable Energy Storage and Carbon Capture.” Hors d’oeuvres at 5:30. 6–7:30 p.m., Conor O’Neill’s, 318 S. Main St. Free, but drink purchases encouraged. Seating limited, so come early. 764–0478.
“The Surprising Legacy of John Shy”: U-M Clements Library John W. Shy Memorial Lecture.
“The Surprising Legacy of John Shy”: U-M Clements Library John W. Shy Memorial Lecture.
“Science Café”: U-M Museum of Natural History/Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub.
“Confidence”: Literati Bookstore.
Illinois-based novelist Rafael Frumkin joins Texas writer Micah Nemerever to discuss (via Crowdcast) his debut novel, a witty thriller about a pair of queer teenage con men who set out to scam a corporation that promises its consumers a lifetime of bliss. A co-production with A Room of One’s Own Bookstore in Madison. 6:30 p.m., for URL preregister at literatibookstore.com/event/2023-03. Free. 585–5567.
“Corrado Parducci: A Field Guide to Detroit’s Architectural Sculptor”: Ann Arbor District Library.
Ann Arbor Bonsai Society.
“An Evening of Poetry and Written Word”: Crazy Wisdom Poetry Circle.
Reading (via Zoom) by Linda Nemec Foster, the inaugural poet laureate of Grand Rapids and founder of the Aquinas College Contemporary Writers Series. Her spare poems delicately delineate the emotional power of concrete things. Her forthcoming collection is Bone Country. Followed by open mic. For guidelines, see cwcircle.poetry.blog/poetry-workshop-guidelines. 7–8:45 p.m. (sign-up for new participants begins at 6:45 p.m.), for URL email cwpoetrycircle@gmail.com. Free. 668–7523.
Ann Arbor Bridge Club.
Every Wed. (except Mar. 29). All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Bring a partner if you can, or call in advance or arrive 20 minutes early if you can’t. 7–10:30 p.m., Walden Hills clubhouse, 2114 Pauline east of Maple. (Park in the designated spaces in the lot on the north side of Pauline.) $6 per person. 945–6021.
Hot Club Wednesday: Djangophonique: North Star Lounge
Djangophonique is a virtuosic, instrumentally driven quartet led by guitar player Andrew Brown. With over a decade of national touring experience, Brown is no stranger to the stage and delivers every performance with personality and enigmatic charm. A true disciple of the style, Brown has spent countless hours immersing himself in the language of Django Reinhardt’s jazz manouche, and he’s joined on stage by bandmates that match his skill and passion for the material. The result is a sound that’s unmistakable to fans of the music, and alluring to the uninitiated—a sound that can bring the lively energy of a parisian dance hall to the quietest listening room or captivate a buzzing festival audience with a shimmering ballad. With respect for the tradition and a fearless creativity that bends the conventions of the style, Djangophonique is keeping the Hot Club revival alive and well.
$10 Cover
North Star Lounge, 301 N. Fifth Ave. ,Ann Arbor. $10. nstarlounge.comKerrytown Crafters.
Meditation & Discussion: Ann Arbor Karma Thegsum Chöling.
“Michigan’s Most Dangerous Women”: Salem Area Historical Society.
“Wednesday Night Swing”: Ann Arbor Swing Dance Association.
Every Wed. (except Mar. 1). Lindy hop, East Coast swing, Charleston, and Balboa dancing to music spun by DJs. No partner needed. Wear comfortable low-grip shoes. Preceded at 7 p.m. by a free beginner lesson. 8–10 p.m., Michigan League 2nd fl., Vandenberg rm. Mask, full vaccination, and boosters required. $5 (SAA members, free). Swingannarbor.com.
