Observer Editor
Community Listing
Online Event
Creative Washtenaw Event
Free Event
Donation Suggested
Hybrid Event
Events in May 2023
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Looking for live music tonight?
Visit our Nightspots listing.
May 1, 2023
Annual May Day Celebration: Ann Arbor Morris
All invited to celebrate this traditional holiday with singing and boisterous traditional English dances. 6:15–7 a.m., U-M Nichols Arboretum (lookout above the main valley near Geddes Rd. gate). Free. a2morris@umich.edu, annarbormorris.org. 717–1569.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Pittsfield Township Senior Center
701 W. Ellsworth, bit.ly/pittsfield-seniors, 822–2120. Free (except as noted) in person activities. Weekly events. Check meeting status before coming. Rise and Shine Exercise (Mon. & Fri. 9–10 a.m.). Exercise with Karen (Mon. 10:30–11:30 a.m.). Open Cards and Games (Mon. 1–3 p.m.). Bridge (Mon. 1:30 p.m.). Mah-jongg (Tues. 9 a.m.). Euchre (Tues. 1–3:30 p.m.). Watercolor Painting (Wed. 9 a.m.). $1 per card. Bingo (Wed. 1–3 p.m.). Crafting (Fri. 10–11:30 a.m.). Trivia (Fri. 1–2 p.m.). May 17, 24, & 31 (11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) Senior Strolls, group walks in Lillie Park South. May 19 (1–3 p.m.): “Senior Spring Fling,” a chance for seniors and their friends to take part in a cupcake walk, a ring toss, guessing games, and a team game TBA. Prizes & refreshments.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Ann Arbor Senior Center
1320 Baldwin Ave., 794–6250. Weekly activities. Free unless otherwise indicated. Preregistration required. Senior Park Walks (Mon. 10–11 a.m.) $2; members, free. Bridge (Mon. 12:30–4 p.m.) duplicate non-sanctioned, $3; members, $2. Recorder Group (Mon. 12:30–1:30 p.m.) $2; members, free. Tai Chi for All Levels (Tues. 10:30–11:30 a.m.). Line Dancing (Tues. noon–1 p.m.). Adventures in Watercolor (Tues. 1:30–3:30 p.m.) bring a basic watercolor set, brushes, paper, and pencil. Mind Matters Brain Games (Wed. 10–11 a.m.) via Zoom at tinyurl.com/4yp2fb82. Intermediate Tai Chi (Wed. 10:30–11:30 a.m.). Life Writing (Wed. 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.). Strength Training for Seniors (Wed. & Fri., 1–2 p.m.).
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Preschool ArtStart”: AADL
May 1, 3, & 4 (10:30–11 a.m., different branch locations): AADL staff lead kids ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult, in fun, process-based arts & crafts. Traverwood (Mon.), Pittsfield (Wed.), & Malletts Creek (Thurs.).
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Pittsfield Township Senior Center
701 W. Ellsworth, bit.ly/pittsfield-seniors, 822–2120. Free (except as noted) in person activities. Weekly events. Check meeting status before coming. Rise and Shine Exercise (Mon. & Fri. 9–10 a.m.). Exercise with Karen (Mon. 10:30–11:30 a.m.). Open Cards and Games (Mon. 1–3 p.m.). Bridge (Mon. 1:30 p.m.). Mah-jongg (Tues. 9 a.m.). Euchre (Tues. 1–3:30 p.m.). Watercolor Painting (Wed. 9 a.m.). $1 per card. Bingo (Wed. 1–3 p.m.). Crafting (Fri. 10–11:30 a.m.). Trivia (Fri. 1–2 p.m.). May 17, 24, & 31 (11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) Senior Strolls, group walks in Lillie Park South. May 19 (1–3 p.m.): “Senior Spring Fling,” a chance for seniors and their friends to take part in a cupcake walk, a ring toss, guessing games, and a team game TBA. Prizes & refreshments.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Playgroups for Babies: AADL
Every Mon.–Wed., except May 29 (different times): Fifteen minutes of stories, rhymes, and songs led by AADL staffers, followed by a short open play. For kids up to 24 months (with caregiver). No older siblings. Malletts Creek (Mon. 10:30 a.m.), Traverwood (Tues. 11 a.m.), Westgate (Wed. 10:30 a.m.).
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Preschool Storytimes: AADL
Every Mon.–Fri. except May 29 (different times): Half-hour program of stories and songs for kids ages 2–5 (with caregiver). Pittsfield (Mon. 10:30 a.m. & Thurs. 11 a.m.), Downtown (Tues. 11 a.m.), Malletts Creek (Tues. 11 a.m. & Wed. 10:30 a.m.), Traverwood & Pittsfield (Thurs. 11 a.m.), and Westgate (Fri. 1 p.m.).
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program
Free. Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd. or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353. Tai Chi (Mon., Wed., & Fri. noon–12:30 p.m.) via Zoom. Walking Off the Pounds (Mon., Wed., & Fri. 12:30–1 p.m.) via Zoom. Euchre (Mon. 1–3 p.m.) in person. Online Meditation Drop-In (Tues. 10–11:30 a.m.) via Zoom. Bridge (Tues. & Fri. 1–4 p.m.) in person. Chess (Wed. 1–4 p.m.) in person, all levels welcome, call if interested. Mah-jongg (Thurs. 10 a.m.–noon) in person. Wise Guys: Conversations for Men (Thurs. 1–3 p.m.) via Zoom. Una Tertulia (1st & 3rd Thurs. 3–5 p.m.) for native Spanish speakers in person.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Ann Arbor Senior Center
1320 Baldwin Ave., 794–6250. Weekly activities. Free unless otherwise indicated. Preregistration required. Senior Park Walks (Mon. 10–11 a.m.) $2; members, free. Bridge (Mon. 12:30–4 p.m.) duplicate non-sanctioned, $3; members, $2. Recorder Group (Mon. 12:30–1:30 p.m.) $2; members, free. Tai Chi for All Levels (Tues. 10:30–11:30 a.m.). Line Dancing (Tues. noon–1 p.m.). Adventures in Watercolor (Tues. 1:30–3:30 p.m.) bring a basic watercolor set, brushes, paper, and pencil. Mind Matters Brain Games (Wed. 10–11 a.m.) via Zoom at tinyurl.com/4yp2fb82. Intermediate Tai Chi (Wed. 10:30–11:30 a.m.). Life Writing (Wed. 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.). Strength Training for Seniors (Wed. & Fri., 1–2 p.m.).
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Ann Arbor Senior Center
1320 Baldwin Ave., 794–6250. Weekly activities. Free unless otherwise indicated. Preregistration required. Senior Park Walks (Mon. 10–11 a.m.) $2; members, free. Bridge (Mon. 12:30–4 p.m.) duplicate non-sanctioned, $3; members, $2. Recorder Group (Mon. 12:30–1:30 p.m.) $2; members, free. Tai Chi for All Levels (Tues. 10:30–11:30 a.m.). Line Dancing (Tues. noon–1 p.m.). Adventures in Watercolor (Tues. 1:30–3:30 p.m.) bring a basic watercolor set, brushes, paper, and pencil. Mind Matters Brain Games (Wed. 10–11 a.m.) via Zoom at tinyurl.com/4yp2fb82. Intermediate Tai Chi (Wed. 10:30–11:30 a.m.). Life Writing (Wed. 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.). Strength Training for Seniors (Wed. & Fri., 1–2 p.m.).
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program
Free. Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd. or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353. Tai Chi (Mon., Wed., & Fri. noon–12:30 p.m.) via Zoom. Walking Off the Pounds (Mon., Wed., & Fri. 12:30–1 p.m.) via Zoom. Euchre (Mon. 1–3 p.m.) in person. Online Meditation Drop-In (Tues. 10–11:30 a.m.) via Zoom. Bridge (Tues. & Fri. 1–4 p.m.) in person. Chess (Wed. 1–4 p.m.) in person, all levels welcome, call if interested. Mah-jongg (Thurs. 10 a.m.–noon) in person. Wise Guys: Conversations for Men (Thurs. 1–3 p.m.) via Zoom. Una Tertulia (1st & 3rd Thurs. 3–5 p.m.) for native Spanish speakers in person.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Pittsfield Township Senior Center
701 W. Ellsworth, bit.ly/pittsfield-seniors, 822–2120. Free (except as noted) in person activities. Weekly events. Check meeting status before coming. Rise and Shine Exercise (Mon. & Fri. 9–10 a.m.). Exercise with Karen (Mon. 10:30–11:30 a.m.). Open Cards and Games (Mon. 1–3 p.m.). Bridge (Mon. 1:30 p.m.). Mah-jongg (Tues. 9 a.m.). Euchre (Tues. 1–3:30 p.m.). Watercolor Painting (Wed. 9 a.m.). $1 per card. Bingo (Wed. 1–3 p.m.). Crafting (Fri. 10–11:30 a.m.). Trivia (Fri. 1–2 p.m.). May 17, 24, & 31 (11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) Senior Strolls, group walks in Lillie Park South. May 19 (1–3 p.m.): “Senior Spring Fling,” a chance for seniors and their friends to take part in a cupcake walk, a ring toss, guessing games, and a team game TBA. Prizes & refreshments.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program
Free. Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd. or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353. Tai Chi (Mon., Wed., & Fri. noon–12:30 p.m.) via Zoom. Walking Off the Pounds (Mon., Wed., & Fri. 12:30–1 p.m.) via Zoom. Euchre (Mon. 1–3 p.m.) in person. Online Meditation Drop-In (Tues. 10–11:30 a.m.) via Zoom. Bridge (Tues. & Fri. 1–4 p.m.) in person. Chess (Wed. 1–4 p.m.) in person, all levels welcome, call if interested. Mah-jongg (Thurs. 10 a.m.–noon) in person. Wise Guys: Conversations for Men (Thurs. 1–3 p.m.) via Zoom. Una Tertulia (1st & 3rd Thurs. 3–5 p.m.) for native Spanish speakers in person.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Pittsfield Township Senior Center
701 W. Ellsworth, bit.ly/pittsfield-seniors, 822–2120. Free (except as noted) in person activities. Weekly events. Check meeting status before coming. Rise and Shine Exercise (Mon. & Fri. 9–10 a.m.). Exercise with Karen (Mon. 10:30–11:30 a.m.). Open Cards and Games (Mon. 1–3 p.m.). Bridge (Mon. 1:30 p.m.). Mah-jongg (Tues. 9 a.m.). Euchre (Tues. 1–3:30 p.m.). Watercolor Painting (Wed. 9 a.m.). $1 per card. Bingo (Wed. 1–3 p.m.). Crafting (Fri. 10–11:30 a.m.). Trivia (Fri. 1–2 p.m.). May 17, 24, & 31 (11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) Senior Strolls, group walks in Lillie Park South. May 19 (1–3 p.m.): “Senior Spring Fling,” a chance for seniors and their friends to take part in a cupcake walk, a ring toss, guessing games, and a team game TBA. Prizes & refreshments.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Group Ride: Ann Arbor Velo Club
Every Mon. Moderate-paced 20-mile ride to Dexter and back, often with a rest stop along the way. Riders must wear a helmet and bring water and supplies to fix a flat tire. 6 p.m. (non-members must arrive 10 minutes early to sign a club waiver), Forsythe Middle School, 1655 Newport. Free. annarborveloclub.org.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company
Every Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Sat. (different AARC locations). Runners of all abilities invited to join an advanced or beginner group run (Sat.), a 5-km mapped route (Mon. & Thurs.), or an interval-based training run (Tues.). 6 p.m. (Mon., Tues., & Thurs.) & 7 a.m. (Sat.), AARC Traver Village (Mon.), 2621 Plymouth Rd.; AARC Colonnade (Thurs.), 901 W. Eisenhower; AARC Downtown (Sat. & Tues.), 209 S. Ashley. Free. Annarborrunningcompany.com.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Movies: Ann Arbor District Library
Free. 327–4200. AADL Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave. (unless otherwise noted). Various times.
May 1: “Lift Like a Girl” (Mayye Zayed, 2020). Coming-of-age documentary about a young Egyptian woman training to become a world-class weightlifter. Arabic, subtitles. 6 p.m.
May 10: “Pheasants of Detroit” (Diane Cheklich & Diane Weiss, 2022). Short documentary celebrating the abundance of ring-necked pheasants living in the open spaces of Detroit. Post-film Q&A with Cheklich. AADL Pittsfield, 2359 Oak Valley. 6:30 p.m.
May 25: “Bad AXE” (David Siev, 2022). Documentary capturing the lives of a close-knit Asian American Michigan family, fighting to keep their business afloat and family safe amid intense racial tensions and a global pandemic. Followed by a Q&A with members of the family. 5:30 p.m.
May 31: “Many Passages of Time: The Story of Indian Muslims in America” (Arifa Javed, 2022). Documentary examining the everyday lives of Indian American Muslims. Followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Javed, a U-M Dearborn sociology professor. 6 p.m.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Emerging Writers: Ten Best Practices for Writing Success”: Ann Arbor District Library
Local short story writer Alex Kourvo and young adult novelist Bethany Neal discuss & offer tips to correct common writing mistakes. For adult and teen (grade 6 & up) fiction and nonfiction writers. Also, at 6:30 p.m. on May 15, Kourvo and Neal host an open house for writers to connect with one another and/or work on their projects. 6:30–7:45 p.m., AADL Westgate, 2503 Jackson Rd. Free. 327–4200.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Illina Rocha & Andrew Collard”: Literati Bookstore
These 2 poets discuss their latest collections. Rocha’s The Many Deaths of Inocencio Rodriguez, winner of the Berkshire Prize, concerns the death of her grandfather, who was murdered in 1971. Grand Rapids poet Collard’s Sprawl collects a series of lyrical poems set in the Detroit metropolis that show how the social and geographical past influences the present. 6:30 p.m., Literati, 124 E. Washington. Mask encouraged. Free. 585–5567.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory
Every Mon.-Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play various forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. Mon. (6:30–10 p.m.): Power Cards, $10. Tues. (7–10 p.m.): MTG Pauper, a fun and fast format for all skill levels, $5. Wed. (5–9 p.m.): Casual Commander, the most popular form of the game, free. Fri. (6:30–10 p.m.): Magic rotating draft, cost varies. Prizes paid in store credit. Sat. (noon–3 p.m.): Intro to Magic: The Gathering, free. Sat. (6–10 p.m.): Commander Pods, casual groups of 4 players, free. Various times, Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. Various costs. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Meditation Mondays”: First Congregational Church
May 1 & 8. The final 2 in a series of 4 sessions exploring different meditative practices through art, scripture, music, and silence. 7–8:30 p.m., FCC, 608 E. William, Free. 662–1679.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Fathom Events
973–8424 (Ann Arbor 20), 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $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), various times.
May 1: “A Father's Heart” (Andrés Garrigó & Antonio Cuadri, 2023). Religious documentary examining the spiritual influence of Joseph of Nazareth on contemporary believers. 7 p.m.
May 3: “Champion” Prerecorded broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s production of acclaimed contemporary composer Terence Blanchard’s 2021 opera about a young boxer who rises from obscurity to become a world champion, and his older self, still haunted by the ghosts of his past. 1 p.m. (Ann Arbor 20 only). $24.
May 7, 8, & 10: “Ponyo” (Hayao Miyazaki, 2009). Dubbed (Sun.) & subtitled (Mon. & Wed.) screenings of this Japanese anime fantasy centered on the friendship between a 5-year-old boy and a magical goldfish who yearns to become human. Ann Arbor 20 only. 4 p.m. (Sun.) & 7 p.m. (Mon. & Wed.).
May 9, 11, &13: “Roll with It” (Chris Dowling, 2023). Lighthearted comedy about an aging small-town waitress who enters a karaoke contest to save her home from foreclosure. Emagine only. 7 p.m. (Tues. & Thurs.) & 3 p.m. (Sat.).
May 14 & 17: “Grease” (Randal Kleiser, 1978). Iconic musical about a tough-guy 1950s greaser who falls for a squeaky-clean Australian girl. Stars John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John. 4 p.m. (Sun.) & 7 p.m. (Wed).
May 15 & 17: “Patterns of Evidence: Journey to Mount Sinai Part II” (Timothy Mahoney, 2023). Documentary about the filmmaker’s search for physical evidence of the Exodus journey to Mt. Sinai. 7 p.m.
May 16: “The Way” (Emilio Estevez, 2010). Drama about a grieving father who travels to France to retrieve the body of his estranged son, who died while attempting the pilgrimage to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela. 7 p.m.
May 20 & 24: “Don Giovanni” Live (Sat.) & prerecorded (Wed.) broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Mozart’s operatic version of the Don Juan legend. The action is an absorbing blend of stark tragedy and high comedy, and the music deftly fuses melodies of exquisite beauty with dark rumblings of damnation. Sung in Italian, with English subtitles. 1 p.m. (Wed., Ann Arbor 20 only). $25.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Opera on Tap
Local singers perform arias and art songs. Tonight’s theme, “Twitterpated,” highlights hopelessly love-smitten opera characters. 7:30 p.m. (seating begins at 6 p.m.), Ypsi Alehouse, 124 Pearl St., Ypsilanti. Free; donations accepted. Buy your own food & drink. Reservations required at bit.ly/operaontapreservations. 678–2782.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Tartan and Thistle Scottish Country Dancers
Every Mon. (except May 29). Learn to dance jigs, reels, and strathspeys. All dances taught. Usually live music by Susie Lorand, Josh Burdick and friends. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Genesis of Ann Arbor, 2309 Packard. Masks and vaccination required. $5. 274–0773.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Terrible, Thanks for Asking”: The Ark
Live version of this popular podcast hosted by Nora McInerny, a Minneapolis native who writes about dealing with grief and loss, drawing on her own experience of miscarriage and losing both her father and husband to cancer, all in the same year. Her podcasts are known for treating these topics with a winning blend of tough-minded directness and humor. 8 p.m., The Ark, 316 S. Main. Tickets $35 ($160 includes a pre-show meet-and-greet) in advance at the Michigan Union Ticket Office and TheArk.org, and (if available) at the door. 761–1451.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Comedy Open Mic: The Blind Pig
Every Mon. Performances by up to 15 aspiring stand-up comics from around the state. Local comics emcee. To perform, sign up by sending a message on Instagram, bit.ly/comedyblindpig. Age 21 & up only. 8–9:30 p.m., Blind Pig, 208 S. First St. Free. 996–8555.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
