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Events in May 2022
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May 3, 2022
“May the 4th Run with You: A Virtual 4K”: Epic Races.
May 1-31. This Star Wars themed event allows participants to complete a self-timed 4-km run/walk anytime and anywhere during the month. Mailed race packets include a T-shirt, medal, bib, and sticker decal. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the American Association for Cancer Research. Anytime in May. $50. Preregistration required at bit.ly/maythe4thrun2022. info@epicraces.com, 531-8747.
"Portable Disaster Proof House: Take It With You!!!” an exhibition by Tracey Snelling
Creal Microgallery presents "Portable Disaster Proof House: Take It With You!!!," a small-scale installation work by Tracey Snelling, echoing several other installations by the artist, that are concurrently on view in Ann Arbor. This installation pulls together pop cultural elements to create a "safe space" filled with tropical sunset wallpaper, movie posters, and Keanu Reeves. Snelling's installations often take on multiple scales at once-- existing in life size and miniature simultaneously. This exhibition conjures a space that is at once comforting and overwhelming, centering and disorienting.
Creal Microgallery is a breadbox-sized exhibition space on Creal Crescent in Ann Arbor, visible from the sidewalk and lit up most nights until 11pm.
“Coffee with Marta.”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
“The Art and Science of Successful Aging: Cultivating Resilience in Today’s World”: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
U-M social epidemiology postdoctoral fellow Jessica Finlay and U-M epidemiology professor Lindsay Kobayashi on “Coping and Resilience During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Voices from Aging Adults in the Nationwide Covid-19 Coping Study.” Preregistration required at bit.ly/turneraging. Free. nrrevier@med.umich.edu, 998–9353.
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club.
Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues., Fri.), or a 499er game (Thurs.). If you plan to come without a partner, email kahanae@yahoo.net or ronmeade@comcast.net beforehand. 1–4 p.m. or so (arrive by 12:50 p.m.), City Club, 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $6 per person.
“Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest”: Literati Bookstore Eco Book Club.
“Tuesday Evening Birders”: Washtenaw Audubon Society.
Every Tues. WAS members lead evening walks at various local birding sites. Bring binoculars and (if you have one) a scope. 6 p.m., usually carpool from the Miller Rd. Park & Ride off M-14, but check facebook.com/washtenawaudubon before each trip to confirm location. Free. Anyone under 18 not accompanied by an adult relative or legal guardian must have a completed parental consent form (available at washtenawaudubon.org).
“Who Killed Vincent Chin”
(Christine Choy & Renee Tajima-Peña, 1989). Oscar-nominated documentary about the killing of a young Chinese American engineer by a Detroit autoworker, who–despite his confession–never spent a day in jail. Followed by a discussion with AADL staff and U-M American culture lecturer Frances Kai-Hwa Wang. Also, a virtual screening (May 7, 3-4:30 p.m.) on AADL.TV. 6-7:30 p.m.. AADL Downtown multi-purpose room, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Free. 327-4200.
U-M Baseball.
This month’s home schedule includes a game against Youngstown State (May3, 6 p.m.), a 3-game series vs. Indiana (May 6, 6 p.m., May 7, 2 p.m., and May 8, 1 p.m.) and Rutgers (May 19, 6 p.m., May 20, 2 p.m., May 21, 1 p.m.), a single game vs. MSU (May 17, 6 p.m.), and nonconference games vs. Xavier (May 10, 6 p.m.) and Wright State (May 11, 6 p.m., dollar day), 6 p.m., Ray Fisher Stadium, 1114 S. State St. $6 ($8 in advance). mGOblue.com, 764–0247.
“Challenges and Trauma of Black Men and Boys in America”: Washtenaw Regional Organizing Coalition.
Sufi Class: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth
“Sufi Chanting, Movement, & Meditations”: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth.
“Capture the Flag”: All Hands Active.
Every Tues. All invited to try to capture a virtual flag by solving a computer security problem (or series of problems), ranging from basic computer usage to some programming. Led by AHA members. Beginners welcome. 7 p.m., for URL preregister at meetup.com/AllHandsActive/events. Free, but donations welcome. info@AllHandsActive.org.
“Mother Country”: Literati Bookstore At Home with Literati.
U-M creative writing visiting professor Jacinda Townsend discusses (via Zoom) her new book, a feminist novel about an African toddler who is adopted by well-meaning American tourists on vacation in Morocco–inadvertently separating her from her mother, an undocumented Mauritanian woman who was trafficked as a teen. 7 p.m., for URL see literatibookstore.com/event/2022-05. Free. 585–5567.
Andy Baker & Louise Mosrie: On the Tracks Songwriter Showcase.
West Michigan veterinarian Baker is an Americana pop-folk singer-songwriter whose repertoire mixes poignant story songs with humorous ones. His 2020 album North Country Sky was praised for its “breathtaking lyrics and melodies” by WTBQ (Warwick, NY) Hootenanny Cafe host Jon Stein. Tennessee native Louise Mosrie’s Americana-folk story songs have won several nationally known songwriting contests, including Kerrville New Folk, Telluride Troubadour, and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. 7–9 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), Chelsea Depot, 125 Jackson, Chelsea. $15 suggested donation. Info: call Annie Capps at 330-5226.
Ann Arbor Camera Club.
May 3 & 17. Club members show their projected digital images (May 3) and prints (May 17) on various topics, including this month's assignment, “Light & Shadow”. 7–9 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Liberty, rear entrance, 2nd floor. Mask and proof of Covid-19 vaccination and booster required. Free. annarborcameraclub.org a2camclub@gmail.com.
Auditions 'The C.E.O.': University of Michigan Gilbert & Sullivan Society (UMGASS)
The University of Michigan Gilbert & Sullivan Society (UMGASS) is looking for singer/actors who would like to be part of a production that combines W.S. Gilbert’s cleverest characters with many of Arthur Sullivan’s most-loved melodies, all adapted using a twist that drops them down in the middle of a Midwestern college campus with which you are undoubtedly familiar. This production merges the music of ‘The Mikado’ with a revised libretto that retains much of Gilbert’s humor, but which has been updated to a modern, local setting.
The result is ‘The C.E.O, or The Widget Company,’ with roles available for SATB principals and chorus; all principal roles parallel the voice parts and narrative function of those found in the original script and score. The production will be performed concert-style on Friday, June 3rd at 7:30 pm, and Saturday, June 4th at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm in the Arthur Miller Theatre on U-M’s North Campus.
Rehearsals will be held Sundays at 2:00 pm (except May 29th) and Tuesdays at 7:00 pm at the Student Theatre Arts Complex (STAC), 1202 Kipke Dr., Ann Arbor (across the parking lot from the U-M football stadium), beginning on May 8th, 2022.
Two audition methods are available:
1. Send video of yourself singing (with live or recorded accompaniment, as available) or a link to a performance posted online, that includes a song from musical theater, comic opera, or grand opera (in English), to umgassexec@umich.edu, by midnight on Monday, May 2nd, 2022. If you are interested in a principal (speaking) role, the video must also include a comic monologue or dialogue scene (also in English, please!), or…
2. Perform approximately 32 – 64 bars of a song from musical theater, comic opera, or grand opera (in English) at our live auditions on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022, from 7:00 – 10:00 pm, at STAC (see the address above). Please provide sheet music for the accompanist, and an additional copy (if available) for the auditors. Be prepared to read from the libretto if you are interested in a principal role.
Audition appointments are available at umgassexec@umich.edu, and walk-ins are welcome through 9:00 pm on the audition night.
Affiliation with the University of Michigan is not required to participate in this project.
(If you appeared at our previous round of auditions, or have already provided a recording, you do not need to audition again, unless you want to be considered for additional roles.)
PLEASE NOTE: At this time masks are required indoors for all vocal music activities at U-M. Performers and other participants in this production are required to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. Rehearsals and performances will be conducted in accordance with U-M guidelines regarding the evolving public health situation.
Huron Valley Harmonizers Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Every Tues. All singers invited to join the weekly rehearsals of this local barbershop harmony chorus. All singers, male and female, invited to join as members or visitors. 7–9:30 p.m., Interfaith Center, 704 Airport Blvd. Free to visitors (annual dues for those who join), info@HVharmonizers.org, 796–7467.
Virtual Trivia Night: Ann Arbor Adventure Club.
Every Tues. All invited to form teams of 4 or so persons to compete (via Zoom) in a family-friendly 2-round trivia contest featuring questions in a range of fields from entertainment and history to pop culture and geography. Solo competitors are matched up together. 7 p.m., for URL email burrbarr7@hotmail.com. Free.
“Sign o’ the Times”: Michigan Theatre.
(Prince & Albert Magnoli, 1987). Concert documentary of a performance by the revered, riveting, and wildly talented funk-rock musician Prince, newly remastered for its 35th anniversary. 6 p.m. (Sun.) & 7:30 p.m. (Tues. & Thurs.). Michigan Theater. Proof of vaccination (or negative Covid test within 72 hours) required for all patrons over the age of 12. 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. Different times.
German Conversation.
Every Tues. & Thurs. All German speakers, native or non-native, invited for conversation with either or both of 2 long-running groups, the German Speakers Round Table (Tues.) and the Stammtisch (Thurs.). 7:30 p.m., Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, 120 W. Washington. Free admission. 812–6375 (Tues.) & heerdeolind@yahoo.com (Thurs.).