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Events in July 2022
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July 3, 2022
Animals of North America: The Creature Conservancy
Every Sat. & Sun. Conservancy staffers show off some animals native to North America (2 & 4 p.m.), including the groundhog, black rat snake, skunk, and coyote. Also, an alligator feeding demonstration (3 p.m., weather permitting) and a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 1–5 p.m., Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Mask encouraged. $13 (kids ages 2–12, $11; under age 2, free) at the door; $1 discount in advance. 929–9324.
4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. , Ann Arbor . Online in advance, https://www.thecreatureconservancy.org/july-weekend-open-hours or at the door.. $13 (kids ages 2–12, $11; under age 2, free) at the door; $1 discount in advance. . info@thecreatureconservancy.org. https://annarborobserver.com/submit-events/. (734) 929-9324 .Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival.
Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival. June 19-July 15. Annual festival of documentary and feature films on Jewish themes. Includes both in-person shows and 5 different films each week available to stream anytime.
July 3, noon through July 8, noon (online):
“Dead Sea Guardians” (Ido Glass & Yoav Kleinman, 2021). Documentary exploring how overconsumption, poor water management, and global warming are threatening the Dead Sea. “A Kaddish for Bernie Madoff” (Alicia J. Rose, 2021). Mystical meta-musical about the notorious Wall Street fraudster told through the eyes of musician and poet Alicia Jo Rabins. “The Levys of Monticello” (Steven Pressman, 2021). Documentary about the little-known Jewish family who bought Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia estate 8 years after his death and maintained it for nearly a century. “Plan A” (Yoav Paz & Doron Paz, 2021). Historical drama about a group of Holocaust survivors who hatch a revenge plot to kill 6 million Germans by poisoning the water supply. “Shorts III.” A program of 5 short films exploring the topics of friendship and interpersonal relationships: Quatre-Mains (Lander Haverals’ 2020 documentary about how to 2 men—a Jewish lawyer who lost his family in the Holocaust and an artist who grew up in a Nazi household—became close friends in their old age), Miss (Ella Marks & Yael Roth’s 2021 satire about a photographer who discovers her new roommate is entering a Miss Hitler beauty pageant), Reflection (Shirel Paz’s 2020 comedy about a young man suffering from social phobia who meets a mannequin in a store window that changes his life), Lookout (Noa Gusakov’s 2014 comic drama about a Israeli army lookout who creates an imaginary world to divert her from her mundane duties), and Summer Shade (Shira Haimovici’s provocative 2020 drama about a Israeli girl confronted by a group of Orthodox Jewish boys at a swimming hole).
$12 per film (in advance only for in-person shows); virtual festival pass, $150. Rackham Amphitheater and online at Film.jccAnnArbor.org. 971–0990.
Museum Highlight Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History.
Every Sat. & Sun. 30–minute tour of the museum’s exhibits and galleries, as well as an introduction to some current U-M Biological Sciences research projects. Noon & 2 p.m., MNH, 1105 North University. Check ummnh.org for the latest Covid protocols. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. 764–0478.
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater.
Daily, except July 4. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Expedition Reef (12:30 p.m.) reveals the secrets of the “rainforests of the sea,” the world’s most vibrant and endangered marine ecosystems. The Sky Tonight (1:30 & 3:30 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. Tales of the Maya Skies (2:30 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Maya scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics that enabled them to predict solstices, solar eclipses, weather patterns, and planetary movements. Various times, U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Check ummnh.org for the latest Covid protocols. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.
“Rescue Reading”: Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Every Sun. Kids read to adoptable animals to work on reading skills, using their own or provided books. Also, a group read-aloud and a dog meet-and-greet. For kids ages 6–11. No adults. HSHV, 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. $15. Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org.
Interfaith Sunday Service: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth
Please join us for Sunday service via Zoom
“Ancient Wisdom. Modern Times”: Jewel Heart Buddhist Center Sunday Talks.
Every Sun. Livestream talks by Jewel Heart resident spiritual advisor Demo Rinpoche, followed by a discussion facilitated by Jewel Heart staffers. Once a month, Demo Rinpoche presents a story from Jakata Tales, the Indian canon of 547 poems, dated 300 BC-400 AD, that concern the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form. The July 10 topic is “The Hare,” a tale about generosity in the lower realms. 11 a.m., for URL preregister at bit.ly/jeweldharmatalk. Free. 994–3387.
Sunday Artisan Market.
Every Sun. Juried market of local handmade arts and crafts, now in its 31st year. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Farmers Market Pavilion, Kerrytown. Free admission. 913–9622.
H.A.C. Ultimate.
Every Sun. All invited to a relaxed pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. 11:15 a.m., Fuller Park, just west of the pool & parking lot (or occasionally across the street). Free. HAC-UltimateList@GoogleGroups.com, 846–9418.
Interfaith Youthful Spirits Class for Young People: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth
Spiritual class for young people via Zoom. Free, but donations appreciated.
“Rear Window”: Michigan Theater.
(Alfred Hitchcock, 1954). A homebound photographer witnesses a possible murder and decides to solve the crime with the help of his girlfriend. Among Hitchcock’s tautest and most fully realized thrillers. James Stewart, Grace Kelly. 1:30 (Sun.) & 7:30 p.m. (Tues.) Mask and 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.
“Mamma Mia!”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company.
Every Thurs.–Sun., June 16–July 17. This local professional theater company performs the sunny 1999 Catherine Johnson musical about a bride-to-be trying to narrow down a field of three possibilities to find her real father. The all-ABBA score includes the title song, “Super Trouper,” “Dancing Queen,” “Money, Money, Money,” and more. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), Encore, 3126 Broad St., Dexter. Tickets $46 (seniors & youth $44) in advance at theencoretheatre.org and at the door. 268–6200.
“Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Ghost Machine”: Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.–Sun., Apr. 15–Aug. 27. Angie Kane directs the world premiere of Livonia playwright David MacGregor’s drama that imagines the Victorian sleuth, aided by Dr. Watson and Irene Adler, solving the disappearance of world-changing inventions by clients Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. Cast: David Bendena, Caitlin Cavannaugh, Mark Colson, Sarab Kamoo, Rusty Mewha, and Paul Strobili. 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Mask and proof of vaccination required. Tickets $25–51 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.
“All Peoples Planet Parade”: All Peoples Planet Parade and Action Network.
Family-friendly sidewalk parade to celebrate the Earth, along with a folk concert by Mary & the Huz Band, a “dance-poem” performance by Megan Sims, and a talk by Ann Arbor for Public Power representative Linda Wan. Attendees encouraged to make a sign, wear a costume, or bring a “sidewalk float.” 2:30–4:30 p.m., meet at Sculpture Plaza, N. Fourth Ave. at Catherine. Free. Mask requested. Info: Megan Sims at megansims600@gmail.com & 417–7020.
“How To Become a Fossil”: U-M Natural History Museum Science Forum Demos.
Every Sat. & Sun. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo exploring how fossils form, what parts of animals can become fossilized, and many other fossil-related things. For age 5+. 3 p.m., Natural History Museum, 1105 North University. Free. 764–0478.
“Men in Black” : Fathom Events.
(Barry Sonnenfeld, 1997). Sci-fi comedy about a streetwise NYC detective who joins a secret organization that polices extraterrestrials on Earth. Ann Arbor 20 only. 3 p.m. (Sun) & 7 p.m. (Mon.). $12.50 in advance online (recommended) & at the door.
“CatVideoFest”: Michigan Theater.
Compilation of funny and cute online cat videos. A portion of sales goes to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. 7:15 p.m. (Fri.), 4:30 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.). Mask and 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.
“Top of the Park”: Ann Arbor Summer Festival.
See 1 Friday. Tonight in the KidZone: Chalk drawing with popular local street artist David Zinn (all day) and Creative Play with Kidopolis (5 p.m.). On the Power Center Lawn: Vinyasa Yoga with Mary Betts (5 p.m.). On the O&W Grove Stage: Country-infused folk by the Michigan Americana quartet Cantu (5 p.m.). Also, Brain Plasticity Ukulele Collective (6 p.m.), a local intergenerational ensemble that plays a wide variety of genres and styles. On the Rackham Stage: The Claudettes (7 p.m.), a Chicago “garage cabaret” quartet, play a fusion of Chicago piano blues, rockabilly, and punk. Also, the popular local rockabilly, blues, rock ’n’ roll, and honky-tonk band George Bedard & the Kingpins (8:30 p.m.). The music is followed at 10 p.m. by West Side Story, Steven Spielberg’s 2021 adaptation, with a screenplay by Tony Kushner, of the Leonard Bernstein–Stephen Sondheim musical. 5 p.m.–midnight, Ingalls Mall at Washington. Free, but donations accepted. a2sf.org, 994–5999.
Ann Arbor Go Club.
Every Sun. Players of all skill levels invited to play this challenging strategy board game in person. Game materials provided. 5 p.m. until whenever, Bill’s Beer Garden, 218 S. Ashley St., or Conor O’Neill’s, 318 Main St. Check facebook page bit.ly/annarborgo or email Drew at dwright8182@hotmail.com before coming. Free.
P.O.R.K. - Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings: Zal Gaz Grotto
10-piece early big band led by Chris Smith, specializing in music of the 20s and 30s. Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Duke Ellington and other jazz legends are prominent in their repertoire. For listening or dancing. 5-8pm. $10 cover (cash).
2070 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor. cash at the door . $10 . cdsmith68@gmail.com. https://www.facebook.com/porkjazz. 248-446-0403.40th Annual Fireworks Show: Manchester Men’s Club.
Fireworks, with beverages and popcorn available. Also, a beer tent and musical entertainment by the Manchester classic & contemporary rock band Star69. Rain date: July 4. Dusk (gates open at 6 p.m.), Carr Park, 600 W. Main, Manchester. Donation. 428-9028.
Ann Arbor Morris.
Every Sun. All invited to try this boisterous, jingly English ceremonial dance thought to be descended from the 15th-century Spanish moresca. Wear athletic shoes. 6–8 p.m., Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit Street. Free. Email a2morris@umich.edu or check annarbormorris.org in advance to confirm. 717–1569.
“Sunday Evening Game Night”: Ann Arbor Adventure Club.
Every Sun. An evening of playing popular board games online. You help decide which game to play at the beginning of the night. Have a pencil and paper handy. 7 p.m., for URL email burrbarr7@hotmail.com. Free.
“The UnClub'': The Theater Shop.
Every Sun. Performances by aspiring and experienced comics from former Tonight Show staff writer Chili Challis’s comedy dojo. Emcee is Mark Sweetman. 8 p.m. The Ypsi Alehouse, 124 Pearl St. #100, Ypsilanti. Mask and vaccination encouraged. Free. facebook.com/thetheatershop.
Moose Lodge 782 Firework Show: Moose Lodge 782
School of Rock Ann Arbor's adult groups will provide music for the Moose Lodge Firework Show!
5506 Stony Creek Road, Ypsilanti. AnnArbor@schoolofrock.com. 734-686-3333.
