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Events in January 2023
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January 24, 2023
“Cultural Exchange Rate”: University Musical Society.
Jan. 24–29. Lebanese artist Tania El Khoury shares her family’s memories of life in villages on the border of Lebanon and Syria through this interactive performance art piece in which each ticketholder is invited to peek into various boxes to explore the sounds, images, and textures hidden inside that are built out of recorded interviews with El Khoury’s late grandmother, material from her newly discovered relatives in Mexico City, and family memories of more than a century of border crossings. Timed entry every 90 minutes, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. U-M Stamps Gallery, 210 S. Division. Tickets $25 (students, $12) in advance only at tickets.UMS.org. 764–2538.
“Playgroups for Babies”: AADL.
Every Mon.–Wed. For kids up to 24 months (with caregiver). No older siblings. Mon. 10:30–11:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Tues. 11 a.m.–noon (Traverwood), & Wed. 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. (Westgate).
Preschool Storytimes: AADL.
Every Mon.–Fri. & Jan. 17. Half hour program of stories and songs for kids ages 2–5 (with caregiver). Mon. 10:30 a.m. (Pittsfield), Tues. 11 a.m. (Downtown), Wed. 10:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Thurs. 11 a.m. (Traverwood & Pittsfield), Fri. 1 p.m. (Westgate), and Jan. 17, 7-7:30 p.m. (Westgate).
Mahjong: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
Every Tues, 9-11 a.m. Free (except as noted) in person weekly activities. Check meeting status before coming. 9-11 a.m., Pittsfield Township Senior Center, 701 W. Ellsworth Rd.. Free. recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. 822–2120.
Online Meditation Drop-In: 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.
Today:
Online Meditation Drop-In (Tues. 10–11:30 a.m.) via Zoom.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Natural History Museum.
Every Tues.–Sun., except Jan. 1. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s Nature Lab and Micro Worlds Lab to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. Schedule subject to change. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., MNH, 1105 North University. Free. 764–0478.
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club.
Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) 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.
Euchre: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
Every Tues., Jan. 9- Mar. 31. Free (except as noted) in person weekly activities. Check meeting status before coming. 1-3:30 a.m., Pittsfield Township Senior Center, 701 W. Ellsworth Rd.. Free. recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. 822–2120.
“D & D Adventures”: Sylvan Factory.
Every Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All age 16+ invited to play Dungeons and Dragons role-playing games. 5–8 p.m. (Mon. & Tues.), 6–8 p.m. (Thurs.), & 6–10 p.m. (Fri.), Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium Blvd. $10. Preregistration recommended. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
“Imagination and Experience in a Writer’s Life: Creating Fiction from Facts and Finding Alternative Paths to Becoming a Writer”: Ann Arbor District Library.
Local novelists Janet Gilsdorf and Ann S. Epstein read their work and discuss how they learned their craft through participation in short-term writing workshops and local writing groups, rather than through MFA programs. 6–7 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. 327–4200.
“The Half-Life of Freedom: Notes on Race, Media, and Democracy”: U-M Wallace House.
Discussion with New Yorker staff writer Jelani Cobb, a Columbia University journalism professor and U-M Ford School of Public Policy dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes. Rescheduled from November. 6–7:30 p.m., Rackham Auditorium. Also via livestream; see wallacehouse.umich.edu/events for URL. Free. 998–7666.
“Transparent Window Valentine Cards”: Ann Arbor District Library.
Adults and kids age 8 & up invited to create a 3D Valentine card by enclosing a heart-shaped embroidered patch behind a transparent window. 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Malletts Creek, 3090 E. Eisenhower. Free. 327–4200.
Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet.
Every Tues. & Sat. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different Fleet Feet (formerly Running Fit) locations. Rain or shine. 6 p.m. (Tues.), 123 E. Liberty & 8 a.m. (Sat.), 5700 Jackson Rd. Free. 769–5016 (Tues.) & 929–9022 (Sat.).
BattleTech: Classic: Sylvan Factory.
Every Tues. All invited to play this fast-paced tabletop miniatures war game. No experience needed; materials provided. 6–9 p.m., Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium Blvd. Free. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877. sylvanfactory.com/event-schedule.
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. 6–9 p.m.: MTG Pauper, a fun and fast format for all skill levels, $5. 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. Prizes paid in store credit. Various times. Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
“Food Literacy for All”: U-M Sustainable Food Systems Initiative.
Every Tues. (except Feb. 28), Jan. 10–Apr. 4. Lecture series. Jan. 10: Panel discussion on “Roots: Food, Power, and the Climate Crisis” with U-M Afroamerican & African studies professor Jessica Kenyatta Walker, U-M School for Environment & Sustainability lecturer shakara tyler, and U-M Sustainable Food Systems project manager Lilly Fink Shapiro. Jan. 17: Climate Justice Alliance coexecutive director Bineshi Albert on “Community Food Systems for Climate Justice.” Jan. 24: Writer and filmmaker Raj Patel, a University of Texas public affairs professor, on The Ants & The Grasshopper. Jan. 31: British chef and writer Fozia Ismail on “Food Culture as Companion.” 6:30–8 p.m. Free. Preregistration required at sites.lsa.umich.edu/sustainablefoodsystems/foodliteracyforall. Free.
“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 to some programming. Led by AHA usage members. Beginners welcome. 7 p.m., for URL preregister at meetup.com/AllHandsActive/events. Free; donations welcome. info@AllHandsActive.org.
“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 to some programming. Led by AHA usage members. Beginners welcome. 7 p.m., for URL preregister at meetup.com/AllHandsActive/events. Free; donations welcome. info@AllHandsActive.org.
“Inside Michigan Basketball”: WTKA (1050 AM)/ WXYT (1270 AM).
Jan. 2, 9, 16, 24, & 30. Brian Boesch and Terry Mills host a live radio broadcast from inside the Pretzel Bell with popular U-M men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard and U-M women's coach Kim Barnes Arico. 7 p.m., Pretzel Bell, 226 S. Main. Seating limited. Free admission, but must order food & drinks to sit. bit.ly/insideMIbasket.
English Country Dance: Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance.
Every Tues. Historical and traditional English dancing to live music. All dances taught; no partner or experience needed. Bring flat, clean-soled, nonslip shoes (running shoes okay) and your own water bottle. First-timers are asked to arrive at 6:45 p.m. 7–9:30 p.m., Concourse Hall, 4531 Concourse Dr. Mask, proof of vaccination, and release of liability required. Suggested donation: $8 (students, $4; kids age 13 & under with caregiver, free). aactmad.org/english-country, 665–7704.
French Canadian Music Session: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance.
All musicians invited to play the acoustic dance music of French Canada: jigs, reels, waltzes, and so-called “crooked” tunes from Quebec, Acadia, and the Métis traditions. Knowledge of French not required. 7–9 p.m., First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1st floor, 4001 Ann Arbor Saline Rd. Mask required. Free. 355–9752, Janet_Goldwasser@yahoo.com, aactmad.org.
Huron Valley Harmonizers Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Every Tues. All male and female singers invited to join weekly rehearsals. 7–8:45 p.m., Interfaith Center, 704 Airport Blvd. Masks encouraged, vaccination required to join. Free to visitors (annual dues for those who join). bit.ly/hvharmonizers. info@HVharmonizers.org, 796–7467.
Skazat! Poetry Series.
Zoom reading by Ypsilanti poet Jennifer Huang, a U-M grad whose Ballard Spahr Prize–winning debut Return Flight (Milkweed Editions, 2022) is a collection of intimate poems exploring Huang’s experience of being raised by Taiwanese immigrants. Preceded by open mic. 7–8:30 p.m., for URL preregister at facebook.com/skazat. Free. 223–3165.
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.
Voices in Harmony.
Every Tues. Female singers invited to join the weekly rehearsals of this local 40-member a cappella barbershop harmony chorus. 7–8:30 p.m., UAW Local 898, 8975 Textile Rd., Ypsilanti. Mask policy follows CDC guidelines; proof of vaccination required. Free to visitors ($26 monthly dues for those who join). info@voicesinharmonychorus.org, 765–3611.
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., Jan. 10 & 24). Various times, Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, 120 W. Washington. Free admission. Preregistration for Thurs. A2 Stammtisch requested at heerdeolind@yahoo.com. 812–6375 (Tues.).
John A. Haines-Eitzen: U-M Music School Guest Recital.
This accomplished cellist, a Cornell University music professor, joins U-M piano professor Matthew Bengtson in a performance of Beethoven’s beloved Sonata for Cello and Piano in A major, 20th-century African American composer George Walker’s Cello Sonata, and the world premiere of contemporary Puerto Rican composer Roberto Sierra’s Cuatro Piezas para cello y piano. 7:30 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg. Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. 615–3204.
