Observer Editor
Community Listing
Online Event
Creative Washtenaw Event
Free Event
Donation Suggested
Hybrid Event
Events in January 2023
Looking for live music tonight?
Visit our Nightspots listing.
January 9, 2023
“Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration”: Chelsea One World One Family.
Jan. 9–21. Two weeks of community service activities. Various locations; for info see owofchelsea.org or email OWOFChelsea@gmail.com after Jan. 2. Free. 748–3564.
“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).
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater.
Daily, except Jan. 1, 2, 9, 23, & 30. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Sea Monsters (11:30 a.m.) follows a curious dolichorhynchops (an extinct species of marine reptile) as she travels through the most dangerous oceans in history. The Sky Tonight (12:30 & 2:30 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. Mars: One Thousand One (1:30 p.m.) tells the story of what humans might face with the first manned journey to Mars. Various times, MNH, 1105 North University. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.
Open Cards and Games: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
Every Mon, Jan. 9- Mar. 31. 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.
Rise and Shine Exercise: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
Every Mon & Fri., Jan. 9- Mar. 31. Free (except as noted) in person weekly activities. Check meeting status before coming. 9-10 a.m., Pittsfield Township Senior Center, 701 W. Ellsworth Rd.. Free. recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. 822–2120.
“Preschool ArtStart”: AADL.
Jan. 9, 11, & 12 (10:30–11 a.m., different locations): AADL staff lead children ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult, in fun, process-based arts and crafts. AADL Traverwood (Mon.), AADL Pittsfield (Wed.), & AADL Malletts Creek (Thurs.).
Tai Chi: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd., or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353. No meetings Nov. 24 & 25.
Today:
Tai Chi (Mon., Wed., & Fri. noon-12:30 p.m.) via Zoom.
Duplicate Non-sanctioned Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Mondays 12:30–3:30 p.m. $3; members, $2. Ann Arbor Senior Center (1320 Baldwin Ave., 794–6250). Free (except as noted) weekly activities. Check meeting status before coming.
Walking Group: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd., or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353.
Today:
Walking Group (Mon., Wed., & Fri. 12:30–1 p.m.) via Zoom.
Euchre: 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:
Euchre (Mon. 1–3 p.m.) in person.
“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.
Ann Arbor Area Scrabble Club.
Every Mon. All invited to play the classic word game, using the 5th-edition Scrabble dictionary. Bring your own set, if you like. 5–9 p.m., Arbor Brewing Company Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. Free. burrbarr7@hotmail.com.
“Exploring the Mind”: Ann Arbor District Library.
U-M psychology professor Jacqueline S. Mattis discusses her research into the impact of altruism, compassion, empathy, forgiveness, and optimism among urban African Americans. 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. 327–4200.
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.
“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.
“Rites of Retaliation: Civilization, Soldiers, and Campaigns in the American Civil War”: Ann Arbor Civil War Round Table.
Texas A&M University history professor Lorien Foote discusses her most recent book, which blends military and cultural history to shed light on how the Union and the Confederacy fought over what it meant to be civilized. 7 p.m., for URL email jfepperson@gmail.com. Free. aacwrt.org.
“The Glassmaker's Wife”: Literati Bookstore At Home with Literati.
New Jersey novelist Alice Elliott Dark joins Ohio State University English professor Lee Martin to discuss (via Zoom) her new historical mystery about a 19th-century Ohio woman suspected of poisoning her husband. 7 p.m., for URL see literatibookstore.com/event/2023-01. Free. 585–5567.
“The Wizard of Oz”: Michigan Theater.
Michigan Theater. Film screenings every Wed.–Sun. 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.
Jan. 7 & 9: (Victor Fleming, 1939). Classic musical often ranked as one of the greatest films of all time. An adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s fantasy novel, the film stars Judy Garland as a resourceful farm girl from Kansas dropped by a tornado into the surreal world of Oz, just trying to get back home. 7:30 p.m.
Ann Arbor Stamp Club.
Club members show and discuss their finds from the club’s annual show in November. 7:30 p.m., Salvation Army, 100 Arbana (park & enter at the rear of the building), annarborstampclub.org. Free. arbor@provide.net, 761–5859.
Large Ensemble Meeting: Ann Arbor Recorder Society.
All beginning and advanced players of the recorder and other early instruments invited to play mostly Renaissance music, directed by viol teacher and early music specialist Janet Cannon. Bring your own music stand. 7:30–9 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church basement music room (enter by the back door), 1501 W. Liberty. Mask (when not playing) and proof of latest Covid booster required. Free to visitors ($35 yearly dues for those who join). For more information, contact kgilson@earthlink.net 412–9131 or sindikeesan@fastmail.fm. a2recordersociety.org.
Opera on Tap.
Local singers perform arias and art songs. Tonight’s theme: “Frozen Hearts.” 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. 487–1555.
Scandinavian Music Jam.
Jan. 9 & 23. Bruce Sagan and Brad Battey lead an acoustic jam session devoted to traditional music from Sweden and Norway. All instruments welcome, no experience necessary. 7:30–9:30 p.m., in person or virtual TBA. For location, email bsagan@msu.edu. Free. (908) 721–2599.
Tartan & Thistle Scottish Country Dancers.
Jan. 9, 16, 23, & 30. Jigs, reels, and strathspeys. Usually with live music by Susie Lorand, Josh Burdick, & friends. All dances taught; beginners welcome. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Genesis, 2309 Packard. Mask and vaccination required. $5. 274–0773.
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.