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Events in February 2023
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February 17, 2023
“2022 Oscar-Nominated Shorts”: Michigan Theater.
Opens Feb. 17: The nominated 15 short films span 3 categories: live-action, animation, and documentary. 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.
“D & D Adventures”: Sylvan Factory.
“Getting Dressed”: University Musical Society Digital Presentation.
Feb. 13–24: Online presentation for kids in grades preK–2. The U.K. dance company Second Hand Dance presents a series of 5 short, lively dance films in which everyday clothing is transformed into a celebration of individuality. With animations and an 80s-inspired soundtrack. Anytime from Feb. 13 until Feb. 24. For URL, go to ums.org/performance/getting-dressed, or preregister to be reminded. Free. 764–2538.
Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory.
Every Mon.–Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play various forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. 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. 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. Prizes paid in store credit. Various times. Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
Preschool Storytimes: AADL.
Every Mon.–Fri. 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 & Malletts Creek), Wed. 10:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Thurs. 11 a.m. (Traverwood & Pittsfield), Fri. 1 p.m. (Westgate), and Tues., Feb. 21, 7-7:30 p.m. (Westgate).
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater.
Every Fri.–Sun. & Feb. 20. 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. Also, at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 11, Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago. Various times, MNH, 1105 North University. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.
Rise and Shine Exercise: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
U-M Clements Library Bookworm.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Natural History Museum.
Coffee & Conversation: Pittsfield Township Community Center.
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops.
Tai Chi: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club.
Every Thurs., Fri., & Tues. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Fri. & Tues.) 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.
U-M Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Speaker Series.
Feb 10 & 17. Talks by U-M and visiting scholars. Feb. 10: U-M psychology professor Mari Kira on “Moving Past the Barriers: Experiences of a Good Life and Meaningful Career among Resettled Refugees in Germany and the U.S.” Feb. 17: University of North Carolina management professor Brianna Caza discusses the career paths of professional gig workers in “Losing the Plot? How Narrative Identity Challenges Affect Independent Scientists’ Progression, Thriving, and Resilience.” 1:30–3 p.m., 220 Ross Business School, 701 Tappan. Free. icos.umich.edu.
“Mardi Gras Carnival”: Pittsfield Township Parks & Recreation.
Feb. 17 (2–8 p.m.): Kids age 4–12, with accompanying adults, invited to celebrate Mardi Gras with traditional foods, games, crafting, and more. 6–8 p.m., Pittsfield Twp. Community Center, 701 Ellsworth Rd. $25 first child (residents, $20; additional children, $10) at the door. Preregistration required at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. 822–2120.
“Fix-It Friday”: Maker Works.
All invited to bring anything that needs fixing—chairs, sweaters, radios, whatever. Maker Works members and staff on hand to help with repairs. Handy people invited to assist. Repairs not guaranteed. Also: toy adaptations (preregistration required) to make off-the-shelf toys more accessible for people with disabilities. 4–6 p.m., Maker Works, 3765 Plaza Dr. Mask required. Free. frontdesk@maker-works.com, 222–4911.
U-M Center for South Asian Studies Lecture Series.
Feb. 10 & 17. Talks by visiting scholars. Feb. 10: Columbia University Hindi & Urdu professor Rakesh Ranjan on “Teaching Hindi in the United States: Strengths and Challenges.” Feb. 17: University of Munich anthropology professor Sahana Udupa on “Digital Influencers and the Business of ‘Data Tested’ Campaigns in India.” 4:30–6 p.m., 110 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. 764–0448.
“Danish Hygge Cozy Winter”: Ann Arbor District Library.
“Pets and Pajamas Movie Night”: HSHV.
Feb. 17 (5:30–9 p.m.): All ages 5–11 invited to watch an animal-themed movie and interact with adoptable pets. Vegetarian dinner (often pizza). Wear pajamas and bring a sleeping bag and pillow. HSHV, 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. $35 (each additional child, $15). Call for movie selection. Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org, 661–3575.
“Glitch”: TEDxUofM.
A TED-like program of presentations, discussions, entertainment, and art, all on the theme of resilience. Speakers include Michigan-based film producer David Siev, local chef Ji Hye Kim, sports journalist Nicole Auerbach, and local writer Annie Rauwerda, creator of the popular Instagram feed @depthsofwikipedia, along with others TBA. 6–10 p.m., Power Center. Preregistration required. Tickets $15–$25 at tedxuofm.com. team@tedxuofm.com, 764–2538.
Demetrius Nabors: Blue LLama Jazz Club
Pianist, composer, producer and arranger DEMETRIUS “KRAYON” NABORS is well known and in demand in the Detroit area and on the national contemporary jazz scene. He is a two-time Detroit Music Award Winner in the Outstanding Gospel/Christian Musician category.
314 S. Main St ,Ann Arbor. Pre-Pay Light Fare+Libations or Dinner+Show at opentable.com $35–85. hello@bluellamaclub.com bluellamaclub.com 734-372-3200.Game Night: Sweetwaters Café Downtown.
Feb. 3 & 17. All invited to play any type of tabletop game, including board games, role-playing, and card games. Bring your own game, or use one provided. 6–9 p.m., Sweetwaters back room, 123 W. Washington St. Free, but food & drink purchases required for table use. Preregistration requested at meetup.com/aagame.
“Valentine’s Adults-Only Night”: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.
“Go Tell It on the Mountain”: Booksweet Bookstore Book Dive.
“Stick Fly”: EMU Theatre Department.
Feb. 10–12 & 17–19. Fraser High School drama teacher Randy Stewart, an EMU grad, directs EMU drama students in Detroit native Lydia Diamond’s witty 2006 comic drama about a Black family gathering on otherwise all-white Martha’s Vineyard during which adult children, their new love interests, and their parents argue about family secrets, privilege, and race. Suggested for mature audiences. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), EMU Legacy Theatre, 124 Judy Sturgis Hill Bldg., Ypsilanti. Tickets $7–$18 in advance at emich.ludus.com & at the door. 487–2282.
“When Your Sky Runs Into Mine”: Literati Bookstore At Home with Literati.
Kira Soltanovich: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Feb. 16–18. A former regular on Oxygen’s comedy reality show Girls Behaving Badly, this hyper-animated Ukraine-born, San Francisco-bred comic specializes in loopy, absurdist autobiographical fictions that deliver lots of social and cultural satire. Preceded by 2 opening acts. Alcohol is served. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 ($15 Thurs.) reserved seating in advance at aacomedy.com before 5 p.m. the night of the show; $22 ($17 Thurs.) general admission at the door. 996–9080.
“Moby Dick! The Musical”: Ann Arbor Musical Theater Works.
Thurs.–Sun., Feb. 9–19. Ron Baumanis directs local actors in this high-camp 1990 West End (London) hit about a theatrical adaptation of Melville’s Moby-Dick by an all-girls school staged in a swimming pool to hilarious effect. With a pop-rock score and book by Robert Longden and Hereward Kaye. Adult material; ages 13 years and up only. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.-Sat.) & 2:30 p.m. (Sun.), Children’s Creative Center stage, 1600 Pauline St. Tickets $25 at annarbormusicaltheaterworks.com 546–5087.
“The Language Archive”: Theatre Nova.
Every Fri.–Sun., Feb. 3–26. Carla Milarch directs this Michigan premiere of Julia Cho’s whimsical 2010 romantic comedy about a man obsessed with documenting the dying languages of far-flung cultures even as his own capacity to communicate, along with his marriage, is deteriorating. 2 p.m. (Sun.), 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 3 p.m. (Sat.), Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Mask & proof of vaccination required. Tickets $22 ($10 for kids under 17) in advance at theatre-nova.ticketleap.com and (if available) at the door. 635–8450.
“Bonnets: How Ladies of Good Standing are Induced to Murder”: U-M Theatre Department.
Feb. 16–19. Priscilla Lindsay directs drama majors in American playwright Jen Silverman’s 2020 absurdist and campy exploration of love and violence. The plot subverts the historic illustrations of well-behaved women, jumping between the 17th- and 19th-century in France, England, and Salem (MA) to tell the story of 3 young women driven by patriarchal power to commit murder in a variety of ways. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. $27–$34 in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu and at the door. 764–2538.
“Human Error”: Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.–Sun., Feb. 3–Mar. 18. Lynch Travis directs the Michigan premiere of Ohio-based playwright Eric Pfeffinger’s political comedy about a liberal couple trying to start a family whose fertilized embryo is accidentally implanted in the uterus of a small-government-supporting NRA cardholder. Cast: Henrí Franklin, Alex Leydenfrost, Kristin Shields, Kevin Theis, and Meghan VanArsdalen. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat., except Feb. 9), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $21–$52 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.
“The Importance of Being Earnest”: U-M Musical Theatre Studio.
Feb. 16–19. Vincent Cardinal directs U-M musical theater students as they work on their acting skills in Oscar Wilde’s deliciously irreverent comedy of manners, a late Victorian classic whose strongest attraction is Wilde’s wonderfully etched epigrammatic language. The story concerns a foundling who must establish his bona fides to the satisfaction of his prospective mother-in-law, London’s leading social dragon, who is not about to allow her daughter to marry a nobody. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), U-M Walgreen Drama Center Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin, North Campus. Tickets $23 in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu and at the door.
Angell Hall Observatory Open House: U-M Student Astronomical Society.
Kitty Donohoe: Green Wood Coffee House Series (First United Methodist Church).
Donohoe is a veteran Irish-American singer-songwriter from Detroit known for her bell-like soprano—an instrument that has been described as “rich, flexible, soaring, and haunting”—and her grittily realistic, bluesy original songs. 8 p.m., FUMC Green Wood Church, 1001 Green Rd. at Glazier Way. Tickets $15 in advance at greenwoodcoffeehouse.org and at the door. 665–8558.
Valentine's Day Swing Dance: Ann Arbor Swing Dance Association
Swing dancing to live music by swing band Planet D Nonet. No partner needed. Wear comfortable low-grip shoes. Preceded at 7 p.m. by a free beginner lesson. Followed at midnight by late night blues dancing. 8 p.m.-midnight, Concourse Hall, 4531 Concourse Dr. Mask or negative Covid rapid test (free) required. $25 (AACTMAD or Swing Ann Arbor members, $20; volunteers, free) at the door. Interested in volunteering at the check-in desk? Please email swingannarbor@gmail.com to sign up. Swingannarbor.com.
"School of Rock": State Theatre.
Feb. 17: (Richard Linklater, 2003). Comedy in which a struggling rock guitarist poses as a teacher and forms a band of fourth graders to earn his rent money. Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman. 9:30 p.m. 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.
