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Events in March 2023
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March 23, 2023
61st Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival.
Mar. 21–26. The oldest and one of the most prestigious avant-garde film festivals in North America, showcasing new experimental and independent films in a wide range of genres. Also, “Off the Screen” round-table discussions, exhibits, and parties (see aaFilmFest.org for full schedule). Tickets: $150 (buy before Mar. 1, $125; members, students, & seniors, $100) for the entire festival; $85 (buy before Mar. 1, $75) for weekend passes, or $60 (buy before Mar. 1, $60) for an online-only pass in advance at aafilmfest.org. $12 (students, seniors, & members, $8) per screening at the door. All feature films eligible for online viewing are available Mar. 21–29. 995–5356. Michigan Theater (except as noted), various times.
Mar. 23: “Blood of the Family Tree.” Experimental animated film by festival juror Christine Panushka that explores hidden family history, disease, and ties to the past. 1 p.m., State Theatre.
“Berbu: The Wedding Parade.” Sevinaz Evdike’s competition drama about 3 young Kurdish women planning their weddings in a city threatened by war. 5 p.m., State Theatre.
“Sam Green: 32 Sounds” See 23 Thursday Events listing. 5:30 p.m.
“Remembrance/Vacancy: The Films of Edward Owens.” Screening of late-1960s short films by the Black NYC experimental filmmaker Owens. Followed by discussion with program curator Emily Martin and U-M film professor Jessica Ruffin. 7 p.m., State Theatre.
“Films in Competition 4.” Highlights include electricity pylons, meat processors, mysteries that heal wounds, and the spirits of space test dogs. 7:30 p.m.
“Radical Curiosity: Short Films by Sam Green.” Screening of short documentaries (2000-2021) about Hells Angels, pet cemeteries, fog, and experimental music by Green, who’s known for feature documentaries that include The Weather Underground (2003) and 32 Sounds (2022). 9 p.m., State Theatre.
“Films in Competition 5.” A program highlighting LGBTQ+ films submitted this year includes films about growing up in rural Wales, research in bioarchaeology, and a visit to the grocery store. 9:30 p.m.
Benefit Breakfast: Harbaughs for Hope Clinic
Get to know Michigan Football's Jim & Sarah Harbaugh as they share from the heart at this breakfast benefit for Hope Clinic. True fans can dine at the Harbaughs' table or reserve a spot at the small-group meet & greet before the event.
Hope Clinic partners with you to make lives better, caring for the Whole Person by providing integrated and free: medical, dental, food, and behavioral healthcare; all in Jesus' name. Hope answered over 92,000 requests for help last year.
Proceeds from the event will expand Hope Clinic's dental program, and double Hope's patient capacity for behavioral health. Tickets are tax deductible (less $12/person).
The Kensington Hotel 3500 South State Street ,Ann Arbor. Tickets available in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harbaughs-for-hope-clinic-tickets-565106267057 $250-$1000.“Trends in Public Education: Challenges, Potential Solutions and Future Directions”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Thursday Lecture Series.
Every Thurs. Feb. 23–Apr. 6 (except Mar. 2). A series of talks by U-M and visiting scholars. Mar. 9: Education Trust-Midwest founder Amber Arellano on “Beyond the Pandemic: Making Michigan a Top 10 Education State.” Mar. 16: TBA. Mar. 23: Michigan health and nutrition services director Diane Golzynski on “Creating the Magic of Belonging in Schools: Health, Safety, and Wellness Strategies to Support Learning.” Mar. 30: TBA. April 6: EMU College of Education dean Ryan Evely Gildersleeve on “Education for the Anthropocene, or How Schools, Colleges, and Universities Get to Change in Service to Community.” 10–11:30 a.m., WCC Morris Lawrence Bldg. Towsley Auditorium, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Preregistration required at olli-umich.org. $61 (members, $36) for the 6-lecture series. $10 per lecture for members. Membership, $25 a year. 998–9351.
“Little Paws Story Time”: HSHV.
Every Thurs. except Mar. 30 (10:30–11:30 a.m.): Stories, crafts, finger plays, and interaction with adoptable cats and dogs. For kids ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult. $5 (babies under age 1, free). HSHV. $5 per kid. Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org, 661–3575.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History.
Preschool Storytimes: AADL.
“Aspects of Disgust and Rabbinic Judaism”: U-M Judaic Studies Department.
U-M Center for Japanese Studies Lecture Series.
Mar. 9, 23, & 30. Talks by visiting scholars. Mar. 9: University of Tokyo (Japan) economic history professor Tetsuji Okazaki on “Designing Wartime Economic Controls: Productivity and Firm Dynamics in the Japanese Cotton-Spinning Industry, 1937–1939.” Mar. 23: University of Texas Japanese studies professor Patti Maclachlan on “Betting on the Farm: Institutional Change in Japanese Agriculture.” Mar. 30: University of Pittsburgh East Asian language and literature professor Elizabeth Oyler discusses traditional Japanese theater in “Fields of Memory: Movement and Stasis in the Noh Play Ohara gokō.” Noon–1:30 p.m., rm. 1010 (Mar. 9 & 30) & rm. 110 (Mar. 23) Weiser Hall, 500 Church. For livestream URL preregister at events.umich.edu/group/1003. Free. 764–6307.
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.
Intro to Archery: Pittsfield Township Parks and Recreation.
Mar. 2, 16, & 23. Introduction to archery, includes safety and basic shooting skills. Equipment provided. No prior experience required. Age 8 and up. 1-2:30 p.m., Pittsfield Community Center, 701 W. Ellsworth. $20 (residents, $15). Preregistration required (space limited) at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov.
Wise Guys: Conversations for Men: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Salon Series: Catch Us While You Can.
Every Thurs. & Sun. A different lineup of activities each time, from readings, concerts, and show & sale of artworks to informal jam sessions and other impromptu events. This month’s highlights: Mar. 12: Informal jam session. Mar. 16: Cigar Box Guitar and Panjo Jam led by Mike Mouradian using his hand-made 3-string electric cigar box guitars, his banjos made from pans, along with dulcimer and ukulele played by gallery artists TBA. Mar. 19: Staged reading of well-known local playwright Jay Stielstra’s newest play, O’ Say Can You See, a look into the convoluted characters, politics and intrigue leading up to the Civil War. Mar 30: Live auction of selected artworks from the collection of the recently deceased & beloved local arts patron Barbara Kramer. 4–5 p.m. (Thurs.) & noon–2 p.m. (Sun.), A Makeshift Gallery, 407 E. Liberty. Free admission. Cheryldawdy.com, cldawdy@gmail.com.
Sam Green: U-M School of Art & Design Penny Stamps Speaker Series.
This NYC-based filmmaker presents his new immersive sonic film experience, 32 Sounds, a documentary that brings together field recordings and striking visuals to explore how sound can bend time, cross borders, and open our perception to the world around us. Designed for a live audience, complete with individual headphones for each audience member, the piece features live narration by Green along with live original music by JD Samson and Michael O’Neill, founding members of the Brooklyn-based performance art collective MEN. 5:30 p.m., Michigan Theater. Free. 936–0671.
Wendy S. Walters: U-M English Department Zell Visiting Writers Series.
Reading and talk by this acclaimed poet and nonfiction writer. Her widely acclaimed 2015 book of essays, Multiply/Divide: On the American Real and Surreal, explores the psyches of various American cities including Chicago, Detroit, New York, Cleveland, and Washington D.C. Recently Walters co-curated Fictions of Emancipation: Carpeaux Recast, the first exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art to examine Western sculpture in relation to the histories of transatlantic slavery, colonialism, and empire. Also, tomorrow Walters gives a free talk on “Be Useful: On Writing and Design” (10–11 a.m., 3222 Angell Hall). 5:30–6:30 p.m., UMMA Stern Auditorium, 525 S. State. Livestream available for both programs at tinyurl.com/ZellWriters. Free, but capacity limited. asbates@umich.edu.
“D & D Adventures”: Sylvan Factory.
“Repairsday Thursday”: All Hands Active.
Every Thurs. All invited to drop in with broken electronics, furniture, toys, and any other item for AHA members to try to repair and offer advice. Repairs not guaranteed. 6–8 p.m., All Hands Active, basement of 255 E. Liberty, ste. 225. Mask recommended. Online participation available at MeetUp.com/AllHandsActive/events. Free; donations welcome. info@AllHandsActive.org.
"Meet the Artist: Beverly Pelletier": Jewish Community Center
Join us at the J on Thursday, March 23 from 6-8 PM for Meet the Artist with Beverly Pelletier! Come explore Beverly's beautiful acrylic paintings while enjoying light refreshments. Her paintings will be on display and for sale until May 19, 2023. We can't wait to see you at the J!
JCC Amster Gallery, 2935 Birsh Hollow Dr. ,Ann Arbor. Free. https://jccannarbor.org/event/amster-gallery-reopening-2/ 734-971-0990.“A Tale of Two Cities: Climate Resilience and Adaptation in a Changing World”: EMU George Liepa Sigma Xi Lecture.
“Sound & Silence”: Canterbury House.
Regular gathering exploring contemplative music and silence, sometimes led by a guest artist. Tonight: Detroit jazz composer-saxophonist Marcus Elliot presents “Creation Codes,” an improvised recital/meditation exploring sound, meaning, and myth. 7 p.m., Canterbury House, 721 E. Huron St. Free, donations welcome. Canterburyhouse.org/soundandsilence.
Comhaltas.
Every Thurs. All invited to join members of this local chapter of the Detroit Irish Music Association for an informal evening playing traditional Irish music on various instruments. Lessons offered. 7–9 p.m., FUMC Green Wood Church, 1001 Green Rd. at Glazier Way. Free. facebook.com/DetroitIMA, contact@detroitirishmusic.org.
Weekly Trivia: Bløm Meadworks
Free live trivia every Thursday with Sporcle Live! Two one-hour-long games, every Thursday (7pm & 8pm) with a $15 gift card for first place and a $10 gift card for second place. No limit to group size - come by yourself or with a team! Great tunes, awesome host + lots of seasonal meads, ciders and beers.
Bløm, 100 S. Fourth Ave. ,Ann Arbor. Free admission. 734-548-9729.“The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”: State Theatre.
Mar. 23: (Isao Takahata, 2013). Studio Ghibli animated folktale, adapted from a 10th-century story about a tiny girl found inside a stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife. She grows into a gorgeous young woman who enthralls all who encounter her. Japanese, subtitles. 7:15 p.m. Film screenings every Tues. & Thurs.–Sun. Tickets $10.50 (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8:50; MTF members, $8; matinee $7.50) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see MichTheater.org.
Nate Abshire: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Mar. 23–25. Sardonic Minneapolis comic with sharp & imaginative writing, funny stories, and a laid-back delivery. Preceded by 2 opening acts TBA. Alcohol served. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $18 (Thurs., $13) reserved seating in advance at etix.com before 6 p.m. the night of the show; $20 (Thurs., $15) general admission at the door. 996–9080.
“Divas: A Celebration of Women and Song”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company.
Mar. 23–26. An ensemble of Encore singers and musicians performs hits by prominent female singers and songwriters, such as Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Adele, Lady Gaga, Sara Bareilles, and Dolly Parton. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 3 p.m. (Sun.), Encore, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $40 (+$3.80 fee) in advance at theEncoreTheatre.org & at the door. Vaccination or negative Covid PCR test within 72 hours required. 268–6200.
“Don Giovanni”: U-M Music School.
Mar. 23–26. U-M voice students and the music student University Symphony Orchestra perform Mozart’s operatic version of the Don Juan story. The action is an absorbing blend of stark tragedy and high comedy, and the music deftly fuses melodies of exquisite beauty with dark rumblings of damnation. Sung in Italian, with English supertitles. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat), and 1 p.m. (Sun.), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. Tickets $24 & $30 in advance at the Michigan League Box Office, tickets.smtd.umich.edu, and at the door.
“Once on This Island”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company.
Every Thurs.–Sun., Feb. 23–Mar. 12. Natalie Kaye Clater directs this local professional theater company in a production of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s 1990 calypso-flavored coming-of-age 1-act pop-rock musical about a rich boy and the peasant girl who rescues him from peril. Adapted from Rosa Guy’s 1985 novel My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl, a retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Little Mermaid. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 3 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), Encore Maas Main Stage, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $54 (seniors & youth under 18, $52) in advance at theencoretheatre.org and at the door. $20 student rush tickets (if available) an hour before showtime. 268–6200.
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., Mar. 7 & 21). Various times, Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, 120 W. Washington. Free admission. Preregistration for Thurs. A2 Stammtisch requested at heerdeolind@yahoo.com. 812–6375 (Tues.).
Angell Hall Observatory Open House: U-M Student Astronomical Society.
Mar. 10, 17, & 23 (different times). All invited to peer through the observatory and rooftop telescopes and to view planetarium shows. Also, short astronomy presentations by club members. 8–10 p.m. (Mar. 10) & 9–11 p.m. (Mar. 17 & 23), 3118 Angell Hall (enter through Haven Hall on the Diag side of the building). Free. 764–3440.
