Calendar

Every Sat. & Sun. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demos for ages 5 & up. “Shedding Light on Magnets” (11 a.m.) explores magnetism, magnetic fields, and what magnets have to do with cell phones. “Life: How Do We Find It?” (3 p.m.) examines the field of astrobiology and how scientists search for life on other planets. 11 a.m. & 3 p.m., MNH, 1105 North University. Free. 764–0478.

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Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (11:30 a.m.) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago. 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. Living in Balance (1:30 p.m.) explores native Anishinaabe stories of constellations and moons. Various times, U-M MNH, 1105 North University. $8 at the door. Limited capacity. 764–0478. 

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All invited to join a race down the River Raisin ending at Mill Pond. Classes for 2-person and single canoeists and kayakers in different age categories. Trophies to the top 3 finishers in each class. Refreshments. Noon, Fellows Bridge, Sharon Hollow. $20 entry fee. Preregistration required at bit.ly/manchestercanoerace. firstrtm@gmail.com.

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May 20 & 21. Norm Richert directs local actors in a dinner theater production of Thomas Tierney & Ted Drachman’s 1985 musical based on the C.S. Lewis story about 4 English schoolchildren who journey through an old wardrobe into the magical land of Narnia. Proceeds benefit St. Andrew’s Youth and Pilgrimage programs. Food service begins an hour before the show. 7 p.m. (Sat.), 12:30 p.m. (Sun.), St. Andrew’s, 306 N. Division. $10 (kids, $5). Preregistration required at our.show/standrewsaa/narnia.

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Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (11:30 a.m.) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago. 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. Living in Balance (1:30 p.m.) explores native Anishinaabe stories of constellations and moons. Various times, U-M MNH, 1105 North University. $8 at the door. Limited capacity. 764–0478. 

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Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (11:30 a.m.) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago. 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. Living in Balance (1:30 p.m.) explores native Anishinaabe stories of constellations and moons. Various times, U-M MNH, 1105 North University. $8 at the door. Limited capacity. 764–0478. 

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May 12–14, & 19–21. EMU drama lecturer Emily Levickas directs EMU drama students in Laura Schellhardt’s 2018 comic drama about a curious girl who uncovers the legacy of 19th-century English paleontologist Mary Anning. “A rewarding piece of theatre for young audiences” according to Theatre Bloom. Ages 10 and up. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Sponberg Theatre, 124 Judy Sturgis-Hill Bldg., Ypsilanti. Tickets $7–$18 in advance at emich.edu/cmta/productions/current-season & at the door. 487–2282.

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Every Wed.–Sun., Apr. 21–June 3. Rhiannon Ragland directs the world premiere of Philadelphia-based African American playwright Quinn D. Eli’s drama about Melanie, a woman haunted by a voice in her head—the voice of her friend who was killed years ago. The friend was Black, Melanie is white, and questions about why the tragedy happened and who was to blame come into focus when Melanie is drawn into a new relationship. Adult language and content. Cast: Caitlin Cavannaugh, Rachel Keown, Rusty Mewha, Olivia Miller, Dez Walker. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $30-$48 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.

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Fri.–Sun., May 12–21. This local theater company performs a series of original comedy sketches and musical numbers. 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2:30 p.m. (Sun.), The Back Office Studio, 13 N. Washington, Ypsilanti. Tickets $12 in advance at NTGypsi.org & $15 at the door.

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Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (11:30 a.m.) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago. 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. Living in Balance (1:30 p.m.) explores native Anishinaabe stories of constellations and moons. Various times, U-M MNH, 1105 North University. $8 at the door. Limited capacity. 764–0478. 

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Every Sat. & Sun. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demos for ages 5 & up. “Shedding Light on Magnets” (11 a.m.) explores magnetism, magnetic fields, and what magnets have to do with cell phones. “Life: How Do We Find It?” (3 p.m.) examines the field of astrobiology and how scientists search for life on other planets. 11 a.m. & 3 p.m., MNH, 1105 North University. Free. 764–0478.

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May 19–21. Brent Lofgren directs local actors in Tim Kelly’s wacky 1991 melodrama, set in an Old West mining town, about a laundry owner who gets the attention of a local villain when he discovers that she’s amassed a small fortune by collecting gold flecks from the miners’ clothes. There’s also a tongue-tied sheriff who’s in love with the laundress’s business partner, a talentless flamenco dancer with eyes for the villain, and the villain’s hilariously scheming mother. Stars Barbara Day, Sean Harmon, Rebecca Lane, Patricia Ringe, Tami Hines, & Emilio Paniagua. Intermission with dessert. 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 3 p.m. (Sun.), The Well Church, 211 Willis Rd., Saline (Not wheelchair accessible, stairs). $20 (includes dessert) in advance at salineareaplayers.org. and via cash or check at the door.

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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.

May 3: “All About Eve” (Joseph Mankiewicz, 1950). This multi-Oscar-winning film features Bette Davis in one of her greatest roles as an aging Broadway diva who’s clawed her way to the top, only to be threatened by a fan-turned-parasite. With Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Celeste Holm, and a cameo by Marilyn Monroe. 7 p.m. 

May 4: “Star Wars: Episode IV–A New Hope” (George Lucas, 1977). The film that started the wildly popular sci-fi fantasy saga. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness. 7:30 p.m. 

May 6: “Being Mary Tyler Moore” (James Adolphus, 2023). Documentary with unprecedented access to archival footage, covering Moore’s career as an actress, performer, and advocate. Mary Tyler Moore, James L. Brooks, Rob Reiner. 6 p.m. 

May 8: “Star Wars: Episode V–The Empire Strikes Back” (Irvin Kershner, 1980). The adventure continues as our heroes face down the Empire and Darth Vader, and Luke begins his Jedi training. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford. 7:30 p.m. 

May 9: “Man with a Movie Camera” (Dziga Vertov, 1929). Experimental Soviet silent documentary presenting life in Moscow, Kyiv, and Odessa. 7:30 p.m. Free. 

May 12: “Labyrinth” (Jim Henson, 1986). Musical fantasy about a teenage girl who has 13 hours to navigate a maze to save her baby brother from the evil Goblin King. The screening is accompanied by a live shadowcast, in which onstage actors create the world of the film in sync with the action on the screen. David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly. 7:30 p.m. 

May 14: “Paddington 2” (Paul King, 2017). Critically acclaimed sequel about the talking bear who lives with a London family. Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson. Kids 12 & under, free. 1:30 p.m. 

May 15: “Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi” (Richard Marquand, 1983). Conclusion of the original trilogy, which sees Luke and friends facing off against Darth Vader and the Galactic Emperor. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford. 7:30 p.m. 

May 20: “2001: A Space Odyssey” (Stanley Kubrick, 1968). The mind-bending adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s short story, about astronauts and a sentient supercomputer investigating a mysterious monolith on the planet Jupiter. Keir Dullea, Douglas Rain. 7 p.m. 

May 21: “National Theatre Live: Othello.” Broadcast of a taped 2022 National Theatre (London) performance of Shakespeare’s tragedy of jealousy, suspicion, and betrayal, The first production of the tragedy at the theater by a Black director, Clint Dyer, it focuses on the play’s often elided themes of race and class. The Guardian reviewer called it “a thrilling production with a radical climax.” 5 p.m. $22 (University Musical Society members, $18). 

May 22: “Spaceballs” (Mel Brooks, 1987). Beloved, eminently quotable Star Wars parody featuring characters such as Dark Helmet, Pizza the Hut, and Princess Vespa. Cast includes Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman. 7:30 p.m. 

May 27: “Artie Shaw: Time Is All You’ve Got” (Brigitte Berman, 1985). Documentary about the Canadian clarinetist and bandleader, with a soundtrack of Shaw’s performances throughout his storied career. 5:30 p.m. 

May 29: “Top Gun: Maverick” (Joseph Kosinski, 2022). Thrilling sequel to the 1986 original, which revisits Pete “Maverick” Mitchell as he trains a new generation of fighter pilots for a highly complex, risky mission. Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Val Kilmer. Military veterans, free. 7:30 p.m.

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Detroit Symphony Orchestra composer-cellist Jeremy Crosmer performs works by Beethoven, Debussy, and Prokofiev, as well as original pieces. With piano accompaniment by Chamber Soloists of Detroit founder Pauline Martin. 7:30 p.m., KCH, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Masks encouraged. Tickets $29–$50 (students, $19) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com and at the door. 769–2999.

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