City Guide
Arts Series
Academy of Early Music
Full concert season celebrating music from the Middle Ages to the Classical Era, performed by period-instrument ensembles from around the world. Also, lectures and outreach events with series artists. info@academyofearlymusic.org, academyofearlymusic.org
(734) 228-4338
Ann Arbor Civic Band
Community band performs Wed. in June and July at the West Park band shell. New members welcome. billgourley@comcast.net, info@annarborcivicband.org, annarborcivicband.org
Bill Gourley, director, (734) 429-5301
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre
Full season of shows, both musicals and plays, from Broadway and Off Broadway, as well as children's theater and camps, and intimate studio productions. Workshops on acting, playwriting, and various aspects of production. manager@a2ct.org, a2ct.org322 W. Ann [map]
(734) 971-2228
Ann Arbor Concert Band
Founded 1978 - celebrating its 40th season. Symphonic wind ensemble performs new compositions and classic band literature in 2 p.m. Sun. concerts at the Michigan Theater & Hill Auditorium Nov.- May. See website for concert dates. contactus@aaband.org, aaband.org
(734) 478-7515
Ann Arbor Society for Musical Arts
Presents a series of 6 concerts on Wednesday mornings in the fall and spring at the Ann Arbor City Club. Sponsors the SMA Rosalie Edwards Youth Music Competition and SMA Collegiate Youth Artist Competition annually. fischer709@comcast.net, annarborsma.orgAnn Arbor City Club, 1830 Washtenaw [map]
(734) 930-0353
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
The 90th (2018-19) season of this professional orchestra includes concerts at the Michigan Theater and Hill Auditorium Sept.- Apr., a family-friendly Holiday Concert on Dec. 9, 2017, youth concerts, daytime chamber concerts and school performances. Taste of Music program brings summertime concerts to farmers markets. Free KinderConcerts at Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Dexter, Chelsea libraries encourage dancing and moving to the music. Informative and fun lectures before each Sat. classical performance, and "Instrument Petting Zoos" before family concerts. info@a2so.com, a2so.com35 Research Dr. #100 [map]
(734) 994-4801
Ann Arbor in Concert
Produces musicals in a concert format. Productions feature a large orchestra, principal actors, and a choral/dance ensemble. info@a2ic.org, a2ic.org3588 Plymouth Rd, #384 [map]
(734) 786-3868
Arbor Opera Theater
Professional opera company featuring national emerging professional singers. Full operatic productions, educational programs, recitals, and cabaret. arboropera@gmail.com, arboropera.comConcerts in the Park
Free family concerts in this east-side park from late June-Aug. All concerts Sundays at 3 p.m. 2018 dates: July 29: Gemini (Gemily); Aug. 5: Matt Watroba; Aug. 12: Guy Louis; Aug. 26: Mustard's Retreat Trio. pssimmons@a2gov.org, (734) 794-6000 ext. 42570, a2gov.orgBurns Park
(734) 794-6250
Crazy Wisdom Tea Room
Live music (usually acoustic) every Fri. & Sat. night. Lectures, Poetry Circle with workshops and reader series, author events, book discussions, storytelling, fairy teas for children, drop-in tarot and intuitive readings, and other events. info@crazywisdom.net, crazywisdom.net114 S. Main [map]
(734) 665-2757
Encore Musical Theatre Company
Professional musical theater productions feature Broadway performers and local talent. theencoretheatre.org3126 Broad St., Dexter [map]
(734) 268-6200
Green Wood Coffee House
Folk and acoustic music on many Fri. nights. Shows at 8 p.m., doors at 7:30 p.m. Sept.-May. greenwoodcoffeehouse.org1001 Green (First United Methodist Church) [map]
(734) 665-8558
Kerrytown Chime
Second floor in the Kerrytown Market and Shops. Everyone welcome to play this 17-bell chime; more than 100 songs written out by number to choose from. Free. Open Wed. & Fri., noon - 12:30 p.m., Sat., 10:30 - 11 a.m., other times with advance reservation. ofglobal@aol.com, kerrytown.com407 N. Fifth [map]
Heather O'Neal, (734) 369-3107
Kerrytown Concert House
An intimate 110-seat performing arts venue and visual arts gallery in a historic home, offering performances in classical, jazz, experimental, and cabaret music, and theater. kch@kerrytown.com, kerrytownconcerthouse.com415 N. Fourth Ave. [map]
(734) 769-2999
Kickshaw Theatre
Professional, nonprofit theater company presenting "plays that represent humanity in all its complexity and multitudes." curious@kickshawtheatre.org, kickshawtheatre.org
(734) 203-0556
Kreft Arts Program
Theater, musical and dance concerts, art exhibits, and lectures by international artists and Concordia students and faculty. cuaa.edu4090 Geddes, Concordia University Arts [map]
(734) 995-4612
Michigan Theater
Ann Arbor's 1920s movie palace. A nonprofit center for fine film and the performing arts, open 365 days a year, featuring the Cinetopia International Film Festival, Not Just For Kids professional live theater series, Young Filmmaker's Camp, three summer week sessions for age 11-17, Summer Classics film series, and Legends of Rock and Roll concert series, as well as films daily (see Films). Membership: $35/year and up. info@michtheater.org, michtheater.org603 E. Liberty [map]
(734) 668-8397
One Pause Poetry
Poetry readings and author conversations with local and national poets. Also weekly (Wed. 8-10 p.m.) poetry salon at Argus Farmstop, 325 W. Liberty. All events are free, accessible, and open to all. info@onepausepoetry.org, onepausepoetry.orgPurple Rose Theatre Company
Professional company, founded by actor Jeff Daniels, presenting 25 years of "world-class, original American theatre." tickets@purplerosetheatre.org, purplerosetheatre.org137 Park, Chelsea [map]
(734) 433-7782. Tickets: (734) 433-7673 or on website
The Arbor Consort
Semi-professional, a cappella group sings Renaissance and Victorian-era music in period costumes for festivals, private parties, and community events. Performs daily at the Michigan Renaissance Festival. president@thearborconsort.org, thearborconsort.orgThe Penny Seats Theatre Company
Low-cost shows at the West Park band shell in summer and indoor shows at various venues in winter. Dramas and comedies, musicals and original adaptations, classics and works by up-and-coming playwrights--as well as cabaret shows, acting classes and improv evenings. pennyseats@gmail.com, pennyseats.org215 Chapin (West Park) [map]
(734) 926-5346
Theatre NOVA
Dedicated to producing new plays year-round and fostering Michigan's new playwrights. The season includes seven mainstage productions (one a children's show), and two Michigan Playwrights Festivals, featuring staged readings of new works in development. Also offers Build-a-Play classes for youth throughout the school year and a summer camp. Pay-what-you-can tickets. A2TheatreNova@gmail.com, theatrenova.org410 W. Huron (previously the Yellow Barn) [map]
(734) 635-8450
U-M Basement Arts
Free student theater series featuring classical, contemporary, and original works at the Walgreen Drama Center, North Campus. facebook.com1226 Murfin [map]
U-M English Department Zell Visiting Writers Series
Hosts emerging and established fiction writers, poets, essayists, and critics weekly. Most readings at U-M Museum of Art's Helmut Stern Auditorium, 525 S. State. Q&A sessions in Hopwood Room, 435 S. State, rm. 1176. All events free and open to the public. lsa.umich.edu
(734) 764-6330
U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance
The school's faculty and students present hundreds of concerts every year, including solo and ensemble concerts, theater, musical theater, and dance. Performances, usually free, at various campus locations. music.umich.edu1100 Baits [map]
(734) 764-0583. Michigan League ticket office: (734) 764-2538
U-M University Activities Center
An umbrella organization for more than a dozen U-M student organizations, including: Amazin' Blue (co-ed a cappella ensemble), Big Ticket Productions (annual concert), ComCo (comedy improv troupe), Groove Performance Group (musical performance using traditional and nontraditional instruments), Impact Dance (jazz and lyrical/contemporary dance group), Michigan Pops Orchestra, MUSKET (musical theater company), The Rude Mechanicals (theater group), Photonix (glowsticking), Every Three Weekly (satirical newspaper), RhythM (tap ensemble), M-Agination Films (student produced films), M-Flicks (free on-campus movie screenings), and Michigan Academic Competitions (quiz bowl). Most have Facebook pages.Michigan Union, 530 S. State [map]
(734) 763-1107
UMS
Presents top international orchestras and classical soloists, chamber ensembles, jazz and world music artists, international theater, contemporary events, and dance artists at Hill Auditorium, Power Center, Rackham Auditorium, and other venues. Also, dozens of free educational events. ums.orgBurton Memorial Tower, 881 North University [map]
(734) 764-2538
Washtenaw Community College Performing Arts Department
Instruction and performance opportunities in drama, acting, & acting improvisation, classical to modern dance, yoga, vocal music, and music recording technology, jazz/world, popular and classical music. facebook.com4800 E. Huron River Dr. [map]
(734) 677-5090
Wild Swan Theater
Professional adult troupe performs family-oriented theater. Productions are usually based on original scripts adapted from classic and contemporary children's literature. Performances in Towsley Auditorium at Washtenaw Community College. Special services for hearing-impaired and visually-impaired patrons. wildswan@wildswantheater.org, wildswantheater.org6175 Jackson [map]
(734) 995-0530

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