Calendar of Events
Thursday, November 12, 2009
22nd Annual Jewish Book Festival: Jewish Community Center.
Nov. 3-6, 8-13, & 15. Display and sale (at retail prices) of more than 2,000 new books by Jewish authors, ranging from cookbooks, expensive gift books, children's books, and reference books to books by local authors and new titles hot off the presses. (Publishers plan their releases for November, which is Jewish Book Month.) The fair also includes a number of talks and performances by various Jewish authors. Today: Emmy-winning stand-up comic Carol Leifer discusses her memoir When You Lie about Your Age, the Terrorists Win (noon), and Edgar-winning novelist David Liss (7:30 p.m.) reads from his new historical thriller set in 18th-century London, The Devil's Company.
Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. (off Stone School Rd. south of Packard). Lunch available at the daily noon programs for $12 ($10 in advance). Free. 971-0990.
"National Policy Issues: Hot Potatoes, the Way Forward": U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Every Thurs. (except Nov. 26), Oct. 29-Dec. 10. A series of 6 lectures by different U-M and guest scholars. Today: Upjohn Institute for Employment Research senior economist Kevin Hollenbeck on "Working First or Learning First? Developing the Workforce."
Best Western Executive Conference Center, 2900 Jackson Rd. $45 (members, $30) for the 6-lecture series, $25 (members, $10) per lecture. Memberships are $15 a year. Preregistration required. 998-9351.
Thursday Lunch Bunch: Jewish Community Center.
Every Thurs. except Nov. 26. Activities, primarily for seniors, begin at 10 a.m. with "Energy Exercise" ($4), a 60-minute exercise program led by Maria Farquhar. An 11 a.m. Current Events discussion group led by Heather Dombey is followed at noon by a homemade dairy lunch ($3 with reservation, $4 without reservation and for nonseniors) and at 1 p.m. by a cultural or educational program. Today: See Jewish Book Festival listing above.
JCC, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. (off Stone School Rd. south of Packard). Free. 971-0990.
ACBL Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Every Wed. & Thurs. All seniors age 50 & over invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Bring a partner.
Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin. $5. 769-5911.
Noon Lectures Series: U-M Center for Japanese Studies.
Nov. 5, 12, & 19. Talks by visiting scholars. This month's highlight is "Death and Buddhism in the Middle Ages" (Nov. 12), a talk by Yamagata University cultural studies professor Kenji Matsuo. For complete schedule, see ii.umich.edu/cjs/eventsprograms/noon.
1636 SSWB, 1080 South University. Free. 764-6307.
Gifts of Art: U-M Hospitals.
Nov. 5, 12, & 19. Performances by area and guest artists. Today: acoustic folk-rock by Souls Alike.
U-M Hospital lobby, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr. (off Fuller). Free. 936-ARTS.
"Rachel Carson, Revisited": Women's National Farm & Garden Association.
Local storyteller Trudy Bulkley discusses this early 20th-century marine biologist whose writing is credited with advancing the environmental movement.
Ann Arbor City Club, 1830 Washtenaw. Free. 622-0052.
"Flower Arranging": Ikebana International Chapter 183.
A club member TBA leads a session of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. Call for instructions on equipment to bring.
University Commons, 817 Asa Gray Dr. (off Huron Pkwy.). $15 (members, $8) materials fee. (248) 685-7696.
"Fighting to End Child Labor and Sweatshop Abuses in the Global Economy": EMU Students for Ethical and Participatory Education.
Talk by National Labor Committee executive director Charles Kernaghan. Followed by small group discussions.
EMU Student Center Auditorium, 900 Oakwood (off Washtenaw) EMU campus, Ypsilanti. Free. 971-8607.
"Addressing Poverty in Troubled Times: the U.S., North America, and the World": U-M Ford School of Public Policy/St. Mary Student Parish Gabriel Richard Lectures.
Talk by Harvard University Kennedy School of Government dean Mary Jo Bane.
SSWB Educational Conference Center, 1080 South University. Free. 615-3893, 663-0557.
"Thursday Night Rush Hour Relief": Cranbrook Whole Foods Market.
Nov. 5, 12, & 19. Whole Foods staffers discuss wine. Also, tastings and small plates of food. Today: "Wines for Turkey."
Whole Foods wine bar, 990 W. Eisenhower Pkwy., Cranbrook Village shopping center. $17. 997-7500.
U-M School of Art & Design Penny Stamps Lecture Series.
Nov. 5, 12, & 19. Today: photographers Robert & Shana ParkeHarrison on "Intent."
Michigan Theater. Free. 647-2337.
Food Talks: Cranbrook Whole Foods Market.
Nov. 3, 5, 12, & 13. Talks and demos by Whole Foods staffers. Today: "Holiday Desserts."
Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Pkwy. Cranbrook Village shopping center. Free. Preregistration required. 997-7500.
Board Game Night: Get Your Game On.
Every Thurs. & Sat., except Nov. 26. All invited to bring a favorite board game or play one of the store's.
Get Your Game On, 709 Packard. Free. 786-3746.
Magic: The Gathering Tournament: Get Your Game On.
Every Sun.-Fri., except Nov. 26. All invited to compete in tournaments of this popular collectible card game using standard constructed (Sun. & Thurs.), vintage (Mon.), Elder Dragon Highlander (Tues.), Legacy (Wed.), and booster draft (Fri.) decks. Prizes. Bring your own cards Sun.-Thurs.
Get Your Game On, 709 Packard. $5 (Tues., free; Fri., $15 includes cards). 786-3746.
"The Growth of Michigan's Film Industry": Ann Arbor Ad Club.
Panel discussion with Renaissance Man screenwriter (and U-M screen arts & cultures lecturer) Jim Burnstein, Michigan Movie Magazine founder and editor Chris Aliapoulios, and Tina Heaton, publicist for the locally filmed feature Youth in Revolt. Moderated by WWJ reporter Ron Dewey.
Ann Arbor Spark, 330 E. Liberty. $35 (members, free; students, $10). 332-5369.
Storytime: Waters Place Borders.
Every Wed.-Fri. Borders staff read from books for infants, babies, and toddlers.
Borders, 3140 Lohr Rd. Free. 997-8884.
"Winemaker Dinner": Vinology.
A multi-course dinner with a talk on wine by Chateau des Karantes (France) winemaker Jean-Jacques Fertal.
Vinology, 110 S. Main. $75 (table of 4, $260). Reservations required. 222-9841.
"Belgian Ales": Arbor Brewing Company Beer Tasting.
A chance to sample and learn about 2 dozen of the finest Belgian and Belgian-style ales available in the U.S, from malty Trappists, traditional sour Lambics, and Flemish browns to aged, high-gravity ales and crazy concoctions made with fruits and spices. Also, a drawing for beer-related prizes. The price of admission includes unlimited beer sampling and a German appetizer buffet.
Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E. Washington. Tickets $25 in advance and (if available) at the door. 213-1393.
Ann Arbor Go Club.
Every Sun. & Thurs. except Nov. 26. Players of all skill levels invited to play what's regarded as the world's most difficult board game. No partner necessary. Boards and stones provided.
Espresso Royale, 322 S. State. Free. 417-5547.
ACBL Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club.
Every Thurs. except Nov. 26. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. No partner required.
Ann Arbor City Club, 1830 Washtenaw. $5. 761-6691.
"Longevity": People's Food Co-op.
Talk by local family nurse practitioner Gaia Kile.
Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room, 114 S. Main. Free. Preregistration required. 994-4589.
"Washtenaw County Jail: Critical Issues": Ann Arbor District Library/Ann Arbor Area League of Women Voters.
Panel discussion with sheriff Jerry Clayton, prosecutor Brian Mackie, county commissioner Barbara Bergman, and Washtenaw County jail diversion program psychiatrist Christine Negendank.
AADL multipurpose room (lower level), 343 S. Fifth Ave. Free. 327-4555.
"Relations between the U.S. and Greece in the Early 20th Century": U-M Modern Greek Program 1st Annual Demetrios and Demetra Partalis Kales Lecture.
Lecture by Kent state University history professor emeritus Victor Papacosma.
Michigan League Vandenberg Room. Free. 764-0360.
"An Evening with Great Pianists of the Past (1904-1940)": EMU Music Department.
Canceled.
EMU Alexander Recital Hall, Lowell at E. Circle Dr., Ypsilanti. Free. 487-2255.
"Frozen": U-M Basement Arts.
Nov. 12-14. Rebecca Spooner directs U-M students in Bryony Lavery's drama about a meeting between a psychiatrist, a serial killer, and the mother of a child he murdered 25 years earlier. Lavery "knows how to light up the darkest places without trivializing or undermining her subject," says a Guardian review.
Walgreen Drama Center Studio One, 1226 Murfin, North Campus. Free. basement.studentorgs.umich.edu
"AADL.org": Ann Arbor District Library.
Hands-on introduction to less obvious features of the AADL website, including the advantages of using My Account for placing holds, how to navigate the research tabs, and how and why to tag items. 7-9 p.m.,
7-9 p.m., AADL training room, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Free. Preregistration required. 327-4555.
"The Marriage of Figaro": U-M Opera Theatre.
Nov. 12-15. Robert Swedberg directs U-M opera students in Mozart's popular opera buffa noted for its stirring, lovely melodies. Bored by his wife, Count Almaviva eyes her maid Susanna, who is engaged to his valet Figaro. When the count decides to exercise his feudal rights, Figaro, Susanna, and others are thrown into frenzied attempts to thwart his lecherous scheme. Italian, supertitles. Kenneth Kiesler conducts the University Symphony Orchestra.
Power Center. $18 & $24 (students, $9) in advance at the Michigan League Ticket Office and at the door. 764-2538.
Israeli Dancing: Jewish Community Center.
Every Thurs. except Nov. 26. Dance instructor Cheryl Felt and DJ Amnon Steiner lead a variety of Israeli dancing to recorded music. Easy dances and oldies the first hour, followed by intermediate dances and requests. Beginners welcome. New dances taught each week.
JCC, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. (off Stone School Rd. south of Packard). $5 (students, free). 971-0990.
Motor City Metro Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Every Thurs. except Nov. 26. All male singers invited to join the weekly rehearsals of this local barbershop harmony chorus.
ICC Education Center (behind Luther House at 1520 Hill). Free to visitors ($130 annual dues for those who join). Park on Lincoln or Baldwin. 474-1155.
Creative Arts Orchestra: U-M School of Music.
This adventurous music student ensemble plays a program of entirely improvised music drawing on an array of influences from classical and jazz to pop, folk, and world music.
U-M Walgreen Drama Center Stamps Auditorium, 1226 Murfin, North Campus. Free. 764-0594.
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee": Dynamic Stage Productions.
Nov. 12-15. This area theater company presents William Finn's Tony-winning musical comedy about 6 teenage outsiders who vie for the county spelling bee championship. Most performances involve audience volunteers who join in the spelling bee on stage.
Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti. Tickets $15 at dynamicstageproductions.com and at the door. 480-2787.
"Escanaba": Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.-Sun. (except Nov. 26) Sept. 17-Dec. 19. See review. Guy Sanville directs the world premiere of Jeff Daniels' comedy, the third in his deer-hunting Yooper trilogy that includes the hugely successful Escanaba in da Moonlight and Escanaba in Love. This installment reveals the origins of some of the Soady family's time-honored deer camp traditions. Stars Julian Gant, Wayne David Parker, and Tom Whalen.
Purple Rose, 137 Park St., Chelsea. $25 (Sun. eves., Wed. & Thurs.), $33 (Sat. & Sun. matinees), & $38 (Fri. & Sat. eves.) in advance and at the door. 433-7673.
Bobby Tessel: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase.
Nov. 12-14. Local debut of this West Coast comic whose act features a steady barrage of off-the-wall jokes about ordinary life delivered in a laid-back style. Preceded by 2 opening acts. Alcohol is served; all Fri. & Sat. early shows are nonsmoking.
314 E. Liberty (below Seva restaurant). $7 (Thurs.) & $10 (Fri. & Sat.) reserved seating in advance, $9 (Thurs.) & $12 (Fri. & Sat.) general admission at the door. 996-9080.
"Super Smash Brothers Brawl": Ann Arbor District Library.
All invited to compete in a tournament of this popular video game. Prizes.
Michigan Union Ballroom. Free. 327-8301.
