There’s always loads of interesting things to do in and around the Ann Arbor area, even in February! Whether it’s just you, you and a friend, or the whole family looking for something fun to do, I know you’ll find something out of the ordinary here to enjoy.
Here are 7 great things to do for free:
Kerrytown Market and Shops. Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
1. Chime Concert: Kerrytown Shops
Saturday, February 13 | 10:30a-11a
(Every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday)
Kerrytown Market and Shops
All invited to play one of 100 songs, with melodies transcribed in numbers, on the 17-bell chime’s numbered keys. Ambitious players can add chords. Local chime master Heather O’Neal demonstrates.
2. Creature Encounters – Sloth!
Saturday, February 13 | 1-5pm
4940 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.
The Creature Conservancy is featuring Poco, a two-toed sloth, during the month of February! He will appear on the Stone Stage each Saturday and Sunday – at 2:00pm and again at 4:00pm.
Other animal ambassadors are also on display! Indoors and/or outdoors you can see cougar, prairie dogs, snapping turtles, alligator, white-necked raven, axolotls, kangaroos, wallaby, muntjac, vultures, Arctic foxes, emus, giant tortoises, cravens, peafowl, macaws and more during your visit. Bring a snack and warm up at an indoor fireside picnic area.
3. Strings Showcase: U-M School of Music
Tuesday, February 16 | 3pm
U-M Moore Bldg. Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits (off Broadway), North Campus
Outstanding string students perform solo and ensemble chamber works.
4. Skazat! Poetry Series at Sweetwaters
Tuesday, February 16 | 7-8:30pm
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, 123 W. Washington
Reading by Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative (Kalamazoo) cofounder Denise Miller, author of the recent CORE, a collection of poems based on the stories of African American sharecroppers of the Great Migration.
5. Smarty Pants Trivia Smackdown: Chelsea District Library
Tuesday, February 16 | 8-9:30pm
Chelsea Alehouse, 420 N. Main, Suite 100
All invited to round up 6 people to compete in a 5-round trivia contest. Prizes for the top 2 teams.
6. Nerd Nite
Thursday, February 18 | 7-9:30pm
Live, 102 S. First
Popular monthly event featuring several speakers TBA (at annarbor.nerdnite.com) who give fun and informative talks, 18-21 minutes long, about things that interest them, everything from nanoparticles to the science of the Simpsons and the genealogy of Godzilla.
7. University Philharmonia
Friday, February 19 | 8pm
Hill Auditorium
Oriol Sans conducts this ensemble of music majors in Brahms’ Serenade no. 1, one of his first orchestral works, which combines classical instrumental forces, a strong Romantic drive, and a delightful pastoral character. The program also includes Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé Suite, a work well known for its catchy melodies, bold rhythms, and surprising orchestral colors. Preceded at 7:15 p.m. in the lower lobby by a lecture on the program.
And a handful of others I would pay good money for:
Zingerman’s Baristas, courtesy of zingermanscommunity.com
1. Comparative Cupping: Zingerman’s Coffee Company
Sunday, February 14 | 1-3pm | $30
Zingerman’s Coffee Company, 3723 Plaza Dr.
Zingerman’s Coffee staff offer taste samples of coffees from around the world using the tools and techniques of professional tasters.
2. The Moth Storyslam: Michigan Radio
Tuesday, February 16 | 7:30-9pm | $10
The Circus, 210 S. First St.
Monthly open mike storytelling competition sponsored by The Moth, the NYC-based nonprofit storytelling organization that also produces a weekly public radio show. Each month 10 storytellers are selected at random from among those who sign up to tell a 3-5 minute story on the monthly theme. The 3 judges are recruited from the audience. Monthly winners compete in a semiannual Grand Slam. Space limited, so it’s smart to arrive early.
