Entertainment
Movies
There are several commercial movie houses in Ann Arbor. These theaters show "first-run" movies at the prices you can expect to pay in a city. In addition, there are several University student film groups offering almost nightly showings of classic American and foreign films. These groups also show experimental films and some current hits, all at reduced prices (usually $2.50 to $4.50) in University buildings. Consult the Current, the Record, the Daily, and individual listings that are posted throughout campus.
Michigan Theater
603 E. Liberty Street
Phone: 668-TIME
Goodrich Quality 16
3686 Jackson Road
Phone: 623-7469
Rave Motion Pictures Ann Arbor 20
4100 Carpenter Road
Phone: 973-8424
State Theater
233 S. State Street
Phone: 761-8667
Performance Venues
University Musical Society
The University Musical Society is considered to be one of the top presenters of performing arts in the country (along with the likes of Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center), and once you see their line-up of artists, you will know why. The Musical Society annually presents more than 70 concerts featuring the greatest artists of our time as well as 125 free educational events. From September to May, luminaries such as Herbie Hancock, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Bolshoi Ballet of Moscow, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Kodo, the Pat Metheny Group, and Bach Collegium Japan enliven the arts scene in Southeastern Michigan. UMS also launched a new theater festival in 2000 featuring the Royal Shakespeare Company—right here on Campus. Everyone is welcome; the dress of the concertgoers ranges from jeans to jewels. There is a 50% Student Ticket Sale held at the beginning of each semester. For further information, call 764-2538 or visit the office at the Michigan League.
School of Music, Theatre and Dance
The School of Music, Theatre and Dance offers many free concerts by orchestras, choirs, bands, and faculty and student chamber ensembles and soloists. Fully-staged productions of opera, drama, musical theatre, and dance are presented each fall and winter term. The school’s bi-monthly Calendar of Events can be picked up at the school on North Campus or at the Campus Information Centers, and weekly ads listing upcoming performances appear in the Friday Michigan Daily and the Sunday Ann Arbor News. The calendar of events is also online.
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra gives a series of concerts from September through April. For information on schedules and student discounts, call 994-4801.
The Ark
316 South Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: 761-1800
The Ark, one of the nation’s premier acoustic music clubs, offers traditional folk music, blues, jazz, and world music in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre
322 West Ann Street
Phone: 971-2228
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, a regional community arts organization, offers several productions each year. Many U-M students find a creative outlet here. All auditions are open.
University Productions
The School of Music (University Productions) presents productions in the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater and the Power Center for the Performing Arts, under the direction of faculty and visiting artists. A special student ticket rate (with student ID) is available for all shows. Season schedules and tickets for Theatre as well as School of Music Opera Theatre, Musical Theatre, and University Dance Company are available at the Michigan League Ticket Office, 764-2538.
University Activities Center
4002 Michigan Union
Phone: 763-1107
The University Activities Center, the largest student-run organization on campus, sponsors several student theater and production groups such as MUSKET, the Comedy Company, and Amazin’ Blue.
Gilbert and Sullivan Society
The Gilbert and Sullivan Society, a performing student organization open to all members of the community, puts on two Gilbert and Sullivan shows a year.
Ann Arbor Art Fair
Be sure to visit the Ann Arbor Art Fair (actually, several fairs going on at once) which takes over the streets of Ann Arbor for four days each year in late July. Media represented include printmaking, painting, ceramics, woodworking, leather, stained and blown glass, fiber and fabric, jewelry, photography, sculpture, and metals. For more information, contact the Michigan Guild of Artists and Artisans, 662-3382, the sponsor of the largest of the three fairs.
ARTS at the University of Michigan
The ARTS office acts as a catalyst to enable students to take advantage of the many arts opportunities on campus and to create additional opportunities and partnerships. You can get involved as a volunteer for arts events, as an Arts Advisory member, and as a consumer and producer of art yourself. For information, visit their website.
Michigan Unions Arts and Programs
The Michigan Unions Arts and Programs Office sponsors a wide variety of social, cultural, and educational events, as well as numerous opportunities for students to get involved in the Unions. The Michigan Unions Program Board plans many of the lectures, art exhibits, and special programs that occur in the Michigan Union, the Michigan League and Pierpont Commons, and is open to any interested U-M student. Call 763-3202 or stop by Room 4303 Michigan Union for more information.