The Sun Times News

FutureStars 2026
2026-01-17 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Detroit) | Pioneer High School, 601 W Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103, United States
PIONEER THEATRE GUILD PRESENTS
FutureStars 2026
Director/Producer: Jayme Kelmigian
Music Director: Ken Pesick
Vocal Coaches: Allison Gaines, Athena Johnson, Elle Michaels
RisingStars Directors: R. Mackenzie Lewis, Zoli Berencsi, Lily Wright
Host Coach: Ethan Steiner
Set Designer/Technical Director: Mysti Plummer
Lighting Designer: Ian Hyatt
Sound Designer: Patrick Schrock
Pioneer Theatre Guild’s FutureStars 2026 returns for its 24th year at Schreiber Auditorium at
Pioneer High School. A citywide talent search for Ann Arbor’s next star, FutureStars showcases
students from Ann Arbor’s public high schools as they perform popular songs by various artists
and compete for the title of FutureStar 2026!
Students are guided by professional coaches who assist them in learning their songs and preparing
for their performances on the big stage. The event also features two medley performances by the
RisingStars, a show-choir-type group that features the many talents of the underclassmen.
Students also serve as the hosts for the evening – they work together to write the script and MC the
show.
The evening’s performances are judged by a panel of judges. The judges select the top five
performances and then the audience ultimately crowns the winner of FutureStars based on crowd
noise. Judges for FutureStars 2026 TBA!
Show Date: Saturday, January 17th at 7:00pm
Location: Schreiber Auditorium, Pioneer High School (601 West Stadium Boulevard)
Reserved Seating Tickets on sale Wednesday, December 17th at www.cur8.com/projects/ptg
Historically, FutureStars tickets sell out so advance purchase is encouraged. If there are tickets
available, the box office will be open one hour prior to the performance for cash and check sales.
For more information about PTG, visit https://a2ptguild.org

MICHIGAN’S IMPERILED SPECIES IN WINTER
2026-01-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd., Chelsea, MI, 48118, United States
Even in winter, the Fish & Wildlife Service is prioritizing the conservation of listed species, right in our backyard. Join Autumn Dunivant and colleagues on a guided winter hike to learn about Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Northern Long-eared Bat, and Native Pollinators. You will learn about life history, habitat, and what landscape changes are contributing to their status. Imperiled species are important all year round, so dress for the weather and hike with the people who protect them! . Cost: $2/person or $5/family. Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd. in the Waterloo Recreation Area near Chelsea. The building is closed so program will be entirely outdoors. Please register for this program by emailing waterloonha@gmail.com with your name, phone number and number of people attending.

Mitten Week at Salt Valley Arts
2026-01-19 10:00 - 2026-01-21 14:00 | Salt Valley Arts Studio Space, EHM Professional Building, 400 W. Russell St., Entrance A, SALINE, M, 48176, United States
Join us January 19-21, 10AM–2PM to help create handmade mittens benefiting Saline Area Social Service. No sewing experience needed—just bring scissors and a warm heart.
Cut Out Mittens
Mitten Week, a SVA Community effort to create cozy, handmade mittens that benefit Saline Area Social Service.
Monday–Wednesday | 10 AM–2 PM
Help us prep the mittens we sell by cutting fabric pieces—no sewing experience required. This is a perfect way to contribute while chatting, listening to music, or enjoying a relaxed lunch break.
What to bring:
• Sharp scissors
• Pins
• Your lunch — or grab something delicious from Blossom Café, right in the building
Location
Salt Valley Arts Center – Studio Space
EHM Professional Building
400 W. Russell, Saline
Entrance A
Saline, MI 48176

Only Love Can Drive Out Darkness: Holy Faith Church in Saline to Hold MLK-Inspired Vigil
2026-01-19 15:00 - 17:00 | Holy Faith Church, 6299 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd., Saline, M, 48176, United States
In light of the events in Minnesota and in cities across the country, Holy Faith Church in Saline and the congregation’s “Voices for Justice” group are sponsoring a vigil on Martin Luther King Day, January 19, 2026.
Community members are invited to join the vigil, which will include people bringing flashlights, lanterns and other light sources to stand in witness at the church’s front lawn along Ann Arbor-Saline Road near the Lodi Township border.
3-4 pm – Watch a documentary on MLK Jr. and make signs in the parish hall.
4-4:30 pm – Stand in witness on the church’s front lawn.
4:30-5 pm – Vigil to include: Readings, songs, prayers, and reading the names of those who have died in ICE custody. The vigil may move indoors if the temperature impedes staying outside more than 30 minutes.

Holy Faith Church
6299 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.
Saline, MI 48176
(734) 429-2991

From Boomers to Zoomers: Zoom Practice for Seniors (55+)
2026-01-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Ypsilanti District Library, N/A, Virtual, MI, United States
This event is designed for seniors (55+) to practice using Zoom, helping them become more comfortable with online communication.

Can You Trust What You See? AI and the Future of Democracy
2026-01-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Dexter’s Pub, 8114 Main Street, Dexter, MI, M, 48130, United States
“That video of a candidate saying something shocking? Could be fake. That grassroots movement flooding your feed? Might be bots. The campaign message that perfectly speaks to your deepest fears? Algorithmically designed just for you.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping politics in real-time. Deepfakes make “seeing is believing” obsolete. Chatbots manufacture false consensus and overwhelm genuine voices. Sophisticated targeting turns campaigns into psychological operations, delivering custom-tailored messages that bypass our rational defenses.
We’re not just talking about election interference anymore—we’re watching the fundamental rules of political discourse get rewritten. How do we preserve informed democracy when disinformation scales infinitely? When anyone can generate thousands of unique fake news articles? When the line between persuasion and manipulation disappears?
Join us for a critical discussion on AI’s impact on politics: the threats we face, the opportunities we’re missing, and what we can do about it.”

Contact Information:
Ed Karls (ekarls@braverangels.org)
734-678-4831
Braver Angels of Washtenaw County Michigan

Dexter Cooperative Preschool Open House!
2026-01-24 15:30 - 17:30 | MI
Join us to learn more about the Dexter Cooperative Preschool on Saturday January 24th from 3:30-5:30pm! Bring your children and let them explore our awesome classroom while chatting with our teachers and current families. There will be information about the 2026-27 school year as well as limited immediate openings. We are located at 8260 Jackson Rd attached to the Peace Lutheran Church (no affiliation). Hope to see you there!
Can’t make the event? Reach out to us at dextercoopvp@gmail.com to schedule a tour or ask any questions.

Valentine's Day Card Making for EHM
2026-01-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Salt Valley Arts Studio Space, EHM Professional Building, 400 W. Russell St., Entrance A, SALINE, M, 48176, United States
Help us make Valentine’s Day cards for our senior friends at Brecon Village. Handmade cards are a small but meaningful way to share kindness and connection.
Salt Valley Arts provides all supplies, including stickers, markers, paint, collage materials, card stock, and envelopes. The techniques are up to you—draw, paint, write, or create in your own way.
Our goal is to create 100 cards. This is one of several community service projects Salt Valley Arts offers throughout the year.
Sunday, January 25 | 2–4 PM
Salt Valley Arts Studio Space
EHM Professional Building
400 W. Russell, Entrance A
If arriving after 2:15 PM, please call (734) 429-1652 to have the door unlocked.

Apex Defense 2026
2026-01-27 00:00 | APEX Innovates, Not specified, N/A, MI, United States

SMART Session: Business Taxes and Resources Done Right!
2026-01-27 09:00 - 10:00 | Headwaters North, N/A, Virtual, MI, United States

A2Y Chamber: Papa John's Pizza Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
2026-01-27 13:00 - 13:45 | A2Y Chamber, 339 N. Maple St., Ann Arbor, MI, United States

Venue Wine Experience - January 2026
2026-01-28 17:30 - 19:00 | A2Y Chamber, 339 N. Maple St., Ann Arbor, MI, United States

EDGE Defense Summit
2026-01-29 00:00 | APEX Innovates, Not specified, N/A, MI, United States

2nd Annual Earth Day Fair
2026-01-29 11:00 - 15:00 | Wilson Park, 89 Wabash St, Milan, MI 48160, 89 Wabash St, Milan, M, 48160
The 2nd Annual Earth Day Fair is returning to Wilson Park in Milan, Michigan.
The Earth Day Fair is a family-friendly community event focused on environmental awareness, education, and local engagement. Attendees can look forward to:
Live music and demonstrations:
Double JJ Farms returning with live animals
Guest speakers and presentations
Games and interactive activities for all ages
Additional speakers and entertainment will be announced as the event approaches.
For ongoing updates, announcements, and event information, please follow Moving Milan Forward on Facebook.

Ask the Investors Office Hours
2026-01-29 12:00 - 13:30 | Ann Arbor SPARK, 330 E. Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

Microsoft Excel – Pivot Tables (Intermediate)
2026-01-29 18:30 - 20:30 | Ypsilanti District Library, N/A, Virtual, MI, United States

Murder in the Alley: A Saline Main Street Murder Mystery
2026-01-29 19:00 - 21:00 | The 109 Cultural Exchange, 109 W Michigan Avenue, SALINE, MI, 48176, United States
Murder in the Alley is an immersive murder-mystery experience presented by Saline Main Street in partnership with Mind the Gap Theatre. When a well-known downtown volunteer and building owner is murdered on the eve of a major community event, suspects are pulled into a tense town-hall meeting to uncover the truth.
The audience becomes part of the investigation — observing, questioning, and deciding who’s hiding something… and who’s guilty.
🔎 Live actors
🔎 Audience participation
🔎 A noir-inspired mystery set in Downtown Saline
Trust no one. Everyone has something to lose.

Halt the Harm: Breaking Patterns of Supervisory Trauma
2026-01-30 00:00 | Intentional Supervision Designs, N/A, Virtual, MI, United States

Michigan Ross FTMBA Campus Visit ft. Tauber Institute for Global Operations
2026-01-30 10:30 - 16:00 | Michigan Ross, 701 Tappan St, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

Microsoft Word – Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
2026-01-31 14:00 - 16:00 | Ypsilanti District Library, N/A, Virtual, MI, United States

Microsoft Word – Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
2026-01-31 14:00 - 16:00 | Ypsilanti District Library, N/A, Virtual, MI, United States
Think you know everything about Microsoft Word? Learn a few tips, hidden tricks, and time-saving hacks to get the most out of this word processing software.

Owl Prowl at Saline Preserve January 31 at 7PM
2026-01-31 19:00 - 20:30 | MI
[Saline, Michigan, January 31, 2026 – 7 PM] All are invited to join us to look for and learn about owls. We will listen for their calls and watch for them to fly over. To keep warm, we will have a campfire going and hot chocolate to drink. Please wear clothing appropriate for the weather. You may wish to bring a camp chair, blanket, flashlight, and binoculars. All ages welcome!
Come on down to the meadow when you arrive. Josh and Amy will lead us, starting at 7 PM.
Friends of the Saline River are the stewards of the Leslee Niethammer Saline River Preserve. The Preserve was established in 2016 to help protect the natural ecological diversity and heritage of Washtenaw County. It is named to honor Leslee Niethammer, long-time director of the Saline District Library and an active community member. We maintain beautiful walking paths with benches, informational signs, views of the Saline River, and wildflowers.
JANUARY 31, 2026 at 7 PM
Leslee Niethammer Preserve
9000 S. Maple Rd, Saline, MI 48176
Park in lot or along S. Maple Rd.

Winter Startup Bootcamp
2026-02-01 00:00 | Washtenaw Community College (WCC) Entrepreneurship Center, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

Collab & Coffee: 2026 Power Session
2026-02-01 10:30 - 12:30 | Might Get Loud with Brittany Racine, 9418 Village Place Boulevard, Brighton, MI, United States

WINTER ORIENTEERING
2026-02-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd., Chelsea, MI, 48118, United States
Bring the family and challenge yourselves to an afternoon adventure in the forest with outdoor enthusiast Meg Gower. Winter is a great time of year for learning how to use a compass to find your way in the woods. Winter’s lack of leaves provides great views of Waterloo’s unique topography. This program is suitable for all ages and skill levels. Compasses will be provided or bring your own. The program is all outdoors, so dress appropriately for the weather. Cost: $2/person or $5/family. Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd. in the Waterloo Recreation Area near Chelsea. Program limited to 30 participants. The building is closed so program will be entirely outdoors. Please register for this program by emailing waterloonha@gmail.com with your name, phone number and number of people attending.

Wine, Women & Song XXIV: Songs in the Keys of Life
2026-02-01 16:00 - 18:00 | Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N Fourth Ave, Ann Arbor, M, 48104, United States
Get ready for an extraordinary evening as the Women of Wine, Women & Song return to Kerrytown Concert House for the 24th installment of their adored cabaret series! This year’s show, Songs in the Keys of Life, will guide you through a musical journey that mirrors the diverse phases of life we all navigate. From bravely challenging the world to “bring it on,” to the quest for love in all the right (and sometimes wrong) places; from the lessons learned from mistakes and the triumphs of success to the revelation of the power of human connection – the Women will explore a full spectrum of human experience. Through laughter, introspection, and even irreverence, Songs in the Keys of Life is set to evoke cherished memories, stir deep emotions, and keep you grinning from ear to ear. As Kerrytown Concert House’s signature annual fundraising event, Wine, Women & Song is not just a concert; it’s a celebration of community, music, and the shared stories that bind us all. Whether you’re attending for the first time or the 24th, you will leave filled with joy, hope, and a rhythm that will have you tapping your toes long after the final note. Join us in this unforgettable experience! The incredible women who dedicate their time and talents to this event, along with their vibrant audiences, create a magical atmosphere that truly makes Wine, Women & Song a special occasion. *For attendees of legal drinking age, ticket price includes a complimentary glass of wine.

Datathon 2026
2026-02-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Michigan Ross Business+Tech & Deloitte, Ross School of Business - Tauber Colloquium, 6th Floor, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

2026 Datathon Competition Kickoff
2026-02-01 17:00 - 19:30 | Business+Tech at Michigan Ross, Ross School of Business, Ross Building, Floor 2, Room 2230, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
The annual Datathon Competition is a hybrid, week-long hackathon-style competition, where interdisciplinary student teams use data as the foundation for developing creative solutions to a real-world problem.

Grant Clinic Part 2 - Review & Refinement Of Grant Proposal Goals
2026-02-02 00:00 | SCORE Southeast Michigan, N/A, Virtual, MI, United States

CISSP Training Program – Become a Cybersecurity Leader in Manchester, MI
2026-02-02 09:00 - 17:00 | iCertGlobal, 2723 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
