The Sun Times News

Washtenaw County State of the County
2026-04-13 17:30 - 20:15 (America/Detroit) | Washtenaw County Administration, 4800 E Huron River Dr, Morris Lawrence Building (Towsley Auditorium), Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Join us for the inaugural State of the County, a special event celebrating our Bicentennial and reflecting on the journey of our community through the theme “Past, Present, Possible.” This gathering offers an opportunity to look back at the history that shaped our community, recognize the vital work happening today to support residents across the county, and explore the possibilities that lie ahead.

WCC Free College Week – Business/Entrepreneurship Sessions
2026-04-14 00:00 | Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Free College Week is our way of thanking our community for your support of WCC in delivering lifelong learning opportunities to all the students we serve. This year, we’re turning 60!

AI Learning Labs
2026-04-14 12:00 - 13:00 | CADIA, N/A, Virtual, MI, United States
CADIA is offering 16 free AI Learning Labs in 2026, held virtually on Tuesdays from noon to 1 PM EST through May 19. Each one-hour session tackles a real workplace challenge and equips participants with practical AI prompts and tools they can use the same day.

Small Business Savvy: Business Insurance and YOU (Virtual)
2026-04-15 00:00 | Ypsilanti District Library, N/A, Virtual, MI, United States

SizeUp Live Training for Small Business
2026-04-15 00:00 | Ann Arbor SPARK, 330 E. Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Join our free, expert-led webinar designed specifically for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. This session will provide hands-on training from the SizeUp team, personalized support tailored to your business needs, and actionable insights to help you grow.

A2Y Chamber Event: Early Edition - April 2026
2026-04-15 08:00 - 09:30 | Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber (A2Y Chamber), 3050 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Join us at Early Edition on April 15th to hear more about the Humane Society of Huron Valley and the Leslie Science & Nature Center, and learn about the benefits of companion animals in the workplace.

Cheers to Five Years! Kind's Five Year Anniversary Celebration
2026-04-15 15:00 - 20:00 | Kind Laser, 2730 Carpenter Road St 3, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Join us for Kind’s Five Year Anniversary Party — an epic in-person celebration you won’t want to miss! Celebrate with us and enjoy food & beverages, special offers, and a raffle for 5 – $500 gift cards!

Ann Arbor Trout Unlimited Conservation Fundraiser
2026-04-15 17:30 - 21:00 | Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales & Kitchen, 2319 Bishop Circle E, Dexter, M, 48104, United States
Ann Arbor Trout Unlimited will hold its annual conservation fundraiser on April 15 at Jolly Pumpkin in Dexter. The fundraiser supports the fish stocking and conservation work our chapter does on Mill Creek. For more information & tickets, contact Rick Hall (rlhall@umich.edu) or go to: https://www.annarbortu.org/conservation-banquet.html

Washtenaw Literacy EMERALD Awards
2026-04-16 00:00 | Washtenaw Literacy, 4800 E Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Join us as we celebrate 55 years of transforming lives through literacy in Washtenaw County. To mark our emerald anniversary, we are proud to honor our first class of Emerald Award recipients—the Champions of Learning, Growth, and Connection whose leadership and dedication bring our mission to life.

Ann Arbor emPower Breakfast
2026-04-16 08:30 - 10:00 | Ann Arbor emPower Breakfast, 600 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
The emPower Breakfast is a new way to network! It focuses on providing an intimate setting for attendees to share their stories and build relationships without commercial promotions.

Drop-In Day + Member Happy Hour!
2026-04-16 08:30 - 18:00 | Cahoots, 206 East Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Join Cahoots for a free day of community coworking open to the public, and try our health club out! Happy Hour from 4:30pm-6pm.

SPARK East In-Person Business Navigator Sessions
2026-04-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Ann Arbor SPARK, 330 E. Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Join us on Thursdays at SPARK East for in-person Business Navigator sessions. These sessions are designed to help entrepreneurs overcome roadblocks and connect with the right resources.

Inventors as Employees: Managing the Intellectual Property Created by your Team
2026-04-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Michigan Biosciences Industry Association, 3600 Green Court Suite 780, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
The question of who owns employee-created intellectual property is not always a straightforward answer. However, there are some simple steps that employers can take to not only assure that their rights are protected but to also maintain transparent policies that are understood and embraced company-wide.

In Conversation: Molly McFarland
2026-04-16 11:00 - 12:30 | In Conversation, 206 E Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Join us for an In Conversation session with Molly McFarland, founder and Chief Revenue Officer of AdAdapted. Molly will share the story of building and leading a technology company as it grows from early concept to a mature startup with a substantial team and an active board of directors.

CareerClub: Elevate Your Career at ThirdThursdayNetworking!
2026-04-16 12:00 - 14:00 | CareerClub, N/A (virtual), Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Join our virtual career networking event and discover a supportive community where you can explore possibilities, gain clarity, and build meaningful connections that extend far beyond a simple job search.

The Power of Proximity: Making Connections That Count
2026-04-16 17:00 - 19:00 | Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw (WXW), 1919 S. Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
The Power of Proximity: Making Connections That Count is an engaging, interactive networking event designed to help participants build meaningful professional relationships through clarity, confidence, and connection.

Impact Venture Demo Day 2026
2026-04-16 17:00 - 19:00 | University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business, 701 Tappan Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
RSVP today for the Impact Venture Demo Day featuring student ventures tackling global issues through tech for good, health and wellbeing, education, climate, and fintech.

NEF April Pitch Pit and Showcase Presentation
2026-04-16 17:00 - 19:30 | NEF Program Committee, 330 E. Liberty St Lower Level, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
We’ll hear from a recently coached company and an exciting Pitch Pit with ‘back-of-the-napkin’ stage companies!

Håkon Kornstad, saxophone & operatic tenor – The Tenor Who Plays Tenor
2026-04-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N Fourth Ave, Ann Arbor, M, 48104, United States
By using his imagination and a simple electronic device to record and play back loops as he performs, Håkon Kornstad realizes in concert the idea so aptly expressed by the title of his album Symphonies in My Head. His instrumental skill is unsurpassed: beautiful tone on whichever saxophone he selects, percussive sounds made by the use of the instrument’s keys and tonguing techniques, a colorful palette broadened by the expert use of overtones. Rhapsodic, improvised melodies glide over sonic layers that grow into an orchestral accompaniment. This artistic richness would be enough for most, but Kornstad’s restless curiosity took him into unexpected territory. He found new inspiration in opera and developed his voice as an operatic tenor. Bringing his two tenors together, saxophonist and singer, he has created an unprecedented sound, an evocative “tenor battle” that emerges in the single person of this singular artist.

Nature Journaling Workshop
2026-04-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Hudson Mills Metropark, 8801 North Territorial Road, Dexter, 48310, United States
Come join us for an exciting workshop to learn a variety of nature journaling techniques. A journal and limited art supplies will be provided but you are encouraged to bring your own additional supplies! Expect to spend time outside walking the trails and decorating pages in your nature journal.
What to Expect:
Starts indoors, concludes outside. Includes a leisurely walk with frequent stops. Expect to walk about 1 mile. The planned path is dirt and gravel and is mostly flat and level. We will conclude at the Hudson Mills Activity Center. No prior experience is necessary. In-program group discussion will be encouraged.

Code & Coffee with Tech[Inclusive]
2026-04-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Tech[Inclusive] at Cahoots, 206 East Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Code & Coffee is a monthly opportunity for you to practice your skills, meet new friends, and get help if you need it. Bring your laptop, your recent projects, and your programming problems!

SAPlings present A Million Dreams Showcase
2026-04-18 14:00 - 15:30 | The Well Church, 211 Willis Rd, Saline, M, 48176, United States
10 school age performers will present group songs, solos, a large skit and 5 small skits to show their love of performing and share their talents with audiences. Songs will include: A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman, My Shot from Hamilton, Once Upon a December from Anastasia and We’re All in This Together from High School Musical.

Sopranos Kimwana Doner & Kira Slovaček in recital with pianist John Etsell – Reflections of Love, Hope and Resilience
2026-04-18 19:30 - 21:00 | Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N Fourth Ave, Ann Arbor, M, 48104, United States
Sopranos Kimwana Doner and Kira Slovaček will present an eclectic program of classical vocal repertoire, featuring works by Verdi, Dvořák, Chopin, William Bolcom and more! Join us for an entertaining evening as we explore themes of passion, triumph and adversity, celebrating the strength of the human condition.
Kira Slovaček, soprano
Kimwana Doner, soprano
John Etsell, piano

Vocal Arts Ensemble of Ann Arbor -- Concert Publicity
2026-04-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Genesis of Ann Arbor, 2309 Packard Street, Ann Arbor, M, 48104, United States
VAE celebrates Earth Day with a new choral drama that explores the literary relationship between music and nature. Evocative settings of Shakespeare, Wendell Berry, Mary Oliver, E. E. Cummings and many more. The program will include a vast and interconnected array of choral gems, with music from the late Renaissance to contemporary, including a world premiere by Stephen Rush. Reception to follow.

ANIMALS HAVE CLASS / ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTATIONS
2026-04-19 13:00 - 15:30 | Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd., Chelsea, MI, 48118, United States
ANIMALS HAVE CLASS / ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTATIONS: 1:00-2:00 & 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19. Come to the Discovery Center for our first live-animal program since renovations were completed. Science Alive will present two programs with live animals investigating the fundamentals of animal classification, highlighting all the vertebrate groups and addressing their unique characteristics. The programs will also examine the adaptive characteristics of these animals, their role in the animal’s survival and how the environment impacts adaptation. Cost: $2/person or $5/family. Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd. in the Waterloo Recreation Area near Chelsea. Please register for this program by emailing waterloonha@gmail.com with your name, phone number and number of people attending. ***Please specify which presentation you wish to attend***

Ellen Rowe’s All About the Trio – But Not For Me: The Evolution of a Jazz Standard
2026-04-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N Fourth Ave, Ann Arbor, M, 48104, United States
In this final installment of this season’s All About the Trio series the trio will be joined by a collective of special guests to present a retrospective of different takes on the classic American Songbook standard. Versions referenced will include Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, Ahmad Jamal, Modern Jazz Quartet, John Coltrane and the Jeff Hamilton Trio. Audience questions are welcome!
Join us for an enjoyable, improvisatory and interactive afternoon of jazz in the House!
Ellen Rowe (piano); Paul Keller (bass); Pete Siers (drums); Kenji Lee (tenor saxophone); Sunny Wilkinson (vocalist), Justin Walter (trumpet); Cary Kocher (vibraphone)

Tales, Legends & Legacy: A benefit concert featuring the artists & stories shaping 2026
2026-04-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Macon Creek, 8759 Clinton Macon Road, Clinton, M, 49236, United States
Step into the creative heart of Macon Creek as Beacon Arts Michigan launches its 2026 Summer Concert Series, Tales, Legends & Legacy, with a vibrant Collage Concert—a celebration of the artists, sounds, and stories that will shape the season ahead.
Beacon Arts Michigan exists to enrich rural communities across Michigan by presenting high-quality artistic performances and educational outreach. Rooted in a legacy of regional chamber music and community engagement, the organization brings premier artists to underserved areas in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Through collaborative programming—including concerts, youth education, artist residencies, and commissioned works—Beacon Arts Michigan fosters artistic exchange, celebrates Michigan’s cultural diversity, and strengthens connections between artists and communities. Its purpose is to ensure that the transformative power of the arts remains accessible, relevant, and deeply rooted in regional heritage.

Birthright Citizenship: Promise or Betrayal of the American Dream?
2026-04-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Dan’s Downtown Tavern, 103 E. Michigan Avenue, Saline, M, 48176, United States
Join us for a thoughtful, cross-partisan discussion on questions about the 14th Amendment, with a focus on birthright citizenship. All are welcome to participate in this engaging community conversation.
Why Join Us?

Real talk, no scripts: This isn’t a lecture. It’s a chance to share your perspective and hear from others in a respectful, cross-partisan space.

Local vibes: We’re meeting at Dan’s Downtown Tavern. Order dinner and drinks and pull up a chair.

Your voice matters: Your experience and hopes shape the American Dream.

Natural Homemade Cleaners Workshop (Milan Public Library)
2026-04-21 19:00 - 20:00 | The Center, 45 Neckel Ct., Milan, 48160, United States
Instructor Kim Niblack will teach class participants how to create their own environmentally friendly, non-toxic cleaning products, including a glass cleaner, a scrub like Comet and cleaning wipes, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. at The Center, 45 Neckel Ct. They will also have the opportunity to make a blended homemade cleaner to use at home. Call the Milan Public Library at (734) 439-1240 to register for this free workshop.

Saline Area Community Listening Session - Tourism Impact Plan
2026-04-22 17:00 - 18:30 | The 109 Cultural Exchange, 109 W Michigan Avenue, SALINE, MI, 48176, United States
Destination Ann Arbor is working with communities across Washtenaw County to create a Tourism Impact Plan. Your voice is an important part of that process!
We’re examining how tourism shows up in our communities and how it can best support local businesses, neighborhoods, and the quality of life of residents in the future.
As part of this process, we want to hear directly from residents, business owners, and community members like you.
Join a Community Listening Session
These conversations are an opportunity to share your experiences, ideas, and hopes for tourism in your community.
