The relationship between speech and language development and nonspeech rhythmic abilities, such as keeping a beat or recognizing musical rhythms, is important because they share similar brain processes. Skills in rhythm and timing, developed through musical activities, can enhance the ability to recognize and work with sounds in language. This can help children better segment syllables, understand speech patterns, and synchronize their speech movements, supporting more effective language acquisition and communication skills. In this talk, Dr.

In 1866, Malinda Russell published A Domestic Cook Book in Paw Paw, Michigan. As the oldest known cookbook by an African American woman, this slim volume is a landmark in American culinary history. The only known copy resides in the Janice Bluestein Longone Culinary Archive in the University of Michigan Library’s Special Collections Research Center. Join us for a reception and panel discussion celebrating a new edition released by the University of Michigan Press. The reception will begin at 5:15pm, with the conversation to follow at 5:45pm. 

Michigan-based storyteller Fishmonger Stories will give an energetic and entertaining performance of songs and traditional stories unlike any other. Enjoy the performance while learning about the peoples of Africa, including the dress and culture of the Maasai tribe of East Africa.

The man, the myth, the Michigander returns to AADL. Join us for a talk about graphic design with Aaron Draplin.

This event has been moved to the 1st Floor Lobby.

Join author and long-time Ann Arbor attorney Jim Adams and Cynthia Kortman Westphal, Chair of the UM Musical Theatre Department, for a wide-open discussion of Jim’s award-winning novel, Liam’s Lady.  When 43-year-old writer Liam O’Connor is ghosted by a tattooed, beer swilling woman he mistakes for an easy one-night stand, he’s forced to re-evaluate his shallow approach to relationships.  In a quest of largely self-induced misadventures, Liam’s fate lies with his beleaguered therapist, his loyal dog, and an odd but enchanting little girl of loud if few word

Join Ann Arbor textile artist Debbie Grifka on her journey as we follow her (not always straight) path from new quilter to modern quilter to quilt designer and author and to her current life as a textile artist! Presentation includes a slide show and actual quilts.

Meg Croft, a fiber historian and owner of Woven Art Yarn Shop, traces a delightful history of color through the ages. She looks at historical dyeing processes, how natural dyes like Tyrian purple and cochineal have influenced society, and the role that color has played in our lives from flags to fashion.

This event is part of the Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Expo. For more information, go to aadl.org/aafax.

The Michigan Fibershed is facilitating the connections needed to build our regional supply chain around our local fibershed project. A fibershed is a geographic region, similar to a watershed or foodshed, that holds the "soil-to-soil" cycle linking all the components of regional fiber production—from raw material production (plant and animal fiber), processing, natural dying, spinning, weaving, garment making, and eventually composting back to soil.

Jason Krick, a UM graduate student in the School of Environment and Sustainability, will present the history, importance, and basic techniques of visible mending, focusing on the sashiko running stitch. Jason will demonstrate how to get started with a project but this is not a hands-on workshop.

Jason’s research interests include the psychological benefits of frugality and voluntary simplicity (especially mending), degrowth, and behavioral and ecological restoration.