The Vessel as a Metaphor: An Artist Talk by Ebitenyefa Baralaye

Join us for a talk by Detroit based artist and educator Ebitenyefa Baralaye whose work explores cultural, spiritual, and material translations of objects, text, and symbols interpreted through a diaspora lens and abstracted around the aesthetics of craft and design. He received a BFA in ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA in ceramics from the Cranbrook Academy of Art.

2023 Halloween Costume Contest

AADL's Halloween Costume Contest is back! Got a creative, cool, cute, or spooky costume? Come in your flashiest, most beautiful, or most outrageous costume to AADL’s annual costume contest!

To enter, you must be seen by the judges between 12:00–2:00pm. The award ceremony will be held at 2:30pm. We will have a photo booth in the Lobby (from 12:00–3:00pm) for all to commemorate the day.

Target gift cards for $50 will be awarded in these categories:

10 Years of the Living Oral History Project: Phase 10 Premiere

Join host Joyce Hunter of the African American Cultural and Historical Museum and interviewees from Phase 10 of the Living Oral History Project. These interviews serve as a road map illustrating what local African Americans witnessed, experienced, and contributed to building the community we share today.  Watch a clip reel of interviews with Carol Allen, Alice Brennan-Key, Sandra Harris, Carl James Johnson, and Janie Lee Ross, followed by a meet and greet and refreshments. An exhibit celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Living Oral History Project will be on display.

Author Event | Anthony Marra: Mercury Pictures Presents

Literati Bookstore and the Ann Arbor District Library welcome bestselling, award-winning author Anthony Marra in support of the paperback release of Mercury Pictures Presents, The epic story of a brilliant woman who must reinvent herself to survive in 1940s Hollywood and fascist Europe, a timeless tale of love, deceit, and sacrifice.

Author Event | Greg Harden: Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive

Greg Harden launches his book Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive at AADL!

Greg Harden is a Peak Performance Coach, motivational speaker, and executive consultant who is best known for his work with seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady. He also worked with Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard, and twenty-three-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps.

Concert | The Arab Blues

Karim Nagi (Egypt/Chicago) and Rami Gabriel (Lebanon/Chicago) create a dynamic and unique amalgam of traditional Arabic music and Chicago Blues. Authentic Arabic instruments like the Oud, Buzuq, Tublah and Riqq are used along with Guitar and Drum Set to create a sound that could have only been imagined in America. Karim & Rami express their tradition and identity through the compositions and improvisational excursions from their two traditions.

Capturing the Cosmos: Exploring the Universe through Astrophotography

Join Michigan-based astrophotographer Jason Guenzel as he shares his passion for exploring the cosmos through his camera. This presentation is a general overview of the expansive topic of astrophotography. Learn about Jason's journey, the equipment, what goes into an image, and even how to get started yourself. He will present his fascinating photos of outer space and highlight the specialized techniques used within the many niches of astronomy imaging (deep sky, solar, lunar, planetary, nightscape, and more).

Gemini @ AADL

Gemini is a family band in both senses of the word: twin brothers San and Laz write and perform acoustic music for children and their families. Ann Arbor locals, the duo have been entertaining families both near and far with their delightful tunes since 1973. A celebration of childhood and family life, Gemini’s music includes rollicking sing-alongs, folktales, and music from around the world. Their recordings have won several awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), American Library Association, and Parents’ Choice Magazine, among others.