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Exhibitions and Events

‘Tis the Season: Holiday Exhibitions and Events at U-M

By Lilian Varner

The James and Anne Duderstadt Center opened in 1996 as the Media Union and will mark its 25th anniversary with an open house-style week of events Oct. 4-8. (Photo courtesy of Duderstadt Center staff)

The University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor community welcomes one and all to its many museums, gallery exhibitions, and events to get in the holiday spirit through the end of December. Review this compilation of exhibitions and events taking place for the next month:

MATTHAEI BOTANICAL GARDEN: THE GREENHOUSE GALLERY, HOLIDAY 2021 CONSERVATORY EXHIBIT

The art of plants, designed by nature. Nature and plants inspire so much of our creative efforts. Line, form, color, shape, movement, rhythm, and proportion: The Greenhouse Gallery, the holiday 2021 conservatory exhibit, reveals how plants and nature contain all the elements and principles of art and design. The conservatory at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is also decked out with our signature evergreens themed to the exhibit, and a gift shop stocked with locally and sustainably sourced items.

When: Friday, November 26 – Sunday, January 9

Where: Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Rd)

GUTMAN GALLERY: 2021 HOLIDAY ARTIST MARKET

The Guild of Artists & Artisans presents the second annual Holiday Artist Market in Gutman Gallery, which runs November 26 – December 23. The Holiday Artist Market features a wide variety of artist-made works from 60+ artists, free gift wrapping on Fridays, extended hours, artist trunk shows, private shopping parties, virtual gift making workshops, and other special events and promotions. Visit the gallery to shop small and support artists this holiday season!

When: Friday, November 26 – Thursday, December 23

Where: Gutman Gallery (118 N. 4th Ave)

UMS: JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS

UMS champion and iconic trumpeter Wynton Marsalis welcomes audiences back to Hill Auditorium this Thanksgiving Weekend, when his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra brings its fun, one-of-a-kind holiday extravaganza to brighten up the season.

When: Sunday, November 28, 6 p.m. EST

Where: Hill Auditorium

UMS: HANDEL’S MESSIAH

Nearly 300 years later after Handel composed his oratorio Messiah, it continues to fill Hill Auditorium with its ravishing beauty, brought to life by friends and colleagues from the community. Music director Scott Hanoian conducts the UMS Choral Union and the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra in this annual holiday tradition.

When: Saturday, December 4, 7:30 p.m. EST and Sunday, December 5, 2 p.m. EST

Where: Hill Auditorium

U-M CARILLON GUILD: WINTER HOLIDAY CONCERT

Join the Carillon Guild at the University of Michigan for a Winter Holiday Concert, featuring holiday music and music the Guild has worked on for an entire semester at Burton Tower (noon -12:30 p.m.) and Lurie Tower (1:30-2p.m.) Admission is free and all are welcome to attend and listen outside. The Burton Tower will be open , but if you are interested in visiting Burton Tower and observing the performance from the belfry, please register at the link above.

When: Thursday, December 9, 12 p.m. EST and 1:30 p.m. EST

Where: Burton Tower and Lurie Tower

ANN ARBOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: HOLIDAY POPS

Kick off the holidays with some festive revelry, as American conductor Kazem Abdullah hits the stage with a sleigh-full of audience favorites including selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. An evergreen classic on the Ann Arbor concert calendar, our Holiday Pops event is sure to delight music lovers young and old. Take your celebrations to new heights with your A2SO this December!

When: Friday, December 10, 8 p.m. EST

Where: Hill Auditorium

RANDAZZO DANCE COMPANY: SHORT AND SUITE NUTCRACKER

“The Short and Suite Nutcracker” is Randazzo Dance Company’s holiday kaleidoscope of mixed dance styles coupled with the magic of the Nutcracker Suite. The first half of the program includes La Cinquantaine, Pas De Quatre ballet variations, and a Tribute to Miles Davis; tap and jazz dances performed with a live jazz combo to celebrate the music of the great Miles Davis. In the second half of the program, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince recount their fight with the evil Mouse Queen and travel to the enchanted land where they meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mother Ginger and her little Gumdrops and other beloved friends.

When: Friday, December 10, 7 p.m. EST. Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12, 3 p.m. EST

Where: Power Center

MICHIGAN THEATER: HOLIDAY CLASSICS

Celebrate the holiday season with the Michigan Theater Foundation! Sunday Classics are free, although reservations are highly encouraged.

When: Friday, November 28 – Sunday, December 26

Where: Michigan Theater (603 E. Liberty St.)

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