Senior Center Membership

Individual and Family Membership
Ann Arbor Senior Center Membership Advantage: Please consider joining the center to start receiving discounts on classes and senior center rentals! A year long membership is only $25, and a family annual membership is $35. Consider the facts: Most ACBL players come two times a week and play - that's nearly 100 games a year. Your membership would cost you just $25 a year and you would save $75. Most Scrabble and Mahjong players play 50 times a year, and with a Senior Center membership, you will save $75 a year!

Arts & Humanities

A2 Community Sing with Matt Watroba

First Tuesday from September-June, 7-8:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $5

 Just like singing around a campfire, you'll find yourself remembering that old ballad, an Irish tune, or childhood family song in no time. Our Community Sings are sure to stir up some fond memories and build a new family friendly tradition to be treasured for years to come. If you love to sing, haven't sung in years or just yearning for some fun intergenerational community time; Our Community Sing is sure to please. We use both the Rise Up Singing Song Book and the Rise Again Song Books. Song leaders typically start out each sing and all participants get an opportunity to pick a song in the circle. All voices welcomed. We occasionally will have a special sing during summer months, in Burns Park or Holiday Celebration. Special events will be on the website and group participants are notified when they sign up for notification. Community Sings are held in Burns Park in the Gallery Room at the Ann Arbor Senior Center.   See you in April, May and June and then we will break for summer and pick up again in September. Click here​ to view a video feature Watroba.

Artist Receptions and live music

In an effort to bring art and the community together, the Ann Arbor Senior Center provides a venue for Ann Arbor artists and art students to show their work in our gallery space. Each artist hosts a special evening reception to share his or her artwork. These artist receptions are open to the public and often include live music and light refreshments. Suggested donation for attendees is $5. 

Blue Grass Jam

Second and fourth Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., Fee: $5.

The A2 Blue Grass participants, from expert to novice, come from all over southeast Michigan to have fun with bluegrass jamming and singing. We draw a wide variety of musical Instruments including banjos, fiddles, standup and electronic bass, percussion, washboard, dobro, mandolin and the occasional harmonica. All ages are welcome. Visit the Bluegrass website for more information.

Great Michigan Read

Tuesday, Sept. 25-Oct. 9, 7-8:30 p.m.; free.                                                                                                                                                                                    Potluck Session: Sept. 28-Oct. 12, 11-12:30 p.m.; free  ​(bring a dish to share)    

A tale of reinvention and redemption, “X: A Novel” is a fictional account of Malcolm X’s early years written by Malcom X’s third daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, and Kekla Magoon, Join us as we explore how a young man with the odds stacked against him became one of the most prominent figures of the Civil Rights Movement. Register in person at the Ann Arbor Senior Center and pick up your free readers guide and a copy of the novel. This program is generously sponsored by Michigan Humanities Council.  ​                                                                                            

​Watercolor Skills Course

Thursday, Sept. 13-Nov. 15, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; free.

Join this mindful community of painters for artistic inspiration, painting demos, a bit of art history, lively discussion and fun. All skill levels welcome. This class is offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for individuals 65 and older. 

Bridge Games & Instruction

ACBL Bridge Games
Noon-3:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $8 member; $9 nonmember.

ACBL open sanctioned games are played in the Gallery Room. Pre-dealt hands from "dealer 4" offer players immediate hand records and player analysis printouts. Wednesday Director Debra Eaves and Thursday Director Stacey Tessler. 

Bridge Defense

Part I: Monday, Sept. 17-Dec. 10, 9:30-11:30 a.m., fee: $130 member; $156 nonmember. ​

​​​Part II: Monday, Jan. 21-April 15, 9:30-11:30 a.m., fee: $130 member; $156 nonmember.

This class is designed for beginners and low intermediate players who wish to improve their defensive play and do play practice with analysis. The class will run with lecture and discussion from the text for the first 60-75 minutes. Students will then play hands from a previous duplicate game during the remaining time. Hands are analyzed after completion to review the bidding, play and defense. Students may register in advance and pre-pay for all 13 weeks or pay as you go (drop-in). It is highly recommended that students have some type of previous bidding class or experience. Classes are held in the Ann Arbor Senior Center and open to adults of all ages.   For more details, contact the instructor or the Ann Arbor Senior Center office. Text: Defense in the 21st Century by Audrey Grant. Pre-requisites: Bridge I or equivalent or prior experience.

Bridge II Play of the Hand

Part I: Tuesday, Sept. 18-Dec. 11, 10-12 p.m., fee: $130 member; $156 nonmember.    

Part II: Tuesday, Jan. 22-April 16, 11-1 p.m., fee: $130 member; $156 nonmember.

This 13 week class is designed for advanced beginner and low intermediate players who wish to improve declarer skills.  Audrey Grant has a worldwide reputation in the field of bridge education and in this class you use her methods from the required text "Play of the Hand in the 21^st Century". The main part of the course deals with play of the hand as declarer. Other parts include bidding reviews, defense, and more. The class will run with lecture and discussion from the text for the first 75 minutes. Students will then play hands for the last 45 minutes.  The text may be purchased online or ordered from your local bookstore. Students may register in advance and prepay for all 13 weeks or pay as you go (drop-in). Classes are held in the Ann Arbor Senior Center and open to adults of all ages.  For more details, contact the Instructor Ray Gentz at ray62856@gmail.com or the Senior Center office at 734.794.6250.  Pre-requisites: Bridge I or instructor permission.. Required text "Play of the hand in the 21st Century" by Audrey Grant. 

​Bridge for Beginners

Part I: Tuesday, Sept. 18-Dec. 11, 1-3 p.m., fee: $130 member; $156 nonmember. ​​

Part II: Tuesday, Jan. 22-April 16, 11-1 p.m., fee: $130 member; $156 nonmember.

A beginning course focusing on basic aspects of bridge featuring bidding using the Standard American system taught using the book “Bidding in the 21st Century" by Audrey Grant. Also included are sections on scoring, defense and more. Each class consists of 90 minutes of presentation including a brief break. The last 30 minutes will be for students to play pre-dealt hands that deal with the material from the lecture. Open to all ages. Come and learn this fun, yet challenging game! Students may pre-pay for the entire class or pay a drop in fee of $10 for members or $12 for non-members. For more information please contact the Senior Center or the instructor, Ray Gentz at ray6286@gmail.com. 

Duplicate Non-sanctioned Bridge

Monday, 12:30-3:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $2 member; $3 nonmember.

Non-sanctioned Duplicate Bridge, directed by Ray Gentz, attracts players of all ages with varied levels of expertise including life masters to beginners. 

Supervised Bridge Play

Monday, Dec. 17, Jan. 7, Jan. 14, 9:30- 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 18, Jan. 8, Jan. 15, 1-3 p.m. 
Fee: $10 member; $12 nonmember.

This winter, enjoy the flexibility of attending Supervised Bridge Play in the morning, the afternoon, or mix it up and come when your schedule permits. There will be a Monday a.m. option and a Tuesday p.m. option. Supervised Bridge Play is designed for beginners and low intermediate players who wish to improve their bidding, declarer, and defensive play. The program will run with students playing 7-9 hands per session. Hands will be analyzed after completion to review the bidding, play, and defense. No book or partner needed. It is highly recommended that students have some type of previous bidding class or experience. Please note that this is not a duplicate game; just practice. For more details, contact the instructor Ray Gentz at 734.769.3994 or the Senior Center office at 734.794.6250.

Social Games

Mahjongg

Monday, noon-3 p.m., drop-in fee: free member; $2 nonmember.
Test your skills and strategy tactics with an ancient tile-based game of Chinese origin, while engaging in bit of friendly competition. Similar to rummy and poker, this four-player game can be played by all ages and skill levels. 

Scrabble

Tuesday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Drop-in: free member; $2 nonmember.

Easy to learn and fun to play, this game is for people who like friendly competition and riveting conversation. All experience levels are welcome. 

Fitness

Fitness for Seniors

Tuesday, Sept. ​11-Nov. 12, 1-2 p.m., free.

Join Mark Harris in this 10-week free class for adlts 65 and older offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College. Improve fitness, strength, conditioning, flexibility, balance and cognitive skills while having fun. Call to preregister, 734.794.6250. 

Tai Chi

​Wednesday, Sept. 12-Nov. 14, 9-10:30 a.m., free.

Join this free class in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for seniors 65 and older. Instruction combines martial arts movements with Qi (energy) circulation, breathing and stretching techniques to improve balance and overall health. Instructed by Karla Groesbeck. Call to preregister, 734.794.6250. 

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Chair Yoga through Ann Arbor Rec & Ed

Chair yoga provides a gentle stretch for your body and brings a sense of clarity to the mind. This class is offered by Rec & Ed at the Ann Arbor Senior Center on Fridays. Visit Rec & ED to register for the class.

Wellness

Personal Action Toward Health (PATH)/Chronic Disease Self-Management

Friday, July 20-Aug. 24, 9-11:30 a.m., free, free, registration with AAA1B required

Do you have a chronic disease like arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, COPD, or depression? Or, are you trying to find a way to cope with chronic pain? Do you want to be healthier and feel more in control? Personal Action Toward Health (PATH) is a community small group workshop that meets once a week for six weeks to help you learn to manage.

With PATH, you'll learn how you can:

• Make an action plan
• Solve problems
• Deal with difficult emotions
• Relax
• Manage pain and fatigue
• Making informed treatment decisions
• Work better with your health care professional

Just call (833) 262-2200 or email wellnessprograms@aaa1b.com for information or to register.

 Aug. 3-4, 8 a.m.-noon, fee $15 AARP members; $20 non-AARP members.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is a classroom-based refresher designed for drivers age 50- plus. Tuition includes the Driver Safety workbook and a recorded certificate. Note: successful completion of this class may result in an insurance rate reduction. If you are an AARP member, the cost is $15; if you are not a member, the cost is $20. Please bring your AARP card and driver’s license to class. Even the most experienced drivers can benefit from brushing up on their driving skills. Checks made payable to AARP will be directly given to the AARP instructor on the first day of your class. Plan to attend both days, Friday & Saturday, Aug 3 & 4, 8 a.m. to noon. Classes are held in the Ann Arbor Senior Center,1320 Baldwin Ave.   Call the Ann Arbor senior center to register, 734.794.​6250. 

​​​Flu Shot Clinic

Monday, Oct. 1, 11-1 p.m.

Flu season is fast approaching and the annual flu vaccine is an important way to protect yourself from the flu. Rite Aid Pharmacy will be providing the flu vaccination on a first come, first served basis. Please bring your insurance card.   

Know your Legal Rights

Friday, Oct. 5, 11-12 p.m.

This presentation will introduce participants to the free legal services available through the Michigan Advocacy Program. It will also address issues including: powers of attorney, guardianship, financial exploitation, scams, domestic violence, cargiver abuse/neglect, and way to address and avoid abuse, neglect, or exploitation. For those 55 and older who have experienced some form of victimization and who wish to apply for legal assistance, please call 734.998.6100 ext 622, or do an in-person intake after the presentation. Call 734.794.6250 to register for this free presentation.​

Rent the Ann Arb​or Senior Center