Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Cultural Arts opportunities include a variety of art-driven events. Check out these Community Events! For additional information on these programs, contact Recreation Supervisor, Pamela Simmons at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. 734.794.6250 Registration for Spring Summer programs and services begins Feb 5. Check out the new 2018 Parks and Recreation Park Guide for details.
Sing
Join us for intergenerational community singing programs and even in classes to keep you singing as you age in programs offered in the evenings at the Ann Arbor Senior Center.
A2 Community Sing & Matt Watroba
First Tuesday from April- 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.
Rise-Up Singing with Dawn
Third Tuesday from February-June, 7-8:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $5.
Similar to the first Tuesday Community Sing, Dawn Swartz will lead this sing and accompany singers on piano and violin. 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. Dawn typically start out each sing with a warm up and group introductions and all participants get an opportunity to pick a song in the circle. Participants often will share a story or memory about the song picked. All voices and ages are welcomed. Third Tuesday from February-June, 7-8:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $5. The summer program details will be posted in late spring.
Keep Singing as you Age
Wednesday, April 25-May 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m. fee; $45 member; $50 nonmember
Have you ever been told that the human voice deteriorates as it gets older? Have you ever felt your own voice is not what it used to be? Or worse that it’s too late to learn to sing?
Current research completely debunks these common beliefs. We now know that it is never too late to learn to sing and that voices do deteriorate but only because of disuse. The upshot? If you want to sing, you can sing and the best way is to start now! Even before the class starts, sing at home, sing with the radio, sing in the car and join us for our Tuesday evening Community Sing events! Pay attention to your ability to match what you are hearing: matching the correct pitch and matching the type of tone you are hearing. People love to sing with others who can blend.
This class focuses on group singing and harmony, but also on vocal techniques that can strengthen voices that are naturally changing with age. Improve both your speaking and singing voice with fun exercises and group singing. Course instructor, Dawn Swartz.
Park Concerts
Summer concerts in both West Park and Burns Park are scheduled each summer. Occasional other community concerts are offered throughout the year inside the Ann Arbor Senior Center located in Burns Park.
To learn more about summer concerts in Burns Park visit Concerts in the Park website
To learn more about summer concerts in West Park visit Ann Arbor Civic Band website
Play Music
Community jams, workshops and occasional classes are offered in the Ann Arbor Senior Center on select evenings and weekends. Current opportunities are listed below.
Bluegrass Jam Meetup
Second and Fourth Tuesdays monthly, 7-9 p.m. Fee: $5
The A2 Blue Grass participants come from all over southeast Michigan and just have fun with bluegrass jamming and singing. Our skills range from expert to novice. We draw a wide variety of musical instruments including banjos, fiddles, stand up and electronic bass, percussion, washboard, dobro, mandolin and the occasional harmonica. Everyone is welcome, and it is open to all ages. We like to concentrate on the standard bluegrass tunes, with some vocals. A list of some of the music we play is on the music page on our website. Visit the Bluegrass Jam website for more information.
We meet at the Ann Arbor Senior Center in Burns Park. Feel free to stop by and just listen for no fee, but donations are always appreciated.
Visual Arts
Art Receptions
For more information on the Artist Reception, select the Artist Name and view a flyer of their event.
March 2, 2018 | May 11, 2018 |
These artist receptions are open to the public and often include live music and light refreshments. Suggested donation for attendees is $5.
Artist Interview
Watch Bob Holmes' interview on CTN's Senior Moments.
In an effort to bring art and the community together, the City of Ann Arbor Senior Center hosts several art shows throughout the year in the center located at beautiful Burns Park. We provide a community-based venue for Ann Arbor artists and art students to show their work in our gallery space. We welcome artists who produce art in a variety of media to share their artwork with not only the senior center participants, but with the general public. Each artist hosts a special evening reception to share their artwork.
