Ann Arbor Area May Events Round-Up

Now that we’re all out and about, after a long winter of hibernation, and local college students are wrapping up another semester of classes, it’s time to take a breath and check out what cultural and community opportunities await you in May. Here’s a list of some upcoming local event highlights.

In addition to the full calendar of events to check out, the Ann Arbor area has countless restaurants to try and museums to visit. Be sure to follow Visit Ann Arbor on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for tons of travel information and area updates.

LPGA Volvik Championship: The LPGA returns to Ann Arbor May 22-28. Join the excitement as the LPGA Volvik Championship will once again welcome 144 of the best female professional golfers in the world battling for the $1.3 million purse at this premier golf tournament in Southeast Michigan. Being played through Memorial Day weekend, the event will raise awareness for charities, including those that benefit military families.

Show & Shine Car Show: This is the 38th year for Show & Shine sponsored by the Ypsilanti Area Street Rods. On May 7 at Riverside Park, automotive enthusiasts and can discover an eclectic mix of unrestored, restored, and modified cars and trucks. Gates open at 9 AM with a $2 donation for spectators.

West Side Neighborhood Art Hop: The homes and studios of several westside Ann Arbor artists are open for a show and sale of their art and craft items. Saturday, May 13 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; starting place (with maps) at 700 Mt. Vernon, at the end of Eberwhite off W. Liberty. Free admission. 

Vintage Volkswagen Show: Dust off your bell-bottoms and platform shoes for the Vintage Volkswagen Festival in Riverside Park! The Michigan Vintage Volkswagen Club has been around since 1987, and do a fantastic job sharing the VW love with the area during this groovy event. The car show celebrates ALL variations of the VW – originals, restorations, customs, race cars, drag cars, kit cars, dune buggies, trikes, ratrods, and daily beaters.

Memorial Day (May 29) parades and events: 

• Chelsea’s Memorial Day Parade begins at the municipal parking lot downtown at 10 a.m. and travels south to Oak Grove Cemetery for a Memorial Day ceremony. Free.
   
• Saline’s Memorial Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. the Michigan Avenue fire station and travels west on Michigan to Oakwood Cemetery for a memorial service. Preceded 8-10 a.m. by a Fireman's Pancake Breakfast (free, but donations accepted for the fire department). Free.
   
• Dexter’s Memorial Day Parade will feature veterans’ groups, marching bands, community service groups, scout troops, and others. This year's theme is "Honor and Country." 10 a.m., Monument Park, downtown Dexter. Free.
   
• Ypsilanti's Memorial Day Parade will begin on Huron St., heading North toward Cross St. and end at the Highland Cemetery on N. River St. Free.
   
• Ann Arbor’s Memorial Day Parade, presented by Glacier Highlands Neighborhood Association. Ann Arbor's oldest neighborhood parade – and the best one in the area for young kids and their families – is a 6-block jaunt beginning at Greenbrier Park. Followed by a brief memorial service in Glacier Highlands Park and a chance for kids to play at the playground. Hot dogs, empanadas, and ice cream available. 10 a.m., Frederick to Middleton to Bardstown to Windemere to Barrister. Free.
   
• Memorial Day Chicken Broil, presented by Dexter Knights of Columbus, offers a dinner of half a chicken, baked potato, dinner roll, coleslaw, and a beverage. Dine under a tent or inside the hall, or carry out (drive-thru service available). 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. (or until sold out), Columbus Hall & Banquet Center, 8265 Dexter-Chelsea Rd., Dexter.

Now through May 7th
“Into the Wild: The Musical”
Encore Musical Theatre Company, 3126 Broad St., Dexter
Performances Thursday-Sunday
$31-$35

Now through May 27th
“Vino Veritas”
Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea
Performances Wednesday-Sunday
$27-$46

May 2
The Moth Storyslam: First Impression
Ann Arbor Distilling Co., 220 Felch.
$10.

May 4-11
Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival
Events at the Jewish Community Center (2935 Birch Hollow Dr.), Rackham Auditorium (915 E. Washington), and Michigan Theater (603 E. Liberty St.)
Tickets to all films are $10

May 7
“Anne of Green Gables” (part of The Michigan Theater’s Not Just for Kids live theater series)
ArtsPower National Touring Theater
Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor
1:30 p.m.
$12

May 7
Water Hill Music Festival The Ann Arbor neighborhood bounded by Miller, Brooks, Sunset, and the railroad tracks, on the northwest fringe of downtown
2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Free

May 7
Verdi: Viva L’Italia
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra (with special guests Measure for Measure, Livingston County Chorale, and Carillon Women’s Chorale)
Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University, Ann Arbor
$15-$67

May 15
Ian Hunter & the Rant Band
The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor
8 p.m.
$40

May 2
The Moth Storyslam: Traps
Ann Arbor Distilling Co., 220 Felch.
$10

May 17
Bestselling author Stephen Hamilton
Downtown library multi-purpose room, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Free

May 19
Wild Kratts Live
Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor
6:30 p.m.
$49-$113

May 20
Walk & Wag and Run
Rolling Hills Park, 7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti
8 a.m.to 1 p.m.
Proceeds help support homeless animals at the Humane Society of Huron Valley  

May 21
39th annual Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair
Michigan Union Ballroom, 530 S. State St., Ann Arbor
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$5 donation

May 22
David Gray
Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor
8 p.m.
$35-$75

May 24
The Moth Michigan GrandSLAM
The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor
8 p.m.
$25

May 27
9th annual Classic Car Show
Ann Arbor City Club, 1830 Washtenaw, Ann Arbor
Noon to 4 p.m.
Free