Free
Observer Editor

Dressage Shows: Waterloo Hunt Club

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July 31Aug. 2 & Aug. 1316. Equine competition combining artistry and technical abilities highlighted by graceful freestyle routines set to music. No pets. Concessions. 8 a.m.5 p.m., 11500 Glenn at Katz (west off Mount Hope Rd. from I-94 exit 150), Grass Lake. Free. [email protected].

Community Listing

Introduction to Ashtanga Practice with Sandra Allen

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Ashtanga yoga is a regimented series of asanas “postures” that are connected with the breath. The focus in this session is the first half of the primary series. Students may advance or modify as guided by the instructor. Ashtanga is foundational for any yoga class for proper alignment and strengthening. Set an intention to challenge yourself. 

$35

jen test 3

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jen test 3

Free

Free
Observer Editor

“Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History

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Every Tues.–Sun. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens. The newest program lets participants try out simulated snake senses to experience the world as if they were a snake. No live snakes. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.

Free
Observer Editor

Sonic Lunch: Bank of Ann Arbor

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See 6 Thursday. Today: Racing Mount Pleasant, chamber folk-rock septet whose instrumentation includes violin and horns, formed in 2019 as Kingfisher by U-M students. Their style has been compared to Bon Iver, Lord Huron, and Black Country. Opener: Lost Mary, Hillsdale-based songwriting duo of Luke Martin and David Johnson III, performs indie-folk and Americana originals with contemplative lyrics and acoustic instrumentation. 11:30 a.m.

Observer Editor

Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center

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Every Mon. & Thurs. Play open to all skill levels age 18 & up, both non-sanctioned (Mon.) and ACBL-sanctioned (Thurs.). Noon–3:30 p.m. (Thurs., $9) & 12:30–3:30 p.m. (Mon., $5); $1–$2 less for AASC members. 1320 Baldwin. (734) 794–6250, a2gov.org/senior, annarborbridge.com.

Observer Editor

Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club

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Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) and a 499er game (Thurs.) for players with no more than 499 ACBL master points. 1–4 p.m. (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $9 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email [email protected].

Observer Editor

“Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company

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Every Wed.–Sun., June 25–Aug. 30. (See review) Kate Thomsen directs longtime Purple Rose resident playwright Carey Crim’s comedy-drama about a group of old friends gathered to celebrate their friend Emma’s fourth wedding. Together, they revisit their memories of each of her previous three weddings to “the one.” Adult language and subject matter. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $31.50–$52.50 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org, (734) 433–7673, & (if available) at the door. Discounts available.

Free
Observer Editor

A2 Summer Streets Music Series: Main Street Area Association

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Every Thurs.–Sun., June 4–Sept. 28. Local musicians TBA perform at several locations along Main downtown. Rain cancels. 4 p.m. Thurs.–Sun., S. Main between E. Washington & W. William. For the complete lineup, go to mainstreetannarbor.org/a2-summer-streets. Free.

Nightspots

Lila Fetter

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North Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

Local pop-rock singer-songwriter. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.

Free
Observer Editor

Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library

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Aug. 6, 13, 19, & 27 (different times). All invited to work on their own projects using the library’s tools, including silhouette cutting machines, die cutters, embossers, and button makers (Aug. 6); 3D printers, laser engravers, and 3D pens (Aug. 13); sewing machines, silhouette vinyl cutters, and heat presses (Aug. 19); and soldering equipment and electronic components (Aug. 27). 5:30–7:30 p.m. (Aug. 6, 13, & 27) & 11 a.m.–1 p.m. (Aug. 19), AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.

Free
Observer Editor

Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company (AARC)

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Every Sat., Mon., & Thurs. (different AARC locations). Runners of all abilities invited to join either a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.) or a 5K mapped route (Thurs. & Mon.). AARC Traver Village (7 a.m. Sat.), 901 W. Eisenhower; Corner Brewery (6 p.m. Mon.), 720 Norris, Ypsi; and AARC Colonnade (6 p.m. Thurs.), 2621 Plymouth Rd. Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.  

Free
Observer Editor

“Thursday Evening Dirt”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society

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Every Thurs. Moderate-paced ride, 25 to 35 miles, along the less-traveled unpaved roads around Chelsea. Bring a chair and a beverage or snack for a postride tailgate. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 6 p.m. sharp, meet at Aberdeen Bike and Outdoors, 1101 Main, Chelsea. Email [email protected] for each week’s route. Free. (313) 9805277.

Free
Observer Editor

Bad Decisions Track Club

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Every Thurs. Runners of all abilities invited to join this eclectic group of runners ranging from people training for their first 5K to ultramarathoners. Sessions are typically interval-based track workouts, followed by socializing at a nearby brewery. 6 p.m., Ferry Field, State at Hoover. May meet elsewhere if the weather is bad. Free. See walline.wixsite.com/bdtc to sign up for email updates on each week’s workout.   

Community Listing

Lord of the Rings Trivia Night

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Grab your trivia team and join us for a Lord of the Rings themed trivia night!

Trivia is free to play with two rounds at 6 and 7pm.

Food is available for purchase by Campo Pizza, and beverages by HOMES Brewery.

free
Free
Observer Editor

Drop-in Knitting: Spun

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Every Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 1–3 p.m. (Sun.) & 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867. 

Free
Observer Editor

“Repairsday Thursday”: All Hands Active

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Every Thurs. All invited to drop in with broken electronics, furniture, toys, or any other item they’d like to try to repair or repurpose with the help and guidance of AHA members. Repairs not guaranteed. 6–8 p.m., basement of 255 E. Liberty, ste. 225. Free; donations welcome. [email protected], meetup.com/allhandsactive/events.

Nightspots

AJ Lynn

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Sam Hill 5827 Jackson Rd.

Detroit folk-rock singer-guitarist.

Free
Observer Editor

Live Trivia: Bløm Mead + Cider

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Every Thurs. Bløm staffers lead 2 rounds of trivia. Teams or single players welcome. Prizes. 7 & 8 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 5489729, drinkblom.com/events.

Observer Editor

“Robin Hood: Men in Tights”: Michigan Theater

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Film screenings every day. Tickets $11.75 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, and U.S. veterans, $9.75; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar. 

Aug. 13: “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” (Mel Brooks, 1993). Parody of the legend of Sherwood Forest. Cary Elwes, Richard Lewis, Dave Chappelle, Amy Yasbeck. 7 p.m.

Free
Observer Editor

“Nerd Nite”: Ann Arbor District Library

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Adults age 21 & up invited to this popular monthly event featuring three speakers TBA (at annarbor.nerdnite.com) who give fun yet informative 20-minute talks about things that interest them, anything from how a trumpet works to a dissection of romance novel tropes. 7–9 p.m., Live, 102 S. First St. Free. (734) 327–4200.

Nightspots

Pittsfield Open Band

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Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

Veteran local ensemble that plays old-time American and Irish dance tunes.

Nightspots

Aguankó

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Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

Local Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble led by composer-percussionist Alberto Nacif.

Observer Editor

“Comedy Jamm”: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase

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Every Thurs. Performances by up to 12 aspiring and established area stand-up comics. 7:15 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $5 in advance at aacomedy.com & $6 at the door. (734) 996–9080.

Observer Editor

Thursday Night Improv: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater

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Aug. 6 & 13. Two structured improv events, both followed by a pay-what-you-want improv jam with a series of games and long-form scenes. Spectators welcome. Aug. 6: Draft Line. Improv students are selected to perform a set with one of the house teams. Aug. 13: Duoplicity. Experienced improvisers are invited to be randomly paired up to perform a 6-minute scene. 7:30–8:30 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $7.50 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & (if available) at the door.

Observer Editor

“Southern Rapture”: PTD Productions

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Aug. 13–16 & 19–22. Karrie Waarala directs local actors in Cleveland playwright Eric Coble’s 2009 dark satire exploring art, commerce, and censorship. The plot, based on a 1996 staging of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America in Charlotte, North Carolina, follows a theater company in a major Southern city as it puts on a controversial play featuring foul language, homosexual themes, and 7 minutes of full frontal male nudity. Leading up to the premiere, the city’s mayor brings legal action, locals threaten to burn the theater down, and the terrified actors exchange cans of pepper spray as opening night gifts. “The broad laugh-out-loud humor narrows slowly toward a poignant ending, making a fantasy into a reality,” writes one Charlotte Observer reviewer. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun. & Wed.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (students & seniors, $15) in advance at ptdproductions.com & at the door. (734) 483–7345.

Free
Observer Editor

Live Trivia: Bløm Mead + Cider

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Every Thurs. Bløm staffers lead 2 rounds of trivia. Teams or single players welcome. Prizes. 7 & 8 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 5489729, drinkblom.com/events.

Observer Editor

“Gutenberg! The Musical!”: Penny Seats Theatre

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Aug. 722. Emily Wilson-Tobin directs local actors in Anthony King and Scott Brown’s 2-man musical about a pair of aspiring playwrights who perform all the parts in a run-through for potential backers of their new, hilariously ill-advised projecta big, splashy musical about printing press inventor Johannes Gutenberg. Adult themes. 8 p.m. (Thurs., Fri., & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Cahoots, 206 E. Huron St. Tickets $28 (seniors, $25 & students, $20) in advance at pennyseats.org & (if available) at the door.

Observer Editor

Michigan Playwrights Festival: Theatre Nova

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Aug. 13–16. Readings of new full-length plays by Michigan playwrights followed by audience talkback sessions. Tonight: Ann E. Eskridge’s The Sanctuary, in which a young boy grieving his father’s death befriends an eccentric neighbor who has built a sanctuary from discarded objects. 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $10 (festival pass, $30) in advance at theatrenova.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 635–8450.

Observer Editor

“Pop-Up Comedy”: Don’t Tell Comedy Show

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Both the lineup of stand-up comics and the location are not revealed until the day of the show. Age 21+. Drinks for sale. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. 8 p.m., Lowertown outdoor location. Tickets $30 in advance only at donttellcomedy.com/cities/ann-arbor.

Nightspots

Prior Art

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Zal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor

A mix of originals and 60s-90s rock covers by this local quintet.

Nightspots
Observer Editor

Spiraling Suns

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Local band that plays heavy, melodic guitar-driven rock spiced with progressive and metal elements. Openers: Media Panic, a Detroit-area old-school punk band formerly known as The DDTs, and the local rock band Tin Guns.

Nightspots

Raynes

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Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

Sophisticated, irresistibly catchy folk-pop reminiscent of the Lumineers and Mumford & Sons by this British-American trio of singer-guitarists known for its intricate vocal harmonies, poetic lyrics, and unique instrumentation. $24.

Nightspots

“MixPlates”

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Ann Arbor Funhouse 207 E. Washington., Ann Arbor

Every Thurs., except Aug. 27: “MixPlates.” With Ryan Cady and other DJs TBA.

Nightspots

Los Drogas

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Ann Arbor Funhouse 207 E. Washington., Ann Arbor

Ypsi proto-punk power trio. Openers: So Say We All (see Hear.Say) and Hard Candy, a local rock band fronted by Spark vocalist Robin Grant.

Nightspots

The Pherotones

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Last Word 301 W. Huron, Ann Arbor

A wide range of jazz and jazzed-up popular music, from the 1920s to the present, by this all-star local quintet. With trumpeter Ross Huff, pianist Giancarlo Aversa, bassist Brennan Andes, violinist Jordan Adema, and drummer Wes Fritzemeier.