Free
Observer Editor

Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet

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Every Sun., Tues., & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different locations. Rain or shine. Dozer Coffee (8 a.m. Sun. & 7 a.m. Tues.), 112 Jackson Plz., (734) 929–9022 & Fleet Feet (7 p.m. Wed.), 123 E. Liberty, (734) 769–5016. Free. fleetfeetsemichigan.com.

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

Letterpress Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library

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Aug. 8, 11, 18, & 29 (different times). A chance for adults to learn the basics of printing with movable type. Noon–2 p.m. (Aug. 8), 5–7 p.m. (Aug. 11 & 18), and 1–3 p.m. (Aug. 29), AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.

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].

Free
Observer Editor

Ann Arbor Area Scrabble Club

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Every Tues. All invited to play the classic word game, using the 5th-edition Scrabble dictionary. Bring your own set, if you like. 3:30–8 p.m., Arbor Brewing Company Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsi. Free. meetup.com/ann-arbor-scrabble-meetup. [email protected].

Free
Observer Editor

“Parker Mill Tour”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission

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Aug. 5 & 18. All invited to tour the historical cabin and learn about the Parker family’s daily life in the 19th century. Activities for all ages. 4–7 p.m., Parker Mill County Park, 4650 Geddes. Free. tinyurl.com/wcparc-summer2026.

Free
Observer Editor

Game Night: Sylvan Factory

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Every Tues. All invited to play one of a selection of board games, assemble a puzzle, paint miniatures, or try a tabletop role-playing game, all in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Also, at 6 p.m., RPG One Shots, introductory games of different tabletop role-playing games perfect for beginners, finished after one session (see website for this week’s game, preregistration strongly encouraged at sylvanfactory.square.site). 5 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

Nightspots

Easy Street Jazz Band

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Zal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor

Early jazz classics from Scott Joplin and Bessie Smith to Louis Armstrong and beyond by this veteran local septet led by trombonist Terry Kimura.

Observer Editor

81st Manchester Community Fair

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Aug. 18–22. Midway rides (Wed.Sat.), carnival games, concessions, livestock shows, live music, beer tent, and more. Special events include an opening parade (Aug. 18, 6:30 p.m.), classic & antique tractor pulls (Aug. 19, noon & 4 p.m.), pro wrestling by Insane Wrestling Revolution (Aug. 19, 7 p.m.), a Bump and Run Demolition Derby (Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m.), a cornhole competition (Aug. 21, 6 p.m.), and bull riding & rodeo (Aug. 22, 7 p.m.). For complete schedule, see manchesterfair.org. 5–10 p.m. (Tues.), 10 a.m.–10 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), & 3–10 p.m. (Fri.), Alumni Memorial Field, Vernon & Wolverine, Manchester. Admission: Tues., $5; Wed., Thurs., & Sat., $10 (Sat. before noon, $5); Fri., free. Kids age 5 & under, free. (734) 2601019, [email protected].

Free
Observer Editor

“Dog and Suds Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society

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Every Tues. Moderate-paced ride, 20 to 30 miles, along the less-traveled roads west and north of Chelsea. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 6 p.m. sharp, meet at Aberdeen Bike and Outdoors, 1101 Main, Chelsea. Start location occasionally changes. Free. (734) 662–0205.

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. 

Observer Editor

Tuesday Night Workouts: Ann Arbor Track Club

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Every Tues. Runners of all skill levels ages 14 & up invited to participate in short, intense interval workouts. Arrive at 6:20 p.m. to warm up. 6:30 p.m., Ferry Field, 1150 S. State. Visitors free; $30/year membership for regular participants. Preregistration required at aatrackclub.org/interval-workouts. 

Observer Editor

“Sullivan’s Travels”: 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. 18: “Sullivan’s Travels” (Preston Sturges, 1941). Masterful comedy-drama, a satire of the film industry, about a Hollywood director who longs to make a socially relevant drama and sets out to live as a tramp to gain life experience. Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake. 7 p.m.

Observer Editor

“Trivia with Terry!”: Argus Farm Stop

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Aug. 4 & 18. All invited to form teams to answer wacky trivia questions from this longtime Aut Bar trivia night emcee. 7–8:30 p.m., 1200 Packard. Free; food & drink for sale. (734) 997–5448.

Free
Observer Editor

French Canadian Music Session: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance

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All musicians invited to bring acoustic instruments to trade tunes and play the dance music of French Canada: jigs, reels, waltzes, and so-called “crooked” tunes from Quebec, Acadia, and the Métis traditions. Knowledge of French not required. 7–9 p.m., Pittsfield Twp. bldg., Morris Hall, 6201 W. Michigan Ave. Free. [email protected], aactmad.org/french-canadian-session.

Free
Observer Editor

Polka Jam Session: American Legion Hall

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All accordion players and other musicians invited to play polkas and waltzes and other ethnic and old-time music. 7–9 p.m., 44 Wabash (south off Main), Milan. Free.

Nightspots

Open Mic.

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Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

All acoustic musicians invited. Hosted by singer-songwriter Phil McMillion.

Donation
Observer Editor

Tuesday English Country Dance: Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance

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Every Tues. Historical and traditional English dancing to live music. All dances taught and prompted; no complicated steps, and no partner or experience needed. Bring clean, flat, nonslip shoes. First-timers asked to arrive at 6:45 p.m. 7–9:30 p.m., Concourse Hall, 4531 Concourse. Suggested donation $8–$12 (students, $4; kids age 13 & under with caregiver, free). (734) 665–7704, aactmad.org/english-country.

Free
Observer Editor

Women’s A Cappella Chorus Rehearsal: Voices in Harmony

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Every Tues. Women singers invited to join a rehearsal of this local 40-member a cappella barbershop harmony chorus. 7–9:30 p.m., UAW Local 898, 8975 Textile, Ypsi. Free to visitors (dues for those who join). (734) 765–3611, [email protected], voicesinharmonychorus.org.

Nightspots

Devon Allman

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Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

Jam-oriented blues-rock ensemble led by singer-songwriter and guitarist Allman, the son of Southern rock legend Gregg Allman. His most recent album, The Blues Summit, is a rollicking collection of originals and blues classics recorded with blues greats Larry McCray, Jimmy Hall, and Sierra Green that Americana Highways calls “a masterful climb to the top of Blues Mountain.” $40.