Events for August 19, 2026
81st Manchester Community Fair
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) 260–1019, [email protected].
Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library
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.
“Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History
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.
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
Every Sat., Fri., & Wed. All invited to play one of 200 songs, with melodies transcribed in numbers, on the 17-bell chime’s numbered keys. Ambitious players can add chords. Kids welcome. 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.) & noon–12:30 p.m. (Wed. & Fri.). Free. [email protected].
“Southern Rapture”: PTD Productions
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.
“Come As You Are” Memory Café
Memory Cafés are comfortable social gatherings in dementia friendly venues that allow people
experiencing memory loss and a loved one to connect, socialize, and build new support networks. Cafés are free and all are welcome.
“Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
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.
Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory
Every Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play both casual and tournament forms of the collectible card game MTG.
Wed. & Sat. (5 p.m.): “Commander.” A drop-in session of the most popular form of the game. Free.
Wed. (6 p.m.): “Pauper.” A fun and fast format for all skill levels, three rounds. $5.
Wed. (6:30 p.m.): “Standard.” Three rounds, with competitive tournament rules, prizes of store credit. $10.
Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Friday Night Draft.” Cost and format vary.
Various times, 2459 W. Stadium. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.
Game Night: Sylvan Factory
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.
“West Side Nite Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
Every Wed. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 10 to 30 miles, along the B2B Trail to Hudson Mills Metropark and/or Dexter-Huron Metropark with a possible visit to the Dexter Dairy Queen. This ride is a favorite with newcomers and casual riders. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 5 p.m. sharp, meet at Forest Lawn Cemetery parking lot, corner of Broad & Grand, Dexter. Free. (734) 426–5116.
Ypsi Fine Arts Club: Riverside Arts Center
Aug. 5 & 19. All invited to this creative gathering where artists show 1 or 2 pieces of their work, some of which may be for sale. Participation not required. 5–6:30 p.m., 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Free. (734) 480–2787, riversidearts.org/events.
Food Truck Rally: Ann Arbor Farmers Market
Fourteen food vendors with live music performed by Bob Hoot, the veteran alt-country and rock singer-songwriter, and community group tabling. 5–8 p.m. Free admission. a2gov.org/market.
Board Game Night: Bløm Mead + Cider
Every Wed. All invited to play popular board games. Use provided games or bring your own. 5–10 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729, drinkblom.com/events.
Ukulele Jake
Ann Arbor-bred, NYC-based ukulele player and stand-up comic known for his up-beat and entertaining live shows. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.
“Community Table”: The Washtenaw Food Hub
Every Wed. Food- and agriculture-related discussions and demos.
Aug. 5: “Botanical Bath Bombs.” $5.
Aug. 12: “Stitch & Sip.” Bring a textile project to work on. Free.
Aug. 19: “Sourdough Basics.” Free.
Aug. 26: “Brew’d: Apple & Pear Bug.” Make a wild-fermented brew starter, with samples & recipes. $7.
6–7 p.m., 4175 Whitmore Lake Rd. Cost varies. Preregistration required for all events at tinyurl.com/a2-foodhub. thewashtenawfoodhub.com.
U-M Field Hockey
Exhibition match vs. Northwestern. The U-M also has a home exhibition match this month against MSU (Aug. 19, 6 p.m.). Noon, Ocker Field, 1202 S. State. Free. (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com.
“Handmade Felt Food: Apples”: Ann Arbor District Library
Craft activity for adults & teens. 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Traverwood. Free. (734) 327–4200.
Drop-in Knitting: Spun
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.
“A2 Crokinole Club”: Lowertown Bar & Cafe
Every Wed. All invited to play this century-old Canadian disc game played on a circular hardwood board. Players flick discs across concentric scoring rings. All skill levels welcome; boards provided. On the patio, weather permitting. 6–8 p.m., 1031 Broadway. Free. lowertowna2.com/events.
Group Runs: A2 Runners
Every Mon. & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a beginner or advanced 3- to 5-mile group run, followed by socializing at a downtown coffee shop. 6:30 p.m., meet at the Kerrytown Clock Tower. Preregistration requested at meetup.com/a2runners. Free. [email protected].
“Summer Stress”: Ann Arbor Bonsai Society Monthly Meeting
Wyrdwood Bonsai (Lexington, KY) owner David Cutchin discusses how heat affects bonsai. 6:30–9 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, rm. 125, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free; metered parking. [email protected], annarborbonsaisociety.org/events.
Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet
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.
“Quakers: Who Are We?”: Ann Arbor Friends Meeting
Aug. 5 & 19. A small group of local Quakers discusses their beliefs and answers questions about Quakerism, conscientious objection to war, and other topics. 7–8 p.m., Friends Meeting House, corner rm., 1420 Hill. Free. annarborfriends.org.
“My Neighbor Totoro”: Michigan Theater
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. 19 & 22: “My Neighbor Totoro” (Hayao Miyazaki, 1988). Acclaimed Japanese anime tale about two girls who move to the countryside and befriend strange and delightful nature spirits. Japanese, subtitles, 7 p.m. (Wed.) & dubbed, 11 a.m. (Sat.).
“Craft & Chat”: Pittsfield Union Grange
All invited to work on their knitting, crocheting, and other craft projects together. 7–9 p.m., 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd., use back door. Free. (734) 274–0773.
Deep Steam
Ypsilanti quartet that plays jazz, rock, and soul covers, along with some originals.
Earthwork Music Collective
With performances by Michigan singer-songwriters TBA. 7–10 p.m. $25.
Ann Arbor Bridge Club
Every Wed., except Aug. 26. All invited to play friendly, competitive ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Arrive 20 minutes early if coming without a partner. Call before coming to check that the game is being held. 7–10:30 p.m., Walden Hills clubhouse, 2114 Pauline (park in marked spaces in the lot on the north side of Pauline). $6 per person. (734) 945–6021.
Third Coast Swing
Veteran Ludington trio that specializes in swing-era Gypsy jazz.
“Wednesday Night Swing”: Swing Ann Arbor
Every Wed. Lindy Hop, East Coast swing, Charleston, and Balboa dancing to recorded music. No partner needed. Wear comfortable low-grip shoes. Preceded at 6:30 p.m. by a free beginner lesson. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Michigan League Vandenberg Rm. (Aug. 5 & 12), Michigan Union Anderson ABCD Rm. (Aug. 19), and outside location TBA at swingannarbor.com (Aug. 26). $5 (free for members and lesson attendees) at the door.
David Goyette
Detroit-area folk-rock singer-guitarist.
Chastity Brown
Acclaimed Minneapolis-based Americana singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who cites James Baldwin and Carson McCullers as prime influences. The Billings Gazette calls her “a banjo-playing soul singer, a harmonica-blowing gospel belter, piano-pounding blues woman.” $29.