All 12 & older invited to this nature walk to learn about local plants and plant communities, led by ecologists Manuel Anderson and Jacqueline Courteau. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes. 10 a.m.–noon, Hudson Mills Metropark, 8801 North Territorial, Dexter. Metroparks pass or $10 vehicle entry fee. Space limited; preregistration requested at tinyurl.com/3b57fa3u. [email protected].

Aug. 22–23. Display of more than 100 bonsai grown by club members. Also, a demo by Wyrdwood Bonsai (Lexington, KY) owner David Cutchin, other bonsai demos, expert advice, and a sale of bonsai materials and accessories. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Admission $3. Metered parking. (734) 647–7600, [email protected], mbgna.umich.edu.

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].

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.).

Classic monster truck action featuring giant mechanical beasts, each weighing up to 15,000 pounds with 2,000 horsepower, competing against one another on a dirt track, crushing cars, and performing aerial stunts. Also, a quad bike race and a Powerwheel race for kids 3–9 (preregistration & parental supervision required). A pre-rally Pit Party (VIP tickets for an additional $10 fee required) beginning 2 hours before each show offers a chance to ride in a monster truck and meet the drivers. Food and beverage for sale (cash only). Hearing protection strongly recommended. Noon & 6 p.m., Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Tickets $30 (VIP, $40; Pit Party add-on, $5; kids 3–12, $15; kids 2 & under, free) at monstertrucks.fun or (if available) at the gate. (480) 881–2375.

Every Sat. & Sun. and Fri. Aug. 7 & 21. On Sat. and Sun., conservancy staffers present and give insights into some animals with superpowers, including an African crested porcupine, a three-banded armadillo, and a frilled dragon at 1 & 4 p.m., and an animal keeper shows a Gila monster at 2 & 3 p.m. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show all four animals at 7:30 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. Noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) & 7–9 p.m. (Fri.), 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 (kids ages 2–12, $13; under age 2, free) cash or credit at the door only. (734) 929–9324, thecreatureconservancy.org.

Aug. 22 & 23. Guided tours of this sanctuary for around 200 rescued farm animals. 12:30–2:30 p.m., $25 (kids age 5–10, $10; kids under 5, free), requested donation, preregistration required. 17901 Mahrle, Manchester. (734) 218–8897, [email protected], sashafarm.org.

All invited to join this drop-in crafting event to make small quilt-inspired collages using fabric scraps, patterned paper, and other media. Led by artists and sisters DaJaniere and Gyona Rice who have an exhibit at the A2AC this month (see Galleries). Supplies provided. No sewing experience necessary. Age 12 & under must be accompanied by an adult. 1–4 p.m., 117 W. Liberty. $15 (one project) at the front desk only. Space limited; no preregistration. (734) 994–8004.  

Aug. 4, 8, 15, 22, & 29. All age 16 & up invited to learn about and participate in improv games in a fun, relaxed, and judgment-free setting. No experience necessary. The Aug. 15 meeting is followed by an hour-long skills session discussing and practicing a specific improv skill. 7–9 p.m. (Tues.) & 2–4 p.m. (Sat.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $8 (with skills session, $15) in advance via PayPal or Venmo linked from meetup.com/ypsi-improv or in cash at the door.

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.

(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events & at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

Aug. 22–26: “Castle in the Sky” (Hayao Miyazaki, 1986). Dubbed (Sat., Sun., & Wed.) and subtitled (Mon. & Tues.) screenings of this classic Studio Ghibli anime film about 2 children racing to find a flying castle. 4 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) and 7 p.m. (Mon.–Wed.).

Aug. 22-23. The U.S. Senior Women’s Open, a USGA national championship, hosts a field of 120 of the best women players age 50 and over on the club’s 1922 Donald Ross layout. 4–7 p.m. (Sat.) & 10 a.m.–11:30 p.m. (Sun.), Barton Hills Country Club, 730 Country Club Rd. Tickets TBA at championships.usga.org. 

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.

Match vs. Loyola Chicago. Exhibition game. The U-M has regular season home games this month against Xavier (Aug. 22, 5 p.m.) and Notre Dame (Aug. 27, 7 p.m., $11–$13). 3 p.m., U-M Soccer Stadium, 2250 S. State. $9–$11 (groups of 10 or more, $3 per person; kids 5 & under, free). Exhibition games, free. (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com.

Craft sale and “family-friendly rave,” with vendors selling art, clothing, and more. Also, food trucks, live art demonstrations, kids activities, a silent disco, and live music TBA. Neon-themed costumes encouraged. 5–11 p.m., Washtenaw Farm Council grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. Tickets $5 (kids 10 and under, free) at the gate. onestopsoulshop.com.

Two roller derby games featuring A2RD travel & local teams vs. Downriver Dolls (Woodhaven) & another visiting team TBA. Food trucks, concessions, & merchandise available. 5:30 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.), Buhr Park Ice Rink, 2751 Packard. Tickets $18 at the door or online at a2rollerderby.com. Kids age 12 & under, free with paying adult (limit 3 kids per adult).

Classic monster truck action featuring giant mechanical beasts, each weighing up to 15,000 pounds with 2,000 horsepower, competing against one another on a dirt track, crushing cars, and performing aerial stunts. Also, a quad bike race and a Powerwheel race for kids 3–9 (preregistration & parental supervision required). A pre-rally Pit Party (VIP tickets for an additional $10 fee required) beginning 2 hours before each show offers a chance to ride in a monster truck and meet the drivers. Food and beverage for sale (cash only). Hearing protection strongly recommended. Noon & 6 p.m., Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Tickets $30 (VIP, $40; Pit Party add-on, $5; kids 3–12, $15; kids 2 & under, free) at monstertrucks.fun or (if available) at the gate. (480) 881–2375.

Dinner served while actors masquerading as fellow diners enact a comical murder mystery in which audience members may find themselves prime suspects. 6–9 p.m., Ann Arbor Marriott, 1275 S. Huron St., Ypsi. $75 includes gratuity. Preregistration required at thedinnerdetective.com. (866) 496–0535.

Aug. 8 & 22. All invited—including artists & photographers—to experience the farm and its animals during the evening. Other attractions open; food for sale. 6–9:30 p.m., 3001 Earhart. $8 (seniors, $5.50; kids under 2, free). pettingfarm.com.

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. 22: NT Live: “Les Liaisons Dangereuses.” Broadcast of a taped National Theatre (London) production of Christopher Hampton’s adaptation of the 18th-century Pierre Choderlos de Laclos novel. It’s an exposé of the decadent and manipulative world of French aristocracy, centering on the machinations of two amoral ex-lovers, played by Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner. 7 p.m.

Aug. 21 & 22. A frequent guest on late-night TV, this West Coast comic is known for his engaging personality, expressive face, improv skills, playfully challenging and sparring with his audience, and hilarious railings on all things moronic, including himself. Pardo’s shows often sell out. Opening act TBA. 7:15 p.m., 212 S. Fourth Ave. $25 at aacomedy.com & (if available) at the door. Special engagement; no passes, discounts or coupons accepted. (734) 996–9080.

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.

Game show–style performance by experienced improvisers responding to prompts and challenges. 7:30–8:30 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $10 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $12 at the door. 

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.

Aug. 7–22. 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 project—a 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.

Every Sat. Rotating lineup of two local improv troupes. 8:30 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $10 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $12 (if available) at the door.