Observer Editor
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Events in May 2026
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June 1, 2026
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June 4, 2026
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May 2, 2026
Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company (AARC)
Observer Editor
Every Sat., Mon., & Thurs. (different AARC locations). Runners of all abilities invited to join a 5K mapped route (Mon. & Thurs.) or either a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.). AARC Traver Village (7 a.m. Sat.), 2621 Plymouth Rd.; Corner Brewery (6 p.m. Mon.), 720 Norris, Ypsi.; and AARC Colonnade (6 p.m. Thurs.), 901 W. Eisenhower. Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.
parkrun USA
Observer Editor
Every Sat. All invited to join a timed but noncompetitive 5K run/walk. 8 a.m., Lillie Park South or North (depending on weather conditions, check facebook.com/lillieparkrun for location), 4365 Platt. Free, but first-timers are requested to preregister at parkrun.us/lillie and arrive at 7:45 a.m. [email protected].
“BIPOC Walk in Saline”: Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance
“Dexter/Chelsea Saturday Morning Breakfast Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
Observer Editor
Every Sat. Moderate-paced ride, 20 miles or more, to Dexter and beyond. Pack something to eat or stop in Dexter or Chelsea for coffee or breakfast. Note: Riders should be prepared to take care of themselves on all AABTS rides. Carry a water bottle, a spare tire or tube, a pump, a cell phone, and snacks. See aabts.org for weather cancellations or delays. 9 a.m. sharp, meet at Barton Nature Area parking lot, W. Huron River Dr. near Bird Rd. Free. (734) 649–9762, [email protected].
Antique Appraisal Fundraiser: Dexter Heritage Guild & Museum
Observer Editor
All invited to bring items for assessment by a Detroit DuMouchelles auction house appraiser. Each 15-minute appointment includes a verbal appraisal of one to two items. Proceeds support the museum. 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m., 3443 Inverness, Dexter. $10 (cash or check) fee per item. Preregistration required by calling (734) 223–8001 before May 2 or (734) 426–2519 on May 2. dexterhistory.org.
Horse Show: Revel Run
Yard Sale & Cleanup Day: Pittsfield Township Historical Society Fundraiser
The Washtenaw County Democratic Party Monthly Meeting
Fiber Arts Drop-in: Riverside Arts Center
Spring Transfer Sled Pull: Michigan Tractor Pullers
Observer Editor
Tractor pull involving a variety of antique (10 a.m.) and modern (2 p.m.) farm vehicles as well as 4-wheel drive pickup truck classes. Registration for trucks starts at 8:30 a.m. Food for sale. 10 a.m., Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Spectators $5 ($25 hook fee for tractors and trucks) at the gate only. For more info, visit tinyurl.com/4w997mkm. (734) 646–5172, [email protected].
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
Observer Editor
Every Fri., Sat., & 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. Noon–12:30 p.m. (Fri. & Wed.) & 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.). Free. [email protected].
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
Observer Editor
Every Tues.–Sun. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. The newest program examines how Michigan animals get along with each other—or don’t. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
“Paper Paper Art Book Fair”: Cluster Museum
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
Observer Editor
Fri. May 1 & 15 and every Sat. & Sun. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show off some rescued animals, including a wolf hybrid, a reticulated python, a black vulture, and an axolotl at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. and Sun., conservancy staffers show off the first three animals 1 & 4 p.m., and an animal keeper shows the axolotl at 2 & 3 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 7–9 p.m. (Fri.) & Noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 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.
Critter House Open Hours: Leslie Science & Nature Center
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater
Observer Editor
Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Sea Monsters (noon) follows an intrepid Dolichorhynchops osborni (an extinct species of marine reptile) as she travels through the most dangerous oceans in history; The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.) explores the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own; and T. Rex (2 p.m.) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence). Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $8 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.
“Aviary Illuminated”: Aviary Aerial & Circus Arts
Observer Editor
Students and instructors from this local school showcase dance, pole dance, burlesque, aerial dance, and circus act routines. Parental discretion advised. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. 1 & 6 p.m., Aviary Studio, 2875 Boardwalk, ste. A. Tickets $29 in advance at a2aviary.com/upcoming-shows. Preregistration required. [email protected].
“Eugene Onegin”: Fathom Entertainment
Observer Editor
(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline).
May 2 & 6: “Eugene Onegin.” Live (Sat.) & prerecorded (Wed.) broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Tchaikovsky’s opera about a rash young man who rejects a naive country girl’s love, kills his best friend in a pointless duel, and lives to regret it. 1 p.m. $27 (Sat.) & $25 (Wed.).
“Cinderella Meet & Greet”: Skyline High School Theatre Program
Observer Editor
Young fans are invited to meet and have their photo taken with cast members of the Skyline production of Cinderella (see May 1 Events listing). Also, the chance to make a craft, have some sparkly face crystals applied, and take home a cookie. 1:30–3 p.m., Schuler Books, Westgate shopping center. $15 per child, in advance only by April 24 at a2skylinetheatre.ludus.com and at the door. (734) 994–6515. [email protected], skylinehstheatre.org.
“Rent”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company
Observer Editor
Thurs.–Sun., Apr. 9–May 3. Matt Bogart directs this local professional company in Jonathan Larson’s Tony- and Pulitzer Prize–winning 1996 musical, based on Puccini’s La Bohème, about an impoverished community of artists in the East Village living under the shadow of AIDS. It features an inventive rock score with intricate choral work and dexterous lyrics. Mature audiences only. 7 p.m. (today) & various times (see date), Thurs.–Sun., Encore Maas Main Stage, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $34–$65 in advance at theencoretheatre.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 268–6200.
“Murder on the Links”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
Observer Editor
Every Wed.–Sun., Apr. 2–May 31. David Bendena directs Steven Dietz’s 2023 farce, based on an Agatha Christie whodunit, in which eccentric Belgian detective Hercule Poirot’s newest client is discovered, dead, on a French golf course. A cast of 6 actors embody a plethora of suspects in this high-energy, comic adaptation. Adult language and subject matter. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 3 p.m. (Thurs., Sat., & Wed.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). PRT, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $31.50–$52.50 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org and (734) 433–7673, & (if available) at the door. Discounts available.
Pittsfield Open Band: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance
Observer Editor
May 2 & 16. Jam session open to all musicians interested in working on jigs, reels, and waltzes to have fun, learn tunes, and develop contra dance music skills. All instruments welcome. Bring the Ruffwater Fakebook, the Portland Collection, and the Waltz Books if you have them. 3–5 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Masking optional. Free. (734) 709–8748.
“Gouache Painting with Julian Bast”: Ann Arbor District Library
Wild Women’s Beltane Potluck: Pittsfield Township Parks & Recreation
Observer Editor
All who identify as women are invited to join this celebration of May Day, an ancient Celtic festival that marks the beginning of summer. Bring a dish to pass and a willingness to make new connections and share ideas and stories. 4–6 p.m., Marsh View Meadows Pavilion, 300 E. Textile, Saline. $10 (residents, $7). Preregistration required at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov.
Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory
Observer Editor
Every Tues., Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play both casual and tournament forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering (MTG).
Tues. (6:30 p.m.): “Pauper.” A fun and fast format for all skill levels, three rounds. $5.
Wed. & Sat. (5 p.m.): “Commander.” A drop-in session of the most popular form of the game. Free.
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.
9th Annual Derby Day Soirée: Ele’s Place Ann Arbor Fundraiser
Observer Editor
A Kentucky Derby celebration with a watch party, mint juleps, and Southern-inspired food. Also, a silent & live auction, a Derby wager raffle, and awards for best Derby wear. Followed by a Derby Dance Party. Ele’s Place is a local nonprofit that serves grieving children & teens and their families. 5:30–10:30 p.m., Revel Run, 555 S. Dancer, Chelsea. Tickets $275 & up in advance only at givebutter.com/derbydaysoiree2026.
Derby Day Soirée: Ele's Place Ann Arbor
Community Listing
The Derby Day Soirée is Ele’s Place Ann Arbor’s marquee fundraising and community-building event, bringing together supporters, partners, volunteers, and families to celebrate and sustain the organization’s mission of providing compassionate grief support to children, teens, and their families. The 2026 Derby Day Soirée represents one of the most important opportunities of the year to raise essential funds, deepen community understanding, and broaden engagement with Ele’s Place programs.
555 S. Dancer Rd. ,Chelsea, MI 48118. https://givebutter.com/derbydaysoiree2026 $275 per ticket with sponsorship opportunities available. [email protected] https://givebutter.com/derbydaysoiree2026 7346457333.Roller Derby Doubleheader: Ann Arbor Roller Derby
Observer Editor
Two roller derby bouts featuring local A2RD travel teams taking on teams from Detroit Roller Derby. Food trucks & concessions. 5:30 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.), Buhr Park Ice Rink, 2751 Packard. Tickets $18 (veterans & students, $15) in advance online at a2rollerderby.com and at the door. Kids age 12 & under, free with paying adult (limit 2 kids per adult).
“Aviary Illuminated”: Aviary Aerial & Circus Arts
Observer Editor
Students and instructors from this local school showcase dance, pole dance, burlesque, aerial dance, and circus act routines. Parental discretion advised. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. 1 & 6 p.m., Aviary Studio, 2875 Boardwalk, ste. A. Tickets $29 in advance at a2aviary.com/upcoming-shows. Preregistration required. [email protected].
“Alice in Wonderland”: Ballet Chelsea
Observer Editor
May 2 & 3. Artistic director Michelle Quenon leads this Chelsea-based company of young dancers ages 8–18 in Carl Davis’s popular ballet adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s novel, set to music by Tchaikovsky and featuring original choreography, costumes, and sets. 7 p.m. (Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Chelsea High School Auditorium, 740 N. Freer, Chelsea. $32 (kids & seniors, $27) in advance at ballet-chelsea.org/tickets and at the door.
“Chicago: Teen Edition”: Pioneer Theatre Guild
Observer Editor
Apr. 30–May 3. Pioneer High School students perform a kid-friendly adaptation of this 1975 musical, a satire on corruption in the criminal justice system and the “celebrity criminal” set in 1920s Chicago. Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse, whose style is strongly identified with the show. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), PHS Schreiber Auditorium, 610 W. Stadium. Tickets $20 (students, seniors age 65 & over, & PHS staff, $15) in advance showtix4u.com/events/ptg & (if available) at the door. (734) 994–2191.
“Cinderella”: Skyline High School Theatre Program
Observer Editor
May 1–3. Kristine Stephens directs Skyline students in a stage adaptation of this Rodgers & Hammerstein fairytale musical originally written for a 1957 TV broadcast starring Julie Andrews. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), SHS Theatre, 2552 N. Maple. Tickets $15 (seniors, students, & kids, $10) in advance at a2skylinetheatre.ludus.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 994–6515, [email protected].
“Guys and Dolls”: Greenhills Upper School Play
Observer Editor
Apr. 30–May 2. Gary Lehman directs Greenhills High School students in Frank Loesser’s iconic 1951 musical comedy, an adaptation of Damon Runyon’s vivid stories about gamblers and missionaries in 1930s New York City. The action focuses on 2 contrasting romances, one between a professional gambler and his long-suffering fiancée, a nightclub singer, and the other an unlikely affair between a high roller and a Salvation Army sister. The lively score includes such classics as “Luck Be a Lady,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” and “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat.” 7 p.m., Greenhills School Campbell Center for Performing Arts, 850 Greenhills. Free. (734) 769–4010, greenhillsschool.org.
“Rent”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company
Observer Editor
Thurs.–Sun., Apr. 9–May 3. Matt Bogart directs this local professional company in Jonathan Larson’s Tony- and Pulitzer Prize–winning 1996 musical, based on Puccini’s La Bohème, about an impoverished community of artists in the East Village living under the shadow of AIDS. It features an inventive rock score with intricate choral work and dexterous lyrics. Mature audiences only. 7 p.m. (today) & various times (see date), Thurs.–Sun., Encore Maas Main Stage, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $34–$65 in advance at theencoretheatre.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 268–6200.
“The Story of Everything”: Fathom Entertainment
Observer Editor
(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline).
Apr. 30–May 6: “The Story of Everything” (Eric Esau, 2026). Religious documentary that argues that the laws of nature point to intentional design. 7 p.m. (Cinemark only).
Jackie Flynn: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
Observer Editor
May 1 & 2. Popular comedy veteran known for sarcastic observational humor with an edge. A frequent guest on Conan O’Brien and other TV shows, he also appeared in the Farrelly brothers’ films There’s Something About Mary, Kingpin, and Me, Myself, & Irene. Opening acts TBA. 7:15 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $21 at aacomedy.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.
“Drum and Dance Jam”: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth
First Saturday Contra Dance: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance
Saturday Night Improv: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
Observer Editor
Every Sat. House team Destination Unknown improvises based on a scenario suggested by the audience. Two guest troupes open. Also, on May 2, Love Fools, an improvised dating show with a lineup of strange characters (7:30 p.m., $10; $20 double-header with 8:30 p.m. show). 8:30–9:45 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events, $18 (if available) at the door.
“Murder on the Links”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
Observer Editor
Every Wed.–Sun., Apr. 2–May 31. David Bendena directs Steven Dietz’s 2023 farce, based on an Agatha Christie whodunit, in which eccentric Belgian detective Hercule Poirot’s newest client is discovered, dead, on a French golf course. A cast of 6 actors embody a plethora of suspects in this high-energy, comic adaptation. Adult language and subject matter. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 3 p.m. (Thurs., Sat., & Wed.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). PRT, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $31.50–$52.50 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org and (734) 433–7673, & (if available) at the door. Discounts available.
Quest of Visions: The Best of Shiggins: The Regal Beagle
Community Listing
A2 townie Shiggins is hosting a show to celebrate the May 1st release of his album, "31 Days." Featured acts will include Kool Ade Kam & Beat Box Jake, Dirt Vonnegut, and Atlas the Kid & Micah tha Smith. Shiggins's music is primarily storytelling-driven hip hop, but he will also perform some lo fi singer/songwriter tracks and some EDM tracks from the album.
Regal Beagle Lounge, 817 E Michigan Ave, Yspilanti 48198 ,Ypsilanti. $10. [email protected]Jackie Flynn: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
Observer Editor
May 1 & 2. Popular comedy veteran known for sarcastic observational humor with an edge. A frequent guest on Conan O’Brien and other TV shows, he also appeared in the Farrelly brothers’ films There’s Something About Mary, Kingpin, and Me, Myself, & Irene. Opening acts TBA. 7:15 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $21 at aacomedy.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.