Calendar

Observer Editor

Every Tues.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages, including the new T. Rex (2 p.m.), an exploration of the iconic dinosaur’s  scientific and cinematic history that contains scenes of dinosaur violence. Also, Sea Monsters (noon) follows a curious dolichorhynchops (an extinct species of marine reptile) as she travels through the most dangerous oceans in history. The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.) is an exploration of the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. $8 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.

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Observer Editor

Michigan Theater. Film screenings every day. Tickets $10.50 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 and older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar. 

Aug. 2 & 6: “Porco Rosso” (Hayao Miyazaki, 1992). Studio Ghibli anime adventure comedy about an Italian WWI ex-fighter ace, living as a freelance bounty hunter after being transformed into an anthropomorphic pig. 1:30 p.m. (Sat.) & 7 p.m. (Wed.).

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Every Wed.–Sun., June 20–Aug. 31. Rhiannon Ragland directs the premiere of Michigan actor-playwright Matt Letscher’s comedy about 4 pets in a veterinarian’s waiting room who plan an escape when they begin to suspect one of them is in danger. Adult language and subject matter. 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sat., Wed., & Thurs.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $45.15 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org and (734) 433–7673, and (if available) at the door. Discounts available.

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Every Fri.–Sun., Aug. 1–24. Briana O’Neal directs the premiere of local playwright David Wells’s play, based on a true story, about the connection between an American college professor and an Iraqi man. When the professor’s TED Talk on empathy goes viral, he meets virtually an Iraqi man who becomes a fixture in his online classroom. When the brutality of the U.S.-led invasion hits the Iraqi man directly, the professor is forced to explore radical empathy in earnest. 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sat.), and 2 p.m. (Sun.). Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $30 (age 65 and older, $25; students with ID, $15 at the door) in advance at theatrenova.org & at the door. (734) 635–8450.  

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Observer Editor

Michigan Theater. Film screenings every day. Tickets $10.50 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 and older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar. 

Aug. 1–3: “CatVideoFest” (various directors, 2025). Compilation of funny and cute online cat videos. A portion of proceeds goes to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. 7 p.m. (Fri.) & 4:30 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.). 

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Every Mon.–Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play both casual and tournament forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering (MTG). Mon. (6:30 p.m.): Just Another Modern Monday. Three rounds using powerful cards, for experienced players, with prizes. $10. Tues. (6:30 p.m.): MTG Pauper. A fun and fast format for all skill levels, three rounds. $5. Wed. (5 p.m.): Casual Commander. A drop-in session of the most popular form of the game. Free. Wed. (6:30 p.m.): MTG Standard Showdown. Three rounds, with competitive tournament rules, prizes of store credit. $10. Fri. (6:30 p.m.): Friday Night Magic. Cost and format vary. Sat. (5 p.m.): Casual Commander Night.  A drop-in session of the most popular form of the game. Free. Various times, Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. Various costs. sylvanfactory.com, (734) 929–5877.

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Aug. 1–4 Racy circus/cabaret show of international contortionists, aerialists, jugglers, and acrobats who perform an array of acts, many of which involve tight ropes, planks, nets, and more under a big tent. Age 13 and up admitted; under age 17 requires accompanying adult. 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Mon.), 6:30 & 9:30 p.m. (Sat.), and 5:30 & 8:30 p.m. (Sun.), Briarwood Mall parking lot, 100 Briarwood Cir. Tickets $20–$65 in advance at black.cirqueitalia.com & at the gate.

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July 31–Aug. 3. Brynn Arnall and Melissa Stewart direct local actors in Nell Benjamin & Laurence O’Keefe’s 2007 musical based on the 2001 movie about a bubbly blonde sorority girl who enrolls in Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend. She defies expectations by using her legal knowledge and intelligence to help others. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) and 1 p.m. (Sun.), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 N. University Ave. Tickets: $22 ($20, students and seniors) at horizonpa.yapsody.com and at the door.

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Aug. 1 & 2. Veteran, suit-wearing, stand-up comic whose act is a quick-witted blend of topical, political, and observational humor. Opening act TBA. Alcohol served. 7:15 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 at aacomedy.com and (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.

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Every Sat. Two shows by house teams of experienced improvisers. Improv Show (7:30–8:30 p.m.) features  a rotating team each week, and a new House Team (8:30–10 p.m.) creates characters and a world in a location suggested by the audience. 7:30 & 8:30 p.m., HSBT, 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events or $18 (if available) at the door for one show. $20 ($25 at the door) for both shows. [email protected]. 

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Every Wed.–Sun., June 20–Aug. 31. Rhiannon Ragland directs the premiere of Michigan actor-playwright Matt Letscher’s comedy about 4 pets in a veterinarian’s waiting room who plan an escape when they begin to suspect one of them is in danger. Adult language and subject matter. 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sat., Wed., & Thurs.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $45.15 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org and (734) 433–7673, and (if available) at the door. Discounts available.

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Observer Editor

Every Fri.–Sun., Aug. 1–24. Briana O’Neal directs the premiere of local playwright David Wells’s play, based on a true story, about the connection between an American college professor and an Iraqi man. When the professor’s TED Talk on empathy goes viral, he meets virtually an Iraqi man who becomes a fixture in his online classroom. When the brutality of the U.S.-led invasion hits the Iraqi man directly, the professor is forced to explore radical empathy in earnest. 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sat.), and 2 p.m. (Sun.). Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $30 (age 65 and older, $25; students with ID, $15 at the door) in advance at theatrenova.org & at the door. (734) 635–8450.  

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Every Sat. Two shows by house teams of experienced improvisers. Improv Show (7:30–8:30 p.m.) features  a rotating team each week, and a new House Team (8:30–10 p.m.) creates characters and a world in a location suggested by the audience. 7:30 & 8:30 p.m., HSBT, 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events or $18 (if available) at the door for one show. $20 ($25 at the door) for both shows. [email protected]. 

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Aug. 1–4 Racy circus/cabaret show of international contortionists, aerialists, jugglers, and acrobats who perform an array of acts, many of which involve tight ropes, planks, nets, and more under a big tent. Age 13 and up admitted; under age 17 requires accompanying adult. 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Mon.), 6:30 & 9:30 p.m. (Sat.), and 5:30 & 8:30 p.m. (Sun.), Briarwood Mall parking lot, 100 Briarwood Cir. Tickets $20–$65 in advance at black.cirqueitalia.com & at the gate.

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Aug. 1 & 2. Veteran, suit-wearing, stand-up comic whose act is a quick-witted blend of topical, political, and observational humor. Opening act TBA. Alcohol served. 7:15 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 at aacomedy.com and (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.

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