Observer Editor
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Creative Washtenaw Event
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August 4, 2025
“Independence Lake Gravel Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
Observer Editor
Every Mon. Slow/moderate-paced 23-mile ride to Independence Lake on mostly dirt roads. See aabts.org for weather cancellations or delays. 9 a.m. sharp, meet at Old St. Patrick Catholic Church, 5671 Whitmore Lake Rd. Free. (412) 302–9960.
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“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
Observer Editor
Every Mon.–Sun. All age 6 and up invited into the museum’s Nature Lab and Micro Worlds Lab to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478.
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Drop-In Knitting: Spun
Observer Editor
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.), Spun, 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.
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Group Ride: Ann Arbor Velo Club
Observer Editor
Every Mon. Moderate-paced 20-mile ride to Dexter and back, often with a rest stop along the way. Riders must wear a helmet and bring water and supplies to fix a flat tire. 6 p.m. (nonmembers must come 10 minutes early to sign a club waiver), Barton Nature Area. 1010 W. Huron River Dr. Free. annarborveloclub.org
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Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company (AARC)
Observer Editor
Every Sat., Mon., Tues., & Thurs. (different AARC locations). Runners of all abilities invited to join a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.), a 5K mapped route (Mon. & Thurs.), or an interval-based training run (Tues.). 7 a.m. (Sat.) & 6 p.m. (Tues.), AARC Downtown, 209 S. Ashley; 6 p.m. (Mon.), Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsilanti; & 6 p.m. (Thurs.), AARC Colonnade, 901 W. Eisenhower. Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.
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Sewing Lab: Ann Arbor District Library
Observer Editor
Aug. 4 & 18. All invited to get basic sewing help with unfinished projects or learn how to use the AADL sewing machines. Bring your own sewing machine, if you wish. No experience necessary. Also, sewing instructor Rae Hoekstra discusses shirring (Aug. 4) and local crafter Amber Adams-Fall demonstrates flat felled seams (Aug. 18). 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Group Runs: A2 Runners
Observer Editor
Every Sun., 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. Noon (Sun.) and 6:30 p.m. (Mon. & Wed.), meet at the Kerrytown clock tower. Preregistration requested at.meetup.com/a2runners. Free. [email protected].
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Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory
Observer Editor
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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“Sunset Boulevard”: Fathom Entertainment
Observer Editor
Fathom Entertainment. (734) 973–8424 (Ann Arbor 20), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter, Ypsilanti) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline), various times.
Aug. 3 & 4: “Sunset Boulevard” (Billy Wilder, 1950). Noir classic about an aging silent-film star who’s always ready for her close-up. Gloria Swanson, William Holden. 4 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. (Sun.) & 7 p.m. (Mon.).
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“That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon”: Booksweet Bookshop Romance Book Club
Observer Editor
All invited to discuss Kimberly Lemming’s 2021 light-hearted romance about an ordinary woman who gets involved with a demon on a quest to kill a witch who’s enslaving his people. 7–8 p.m., Booksweet, Courtyard Shops, 1729 Plymouth Rd. Free. Preregistration requested at shopbooksweet.com.
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Opera on Tap
Observer Editor
Local singers perform arias and art songs. Tonight’s theme: “Out of the Fire …” highlights songs by characters who get themselves into trouble, only to make things worse. 7:30 p.m. (seating begins at 6 p.m.), 734 Brewing Company, 15 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti. Free; donations accepted. Buy your own food & drink. Reservations required at bit.ly/operaontapreservations or email [email protected]. (734) 678–2782.
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Paranormal Cirque: Cirque Italia
Observer Editor
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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Tartan and Thistle Scottish Country Dancers
Observer Editor
Every Mon. Learn to dance jigs, reels, and strathspeys. All dances taught. Usually with live music by Susie Lorand, Josh Burdick, and friends. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Call for location (west of Dexter). Free in summer. (734) 474–7299, (734) 274–0773.
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Comedy Show: The Blind Pig
Observer Editor
Every Mon. Performances from up to 15 aspiring stand-up comics from around the state. Local comics emcee. Age 21 and up only. Free candy. 8–9:30 p.m., the Blind Pig, 208 S. First St. Free. (734) 996–8555.
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Looking for live music tonight?
Visit our Nightspots listing.
August 4, 2025
“Independence Lake Gravel Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
Observer Editor
Every Mon. Slow/moderate-paced 23-mile ride to Independence Lake on mostly dirt roads. See aabts.org for weather cancellations or delays. 9 a.m. sharp, meet at Old St. Patrick Catholic Church, 5671 Whitmore Lake Rd. Free. (412) 302–9960.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
Observer Editor
Every Mon.–Sun. All age 6 and up invited into the museum’s Nature Lab and Micro Worlds Lab to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Drop-In Knitting: Spun
Observer Editor
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.), Spun, 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Group Ride: Ann Arbor Velo Club
Observer Editor
Every Mon. Moderate-paced 20-mile ride to Dexter and back, often with a rest stop along the way. Riders must wear a helmet and bring water and supplies to fix a flat tire. 6 p.m. (nonmembers must come 10 minutes early to sign a club waiver), Barton Nature Area. 1010 W. Huron River Dr. Free. annarborveloclub.org
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company (AARC)
Observer Editor
Every Sat., Mon., Tues., & Thurs. (different AARC locations). Runners of all abilities invited to join a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.), a 5K mapped route (Mon. & Thurs.), or an interval-based training run (Tues.). 7 a.m. (Sat.) & 6 p.m. (Tues.), AARC Downtown, 209 S. Ashley; 6 p.m. (Mon.), Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsilanti; & 6 p.m. (Thurs.), AARC Colonnade, 901 W. Eisenhower. Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.
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Sewing Lab: Ann Arbor District Library
Observer Editor
Aug. 4 & 18. All invited to get basic sewing help with unfinished projects or learn how to use the AADL sewing machines. Bring your own sewing machine, if you wish. No experience necessary. Also, sewing instructor Rae Hoekstra discusses shirring (Aug. 4) and local crafter Amber Adams-Fall demonstrates flat felled seams (Aug. 18). 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Group Runs: A2 Runners
Observer Editor
Every Sun., 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. Noon (Sun.) and 6:30 p.m. (Mon. & Wed.), meet at the Kerrytown clock tower. Preregistration requested at.meetup.com/a2runners. Free. [email protected].
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory
Observer Editor
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.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Sunset Boulevard”: Fathom Entertainment
Observer Editor
Fathom Entertainment. (734) 973–8424 (Ann Arbor 20), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter, Ypsilanti) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline), various times.
Aug. 3 & 4: “Sunset Boulevard” (Billy Wilder, 1950). Noir classic about an aging silent-film star who’s always ready for her close-up. Gloria Swanson, William Holden. 4 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. (Sun.) & 7 p.m. (Mon.).
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon”: Booksweet Bookshop Romance Book Club
Observer Editor
All invited to discuss Kimberly Lemming’s 2021 light-hearted romance about an ordinary woman who gets involved with a demon on a quest to kill a witch who’s enslaving his people. 7–8 p.m., Booksweet, Courtyard Shops, 1729 Plymouth Rd. Free. Preregistration requested at shopbooksweet.com.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Opera on Tap
Observer Editor
Local singers perform arias and art songs. Tonight’s theme: “Out of the Fire …” highlights songs by characters who get themselves into trouble, only to make things worse. 7:30 p.m. (seating begins at 6 p.m.), 734 Brewing Company, 15 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti. Free; donations accepted. Buy your own food & drink. Reservations required at bit.ly/operaontapreservations or email [email protected]. (734) 678–2782.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Paranormal Cirque: Cirque Italia
Observer Editor
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.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Tartan and Thistle Scottish Country Dancers
Observer Editor
Every Mon. Learn to dance jigs, reels, and strathspeys. All dances taught. Usually with live music by Susie Lorand, Josh Burdick, and friends. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Call for location (west of Dexter). Free in summer. (734) 474–7299, (734) 274–0773.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Comedy Show: The Blind Pig
Observer Editor
Every Mon. Performances from up to 15 aspiring stand-up comics from around the state. Local comics emcee. Age 21 and up only. Free candy. 8–9:30 p.m., the Blind Pig, 208 S. First St. Free. (734) 996–8555.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal