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Events in October 2022
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October 30, 2022
“Pickleball”: Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Every Wed.–Sun., Sept. 30–Dec. 17. Rhiannon Ragland directs the world premiere of actor-playwright (and Purple Rose founder) Jeff Daniels’ comedy about America’s fastest growing sport. Four below-average players try to overcome their own limitations to achieve greatness in a game that has nothing to do with pickles. Daniels’ wife became addicted to the game, which Daniels described in a 2021 interview as “half-court basketball for elderly people.” Cast: Ryan Carlson, Kate Thomsen, Lynch Travis, Jonathan West, and Caitlin Cavannaugh. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $34–$52 in advance at PurpleRoseTheatre.org and by phone, and (if available) at the door. Discounts available for students, seniors, teachers, military personnel, and groups. 433–7673.
“Science Forum Demos”: U-M Museum of Natural History.
Every Sat. & Sun. (except Oct. 9 & 23). Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for age 5+. “Shedding Light on Magnets” (11 a.m.) explores magnetism, magnetic fields, and what magnets have to do with cell phones. “Out of the Water and Back Again: A Whale’s Tale” (3 p.m.) explores the amazing evolutionary history of whales and other creatures. Various times, MNH, 1105 North University. Free. 764–0478.
Museum Highlight Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History.
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater.
Daily. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Expedition Reef (11:30 a.m.) reveals the secrets of coral reefs, the “rainforests of the sea” that are the Earth’s most vibrant and endangered marine ecosystems. The Sky Tonight (12:30 & 2:30 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. Tales of the Maya Skies (1:30 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics that enabled them to predict solstices, solar eclipses, weather patterns, and planetary movements. Various times, MNH, 1105 North University. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.
Volunteer Stewardship Workday: Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation Division.
Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 30. All invited to help maintain natural areas and remove invasive plants in various city parks. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes and bring heavy gloves; tools, snacks, & know-how provided. Minors must be accompanied by an adult or obtain a release form in advance. Oct. 1 (9 a.m.–noon): Buttonbush Nature Area, park entrance at the end of Hickory Point Dr. Oct. 1 (1–4 p.m.): Dhu Varren Nature Area, intersection of Birchwood Dr. and Dhu Varren Rd. Oct. 2 (9 a.m.–noon): Berkshire Creek Nature Area, end of Warwick Rd. off Glenwood, north of Washtenaw Ave. Oct. 2 (1–4 p.m.): Huron Parkway Nature Area, park steward’s house at 3470 Woodland Rd., off East Huron River Dr. Oct. 8 (9 a.m.–noon): Barton Nature Area, Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Dr. Oct. 9 (9 a.m.–noon): Bandemer Nature Area, parking lot at the end of Lake Shore Dr., off Main St. Oct. 15 (9 a.m.–noon): Redbud Nature Area, park entrance at the intersection of Parkwood Ave. and Jeanne St. Oct. 16 (9 a.m.–noon): Folkstone Park, park entrance at the north end of Folkstone Ct. Oct. 22 (9 a.m.–noon): Stapp Nature Area, meet at the park sign at the corner of Huron Parkway and Tuebingen Parkway. Oct. 23 (1–4 p.m.): Bird Hills Nature Area, Newport Rd. Parking lot entrance, just north of M-14. Oct. 30 (1–4 p.m.): Kuebler Langford Nature Area, meet at the park entrance on Beechwood Dr., north of Sunset Rd. Various times and locations. Free. Preregistration highly recommended. bit.ly/a2stewardworkday, 794–6627.
Halloween Event Derby Horse Show: Cobblestone Farms at Revel Run.
“Rescue Reading”: Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Every Sun. (10–11:30 a.m.). Kids read to adoptable animals to work on reading skills, using their own or provided books. Also, a group read-aloud and a dog meet-and-greet. For kids ages 6–11. No adults. HSHV, 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. $15. Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org, 661–3575.
“Ancient Wisdom. Modern Times”: Jewel Heart Tibetan Buddhist Center Sunday Talks.
Every Sun. Livestream talks by Jewel Heart resident spiritual advisor Demo Rinpoche, followed by a discussion facilitated by Jewel Heart staffers. Once a month, Demo Rinpoche presents a story from Jakata Tales, the Indian canon of 547 poems, dated 300 BC–400 AD, that concern the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form. The Oct. 2 topic is “The Prince from the Iron House,” a tale about enthusiasm for morality. 11 a.m., for URL preregister at bit.ly/jeweldharmatalk. Free. 994–3387.
“Halloween Parade and Spooky Fun!”: Kerrytown Market & Shops.
“Halloween Trick-or-Treating”: Main Street Area Association.
Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms.
Every Fri.–Sun., Sept. 18–Nov. 6. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits to allow for routes of various lengths. Also, a U-pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, yard games. Family Fun Day (Oct. 8) includes live music from the Saline Fiddlers. On Halloween Spooktacular Day (Oct. 30) costumes are encouraged. 5 p.m.–10 p.m. (Fri.), 11 a.m.–10 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–8 p.m. (Sun.), Nixon Farms, 6175 Daly Rd., Dexter. $12 (ages 5–12, $9; age 4 & under, free). BlastCornMaze.com.
Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards.
Every Sat. & Sun., Sept. 10–Oct. 30 and Wed.–Fri., Sept. 23–Oct. 28. A carnival atmosphere with a variety of family-oriented fall activities on this family farm. Wagon rides, a petting farm, a corn maze, and more. On Sat. & Sun. for an extra charge, an apple cannon, paintball, apple or pumpkin picking, and other activities available. Cider and donuts available. No pets. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Wed.–Fri.), Wiard’s Orchards, 5565 Merritt Rd. (east of Carpenter), Ypsilanti. Weekend admission: $23.50 (babies under 2, free). Weekday admission: $17.50 (babies, free) online only at wiards.com. 390–9211.
Regattas: U-M Sailing Club.
Oct. 9 & 30. All invited to watch club members and any others who want to enter their own boats (free) race. Oct. 9: Sunfish Regatta features small, nimble sailing dinghies. Oct. 30: Bone Chiller Regatta is open to all classes of sailboats up to 20 feet. Crews are often hamming it up in costume. 10:30 p.m. (Oct. 9) & 11 a.m. (Oct. 30), Baseline Lake, 8010 Strawberry Lake Rd., left from Mast off North Territorial. Free. 426–0920.
Sunday Artisan Market.
H.A.C. Ultimate.
Every Sun. All invited to a relaxed pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. 11:15 a.m., Fuller Park, just west of the pool & parking lot (or occasionally across the street). Free. HAC-UltimateList@GoogleGroups.com, 846–9418.
Open Board Gaming: Sylvan Factory.
“Creature Encounters”: The Creature Conservancy.
Every Sat. & Sun. Conservancy staffers show off some animals native to South America (2 & 4 p.m.), including a two-toed sloth, a three-banded armadillo, a black & white tegu (a large lizard). Also, a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals and, weather permitting, a boa constrictor presentation and feeding (3 p.m.). 1–5 p.m., Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Mask encouraged. $13 (kids ages 2–12, $11; under age 2, free) at the door; $1 discount for advance purchase at thecreatureconservancy.org. 929–9324.
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”: Horizon Performing Arts.
Oct. 27–30. Connor Thomas Rhoades directs young local actors and singers in Stephen Sondheim’s dark 1979 Tony Award–winning musical based on a Victorian “penny dreadful.” 7 p.m. (Thurs.-Sat.) & 1 p.m. (Sun.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti. Mask required. Tickets $16–$18 in advance at horizonperformingarts.org. horizonperformingarts.mi@gmail.com.
Autumn Nature Walk: Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation Division/Ann Arbor District Library.
A city naturalist leads a walk through beautiful, wooded Marshall Nature Area. Dress for the weather and bring water and, if you’d like to spot birds, binoculars. 1–2 p.m., meet in the parking lot off Dixboro Rd., north of Plymouth Rd. Free. Preregistration highly recommended. bit.ly/a2stewardworkday, 794–6627.
Blackletter: Ann Arbor District Library Calligraphy Lab.
“Murder on the Orient Express”: Concordia University Theatre Department.
Oct. 27–30. Concordia students perform Ken Ludwig’s 2017 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1934 thriller about a murder that takes place on a train making its way across Europe, leaving the great detective Hercule Poirot to solve the mystery before the killer strikes again. The play somewhat streamlines the classic mystery while incorporating Ludwig’s penchant for farce. 7 p.m. (Thurs.-Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Concordia University Kreft Center Black Box Theater, 4090 Geddes. Tickets $15 (students & seniors, $10) in advance at cuaa.edu/kreftarts-tickets, by phone, & at the door. 995–7537.
“Sandhill Crane Tour”: Waterloo Natural History Association.
Local crane expert Bill Wells talks about the fascinating behaviors of sandhill cranes, then leads a driving tour to view them in the fields around the Waterloo Recreation Area. Expect to see large flocks of these magnificent birds at close range. Bring binoculars and cameras. 2–3 p.m., Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd., Chelsea. $2 (families, $5). Preregistration required by calling 475–3170; space limited to 50. $12 Michigan recreation passport ($17 at the gate) required.
“Great 20th Century American Composers”: Dexter Community Band.
Bill Gourley directs this 85-member volunteer ensemble in a program that includes a medley of Gershwin show tunes, excerpts from Bernstein’s West Side Story and John Williams’ Star Wars, and A Copland Portrait that includes Copland’s “Buckaroo Holiday” and “Hoe-Down.” Pianist Carol Chen joins the band in the Best of Joplin. 3 p.m., Dexter Center for the Performing Arts, Dexter High School, 2200 N. Parker, Dexter. Free. 426–2734.
"Spirited Away": Fathom Events.
Special screenings in local theaters. For updated schedule, see FathomEvents.com/events. $12.50 (unless otherwise noted) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter, 973–8424), Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline, 316–5500). Different times. Oct. 30: “Spirited Away” (Hayao Miyazaki, 2001). Dubbed screening screenings of this dazzling Oscar-winning animated fantasy about a young girl who discovers a secret world of strange spirits and sorcery. 3 p.m.
Halloween Concert: U-M School of Music.
A rowdy affair, this annual tradition features the University Symphony Orchestra and the University Philharmonia Orchestra hamming it up in costume while performing such ghoulish works as Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre or Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain. A large portion of the audience comes in costume. Note: Tickets usually sell out well in advance. 4 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Tickets $8 & $12 in advance at the Michigan League & tickets.smtd.umich.edu, and (if available) at the door. 764–2538.
Michigan Marching Band Practice.
Every Mon.–Thurs. through Nov. 17. The U-M’s highly disciplined 200-plus-member marching band or sections thereof can be seen and heard practicing on Elbel Field. All welcome to find a spot in the bleachers and get a sneak preview of upcoming halftime shows. Rehearsals usually last 1–2 hours. 4:45 p.m., Elbel Field, Hill at Division. Free. 764–0582.
“Family Spooky Species”: The Creature Conservancy.
Oct. 29 & 30 (5–6:30 p.m.). Age 6 and up invited to these annual Halloween parties with child-focused live animal presentations on misunderstood animals, including the Gila monster, domestic rat, tarantula, and more. Costumes welcome (no flashing lights, frightening masks, or weapons, please). Cider & donuts. All children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Also, participants can return at 9 p.m. to watch a flight of Egyptian fruit bats. Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Mask encouraged. Tickets $20 in advance only. thecreatureconservancy.org, 929–9324.
"Nosferatu": Michigan Theater.
(F.W. Murnau, 1922). Silent horror classic, an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, rendered in the deep shadows, extreme angles, and nightmarish sets of German Expressionist style. With live organ accompaniment. 5 p.m. Michigan Theater. Mask and proof of vaccination (or negative Covid test within 72 hours) required for all patrons over the age of 12. Tickets $10.50 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; MTF members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see MichTheater.org.
Ann Arbor Go Club.
Every Sun. Players of all skill levels invited to play this challenging strategy board game in person. Game materials provided. 5 p.m. until whenever, Bill’s Beer Garden, 218 S. Ashley St., or Conor O’Neill’s, 318 Main St. Check Facebook page bit.ly/annarborgo or email Drew at dwright8182@hotmail.com before coming. Free.
Ann Arbor Morris.
“Adult Spooky Species”: The Creature Conservancy.
Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29, & 30. All age 21 & older invited to these annual Halloween parties with adult-focused live animal presentations on misunderstood animals, including the Gila monster, raven, tarantula, and more. Costumes are welcome (no flashing lights, frightening masks, or weapons, please). Also, a free flight of Egyptian fruit bats at 9 p.m. Alcoholic beverages (Oct. 21, 22 & 28) or cider & donuts (Oct. 29 & 30). Child-focused events also take place on Oct. 29 & 30 (see Kids section, p. 000). 7-8:30 p.m., Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Mask encouraged. Tickets $35 for nights with alcohol (Oct. 21, 22 &28); $25 for nights without (Oct. 29 & 30). Preregistration required at thecreatureconservancy.org, 929–9324.
“Night Terrors”: Wiard’s Orchards.
Sept. 17, 23, & 24; every Fri.–Sun. in Oct. (except Oct. 2), & Oct. 31. Four different scary attractions—a haunted hayride and more—bristling with scores of costumed monsters. Refreshments available. Kids age 14 & under must be accompanied by an adult. 7:30–11:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 7:30–10:30 p.m. (Sun.), 5565 Merritt Rd., Ypsilanti. Ticket prices TBA. hauntedhousemichigan.com, 390–9212.
