Events
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FreeObserver Editor
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Tues.–Sun., except Nov. 26. 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 membranes can help solve water shortages. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Human Rights Reporting: Stories from the Field”: U-M Human Rights Center
MorePanel discussion with U-M Knight-Wallace journalism fellows Tanzil Asif, Erica Hellerstein, and Shan Li. 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Michigan League, Koessler Rm. Free. (734) 763–9200.
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FreeObserver Editor
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
MoreEvery Wed., Fri., & Sat. 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. (Wed. & Fri.) & 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.). Free. [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
“Paper Folding Four Ways”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreA chance for adults & teens to learn various paper art folds, including the petal fold, triangle fold, Turkish map fold, and Victorian puzzle purse fold. 2–3 p.m., AADL Traverwood. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Western Sahara: Multi-Scalar Struggles, Recognition, and Change in a Thawing Conflict”: U-M Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies Colloquium Series
MoreUniversity of Exeter (UK) international relations professor Irene Fernández-Molina discusses the ongoing political instability in Northwest Africa. 2–4 p.m., 555 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. (734) 647–4143.
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Observer Editor
“Family Pains”: PTD Productions
MoreNov. 5–8 & 11–14. Marie Jones directs local actors in the premiere of Michigan playwright Erin Osgood’s new family comedy-drama about a young woman who surprises her conservative family by bringing her new Black wife to Thanksgiving dinner. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun. & Wed.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (students & seniors, $15; Thurs., pay what you can), in advance at ptdproductions.com, by phone, & at the door. (734) 483–7345.
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Observer Editor
“Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
MoreEvery Wed.–Sun., Sept. 24–Dec. 20. Rhiannon Ragland directs retired Detroit newscaster and playwright Devin Scillian’s family comedy-drama about a conflict between brothers—an aging country rocker and a buttoned-down finance guy—after their mother’s death. Adult language and subject matter. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.), & 3 p.m. (Sat. & Wed.). 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $31.50–$52.50 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org, (734) 433–7673, & (if available) at the door. Discounts available.
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FreeObserver Editor
Board Game Night: Argus Farm Stop
MoreAll invited to participate in a relaxed evening of board games. If you want, bring a game to share. 4–7 p.m., 1200 Packard. Free; food & drink for sale. (734) 997–5448, argusfarmstop.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Heritage Forensics: Culture on the Front Lines of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict”: U-M Center for Armenian Studies
MoreTalk by Cornell University Armenian studies professor Lori Khatchadourian. 4:30–6 p.m., 555 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. (734) 763–0622.
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FreeObserver Editor
Michigan Marching Band Practice
MoreEvery Mon.–Thurs., except Nov. 24–26. U-M’s highly disciplined 200+ member marching band or sections thereof can be seen and heard practicing on the new Elbel Field (across the street from the old 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., Hill at Fifth Ave. Free. (734) 764–0582.
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Observer Editor
Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery 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. Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Booster Draft.” Players take turns opening booster packs to create a 40-card deck. $25. Various times & prices, 2459 W. Stadium. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
Board Game Night: Bløm Mead + Cider
MoreEvery Wed. All invited to play popular board games. Use provided games or bring your own. 5–10 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729, drinkblom.com/events.
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Nightspots
Patrick Clinton.: North Star Lounge
MoreNorth Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann ArborDetroit-area pop-folk singer-songwriter. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Intro to Laser Engraving: Hand-Drawn Designs”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults & teens invited to use a laser cutter to engrave a hand-drawn design. 5:30–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Observer Editor
“Community Table”: The Washtenaw Food Hub
MoreNov. 4, 11, & 18. Food- and agriculture-related discussions and demos.
Nov. 4: “Hand-Rolled Beeswax Candles.” Malinda Barr of the Beeswax Barrn leads participants in making hand-rolled taper candles from beeswax sheets and wicks. $10.
Nov. 11: “Botanical Bath Bombs.” Tiani Body Care owner Violet Whitney leads attendees in decorating bath bombs with natural plant powders, herbs, and dried flowers. $5.
Nov. 18: “Fresh-Hopped Wild Rice Ale.” Rachel Kanaan and Mason Shipe of the Jupiter Fen Kombucha Club lead a follow-up discussion and tasting to their Oct. 28 seasonal beer-making session. Free.
6–7 p.m., 4175 Whitmore Lake Rd. Various prices. Preregistration required for all events at tinyurl.com/a2-foodhub. thewashtenawfoodhub.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Countdown Calendars”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults and kids grade K & up invited to create tear-off paper calendars that count down to a birthday, holiday, or other special date. 6–7 p.m., AADL Pittsfield. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Saving Sibley Prairie”: Ann Arbor Wild Ones
MoreTalk by Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy president Jack R. Smiley about the ongoing efforts to save this unique habitat from development. Sibley Prairie is a 440-acre remnant of a globally rare lakeplain prairie ecosystem south of the Detroit airport. 6–7:30 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free, metered parking. annarbor.wildones.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
“A Prairie for a Queen”: Huron Valley Sierra Club
MoreWashtenaw County Parks & Recreation naturalist Shawn Severance discusses her quest to understand the prairie through the eyes of a bumblebee queen. Southeast Michigan is home to about 10 native species of bumblebees. 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, 4th fl. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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FreeObserver Editor
“In the Belly of AI”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreOccasional screenings in the Downtown Branch lower level program rm., and other locations as noted. Free. (734) 327–4200.
Nov. 11: “In the Belly of AI” (Henri Poulain, 2025). Feature-length documentary about the millions of data workers, often from the developing world, who work in obscurity to train frontier AI models. 6 p.m.
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FreeObserver Editor
Drop-in Knitting: Spun
MoreEvery 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.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.
