Events
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Community ListingFree
Ecological Steward Skills Training: WREN
MoreCounty Farm Park - Field Operations Building, 2230 Platt Road , Ann Arbor MI, 48104
The classes are good for both the beginner who has a few invasives in their yard as well as experienced stewards looking to broaden their knowledge base.
These classes will focus more on invasive species removal education and conversation than typical restoration workdays. Participants will learn the fundamentals of identifying and managing woody invasives. Participants will gain practical field experience in effective techniques; both with and without herbicide.
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Observer Editor
Annual Gaming Convention: U•Con
MoreNov. 13–15. Hundreds of competitors of all ages are expected to turn out to play a wide spectrum of tabletop games, from board games and role-playing games to collectible card games and miniaturized simulations of historical and fictional battlefields. Participants also are invited to bring in games to play in an open gaming area. Also, a dealers’ room with sales and demos. In-person registration begins today at 7:30 a.m. For a complete schedule of events, see ucon-gaming.org. 9 a.m.–1 a.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 9 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.), Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, 1275 S. Huron St., Ypsi. Weekend pass: $65 in advance, $75 (students and active & retired military, $65) at the door; kids ages 7–12 (accompanied by an adult), $20 in advance & at the door; kids 6 & under, free. Daily passes (available both in advance & at the door): Fri. $45, Sat. $55 ($45 in advance), Sun. $35. A few games cost extra. Advance registration available at ucon-gaming.org. (734) 930–6363.
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FreeObserver Editor
A2 Community Bookfest (formerly Kerrytown BookFest): Ann Arbor District Library
MoreThis bustling, lively festival—the largest 1-day book festival in Michigan—celebrates books and bookmaking with a variety of demos, talks, signings, displays, and sale tables by local bookstores, booksellers, and publishers. Schedule: Bestselling NYC writer Katie Kitamura (10:30 a.m.), author of the award-winning 2017 novel A Separation, discusses her work. A picture book writing workshop (noon) with local children’s writer Amy Nielander. A chance to drop in and make garlands (noon–2 p.m.) out of old book pages. “Demystifying the Author/Editor Relationship,” (1:30 p.m.), a talk by Ohio-based novelist Tiffany Graham Charkosky and her editor, Ronit Wagman. “Self-Publishing Success Stories,” a panel discussion with self-published authors Zig Zag Claybourne, Sylvia Hubbard, Michael Lucas, and Katharine Sweet. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200. For more information and the latest schedule, see aadl.org/bookfest.
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Observer Editor
Elemental Ecstatic Dance
MoreEvery Sun. Dancers of all ages and abilities invited for free-form dancing to a variety of recorded music, from EDM to classical and ambient to world music. Wear loose clothes, barefoot or stocking feet. 10:45 a.m.–1 p.m., A2 Yoga, 2030 Commerce. $20 (age 11 & under, free) cash or Venmo (@andjru) at the door only. tinyurl.com/ecstatic-dance-a2.
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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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Observer Editor
“Makerspace: Mini Roller Coasters”: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
MoreNov. 7, 8, & 15. All invited to turn everyday household recyclables into a gravity-defying, high-speed mini roller coaster to carry a marble down a track. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 220 E. Ann. $16 museum admission (babies under 2, free). (734) 995–9439, discoverscienceandnature.org/aahom.
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Observer Editor
Sunday Artisan Market
MoreEvery Sun. through Dec. 20. Juried market. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Farmers Market Pavilion, Kerrytown. Free admission. (734) 913–9622.
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FreeObserver Editor
H.A.C. Ultimate
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to a relaxed pick-up game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Beginners welcome. Play proceeds regardless of the weather. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Fuller Park, just west of the pool & parking lot (or occasionally across the street). Free. (734) 846–9418, [email protected].
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Observer Editor
A2 Studio Tour
MoreNov. 14 & 15. Over 14 Ann Arbor artists open their studios for a show and sale. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., map of locations at a2studiotour.com. [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
“Scientist Spotlight”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreA chance for adults and kids age 10 & up to engage in interactive science activities with U-M scientists. Noon–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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Observer Editor
Critter House Open Hours: Leslie Science & Nature Center
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun. A chance to view LSNC birds of prey and its Critter House animals, which include frogs, turtles, snakes, and other species native to Michigan. Noon–3 p.m., 1831 Traver. $5 suggested donation. (734) 997–1553, lesliesnc.org.
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Observer Editor
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun. and Nov. 6 & 20. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show some native Michigan animals, including a cougar, black rat snake, and opossum at 1 & 4 p.m.; and a wild turkey at 2 & 3 p.m. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show all four animals at 7:30 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. Noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) & 7–9 p.m. (Fri.), 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.
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FreeObserver Editor
Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to play one of a wide variety of board games in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Instruction provided. Also, on Nov. 1, game playtesting with Michigame Design Lab (2 p.m.), during which players are invited to try out new board & card games from local designers Bruce Bielawa & Joe Hopkins and provide feedback. Noon–6 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. sylvanfactory.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
Sundays at Cobblestone: Cobblestone Farm Museum
MoreAll invited to tour the house and farm, then join docents and board members in inventorying & cataloging items and cleaning the museum. 1–3 p.m., 2718 Packard. Free. cobblestonefarm.org.
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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.
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Observer Editor
Afternoon Program: 33rd Ann Arbor Polish Film Festival
MoreNov. 13–15. Three days of subtitled Polish films at the Michigan Theater. Tickets $15 (students & seniors, $10; U-M & MSU students with ID, free) except as noted. annarborpolishfilmfestival.com.
Nov. 15: Afternoon Program. One short, followed by one feature film. Taty Nie Ma (Dad’s Not Home) (Jan Saczek, 2025). Two brothers conceal their father’s dementia to avoid his institutionalization after their mother’s death. Followed by a Q&A with the director. Dom Dobry (Home Sweet Home) (Wojciech Smarzowski, 2025). Harrowing drama about a whirlwind romance that turns dark and abusive. 1 p.m.
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Observer Editor
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (noon) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago; 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. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.
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Observer Editor
“Little Red Robin Hood”: Chelsea Area Players Youth Theater
MoreNov. 13–15. Alex Moore directs young actors ages 8–14 in Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus’s play, a fractured fairy tale in which nursery rhyme and storybook characters act out the tale of Robin Hood. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Washington Street Education Center, 500 Washington, Chelsea. $10 in advance at chelseaareaplayers.org & (cash only) at the door.
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Observer Editor
“Environmental Adaptation”: Waterloo Natural History Association
MoreRepresentatives from Science Alive present live amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals whose adaptations to their structure, form, and habits help them survive in their environment. 2–3:30 p.m., Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush, Chelsea. $2 (families, $5); preregistration required by emailing [email protected] with name, phone number, and number attending. $15 Michigan recreation passport ($20 at the gate) required.
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Observer Editor
“Cyrano de Bergerac”: Community High School Ensemble Theatre
MoreNov. 12–15. Emily Wilson-Tobin directs Community High students in Simon Evans and Debris Stevenson’s new translation of Edmond Rostand’s 1897 play, a hit on London’s West End this year. The classic tragicomedy about a gallant but ugly swashbuckler who feels unworthy of love gets new life in this adaptation that gambols in the riches of language, blending modern lyrical verse, classic text, and grime poetry. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), CHS Craft Theatre, 401 N. Division. Tickets $22 (students & seniors, $15) in advance at communityensembletheatre.ludus.com, & (if available) at the door (usually sells out). (734) 994–2025, a2cet.org.
