• Free
    Observer Editor

    Ann Arbor Orchid Festival: Ann Arbor Orchid Society

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    Nov. 21 & 22. Show and sale of thousands of tropical and hardy orchids, orchid-growing supplies, and related items. Also, free talks and demos by orchid growers on the “Basics of Growing Orchids” (11 a.m.) and “How to Repot or Mount Your Orchid” (1:30 p.m.) on both days. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free admission; metered parking. (734) 647–7600, annarbororchidsociety.org.

  • Observer Editor

    Elemental Ecstatic Dance

    Elemental Ecstatic Dance
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    Every 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.  

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Sharon Mills Quilting Bee”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission

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    Nov. 1, 10, & 22. WCPARC docents lead both seasoned quilters and novices in stitching a traditional 1860s quilt top around a frame. Materials provided. The final product will be displayed in the historic cabin at Parker Mill. All ages welcome. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (Sun.) & 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (Tues.), Sharon Mills Park, 5701 Sharon Hollow, Manchester. Free. (734) 971–6337, washtenaw.org/registerparks.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    H.A.C. Ultimate

    H.A.C. Ultimate
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    Every 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].

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Beginner Knitting”: Ann Arbor District Library

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    Craft activity for adults & teens led by local knitting instructor Beth Battey. Noon–3 p.m., AADL Downtown, lower level program rm. Free. (734) 327–4200.

  • Observer Editor

    “Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy

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    Every 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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory

    Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory
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    Every 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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun
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    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.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater

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    Every 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.

  • Community Listing
    Free

    Black Washtenaw County & the Civil War: Motorcoach & Walking Tour: U-M Frankel Detroit Observatory

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    Visit the sites connected to Black Civil War veterans who called Washtenaw County home. Historians Deborah Meadows and Matthew Siegfried will lead visitors on a motorcoach and walking journey through Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti including historic Black neighborhoods, Depot Town, and Highland Cemetery, the final resting place of at least 19 Black Civil War soldiers.

    This tour is presented in conjunction with the Frankel Detroit Observatory’s exhibit, “Fill the Ranks”: The Civil War and the University of Michigan, and is offered in partnership with the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County.

    Free and open to the public. Limited availability; registration required. 

    Free
  • Community Listing

    The Art of Sashiko: Rescue Rose

    The Art of Sashiko: Rescue Rose
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    If you’ve ever mourned the loss of a favorite garment due to wear and tear, this decorative hand-stitching workshop is for you! Discover the Japanese tradition of Sashiko, the art of functional and decorative fabric repair, taught by skilled sewist Chelsea Keenan. Sessions will take place on Saturday November 21 from 1-4, and Sunday November 22 from 1-4. Participants will bring one garment with a repair area smaller than 6×6 inches. All other necessary materials will be provided. The cost of the workshop is $30, plus Eventbrite fees. Limited space is available, please sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sashiko-the-japanese-art-of-visible-mending-tickets-2000903471145

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Growing Genealogy’s Future: Attracting and Engaging Younger People”: Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County

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    Talk, via Zoom on a big screen, by genealogist Sarah Day. Followed by small group discussions (in person and on Zoom) on the same topic, as well as on genealogy research questions. 1:30–4:30 p.m., Trinity Health Education Center Auditorium, 5305 Elliott, parking lot P, Ypsi. Also via livestream; for URL email [email protected] by Nov. 20. Free. washtenawgenealogy.org/events. 

  • Community Listing
    Free

    Exhibition Tour: “We Hold These Truths” with Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes: U-M Museum of Art (UMMA)

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    525 south state street, Ann Arbor

    Join Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes and award-winning artist Holly Bass for a tour of “We Hold These Truths”.

    🗓️ Sunday, Nov 22
    ⏰ 2-3 PM
    📍UMMA
    🎟️ Free & open to the public: registration required.

    “We Hold These Truths” marks the return of visitors to UMMA’s iconic Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Apse following a nearly year-long restoration of its signature marble floor, transforming the storied space into a sequence of encounters with rooms, replicas, and acts of writing that move through the nation’s past and present.

    https://umma.umich.edu/events/exhibition-tour-we-hold-these-truths-with-dean-celeste-watkins-hayes/

    Free