• Free
    Observer Editor

    Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company (AARC)

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    Every Sat., Mon., & Thurs. (different AARC locations). Runners of all abilities invited to join either a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.) or a 5K mapped route (Thurs. & Mon.). AARC Traver Village (7 a.m. Sat.), 901 W. Eisenhower; Corner Brewery (6 p.m. Mon.), 720 Norris, Ypsi; and AARC Colonnade (6 p.m. Thurs.), 2621 Plymouth Rd. Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.  

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Group Ride: Ann Arbor Velo Club

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    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.  

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    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. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Group Runs: A2 Runners

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    Every 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. 6:30 p.m., meet at the Kerrytown Clock Tower. Preregistration requested at meetup.com/a2runners. Free. [email protected].

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “All About Romance”: Ann Arbor District Library Emerging Writers Workshop

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    Area writers Elle Wright, Catherine Stein, Darci St. John, and Jordan Bloom discuss writing authentic relationships, avoiding common pitfalls, and finding a unique voice in the world of romance. Moderated by young adult novelist Bethany Neal. Also, Neal and local writer and editor Alex Kourvo host a write-in session at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 12, and an open house for writers to connect with one another and/or work on their projects at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 24. 6:30–7:45 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. (734) 327–4200.

  • Donation
    Free
    Observer Editor

    Opera by the Glass: Comic Opera Guild

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    Local singers perform arias and art songs by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Gilbert & Sullivan, and others. 7:30 p.m. (seating begins at 6 p.m.), 734 Brewing Company, 15 E. Cross, Ypsi. Free; donations accepted. Buy your own food & drink. Reservations required at bit.ly/operaontapreservations or email [email protected]. (734) 6782782.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Scandinavian Music Jam

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    Aug. 10 & 24. Bruce Sagan leads an acoustic jam session devoted to traditional music from Sweden and Norway. All instruments welcome, no experience necessary. 7:30–9:30 p.m., location TBA; email [email protected]. Free. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Comedy Show: The Blind Pig

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    Every Mon. Performances from up to 15 aspiring stand-up comics from around the state. Local comics emcee. Age 21 & up only. Free candy. 8–9:30 p.m., 208 S. First St. Free. (734) 996–8555.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet

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    Every Sun., Tues., & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different locations. Rain or shine. Dozer Coffee (8 a.m. Sun. & 7 a.m. Tues.), 112 Jackson Plz., (734) 929–9022 & Fleet Feet (7 p.m. Wed.), 123 E. Liberty, (734) 769–5016. Free. fleetfeetsemichigan.com.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History

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    Every Tues.–Sun. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens. The newest program lets participants try out simulated snake senses to experience the world as if they were a snake. No live snakes. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Collage Making: Ann Arbor District Library

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    A chance for adults and kids age 5 & up to make collages out of old magazines. 2–4 p.m., AADL Pittsfield. Free. (734) 327–4200.  

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Ann Arbor Area Scrabble Club

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    Every Tues. All invited to play the classic word game, using the 5th-edition Scrabble dictionary. Bring your own set, if you like. 3:30–8 p.m., Arbor Brewing Company Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsi. Free. meetup.com/ann-arbor-scrabble-meetup. [email protected].

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Game Night: Sylvan Factory

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    Every Tues. All invited to play one of a selection of board games, assemble a puzzle, paint miniatures, or try a tabletop role-playing game, all in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Also, at 6 p.m., RPG One Shots, introductory games of different tabletop role-playing games perfect for beginners, finished after one session (see website for this week’s game, preregistration strongly encouraged at sylvanfactory.square.site). 5 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Letterpress Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library

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    Aug. 8, 11, 18, & 29 (different times). A chance for adults to learn the basics of printing with movable type. Noon–2 p.m. (Aug. 8), 5–7 p.m. (Aug. 11 & 18), and 1–3 p.m. (Aug. 29), AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Dog and Suds Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society

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    Every Tues. Moderate-paced ride, 20 to 30 miles, along the less-traveled roads west and north of Chelsea. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 6 p.m. sharp, meet at Aberdeen Bike and Outdoors, 1101 Main, Chelsea. Start location occasionally changes. Free. (734) 662–0205.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    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. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Huron Valley Harmonizers Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society

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    Every Tues., except Aug. 18. Singers of all ages and genders invited to join rehearsals of this award-winning a cappella chorus. 7–8:45 p.m., First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4001 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Free to visitors; call ahead or check website (dues for those who join). (734) 796–7467, [email protected], hvharmonizers.org.