Observer Editor
Events for July 12, 2026
Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet
Every Wed., Sun., & Tues. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different locations. Rain or shine. Fleet Feet (7 p.m. Wed.), 123 E. Liberty, (734) 769–5016. Dozer Coffee (8 a.m. Sun. & 7 a.m. Tues.), 112 Jackson Plz., (734) 929–9022. Free. fleetfeetsemichigan.com.
Dressage Shows: Waterloo Hunt Club
July 10–12 & July 31–Aug. 2. Equine competition combining artistry and technical abilities highlighted by graceful freestyle routines set to music. No pets. Concessions. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., 11500 Glenn at Katz (west off Mount Hope Rd. from I-94 exit 150), Grass Lake. Free. [email protected].
Ypsi Flea Market
Show and sale of vintage items ranging from the early 1930s to the ’90s, featuring clothing, jewelry, furniture, records, and more. Concessions. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Ypsilanti Freighthouse, 100 Market, Ypsi. Free admission & parking. [email protected], facebook.com/ypsifleaswap.
Elemental Ecstatic Dance
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 and under, free) cash or Venmo (@andjru) at the door only. tinyurl.com/ecstatic-dance-a2.
“The Rookie Regatta”: U-M Sailing Club
All invited to watch club members who are new to sailing race each other in a variety of sailboats. Spectators should bring a chair or blanket to sit on. 11 a.m., Baseline Lake, 8010 Strawberry Lake Rd., left from Mast off North Territorial. Free. michigansailingclub.org.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
Every Tues.–Sun. 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 lets participants try out simulated snake senses to experience the world as if they were a snake. Also, models of snake brains available to examine, but no live snakes. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
Sunday Artisan Market
Every Sun. Juried market of local handmade arts and crafts, now in its 35th year. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Kerrytown Farmers Market pavilion. Free admission. (734) 913–9622.
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. (734) 846–9418, [email protected].
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater
Every Tues.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. We Are Stars (noon) explores the secrets of our cosmic chemistry and our explosive origins, connecting life on Earth to the evolution of the universe; 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. $8 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.
Critter House Open Hours: Leslie Science & Nature Center
Every 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.
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
Fri. July 3 & 17 and every Sat. & Sun. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers present and give insights into some local animals, including a woodchuck, skunk, and a common snapping turtle at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. and Sun., conservancy staffers present the first three animals at 1 & 4 p.m., and an animal keeper shows an opossum at 2 & 3 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 7–9 p.m. (Fri.) & noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 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.
Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory
Every Sun. All invited to play one of a wide variety of board games in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Instruction provided. Also, on July 5, game playtesting with Michigame Design Lab (2 p.m.), during which players are invited to try out new board and card games from local designers Bruce Bielawa & Joe Hopkins and provide feedback. Noon–6 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. sylvanfactory.com.
“Megafauna Mystery”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
Every Sat. & Sun., except July 5. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for kids age 5 & up that uses museum specimens to explore paleontology and what can be learned from giant bones and fossils. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
“Chesstastic”: Ann Arbor District Library
Adults and kids age 5 & up invited to drop in and play chess. All skill levels welcome. Instruction not provided. Chess sets provided. 1–3 p.m., AADL Traverwood. Free. (734) 327–4200.
Shape Note Singing: Ann Arbor Sacred Harp
All invited to join an afternoon of this early American form of communal hymn singing that uses musical notation with distinct shapes to make learning easier. Songbooks available, but singers are encouraged to bring their own. 1–4 p.m., the Ark, 316 S. Main. Free. (734) 678–7549, [email protected].
“Walking with Whales Tour”: U-M Museum of Natural History
Every Sun., except July 5. Thirty-minute tour that uses the museum’s specimens to tell the story of prehistoric whales and dolphins, who had 4 limbs and walked on land. 1:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. (734) 764–0478.
“Interstellar”: Michigan Theater
Film screenings every day. Tickets $11.75 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $9.75; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar.
July 12: “Interstellar” (Christopher Nolan, 2014). In this sci-fi epic, a group of astronauts escape a dystopian Earth in search of a new home for humanity. Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain. 1:30 p.m.
“Fiddler on the Roof”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company
Thurs.–Sun., June 4–July 19. Dan Cooney directs this local professional company in the 1964 musical, an adaptation of stories by celebrated Yiddish writer Sholem Aleichem with a book by Joseph Stein and Sheldon Harnick and music by Jerry Bock. The plot concerns life in a 1905 Jewish Ukrainian shtetl before a pogrom forces an exodus. Starring Broadway veteran Daniel Friedman as Tevye. 7 p.m. (some Thurs., Fri., & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (some Thurs., Sat., & Sun.). Encore Maas Main Stage, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $34–$65 in advance at theencoretheatre.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 268–6200.
Sunday Drop-in Tour: U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Every Sun. Docent-led tours exploring “Highlights of the Kelsey” (July 5 & 12), “Ancient Medicine” (July 19), and “At Leisure: Life Beyond Work in the Ancient World” (July 26). 2–3 p.m., 434 S. State. Free. (734) 764–9304.
“Chamber Music Extravaganza”: U-M Center Stage Strings
Students & faculty from this U-M music school performing arts summer program present a program of chamber works TBA. 2 p.m., U-M Walgreen Drama Center Stamps Auditorium, 1226 Murfin. Free. centerstagestrings.com.
Dharma Disc Golfers: Jewel Heart Buddhist Center
All invited to play 9 or 18 holes. Discs available for those who don’t have them. Weather permitting; ground may be muddy. 2–4 p.m., Mary Beth Doyle Park, 3500 Birch Hollow. Free. [email protected], jewelheart.org.
Toys & Games Swap: Ann Arbor District Library
All invited to pick up used children’s toys and board games. Donations accepted at all AADL branches before July 6. 2–4 p.m., AADL Downtown, lower level program rm. Free. (734) 327–4200.
“Megafauna Mystery”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
Every Sat. & Sun., except July 5. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for kids age 5 & up that uses museum specimens to explore paleontology and what can be learned from giant bones and fossils. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
“Ypsi Photo Walk”: Dzanc House
Photographers of all skill levels with any kind of camera invited to walk together around Ypsi and take pictures. 3–4 p.m., 402 S. Huron St., Ypsi. Free. dzanchouse.org/all-events.
“Seeds”: Michigan Theater
Film screenings every day. Tickets $11.75 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $9.75; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar.
July 12: “Seeds” (Brittany Shyne, 2025). Meditative documentary portrait of Black generational family farmers in the American South. Using lyrical black-and-white imagery, this acclaimed film examines the significance of owning land. 4 p.m.
“My Neighbor Totoro”: Fathom Entertainment
(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events & at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline).
July 11–15: “My Neighbor Totoro” Dubbed (Sat., Sun., & Wed.) and subtitled (Mon. & Tues.) screenings of this classic Studio Ghibli anime tale about 2 girls who move to the Japanese countryside and befriend strange and delightful nature spirits. 4:15 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) and 6:30 p.m. (Mon.–Wed.).
Ann Arbor Go Club
Every Sun. Players of all skill levels invited to play this challenging strategy board game. Game materials provided. 5:45 p.m. until whenever, Bill’s Beer Garden, 218 S. Ashley, or the Heidelberg, 215 N. Main (in case of rain). Free. For more info, email Drew at [email protected] or check tinyurl.com/a2goclub.
“Tales from the Cryptid: An Improvised Urban Legend”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
July 12 & 19. A fully unscripted one-act theatrical show about the appearance of a new cryptid that shakes up a small town. 6–7 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $18 (if available) at the door.
Traditional Irish Session: Conor O’Neill’s
Every Sun. All invited to join or listen to an instrumental jam session. 7–9 p.m., 318 S. Main. Free. (734) 665–2968.
Ballroom Dance Club at the U-M
Every Sun. Ballroom dancing to recorded music, including foxtrots, waltzes, cha-chas, rumbas, tangos, swing, and more. No partner necessary. Preceded at 6 p.m. by beginning lessons and practice. 7–9 p.m., Michigan Union Ballroom. $5 ($10 includes lessons). (734) 763–6984.
“Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
Every Wed.–Sun., June 25–Aug. 30. Kate Thomsen directs longtime Purple Rose resident playwright Carey Crim’s comedy-drama about a group of old friends gathered to celebrate their friend Emma’s fourth wedding. Together, they revisit their memories of each of her previous three weddings to “the one.” Adult language and subject matter. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 3 p.m. (Thurs., Sat., & Wed.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $31.50–$52.50 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org, (734) 433–7673, & (if available) at the door. Discounts available.