Free
Observer Editor

“Olson Park Gravel Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society

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Every Fri. Slow/moderate-paced 18-mile gravel road ride with a rest stop at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 9 a.m. sharp, meet at Olson Park, 1515 Dhu Varren. Free. (412) 302–9960.   

Observer Editor

Dexter Summer Festival: Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce

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Aug. 7 & 8. Formerly “Dexter Daze,” these festivities in downtown Dexter include a parade, fireworks, food and craft vendors, kids activities, games, and music at three locations. Today’s live music at the Monument Park gazebo includes a mix of rock and alt-country covers and originals by Outbound Packard (3–5 p.m.) and Detroit blues band Randy Brock (7–10 p.m.). Also throughout both days at Monument Park: cornhole (with a tournament), mini golf, a social tent, and a dunk tank. On a second stage on Broad at Grand, live music includes blues and rockabilly from the Gravel Shakers (1–3 p.m.) and honky tonk and country originals from the Step Aside Band (5–7 p.m.). The Broad location also features a kids bike decorating station, a jump around party, karate and drama demos, and other kids entertainment on both days. In Mill Park on both days, hands-on kid-friendly activities include bounce houses, balloon animals, and more. Today’s festivities end with fireworks at dusk. 10 a.m.–8:30 p.m. (Fri.) & 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (Sat.), downtown Dexter. Free admission. dextersummerfestival.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

Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops

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Every Sat., Fri., & Wed. 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. 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.) & noon–12:30 p.m. (Wed. & Fri.). Free. [email protected].

Observer Editor

Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club

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Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) and a 499er game (Thurs.) for players with no more than 499 ACBL master points. 1–4 p.m. (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $9 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email [email protected].

Free
Observer Editor

“Grief Is a Sneaky Bitch”: Jewish Family Services Book Talk

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Local writer Lisa Keefauver reads from and discusses her book, Grief is a Sneaky Bitch: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss, on the 2-year anniversary of its release. The on-stage discussion is a dialog between Keefauver and local therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin. An audience Q&A and book signing follow. 1:30 p.m. JFS Ann Arbor Board Room, 2245 S. State St. Registration required here.

Free
Observer Editor

A2 Summer Streets Music Series: Main Street Area Association

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Every Thurs.–Sun., June 4–Sept. 28. Local musicians TBA perform at several locations along Main downtown. Rain cancels. 4 p.m. Thurs.–Sun., S. Main between E. Washington & W. William. For the complete lineup, go to mainstreetannarbor.org/a2-summer-streets. Free.

Observer Editor

Saline Summerfest

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Aug. 7 & 8. This downtown festival features live music, a large arts & crafts show, a car show, kids activities, a 5K, outdoor movie screenings, and more over 2 days. Food trucks & a beer and wine tent. Donation of school supplies accepted. Today: a screening of the movie Zootopia 2 (6:30 p.m.) at Henne Field, and 70s–90s rock and pop favorites by the Detroit quartet Atomic Radio (8 p.m.). Full schedule available at facebook.com/salinesummerfest. 5–11 p.m. (Fri.) & 9 a.m.–11 p.m. (Sat.), downtown Saline. Free admission.  [email protected].

Observer Editor

D&D Adventurers League: Sylvan Factory

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Every Fri. All invited to play the current official campaign of the popular Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game, using 5th-edition rules. Kids under 13 must have adult accompaniment. 6–10 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. $10. Space limited, preregistration strongly recommended. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

Observer Editor

Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory

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Every 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.

Wed. (6 p.m.): “Pauper.” A fun and fast format for all skill levels, three rounds. $5.

Wed. (6:30 p.m.): “Standard.” Three rounds, with competitive tournament rules, prizes of store credit. $10.

Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Friday Night Draft.” Cost and format vary.

Various times, 2459 W. Stadium. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

Observer Editor

“CatVideoFest”: Michigan Theater

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Film screenings every day. Tickets $11.75 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, and U.S. veterans, $9.75; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar. 

Aug. 79: “CatVideoFest” (various directors, 2026). Compilation of funny and cute online cat videos. A portion of proceeds goes to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. 6:30 p.m. (Fri.), 2 p.m. (Sat.), & 4 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.).

Observer Editor

First Friday Shabbat: Jewish Cultural Society

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All invited for a dinner from a local restaurant, preceded by a brief secular Shabbat observance with songs, candle lighting, and challah & wine rituals. Kids welcome. 6:30–8 p.m., 2935 Birch Hollow. $10 (families, $25) for nonmembers; members, free. Preregistration required at jewishculturalsociety.org. 

Observer Editor

“Euchre Change a Life!”

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Aug. 7 & 21. Five-game euchre tournament. Sign up with a partner, or get paired with one by the organizers. Prizes. Food and beverages available for purchase. Proceeds benefit Haitian children via Haitian Christian Outreach. 6:30–9 p.m., HOMES Campus, 112 Jackson Plz. $15 (HOMES members, $10). [email protected], tinyurl.com/a2euchrechange.

Observer Editor

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”: Horizon Performing Arts

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Aug. 6–9. Connor Thomas Rhoades directs local actors in William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s Tony-winning 2004 one-act musical comedy about 6 anxiously overachieving adolescents competing in a spelling bee run by 3 adults who have barely managed to escape childhood themselves. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 1 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 North University. $23 (students & seniors, $21) at horizonpa.yapsody.com & at the door.

Free
Observer Editor

John E. Lawrence Summer Jazz Concert Series

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Every Fri., July 31–Aug. 28. Formerly the Ypsilanti Frog Island Jazz Concert series, now in a larger venue at Ford Lake Park, with outdoor performances by national and area smooth jazz acts. Veteran local jazz guitarist Lawrence opens each night by playing a piece with the featured artist. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Tonight: the acclaimed Philadelphia R&B jazz fusion group Pieces of a Dream. 7 p.m., Ford Lake Park, 9075 S. Huron River Dr., Ypsi. Free (parking, $10 per vehicle). (734) 635–5446, [email protected].

Observer Editor

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

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Every Sat. & Sun. and Fri. Aug. 7 & 21. On Sat. and Sun., conservancy staffers present and give insights into some animals with superpowers, including an African crested porcupine, a three-banded armadillo, and a frilled dragon at 1 & 4 p.m., and an animal keeper shows a Gila monster 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.

Observer Editor

Mike O’Keefe: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase

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Aug. 7 & 8. This quick-witted observational comic, a Detroit native, engages in “self-deprecating jackassery” on such topics as his Irish family, the dangers of living in Chicago, and wild business ideas. Opening act TBA. 7:15 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 at aacomedy.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.

Observer Editor

“Lady Windermere’s Fan”: Loonlight Theatre

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Aug. 6–9. Darla Hand directs local actors in an outdoor production of Oscar Wilde’s sharp 1892 comedy about the very proper Lady Windermere, who comes to believe her husband is having an affair, leading to gossip, misunderstandings, and drama. The production features live musical accompaniment, and is set in a garden-party atmosphere against the backdrop of the historic Dixboro schoolhouse. 7 p.m. (Thurs.), 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 3 p.m. (Sun.), Dixboro Village Green, 5221 Church Rd. Tickets $15 at loonlighttheatre.com & (if available) at the gate. [email protected].

Observer Editor

“Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company

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Every Wed.–Sun., June 25–Aug. 30. (See review) 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. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 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.

Observer Editor

“Athena”: Theatre Nova

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Every Fri.–Sun., July 17–Aug. 9. (See review) Shelby R. Seeley directs Gracie Gardner’s play about two competitive teenage girl fencers training for the Junior Olympics. As they spar and navigate a tricky new friendship, each grows in both athletic ability and self-confidence. The New York Times calls it “hugely appealing and stealthily moving.” 3 p.m. (Sat.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $30 (age 65 & older, $25; students with ID, $15 at the door) in advance at theatrenova.org/season11 & (if available) at the door. (734) 635–8450.

Observer Editor

“Gutenberg! The Musical!”: Penny Seats Theatre

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Aug. 722. Emily Wilson-Tobin directs local actors in Anthony King and Scott Brown’s 2-man musical about a pair of aspiring playwrights who perform all the parts in a run-through for potential backers of their new, hilariously ill-advised projecta big, splashy musical about printing press inventor Johannes Gutenberg. Adult themes. 8 p.m. (Thurs., Fri., & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Cahoots, 206 E. Huron St. Tickets $28 (seniors, $25 & students, $20) in advance at pennyseats.org & (if available) at the door.

Observer Editor

Friday Night Improv: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater

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Every Fri. Performance by 11 Non-Blondes, a house team of experienced improvisers. 8–9:30 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $18 (if available) at the door.

Observer Editor

Riverside Swings: Riverside Arts Center

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Every Fri. Swing dancing to recorded music. No partner or experience required. Wear comfortable low-grip/tread shoes. Preceded at 7 & 8 p.m. by hour-long lessons. Followed by a “late-night blues-&-fusion” dance. The 1st Friday of each month is free, and the 3rd Friday includes a Charleston lesson. 9–11 p.m., 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. $5 (students, $4). riversidearts.org/riverside-swings.

Free
Observer Editor

“Telescope Observing”: U-M Detroit Observatory

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Every Fri., except Aug. 14. All invited to drop in to use the observatory’s 1857 Fitz telescope and other modern instruments. Exhibits are also open regardless of viewing conditions. Last visitors admitted 30 minutes prior to closing. 9–11 p.m., 1398 E. Ann at Observatory. Free, no registration required. (734) 763–2230, detroitobservatory.umich.edu.

Observer Editor

“Piranha”: Michigan Theater

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Film screenings every day. Tickets $11.75 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, and U.S. veterans, $9.75; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar. 

Aug. 7: “Piranha” (Joe Dante, 1978). Cult horror film with a screenplay by John Sayles about a river infested by lethal, genetically altered piranhas. 9:30 p.m.