Observer Editor
Events for August 28, 2026
“Joe’s Breakfast Club”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
Every Fri. Moderate-paced ride, 20 miles or more, to Dexter and beyond. Pack a lunch or stop in Dexter. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 9 a.m. sharp, meet at Delhi Metro Park parking lot (left of the tollbooth), E. Delhi off Huron River Dr. Free. [email protected].
“Olson Park Gravel Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
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.
Chelsea Community Fair: Chelsea Fairgrounds
Aug. 25–29. Fair rides and concessions (Wed. & Thurs. 3–10 p.m., Fri. noon–10 p.m., and Sat. 1–10 p.m.), a bingo tent, livestock shows, demolition derbies (Tues. & Wed. 7:30 p.m.), Lost Nations Rodeo (Thurs. 7:30 p.m.), truck & tractor pulls (Fri. & Sat. 7 p.m.), a fair queen contest (Fri. 7 p.m.), exhibits of baking, canning, floriculture, arts, and hobbies. The fair officially kicks off with a Children’s Parade (Tues. 5:30 p.m.) for ages 3–12 on decorated bikes & wagons or on foot from the municipal lot behind Common Grill to the fairgrounds, and ends with the Chelsea Fair Parade (Sat. 1 p.m.), which includes the high-energy Celtic-inspired Chelsea House Orchestra, and many more local favorites. Complete schedule available at chelseafair.org. 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Chelsea Fairgrounds, Old US-12 at Old Manchester Rd., Chelsea. Daily admission, $10; 5-day pass, $30 (middle & high school students and seniors 65 & older, $20; kids age 10 & under, free). Free admission for seniors age 65 & over on Thurs. before 5 p.m., for active or inactive U.S. service members with ID on Fri., and for families on Fri. from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. $5 pass for women on Fri. before 11 a.m. (734) 475–1270, [email protected], chelseafair.org.
“Nature Lab”: 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. 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.
Foodie Fridays: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation
Every Friday. Local food truck rally. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (or until sold out), County Farm Park, 2230 Platt.
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
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].
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club
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].
A2 Summer Streets Music Series: Main Street Area Association
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.
U-M Clements Library Tour
Aug. 27 & 28. Hour-long docent-led tour of the Clements’s early American history collection highlighted by the new exhibit Up, Up, and Away: A History of Ballooning in America. 4–5 p.m., 909 South University. Free; preregistration required at clements.umich.edu. (734) 649–3370.
“AADL World Famous Trivia”: Ann Arbor District Library
AADL staffers lead 2 rounds of trivia aimed at adults. Prizes. 5:30–7:30 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. (734) 327–4200.
U-M Volleyball
Exhibition match vs. Pittsburgh. The U-M also has regular season home matches this month against Long Island University (Aug. 28, 6 p.m.) & Miami (Aug. 29, 2 p.m.). 1 p.m., Crisler Center. $8 & $10 (groups of 10 or more, $3 each). (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com.
“Make-a-Zine Night”: All Hands Active
All levels of zine makers, from beginner to experienced, invited to make their own homemade booklet to take home. Only simple instructions provided, but supplies available. 6–8 p.m., basement of 255 E. Liberty, ste. 225. Preregistration requested at meetup.com/allhandsactive/events. Free; donations welcome. [email protected].
D&D Adventurers League: Sylvan Factory
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.
Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory
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.
“Fireside Fun”: Leslie Science & Nature Center
All invited to sit around a campfire, roast marshmallows, and swap stories. If you like, bring outdoor games, s’mores fixings (roasting utensils provided), and camping chairs. Rain or shine, so dress for the weather. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Free. (734) 997–1553, lesliesnc.org.
Music in the Park: Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce
See 14 Friday. Tonight: Salmagundi, local horn-powered Motown/Memphis soul tribute band featuring vocalist Sheila Rhodes. 6:30–9 p.m.
“2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour”: Michigan Theater
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. 28: “2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour.” Six notable shorts from this year’s festival. 7 p.m.
John E. Lawrence Summer Jazz Concert Series
See 7 Friday. Tonight: an R&B jazz fusion ensemble led by veteran South African singer-guitarist Jonathan Butler. 7 p.m.
“Catching Fireflies” Artist Talk: Ann Arbor Art Center
Artists and sisters DaJaniere and Gyona Rice discuss their artistic practice, inspiration, and work. The two have an exhibit at the A2AC this month (see Galleries). 7–8:30 p.m., 117 W. Liberty. Free. (734) 994–8004.
Sal Demilio: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
Aug. 28 & 29. Veteran Detroit comic who blends observational humor with self-deprecating commentary about his Italian American family, getting thrown out of school, and dealing with modern technology. 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.
“Light in the Darkness”: Beyond Choir
EMU choral director Brandon Johnson conducts this local professional vocal ensemble in a program focused on themes of eternal light, awakening, and hope, featuring Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna, Boykin’s Holding the Light, and Bach’s Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (BWV 140), also known as Sleepers Awake. 7:30–9 p.m., EMU Honors College, 511 W. Forest Ave., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (seniors, military, & first responders, $18; students, $12) at beyondchoir.org & at the door. (734) 203–0753, [email protected].
“Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
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.
Dance Showcase: Shape//Matter
Aug. 27 & 28. Outdoor tap, tango, hip-hop, and modern dance performances by regional dance troupes TBA. 8 p.m., Liberty Plaza, E. Liberty at S. Division. Free. shapemattershowcas.wixsite.com/shapematter.
Friday Night Improv: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
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.
“Telescope Observing”: U-M Detroit Observatory
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.
Riverside Swings: Riverside Arts Center
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.
Nightspots
Mike Harrison, Jimmy Ryan, & Kenji Lee: Habitat Lounge
Local jazz trio.
“Cabin in the Woods”: Michigan Theater
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. 28: “Cabin in the Woods” (Drew Goddard, 2011). Science fiction comedy horror film about 5 college friends who arrive at a remote forest cabin for a vacation. One by one, they fall victim to backwoods zombies, but there is another factor at play. 9:30 p.m.
“Tree Town Stand-up Showcase”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
Performances by 6 area stand-up comics TBA. 9:30–10:30 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at tinyurl.com/a2treetownstandup & (if available) at the door.