Observer Editor
Events
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FreeObserver Editor
Dressage Shows: Waterloo Hunt Club
MoreJuly 31–Aug. 2 & Aug. 13–16. 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].
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Observer Editor
“Annual Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival”
MoreAug. 14 & 15. A 2-day exhibit and sale of works by local and visiting artists who have been painting outdoors throughout Dexter since Aug. 10. Also, art workshops for kids and adults (see paintdexter.com). Today’s special events: “Quick Draw Competition” (9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) among participating artists, an art sale (2–9 p.m.), a meet-the-artists beer & wine reception (2 p.m.), and an awards ceremony (5 p.m.). Also, live music by the Dexter Dulcimers (2 p.m.) and the Depot Town Big Band (7–9 p.m.). 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m. (Fri.) & 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sat.), Monument Park, Dexter. Free admission. (734) 580–2229,, [email protected], paintdexter.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery 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.
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Observer Editor
Foodie Fridays: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation
MoreEvery Friday. Local food truck rally. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (or until sold out), County Farm Park, 2230 Platt.
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FreeObserver Editor
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
MoreEvery 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].
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Observer Editor
“Recipe Swap”: Spice and Tea Merchants of Ann Arbor
MoreEvery Friday. All invited to bring one copy of a favorite recipe and take home one that someone else has brought. Noon-3 p.m., 407 N. Fifth. spicemerchants.biz.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Midday Morsel Drop-in Tour”: U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
MoreThirty-minute docent-led tour of ancient Mediterranean artifacts in the museum collection. 12:30 p.m., 434 S. State (meet at the Maynard entrance). Free. (734) 764–9304.
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Observer Editor
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club
MoreEvery 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].
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FreeObserver Editor
A2 Summer Streets Music Series: Main Street Area Association
MoreEvery 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.
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Observer Editor
U-M Men’s Soccer
MoreExhibition match vs. Cleveland State. The U-M has another exhibition match this month against Saginaw Valley (Aug. 14, 4 p.m.) and regular home season games against Loyola Marymount (Aug. 20, 6 p.m.), Niagara (Aug. 27, 4 p.m.), and Southern Illinois–Edwardsville (Aug. 30, 2 p.m.). 4 p.m., U-M Soccer Stadium, 2250 S. State. $6 & $8 (groups of 10 or more, $3 each; kids 5 & under, free). (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Pioneer Day at Sharon Mills”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission
MoreA chance to learn what life was like for early settlers of Sharon Hollow in the 1830s. Activities for all ages. 4–7 p.m., Sharon Mills Preserve, 5701 Sharon Hollow, Manchester. Free. tinyurl.com/wcparc-summer2026.
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FreeObserver Editor
Gel Plate Printing: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults and teens invited to use AADL paints, textures, and patterns to create one-of-a-kind monoprints. 5–7 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Observer Editor
“Sensory Splash Time”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation
MoreThe spray park stays open late tonight exclusively for children with special needs and their families to experience stress-free play time. Concessions open until 7 p.m. 6–8 p.m., Independence Lake County Park Blue Heron Bay Spray Park, 3200 Jennings, Whitmore Lake. $4 (noncounty resident, $5) walk-up or preregistration at washtenaw.org/registerparks (#IL441102), plus $6 (nonresidents, $10) vehicle entry fee. (734) 449–4437, [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
“Friday Night Geology Hike: Blueberries & Beavers”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission
MoreWCPARC naturalist Shawn Severance leads a hike to explore the summer forest and the abundance of life that emerges at the complex edge of water and sand created by the meltwaters of the glaciers thousands of years ago. 6–8 p.m., West Lake Nature Preserve, 21520 Waterloo, Chelsea. Free. Preregistration required (#841009) at washtenaw.org/registerparks. [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
Pride at the Y Dinner Dance: Ann Arbor YMCA
MoreAll invited to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride with dancing to music spun by a DJ and a buffet dinner. With drag performances, family-friendly arts and crafts, drag bingo, a makeover station, and more. Please, no stiletto heels; the floor is delicate. YMCA membership not required. 6–9 p.m., YMCA gymnasium, 400 W. Washington. Free, but preregistration recommended by Aug. 7 (seating limited) at annarborymca.org/pride2026.
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Observer Editor
D&D Adventurers League: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery 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.
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Observer Editor
Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery 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.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Bone of My Bone”: Booksweet Bookshop Ann Arborville Horror Book Club
MoreAll invited to join a discussion of Johanna van Veen’s 2026 medieval folk-horror novel. 7–8 p.m., Booksweet, Courtyard Shops, 1729 Plymouth Rd. Free. Preregistration requested at shopbooksweet.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
John E. Lawrence Summer Jazz Concert Series
MoreSee 7 Friday. Tonight: a funk-inflected smooth jazz ensemble led by veteran saxophonist Kirk Whalum. 7 p.m.
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FreeObserver Editor
“White Bird”: Jewel Heart Buddhist Center
More1129 Oak Valley Dr. Concessions. Free. (734) 994–3387, jewelheart.org.
Aug. 14: “White Bird” (Marc Forster, 2024). When a boy is struggling to fit in at his new prep school, he is visited by his grandmother and is changed by her story of her attempts to escape Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Helen Mirren, Gillian Anderson. Discussion follows. 7 p.m.
