Observer Editor
Events
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Observer Editor
Mozart’s “Requiem”: Beyond Choir Summer Sings
MoreAll singers welcome to join EMU choral director Brandon Johnson and members of this local professional vocal ensemble in a performance of Mozart’s final masterpiece, unfinished when he died in 1791. Mozart’s widow Constanze was responsible for a number of stories about the work’s composition, including one that Mozart came to believe that he was writing the Requiem for his own funeral. Tonight, participants rigorously rehearse the piece and then perform it in its entirety to an audience. No audition required; singer registration $5. Music provided (or bring your own Süssmayr edition, if you have it, digital score available on the website). Business casual attire suggested for singers. Spectators welcome. Check-in begins at 3 p.m., with rehearsal starting promptly at 3:30. 7:30–8:20 p.m., EMU Pease Auditorium, 494 College Pl., Ypsi. Tickets pay-what-you-can at beyondchoir.org & at the door. (734) 203–0753, [email protected].
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Observer Editor
“Southern Rapture”: PTD Productions
MoreAug. 13–16 & 19–22. Karrie Waarala directs local actors in Cleveland playwright Eric Coble’s 2009 dark satire exploring art, commerce, and censorship. The plot, based on a 1996 staging of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America in Charlotte, North Carolina, follows a theater company in a major Southern city as it puts on a controversial play featuring foul language, homosexual themes, and 7 minutes of full frontal male nudity. Leading up to the premiere, the city’s mayor brings legal action, locals threaten to burn the theater down, and the terrified actors exchange cans of pepper spray as opening night gifts. “The broad laugh-out-loud humor narrows slowly toward a poignant ending, making a fantasy into a reality,” writes one Charlotte Observer reviewer. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun. & Wed.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (students & seniors, $15) in advance at ptdproductions.com & at the door. (734) 483–7345.
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Observer Editor
Fustercluck & Friends: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
MorePerformance by an ensemble of 4 Detroit-area improvisers with over a century of combined experience. 7:30–8:30 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $10 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $12 (if available) at the door.
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Donation
Observer Editor
3rd Saturday Contra Dance & Barbeque Potluck: Pittsfield Union Grange
MoreRick Szumski calls to live music. Bring clean shoes for dancing. Beginners’ intro at 7 p.m. Preceded by a potluck/barbeque at 5:30 p.m. Burgers, brats, and veggie burgers supplied; bring a side dish or dessert to share. 7:30–10:30 p.m., 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $10–$15 suggested donation (pay what you can). (734) 274–0773.
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Observer Editor
“Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
MoreEvery 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.
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Observer Editor
“Gutenberg! The Musical!”: Penny Seats Theatre
MoreAug. 7–22. 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 project—a 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.
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Observer Editor
“Comedy on Tap”: Lowertown Bar & Cafe
MoreSets by area stand-up comics. 8 p.m., 1031 Broadway. $13 at the door. instagram.com/lowertowna2.
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Observer Editor
Michigan Playwrights Festival: Theatre Nova
MoreSee 13 Thursday. Tonight: Krystle Dellihue’s ASHE, about the pivotal moment when Arthur Ashe’s HIV diagnosis is on the verge of being exposed by the press. 8 p.m.
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Observer Editor
“Saturday Night Improv: Double Header”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
MoreEvery Sat. Rotating lineup of two local improv troupes. 8:30 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $10 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $12 (if available) at the door.
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Observer Editor
“Blush Drag Show”: Bløm Mead + Cider
MoreDrag show hosted by Blonski and Portia Lynn, with performers TBA. Age 18 & up. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. 9–10:30 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. $25 in advance at drinkblom.com/events & (if available) at the door. (734) 548–9729.
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Observer Editor
Zach Peterson: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
MoreAug. 14 & 15. Rising Omaha-based observational comic with a nerdy, off-kilter style delivers his thoughts on everything from vampires to being an uncle to the dangers of $35 hotel rooms. 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.
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Observer Editor
“Swim to the Moon”: Epic Races
More5K, 10K, 1.2-mile, and half-mile open water races. Awards, medals for finishers, T-shirts, & more. Proceeds benefit North Star Reach, a camp for kids with life-threatening medical conditions. Races begin from 6:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. (registration opens at 5:45 a.m.) Halfmoon Lake beach, 8725 Hankerd, Gregory. $180–$225 in advance at swimtothemoon.net; prices increase on race weekend. Michigan Recreation Passport (daily, $12 at the gate) required for each vehicle. (734) 585–7101.
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Free
Observer Editor
Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet
MoreEvery 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.
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Free
Observer 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
Elemental Ecstatic Dance
MoreEvery 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 & under, free) cash or Venmo (@andjru) at the door only. tinyurl.com/ecstatic-dance-a2.
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Free
Observer 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
35th Birthday Celebration: Sunday Artisan Market
More50+ local artisans, live music, food trucks, and more to celebrate 35 years of the Sunday Artisan Market, a juried market where artists and craftspeople show their work every Sunday, from April through the Sunday before Christmas. Work includes paintings, prints, ceramics, jewelry, woodcraft, drawings, candles, fabric & textile products, soap & personal care goods, repurposed items, and more. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Kerrytown Farmers Market pavilion. Free admission. (734) 913-9622 (voicemail only), [email protected], sundayartisanmarket.org.
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Free
Observer Editor
H.A.C. Ultimate
MoreEvery 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].
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Free
Observer Editor
Stage Combat Demonstration: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreMembers of the Michigan stage combat troupe Theatrica Gladiatoria demonstrate choreographed sword fighting, martial arts, and other stunts. Noon–1 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Observer Editor
Charity Soccer Match: Elliott Deedler ECMO Scholar Fund
MoreAll invited to cheer on Pioneer High students as they play a friendly exhibition match to benefit patients at U-M’s pediatric critical care program. ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) is an advanced life-support machine that saved now 15-year-old Pioneer High soccer player Deedler’s life. Noon, Pioneer High School Hollway Field, 601 W. Stadium at Main. $5 cash at the gate.