• Free
    Observer Editor

    Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet

    Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet
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    Every 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 (7 a.m. Tues. & 8 a.m. Sun.), 112 Jackson Plz., (734) 929–9022 & Fleet Feet (7 p.m. Wed.), 123 E. Liberty, (734) 769–5016. Free. fleetfeetsemichigan.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 (sight, hearing, and smell) 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.

  • Observer Editor

    MI Postcards for Patriots

    MI Postcards for Patriots
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    Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30. All invited to drop-in to volunteer to help turn out the vote for the November 2026 election by writing postcards and other activities. 1–3 p.m., York Food & Drink, 1928 Packard. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. [email protected], equalityingov.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Inside the Writer’s Study”: Ann Arbor District Library Smell & Tell

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    Sept. 8 & 9 (different times). Local writer and fragrance expert Michelle Krell Kydd, creator of the award-winning flavor and fragrance blog Glass Petal Smoke, leads a guided smelling of 7 mystery scents. 6–7:30 p.m. (Sept. 8) & 1:30–3 p.m. (Sept. 9), AADL Downtown, 4th fl. Free. (734) 327–4200.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Center for Emerging Democracies Lectures

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    Sept. 9 & 16. Talks & panel discussions by visiting scholars. Sept. 9: The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States. American Enterprise Institute fellow Kori Schake discusses her new book. Sept. 16: “Democracy Against Workers?” A panel discussion with Vanderbilt University political science professor Noam Lupu, Duke University public policy professor Nicholas Carnes, and George Washington University political science professor Adam Dean. 4–6 p.m., Michigan Union, Kuenzel Rm. Free. (734) 764–0351.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Michigan Marching Band Practice

    Michigan Marching Band Practice
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    Every Mon.–Thurs. (except Sept. 7). The U-M’s highly disciplined 200+ member marching band or sections thereof can be seen and heard practicing on the new Elbel field, across the street from the old Elbel field. All welcome to find a spot in the bleachers and get a sneak preview of upcoming halftime shows. Rehearsals usually last 12 hours. 4:45 p.m., new Elbel Field, Hill at Fifth Ave. Free. (734) 764–0582.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Data Center Community Town Hall: U-M Government Relations

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    Members of the Ypsilanti Township community are invited to learn more about a new high-performance research computing center being built in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory. The format is guided discussion followed by a Q&A and comment period. 5-7 p.m., Ann Arbor Marriott, 1275 S. Huron St., Ypsilanti. Preregistration required at govrel.umich.edu/community-relations/town-hall. Also available via livestream.

  • 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.

  • Nightspots

    Mikey Abbasspour.: North Star Lounge

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    North Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

    Eclectic local singer-songwriter & classical guitarist. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.

  • Observer Editor

    “Community Table”: The Washtenaw Food Hub

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    Every Wed. Food- and agriculture-related discussions and demos.

    Sept. 2: Harvest to Pantry.” Dehydrating vegetables with Tantré Farm co-owner Deb Lentz. Free.

    Sept. 9: “Herbal Syrups.” Making syrups for drinks and teas with Unity Vibrations cofounder Rachel Kanaan. $7.

    Sept. 16: “Seasonal Salad Dressings.” Food Hub instructor Robin Lehman teaches simple, adaptable recipes. Free.

    Sept. 23: “Wet Felting Basics.” With local fiber artist and shepherd Mitch Fehrle. $15.

    Sept. 30: “Black Walnut Revival.” Billy Sullivan covers collecting and processing black walnuts for the table. Free.

    6–7 p.m., 4175 Whitmore Lake Rd. Cost varies. Preregistration required for all events at tinyurl.com/a2-foodhub. thewashtenawfoodhub.com.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun
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    Every Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.) & 1–3 p.m. (Sun.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “A2 Crokinole Club”: Lowertown Bar & Cafe

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    Every Wed. All invited to play this century-old Canadian game. Players flick discs across concentric scoring rings on a circular hardwood board. All skill levels welcome; boards provided. On the patio, weather permitting. 6–8 p.m., 1031 Broadway. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. lowertowna2.com/events.  

  • Nightspots

    Dennis Gregg.: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    Acoustic folk-rock covers and some originals by this local singer-guitarist.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Group Runs: A2 Runners

    Group Runs: A2 Runners
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    Every Wed. & Mon. Runners of all abilities invited to join a beginner or advanced 3- to 5-mile group run, followed by socializing at a downtown coffee shop. 6:30 p.m., meet at the Kerrytown Clock Tower. Preregistration requested at meetup.com/a2runners. Free. [email protected] 

  • Observer Editor

    Figure Drawing: Dzanc House

    Figure Drawing: Dzanc House
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    Sept. 9 & 23. All skill levels welcome to draw a live model. Bring your own art supplies. Light refreshments. 6:30–9 p.m., 402 S. Huron St., Ypsi. $10 to pay model. Preregistration required by the Mon. before the event. dzanchouse.org.

  • Observer Editor

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory

    More

    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

    “RiffTrax Live: Sting of Death”: Fathom Entertainment

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    (734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 3165500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

    Sept. 9 & 13: “RiffTrax Live: Sting of Death” Broadcast of a prerecorded “riffing” performance by former Mystery Science Theater 3000 stars Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett, who aim their comic heckling at a screening of William Grefé’s cheesy sci-fi horror about deadly jellyfish. Wed. 7 p.m. (both theaters). Sun. 2:15 p.m. & 5 p.m. (Emagine) and 4:15 p.m. (Cinemark). $15.

  • Nightspots

    Jacob Hart Piano Duo.: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Ensemble led by this award-winning 17-year-old Detroit pianist. Free.

  • Observer Editor

    Ann Arbor Bridge Club

    Ann Arbor Bridge Club
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    Every Wed. All invited to play friendly, competitive ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Arrive 20 minutes early if coming without a partner. Call before coming to check that the game is being held. 7–10:30 p.m., Walden Hills clubhouse, 2114 Pauline (park in marked spaces in the lot on the north side of Pauline). $6 per person. (734) 945–6021.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “The MIvoter Website”: Pittsfield Union Grange

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    Charles Roth introduces this website for voters that contains information about Michigan’s elected offices. Preceded at 6:30 p.m. by a potluck; bring a dish to pass. 7:15 p.m., 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Free. (734) 274–0773.

  • Observer Editor

    “An Adventure in Good Music: The Karl Haas Legacy”: Kerrytown Concert House

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    In a tribute to his father, pianist Jeff Haas hosts a screening of the half-hour documentary film An Adventure in Good Music: From Nazi Germany to the Radio Hall of Fame about Detroit WJR classical radio icon Karl Haas, and plays a work composed by his father and himself, “May the Words.” Also, a performance by a local wind quintet of a Haas favorite, Samuel Barber’s “Summer Music,” with flutist Amy Porter, oboist Mark Doerr, clarinetist Tianyi Shen, bassoonist Jeffrey Lyman, and horn player Scott Strong. 7:30 p.m., 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $32–$42 (students, $20–$30) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 769–2999.

  • Nightspots

    “Sound Invaders.”: Ziggy’s

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    Ziggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    Showcase of ambient and electronic music. Hosted by the local synthwave ambient artist Omo.

  • Nightspots

    Advance Base.

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    The stage name of Owen Ashworth, a soft-rock singer-songwriter from Illinois who writes melancholic electronic story songs. Openers: Brawny Lad, an Ypsi acoustic trio whose sound blends a number of American musical traditions, and Jim Cherewick, a versatile veteran local postpunk rock ’n’ roll singer-songwriter.

  • Nightspots

    Jake Nellett.: Blind Pig

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    Blind Pig 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor

    U-M student indie pop singer-songwriter. Openers: fellow U-M student bands Superego and The Quartet. $14.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Fall Migration in Nichols Arboretum”: Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance

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    Every Thurs., Sept. 3–Oct. 29. WBNA members lead a hike through the Arb to look for fall warblers and other southbound migrants. Birders of all skill levels welcome. 8–11 a.m., meet in the cul-de-sac at the end of Riverview. (off Geddes near the east end of Dow Field). Free. washtenawbna.org.

  • Community Listing

    Ms. Rachel Storytime: Starbright Entertainment LLC and Recess Cafe

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    Recess Cafe, 208 S Ashley St, Ann Arbor

    This Ms. Rachel inspired storytime will have young fans moving, playing, and learning! Sing and dance to some of Ms Rachel’s favorite songs like “Hop Little Bunnies” and “Icky Sticky Bubble Gum”, play movement games, and read interactive stories with Starbright Entertainment’s own “Ms Rachel”!

    https://www.starbrightentertainmenta2.com/store/p/msrachel-storytime

    $10