Events
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Observer Editor
Saline Summerfest
MoreSee 7 Friday. Today: A 5K race (8:30 a.m. at Saline City Hall; preregistration required at tinyurl.com/salinesf5k2026), a car show (9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.), a beauty pageant crowning (noon), a teen hangout event (7 p.m.), and arts & crafts booths. Live music includes country and classic rock covers by Detroit-area quartet Motor City Moonshine (4 & 6 p.m.), classic rock tribute band Leave Those Kids Alone (5 & 7 p.m.), and 70s & 80s classic rock band 50 Amp Fuse (8 p.m.). 8:30 a.m.–11 p.m.
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Observer Editor
Dexter Summer Festival: Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce
MoreSee 7 Friday. Today, the festivities begin with a parade (10 a.m.) down Main from Hudson, then left on Broad to Grand. Today’s live music in Monument Park includes classic country, western swing, and boogie-woogie from the Cadillac Cowboys (3–5 p.m.), and a mix of Top 40 country and pop dance music from Detroit band Still Rain (7–10 p.m.). The Broad stage features folk-rock and roots Americana from the Dave Boutette Trio (1–3 p.m.) and Allman Brothers tribute band Revival (5–7 p.m.). The festival ends today with an outdoor screening of a family-friendly movie to be chosen by Dexter residents. 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
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Observer Editor
“Fun Fest 2026”: Fundamental Sound Co.
MoreOutdoor performances by local music acts. Featuring traditional New Orleans jazz by the Detroit-based Gabriel Brass Band, the popular jam-oriented pop-rock band Pajamas, the all-star local jazz-jam band The Pherotones, the progressive jazz band Tikimen of Berlin, classic rock ’n’ roll and soul covers by the Blaine Luis Band, blues-rock & Americana by James Bourland & the Staches, and jazz-funk & electronica by Sophiyah E & the Sol Tribe. With solo acoustic performances by local folk-rock & Americana singer-songwriters Adam Snyder, Skinned Knees, Maddy Ringo, and Carmel Liburdi. Also, art and vintage clothing for sale, a bounce house, concessions, and more. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. 1–10:30 p.m., Frog Island Park, Ypsi. Tickets $20 in advance at fundamentalsoundco.com & at the gate.
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Nightspots
Ukulele Jake
MoreYpsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, YpsilantiAnn Arbor-bred, NYC-based ukulele player and stand-up comic known for his up-beat and entertaining live shows. 4:30–6:30 p.m.
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Free
Observer Editor
“No-Sew Felt Onigiri Plush”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults and teens invited to make a rice ball–shaped plush toy. 5–6:30 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Observer Editor
“Twilight at the Farm”: Domino’s Petting Farm
MoreAug. 8 & 22. All invited—including artists & photographers—to experience the farm and its animals during the evening. Other attractions open; food for sale. 6–9:30 p.m., 3001 Earhart. $8 (seniors, $5.50; kids under 2, free). pettingfarm.com.
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Nightspots
The Whiskey Charmers
MoreNorth Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann ArborClassy Detroit neo-honky-tonk quartet fronted by singer-guitarist Carrie Shepard that bills its music as “electric heartbreak on the rocks.” 6:30–7:45 p.m. $15.
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Observer Editor
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”: Horizon Performing Arts
MoreAug. 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.
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Observer Editor
Flamy Grant: Zion Lutheran Church
MoreConcert by this Asheville, NC–based folk singer–guitarist and drag queen whose debut album, Bible Belt Baby, reached #1 on the iTunes Christian music charts in 2023. Her songs blend country, gospel, and roots music with powerhouse vocals and stage banter that ranges from flamboyant to heartfelt. 7 p.m., 1501 W. Liberty. $10 in advance at zlc-aa.org/news & (if available) at the door using a card only. (517) 474–1045, [email protected].
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Observer Editor
“1969: Killers, Freaks, and Radicals”: Michigan Theater
MoreFilm 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. 8: “1969: Killers, Freaks, and Radicals” (Andrew Templeton, 2024). Documentary that examines the crimes of serial killer John Norman Collins in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti in the late 1960s within the context of the social and political events of the times. 7 p.m.
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Nightspots
There and Back Again.
MoreMoonwinks Tavern 5151 Plymouth Rd. (734) 994-5151.U-M student jazz quartet.
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Observer Editor
Kozora Quartet: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth Cafe 704
MoreWorld fusion ensemble led by multi-instrumentalist Ken Kozora, a veteran local jazz luminary. With saxophonist/flutist Paul Vornhagen, drummer Enrique “Kito” Pardo, and Robert Spalding Newcomb on guitar, sitar, & synths. 7–9 p.m., 704 Airport Blvd., ste. 1. Sliding scale tickets $10–$20 at the door only. Livestream available ($10 in advance only at interfaithspirit.org/cafe-704-coffeehouse). (734) 657–5384, [email protected].
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Nightspots
Anna Ess & Friends
MoreYpsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, YpsilantiLocal indie folk singer-songwriter whose music is inspired by Fiona Apple, PJ Harvey and Alanis Morissette.
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Nightspots
Shahida Nurullah & Good Company
MoreBlue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann ArborQuartet led by Nurullah, a big-voiced Detroit jazz singer who specializes in blues, ballads, and pop standards.
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Observer Editor
Mike O’Keefe: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
MoreAug. 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.
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Observer Editor
“Lady Windermere’s Fan”: Loonlight Theatre
MoreAug. 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].
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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
“Athena”: Theatre Nova
MoreEvery 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.
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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
“F*ckToys”: Michigan Theater
MoreFilm 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. 1: “F*ckToys” (Annapurna Sriram, 2025). In this wild, unfiltered, surreal film, a part-time sex worker and full-time chaos magnet goes on a wild quest for $1,000 and a sacrificial lamb to lift a curse. The 2026 Cinetopia Audience Award Winner. 8 p.m.