• Observer Editor

    Saline Summerfest

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    See 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.

  • Community Listing

    Saline Summerfest Arts and Crafts Show

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    Saline Summerfest Arts & Crafts Show Returns August 8 with New Location and Expanded Artist Lineup

    The Saline Summerfest Arts & Crafts Show returns to downtown Saline on Saturday, August 8, inviting the community to celebrate local art, creativity, and small businesses.

    Now in a new location on North Ann Arbor Street, this year’s show will feature 35 talented artists and makers offering original, handcrafted work in a wide variety of mediums, including painting, pottery, jewelry, resin, ceramics, fiber arts, glass, woodworking, mixed media, and more. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their creative process, and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces directly from the makers.

    The Saline Summerfest Arts & Crafts Show is free to attend and will take place Saturday, August 8, on North Ann Arbor Street in downtown Saline from 9 am to 5 pm. Whether you’re an art collector, looking for a unique gift, or simply searching for a fun summer outing, the event offers something for all ages.

    Free
  • Observer Editor

    Dexter Summer Festival: Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce

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    See 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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy

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    Every Sat. & Sun. and Fri. Aug. 7 & 21. On Sat. and Sun., conservancy staffers present and give insights into some animals with superpowers, including an African crested porcupine, a three-banded armadillo, and a frilled dragon at 1 & 4 p.m., and an animal keeper shows a Gila monster at 2 & 3 p.m. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show all four animals at 7:30 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. Noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) & 7–9 p.m. (Fri.), 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 (kids ages 2–12, $13; under age 2, free) cash or credit at the door only. (734) 929–9324, thecreatureconservancy.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Saturday Open House: U-M Detroit Observatory

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    Aug. 8 & 29 (different times). All invited to drop in and tour the historic building, view exhibits, participate in astronomy-related activities, and use the observatory’s telescopes (weather permitting). On Aug. 29, the observatory is open late to observe the night sky with the 1857 Fitz telescope. Noon–5 p.m. (Aug. 8) & noon–11 p.m. (Aug. 29), 1398 E. Ann at Observatory. Free. (734) 763–2230, detroitobservatory.umich.edu.

  • Observer Editor

    “Fun Fest 2026”: Fundamental Sound Co.

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    Outdoor 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.

  • Observer Editor

    Drop-in Improv Games: Ypsi Improv

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    Aug. 4, 8, 15, 22, & 29. All age 16 & up invited to learn about and participate in improv games in a fun, relaxed, and judgment-free setting. No experience necessary. The Aug. 15 meeting is followed by an hour-long skills session discussing and practicing a specific improv skill. 7–9 p.m. (Tues.) & 2–4 p.m. (Sat.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $8 (with skills session, $15) in advance via PayPal or Venmo linked from meetup.com/ypsi-improv or in cash at the door.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Megafauna Mystery”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos

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    Every Sat. & Sun. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for kids age 5 & up that uses museum specimens to explore paleontology and what can be learned from giant bones and fossils. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org. 

  • Observer Editor

    “Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company

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    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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Athena”: Theatre Nova

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    Every 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.

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Women’s Soccer

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    Match vs. Loyola Chicago. Exhibition game. The U-M has regular season home games this month against Xavier (Aug. 22, 5 p.m.) and Notre Dame (Aug. 27, 7 p.m., $11–$13). 3 p.m., U-M Soccer Stadium, 2250 S. State. $9–$11 (groups of 10 or more, $3 per person; kids 5 & under, free). Exhibition games, free. (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    A2 Summer Streets Music Series: Main Street Area Association

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    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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Tales from Earthsea”: 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 & at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

    Aug. 8 & 10: “Tales from Earthsea” (Gorō Miyazaki, 2006). Dubbed (Sat.) & subtitled (Mon.) screenings of this Japanese anime fantasy based on the Ursula K. Le Guin book series. 4 p.m. (Sat.) & 6:45 p.m. (Mon.).

  • Observer Editor

    “CatVideoFest”: Michigan Theater

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    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. 79: “CatVideoFest” (various directors, 2026). Compilation of funny and cute online cat videos. A portion of proceeds goes to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. 6:30 p.m. (Fri.), 2 p.m. (Sat.), & 4 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.).

  • Nightspots

    Ukulele Jake

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    Ann 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.

  • 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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Twilight at the Farm”: Domino’s Petting Farm

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    Aug. 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.

  • Nightspots

    The Whiskey Charmers

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

    Classy 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.