• 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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    CANCELED: Group Sketch: Ann Arbor Urban Sketchers

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    This month’s meeting canceled.

    All invited to join this group of sketchers who meet to sketch and share what they’ve done. 11 a.m.–1 p.m., location TBA on facebook.com/groups/uskannarbor. Free. urbansketchersannarbor.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 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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Letterpress Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library

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    Aug. 8, 11, 18, & 29 (different times). A chance for adults to learn the basics of printing with movable type. Noon–2 p.m. (Aug. 8), 5–7 p.m. (Aug. 11 & 18), and 1–3 p.m. (Aug. 29), AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.

  • Donation
    Observer Editor

    Critter House Open Hours: Leslie Science & Nature Center

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    Every Sat. & Sun., except Aug. 16. A chance to view LSNC birds of prey and its Critter House animals, which include frogs, turtles, snakes, and other species native to Michigan. Noon–3 p.m., 1831 Traver. $5 suggested donation. (734) 997–1553, lesliesnc.org.  

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Union Base Ball Club of Dexter

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    Game vs. vs. Wyandotte Stars Base Ball Club. This 14-year-old club plays baseball using 1860s-era rules against similar teams from around the region, today against Wyandotte’s 19-year-old team. The month’s remaining home games include one against the Monitor Base Ball Club of Chelsea (Aug. 8), and the Wahoo Base Ball Club of Royal Oak (Aug. 29). 1 p.m., Webster Township Hall, 5665 Webster Church Rd., Dexter. Free. [email protected], unionbbc.com.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “The Origins of the Law Quadrangle”: U-M Detroit Observatory

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    Student docents lead a walking tour through the law school campus, with discussion of its architecture and important moments in Michigan Law history. 1–2:30 p.m., meet at the corner of South University & State. Free, preregistration required at detroitobservatory.umich.edu. (734) 763–2230.

  • 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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Museum Highlight Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History

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    Every Sat. Thirtyminute tour of the museum’s exhibits and galleries, as well as an introduction to some current U-M Biological Sciences research projects. 1:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. (734) 764–0478.

  • Observer Editor

    “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”: Horizon Performing Arts

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    Aug. 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.

  • 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.).

  • 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.