Events
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Observer Editor
Foodie Fridays: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation
MoreEvery Friday. Local food truck rally. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (or until sold out), County Farm Park, 2230 Platt.
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Observer Editor
81st Manchester Community Fair
MoreAug. 18–22. Midway rides (Wed.–Sat.), carnival games, concessions, livestock shows, live music, beer tent, and more. Special events include an opening parade (Aug. 18, 6:30 p.m.), classic & antique tractor pulls (Aug. 19, noon & 4 p.m.), pro wrestling by Insane Wrestling Revolution (Aug. 19, 7 p.m.), a Bump and Run Demolition Derby (Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m.), a cornhole competition (Aug. 21, 6 p.m.), and bull riding & rodeo (Aug. 22, 7 p.m.). For complete schedule, see manchesterfair.org. 5–10 p.m. (Tues.), 10 a.m.–10 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), & 3–10 p.m. (Fri.), Alumni Memorial Field, Vernon & Wolverine, Manchester. Admission: Tues., $5; Wed., Thurs., & Sat., $10 (Sat. before noon, $5); Fri., free. Kids age 5 & under, free. (734) 260–1019, [email protected].
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Nightspots
Eric Moore & The Fugitives: The Ranch
MoreThe Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann ArborA new country side project by veteran local singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist Moore.
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Community Listing
Friday Night Music: Lake Forest Golf Club
More3110 W. Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor
🎶 Friday Night Music at Lake Forest | August 21
Kick off the weekend with Detroit musician Sandy Love, great food, good friends, and one of those Lake Forest sunsets. 🌅
Come for dinner, meet up for drinks, or bring the family and settle in for a relaxed summer evening.
🎸 Sandy Love | 5:30–8:30 PM
🍸 Happy Hour | 3–5 PM
🍽️ Fresh summer favorites from Chef Blake Reetz
🌿 Outdoor music, weather permitting
🔥 Firetables • Lawn games • Sunset viewsEveryone is welcome — golfers and non-golfers alike.
📍 Lake Forest Golf Club / Ellsworth Food & Spirits
3110 W. Ellsworth Rd., Ann Arbor
📞 734-994-8580 | Reservations encouragedFree -
Free
Observer Editor
“Summer Game Skate”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAll invited to a free open ice skating session to celebrate the end of this year’s AADL Summer Game. Skate rentals, free. 6–8 p.m., Yost Ice Arena, 1116 S. State. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Nightspots
Gregory Stovetop
MoreVeteran Chelsea singer-songwriter, a self-styled “riff rock space cowboy” whose influences range from Elvis and Johnny Cash to Soundgarden and The Replacements.
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Observer Editor
D&D Adventurers League: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery Fri. All invited to play the current official campaign of the popular Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game, using 5th-edition rules. Kids under 13 must have adult accompaniment. 6–10 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. $10. Space limited, preregistration strongly recommended. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.
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Observer Editor
“The Big Cheese”: 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. 21: “The Big Cheese” (Sara Joe Wolansky, 2025). Documentary about an underdog team of U.S. cheesemongers preparing to compete at the French Mondial du Fromage, the “Olympics of Cheese.” Followed by a wine and cheese reception in the lobby with Zingerman’s Deli. 6:30 p.m.
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Observer Editor
Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery 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.
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Observer Editor
“Euchre Change a Life!”
MoreAug. 7 & 21. Five-game euchre tournament. Sign up with a partner, or get paired with one by the organizers. Prizes. Food and beverages available for purchase. Proceeds benefit Haitian children via Haitian Christian Outreach. 6:30–9 p.m., HOMES Campus, 112 Jackson Plz. $15 (HOMES members, $10). [email protected], tinyurl.com/a2euchrechange.
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Free
Observer Editor
Music in the Park: Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce
MoreSee 14 Friday. Tonight: Midnight Special, a Pinckney-based Texas blues trio. 6:30–9 p.m.
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Nightspots
Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums: Live
MoreLive 102 S. First St., Ann ArborSwinging jazz standards and driving R&B by this acclaimed ensemble led by Lucky, better known in Ann Arbor as Steve Wethy, the frontman and pianist for the Blue Front Persuaders, a neo-jump blues quintet that was one of the great local bands of the early 80s. Wethy moved to San Francisco many years ago, but his local shows continue to draw big crowds.
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Free
Observer Editor
John E. Lawrence Summer Jazz Concert Series
MoreSee 7 Friday. Tonight: an ensemble led by Ypsilanti jazz guitar virtuoso, and Summer Jazz Series founder, John E. Lawrence. 7 p.m.
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Nightspots
40 Stitches Later: Moonwinks Tavern
MoreMoonwinks Tavern 5151 Plymouth Rd. (734) 994-5151.Lansing Americana alt-country quartet.
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Nightspots
Masculine Lethargy: Ypsi Alehouse
MoreYpsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, YpsilantiPerformances by local male singer-songwriters TBA.
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Nightspots
Root Cause Analysis: Water Tower Distilling Co.
MoreWater Tower Distilling Co. 23 N. Washington,, YpsilantiDuo of local folk & Americana singer-songwriters Jill Baker & Lynne Frederickson.
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Observer Editor
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
MoreEvery 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.
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Nightspots
Pontiac Trail Blazers
MoreLocal bluegrass quartet known for its beautiful vocal harmonies and instrumental prowess. Tonight they are joined by fiddler Grant Flick. 7–10 p.m. $10.
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Nightspots
La Tanya Hall Quartet: Blue LLama
MoreBlue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann ArborEnsemble led by this jazz vocalist renowned for her ability to breathe new life into the Great American Songbook.
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Observer Editor
Jimmy Pardo: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
MoreAug. 21 & 22. A frequent guest on late-night TV, this West Coast comic is known for his engaging personality, expressive face, improv skills, playfully challenging and sparring with his audience, and hilarious railings on all things moronic, including himself. Pardo’s shows often sell out. Opening act TBA. 7:15 p.m., 212 S. Fourth Ave. $25 at aacomedy.com & (if available) at the door. Special engagement; no passes, discounts or coupons accepted. (734) 996–9080.
