• Observer Editor

    81st Manchester Community Fair

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    Aug. 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) 2601019, [email protected].

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    Observer Editor

    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. 1–3 p.m. (Sun.) & 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Repairsday Thursday”: All Hands Active

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    Every Thurs. All invited to drop in with broken electronics, furniture, toys, or any other item they’d like to try to repair or repurpose with the help and guidance of AHA members. Repairs not guaranteed. 6–8 p.m., basement of 255 E. Liberty, ste. 225. Free; donations welcome. [email protected], meetup.com/allhandsactive/events.

  • Nightspots

    Street Fiction: El Limon

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    El Limon 2709 Plymouth

    An evening of jazz by this local rock band led by guitarists Dan Denison and Austin Netherton.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Drum Circle: Oz’s Music Environment

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    All invited to drum with renowned local percussionist Maruga Booker, who has played with the likes of George Clinton, Jerry Garcia, and Weather Report. 7 p.m., 1922 Packard. Free. (734) 662–8283.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Live Trivia: Bløm Mead + Cider

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    Every Thurs. Bløm staffers lead 2 rounds of trivia. Teams or single players welcome. Prizes. 7 & 8 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 5489729, drinkblom.com/events.

  • Observer Editor

    “Silent Movie”: 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. 20: “Silent Movie” (Mel Brooks, 1976). Satirical silent comedy about early 20th-century Hollywood slapstick comedies and the film industry. It uses intertitles and a soundtrack of orchestral music and sound effects. 7 p.m.

  • Nightspots

    Open Mic: Moonwinks Tavern

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    Moonwinks Tavern 5151 Plymouth Rd. (734) 994-5151.

    All performers invited. Hosted by local folk-rock singer-songwriter Mike Gentry. 6–9 p.m.

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    Observer Editor

    Open Mic: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth

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    All musicians invited to play a 1- to 3-song set. Material should be family friendly. Hosted by local singer-songwriter Don Digirolamo. Sign up on arrival. 7–9 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), 704 Airport Blvd., ste. 1. $5 suggested donation. (734) 327–0270, interfaithspirit.org.

  • Nightspots
    Observer Editor

    Focus: Jazz: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    Jazz favorites by the trio of pianist Jeff Fessler, bassist Will van Campen, and saxophonist Jeff Kopmanis.

  • Nightspots

    James Muto: The Ranch

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    The Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Jackson pop-country singer-guitarist.

  • Observer Editor

    “Comedy Jamm”: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase

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    Every Thurs. Performances by up to 12 aspiring and established area stand-up comics. 7:15 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $5 in advance at aacomedy.com & $6 at the door. (734) 996–9080.

  • Observer Editor

    “Southern Rapture”: PTD Productions

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    Aug. 13–16 & 19–22. Karrie Waarala directs local actors in Cleveland playwright Eric Coble’s 2009 dark satire exploring art, commerce, and censorship. The plot, based on a 1996 staging of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America in Charlotte, North Carolina, follows a theater company in a major Southern city as it puts on a controversial play featuring foul language, homosexual themes, and 7 minutes of full frontal male nudity. Leading up to the premiere, the city’s mayor brings legal action, locals threaten to burn the theater down, and the terrified actors exchange cans of pepper spray as opening night gifts. “The broad laugh-out-loud humor narrows slowly toward a poignant ending, making a fantasy into a reality,” writes one Charlotte Observer reviewer. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun. & Wed.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (students & seniors, $15) in advance at ptdproductions.com & at the door. (734) 483–7345.

  • Observer Editor

    “Gutenberg! The Musical!”: Penny Seats Theatre

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    Aug. 722. 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 projecta 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.

  • Nightspots

    Levona: Ziggy’s

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

    Ypsi pop-rock band. Openers: the Flint indie rock band Lopsider and the Detroit alt-rock band Wetbody.

  • Nightspots

    Cloverleaf.: The Arboretum

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    The Arboretum 984 E. Michigan Ave., Saline

    Ypsi postpunk band. Openers: the Detroit-area emo band Mccloud and the local postpunk rock trio Shindig Machine. $15.

  • Nightspots

    The Trews Acoustic Trio: Ark

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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Three principal members of this acclaimed Canadian rock band—Colin Macdonald, John-Angus Macdonald, and Jack Syperek—perform stripped-down acoustic rendition of hits from their extensive catalog. $29.

  • Nightspots

    Headband Henny.: Blind Pig

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    Blind Pig 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor

    Kalamazoo alternative R&B singer, Openers: the Wisconsin indie skate-rock band Social Cig, the Detroit-area alt-rock band FrostisRad, and the Clinton acoustic indie pop-rock band Luna Pier. $16.