• Observer Editor

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
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    Every Wed.–Sun. A carnival atmosphere with a variety of family-oriented fall activities on this family farm, including wagon rides, a petting farm, a corn maze, and more. For an extra charge on Sat. & Sun., an apple cannon, paintball, apple or pumpkin picking, and other activities available. Cider & donuts available. Also, on Oct. 3 & 4, local artisans & crafters sell their items at the Craft Show Weekend, and on Oct. 24, young entrepreneurs sell homemade items at the Kids Market (noon–4 p.m.). No pets. 11 a.m.–6 p.m., 5565 Merritt (east of Carpenter), Ypsi. Weekend admission: $27.50 (babies under 2, free). Weekday admission: $18 (babies under 2, free), online only at wiards.com. (734) 482–7744.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Real-World Perspectives”: U-M Poverty Solutions Fall Speaker Series

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    Every Fri., except Oct. 9. Talks by scholars and social workers, followed by Q&A.

    Oct. 2: U-M professor of social work and public policy Kristin Seefeldt on “Lessons Learned from Designing and Evaluating Ann Arbor’s Guaranteed Income Pilot.”

    Oct. 16: Wayne State University social work professor Kess Ballentine on “Beyond Silos: An Inter-Institutional Framework for Understanding Poverty and Advancing Social Change.”

    Oct. 23: UCLA architecture professor Dana Cuff on “cityLAB’s Innovations for Affordable Housing.”

    Oct. 30: “Designing for Dignity: Strengthening Food Assistance Amid Policy Threats.” U-M public health professor Kate Bauer in conversation with Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan director Taylor Moore.

    Noon–1:30 p.m., School of Social Work, B780 (basement), 1080 South University. Also via livestream. Free. (734) 929–8027, [email protected], fordschool.umich.edu/events.

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater

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    Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. T. Rex (noon) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence); The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.) explores the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own; and Tales of the Maya Skies (2 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Walking Tours: U-M Detroit Observatory

    Walking Tours: U-M Detroit Observatory
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    Oct. 3, 10, 17, 23, & 30. Student docents lead walks to historically rich areas of the U-M campus.

    Oct. 3 (1–2:30 p.m) & Oct. 23 (4–5:30 p.m.): “Key Moments in U-M’s Early History.” A tour of the original 40-acre campus and stories of U-M’s history in the early 1800s.

    Oct. 10 (1–2:30 p.m.): “Invisible to Indispensable: Black Legacies.” Focuses on the legacy of Black students and academics and the social movements they led on campus.

    Oct. 17 (1–2:30 p.m.): “The Origins of the Law Quadrangle.” A visit to the law school campus, with discussion of its architecture and important historical moments.

    Oct. 23 (6–7:30 p.m.): “Paths of Protest: Stories of Campus Activism.” Visits to places on campus that were sites of important protests.

    Oct. 30 (4–5:30 p.m.): “Forest Hill Cemetery.” A trek to the final resting place of numerous figures from U-M history.

    Various times & locations. Free, preregistration required at detroitobservatory.umich.edu. (734) 763–2230.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Beyond the Seas Blue”: U-M Center for South Asian Studies

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    University of California art professor Asma Kazmi discusses her new project tracing lapis lazuli from Afghan mines to pigment-making operations and museum collections. 4–5:30 p.m., 555 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. (734) 764-0448.

  • Nightspots

    Tony Linzmeier.: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    An eclectic mix of 80s New Wave and acoustic rock covers & originals by this local singer-songwriter. 4:30–6:30 p.m.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Field Hockey

    U-M Field Hockey
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    Match vs. Iowa. The U-M also has home matches this month against Northwestern (Oct. 4, noon), Maryland (Oct. 9, 4 p.m.), Monmouth (Oct. 11, 11 a.m.), and Ohio State (Oct. 30, 5 p.m.). 5 p.m., Ocker Field, 1202 S. State. Free. (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com.

  • Nightspots

    Myke Grayshaw.: The Ranch

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    The Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Country covers by this Detroit-area singer-guitarist. 5 p.m.

  • Observer Editor

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
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    Every Fri.–Sun. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits. Also, a u-pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, and yard games. The corn maze is illuminated and guests get a free glow stick on Glow Maze Nights (Oct. 9, 16, & 23, 5–9 p.m.). On All You Can Carry Pumpkin Day (Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.), for $10 you can purchase all the pumpkins you can successfully stack and carry down the lane. On Pumpkin Smash Day (Oct. 30, 5–9 p.m.), each guest receives a free pumpkin to smash, which is then composted or fed to the farm’s animals. Costumes encouraged for the Halloween Spooktacular (Oct. 31, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.). 5–9 p.m (Fri.), 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.). 6175 Daly, Dexter. $16 (ages 5–12, $13; age 4 & under, free with adult admission). blastcornmaze.com.

  • Nightspots

    Bob Skon Trio.: North Star Lounge

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

    Nashville-based indie folk singer-songwriter. 5:30–6:30 p.m. FreeJazz-tinged folk-rock covers and originals by this ensemble led by Skon, a veteran local singer-songwriter known for his wry songs about love and loss. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.

  • Observer Editor

    “Aviary After Dark”: Aviary Aerial & Circus Arts

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    Oct. 30 & 31. Aerial artists from this local training studio present a Halloween- and horror-themed performance featuring silks, trapeze, and other aerial disciplines. Parental discretion advised. 6 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 1 p.m. (Sat.). Aviary Studio, 2875 Boardwalk, ste. A. Tickets $28 in advance at a2aviary.com/liftoff & at the door. [email protected]. 

  • Observer Editor

    D&D Adventurers League: Sylvan Factory

    D&D Adventurers League: Sylvan Factory
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    Every 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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Witchy Woo Fest”: Bløm Mead + Cider

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    Tarot readings (6–9 p.m.) and pumpkin painting (6–8 p.m.), with classic spooky movies TBA playing without sound on the big screen. Hot mulled mead and baked goods for sale. 6–10 p.m. Bløm, 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food and drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729.