Events
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Observer Editor
“Makerspace: Mini Roller Coasters”: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
MoreNov. 7, 8, & 15. All invited to turn everyday household recyclables into a gravity-defying, high-speed mini roller coaster to carry a marble down a track. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 220 E. Ann. $16 museum admission (babies under 2, free). (734) 995–9439, discoverscienceandnature.org/aahom.
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Observer Editor
Sunday Artisan Market
MoreEvery Sun. through Dec. 20. Juried market. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Farmers Market Pavilion, Kerrytown. Free admission. (734) 913–9622.
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FreeObserver Editor
H.A.C. Ultimate
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to a relaxed pick-up game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Beginners welcome. Play proceeds regardless of the weather. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Fuller Park, just west of the pool & parking lot (or occasionally across the street). Free. (734) 846–9418, [email protected].
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Observer Editor
Contact Improv
MoreAll invited to try this interactive, free-form dance style that involves a rolling point of contact between two or more people through which dancers give and share weight. No partner required; beginners welcome. Preceded at 10:30 a.m. by a lesson. 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Gretchen’s House, 2340 Oak Valley. $15 ($25 includes lesson). Preregistration required at bit.ly/4eayqvI. [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
Letterpress Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreNov. 3, 8, 16, & 22 (different times). A chance for adults to learn the basics of printing with movable type. 5–7 p.m. (Nov. 3 & 16), noon–2 p.m. (Nov. 8), and 1–3 p.m. (Nov. 22), AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Nature Detectives”: Scio Township Parks Department
MoreAll invited on this naturalist-guided hike to identify animals and plants. Dress for the weather. Noon–2 p.m. Township Hall Park, 827 N. Zeeb. Free, preregistration required (space limited) at tinyurl.com/scio-nature-11-8-26. [email protected].
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Observer Editor
Critter House Open Hours: Leslie Science & Nature Center
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun. 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.
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Observer Editor
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun. and Nov. 6 & 20. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show some native Michigan animals, including a cougar, black rat snake, and opossum at 1 & 4 p.m.; and a wild turkey 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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FreeObserver Editor
Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to play one of a wide variety of board games in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Instruction provided. Also, on Nov. 1, game playtesting with Michigame Design Lab (2 p.m.), during which players are invited to try out new board & card games from local designers Bruce Bielawa & Joe Hopkins and provide feedback. Noon–6 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. sylvanfactory.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Marvelous Magnets”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun., except Nov. 15, 28, & 29. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for age 5 & up that explores magnetism, magnetic fields, and what they have to do with everyday life. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
“A Love Letter to Black Romance”: Ann Arbor District Library
MorePanel discussion with Black romance novelists Beverly Jenkins, Elle Wright, Sherelle Green, and Angela Seals. 1–2:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, lower level program rm. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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FreeObserver Editor
Drop-in Knitting: Spun
MoreEvery 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.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Chesstastic”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults and kids age 5 & up invited to drop in and play chess. All skill levels welcome. Instruction not provided. Chess sets provided. 1–3 p.m., AADL Traverwood. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Observer Editor
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (noon) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago; 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 T. Rex (2 p.m.) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence). Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
Shape Note Singing: Ann Arbor Sacred Harp
MoreAll invited to join an afternoon of shape note, or sacred harp, singing, an early American form of communal hymn singing. Songbooks available, but singers are encouraged to bring their own. Note that this is not the group’s usual second Sunday. 1–4 p.m., the Ark, 316 S. Main. Free. (734) 478–3394, (734) 995–2519, [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
“Mad Luck Club Mah-jongg Hang”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
MoreAll invited to play mah-jongg in a friendly, relaxed setting. No experience required. Instruction and tiles provided. 1–4 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. Free. heardotsay.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Walking with Whales Tour”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreNov. 1, 8, & 22. Thirty-minute tour that uses the museum’s specimens to tell the story of prehistoric whales and dolphins, who had 4 limbs and walked on land. 1:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. (734) 764–0478.
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Community ListingFree
Exhibition Tour: “We Hold These Truths” with Yodit Mesfin: University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA)
More525 south state street, Ann Arbor
Join poet and strategist Yodit Mesfin and award-winning artist Holly Bass for a tour of “We Hold These Truths”.
🗓️ Sunday. Nov. 8
⏰ 2-3 PM
📍 UMMA
🎟️ Free & open to the public; registration required.We Hold These Truths marks the return of visitors to UMMA’s iconic Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Apse following a nearly year-long restoration of its signature marble floor, transforming the storied space into a sequence of encounters with rooms, replicas, and acts of writing that move through the nation’s past and present.
https://umma.umich.edu/events/exhibition-tour-we-hold-these-truths-with-yodit-mesfin/
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FreeObserver Editor
“Drag Bingo”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAll invited to play a fun-filled round of bingo hosted by local drag queen Baddie Brooks. Prizes. 2–3 p.m., AADL Downtown, 4th fl. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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FreeObserver Editor
Matthew Ball, the Boogie Woogie Kid: Ypsilanti District Library, Whittaker
MoreFamily-friendly performance of New Orleans and Swing Era standards by this singer-pianist and popular YouTuber who bills himself as the Motor City Boogie Woogie Kid. 2–3 p.m., 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsi. Free. (734) 482–4110, ypsilibrary.events.mylibrary.digital.
