Events
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FreeObserver Editor
“Walking with Whales Tour”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Sun. 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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FreeObserver Editor
Native Beadwork Necklace Workshop: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults and kids age 5 & up invited to learn basic beading techniques, then make a necklace to take home. Led by Saginaw Chippewa instructor Ellie Mitchell. (See 2 Friday listing). 2–3 p.m., AADL Pittsfield. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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FreeObserver Editor
Collaborative Concert: Dexter Community Orchestra
MoreThis volunteer ensemble joins forces with the Skyline and Saline high school orchestras for a performance of music TBA. 3–4 p.m., Saline High School, 1300 Campus Pkwy., Saline. Free. dextercommunityorchestra.org.
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Observer Editor
“Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
MoreEvery Wed.–Sun., Sept. 24–Dec. 20. Rhiannon Ragland directs retired Detroit newscaster and playwright Devin Scillian’s family comedy-drama about a conflict between brothers—an aging country rocker and a buttoned-down finance guy—after their mother’s death. Adult language and subject matter. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.), & 3 p.m. (Sat. & Wed.). 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $31.50–$52.50 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org, (734) 433–7673, & (if available) at the door. Discounts available.
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Observer Editor
“Barbara Forever”: 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.
Oct. 3: “Barbara Forever” (Brydie O’Connor, 2026). This documentary explores the life and legacy of pioneering lesbian experimental filmmaker Barbara Hammer, largely using archival footage. 3 p.m.
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Observer Editor
“Maestro”: Theatre Nova
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun., Sept. 25–Oct. 18. Briana O’Neal directs local actors in Michigan playwright Michael Alan Herman’s cheeky comedy of manners about two 18th-century Viennese composers who go to ridiculous lengths to compete for a recently vacated royal court position. 8 p.m. (Fri.), 3 & 7 p.m. (Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $33 (seniors, $30; students, $20) in advance at theatrenova.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 635–8450.
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FreeObserver Editor
Pittsfield Open Band: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance
MoreOct. 3 & 17. Jam session open to all musicians interested in working on jigs, reels, and waltzes to have fun, learn tunes, and develop contra dance music skills. All instruments welcome. Bring the Ruffwater Fakebook, the Portland Collection, and the Waltz Books if you have them. 3–5 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Masking optional. Free. [email protected].
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Observer Editor
U-M Softball
MoreGame vs. Toledo. This month’s home schedule includes a double-header vs. Detroit Mercy (Oct. 3, 1 & 3:30 p.m.), and single games against Bowling Green (Oct. 9, 5 p.m., free). 6 p.m., Alumni Field, 1114 S. State. Tickets $8–$25 at mgoblue.com/tickets & at the gate. (734) 764–0247.
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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. Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Booster Draft.” Players take turns opening booster packs to create a 40 card deck. $25. Various times & prices, 2459 W. Stadium. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.
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Nightspots
“Freakfest.”: Water Tower Distilling Co.
MoreWater Tower Distilling Co. 23 N. Washington,, YpsilantiLocal indie rock bandWith local jazz keyboardist Galen Bundy, Canadian indie punk singer-songwriter Garlic Jr., and the Brynn Hilliker Trio jazz ensemble. 5:30–9:30 p.m.
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Observer Editor
Comedy Mystery Dinner Show: The Dinner Detective Ann Arbor
MoreOct. 3 & 17. Dinner served while actors masquerading as fellow diners enact a comical murder mystery in which audience members may find themselves prime suspects. 6–9 p.m., Ann Arbor Marriott, 1275 S. Huron St., Ypsi. $85 includes gratuity. Preregistration required at thedinnerdetective.com. (866) 496–0535.
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Nightspots
Shari Kane & Dave Steele.: North Star Lounge
MoreNorth Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann ArborLocal husband-and-wife duo of acoustic guitar virtuosos whose repertoire includes both traditional and original blues, gospel, swing, and ragtime. 6:30–7:45 p.m. $20.
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Observer Editor
“The History of Concrete”: 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.
Oct. 3 & 6: “The History of Concrete” (John Wilson, 2026). Following the finale of his acclaimed HBO series How To with John Wilson, the filmmaker looks to his beloved New York City for inspiration, setting out to make the definitive documentary on concrete. 6:30 p.m. (Sat. & Tues.)
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NightspotsObserver Editor
Cellar Cats Michigan Humane Fundraiser: Live
MoreLive 102 S. First St., Ann ArborHappy hour to benefit Michigan Humane with live music by the Cellar Cats. All proceeds go to Michigan Humane, which has representatives attending to answer questions and collect additional donations of food, toys, and blankets for the animals. 6:30-9 p.m., Live Nightclub. $10 suggested donation.
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Community ListingFree
Red/Black Art Exhibit Opening: Power Center for the Performing Arts
More121 Fletcher, Ann Arbor
“Red/Black” fills the lobby of the Power Center with large-scale, highly animated murals and canvases painted in red and black by artist/dancer Peter Sparling.
The lobby is open to the public one hour before and during performances in October (tickets to events not required for entry):
10/3, 6:30-9 pm
10/4, 1-3:30 pm
10/23, 6:30-9 pm
10/24, 6:30-9 pmArtist’s Statement:
Although black is considered not a color but a shade and does not appear with red on the color wheel, I would propose that black makes red redder, and red makes black a color.I am drawn to these two bold, intensely saturated colors for the power they radiate and provoke in juxtaposition and their potential for strong graphic patterns, alone or together. By limiting my palette for this exhibit to red and black, I challenged myself to “exhaust the limits of the possible” and create a set of paintings that worked both autonomously and as a noisy kind of dialogue or unfolding pictorial panorama.
Influences? Meanings by juxtaposition, association or coincidence? The textile tapestry by Picasso, “Volutes”, that has hung in this lobby since 1970, the dance work by guest artist Shamel Pitts on stage early this month, the novel by Stendhal I have yet to read, or least likely the team colors of Atlanta Falcons, AC Milan, Alabama State University (representing pride and resilience), or Detroit Red Wings (when they throw in black to highlight the red wing)?
Is it that I am literally seeing red in these trying times, enraged by the rampant greed of large institutions, parties and predators of every shape and size? Perhaps the paintings abstract metaphors for the sheer pleasures of form in motion and the stroke of the paint brush (the dancer/choreographer in me). Titles help by serving like titles of poems: you hope not to give the work away but rather draw the reader/viewer in and suggest a tone or point of view that acts as both overture and summation or amen in retrospect. May they serve in this way to guide you, the viewer into and out of the pictures.
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Observer Editor
“Saturday Night Improv: Double Header”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
MoreEvery Sat. Rotating lineup of two local improv troupes. Also, on Oct. 3, Love Fools, an improvised dating show with a lineup of strange characters (8:30 p.m., $15 in advance; $18 door) 7–8 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $18 (if available) at the door.
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Observer Editor
“Maestro”: Theatre Nova
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun., Sept. 25–Oct. 18. Briana O’Neal directs local actors in Michigan playwright Michael Alan Herman’s cheeky comedy of manners about two 18th-century Viennese composers who go to ridiculous lengths to compete for a recently vacated royal court position. 8 p.m. (Fri.), 3 & 7 p.m. (Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $33 (seniors, $30; students, $20) in advance at theatrenova.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 635–8450.
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Nightspots
Velvet Walrus.: Moonwinks Tavern
MoreMoonwinks Tavern 5151 Plymouth Rd. (734) 994-5151.Local dance band with a huge repertoire of classic, New Wave, and modern rock hits.
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Nightspots
Rick Burgess Trio.: Earle
MoreEarle 121 W. Washington, Ann ArborJazz ensemble, named after the late jazz pianist and Earle cofounder Burgess, featuring drummer Robert Warren and a rotating roster of bassists and pianists.
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Nightspots
John Arnold Trio.: Blue LLama
MoreBlue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann ArborEnsemble led by this local guitar virtuoso. With bassist Pathe Jassi and drummer Rick Beamon.
