• Observer Editor

    30th Annual Edgefest: Kerrytown Concert House

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    Oct. 7–10. One of the world’s 50 top jazz/avant music festivals, according to DownBeat, this annual event includes multiple shows over 4 days. Tonight: U-M music theory major Christian Bush (6 p.m.) leads a septet in “For Roscoe,” a set celebrating the legacy of master avant-garde Detroit saxophonist and festival honoree Roscoe Mitchell, who plays the festival on Oct. 8 & 10. NYC jazz bassist Hannah Marks (7 p.m.) leads her Feed the Fire Quartet, an ensemble known for incorporating elements of punk, noise, and free jazz. The Oluyemi Thomas Trio (8 p.m.) includes Detroit-born bass clarinetist and saxophonist Thomas and pianist Kenn Thomas and bassist Jaribu Shahid. The rural Michigan Northwoods Improvisers (9 p.m.) trio plays soulful, rhythmically propulsive improvised jazz fusion. The Damon Smith/Ursel Schlicht/Roscoe Mitchell (10 p.m.) trio honors the life and legacy of the great improvising pianist Connie Crothers. 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10 p.m., Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $20 per show (students, age 18 & under, $10) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. $70 day passes (Saturday, $100) and $240–$390 full festival passes in advance only online & by phone. (734) 769–2999. 

  • Observer Editor

    30th Annual Edgefest: Kerrytown Concert House

    More

    Oct. 7–10. One of the world’s 50 top jazz/avant music festivals, according to DownBeat, this annual event includes multiple shows over 4 days. Tonight: U-M music theory major Christian Bush (6 p.m.) leads a septet in “For Roscoe,” a set celebrating the legacy of master avant-garde Detroit saxophonist and festival honoree Roscoe Mitchell, who plays the festival on Oct. 8 & 10. NYC jazz bassist Hannah Marks (7 p.m.) leads her Feed the Fire Quartet, an ensemble known for incorporating elements of punk, noise, and free jazz. The Oluyemi Thomas Trio (8 p.m.) includes Detroit-born bass clarinetist and saxophonist Thomas and pianist Kenn Thomas and bassist Jaribu Shahid. The rural Michigan Northwoods Improvisers (9 p.m.) trio plays soulful, rhythmically propulsive improvised jazz fusion. The Damon Smith/Ursel Schlicht/Roscoe Mitchell (10 p.m.) trio honors the life and legacy of the great improvising pianist Connie Crothers. 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10 p.m., Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $20 per show (students, age 18 & under, $10) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. $70 day passes (Saturday, $100) and $240–$390 full festival passes in advance only online & by phone. (734) 769–2999. 

  • Observer Editor

    30th Annual Edgefest: Kerrytown Concert House

    More

    Oct. 7–10. One of the world’s 50 top jazz/avant music festivals, according to DownBeat, this annual event includes multiple shows over 4 days. Tonight: U-M music theory major Christian Bush (6 p.m.) leads a septet in “For Roscoe,” a set celebrating the legacy of master avant-garde Detroit saxophonist and festival honoree Roscoe Mitchell, who plays the festival on Oct. 8 & 10. NYC jazz bassist Hannah Marks (7 p.m.) leads her Feed the Fire Quartet, an ensemble known for incorporating elements of punk, noise, and free jazz. The Oluyemi Thomas Trio (8 p.m.) includes Detroit-born bass clarinetist and saxophonist Thomas and pianist Kenn Thomas and bassist Jaribu Shahid. The rural Michigan Northwoods Improvisers (9 p.m.) trio plays soulful, rhythmically propulsive improvised jazz fusion. The Damon Smith/Ursel Schlicht/Roscoe Mitchell (10 p.m.) trio honors the life and legacy of the great improvising pianist Connie Crothers. 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10 p.m., Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $20 per show (students, age 18 & under, $10) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. $70 day passes (Saturday, $100) and $240–$390 full festival passes in advance only online & by phone. (734) 769–2999. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Fall Migration in Nichols Arboretum”: Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance

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    Every Thurs., Sept. 3–Oct. 29. WBNA members lead a hike through the Arb to look for fall warblers and other southbound migrants. Birders of all skill levels welcome. 8–11 a.m., meet in the cul-de-sac at the end of Riverview. (off Geddes near the east end of Dow Field). Free. washtenawbna.org.

  • Observer Editor

    “The 2026 Midterm Elections: Process, Policy & Consequences”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Thursday Morning Lecture Series

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    Every Thurs., Sept. 17–Oct. 15. Series of 5 weekly talks.

    Sept. 17: MSU political science professor Eric Gonzalez Juenke on “How to Think About Midterm Elections Like an Expert.”

    Sept. 24: U-M communications professor Yanna Krupnikov on “The Impact of Social Media on U.S. Elections”

    Oct. 1: MSU political science professor Matthew Grossmann on “Why Policymaking Success Leads to Electoral Failure.”

    Oct. 8: U-M Dearborn political science professor Mitchel A. Sollenberger on “Presidential Power and Democratic Resilience: Institutional Change and the 2026 Midterms.”

    Oct. 15: Oakland University political science professor David Dulio on “The 2026 Midterms: What the Data Tells Us.”

    10–11:30 a.m., Washtenaw Community College Towsley Auditorium (Morris Lawrence Bldg.), 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Preregistration required at olli-umich.org. $120 (members, $70) for the 5-lecture series. $25 per lecture (members, $15). Membership, $50 a year. (734) 998–9351.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library

    Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library
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    Oct. 1, 8, 15, & 22 (different times). All invited to work on their own projects using the library’s tools, including silhouette cutting machines, die cutters, embossers, and button makers (Oct. 1); 3D printers, laser engravers, and 3D pens (Oct. 8); sewing machines, silhouette vinyl cutters, and heat presses (Oct. 15); and soldering equipment and electronic components (Oct. 22). 5:30–7:30 p.m. (Oct. 1, 15, & 22) & 11 a.m.–1 p.m. (Oct. 8), AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.

  • 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.

  • Observer Editor

    Fall Conference: Argus Museum

    Fall Conference: Argus Museum
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    Oct. 8–10. All invited to this annual gathering of enthusiasts of the original Argus camera company, which operated in Ann Arbor 1936–1969. Events include presentations, exhibitions (see Galleries), a field trip to the Henry Ford Museum, meals, photo contests, and auctions. Thurs. 3–8 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m., 525 W. William. $50 (members, $40) suggested donation. Preregistration required at argusmuseum.org/fall-conference. (313) 499–0551.

  • Observer Editor

    “Adore Him: He Is Here”: Fathom Entertainment

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    (734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

    Oct. 4–8: “Adore Him: He Is Here” (Don Johnson, 2026). Religious docudrama about Eucharistic adoration. 4:30 p.m. (Sun. only) & 6 p.m. Cinemark only.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Michigan Marching Band Practice

    Michigan Marching Band Practice
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    Every Mon.–Thurs., except Oct. 19 & 20. U-M’s highly disciplined 200+ member marching band or sections thereof can be seen and heard practicing on the new Elbel Field, across the street from the old Elbel Field. All welcome to find a spot in the bleachers and get a sneak preview of upcoming halftime shows. Rehearsals usually last 1–2 hours. Also, at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, the band hosts its monthly free Open Stadium Rehearsal at Michigan Stadium. 4:45 p.m., Hill at Fifth Ave. Free. (734) 764–0582.

  • Observer Editor

    30th Annual Edgefest: Kerrytown Concert House

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    Oct. 7–10. One of the world’s 50 top jazz/avant music festivals, according to DownBeat, this annual event includes multiple shows over 4 days. Today: A Conversation with Roscoe Mitchell (5 p.m., Community High School auditorium, 401 N. Division) is followed by a performance by the local experimental & improvisational Creative Arts Orchestra featuring Edgefest honoree master Detroit saxophonist Mitchell, one of the great jazz innovators of the post-Coltrane, post-Ayler era. Includes the world premiere of a composition by Michael Malis. At the Kerrytown Concert House: Ken Kozora’s “Birds of a Feather” (7 p.m.) is a world fusion ensemble led by multi-instrumentalist Kozora, a veteran local jazz luminary. The quartet Dimensionality (8 p.m.) features improvisational singer Andrea Wolper. The West Michigan quartet Teiku (9 p.m.) is known for its experimental jazz improvisations on ancestral Jewish melodies. Improvisation-centered ensemble the Michael TA Thompson Quintet (10 p.m.) is led by New York–based postbop and free jazz drummer Thompson and includes vocalist Deanna Relyea. 5, 7, 8, 9, & 10 p.m., Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $20 per show (students, age 18 & under, $10) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. $70 day passes (Saturday, $100) and 240–390 full festival passes in advance only online & by phone. (734) 769–2999.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Jaswinder Bolina: U-M English Department Zell Visiting Writers Series

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    Reading by this Chicago-born, Florida-based Punjabi American poet and essayist, whose writings blend politics and metaphysics, exploring the intersections of language, race, and the South Asian immigrant experience. His work has been featured in the New Yorker, Poetry, the Paris Review, and other journals. Q&A and signing. Also, tomorrow Bolina gives a free craft lecture (10–11 a.m., Michigan League, Henderson Rm.). 5:30–6:30 p.m., UMMA, Stern Auditorium, 525 S. State. Free. [email protected]. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Presence as Practice”: U-M Stamps School of Art & Design Penny Stamps Speaker Series

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    Multidisciplinary installation and performance artist Amy Franceschini discusses her work, an overarching theme of which is conflict between ​humans and ​nature, between individuals and communities. She is also the founder of the art collective Futurefarmers. 5:30–7 p.m., Michigan Theater. Free. (734) 936–0671, stamps.umich.edu.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Bad Decisions Track Club

    Bad Decisions Track Club
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    Every Thurs. Runners of all abilities invited to join this eclectic group of runners ranging from people training for their first 5K to ultramarathoners. Sessions are typically interval-based track workouts, followed by socializing at a nearby brewery. 6 p.m., Ferry Field, State at Hoover. May meet elsewhere if the weather is bad. Free. See walline.wixsite.com/bdtc to sign up for email updates on each week’s workout.