• Observer Editor

    David Dyer: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase

    David Dyer: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
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    Oct. 22–24. This Grand Rapids comic, a contributing writer to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, offers unexpected takes on everything from marriage and raising kids to suddenly using his shirt pockets now that he’s in his 50s. Opening act TBA. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 (Thurs., $15) at aacomedy.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.

  • Observer Editor

    “Night Terrors”: Wiard’s Orchards

    “Night Terrors”: Wiard’s Orchards
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    Every Fri.–Sun. A haunted hayride, a ghostly mental asylum, and three more scary attractions, all bristling with scores of costumed monsters. Refreshments available from the Wiard’s Country Store. Recommended for ages 12 & up. 7:15–11:30 p.m., 5565 Merritt, Ypsi. Tickets $36–$65 in advance only at hauntedhousemichigan.com. (734) 390–9212.

  • Observer Editor

    “Lineage 26”: Terpsichore Collective

    “Lineage 26”: Terpsichore Collective
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    Oct. 23 & 24. This local professional contemporary dance troupe performs Martha Graham’s seminal 1930 work Lamentation, as well as U-M dance professor emeritus Peter Sparling’s Studies in Schmaltz, veteran local choreographer Aimee McDonald’s Gateway to Enough, and works by 2026 ChoreoLab Artists Lynn Miller and Carly Liegel. 7:30–9 p.m., Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. $28 (student & low income, $18) for both shows in advance at terpsichorecollective.com & (if available) at the door. 

  • “The Lord of the Rings” Symphony: Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra

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    Guest conductor Robert Boardman, a specialist in composer Howard Shore, leads the A2SO in a performance of Shore’s sweeping scores to the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, a musical interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. With guest mezzo-soprano Kaitlyn Lusk and the U-M Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs. Note that this performance does not include film projections. 7:30 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Tickets $30–$65 (kids & students, $15–$33) in advance only at a2so.com. (734) 994–4801.

  • Observer Editor

    “The Rose Sonata”: University Musical Society

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    Oct. 23 & 24. World premiere of this full-length dance collaboration between New York City Ballet principal dancer Sara Mearns and choreographers and dancers Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber. The work is performed with 3 other dancers and 2 musicians on piano and vintage synthesizer, Yonatan Daksal and Mikael Darmanie, who also composed the music. It was commissioned by UMS as part of the lead-up to its 2028–29 150th season. 7:30 p.m., Power Center. Tickets $46–$87 (students, $15–$20) in advance at ums.org, by phone, & (if available) at the door. (734) 764–2538.

  • Observer Editor

    “Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical”: Ann Arbor Civic Theatre

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    Oct. 22–25. Ella Soto and Emily Slomovitz direct local actors in Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn’s Tony-nominated 1990 pop-rock musical, a dark thriller adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic about a doctor whose experiments on his personality create a murderous double. This production features nontraditional casting, with actors of all genders playing men and women. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin. Tickets $29 (seniors, $26; students, $20) at a2ct.ludus.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 971–2228.

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    Observer Editor

    “The World of Transcription”: U-M Music School Guest Recital

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    Acclaimed Japanese pianist Kotaro Fukuma performs a program of solo piano arrangements of major orchestral works by Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Paganini, Wagner, Debussy, and Ponchielli. 8 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg. Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. (734) 764–2538.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Painted in Fire”: U-M Symphony Band Chamber Winds

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    Courtney Snyder and several grad students conduct a variety of music student brass, woodwinds and percussion ensembles in a program of chamber works by contemporary composers, including the premiere U-M composition grad student Peter Cohn’s Fireworks. 8 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg. Hankinson Rehearsal Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. (734) 764–2538.

  • Observer Editor

    “Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company

    “Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
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    Every 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.

  • Observer Editor

    Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet: Rancho Tranquilico

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    House concert by this world music–based jazz ensemble, led by local composer-bassist Sharp, that explores traditions from Turkey, Egypt, Ukraine, India, Bulgaria, Armenia, and Greece. With violinist Henrik Karapetyan, percussionist Mike List, and oud player Igor Houwat. BYOB. No tobacco products or pets. 8 p.m. (doors, 7:30 p.m.), Rancho Tranquilico barn, 11300 Island Lake Rd., Dexter. Park along the driveway. $25 payable via Venmo: @dave-sharp-4 or CashApp: $davesharp4. Preregistration required; space limited. (734) 223–2321, [email protected].

  • Nightspots

    Jackopierce.: Ark

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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Pop-rock originals by this veteran Texas singer-songwriter duo of Jack O’Neill and Cary Pierce. They’re known for their well-crafted, literate songs and lyrical melodies. Their 2025 album, Feel This Good, is their first studio project in 5 years. $35.

  • Observer Editor

    “Black Cat: Ghoulita Graves Presents … The Curse of Blood”: Neighborhood Theatre Group

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    Oct. 16–18 & 22–24. Marisa Dluge directs local actors in an original musical by NTG members Greg Pizzino and A.M. Dean. Part of NTG’s annual Black Cat Halloween series. 8 p.m. (Thurs.-Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Back Office Studio, 13 N. Washington, Ypsi. Ticket price TBA at ntgypsi.org & at the door.

  • Nightspots

    Rock Jones.: Zal Gaz Grotto

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    Zal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor

    Vintage rock ’n’ roll dance jams—everything from mellow Dylan tunes to psychedelic rock with some reggae, blues, and country mixed in—by this local band led by the father-son duo of Larry and Brian Genoa. With singer-bassist Ralph McKee and guitarist Kip Godwin, along with guest musicians.

  • Nightspots

    Saxsquatch Unit.: Ziggy’s

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

    Improvisational ensemble led by Kalamazoo saxophonist Jarad Selner.

  • Nightspots

    Rory Nevins Band.: The Ranch

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    The Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Mid-Michigan singer-guitarist who plays mainly classic rock covers.

  • Observer Editor

    “Rocky Horror Picture Show”: 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. 

    Oct. 23 & 24: “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Jim Sharman, 1975). Musical comedy cult classic that spawned a long tradition of participatory showings. The U-M student pantomime troupe Leather Medusas provides live accompaniment for both shows. Wear your fishnets. Tickets $16 (students & seniors, $11). 9 p.m.

  • Observer Editor

    Riverside Swings: Riverside Arts Center

    Riverside Swings: Riverside Arts Center
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    Every Fri. Swing dancing to recorded music. No partner or experience required. Wear comfortable low-grip/tread shoes. Preceded at 7 & 8 p.m. by hour-long lessons. Followed by a “late-night blues-&-fusion” dance. The 1st Friday of each month is free, and the 3rd Friday includes a Charleston lesson. 9–11 p.m., 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. $5 (students, $4). riversidearts.org/riverside-swings.