• Free
    Observer Editor

    Know Obstacles Open Mic & Comedy Hour: Oz’s Music Environment

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    Performers of all abilities invited to play instruments, sing songs, and tell jokes with members of this band comprised of kids and adults with special needs. Hosted by Oz’s owner Steve Osborn. Spectators welcome. 4–5 p.m., 1922 Packard. Free; donations accepted. (734) 662–8283.

  • Observer Editor

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory
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    Every 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.

  • 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]. 

  • Nightspots

    “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.”: North Star Lounge

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

    An original reimagined score to this acclaimed silent horror film by experimental electro-acoustic violinist Birjy and saxophonist Kenji Lee (see Blue Llama). 6:30–7:45 p.m. $20.

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Volleyball

    U-M Volleyball vs. Iowa
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    U-M Volleyball vs. Iowa (7 p.m.). The U-M also has home matches this month against Oregon (Oct. 10, 7 p.m.), Nebraska (Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m.), and Indiana (Oct. 31, 7 p.m.). Crisler Center, 333 E. Stadium. $8 & $10 (groups of 10 or more, $3 each). (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com. 

  • Nightspots

    Billy Gunther & The Midwest Riders.: The Ranch

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    The Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Flint band, led by singer-guitarist Gunther, that plays a high-energy mix of country, southern-rock, and blues.

  • Observer Editor

    “Spooky Species for Adults”: The Creature Conservancy

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    Oct. 17, 23, 24, 30, & 31. Annual Halloween event to check out and learn about animals associated with the season (possibly owls, vultures, ravens, snakes, tarantulas, and rats) and hear Halloween legends tailored to adults. Donuts & cider. Age 18 & up only. 7–9 p.m., 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $40, preregistration required at thecreatureconservancy.org. (734) 929–9324.

  • Nightspots

    Rick Burgess Trio.: Earle

    Rick Burgess Trio.
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    Earle 121 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Jazz ensemble, named after the late jazz pianist and Earle cofounder Burgess, featuring drummer Robert Warren and a rotating roster of bassists and pianists.

     

  • Nightspots

    Dave McMurray.: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Groove-oriented Detroit jazz-funk ensemble led by Was (Not Was) saxophonist McMurray. He’s recently released a pair of albums of jazz covers of Grateful Dead songs.

     

  • 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

    “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

    Murray Hill: The Ark

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    Part cabaret, part stand-up, and part behind-the-curtain tell-all by this acclaimed veteran NYC-based comic who’s touring in support of his brand-new memoir, Showbiz! My Life as a Middle-Aged Man. Hill is known for his razor-sharp wit, rampant ad-libbing, and heartfelt storytelling, and his show incorporates a live band, along with plenty of crowdwork. 8 p.m., 316 S. Main. Tickets $40 in advance at theark.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 761–1451.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Rocky Horror Picture Show”: U-M Residential College Players

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    RC Keene Theater, 701 East University. (734) 647–4354.

    Oct. 30 & 31: “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Jim Sharman, 1975). Musical comedy cult classic that spawned a long tradition of participatory showings. The plot follows a fresh-scrubbed young couple who find themselves unexpected guests at a mansion whose residents include a transsexual transvestite alien in the midst of a diabolical experiment. The screening is accompanied by a live shadowcast, in which onstage actors act out scenes from the film in sync with the action on the screen and invite audience interaction. 8 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

  • Nightspots

    : The Arboretum

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    The Arboretum 984 E. Michigan Ave., Saline

    Ypsi punk & metal band.

  • Nightspots

    Saga.: Ziggy’s

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

    Ypsi synth-rock band. Openers: the Flint black-metal band Baazlvaat, the Novi punk-rock band Permanently Pissed, and the Detroit-area dark ambient project Kloister.