Events
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Free
Observer Editor
“Marvelous Magnets”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun., except Oct. 3 & 4. 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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Observer Editor
International Chemistry Week Celebration: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
MoreMuseum staff lead hands-on chemistry demos and activities. 1–3 p.m., 220 E. Ann. $16 museum admission (babies under 2, free). (734) 995–9439, discoverscienceandnature.org/aahom.
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Observer Editor
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. T. Rex (noon) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence); 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 Tales of the Maya Skies (2 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics. 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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Free
Observer Editor
“Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAll invited to play a tournament version of this popular Nintendo Switch video game. Participants may bring their own Switch handheld consoles or borrow one from the library. Prizes for top finishers. 1–4 p.m., AADL Downtown, 4th fl. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Free
Observer Editor
Museum Highlight Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Sat. Thirty-minute tour of the museum’s exhibits and galleries, as well as an introduction to some current U-M biological sciences research projects. 1:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. (734) 764–0478.
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Free
Observer 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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Free
Observer Editor
U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology Saturday Sampler
MoreEvery Sat., except Oct. 3 (different times). Hour-long docent-led tours exploring “Magic in the Ancient World” (Oct. 10, 11:15 a.m.), “Egyptian Gods and Animals” (Oct. 10, 2 p.m.), “Egypt 101” (Oct. 17, 11:15 a.m.), “Spooky, Weird, and Magical: Halloween with the Kelsey” (Oct. 24, 2 p.m.), and “Dangers Lurking Around Every Corner” (Oct. 31, 2 p.m.), a look at artifacts that people in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Rome believed could help protect them from various diseases and dangers. Various times, 434 S. State. Free. (734) 764–9304.
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Observer Editor
Drop-in Improv Games: Ypsi Improv
MoreOct. 6, 10, 17, 24, & 31. All age 16 & up invited to learn about and participate in improv games in a fun, relaxed, and judgment-free setting. No experience necessary. The Oct. 17 meeting is followed by an hour-long skills session discussing and practicing a specific improv skill. 7–9 p.m. (Tues.) & 2–4 p.m. (Sat.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $8 (Oct. 17, $15) in advance via PayPal or Venmo linked from meetup.com/ypsi-improv or in cash at the door.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Marvelous Magnets”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun., except Oct. 3 & 4. 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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Free
Observer Editor
“Pop Pop Boats”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults and kids grade 3 & up invited to build a boat with a small working steam engine that will actually move through water. Involves cutting metal and small flames; adult supervision recommended. 3–4 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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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
“This Land”: Michigan Immigrant Rights Center Fundraiser
MorePerformances by the G-Fours String Quartet, harpist and vocalist Gabrielle Pescador, the Chelsea Chamber Players, and the Burns Park String Quartet, playing music by Joplin, Shostakovich, Kon, Ljova, Dvořák, Smetana, Price, and Piazzolla. Proceeds benefit this nonprofit legal resource center. 3–5 p.m., St. Clare’s Episcopal Church, 2309 Packard. $25 requested minimum donation, but all are welcome. Preregistration requested at tinyurl.com/a2thisland.
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Nightspots
Wind, Wood, & Steel.: Ypsi Alehouse
MoreYpsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, YpsilantiJazzy folk-rock covers and originals by this local trio whose instrumentation includes guitars, flute, mandola (the ancestor of the mandolin), and keyboard. 4:30–6:30 p.m.
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Free
Observer Editor
Chad Anderson, Scott Beal, and Rebecca Biber: Booksweet Bookshop
MoreThese 3 Michigan poets read from and discuss their work. 5–7 p.m., Booksweet, Courtyard Shops, 1729 Plymouth Rd. Free. Preregistration requested at shopbooksweet.com.
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Nightspots
Myke Grayshaw.: The Ranch
MoreThe Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann ArborCountry covers by this Detroit-area singer-guitarist. 5 p.m.
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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
Grace Theisen Trio.: North Star Lounge
MoreNorth Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann ArborBlues-oriented Americana ensemble led by Kalamazoo singer-songwriter Theisen. 6:30–7:45 p.m. $20.
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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
Apollo’s Troupe Theatre
MoreOct. 18, 22, & 24, Nov. 1, 5, & 7. Rochester-based veteran poet Frederick Glaysher performs stage adaptations of his epic poems, Into the Ruins of Modernity (Oct. 18 & Nov. 1) and The Parliament of Poets (Oct. 22 & 24, Nov. 5 & 7), each a combination of poetry reading, protest play, and performance art that emphasizes the transformative nature of art and its power to fight fascism & oligarchy, and celebrates human capacities for cooperation and peace. Not suitable for children. 2 p.m. (Sun.) & 7 p.m. (Thurs. & Sat.), Cahoots, 206 E. Huron St. $15–$30 (students, $12–$20; seniors, $15–$25) at buytickets.at/apollostroupe or (if available) at the door. Group rates available. (947) 203–0085.
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Observer Editor
“Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young Tribute”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company
MoreOct. 23–25. An ensemble of local musicians performs songs written and originally performed by the folk rock supergroup of singer-songwriters David Crosby (of the Byrds), Graham Nash (of the Hollies), Stephen Stills, and Neil Young (both of Buffalo Springfield). They were known for their close singing harmonies and their hits “Woodstock,” “Marrakesh Express,” “Our House,” and others. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $39–$58 in advance at theencoretheatre.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 268–6200.
