Events
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Free
Observer Editor
“Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Tues.–Sun. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens. The newest program lets participants try out simulated snake senses (sight, hearing, and smell) to experience the world as if they were a snake. No live snakes. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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Observer Editor
Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun., Sept. 12–Nov. 21; and Wed.–Fri., Sept. 16–Oct. 30. 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 and donuts available. Also, on Sept. 12 & 13, the season opens with a food truck rally, and on Sept. 19 & 20, view classic cars at the Fall Car & Jeep Show. 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.
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Free
Observer Editor
Annual Ann Arbor Russian Festival: St. Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church
MoreSept. 19 & 20. Slavic food and drinks, including blini, borscht, and more. Live entertainment by bell ringers, St. Vladimir’s Choir, traditional dancers, and others. Also, a tearoom with Russian sweets, church tours, and a kids corner with a bounce house, petting zoo, games, and more. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. (Sat.) & 1–7 p.m. (Sun.), St. Vladimir Church, 9900 Jackson Rd., Dexter. Free admission. (734) 475–4590, annarborrussianfestival.org.
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Observer Editor
Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun., Sept. 19–Nov. 1. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits to allow for routes of various lengths. Also, a U-Pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, and yard games. On Sept. 27, Family Fun Day (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) features ice cream, balloon art, kids activities, and live music from the Saline Fiddlers. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.), & 5–9 p.m. (Fri.), 6175 Daly, Dexter. $16 (ages 5–12, $13; age 4 & under, free with adult admission). blastcornmaze.com.
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Observer Editor
U-M Volleyball
MoreMatch vs. South Carolina. The U-M also has regular season home matches this month against LSU (Sept. 2, 7 p.m.), EMU (Sept. 17, 7 p.m.), a doubleheader against Cornell (Sept. 19, noon; Sept. 20, 1 p.m.), Penn State (Sept. 25, 7 p.m.), & Washington (Sept. 27, noon). 6:30 p.m., Crisler Center. $8 & $10 (groups of 10 or more, $3 each). (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com.
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Free
Observer Editor
Letterpress Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreSept. 2, 6, 19, & 22 (different times). A chance for adults to learn the basics of printing with movable type. 5–7 p.m. (Sept. 2 & 22), 2–4 p.m. (Sept. 6), and noon–2 p.m. (Sept. 19), AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Rentschler Farm Open House”: Saline Area Historical Society
MoreSelf-guided tours of this 1901 farm, which has explanatory signage throughout its farmhouse, barns, dairy barn, icehouse, windmill, and more. Live sheep and chickens to admire. Noon–3 p.m., Rentschler Farm Museum, 1265 E. Michigan Ave., Saline. Free admission. (734) 944–0442.
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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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Observer Editor
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
MoreFri. Sept. 4 & 18 and every Sat. & Sun. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show some barnyard buddies, including a Highland cow, a chicken, a Flemish giant rabbit, and a miniature donkey at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show the cow, chicken, and rabbit at 1 & 4 p.m., and the donkey at 2 & 3 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 7–9 p.m. (Fri.) and noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 (kids ages 2–12, $13; under age 2, free) cash or credit at the door only. (734) 929–9324, thecreatureconservancy.org.
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Observer Editor
21st Annual Oktoberfest: Saline Main Street
MoreSept. 18 & 19. This old-fashioned Oktoberfest kicks off with the annual “tapping of the golden keg” on Friday and features a beer garden with German brews and traditional German food, and live music TBA. Saturday’s events include wiener dog races, children’s activities and games, and live music TBA. 5–11 p.m. (Fri.) & noon–11 p.m. (Sat.), downtown Saline. $10 after 5 p.m. on Fri. and 3 p.m. on Sat. for those age 21 & over; free otherwise. Details at salinemainstreet.org/calendar.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Emblems of Earth and Light”: Ann Arbor District Library Author Event
MoreLocal poet R.J. Hejna reads from and discusses his new collection. Signing. 1–2 p.m., AADL Pittsfield. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Observer Editor
“Twenty Years of the Met in Cinemas: An Anniversary Celebration.”: Fathom Entertainment
More(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).
Sept. 19: “Twenty Years of the Met in Cinemas: An Anniversary Celebration.” Soprano Renée Fleming hosts this retrospective of Metropolitan Opera broadcast performances. 1 p.m. $15.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Splatoon 3: Hyper-Local Splatfest”: 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. 1–4 p.m., AADL Downtown, 4th fl. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Free
Observer Editor
Dahlia Festival: Michigan Dahlia Association
MoreSept. 19 & 20. Display of dahlias in competition for cash prizes. Anyone may enter a dahlia for free. Food truck. 1–6 p.m. (Sat.) & 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (Sun.), Chelsea Depot, 125 Jackson St., Chelsea. Free admission. [email protected], michigandahlias.org/2026-dahlia-festival.html.
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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
Jewel Heart Happy Hikers: Jewel Heart Buddhist Center
MoreAll welcome to join a hike through this highly diverse forest. 1:30–2:30 p.m., Scio Woods Preserve, 4000 Scio Church Rd. Free. [email protected], jewelheart.org/chapters/ann-arbor.
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Observer Editor
Drop-in Improv Games: Ypsi Improv
MoreSept. 1, 12, 19, & 26 (different locations). 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 Sept. 19 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 (Sept. 1, 12, & 26), 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi; & Riverside Park, (Sept. 19), 5 W. Cross, Ypsi. Tickets $8 (Sept. 12, free; Sept. 19, $15) in advance via PayPal or Venmo linked from meetup.com/ypsi-improv or in cash at the door.
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Observer Editor
Just Between Friends Sale
MoreSept. 16–19. Semi-annual consignment sale, eagerly anticipated by parents of young children, offering a chance to buy & sell used maternity items, baby & children’s clothes, toys, and baby gear. Prices drop Sat. at 2 p.m. Doors shut 30 minutes before closing. 3–9 p.m. (Wed., tickets required), noon–9 p.m. (Thurs.), 9 a.m.–7 p.m. (Fri.), and 9–11 a.m. & 2–7 p.m. (Sat.), Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Free if reserved online, $3 at the door; $5–$25 early access. For preregistration, discounts, and to sell items, go to annarbor.jbfsale.com.
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Free
Observer Editor
Pittsfield Open Band: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance
MoreSept. 5 & 19. 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. The band also hosts a workshop this month, Contra Play for Acoustic Musicians (Sept. 6, 7 p.m., Gretchen’s House 2340 Oak Valley Dr., $15) with the band Raven and Goose (Corwin and Grace). 3–5 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Masking optional. Free. (734) 709–8748, [email protected].
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Observer Editor
“The Music of Studio Ghibli”: Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
MoreGuest conductor Wilburn Lee, music director of the Missouri Symphony, leads the A2SO in a performance of Joe Hisaishi’s scores to Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved Japanese anime films, including My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and others. 3 & 7:30 p.m., EMU Pease Auditorium, W. Cross at College Pl., Ypsi. $15–$85 in advance at a2so.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 994–4801.
