• Nightspots

    Philip Bowen.: JD’s Stage

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    JD’s Stage 117 ½ S. Main, Chelsea, Michigan, United States

    Young country-folk singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist from West Virginia whose videos have amassed a large following online, leading to a win on TikTok’s Greatest Talent competition. Bowen’s music is a blend of Appalachian roots music with a mainstream country polish that Atwood Magazine calls a “soft, honeyed sound dripping with charismatic sweetness.”

  • Nightspots

    Rounding Third.: Moonwinks Tavern

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    Moonwinks Tavern 5151 Plymouth Rd. (734) 994-5151.

    Local folk-rock quartet with bluegrass & Irish music flavors whose instrumentation features guitars, banjo, flute, and keyboard.

  • Nightspots

    Blackwater Bridge.: Water Tower Distilling Co.

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    Water Tower Distilling Co. 23 N. Washington,, Ypsilanti

    Local rock band. Opener: James Bourland & The Staches, a local quintet fronted by singer-guitarist Bourland.

  • Nightspots

    Velvet Walrus.: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    Local dance band with a huge repertoire of classic, New Wave, and modern rock hits.

  • 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.

     

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    Observer Editor

    “Full Moon Campfire”: Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy

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    All invited to enjoy a family-oriented campfire, the last of the season. Bring blankets, chairs, and campfire refreshments; locally cut firewood appreciated. No pets. Come early to walk the trails if you like. 7–10 p.m., Conservancy Farm, 8383 Vreeland, Superior Twp. Free, donations welcome. (734) 484–6565, [email protected].

  • Nightspots

    Demetrius Nabors.: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Ensemble led by this veteran Detroit composer-pianist, a 2-time Detroit Music Award winner for Outstanding Gospel/Christian Musician.

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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

    Marbrisa & Audra Kubat: Rancho Tranquilico

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    Detroit-based duo of folk-rock & Americana singer-songwriter Kubat and singer-songwriter Marbrisa, a member of the popular local funk & world music band Jive Colossus, whose music blends elements of folk, blues, soul, and Latin music. BYOB. No tobacco products or pets. 8 p.m. (doors, 7:30 p.m.), 11300 Island Lake Rd., Dexter. Park along the driveway. $20 payable via Venmo: @mar-brisa. Preregistration required; space limited. (734) 223–2321, [email protected]. 

  • Nightspots

    The Tallest Man on Earth.: Ark

    The Tallest Man on Earth.
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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    The stage name of Kristian Matsson, an acclaimed Swedish singer-songwriter known for his intricate fingerstyle guitar and raspy, soulful vocals heavily inspired by Bob Dylan. “The Tallest Man on Earth has released some of the best modern folk music of this century. He writes elegant, homespun ballads that draw you in toward the proverbial campfire,” writes QG. Opener: Gwenifer Raymond, a Welsh singer-songwriter who writes moody often manic American primitive-styled songs, accompanying herself on guitar and banjo. $54.

  • 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

    James Muto.: Mash (Ypsilanti)

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    Mash (Ypsilanti) 400 W. River, Ypsilanti

    Jackson pop-country singer-guitarist.

  • Nightspots

    Salmagundi.: Zal Gaz Grotto

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    Zal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor

    Local horn-powered Motown/Memphis soul tribute band featuring vocalist Sheila Rhodes.