• Observer Editor

    30th Annual Edgefest: Kerrytown Concert House

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    30th Annual Edgefest: Kerrytown Concert House. Oct. 7–10. One of the world’s 50 top jazz/avant music festivals, according to DownBeat, this annual event includes multiple shows over 4 days. Today: Experimental improvised electronic jazz duo Junk Jazz (2 p.m.) comprises drummer Djallo Djakate and vocalist-keyboardist Aya Sekine. Vinny Golia/Ken Filiano/Michael TA Thompson (3 p.m.) celebrate reed player Golia’s 80th birthday with multi-layered improvisations—“not just technical brilliance, but a raw, responsive musical empathy,” according to a Free Jazz Collective reviewer. Acclaimed Iraqi American composer, trumpeter, and multi-instrumentalist Amir ElSaffar’s New Quartet (4 p.m.) widens the musical parameters of jazz with microtonal tunings borrowed from Arabic maqam music. Pianist Craig Taborn (7:30 p.m.), known for modular improvising that builds on small units of melody and rhythm, gives a solo concert. Festival honoree and master Detroit saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell (8:30 p.m., see 8 Thursday listing) appears with a mix of featured Detroit-area musicians to round out the festival. 2, 3, 4, 7:30, & 8:30 p.m., Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $20 per show (students, age 18 & under, $10) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. $70 day passes (Saturday, $100) and $240–$390 full festival passes in advance only online & by phone. (734) 769–2999. 

  • Nightspots

    Irish-ish.: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater.

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    Hear.Say Brewing + Theater. 2350 W. Liberty.

    A trio from the Malty Taskers that plays traditional Irish music and Irish pub songs.

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    Observer Editor

    Permanent HOMES Halloween Party: HOMES Campus

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    Family-friendly event celebrating the release of the brewery’s annual Halloween-themed stout. Cash bar and stout station. Also, an all-ages costume contest, tarot card readings, kids pumpkin painting activities, and werewolf movies on the indoor projector. DJ Strange Vice spins an all-vinyl set. 4–10 p.m., 112 Jackson Plz. Free admission. homescampus.com 

  • Nightspots

    Phil McMillion.: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    Local folk-rock & Americana singer-songwriter.

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    Kari Holmes.: The Ranch

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    The Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Contemporary country-pop, along with classic country covers, by a band led by this Detroit-bred singer-songwriter who has recorded music in Nashville. 5 p.m.

  • 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.

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    Critter Ruwart.: North Star Lounge

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

    Northern Michigan country-folk band led by singer-songwriter Chris Ruwart. 6–9:15 p.m. $20.

  • Observer Editor

    “Sister Act”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company

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    Thurs.–Sun., Oct. 8–18. This local professional company performs Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, Glenn Slater, and Alan Menken’s musical based on the 1992 comedy film that starred Whoopi Goldberg as a Reno lounge singer who’s put under protective custody in a convent. The score draws on Motown, soul, funk, and disco. 7 p.m. (Thurs., Fri., & Sat.) and 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $39–$67 in advance at theencoretheatre.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 268–6200. 

  • Observer Editor

    Jay Stevens: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase

    Jay Stevens: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
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    Oct. 8–10. Known as a “clean” comic with a relaxed and homey style, Stevens features easygoing, observational comedy that ranges from the behavioral tendencies of older people to why Jesus was actually from Alabama. Opening acts TBA. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 (Thurs., $15) in advance at aacomedy.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080. 

  • Observer Editor

    Robert Spalding Newcomb: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth Cafe 704

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    This world-based music local multi-instrumentalist plays a rare solo performance of electro-acoustic structured improvisations on guitar, sitar, keyboard, drum pad and electronics. 7–9 p.m., 704 Airport Blvd., ste. 1. Sliding scale tickets $10–$20 at the door only. Livestream available ($10 in advance only at interfaithspirit.org/cafe-704-coffeehouse). (734) 657–5384, [email protected]. 

  • Observer Editor

    “Maestro”: Theatre Nova

    “Maestro”: Theatre Nova
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    Every Fri.–Sun., Sept. 25–Oct. 18. Briana O’Neal directs local actors in Michigan playwright Michael Alan Herman’s cheeky comedy of manners about two 18th-century Viennese composers who go to ridiculous lengths to compete for a recently vacated royal court position. 8 p.m. (Fri.), 3 & 7 p.m. (Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $33 (seniors, $30; students, $20) in advance at theatrenova.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 635–8450.

  • Observer Editor

    “Metamorphoses”: EMU Theatre Department

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    Oct. 8–11. Jennifer Felts directs EMU drama students in Mary Zimmerman’s 1996 adaptation of the 1st–century Roman poet Ovid’s epic masterpiece. Includes such familiar stories as “King Midas,” “Narcissus,” and “Orpheus & Eurydice.” Suggested for ages 13 & up. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), EMU Legacy Theatre, 1031 E. Circle Dr., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (seniors, $15; students, $12; kids 6–12, $7) in advance at emich.ludus.com, at the box office (10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri.), & (if available) at the door. $5.80 parking pass required if parking on site. (734) 487–2282. 

  • 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. 

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Ice Hockey

    U-M Ice Hockey
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    Game vs. Bowling Green. This month’s schedule also includes a double header against Alaska Anchorage (Oct. 9 & 10) and WMU (Oct. 23). All games are likely to sell out. 7 p.m., Yost Ice Arena, 1016 S. State. Tickets $100 & up at stubhub.com/michigan-wolverines-hockey-tickets. (734) 764–0247.

  • Nightspots

    Terry Farmer & The Cinematic Trio.: JD’s Stage

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

    Ensemble led by Farmer, a longtime Detroit-area singer-songwriter and guitarist who spent 2 years as lead guitarist for Jan & Dean, co-founded the chamber folk group Cairn to Cairn, and taught classical guitar at the Cleveland Institute of Music. With keyboardists Neil Donato and Dale Grisa. Tonight they are joined by Detroit-area Americana pop-rock singer-songwriter Amy Petty.

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    Rounding Third.: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

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

  • 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.

     

  • Observer Editor

    “The Blair Witch Project”: 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. 10: “The Blair Witch Project” (Eduardo Sanchez & Daniel Myrick, 1999). Wildly successful horror flick about the disappearance of 3 student filmmakers in a Maryland woods. It did not originate, but it popularized, the found footage technique. Followed by Q&A with codirector Myrick. 7 p.m.