Events
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Observer Editor
Bluegrass Jam Circle: Ann Arbor Senior Center
MoreSept. 9 & 23. All musicians invited to bring acoustic instruments to play bluegrass-style music. Vocalists welcome. Inclement weather cancels. Call by 3 p.m. on the day of the jam with any questions. 7–9 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), 1320 Baldwin. $5. (734) 794–6250, a2blugrass.com.
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Nightspots
Nicole Zuraitis Quartet.: Blue LLama
MoreBlue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann ArborThis acclaimed sultry-voiced NYC jazz vocalist & pianist is known for both for her mastery of jazz standards and her skill as an arranger and composer. Her 2024 album How Love Begins won a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album, and she has played with a long list of jazz greats, including Christian McBride, Dave Brubeck, Darren Criss, and Teyana Taylor. 7 p.m. Dinner show: $85.
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Nightspots
Jake Reichbart.: Earle
MoreEarle 121 W. Washington, Ann ArborSolo jazz guitarist. Solo jazz pianists TBA occasionally substitute.
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Nightspots
Runnin’ on Blues.: Ypsi Alehouse
MoreYpsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, YpsilantiSouthern rock, blues-rock, and blues by this Livonia trio.
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Observer Editor
Ann Arbor Bridge Club
MoreEvery Wed. All invited to play friendly, competitive ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Arrive 20 minutes early if coming without a partner. Call before coming to check that the game is being held. 7–10:30 p.m., Walden Hills clubhouse, 2114 Pauline (park in marked spaces in the lot on the north side of Pauline). $6 per person. (734) 945–6021.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Values in Focus: A Conversation with Andrea Joyce”: U-M Delta Gamma
MoreEmmy Award–winning NBC sports reporter and U-M alum Joyce discusses ethics, leadership, and the responsibility of storytelling in sports and media. 7:30–8:30 p.m., Rackham Auditorium. Free, preregistration required at tinyurl.com/um-andreajoyce-9-23-26.
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Observer Editor
“Wednesday Night Swing”: Swing Ann Arbor
MoreEvery Wed. Lindy Hop, East Coast swing, Charleston, and Balboa dancing to recorded music. No partner needed. Wear comfortable low-grip shoes. Preceded at 6:30 p.m. by a free beginner lesson. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Michigan League Vandenberg Rm. $5 (free for members and lesson attendees) at the door.
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FreeObserver Editor
University Symphony Orchestra: U-M School of Music
MoreKenneth Kiesler directs this music student ensemble in Ravel’s colorful and revolutionary orchestral showpiece La Valse, Beethoven’s driving and festive Symphony No. 7, and Saint-Saëns’ exotic Nile-inspired Piano Concerto No. 5 featuring U-M Concerto Competition–winning soloist Jinzhao Xu. 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Free. (734) 764–2538.
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Nightspots
Devon Gilfillian.: Ark
MoreArk 316 S. Main, Ann ArborYoung Nashville-based soul singer whose smooth, gospel-tinged falsetto harkens back to Al Green and Marvin Gaye but with a contemporary hip-hop sensibility and phrasing. Tonight he plays songs from his brand-new album Time Will Tell. Opener: Jon Muq, a Ugandan pop-rock singer-songwriter known for his honest songwriting and the joyful clarity of his voice. A crowd favorite at this year’s Ann Arbor Folk Festival. $35.
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Nightspots
Exit Ticket.: Ziggy’s
MoreZiggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, YpsilantiDetroit-area shoegaze band. Openers: Lyloc, a Detroit emo-grunge trio, and Wetbody, a Detroit alt-rock band.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Fall Migration in Nichols Arboretum”: Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance
MoreEvery Thurs., Sept. 3–Oct. 29. WBNA members lead a hike through the Arb to look for fall warblers and other southbound migrants. Birders of all skill levels welcome. 8–11 a.m., meet in the cul-de-sac at the end of Riverview. (off Geddes near the east end of Dow Field). Free. washtenawbna.org.
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Observer Editor
JLC Book Sale
MoreSept. 23–26. Local family-run sale of over 30,000 used books, as well as DVDs, audiobooks, video games, puzzles, and board games. Also, a presale on Sept. 23 from 4–8 p.m. for teachers and homeschool families. 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, bldg. A, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Free admission. jlcbooksale.com.
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Observer Editor
“The 2026 Midterm Elections: Process, Policy & Consequences”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Thursday Morning Lecture Series
MoreEvery Thurs., Sept. 17–Oct. 15. Series of 5 weekly talks.
Sept. 17: MSU political science professor Eric Gonzalez Juenke on “How to Think About Midterm Elections Like an Expert.”
Sept. 24: U-M communications professor Yanna Krupnikov on “The Impact of Social Media on U.S. Elections”
Oct. 1: MSU political science professor Matthew Grossmann on “Why Policymaking Success Leads to Electoral Failure.”
Oct. 8: U-M Dearborn political science professor Mitchel A. Sollenberger on “Presidential Power and Democratic Resilience: Institutional Change and the 2026 Midterms.”
Oct. 15: Oakland University political science professor David Dulio on “The 2026 Midterms: What the Data Tells Us.”
10–11:30 a.m., Washtenaw Community College Towsley Auditorium (Morris Lawrence Bldg.), 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Preregistration required at olli-umich.org. $120 (members, $70) for the 5-lecture series. $25 per lecture (members, $15). Membership, $50 a year. (734) 998–9351.
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FreeObserver 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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FreeObserver Editor
“Decorative Hand Lettering”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAll invited to practice 4 different styles of hand lettering, then decorate a bullet journal, poster, comics, grocery list, or correspondence. Noon–1 p.m., AADL Malletts Creek. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Body Camera Footage as Data”: U-M Institute for Social Research
MoreTalk by U-M organizational studies professor Nick Camp about police body-camera footage, the insights it can give into everyday realities of policing, as well as tools for more accountable and just law enforcement. Noon–1 p.m., 1430 ISR, 426 Thompson. Free. (734) 764–365.
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Community Listing
Ann Arbor Club Intro
MoreThe Ann Arbor Club, a historic downtown social club for professionals, is opening its doors for a casual, no-pressure lunch. Come meet like-minded people, swap ideas, and see firsthand what makes our community worth joining. RSVP required @ join.theannarborclub.com; space is limited.
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FreeObserver Editor
U-M Center for Japanese Studies Noon Lecture Series
MoreSept 17 & 24. Talks by visiting scholars.
Sept. 17: “Gathering Fading Voices: Endangered Dialect Research in Japan Today.” A talk by Shizuoka Institute of Science and Technology (Japan) informatics professor Joy Taniguchi.
Sept. 24: “Rivers and the Politics of Temporality in Ainu Mosir.” U-M postdoc Michael Ioannides discusses the crucial role that rivers play in the identity of the Indigenous Ainu people.
Noon–1:30 p.m., Weiser Hall (room TBA), 500 Church St. Free. (734) 764–6307.
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Observer Editor
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center
MoreEvery Thurs. & Mon., except Sept. 7. Play open to all skill levels age 18 & up, both ACBL-sanctioned (Thurs.) and non-sanctioned (Mon.). Noon–3:30 p.m. (Thurs., $9) & 12:30–3:30 p.m. (Mon., $5); $1–$2 less for AASC members. 1320 Baldwin. (734) 794–6250, a2gov.org/senior, annarborbridge.com.
