• 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.

  • Nightspots

    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.

  • Nightspots

    Sean Dobbins.: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Ensemble led by this veteran local drummer.

  • 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. 

  • Observer Editor

    Charlie King & Annie Patterson: Michigan Immigrant Rights Center Fundraiser

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    Veteran East Coast singer-songwriter King, who composes in the populist tradition of Woody Guthrie and Phil Ochs, is widely regarded as one of the finest contemporary topical songwriters. He’s joined by veteran Massachusetts songwriter Patterson, an accomplished folk performer and jazz vocalist, who co-wrote the popular song books Rise Up Singing and Rise Again. Proceeds benefit this nonprofit legal resource center. 7:30 p.m., Genesis of Ann Arbor, 2309 Packard. Tickets $25 (students & low income, $10; kids age 5, free) in advance at charliekingconcert.eventbrite.com & (if available) at the door. 

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    Observer Editor

    “Crumbs from the Table of Joy”: U-M Theatre Department

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    Oct. 8–10. U-M drama faculty perform a studio production of Pulitzer-winning playwright Lynn Nottage’s acclaimed 1995 drama, a coming-of-age story set in the 1950s against the backdrop of the Great Migration, about a Black teenager who moves with her father and sister from Florida to Brooklyn following the death of her mother. 8 p.m. (Thurs.), 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sat.), U-M Walgreen Drama Center, Newman Studio, 1226 Murfin. Free. (734) 764–0583.

  • 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

    “The Opera Ghost”: Penny Seats Theatre Company

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    October 2–17. Brandy Joe Plambeck directs local actors in Joseph Zettelmaier’s new gothic drama. Deep beneath the famed Palais Garnier Opera House, a mysterious masked man recalls the events of his ghoulish life, which is nearing its end. Adult topics. 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 7 p.m. (Sun.). Cahoots, 206 E. Huron St. Tickets $28 (students, $20; seniors, $25), in advance at pennyseats.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 926–5346, [email protected].

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Berofsky Piano Quartet: U-M Music School

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    The local Berofsky family (see the October 2026 Ann Arborite) includes 2 U-M music professors—violist Kathryn Votapek and violinist Aaron Berofsky, who are also the Ann Arbor Symphony associate concertmaster and concertmaster, respectively—and their sons, pianist Charles and cellist Sebastian, who are both pursuing graduate degrees at Juilliard. The program includes piano quartets by Beethoven, Dvořák, and movie score composer Danny Elfman. 8 p.m., Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. 

  • Observer Editor

    Brad Phillips: Rancho Tranquilico

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    House concert by this nationally renowned Saline-bred multi-instrumental string virtuoso and multi-genre singer-songwriter whose one-man show includes traditional music, popular covers, and originals, all performed on guitar, fiddle, or mandolin. BYOB. No tobacco products or pets. 8 p.m. (doors 7:30 p.m.), 11300 Island Lake Rd., Dexter. Park along the driveway. $25 payable via Venmo: @bradphillipsmusicllc. Preregistration required; space limited. (734) 223–2321, [email protected].