Events
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Observer Editor
“What’s Happening in the Arctic—and Why We Should Care”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Thursday Morning Lecture Series
MoreEvery Thurs., Oct. 22–Nov. 19. Series of 5 weekly talks.
Oct. 22: Norwegian Arctic security expert Gabriella Gricius on “The Arctic Region in the Context of European Geopolitics and Security.”
Oct. 29: Viking Cruises Arctic guide John McCannon on “Four Ages of the North: The Broad Contours of Arctic History.”
Nov. 5: Harvard Arctic Initiative director Jennifer Spence on “The North American Arctic: Myths and Realities.”
Nov. 12: U-M ecology professor George Kling on “Environmental Changes in the Arctic: Local and Global Impacts.”
Nov. 19: Washington D.C.-based Arctic security expert Pavel Devyatkin on “Russian Arctic Policy, Security Strategy and International Cooperation.”
10–11:30 a.m., WCC Morris Lawrence Bldg., Towsley Auditorium, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Free. 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
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Tues.–Sun., except Nov. 26. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. The newest program examines how membranes can help solve water shortages. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
U-M Center for Japanese Studies Noon Lecture Series
MoreNov. 5 & 12 (different locations). Talks by visiting scholars.
Nov. 5: University of Arizona Japanese Studies professor Joshua Schlachet on “Nourishing Life: Cultures of Food and Health in Early Modern Japan.”
Nov. 12: Cardiff University criminology professor Yutaka Yoshida on “When Self-Empowerment Goes South (or East, More Precisely): Gender, Neoliberalism, and Romance Fraud in Japan.”
Noon–1:30 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. (Nov. 5) & 4448 East Hall, 530 Church. (Nov. 12). Free. (734) 764–6307.
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Observer Editor
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center
MoreEvery Mon. & Thurs., except Nov. 26. Play open to all skill levels age 18 & up, both non-ACBL-sanctioned (Mon.) and ACBL-sanctioned (Thurs.). 12:30–3:30 p.m. (Mon., $5) & noon–3:30 p.m. (Thurs., $9); $1–$2 less for AASC members. 1320 Baldwin. (734) 794–6250, a2gov.org/senior, annarborbridge.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Division Street Pipes”: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
MoreEvery Thurs. through early Dec., except Nov. 26. U-M organ majors and faculty perform music TBA on the church’s Richards, Fowkes & Co. organ. 12:15 p.m., 306 N. Division. Free. (734) 663–0518, standrewsaa.org.
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Observer Editor
“Growing Future Gardeners”: Ann Arbor Farm & Garden
MoreTalk by U-M Alumni Association Camp Michigania associate director Kelley Stearns about this transformative summer camp. 12:30 p.m., Ann Arbor City Club, 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $5. Preregistration required by noon Nov. 5 at annarborfarmandgarden.org.
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Observer Editor
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club
MoreEvery Tues., Thurs., & Fri., except Nov. 26. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) and a game (Thurs.) for players with no more than 750 ACBL master points. 1–4 p.m. (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $9–$11 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
“The Tribute: The 1963 March on Washington and the Gendered Politics of Freedom”: U-M Institute for Historical Studies Lecture Series
MoreUniversity of Pennsylvania African American studies professor Marcia Chatelain discusses Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech from the vantage point of gender dynamics. 4–6 p.m., 1014 Tisch Hall, 435 S. State. Free. (734) 615–7400.
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FreeObserver Editor
Michigan Marching Band Practice
MoreEvery Mon.–Thurs., except Nov. 24–26. U-M’s highly disciplined 200+ member marching band or sections thereof can be seen and heard practicing on the new Elbel Field (across the street from the old Elbel Field). All welcome to find a spot in the bleachers and get a sneak preview of upcoming halftime shows. Rehearsals usually last 1–2 hours. 4:45 p.m., Hill at Fifth Ave. Free. (734) 764–0582.
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FreeObserver Editor
Rae Klein: EMU Visiting Artist Speaker Series
MoreTalk by this Grass Lake–based oil painter, an EMU alum. Her moody surrealist paintings frequently depict haunted domestic objects. Followed by Q&A. 5–6 p.m., EMU Strong Hall, rm. 100, W. Circle Dr., Ypsi. Free. (501) 920–4386, [email protected], today.emich.edu/calendar/2026/11/12/17238
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FreeObserver Editor
“Side Effects: How Abortion Bans Impact Everyone’s Health”: U-M Institute for Research on Women & Gender
MorePolitico senior health care reporter Miranda Ollstein is joined by KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss her new book. 5–6:30 p.m., Rackham Amphitheater. Free. (734) 764-9537.
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Nightspots
Kathy Wieland.: North Star Lounge
MoreNorth Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann ArborLocal singer-songwriter who plays witty and thoughtful pop-folk. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Voices of Dissent”: U-M Stamps School of Art & Design Penny Stamps Speaker Series
MoreStage performance, inspired by Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States, that combines dramatic readings with live musical performances to bring the words of ordinary people throughout US history to life. Featuring performances by actor David Strathairn, singer-songwriter Allison Moorer, and Detroit singer Thornetta Davis. Directed by Anthony Arnove. 5:30–7 p.m., Michigan Theater. Free. (734) 936–0671, stamps.umich.edu.
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FreeObserver Editor
Breadboard Electric Piano: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAll invited to follow a simple diagram to make an electric piano using simple computer circuitry. 5:30–7:30 p.m., AADL Malletts Creek. Free. 327–4200.
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Observer Editor
“Small Bite Sessions”: Zingerman’s Deli
MoreNov. 12, 13, & 18. Zingerman’s staff lead short tastings of a variety of cheddar cheeses (Nov. 12), alpine cheeses (Nov. 13), and Thanksgiving breads (Nov. 18). 6–6:30 p.m., Zingerman’s Deli, 422 Detroit St. $15. Preregistration required at zingermansdeli.com/events. (734) 663–3354.
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FreeObserver Editor
Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company
MoreEvery Mon., Thurs., & Sat. (different AARC locations), except Nov. 26. Runners of all abilities invited to join a 5K mapped route (Mon. & Thurs.) or either a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.). Corner Brewery (6 p.m. Mon.), 720 Norris, Ypsi.; AARC Colonnade (6 p.m. Thurs.), 901 W. Eisenhower; and AARC Traver Village (7 a.m. Sat.), 2621 Plymouth Rd. Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.
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Observer Editor
“All That I’m Asking”: Ann Arbor Jewish Book Series
MoreLocal author Ellen Halter discusses her new coming-of-age novel, set in New York in the late 1960s, about a college-aged woman and her struggles with grief, financial hardship, and a series of personal and political upheavals. 6–7 p.m., JCC, 2935 Birch Hollow. $12.50, preregistration required at jlive.app/events/17947. (734) 971–0990, jccannarbor.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
Bad Decisions Track Club
MoreEvery Thurs. Runners of all abilities invited to join this eclectic group of runners ranging from people training for their first 5K to ultramarathoners. Sessions are typically interval-based track workouts, followed by socializing at a nearby brewery. 6 p.m., Ferry Field, State at Hoover. May meet elsewhere if the weather is bad. Free. See walline.wixsite.com/bdtc to sign up for email updates on each week’s workout.
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FreeObserver Editor
Drop-in Knitting: Spun
MoreEvery Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 1–3 p.m. (Sun.) & 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Repairsday Thursday”: All Hands Active
MoreEvery Thurs., except Nov. 26. All invited to drop in with broken electronics, furniture, toys, or any other item they’d like to try to repair or repurpose with the help and guidance of AHA members. Repairs not guaranteed. 6–8 p.m., basement of 255 E. Liberty, ste. 225. Free; donations welcome. [email protected], meetup.com/allhandsactive/events.
