Events
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Observer Editor
“Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
MoreEvery 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.
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FreeObserver Editor
“From Prehistoric Qubits to Building a Useful Quantum Computer”: U-M Physics Department Ta-You Wu Lecture
MoreTalk by physicist John Martinis, a 2025 Nobel laureate recognized for pioneering superconducting qubits and advancing scalable quantum computing systems. 4–5 p.m., Rackham Amphitheatre. Free. (734) 764–4437.
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FreeObserver Editor
Board Game Night: Argus Farm Stop
MoreOct. 14 & 28. All invited to participate in a relaxed evening of board games. If you want, bring a game to share. 4–7 p.m., 1200 Packard. Free; food & drink for sale. (734) 997–5448, argusfarmstop.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
Michigan Marching Band Practice
MoreEvery Mon.–Thurs., except Oct. 19 & 20. 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. Also, at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, the band hosts its monthly free Open Stadium Rehearsal at Michigan Stadium. 4:45 p.m., Hill at Fifth Ave. Free. (734) 764–0582.
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FreeObserver Editor
Letterpress Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreOct. 9, 14, 23, & 31 (different times). A chance for adults to learn the basics of printing with movable type. 5–7 p.m. (Oct. 9, 14 & 23) and 3–5 p.m. (Oct. 31), AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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FreeObserver Editor
Board Game Night: Bløm Mead + Cider
MoreEvery Wed. All invited to play popular board games. Use provided games or bring your own. 5–10 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729, drinkblom.com/events.
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Observer Editor
Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery 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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Nightspots
James Margolis.: North Star Lounge
MoreNorth Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann ArborBlues singer-songwriter & guitarist from Philadelphia known for his big voice and virtuosic finger picking guitar. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.
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Observer Editor
“Community Table”: The Washtenaw Food Hub
MoreEvery Wed. Food- and agriculture-related discussions and demos. Oct. 7: “Lacto-Fermented Hot Sauce.” Fermentation enthusiast Louis Daher demonstrates how to turn hot peppers and mango into hot sauce. Oct. 14: “Heirloom Corn.” Local farmer Ben Monroe gives a farm-to-table portrait of this traditional crop. Oct. 21: “Washtenaw Tool Bank Collective.” Washtenaw County Conservation District representative Doug Reith discusses which tools are best suited for different projects, and how to use them. Oct. 28: “Fresh-Hopped Wild Rice Ale.” Rachel Kanaan and Mason Shipe of Jupiter Fen Kombucha Club show how to brew this seasonal beer. $22. 6–7 p.m., 4175 Whitmore Lake Rd. Free, except Oct. 28. Preregistration required for all events at tinyurl.com/a2-foodhub. thewashtenawfoodhub.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Wild Roots & Fall Foliage”: Wild Ones
MoreHerbalist jim mcdonald explores the medicinal virtues of many weeds and wildflowers in our area. 6–7:30 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens Auditorium, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free; metered parking. [email protected], annarbor.wildones.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
Christopher Fennell: Ann Arbor Art Center Artist Talk
MoreRenowned sculptor Fennell discusses his public art practice of transforming discarded objects into dynamic large-scale sculptures. He is working on a sculpture made from decommissioned Ann Arbor Fire Department ladders to be installed at the city’s new fire station. 6–7:30 p.m., 117 W. Liberty. Free. annarborartcenter.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Out Here”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreOccasional free screenings in the Downtown branch lower level program rm., and other locations as noted. (734) 327–4200.
Oct. 14: “Out Here” (Lisa J. Klein, 2025). Short documentary about a social worker and former addict trying to help unhoused individuals in Sacramento, California. Followed by discussion. Sponsored by the U-M Community Scholars Program. 6 p.m.
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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. 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.) & 1–3 p.m. (Sun.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.
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FreeObserver Editor
Crazy Wisdom Bookstore Gathering Series
MoreOct. 14 & 21. Community gatherings and talks by local practitioners. Oct. 14 (6–8 p.m.): “Witches Night Out.” Group meeting and discussion. Oct. 21 (6:30–8:30 p.m.): “Goddesses of the Arbor.” Discussion geared toward late millennial and Gen X women. 6 p.m., Crazy Wisdom, 114 S. Main, upstairs. Free. (734) 665–2757, crazywisdom.net.
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FreeObserver Editor
“The Spirits”: Literati Bookstore
MoreKalamazoo-based writer Bonnie Jo Campbell discusses her new novel, a gritty, spooky, and ultimately heartening holiday story set on the night before Christmas in a small Michigan town. 6:30 p.m., 124 E. Washington. Free. (734) 585–5567.
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FreeObserver Editor
Group Runs: A2 Runners
MoreEvery Mon. & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a beginner or advanced 3- to 5-mile group run, followed by socializing at a downtown coffee shop. 6:30 p.m., meet at the Kerrytown Clock Tower. Preregistration requested at meetup.com/a2runners. Free. [email protected].
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Observer Editor
Figure Drawing: Dzanc House
MoreOct. 14 & 28. All skill levels welcome to draw a live model. Bring your own art supplies. Light refreshments. 6:30–9 p.m., 402 S. Huron St., Ypsi. $10 to pay model. Preregistration required by the Mon. before the event. dzanchouse.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet
MoreEvery Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes. Rain or shine. 7 p.m., 123 E. Liberty. Free. (734) 769–5016, fleetfeetsemichigan.com.
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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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Observer Editor
“Comedy Jamm”: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
MoreOct. 7, 14, & 28. Performances by up to 12 aspiring and established area stand-up comics. On Oct. 7, attendees can mingle with the comics before they hit the stage during “Comedy Nerdz Happy Hour” (5:30–6:30 p.m.). 7:15 p.m. (doors 6:30 p.m.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $5 in advance at aacomedy.com; $6 at the door. (734) 996–9080.
