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    Prior Art: OHMHA Fall Festival

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    At Thurston Pond next to OHAC Pool, 2300 Yorktown Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

    Oct 4 2026, Sunday, 1-3 PM: Prior Art appears at the Orchard Hills – Maplewood Homeowners Association (OHMHA) Fall Festival. Local rock band playing a mix of 60’s – 90’s rock covers and originals. Prior Art is Vocalist Rachel Arnsdorf, Alan Balkany on Guitar, Ryan Matthews on Bass, Alan Warmanen on Vocals & Drums, and Doug Wochna on vocals/sax/keys.

    Past OHMHA Fall Festivals included displays of a Fire Engine and a Police car, displays of animals from the Leslie Science Center, Face Painting, musical performances, donuts and cider.
    Cost: Free, but donations to the tip jar are appreciated

    Priorartband.com

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    Observer Editor

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun
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    Every 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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    U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater

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    Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. T. Rex (noon) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence); The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.) explores the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own; and Tales of the Maya Skies (2 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.

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    Observer Editor

    Tour: Kempf House Museum

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    Guided tours of this restored 19th-century Greek revival home, named for the family of German American musicians who occupied it circa 1900. 1–4 p.m., 312 S. Division. Free, donations accepted. (734) 994–4898, kempfhousemuseum.org. 

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    Artisan Market: Holy Bones Events

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    Quirky market featuring off-kilter handmade arts and crafts by local artisans. Food vendors. 1–7 p.m. Michigan Firehouse Museum, 110 W. Cross, Ypsi. Free admission. [email protected], holybonesfestival.com.  

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    “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”: 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. 4: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (Peter Jackson, 2003). Extended version of the conclusion of this fantasy trilogy in which Frodo, Sam, and Gollum overcome many obstacles, including the corrupting influence of the powerful ring they carry, as they travel toward a battle against the evil Sauron. 1:30 p.m.

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    Observer Editor

    “Holly Bass: We Hold These Truths”: U-M Museum of Art Exhibition Tour

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    UMMA curators lead a tour of this show that weaves audio and video pieces into reconstructions of an 1876 parlor, a 1976 den, and a gathering space organized around a long “Century Table” to invite visitors to look at unresolved histories, shared narratives, and possible futures. 2–3 p.m., UMMA A. Alfred Taubman Gallery I, 525 S. State. Free. Preregistration required at umma.umich.edu/events (space limited).

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    Shamel Pitts Tribe: University Musical Society

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    Oct. 3 & 4. Afrofuturism-inspired dance performance of their new work Marks of Red by six women dancers, directed by the singular Brooklyn choreographer Shamel Pitts. Anchored in the improvisational Gaga modern dance style, the piece draws from sumo wrestling, butoh dance, and the rhythms of techno music, celebrating the divine feminine amidst womb-like scenery, within an evocative electronic music soundscape. This NYC-based company is a multidisciplinary arts collective founded in 2019 by Pitts, a 2024 MacArthur fellow and 2020 Guggenheim fellow in choreography. 7:30 p.m. (Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Power Center. Tickets $30–$56 (students, $15–$20) in advance at ums.org, by phone, & (if available) at the door. (734) 764–2538.

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    “Wild Rehab”: Waterloo Natural History Association

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    A representative from the Howell Nature Center discusses the work of Michigan’s largest wildlife rehabilitator, which treats thousands of wild animals every year, from common to endangered species, with the goal of returning them to the wild. 2–3:30 p.m., Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush, Chelsea. $2 (families, $5); preregistration required at [email protected] (include name, phone number, and number of attendees). $15 Michigan recreation passport ($20 at the gate) required.

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    “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.

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    “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.

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    “Time Passes: 8 Short Plays by Samuel Beckett”: U-M Theatre Department

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    Oct. 1–4 & 8–11. Malcolm Tulip directs drama students in short works by this celebrated Irish playwright known for his verbal play, visual precision, and political imagination. The plays, written between the late 1950s and the early 1980s, include Act Without Words II, Play, Come and Go, Footfalls, Rockaby, Catastrophe, What Where, and Quad. 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.), & 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin. Tickets $35 (students, $16) in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 764–0583.

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    “Ghost in the Machine”: 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. 4: “Ghost in the Machine” (Valerie Veatch, 2026). Exhilarating, opinionated documentary that explores the dark history of AI, tracing its roots to eugenics. The Wrap calls it a “radical, necessary Molotov cocktail.” 2:30 p.m.

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    International Folk Dance Party: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance

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    Oct. 4 & 18. Traditional Eastern European and Middle Eastern circle and line dancing to recorded music. No experience or partner needed. Wear loose-fitting clothing and clean, flat, nonslip shoes. Beginners welcome. Preceded at 2 p.m. by a lesson. 3–5 p.m., Concourse Hall, 4531 Concourse. Pay what you can ($10 suggested; first time, free). [email protected].  

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    Season Opener: Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra

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    Adam Riccinto directs this volunteer community orchestra in a program highlighted by familiar musical gems, including Franz Liszt’s poetic Les Préludes, Pietro Mascagni’s Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana, and Grieg’s vivid Peer Gynt Suite No. 1. Also, works by Handel, Haydn, and Ferdinand Hérold. 3:30–5 p.m., Lincoln High School Performing Arts Center, 7425 Willis Rd., Ypsi. Tickets $13 (seniors, $6; students, $7; children 10 and under, free; family of 4, $30) in advance at a2tix.com & at the door. [email protected].

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    Observer Editor

    “Music for Meditation”: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

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    The Neptune String Quartet presents a program of the final string quartets written by Scarlatti, Mozart, and Beethoven. With local violinists Emelyn Bashour and Nathaniel Cornell, violist Magnolia Rohrer, and cellist Cecelia Sha. Followed at 5 p.m. by a service of sung Compline. 4–5 p.m., 306 N. Division. Free. (734) 663–0518, standrewsaa.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Percussion Ensemble: U-M Music School

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    This music student ensemble performs a program of percussion works TBA. 4 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg. Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. (734) 764–0583.

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    “A Grand Night for Singing”: U-M Music School

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    Eugene Rogers leads this showcase of U-M choral ensembles, including the Chamber Choir, University Choir, Orpheus Singers, Women’s Glee Club, and Men’s Glee Club, along with musical theater and voice students. 4 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Tickets $11–$25 in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 764–0583.

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    “Adore Him: He Is Here”: Fathom Entertainment

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    (734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

    Oct. 4–8: “Adore Him: He Is Here” (Don Johnson, 2026). Religious docudrama about Eucharistic adoration. 4:30 p.m. (Sun. only) & 6 p.m. Cinemark only.