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    Observer Editor

    Jazz Lab Ensemble: U-M Music School

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    Dennis Wilson leads this music major ensemble in a program of contemporary jazz and big band standards. 8 p.m., Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin. Free. (734) 764-0583.

  • Observer Editor

    Kenny Wayne Shepherd: Live Nation

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    An ensemble led by this blues guitar virtuoso known for his flamboyant, high-voltage live shows. A self-taught child prodigy, Shepherd has been playing professionally since his teens, where he gained fame for his spot-on covers of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and has gone on to open shows for the Rolling Stones, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, and others. His current tour celebrates the 30th anniversary of the release of his debut album, Ledbetter Heights. 8 p.m., Michigan Theater. $45–$240 in advance at ticketmaster.com & (if available) at the door. (800) 745–3000.

  • Nightspots

    Off Book.: Ark

    Off Book.
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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    L.A.–based comedy-music duo of Jessica McKenna and Zach Reino who in each show create a completely improvised musical in an attempt to combat the notion that musicals need to be “carefully crafted” or “thought out at all.” The duo has written songs and musical sketches for the TV shows Baking It and Rick and Morty, among others. Note: Oct. 15 is sold out. $33.

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    Nolan Collins & The Raccoon Wranglers.: Ziggy’s

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    Ziggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    West Virginia country band whose sound incorporates elements of Western swing and bluegrass. Opener: Jayce Turley, an outlaw country singer-songwriter from Kentucky.

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    Breaker Box.: Blind Pig

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    Blind Pig 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor

    Detroit-area alt-metal band. Openers: Ypsi punk & metal band Berate, Harke, and the Ypsi spooky folk-punk band Closet Ghost. $14.

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    Observer Editor

    “Fall Migration in Nichols Arboretum”: Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance

    “Fall Migration in Nichols Arboretum”: Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance
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    Every 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.

  • Observer Editor

    “The 2026 Midterm Elections: Process, Policy & Consequences”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Thursday Morning Lecture Series

    “The 2026 Midterm Elections: Process, Policy & Consequences”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Thursday Morning Lecture Series
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    Every 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.

  • Observer Editor

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
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    Every Wed.–Sun. 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 & donuts available. Also, on Oct. 3 & 4, local artisans & crafters sell their items at the Craft Show Weekend, and on Oct. 24, young entrepreneurs sell homemade items at the Kids Market (noon–4 p.m.). 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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    Observer Editor

    U-M Center for Japanese Studies Noon Lecture Series

    U-M Center for Japanese Studies Noon Lecture Series
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    Oct 1 & 15 (different locations). Talks by visiting scholars.

    Oct. 1: “Living Ainu Art: Community, Nature, and Intergenerational Knowledge through Song and Dance.” Lecture-performance of Indigenous Japanese Ainu dance and music by U-M Museum of Art visiting curator Kanako Uzawa.

    Oct. 15: “A History of Unowned Dance: Bodies in Transmission.” Dancer & choreographer Yasuko Yokoshi discusses how performing traditional Japanese dance has reshaped her body and artistic practice.

    Noon–1:30 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church St. (Oct. 1) & 4448 East Hall, 530 Church St.(Oct. 15). Free. (734) 764–6307.

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    Observer Editor

    Halloween: International Neighbors

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    Area women invited to a festive Halloween-themed gathering, while also learning about this organization and its many special interest, language, and hobby groups. Tea and light snacks. Supervised kids welcome. 1–2:30 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Liberty. Free. inannarbor.org.

  • Observer Editor

    Ikebana International

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    All invited to learn about and practice this Japanese style of flower arranging. Floral materials provided upon request, bring your own container and tools. 1–3 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1500 Scio Church Rd. $25. Preregistration required at [email protected]. More info at ikebanaannarbor.org.

  • 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.

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    Observer Editor

    “Third Thursdays at the Library”: U-M Library

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    Monthly open house featuring rotating highlights from the library’s Special Collections Research Center, maps from the Clark Library, and items from other collections. Curators on hand to answer questions. Today on the 6th fl.: “Magic and Monsters.” Spooky items, including a model of the monster from Lawrence Kasdan’s 2003 film adaptation of Stephen King’s Dreamcatcher. Today on the 4th fl: “From Frightful to Delightful: East Asian Monsters in the Stacks.” Depictions of demons, shape-shifters, and mythical beasts from East Asian folklore, literature, art, and popular culture. Today on the 2nd fl.: “Magical Monstrous Maps.” Spooky maps featuring everything from Dutch Golden Age sea creatures to contemporary artists’ depictions of classic literary monsters. Today on the 1st fl.: “Magic and Monsters in Folklore Around the World.” Items depicting supernatural beings, legendary creatures, spirits, and shape-shifters from around the globe. 4–6 p.m., Hatcher Library, enter from the Diag. Free. (734) 936–2309.