• Free
    Observer Editor

    Open Mic: Dzanc House

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    All invited to share acoustic music, short stories, or poetry. Sign up on arrival. 6–8 p.m., 402 S. Huron St., Ypsi. Free. dzanchouse.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Group Runs: A2 Runners

    Group Runs: A2 Runners
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    Every 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].   

  • Nightspots

    Paul Keller Orchestra.: Zal Gaz Grotto

    Paul Keller Orchestra.
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    Zal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor

    Award-winning 14-piece big band led by bassist Keller and featuring vocalist Sarah D’Angelo and occasional guest vocalists. Also, each week features a middle set by a guest college or high school student ensemble.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Octubafest”: U-M Music School

    “Octubafest”: U-M Music School
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    Oct. 26–28. Three-day celebration of music for the tuba and euphonium with recitals featuring solo and chamber music performances by students and faculty from the U-M Tuba & Euphonium Studio. 7:30 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg., Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. (734) 764–0583.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Scandinavian Music Jam

    Scandinavian Music Jam
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    Oct. 12 & 26. Bruce Sagan leads an acoustic jam session devoted to traditional music from the Scandinavian countries. All instruments welcome, no experience necessary. 7:30–9:30 p.m., location TBA; email [email protected]. Free.   

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Comedy Show: The Blind Pig

    Comedy Show: The Blind Pig
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    Every Mon., except Oct. 5. Performances from up to 15 aspiring stand-up comics from around the state. Local comics emcee. Age 21 & up only. Free candy. 8–9:30 p.m., 208 S. First St. Free. (734) 996–8555.

  • Nightspots

    Open Stage.: Ark

    Open Stage.
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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    All acoustic performers invited. Fifteen acts are selected randomly from those who sign up (doors open 7:30 p.m.) to perform 8 minutes (or 2 songs) each. The most talented and popular Open Stage performers are offered their own evenings at the Ark. $3 (members & students, free) at the door only.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies Noon Lecture Series

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    Every Tues. (except Oct. 20). Talks by U-M and visiting scholars.

    Oct. 6: University of Albany geography professor Tom Narins on “Bad Romance in Southeast Asia: China-Linked Cyber-Scamming, Variegated Govotolerance, and the Geopolitics of Criminality along China’s Belt and Road.”

    Oct. 13: City University of New York anthropology professor Anru Lee on “Haunted Modernities: Gender, Memory, and Place-Making in Postindustrial Taiwan.”

    Oct. 27: Northeastern University sociology professor Chuncheng Liu on “Metricracy: The Data and Symbolic Politics of a Chinese Social Credit System.”

    Noon–1 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. (734) 764–6308, [email protected].

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Michigan Marching Band Practice

    Michigan Marching Band Practice
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    Every 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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Game Night: Sylvan Factory

    Game Night: Sylvan Factory
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    Every Tues. All invited to play board games, assemble a puzzle, paint miniatures, or try a tabletop role-playing game, all in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. 5 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “The Extraordinary Caterpillar”: Ann Arbor District Library

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    Occasional free screenings in the Downtown branch lower level program rm., and other locations as noted. (734) 327–4200. 

    Oct. 27: “The Extraordinary Caterpillar” (Jeff McKay, 2025). Hour-long documentary that explores the hidden world of caterpillars and their role in global biodiversity and food webs. 6 p.m.

  • Free
    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.