Events
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Free
Observer Editor
Open Mic: Dzanc House
MoreAll 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.
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Free
Observer 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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Nightspots
Paul Keller Orchestra.: Zal Gaz Grotto
MoreZal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann ArborAward-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.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Octubafest”: U-M Music School
MoreOct. 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.
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Free
Observer Editor
Scandinavian Music Jam
MoreOct. 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.
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Observer Editor
Tartan and Thistle Scottish Country Dancers
MoreEvery Mon. Learn to dance jigs, reels, and strathspeys. All dances taught. Usually with live music by Susie Lorand, Josh Burdick, and friends. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $10 suggested donation (first-timers free). (734) 474–7299, (734) 274–0773.
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Free
Observer Editor
Comedy Show: The Blind Pig
MoreEvery 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.
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Nightspots
Open Stage.: Ark
MoreArk 316 S. Main, Ann ArborAll 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.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Tues.–Sun., starting Oct. 21. 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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Free
Observer Editor
U-M Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies Noon Lecture Series
MoreEvery 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].
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Observer Editor
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club
MoreEvery Thurs., Fri., & Tues. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) and a 499er game (Thurs.) for players with no more than 499 ACBL master points. 1–4 p.m. (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $9 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email [email protected].
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Free
Observer Editor
Ann Arbor Area Scrabble Club
MoreEvery Tues. All invited to play the classic word game, using the 5th-edition Scrabble dictionary. Bring your own set, if you like. 3:30–8 p.m., Arbor Brewing Company Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsi. Free. [email protected], meetup.com/ann-arbor-scrabble-meetup.
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Free
Observer 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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Nightspots
Easy Street Jazz Band.: Zal Gaz Grotto
MoreZal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann ArborEarly jazz classics from Scott Joplin and Bessie Smith to Louis Armstrong and beyond by this veteran local septet led by trombonist Terry Kimura.
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Free
Observer Editor
Game Night: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery 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.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Intro to Laser Engraving: Wooden Coasters”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults & teens invited to use a laser cutter to engrave a provided coaster to take home. 5:30–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Free
Observer Editor
“The Extraordinary Caterpillar”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreOccasional 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.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Whose City? Street Art and the Performance of Belonging in Tbilisi, Georgia”: U-M Center for World Performance Studies
MoreU-M international studies professor Greta Uehling discusses how street art functions as a form of cultural resistance in politically constrained societies like Georgia. 6 p.m., Michigan League, Vandenberg Rm. Free. (734) 763–0622.
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Free
Observer 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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Observer Editor
Collage & Chill: Dzanc House
MoreOct. 13 & 27. All invited to make collages. Supplies provided, but bring your own if you like. 6–8 p.m., 402 S. Huron St., Ypsi. $5 suggested donation. dzanchouse.org.
