• Community Listing
    Free

    NAMIWalks Washtenaw County

    More

    Gallup Park 3000 Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor

    NAMIWalks Washtenaw County is open to everyone, and strives to increase awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. All funds raised will stay local to help support and grow NAMI Washtenaw County’s free mental health programs.

    In addition to walking together to increase visibility, participants will have the opportunity to connect with peers and learn about community resources and initiatives. The event will feature resource tables from local organizations, guest speakers, food and warm drinks from Tacos El Panda and Happy Camper Café, a 2-mile walk within Gallup Park (wheelchair- and stroller-accessible), lawn games, and craft stations. Participants can register, create a team, or donate at namiwalks.org/washtenawcounty. Registration is free but required.

    namiwalks.org/washtenawcounty

    Free
  • Observer Editor

    “Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy

    More

    Fri. Oct. 2 & 16 and every Sat. & Sun. (See review) During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show some animals that live in the rainforest, including a two-toed sloth, a Dumeril’s boa, an iguana, and a red-footed tortoise at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show a two-toed sloth, a Dumeril’s boa, and an iguana at 1 & 4 p.m., and a red-footed tortoise at 2 & 3 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 7–9 p.m. (Fri.) and noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 (kids ages 2–12, $13; under age 2, free) cash or credit at the door only. (734) 929–9324, thecreatureconservancy.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Walking Tours: U-M Detroit Observatory

    Walking Tours: U-M Detroit Observatory
    More

    Oct. 3, 10, 17, 23, & 30. Student docents lead walks to historically rich areas of the U-M campus.

    Oct. 3 (1–2:30 p.m) & Oct. 23 (4–5:30 p.m.): “Key Moments in U-M’s Early History.” A tour of the original 40-acre campus and stories of U-M’s history in the early 1800s.

    Oct. 10 (1–2:30 p.m.): “Invisible to Indispensable: Black Legacies.” Focuses on the legacy of Black students and academics and the social movements they led on campus.

    Oct. 17 (1–2:30 p.m.): “The Origins of the Law Quadrangle.” A visit to the law school campus, with discussion of its architecture and important historical moments.

    Oct. 23 (6–7:30 p.m.): “Paths of Protest: Stories of Campus Activism.” Visits to places on campus that were sites of important protests.

    Oct. 30 (4–5:30 p.m.): “Forest Hill Cemetery.” A trek to the final resting place of numerous figures from U-M history.

    Various times & locations. Free, preregistration required at detroitobservatory.umich.edu. (734) 763–2230.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Tree Appreciation Walk”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission

    More

    WCPARC naturalist Elle Bogle leads a walk through Whitmore Lake Preserve’s forest, fields, and wetlands to learn about trees. 1–3 p.m., Whitmore Lake Preserve, 1551 Seven Mile, Whitmore Lake. Free.  Preregistration required at washtenaw.org/registerparks; #811009.

  • Observer Editor

    “Macbeth”: Fathom Entertainment

    “Macbeth”: Fathom Entertainment
    More

    (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. 17 & 21: “Macbeth.” Live (Sat.) and prerecorded (Wed.) broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera production of Verdi’s operatic adaptation of the influential Shakespeare tragedy, the bloody tale of a Scottish lord and his ambitious wife. 1 p.m. $24.

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater

    More

    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.

  • Community Listing

    Natural Dyes ~ Kitchen Dyes & Shibori: The Natural Dye Company

    More

    7852 2nd St, Dexter

    Join The Natural Dye Co. at Maggie’s Organics for a hands-on workshop to explore the mystery and magic of natural dyeing using ingredients from the kitchen. Using a shibori resist technique, participants will create a unique design on their choice of a Maggie’s Organics 100% organic cotton t-shirt, included in registration! Registration required, limited supported rates available.

    https://thenaturaldyecompany.square.site/

    $40 – $90
  • Observer Editor

    “Sister Act”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company

    More

    Thurs.–Sun., Oct. 8–18. This local professional company performs Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, Glenn Slater, and Alan Menken’s musical based on the 1992 comedy film that starred Whoopi Goldberg as a Reno lounge singer who’s put under protective custody in a convent. The score draws on Motown, soul, funk, and disco. 7 p.m. (Thurs., Fri., & Sat.) and 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $39–$67 in advance at theencoretheatre.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 268–6200. 

  • Observer Editor

    Drop-in Improv Games: Ypsi Improv

    Drop-in Improv Games: Ypsi Improv
    More

    Oct. 6, 10, 17, 24, & 31. All age 16 & up invited to learn about and participate in improv games in a fun, relaxed, and judgment-free setting. No experience necessary. The Oct. 17 meeting is followed by an hour-long skills session discussing and practicing a specific improv skill. 7–9 p.m. (Tues.) & 2–4 p.m. (Sat.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $8 (Oct. 17, $15) in advance via PayPal or Venmo linked from meetup.com/ypsi-improv or in cash at the door. 

  • Observer Editor

    “The Importance of Being Earnest”: Saline Area Players

    More

    Local actors stage a dramatic reading of Oscar Wilde’s deliciously irreverent comedy of manners, a late Victorian classic whose strongest attraction is Wilde’s wonderfully etched epigrammatic language. Followed by cider and donuts. 2 p.m., the Well Church, 211 Willis, Saline. Pay what you can at the door. [email protected].

  • Community Listing
    Free

    Art In Action: Artists, Disability, & Advocacy: Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston

    More

    3941 Research Park Dr., Ann Arbor, MI

    Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston is hosting a panel discussion on Art & Disability, featuring Kalyn Rose Heffernan of Wheelchair Sports Camp and Gaelynn Lea, alongside local mixed media artist Megan Braun and Producer & Host of Ann Arbor Tonight, Zach Damon.

    This event is free and open to the community. Booksweet will offer sales of Gaelynn Lea’s 2026 memoir, IT WASN’T MEANT TO BE PERFECT.

    Join the panel by registering NOW at tinyurl.com/DNArtAdvocacy.

    Sponsored in part by Neil and Annmarie Hawkins and U-M Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services.

    Also, catch Kalyn and Gaelynn for a FREE performance at The Ark on Sunday, Oct. 18 as part of the 2nd Annual Michigan Arts Festival! Go to events.umich.edu/event/151138 for more details.

    dnwml.org

    Free
  • Observer Editor

    “Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company

    More

    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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Maestro”: Theatre Nova

    “Maestro”: Theatre Nova
    More

    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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Pittsfield Open Band: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance

    More

    Oct. 3 & 17. Jam session open to all musicians interested in working on jigs, reels, and waltzes to have fun, learn tunes, and develop contra dance music skills. All instruments welcome. Bring the Ruffwater Fakebook, the Portland Collection, and the Waltz Books if you have them. 3–5 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Masking optional. Free. [email protected].