Events
-
-
Community ListingFree
“Defy: How to Speak Up When It Matters”: U-M Positive Links Speaker Series
MoreOnline
Positive Links Speaker Series: DEFY: How to Speak Up When It Matters
Speaker: Sunita Sah
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
Free and Online | Registration required to obtain login informationEvent link: https://myumi.ch/8JMJn
Positive Links:
The Positive Links Speaker Series, running for over 22 years with 165 sessions, is one of the most-watched speaker series at Michigan Ross. Positive Links features distinguished scholars sharing leading ideas in the science of thriving. Learn how to ignite the science of extraordinary organizations catalyzed by human thriving, together with our community of researchers, students, staff, and leaders.About the talk:
Why is it so hard to speak up, even when we know something’s wrong?Many of us comply much more than we realize. How many times have you wanted to object, disagree, or opt out of something—but ended up swallowing your words, shaking your head, and just going along? Discussing the ideas and frameworks from her bestselling book DEFY, Dr. Sunita Sah will delve into why the pressure to comply is a corrosive and often invisible force in our society, and what we can do about it.
Drawing on her original research on compliance, defiance, insinuation anxiety, and voice, you’ll learn to:
• Show up authentically in personal and professional situations
• Understand the difference between defiance, compliance, and consent
• Practice defiance in low-stakes scenarios to build confidence
• Recognize your body’s warning signals that it’s time to act
• Navigate workplace pressure without losing your integrity (or your job)Defiance isn’t about being loud or combative. It’s about acting in alignment with your values, even when it’s hard. DEFY will show you how to do it every day, in every part of your life
https://positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu/event/defy-how-to-speak-up-when-it-matters/
Free -
Observer Editor
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club
MoreEvery Tues., Thurs., & Fri., except Nov. 26. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) and a game (Thurs.) for players with no more than 750 ACBL master points. 1–4 p.m. (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $9–$11 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email [email protected].
-
FreeObserver Editor
Ann Arbor Area Scrabble Club
MoreEvery Tues., except Nov. 24. 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.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Should Hate Speech Be Protected?”: U-M Raoul Wallenberg Institute Samantha Woll Dialogues
MorePanel discussion with Johns Hopkins University Jewish studies professor James Loeffler, Chicago Council on Global Affairs senior fellow Suzanne Nossel, and U-M law professor Richard Primus. 4–5:30 p.m., Rackham Amphitheatre. Free. [email protected].
-
FreeObserver Editor
Michigan Marching Band Practice
MoreEvery Mon.–Thurs., except Nov. 24–26. 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. 4:45 p.m., Hill at Fifth Ave. Free. (734) 764–0582.
-
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.
-
FreeObserver 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. 5–9 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.
-
Community ListingFree
“International Travel Fellowship Panel”: U-M Center for the Education of Women
MorePanel discussion featuring CEW+ Fellowship recipients discussing their research experiences abroad in Brazil, Kenya, China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, followed by Q&A, socializing, and light dinner. 5:30–7:30 p.m., School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights. Free, preregistration required at cew.umich.edu/events/2026-ckwlecture. (734) 764–6360.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Sisters Rising”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreOccasional screenings in the Downtown Branch lower level program rm., and other locations as noted. Free. (734) 327–4200.
Nov. 17: “Sisters Rising” (Willow O’Feral & James Brad Heck, 2020). Hour-long documentary that follows 6 Native American women working to bring down high rates of sexual violence in tribal communities. Followed by a discussion with U-M Institute for Research on Women and Gender assistant dean Rebecca Irvine and Detroit-based Native American historian Heather Bruegl. 5:30 p.m. AADL Downtown, 4th fl.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Tour de Dirt”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
MoreEvery Tues. Moderate-paced ride, 25 to 35 miles, along the less-traveled unpaved roads around Chelsea. Bring a chair and a beverage or snack for a post-ride tailgate. See aabts.org for weather cancellations or delays. 6 p.m. sharp, meet at Aberdeen Bike and Outdoors, 1101 Main, Chelsea. Email [email protected] for each week’s route. Free. (313) 980–5277.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Handmade Felt Food: Avocado”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreA chance for adults to make colorful toy avocados out of felt. 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, lower level program rm. Free. (734) 327–4200.
-
FreeObserver Editor
Drop-in Knitting: Spun
MoreEvery Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 1–3 p.m. (Sun.) & 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Luna, Phoenix, Queen”: Literati Bookstore
MoreNYC-based writer Julie Orringer, bestselling author of The Invisible Bridge, discusses her new book that tells a tale of artistic and marital betrayal in a chorus of voices. 6:30 p.m., 124 E. Washington. Free. (734) 585–5567.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Trivia with Terry!”: Argus Farm Stop
MoreNov. 3 & 17. All invited to form teams to answer wacky trivia questions from this longtime Aut Bar trivia night emcee. 6:30–8 p.m., 1200 Packard. Free; food & drink for sale. (734) 997–5448.
-
FreeObserver Editor
Astronomy on Tap
MoreAll invited to this monthly program that includes space-themed trivia and games as well as short presentations by local astronomers. 7 p.m., location TBA (see website). Free; food and drink for sale. linktr.ee/aotannarbor.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Sound & Silence”: Canterbury House
MoreEvery Tues. Regular gathering exploring contemplative music and silence, sometimes led by a guest artist. 7 p.m., Canterbury House, 721 E. Huron St. Free, donations welcome. canterburyhouse.org/soundandsilence.
-
Nightspots
Jake Reichbart.: Earle
MoreEarle 121 W. Washington, Ann ArborSolo jazz guitarist. Solo jazz pianists TBA occasionally substitute.
-
FreeObserver Editor
French Canadian Music Session: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance
MoreAll musicians invited to bring acoustic instruments to trade tunes and play the dance music of French Canada: jigs, reels, waltzes, and so-called “crooked” tunes from Québec, Acadia, and the Métis traditions. Knowledge of French not required. 7–9 p.m., Pittsfield Twp. bldg., Morris Hall, 6201 W. Michigan Ave. Free. [email protected], aactmad.org/french-canadian-session.
-
FreeObserver Editor
Polka Jam Session: American Legion Hall
MoreAll accordion players and other musicians invited to play polkas and waltzes and other old-time music. 7–9 p.m., 44 Wabash (south off Main), Milan. Free.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Catene”: U-M Cineforum: Italian Classics on Campus
More2435 North Quad, 105 S. State. Monthly free screenings of Italian-language films, with subtitles.
Nov. 17: “Catene” (Raffaello Matarazzo, 1949). Acclaimed melodrama about a husband who kills his wife’s ex-boyfriend, who was blackmailing her. FREE. 7 p.m.
