• Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Clements Library Tour

    U-M Clements Library Tour
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    Oct. 16 & 23. Hour-long docent-led tour of the library’s early American history collection, along with a chance to view a new exhibit, Who Counts? A History of Voting in America, a display of ballot boxes, campaign pins, preprinted party tickets, banners, and other electioneering ephemera. 4 p.m. (Oct. 16 & 23) and 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. (Oct. 23), 909 South University. Free, preregistration required at clements.umich.edu. (734) 649–3370. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Fix-It Friday”: Maker Works

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    All invited to bring anything that needs fixing—chairs, sweaters, radios, whatever. Maker Works members and staff on hand help with repairs. Handy people invited to assist. Repairs not guaranteed. Also, toy adaptations to make off-the-shelf toys more accessible for people with disabilities. 4–6 p.m., 3765 Plaza Dr. Free. Preregistration required at maker-works.com/fixitfriday. (734) 222–4911.

  • Nightspots

    Jim Eddy.: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    Dexter Celtic roots singer-songwriter & guitarist. 4:30–6:30 p.m.

  • Community Listing

    Friday Night Music at Lake Forest Golf Club with Shaun Garth Walker: Lake Forest Golf Club

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    3110 West Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor

    🍂 Friday Nights Are Getting Cozy at Lake Forest! 🔥🎶

    Join us Friday, October 16th for an evening of live music, great food, and all the things we love about fall at Lake Forest.

    🎸 Shaun Garth Walker – a local blues-oriented singer-guitarist with an eclectic, wide-ranging repertoire

    Come early for Happy Hour from 3–5 PM, then settle in for the evening. Grab a blanket, gather around the fire tables, enjoy the gardens and games, and relax with friends and family !

    And come hungry! Chef Blake’s new Fall Menu is here, along with Friday’s special: Take a look at the menu at www.ellsworthannarbor.com

    🔥 Fire tables & cozy blankets – in our enclosed pergola!
    🎲 Lawn Games for kids & adults
    🍁 Gardens & fall views
    🍸 Happy Hour 3–5 PM
    🎶 Live music at 5 PM
    🍽️ New Fall Menu

    Good music. Great food. Cozy fall nights.
    That’s Friday at Lake Forest.

    Open to everyone — bring your friends, bring the family, and make a night of it!

    www.lakeforestgc.com

  • Observer Editor

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
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    Every Fri.–Sun. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits. Also, a u-pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, and yard games. The corn maze is illuminated and guests get a free glow stick on Glow Maze Nights (Oct. 9, 16, & 23, 5–9 p.m.). On All You Can Carry Pumpkin Day (Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.), for $10 you can purchase all the pumpkins you can successfully stack and carry down the lane. On Pumpkin Smash Day (Oct. 30, 5–9 p.m.), each guest receives a free pumpkin to smash, which is then composted or fed to the farm’s animals. Costumes encouraged for the Halloween Spooktacular (Oct. 31, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.). 5–9 p.m (Fri.), 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.). 6175 Daly, Dexter. $16 (ages 5–12, $13; age 4 & under, free with adult admission). blastcornmaze.com.

  • Community Listing
    Free

    Poetry Trail: Michelle Smolarski

    Poetry Trail
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    Bluffs Nature Area, 1279 N Main St., Ann Arbor MI 48103

    My poems will be found going down the trail straight ahead on red hearts written in calligraphy. Be careful to not step on any! They could be above, to the right, to the left, maybe even down below you. Enjoy your hike!
    I will dance at different times around the clock. And have my poetry books for sale. Come enjoy nature and the arts and support a local artist!
    Oct 16th-18th 5-9pm call me to reserve a spot at 734-274-3623 at Bluffs Nature Area.

    Facebook.com/mysticalwritingshop

    Free
  • Nightspots

    Jaded Ravins.: North Star Lounge

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    North Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

    Soulful Americana & rock couple based out of a van. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.

  • 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.

  • Community Listing

    Drop-in Line Dancing: Pittsfield Recreation Center

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    701 W. Ellsworth Rd, Ann Arbor

    Enjoy Drop-In Line Dancing, Friday, October 16, 2026, 6pm-7:30pm at the Pittsfield Recreation Center, SW corner of Ellsworth and S. State St, Ann Arbor. Adults and children (eight & up, if accompanied by parent or grandparent) are invited! Wear comfortable clothes, soft-soled shoes or boots. Learn three or more “absolute” beginner, line dances. The price is $7 if pre-registered at: www.recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov or $10 at door.

    www.recreation-pittsfield-mi.gov

    $7 – $10
  • Observer Editor

    “Self-Guided Lantern Lit Trail”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission

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    Self-guided hike along about a mile of lantern-lit trail through the woods, followed by a campfire and treats. Dog walkers welcome. 6–8:30 p.m. (check in by 7:30 p.m.), Rolling Hills County Park, 7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsi. $15 per household (up to 4 people), plus $6 (nonresidents, $10) vehicle entry fee. Preregistration (1/household) required at washtenaw.org/registerparks; #RH721311.

  • Observer Editor

    D&D Adventurers League: Sylvan Factory

    D&D Adventurers League: Sylvan Factory
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    Every Fri. All invited to play the current official campaign of the popular Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game, using 5th-edition rules. Kids under 13 must have adult accompaniment. 6–10 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. $10. Space limited, preregistration strongly recommended. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

  • Observer Editor

    Candlelight Concerts: Kalkaska String Quartet

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    This Detroit-based ensemble presents 2 candlelight concerts tonight: “A Tribute to Coldplay and Imagine Dragons” (6:30 p.m.) features instrumental arrangements of music by these 2 early 21st-century rock bands, and “A Tribute to Michael Jackson” (8:45 p.m.) highlights instrumental arrangements of the pop superstar’s bestselling songs. Age 8 & up. 6:30 & 8:45 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 1432 Washtenaw Ave. $29–$60 per show. Preregistration required at feverup.com/en/ann-arbor/candlelight.

  • Observer Editor

    “Euchre Change a Life!”

    “Euchre Change a Life!”
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    Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30. Five-game euchre tournament. Sign up with a partner or get paired with one by the organizers. Prizes. Food & beverages available for purchase. Proceeds benefit Haitian children via Haitian Christian Outreach. 6:30–9 p.m., HOMES Campus, 112 Jackson Plz. $15 (HOMES members, $10). [email protected], tinyurl.com/a2euchrechange. 

  • Nightspots

    Jive Colossus.: Live

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    Live 102 S. First St., Ann Arbor

    Local 9-piece ensemble with a killer horn section that plays Afro-Caribbean, funk, rock, and blues dance music.

  • Observer Editor

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory

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    Every Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play both casual and tournament forms of the collectible card game MTG. Wed. & Sat. (5 p.m.): “Commander.” A drop-in session of the most popular form of the game. Free. Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Booster Draft.” Players take turns opening booster packs to create a 40 card deck. $25. Various times & prices, 2459 W. Stadium. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Annual CDL Song Fest 2026: Chelsea District Library

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    This annual event is highlighted by a performance by 2-time Grammy nominee Chris Collingwood (8–9:30 p.m.), lead vocalist and founding member of 90s and early 2000s power pop band Fountains of Wayne, whose songwriting is known for its sharp storytelling, memorable hooks, and heartfelt lyrics. His new band, Look Park, released its eponymous debut album in 2016; it received wide critical acclaim and was called “one of the best rock albums of the year” by Salon. Tonight Collingwood is joined by fiddler and vocalist Gina Romantini. Preceded at 7:30 p.m. by an interview with Collingwood about his career, influences, and craft by WEMU FM The Song Break host John Bommarito. Also, a Teen Showcase performance (6:45–7:15 p.m.) by 2 local teen bands TBA. 6:45–9:30 p.m., Robin Hills Farm pasture barn, 20390 M-52, Chelsea. Free. (734) 475–8732, chelseadistrictlibrary.org/songfest.

  • Observer Editor

    “Sister Act”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company

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    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

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

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    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.