• Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Clements Library Tour

    More

    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., 909 South University. Free, preregistration required at clements.umich.edu. (734) 649–3370.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Maya Binyam: U-M English Department Zell Visiting Writers Series

    More

    Reading by this fiction writer whose award-winning 2023 debut novel Hangman tells the story of an unnamed African man returning home after decades in America to visit his dying brother. When he arrives, he finds that he doesn’t recognize the country or anyone in it. Q&A and signing. Also, tomorrow Binyam gives a free craft lecture (10–11 a.m., Michigan League, Henderson Rm.). 5:30–6:30 p.m., UMMA, Stern Auditorium, 525 S. State. Free. [email protected].

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “From Japantown to Motown to Hometown: The Japanese American Experience in Michigan”: Ann Arbor District Library

    More

    Local Japanese Americans Susan Kamei, David Yamamoto, and Lori Saginaw discuss the creation of the Japanese American diaspora following WWII-era internment, the resilience of former incarcerees in the face of post-war discrimination, and the legacy of contributions of the Japanese American community in the greater Detroit area. 6–7 p.m. AADL Downtown, lower level program rm. Free. (734) 327–4200.

  • Observer Editor

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

    More

    Nov. 6, 13, & 20 (various locations). Self-guided hike along about a mile of lantern-lit trail through the woods, followed by a campfire and treats. 6–8:30 p.m. (check in by 7:30 p.m.), County Farm Park, 2230 Platt (Nov. 6); Independence Lake County Park Beach Center Pavilion, 3200 Jennings, Whitmore Lake (Nov. 13); Rolling Hills County Park, 7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsi (Nov. 20). Admission is $20 worth of nonperishable food donations for Food Gatherers, plus $6 (nonresidents, $10) vehicle entry fee for Independence Lake. Preregistration (one per household) requested at washtenaw.org/registerparks (#56000). [email protected].

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Crazy Wisdom Bookstore Gathering Series

    Crazy Wisdom Bookstore Gathering Series
    More

    Nov. 11, 13, 18, & 21. Community gatherings and talks by local practitioners.

    Nov. 11 (6–8 p.m.): “Witches Night Out.” Group meeting and discussion.

    Nov. 13 (6:30–8:30 p.m.): “Tarot, Mocktails, and Witches.” Local author Lindsay Merbaum leads a night of witchery, tarot, and a reading from her new dark fantasy novel, Witches of the Wheel.

    Nov. 18 (6:30–8:30 p.m.): “Goddesses of the Arbor.” Discussion geared toward late millennial and Gen X women.

    Nov. 21 (11 a.m.–1 p.m.): “Death Cafe.” Frank conversation about death led by Ann Arbor Death Cafe representatives.

    Various times, 114 S. Main, upstairs. Free. (734) 665–2757, crazywisdom.net.

  • Nightspots

    The Invasion.: Live

    More
    Live 102 S. First St., Ann Arbor

    British Invasion cover quartet from Redford led by singer-guitarist David Roof.

     

  • Observer Editor

    Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory

    Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory
    More

    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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Hadestown: Teen Edition”: Pioneer Theatre Guild

    More

    Nov. 12–15. High school students perform pop-folk singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell’s musical, which sets the myths of Orpheus & Eurydice and Hades & Persephone in a hellish industrial version of the Greek underworld. The 2019 show won Tonys for best musical and best original score, which draws on American folk music and New Orleans jazz. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), PHS Schreiber Auditorium, 601 W. Stadium. Tickets $20 (students & seniors, $15) in advance at a2ptguild.org & at the door. [email protected].

  • Nightspots

    Erik Koskinen.: JD’s Stage

    More
    JD’s Stage 117 ½ S. Main, Chelsea, Michigan, United States

    Minnesota folk-rock & Americana singer-songwriter with a wry, plainspoken vocal style that has earned him comparisons to Woody Guthrie and Ry Cooder. $23.

     

  • Nightspots

    Rick Burgess Trio.: Earle

    Rick Burgess Trio.
    More
    Earle 121 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Jazz ensemble, named after the late jazz pianist and Earle cofounder Burgess, featuring drummer Robert Warren and a rotating roster of bassists and pianists.

     

  • Observer Editor

    Dwayne Kennedy: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase

    Dwayne Kennedy: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
    More

    Nov. 12–14. This acclaimed Chicago comic is known for his piercing, keen-witted takes on a wide range of social, cultural, and geopolitical matters. A frequent guest on late-night TV and in sitcoms, he was also a writer and correspondent for FX’s Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Opening act TBA. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $21 (Thurs., $16) at aacomedy.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.

  • Observer Editor

    “Cyrano de Bergerac”: Community High School Ensemble Theatre

    More

    Nov. 12–15. Emily Wilson-Tobin directs Community High students in Simon Evans and Debris Stevenson’s new translation of Edmond Rostand’s 1897 play, a hit on London’s West End this year. The classic tragicomedy about a gallant but ugly swashbuckler who feels unworthy of love gets new life in this adaptation that gambols in the riches of language, blending modern lyrical verse, classic text, and grime poetry. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), CHS Craft Theatre, 401 N. Division. Tickets $22 (students & seniors, $15) in advance at communityensembletheatre.ludus.com, & (if available) at the door (usually sells out). (734) 994–2025, a2cet.org.

  • Observer Editor

    “Mozart’s Requiem”: Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra

    More

    Music director Earl Lee conducts the A2SO and music director Scott Hanoian the UMS Choral Union in a performance of Mozart’s sublime final masterpiece, unfinished when he died in 1791. Mozart’s widow Constanze told the story that Mozart came to believe he was writing the Requiem for his own funeral. Guest soloists are soprano Hera Hyesang Park, mezzo-soprano Avery Amereau, tenor Nicholas Phan, and bass Stephano Park. Performed in German with surtitles. The program opens with Brahms’ rarely performed Alto Rhapsody. 7:30 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Tickets $23–$108 (students, $15–$20) in advance at ums.org/season & (if available) at the door. (734) 994–4801.

  • Observer Editor

    High Horse: Kerrytown Concert House

    More

    This energetic Boston acoustic string band draws from bluegrass, old time, jazz, rock, and classical traditions to play original compositions with infectious pop hooks. With fiddler Carson McHaney, cellist Karl Henry, guitarist G Rockwell, and bassist Noah Harrington. 7:30–9 p.m., 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $25–$35 (students, $15–$25) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com &  (if available) at the door. (734) 769–2999.

  • Observer Editor

    “Family Pains”: PTD Productions

    “Family Pains”: PTD Productions
    More

    Nov. 5–8 & 11–14. Marie Jones directs local actors in the premiere of Michigan playwright Erin Osgood’s new family comedy-drama about a young woman who surprises her conservative family by bringing her new Black wife to Thanksgiving dinner. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun. & Wed.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (students & seniors, $15; Thurs., pay what you can), in advance at ptdproductions.com, by phone, & at the door. (734) 483–7345.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Duo Dolce: U-M Music School Guest Recital

    More

    This acclaimed duo of cellist Kristen Yeon-Ji Yun & violinist Phoenix Park-Kim perform a program celebrating 250 years of American music with works by Gershwin, Copland, Amy Beach, and others. 8 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg., McIntosh Theatre, 1100 Baits. Free. (734) 764–0583.