Events
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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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Observer Editor
“An Evening of Scenes”: U-M Residential College Players
MoreOct. 18 & 19. RC students direct and perform this popular semiannual program of 5–6 brief comic sketches written by RC students. 8 p.m., East Quad Keene Theater, 701 East University. Pay what you can. (734) 647–4354.
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Nightspots
Bonnie “Prince” Billy.: Ark
MoreArk 316 S. Main, Ann ArborThe stage name of Will Oldham, an idiosyncratic indie folk singer-songwriter and film actor who adopts the persona of the kitschy Appalachian “Prince” Billy to write haunting alt-country songs, often with a darkly gothic edge. Earlier this year, he released his 31st studio album, We Are Together Again. Opener: Laurel Premo, a bluesy roots-rock singer-guitarist. $40.
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Community ListingFree
“The Power of Beliefs”: U-M Positive Links Speaker Series
MorePositive Links Speaker Series hosted by the Center for Positive Organizations
The Power of Beliefs: How Seven Core Beliefs Shape Performance, Well-Being, and Collective Thriving
Shawn Achor, Researcher; New York Times bestselling author of “Big Potential” and “The Happiness Advantage”
Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ETOnline onlyPresented by the Center for Positive Organizations, the Positive Links Speaker Series has run for over 22 years, with 165 sessions, and is one of the most-watched speaker series at University of Michigan Ross School of Business. 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. -
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
“Button Lab”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreA chance for adults and kids age 12 & up to make fun buttons using AADL 1.25-inch or 2.25-inch button makers. Participants may bring or draw their own pictures, or use images from a collection of old magazines. 5–6 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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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
“Log Cabin Knitting”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults & teens invited to learn basic knitting stitches, then make a small item to take home. 5:30–7:30 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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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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Free
Observer Editor
“Patriot Ink”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreD.B. Shroeder directs area actors in Ypsi playwright Brian Cox’s short play about Colonial printers John Dunlap and Mary Katharine Goddard, who risked their lives to print and distribute the first copies of the Declaration of Independence. 6:30–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Free
Observer Editor
“The Woman of the House”: Literati Bookstore
MoreSan Francisco–based writer Kate Mooney discusses her new supernatural horror novel about a woman who moves into a haunted lake house. 6:30 p.m., 124 E. Washington. Free. (734) 585–5567.
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Free
Observer Editor
Tuesday Night Workouts: Ann Arbor Track Club
MoreEvery Tues. Runners of all skill levels age 14 & up invited to participate in short, intense interval workouts. Arrive at 6:20 p.m. to warm up. 6:30 p.m., Ferry Field, 1150 S. State. Visitors free; $30/year membership for regular participants. Preregistration required at aatrackclub.org/interval-workouts.
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Nightspots
Jake Reichbart.: Earle
MoreEarle 121 W. Washington, Ann ArborSolo jazz guitarist. Solo jazz pianists TBA occasionally substitute.
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Observer Editor
“Spirited Away”: 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: “Spirited Away” (Hayao Miyazaki, 2002). Dubbed (Fri., Sat., & Wed.) and subtitled (Mon. & Tues.) screenings of this Oscar-winning Japanese anime about a girl who must rescue her parents from a haunted bath house. 4 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) and 7 p.m. (Sun.–Wed.).
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Observer Editor
“Jigoku”: Michigan Theater
MoreFilm screenings every day. Tickets $11.75 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, and U.S. veterans, $9.75; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar.
Oct. 20: “Jigoku” (Nobuo Nakagawa, 1960). Revenge-filled horror film in which the protagonist, who starts out as an innocent college student, descends to the depths of hell, where he witnesses his friends and acquaintances being graphically tortured. Japanese, subtitles. 7 p.m.
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Observer 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., Garage Bar, 618 Church St. Free; food and drink for sale. linktr.ee/aotannarbor.
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Free
Observer 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 Quebec, 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.
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Free
Observer Editor
Huron Valley Harmonizers Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society
MoreEvery Tues. Singers of all ages and genders invited to join rehearsals of this award-winning a cappella chorus. 7–8:45 p.m., First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4001 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Free to visitors; dues for those who join. (734) 796–7467, [email protected], hvharmonizers.org.
