• Nightspots

    Swing Nouvelle.: Moonwinks Tavern

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    Moonwinks Tavern 5151 Plymouth Rd. (734) 994-5151.

    Detroit-area instrumental quartet that plays fresh interpretations of vintage swing from the 30s & 40s.

  • Nightspots

    Shallow Orbits.: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    New blues-based folk-rock band led by Highland singer-songwriter Doug Larsen.Tonight they are joined by local singer-songwriters Scott Shadow and Bluesdad.

  • Nightspots

    Rick Burgess Trio.: Earle

    Rick Burgess Trio.
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    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.

     

  • Nightspots

    Pontiac Trail Blazers.: North Star Lounge

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

    Local bluegrass quartet known for its beautiful vocal harmonies and instrumental prowess. Tonight they are joined by guitarist Clint Weaner. 7–10 p.m. $10.

  • Observer Editor

    Dwayne Kennedy: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase

    Dwayne Kennedy: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

    “Lalka (The Doll)”: 33rd Ann Arbor Polish Film Festival

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    Nov. 13–15. Three days of subtitled Polish films at the Michigan Theater. Tickets $15 (students & seniors, $10; U-M & MSU students with ID, free) except as noted. annarborpolishfilmfestival.com. [highlight in pink – notable event] 

    Nov. 13: “Lalka (The Doll)” (Maciej Kowalski, 2026). Acclaimed new adaptation of Bolesław Prus’s 1890 novel, a psychological study of romantic infatuation about a wealthy merchant who falls for a cold woman from a ruined aristocratic family. Preceded at 6 p.m. by an Opening Gala Reception ($50 includes a ticket to the film) in the Michigan Theater lobby. 7:30 p.m.

  • Observer Editor

    “Family Pains”: PTD Productions

    “Family Pains”: PTD Productions
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    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

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    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.

  • Observer Editor

    “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”: Theatre Nova

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    Every Fri.–Sun., Nov. 6–15. Diane Hill directs local actors in this ensemble musical comedy, subtitled “A Cabaret of Love, Lies, and Bad Decisions,” a celebration of the funniest, most disastrous productions in Broadway history. Music by Brian Rose. 8 p.m. (Fri.), 7 p.m. (Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sat., except Nov. 7), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $35–$100 in advance at theatrenova.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 635–8450.

  • Observer Editor

    “71st Annual Study Break Concert”: U-M Friars

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    This self-styled “crack squad of supercrooners,” an a cappella octet drawn from the U-M Men’s Glee Club, performs pop songs, oldies, and more. Tonight they are joined by the Chinese yo-yo troupe Revolution! 8 p.m., Rackham Auditorium. Tickets $15 (students, $10) in advance at the-friars.com & at the door. [email protected].

  • Observer Editor

    Riverjack Ramblers: Rancho Tranquilico

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    House concert by this Michigan folk-rock & Americana trio led by veteran mandolin virtuoso Jason Dennie. With guitarist George Merkel & bassist Tommy Reifel. BYOB. No tobacco products or pets. 8 p.m. (doors 7:30 p.m.), 11300 Island Lake Rd., Dexter. Park along the driveway. $25 payable via Venmo: @tommy-reifel. Preregistration required; space limited. (734) 223–2321, [email protected].

  • Observer Editor

    Stand-Up Comedy Night: HOMES Campus

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    Performance by Josh Adams, a nationally touring Detroit comedian known for his clever observational humor and storytelling. Opener: Ned Rice, Ann Arbor comic and Emmy-nominated joke writer for Jay Leno, Bill Maher, and Joan Rivers. Hosted by Michigan comic Alana Gonzalez, who finds the funny in parenting, relationships, and modern chivalry. Doors 7:30 p.m. 8–10 p.m., 112 Jackson Plz. Tickets $25 at homescampus.com