• Observer Editor

    “Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company

    “Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
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    Every Wed.–Sun., Sept. 24–Dec. 20, except Nov. 26. Rhiannon Ragland directs retired Detroit newscaster and playwright Devin Scillian’s family comedy-drama about a conflict between brothers—an aging country rocker and a buttoned-down finance guy—after their mother’s death. Adult language and subject matter. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.), & 3 p.m. (Sat. & Wed.). 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $31.50–$52.50 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org, (734) 433–7673, & (if available) at the door. Discounts available.

  • Nightspots

    Taylor Tucky.: The Ranch

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    The Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Country cover band from Taylor. 8:30 p.m.

  • Observer Editor

    “Blush Drag Show”: Bløm Mead + Cider

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    Drag show hosted by Blonski and Portia Lynn, with performers TBA. Age 18 & up. 9–10:30 p.m. (doors, 8:30 p.m.), 100 S. Fourth Ave. $15 in advance at drinkblom.com/events & (if available) at the door. (734) 548–9729.

  • Nightspots

    “Smoked and Shredded.”: Ann Arbor Funhouse

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    Ann Arbor Funhouse 207 E. Washington., Ann Arbor

    With short sets by the Detroit postpunk power pop garage trio The Strains, the Detroit blues-rock trio The Muggs, the Detroit rock ’n’ roll quintet The Lucid Furs, the Detroit hardcore band Supreme Mystic, the Detroit prog rock band Blood Rune Sigil, the female-fronted Detroit doom metal band  Angel of Mars, the Novi punk-rock band Permanently Pissed, the local progressive death-metal band The Biscuit Merchant, the Ypsi punk band Tongue, the Detroit metal band Owlskin, and Knuckle Dragger, a Detroit hard rock band who play what they call “caveman music by cavemen, for cavemen.”

  • Nightspots

    Kelly “Bird” McDermott.: Habitat Lounge

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    Habitat Lounge 3050 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor

    Ensemble led by this local jazz flutist-vocalist. With pianist Phil Lesky and drummer Marc Smith.

     

  • Nightspots

    “Emo Nite.”: Blind Pig

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    Blind Pig 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor

    All ages.  With bands TBA. $23.

  • 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.

  • Community Listing
    Free

    Ecological Steward Skills Training: WREN

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    County Farm Park - Field Operations Building, 2230 Platt Road , Ann Arbor MI, 48104

    The classes are good for both the beginner who has a few invasives in their yard as well as experienced stewards looking to broaden their knowledge base.

    These classes will focus more on invasive species removal education and conversation than typical restoration workdays. Participants will learn the fundamentals of identifying and managing woody invasives. Participants will gain practical field experience in effective techniques; both with and without herbicide.

    https://www.washtenawren.org/home

    Free
  • Observer Editor

    Annual Gaming Convention: U•Con

    Annual Gaming Convention: U•Con
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    Nov. 13–15. Hundreds of competitors of all ages are expected to turn out to play a wide spectrum of tabletop games, from board games and role-playing games to collectible card games and miniaturized simulations of historical and fictional battlefields. Participants also are invited to bring in games to play in an open gaming area. Also, a dealers’ room with sales and demos. In-person registration begins today at 7:30 a.m. For a complete schedule of events, see ucon-gaming.org. 9 a.m.–1 a.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 9 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.), Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, 1275 S. Huron St., Ypsi. Weekend pass: $65 in advance, $75 (students and active & retired military, $65) at the door; kids ages 7–12 (accompanied by an adult), $20 in advance & at the door; kids 6 & under, free. Daily passes (available both in advance & at the door): Fri. $45, Sat. $55 ($45 in advance), Sun. $35. A few games cost extra. Advance registration available at ucon-gaming.org. (734) 930–6363.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    A2 Community Bookfest (formerly Kerrytown BookFest): Ann Arbor District Library

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    This bustling, lively festival—the largest 1-day book festival in Michigan—celebrates books and bookmaking with a variety of demos, talks, signings, displays, and sale tables by local bookstores, booksellers, and publishers. Schedule: Bestselling NYC writer Katie Kitamura (10:30 a.m.), author of the award-winning 2017 novel A Separation, discusses her work. A picture book writing workshop (noon) with local children’s writer Amy Nielander. A chance to drop in and make garlands (noon–2 p.m.) out of old book pages. “Demystifying the Author/Editor Relationship,” (1:30 p.m.), a talk by Ohio-based novelist Tiffany Graham Charkosky and her editor, Ronit Wagman. “Self-Publishing Success Stories,” a panel discussion with self-published authors Zig Zag Claybourne, Sylvia Hubbard, Michael Lucas, and Katharine Sweet. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200. For more information and the latest schedule, see aadl.org/bookfest.

  • Observer Editor

    Elemental Ecstatic Dance

    Elemental Ecstatic Dance
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    Every Sun. Dancers of all ages and abilities invited for free-form dancing to a variety of recorded music, from EDM to classical and ambient to world music. Wear loose clothes, barefoot or stocking feet. 10:45 a.m.–1 p.m., A2 Yoga, 2030 Commerce. $20 (age 11 & under, free) cash or Venmo (@andjru) at the door only. tinyurl.com/ecstatic-dance-a2.  

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    H.A.C. Ultimate

    H.A.C. Ultimate
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    Every Sun. All invited to a relaxed pick-up game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Beginners welcome. Play proceeds regardless of the weather. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Fuller Park, just west of the pool & parking lot (or occasionally across the street). Free. (734) 846–9418, [email protected].

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Scientist Spotlight”: U-M Museum of Natural History

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    A chance for adults and kids age 10 & up to engage in interactive science activities with U-M scientists. Noon–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org. 

  • Observer Editor

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

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    Every Sat. & Sun. and Nov. 6 & 20. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show some native Michigan animals, including a cougar, black rat snake, and opossum at 1 & 4 p.m.; and a wild turkey at 2 & 3 p.m. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show all four animals at 7:30 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. Noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) & 7–9 p.m. (Fri.), 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.