Events
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Free
Observer Editor
“Firearms Into Art” Gun Buyback: Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church
MoreChurch members offer gift cards of $50-$300 for unwanted long guns, pistols, assault rifles, and hand guns, which are turned into art on the spot by sculptors from the Detroit nonprofit Disarmory Ministries Community. Refreshments and live music TBA. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., 1679 Broadway. Free. staidan.org
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Observer Editor
“A2 Artoberfest”: Guild of Artists & Artisans
MoreOct. 10 & 11. Juried art fair featuring works by about 100 regional artists, ranging from paintings and jewelry to ceramics and fiber. Also, demos by popular local street chalk artist David Zinn (11 a.m.–1 p.m., both days), and family-friendly art-making activities. Live music TBA. Snacks & drinks available for purchase. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Sat.) & 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Sun.), Main between Washington & William. Free admission. a2artoberfest.org.
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Free
Observer Editor
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
MoreEvery Fri., Sat., & Wed. All invited to play one of 200 songs, with melodies transcribed in numbers, on the 17-bell chime’s numbered keys. Ambitious players can add chords. Kids welcome. noon–12:30 p.m. (Fri. & Wed.) & 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.). Free. [email protected].
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Free
Observer Editor
U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology Saturday Sampler
MoreEvery Sat., except Oct. 3 (different times). Hour-long docent-led tours exploring “Magic in the Ancient World” (Oct. 10, 11:15 a.m.), “Egyptian Gods and Animals” (Oct. 10, 2 p.m.), “Egypt 101” (Oct. 17, 11:15 a.m.), “Spooky, Weird, and Magical: Halloween with the Kelsey” (Oct. 24, 2 p.m.), and “Dangers Lurking Around Every Corner” (Oct. 31, 2 p.m.), a look at artifacts that people in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Rome believed could help protect them from various diseases and dangers. Various times, 434 S. State. Free. (734) 764–9304.
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Observer Editor
Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
MoreEvery Wed.–Sun. A carnival atmosphere with a variety of family-oriented fall activities on this family farm, including wagon rides, a petting farm, a corn maze, and more. For an extra charge on Sat. & Sun., an apple cannon, paintball, apple or pumpkin picking, and other activities available. Cider & donuts available. Also, on Oct. 3 & 4, local artisans & crafters sell their items at the Craft Show Weekend, and on Oct. 24, young entrepreneurs sell homemade items at the Kids Market (noon–4 p.m.). No pets. 11 a.m.–6 p.m., 5565 Merritt (east of Carpenter), Ypsi. Weekend admission: $27.50 (babies under 2, free). Weekday admission: $18 (babies under 2, free), online only at wiards.com. (734) 482–7744.
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Observer Editor
Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun., Sept. 19–Nov. 1. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits to allow for routes of various lengths. Also, a U-Pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, and yard games. On Sept. 27, Family Fun Day (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) features ice cream, balloon art, kids activities, and live music from the Saline Fiddlers. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.), & 5–9 p.m. (Fri.), 6175 Daly, Dexter. $16 (ages 5–12, $13; age 4 & under, free with adult admission). blastcornmaze.com.
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Observer Editor
Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
MoreEvery 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.
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Observer Editor
Critter House Open Hours: Leslie Science & Nature Center
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun. A chance to view LSNC birds of prey and its Critter House animals, which include frogs, turtles, snakes, and other species native to Michigan. Noon–3 p.m., 1831 Traver. $5 suggested donation. (734) 997–1553, lesliesnc.org.
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Observer Editor
“Fall Fest”: SASHA Farm Fundraiser
MoreA harvest festival featuring a vegan chili cookoff (tasting at 12:30 p.m., winners announced at 3 p.m.), a farm tour (1 p.m.), and a musical performance TBA (3:15 p.m.). All funds go to support this farm animal sanctuary. Noon–4 p.m., 17901 Mahrle Road, Manchester. $25 (kids ages 5–12, $15, kids 4 & under, free) in advance at sashafarm.org, increase TBA at the gate. (734) 218-8897, [email protected]. [10 Saturday]
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Free
Observer Editor
UMMA History & Architecture Tours — Every Hour
More525 South State Street, Ann Arbor
After an eight-month renovation, experience UMMA and Alumni Memorial Hall with fresh eyes!
Go behind the scenes to uncover the building’s history, learn how its historic marble floor was renovated, and explore UMMA’s newly opened fall exhibitions. Tours depart every hour from noon to 4 p.m.🗓️ Saturday, October 10th
⏰ Every Hour | 12-4 PM
📍UMMA
🎟️ Free & open to the public, no registration requiredPlenty of reasons to stop by and see what we’ve done with the place. This event is a part of UMMA’s Re-opening Celebration Weekend. 🎉
https://umma.umich.edu/events/history-architecture-tours-every-hour/
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Observer Editor
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
MoreFri. 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.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Reopening Celebration Weekend”: U-M Museum of Art
MoreOct. 10 & 11. After an 8-month renovation, UMMA’s Alumni Memorial Hall reopens with art-making activities (noon–5 p.m. both days), a discussion with renowned social-practice artist and MacArthur Fellow Rick Lowe (1 p.m. Sat.), whose exhibit Black Wall Street Journey: Re and De Imagining Black Progress occupies the Taubman I Gallery until January (see Galleries), as well as guided tours (on the hour, 1–5 p.m., both days) through the building. Noon–8 p.m., 525 S. State. Free. (734) 764–0395, umma.umich.edu/visit/events.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Marvelous Magnets”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun., except Oct. 3 & 4. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for age 5 & up that explores magnetism, magnetic fields, and what they have to do with everyday life. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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Free
Observer Editor
“SynthFest”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAn afternoon of synthesizer-related activities, with musical performances by synth-centric bands, a chance to play the library’s collection of synthesizers, and a hands-on synthesizer soldering activity. For a complete schedule see aadl.org/synthfest. 12:30–3 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Community ListingFree
Artist Talk | Black Wall Street Journey: In Conversation with Rick Lowe: University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA)
More525 South State Street, Ann Arbor
Join us for a discussion with artist Rick Lowe about the opening of his largest solo museum exhibition in the United States—”Black Wall Street Journey: Re and De Imagining Black Progress” at UMMA.
🗓️ Saturday, October 10th
⏰ 1-2:15 pm
📍UMMA
🎟️ Free & Open to the publicLowe will be joined by key collaborators: Director of ISR Kathleen Cagney, U-M Political Science Professor Christian Davenport, and exhibition curator Abigail Winograd. Together they will reflect on the research that informed the exhibition and this innovative collaboration where social science and artistic vision & practice come together.
This talk is a part of UMMA’s Re-opening Celebration Weekend!
https://umma.umich.edu/events/black-wall-street-journey-in-conversation-with-rick-lowe/
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Observer Editor
Walking Tours: U-M Detroit Observatory
MoreOct. 3, 10, 17, 23, & 30. Student docents lead walks to historically rich areas of the U-M campus.
Oct. 3 (1–2:30 p.m) & Oct. 23 (4–5:30 p.m.): “Key Moments in U-M’s Early History.” A tour of the original 40-acre campus and stories of U-M’s history in the early 1800s.
Oct. 10 (1–2:30 p.m.): “Invisible to Indispensable: Black Legacies.” Focuses on the legacy of Black students and academics and the social movements they led on campus.
Oct. 17 (1–2:30 p.m.): “The Origins of the Law Quadrangle.” A visit to the law school campus, with discussion of its architecture and important historical moments.
Oct. 23 (6–7:30 p.m.): “Paths of Protest: Stories of Campus Activism.” Visits to places on campus that were sites of important protests.
Oct. 30 (4–5:30 p.m.): “Forest Hill Cemetery.” A trek to the final resting place of numerous figures from U-M history.
Various times & locations. Free, preregistration required at detroitobservatory.umich.edu. (734) 763–2230.
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Observer Editor
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. T. Rex (noon) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence); The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.) explores the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own; and Tales of the Maya Skies (2 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.
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Free
Observer Editor
Museum Highlight Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Sat. Thirty-minute tour of the museum’s exhibits and galleries, as well as an introduction to some current U-M biological sciences research projects. 1:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. (734) 764–0478.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Walking with Whales Tour”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Sun. Thirty-minute tour that uses the museum’s specimens to tell the story of prehistoric whales and dolphins, who had 4 limbs and walked on land. 1:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. (734) 764–0478.
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Free
Observer Editor
U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology Saturday Sampler
MoreEvery Sat., except Oct. 3 (different times). Hour-long docent-led tours exploring “Magic in the Ancient World” (Oct. 10, 11:15 a.m.), “Egyptian Gods and Animals” (Oct. 10, 2 p.m.), “Egypt 101” (Oct. 17, 11:15 a.m.), “Spooky, Weird, and Magical: Halloween with the Kelsey” (Oct. 24, 2 p.m.), and “Dangers Lurking Around Every Corner” (Oct. 31, 2 p.m.), a look at artifacts that people in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Rome believed could help protect them from various diseases and dangers. Various times, 434 S. State. Free. (734) 764–9304.
