Events
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Free
Observer Editor
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
MoreEvery Wed., Fri., & Sat. 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. (Wed. & Fri.) & 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.). Free. [email protected].
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Free
Observer Editor
“The Physics of Art and the Art of Physics”: U-M Physics Department Saturday Morning Physics
MoreU-M physics professor Xiaoming Mao discusses the physics principles behind artistic practice, then turns the lens around to ask how beauty, elegance, and symmetry guide physicists in their search for the laws of nature. Part of a popular series of talks aimed at general audiences by U-M and visiting scholars. 10:30 a.m.–noon, 170 Weiser Hall, 500 Church (enter off Geddes). Also via livestream; see bit.ly/saturdayphysics. Free. (734) 764–4437.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Tues.–Sun., except Nov. 26. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. The newest program examines how membranes can help solve water shortages. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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Observer Editor
Jewelry Sale: U-M Turner Senior Resource Center
MoreNov. 13 & 14. Vintage and costume jewelry, pre-owned and donated. Proceeds support local geriatric programs. Cash or check only. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (Fri.) & 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (Sat.), 2401 Plymouth Rd., ste. C. Free admission. (734) 998–9353.
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Free
Observer Editor
AADL Printmaking Festival: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreDaylong celebration of all forms of printmaking featuring talks by local printmakers, hands-on printmaking demos, and sale tables with vendors offering letterpress, screen printing, block printing, and other hand-printed goods. Schedule: “Perfectly Impractical” (noon), a lecture-demonstration by Detroit-based printmaker Elaisha Hilliard. Drop-in printing demos (1–4 p.m.) with Ypsi artist Lena B. Ellis-Boatman and others TBA. “Finding Ceremony” (1:15 p.m.), a talk on Indigenous printmaking by Delia Touché. “Stitched Editions: Responding to Tradition While Yielding Something New” (2:30 p.m.), a talk by Turkish printmaker Melih Meric. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200. For more information and the latest schedule, see aadl.org/printfest.
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Observer Editor
A2 Studio Tour
MoreNov. 14 & 15. Over 14 Ann Arbor artists open their studios for a show and sale. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., map of locations at a2studiotour.com. [email protected].
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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
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
MoreEvery 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.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Marvelous Magnets”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun., except Nov. 15, 28, & 29. 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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Observer Editor
Documentary Program: 33rd Ann Arbor Polish Film Festival
MoreNov. 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.
Nov. 14: Documentary Program. Two documentaries. Cicha Wędrówka (Konrad Borusewicz, 2025). Documentary short about ecological changes in the Tatra Mountains. The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & the Art of Survival (Julie Rubio, 2024). Feature-length documentary about this preeminent Polish Art Deco painter known for her sensual nudes and portraits of high society during the Jazz Age. 1 p.m.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Othello”: U-M Theatre Department Senior BFA Directing Thesis
MoreNov. 13 & 14. Jeffrey Wagner directs fellow drama majors in a studio production of Shakespeare’s tragedy of jealousy, suspicion, and betrayal. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 1 p.m. (Sat.), U-M Walgreen Drama Center, Newman Studio, 1226 Murfin. Free. (734) 764–0583.
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Observer Editor
“Carmen”: 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).
Nov. 14: “Carmen.” Rebroadcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2010 production of Bizet’s popular opera, a steamy melodrama set in Seville around 1820, about the fiery Gypsy temptress Carmen. A hot-tempered young army corporal falls victim to her charms, but when she falls for a bullfighter, the corporal’s jealousy takes a violent turn. The score’s famous arias include the “Flower Song,” the “Toreador Song,” and the habanera “Love is a rebellious bird.” 1 p.m.
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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. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (noon) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago; 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 T. Rex (2 p.m.) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence). 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 Highlights Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Sat., except Nov. 28. 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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Observer Editor
“Tree Town Trans Film Festival”: State Theatre
MoreFilm screenings every Wed.–Sun. Tickets $11.75 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, and US veterans, $9.75; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. (734) 668–8397. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar.
Nov. 14: “Tree Town Trans Film Festival.” A 3-hour program of films by and for trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people. $16. 1:30 p.m.
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Observer Editor
“Cyrano de Bergerac”: Community High School Ensemble Theatre
MoreNov. 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.
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Observer Editor
“Hadestown: Teen Edition”: Pioneer Theatre Guild
MoreNov. 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].
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Observer Editor
Family Folk Dance: Pittsfield Union Grange
MoreDrake Meadow calls dances suitable for children and adults to live music by David Laurance and Donna Baird. All ages welcome. Bring clean shoes for dancing. 2:30–4:30 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15/family (Grange members, free). (734) 274–0773.
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Observer Editor
Short Films Program: 33rd Ann Arbor Polish Film Festival
MoreNov. 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.
Nov. 14: Short Films Program. Three 20-minute shorts. Długa Przerwa (Recess) (Jan Saczek, 2025). A young primary school teacher accidentally sends a nude photograph of herself to a student who has a crush on her. Nibylandex (Agata Kapuścińska, 2025). A middle-aged man, living in isolation, sets out to escape from his overprotective father. Patrzę W Niebo (Gaze at the Sky) (Aleksandra Strunin, 2025). Set during the early days of the Russo-Ukrainian War, a music teacher of Ukrainian descent living in Russia faces a moral dilemma when she recognizes her estranged nephew. 3 p.m.
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Observer Editor
“Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
MoreEvery Wed.–Sun., Sept. 24–Dec. 20. 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.
