Events
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Nightspots
John Finan.: Water Tower Distilling Co.
MoreWater Tower Distilling Co. 23 N. Washington,, YpsilantiCanton folk-rock singer-songwriter who plays everything from mournful ballads and love songs to funny songs dripping with sarcasm and wit.
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Nightspots
The Soundogs.: Ypsi Alehouse
MoreYpsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, YpsilantiA danceable mix of blues, jazz, and vintage rock by this local sextet led by guitarist Jack Scheerer and fronted by his wife, vocalist Surry Scheerer.
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Observer Editor
“Owl Prowl”: Leslie Science & Nature Center
MoreNov. 13 & 14. Guided adults-only (Fri.) & family (Sat.) hikes through Black Pond Woods to look for and learn about local owl species and other nocturnal creatures. Dress for the weather. 7–9 p.m., 1831 Traver. $10 (members, $8) in advance only at lesliesnc.org. (734) 997–1553.
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Observer Editor
“Bandorama”: EMU Music Department
MoreA rousing program of band music by music student ensembles, including the Wind Symphony, the Symphonic Band, and the EMU Marching Band in full regalia. 7–9 p.m., EMU Pease Auditorium, 494 College Pl. Tickets $20 (students, $15) in advance only at emich.ludus.com. (734) 487–4143, [email protected].
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Observer Editor
Zoey Engelbert: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth Cafe 704
MoreYoung local pop-rock singer-songwriter & guitarist whose performances with her musical siblings have earned a large following on social media. 7–9 p.m., 704 Airport Blvd., ste. 1. Sliding scale tickets $10–$20 at the door only. Livestream available ($10 in advance only at interfaithspirit.org/cafe-704-coffeehouse). (734) 657–5384, [email protected].
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Nightspots
Rick Burgess Trio.: Earle
MoreEarle 121 W. Washington, Ann ArborJazz ensemble, named after the late jazz pianist and Earle cofounder Burgess, featuring drummer Robert Warren and a rotating roster of bassists and pianists.
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Nightspots
Sean Dobbins.: Blue LLama
MoreBlue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann ArborEnsemble led by this veteran local drummer. Tonight they play a set of songs by Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
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Observer Editor
“Art & Animals: Highland Cow”: The Creature Conservancy
MoreConservancy staffers show off and discuss Dolly, a highland cow, and her daughter Jolene. Followed by a hands-on painting session led by local artist Sandra Stuetzler using Dolly and Jolene as models. Supplies provided. BYO snacks and nonalcoholic drinks. Age 21+ only. 7–10 p.m., 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Tickets $40 each. Preregistration required at thecreatureconservancy.org.
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Observer Editor
Evening 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: Evening Program. One short film, followed by 2 features. Jagody (Blueberries) (Marta Kowalska, 2025). A couple celebrates their engagement at his family’s home; the accidental death of a stranger changes everything. Followed by a Q&A with the director. Godej do Mnie (Talk to Me) (Robert Talarczyk, 2026). Drama about a couple searching for their cultural identity in the face of a marital crisis. Followed by a Q&A with the director. Ministranci (Altar Boys) (Piotr Domalewski, 2025). Comedy-drama about a group of teenage altar boys who resolve to fight injustice to help the needy. 7 p.m.
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Observer Editor
Dwayne Kennedy: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
MoreNov. 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.
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Free
Observer Editor
BFA Dance Concerts: U-M Dance Department
MoreNov. 11–14. Dance majors showcase their original choreography. 7:30 p.m., U-M Dance Performance Studio, 1000 Baits. Free; capacity limited. (734) 764–9537.
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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
Yang & Olivia: Kerrytown Concert House
MoreHusband-and-wife touring duo of violinist Yang Liu and pianist Olivia Tsai won the 2023 American Prize for the program they present tonight, Not Alone: Music, Mental Health, and the Human Story. The program focuses on compositions born of private struggle, from Beethoven’s Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 7 in C minor, written at a time when the composer was contemplating suicide, and Schumann’s Three Romances, emerging from his battles with depression, to Chi-chun Lee’s grappling with questions of identity in Diversities. 7:30–9 p.m., 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $32–$42 (students, $20–$30) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 769–2999.
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Observer Editor
“Lalka (The Doll)”: 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. [highlight in pink – notable event]
Nov. 14: “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.
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Observer Editor
“Family Pains”: PTD Productions
MoreNov. 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.
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Observer Editor
“Battle of the (Solo) Bands”: Forge Theater
MoreSolo musicians in various genres perform original songs to compete for prizes. 7:30 p.m., 3000 Packard, ste. B (entrance on Platt behind Little Caesars). Tickets $10 in advance at forgetheatercollaborative.com & at the door. (734) 219–9434.
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Observer Editor
2nd Saturday Contra Dance: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance
MoreMartha Vander Kolk calls to music by Big Fun. Bring clean-soled, nonslip flat shoes. Beginners’ intro at 7 p.m. 7:30–10:30 p.m., Concourse Hall, 4531 Concourse. $10 suggested donation (pay what you can). [email protected].
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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.
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Free
Observer Editor
Telescope Observing: U-M Detroit Observatory
MoreNov. 6, 13, 14, & 20. All invited to drop in to use the observatory’s 1857 Fitz telescope and other modern instruments. Exhibits are also open regardless of viewing conditions. Last visitors admitted 30 minutes prior to closing. 8–10 p.m., 1398 E. Ann at Observatory. Free, no registration required. (734) 763–2230, detroitobservatory.umich.edu.
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Observer Editor
“Daybreak: Hope on the Horizon”: U-M Women’s Glee Club Fall Concert
MoreThis student choir performs a program of pieces that challenge the listener to look beyond darkness toward peace, hope, and joy, including Vivaldi’s Gloria, sung with members of the Detroit Women’s Chorus, along with other works TBA. 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Tickets $10–$25 in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 764–0583.
