• Nightspots

    John Finan.: Water Tower Distilling Co.

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    Water Tower Distilling Co. 23 N. Washington,, Ypsilanti

    Canton folk-rock singer-songwriter who plays everything from mournful ballads and love songs to funny songs dripping with sarcasm and wit.

  • Nightspots

    The Soundogs.: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    A  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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Bandorama”: EMU Music Department

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    A 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].

  • Observer Editor

    Zoey Engelbert: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth Cafe 704

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    Young 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].

  • 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

    Sean Dobbins.: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Ensemble led by this veteran local drummer. Tonight they play a set of songs by Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

  • Observer Editor

    “Art & Animals: Highland Cow”: The Creature Conservancy

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    Conservancy 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. 

  • Observer Editor

    Evening Program: 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.

    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.

  • 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

    Yang & Olivia: Kerrytown Concert House

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    Husband-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.

  • 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. 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.

  • 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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Battle of the (Solo) Bands”: Forge Theater

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    Solo 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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company

    “Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
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    Every 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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Daybreak: Hope on the Horizon”: U-M Women’s Glee Club Fall Concert

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    This 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.