• Nightspots

    McLaughlin’s Alley.: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    Detroit Irish-tinged pop-rock quintet fronted by sibling singer-songwriters Tina and Maureen Paraventi.

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    “Spooky Species for Adults”: The Creature Conservancy

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    Oct. 17, 23, 24, 30, & 31. Annual Halloween event to check out and learn about animals associated with the season (possibly owls, vultures, ravens, snakes, tarantulas, and rats) and hear Halloween legends tailored to adults. Donuts & cider. Age 18 & up only. 7–9 p.m., 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $40, preregistration required at thecreatureconservancy.org. (734) 929–9324.

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    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.

     

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    Tiffany Gridiron.: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Ensemble led by this sultry-voiced Lansing jazz singer. 7 & 9 p.m.

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    Pontiac Trail Blazers.: North Star Lounge

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    North Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

    Local bluegrass quartet known for its beautiful vocal harmonies and instrumental prowess. Tonight they are joined by saxophonist Jack Wagner. 7–10 p.m. $10.

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    David Dyer: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase

    David Dyer: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
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    Oct. 22–24. This Grand Rapids comic, a contributing writer to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, offers unexpected takes on everything from marriage and raising kids to suddenly using his shirt pockets now that he’s in his 50s. Opening act TBA. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 (Thurs., $15) at aacomedy.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.

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    “Lineage 26”: Terpsichore Collective

    “Lineage 26”: Terpsichore Collective
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    Oct. 23 & 24. This local professional contemporary dance troupe performs Martha Graham’s seminal 1930 work Lamentation, as well as U-M dance professor emeritus Peter Sparling’s Studies in Schmaltz, veteran local choreographer Aimee McDonald’s Gateway to Enough, and works by 2026 ChoreoLab Artists Lynn Miller and Carly Liegel. 7:30–9 p.m., Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. $28 (student & low income, $18) for both shows in advance at terpsichorecollective.com & (if available) at the door. 

  • “The Lord of the Rings” Symphony: Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra

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    Guest conductor Robert Boardman, a specialist in composer Howard Shore, leads the A2SO in a performance of Shore’s sweeping scores to the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, a musical interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. With guest mezzo-soprano Kaitlyn Lusk and the U-M Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs. Note that this performance does not include film projections. 7:30 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Tickets $30–$65 (kids & students, $15–$33) in advance only at a2so.com. (734) 994–4801.

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    “The Rose Sonata”: University Musical Society

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    Oct. 23 & 24. World premiere of this full-length dance collaboration between New York City Ballet principal dancer Sara Mearns and choreographers and dancers Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber. The work is performed with 3 other dancers and 2 musicians on piano and vintage synthesizer, Yonatan Daksal and Mikael Darmanie, who also composed the music. It was commissioned by UMS as part of the lead-up to its 2028–29 150th season. 7:30 p.m., Power Center. Tickets $46–$87 (students, $15–$20) in advance at ums.org, by phone, & (if available) at the door. (734) 764–2538.

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    “Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical”: Ann Arbor Civic Theatre

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    Oct. 22–25. Ella Soto and Emily Slomovitz direct local actors in Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn’s Tony-nominated 1990 pop-rock musical, a dark thriller adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic about a doctor whose experiments on his personality create a murderous double. This production features nontraditional casting, with actors of all genders playing men and women. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin. Tickets $29 (seniors, $26; students, $20) at a2ct.ludus.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 971–2228.

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    Observer Editor

    “The World of Transcription”: U-M Music School Guest Recital

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    Acclaimed Japanese pianist Kotaro Fukuma performs a program of solo piano arrangements of major orchestral works by Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Paganini, Wagner, Debussy, and Ponchielli. 8 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg. Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. (734) 764–2538.

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    Observer Editor

    “Painted in Fire”: U-M Symphony Band Chamber Winds

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    Courtney Snyder and several grad students conduct a variety of music student brass, woodwinds and percussion ensembles in a program of chamber works by contemporary composers, including the premiere U-M composition grad student Peter Cohn’s Fireworks. 8 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg. Hankinson Rehearsal Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. (734) 764–2538.

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    “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.

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    Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet: Rancho Tranquilico

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    House concert by this world music–based jazz ensemble, led by local composer-bassist Sharp, that explores traditions from Turkey, Egypt, Ukraine, India, Bulgaria, Armenia, and Greece. With violinist Henrik Karapetyan, percussionist Mike List, and oud player Igor Houwat. BYOB. No tobacco products or pets. 8 p.m. (doors, 7:30 p.m.), Rancho Tranquilico barn, 11300 Island Lake Rd., Dexter. Park along the driveway. $25 payable via Venmo: @dave-sharp-4 or CashApp: $davesharp4. Preregistration required; space limited. (734) 223–2321, [email protected].

  • Nightspots

    Jackopierce.: Ark

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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Pop-rock originals by this veteran Texas singer-songwriter duo of Jack O’Neill and Cary Pierce. They’re known for their well-crafted, literate songs and lyrical melodies. Their 2025 album, Feel This Good, is their first studio project in 5 years. $35.

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    “Black Cat: Ghoulita Graves Presents … The Curse of Blood”: Neighborhood Theatre Group

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    Oct. 16–18 & 22–24. Marisa Dluge directs local actors in an original musical by NTG members Greg Pizzino and A.M. Dean. Part of NTG’s annual Black Cat Halloween series. 8 p.m. (Thurs.-Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Back Office Studio, 13 N. Washington, Ypsi. Ticket price TBA at ntgypsi.org & at the door.

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    Alex Clark: Ann Arbor Civic Theatre

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    Goofy West Coast observational comic who overshares about being a working-class dad. Doors 7:30 p.m. Age 18+. 8 p.m., Civic Theatre, 322 W. Ann. Tickets $22 in advance at itsalexclark.com/annarbor and $28 (if available) at the door.