• Free
    Observer Editor

    “A2 Crokinole Club”: Lowertown Bar & Cafe

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    Every Wed. All invited to play this century-old Canadian disc game played on a circular hardwood board. Players flick discs across concentric scoring rings. All skill levels welcome; boards provided. On the patio, weather permitting. 6–8 p.m., 1031 Broadway. Free. lowertowna2.com/events. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun

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    Every Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 1–3 p.m. (Sun.) & 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Group Runs: A2 Runners

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    Every Mon. & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a beginner or advanced 3- to 5-mile group run, followed by socializing at a downtown coffee shop. 6:30 p.m., meet at the Kerrytown Clock Tower. Preregistration requested at meetup.com/a2runners. Free. [email protected].

  • Observer Editor

    Figure Drawing: Dzanc House

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    All skill levels welcome to draw a live model. Bring your own art supplies. Light refreshments. 6:30–9 p.m., 402 S. Huron St., Ypsi. $10 to pay model. Preregistration required by the Mon. before the event. dzanchouse.org/register-for-events.

  • Observer Editor

    “Castle in the Sky”: Fathom Entertainment

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    (734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events & at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

    Aug. 22–26: “Castle in the Sky” (Hayao Miyazaki, 1986). Dubbed (Sat., Sun., & Wed.) and subtitled (Mon. & Tues.) screenings of this classic Studio Ghibli anime film about 2 children racing to find a flying castle. 4 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) and 7 p.m. (Mon.–Wed.).

  • Observer Editor

    “Howl’s Moving Castle”: Michigan Theater

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    Film screenings every day. Tickets $11.75 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, and U.S. veterans, $9.75; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar. 

    Aug. 26: “Howl’s Moving Castle” (Hayao Miyazaki, 2004). Oscar-nominated Japanese anime love story about an 18-year-old girl, cursed into an old woman’s body, and a wizard who can see through the curse. Japanese, subtitles. 7 p.m.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet

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    Every Sun., Tues., & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different locations. Rain or shine. Dozer Coffee (8 a.m. Sun. & 7 a.m. Tues.), 112 Jackson Plz., (734) 929–9022 & Fleet Feet (7 p.m. Wed.), 123 E. Liberty, (734) 769–5016. Free. fleetfeetsemichigan.com.

  • Nightspots

    Ukulele Jake: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    Ann Arbor-bred, NYC-based ukulele player and stand-up comic known for his up-beat and entertaining live shows.

  • Observer Editor

    Bluegrass Jam Circle: Ann Arbor Senior Center

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    Aug. 12 & 26. All musicians invited to bring acoustic instruments to play bluegrass-style music. Vocalists welcome. Inclement weather cancels. Please call by 3 p.m. on the day of the jam with any questions. 7–9 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), 1320 Baldwin. $5. (734) 794–6250, a2blugrass.com.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Summer Sight Reading Night: Dexter Community Orchestra

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    All musicians invited to sight read and play orchestral music with the DCO in an open-air setting. Participants are asked to download the music ahead of time and bring their own music stand. Chairs provided. 7–9 p.m., Dexter American Legion Picnic Pavilion, 8225 Dexter-Chelsea Rd., Dexter. Free. Preregistration required at dextercommunityorchestra.org. (734) 223–2841, [email protected].

  • Nightspots

    Open Mic: North Star Lounge

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

    All invited to present a song, story, poem, monologue, comedy bit, magic act, other performance. Hosted by Annie Bacon & Forrest Hejkal. Sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m. 7–10 p.m. $5.

  • Nightspots

    Aya Sekine Trio: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Experimental jazz improvisations by this ensemble led by veteran Japanese vocalist-keyboardist Sekine.

  • Observer Editor

    “Wednesday Night Swing”: Swing Ann Arbor

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    Every Wed. Lindy Hop, East Coast swing, Charleston, and Balboa dancing to recorded music. No partner needed. Wear comfortable low-grip shoes. Preceded at 6:30 p.m. by a free beginner lesson. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Michigan League Vandenberg Rm. (Aug. 5 & 12), Michigan Union Anderson ABCD Rm. (Aug. 19), and outside location TBA at swingannarbor.com (Aug. 26). $5 (free for members and lesson attendees) at the door. 

  • Nightspots
    Observer Editor

    Hunter & the HasBeens

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    Ypsi rock trio fronted by vocalist Hunter Walrod. Openers: the Ypsi punk & metal band Berate, the Taylor thrash-metal band Convolsis, and the Detroit deathcore band Living Dissection.

  • Nightspots

    River Shook: Ark

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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    A fiery fusion of twangy outlaw country and punk by this non-binary North Carolina singer-songwriter & guitarist who recently changed their name and embarked on a solo career after years fronting the popular alt-country band Sarah Shook & the Disarmers. “There’s always been a conspiratorial smokiness in their singing, a crackle of long nights and bleary mornings penetrating their drawl,” writes Pitchfork in a review of Shook’s brand-new self-titled album. “They’ve learned to augment that intuitive gruffness with subtler and sweeter melodies.” Opener: Moe Reen, an acclaimed young country-folk singer-songwriter from Ohio. $29.

  • Nightspots

    Jay Webb: Blind Pig

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    Blind Pig 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor

    All ages. Popular Alabama country singer and YouTuber whose music features gritty contemporary country lyrics sung over hip-hop trap beats. Opener: Caitlynne Curtis, a contemporary country singer-songwriter from Nashville. $25.

  • Observer Editor

    Chelsea Community Fair: Chelsea Fairgrounds

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    Aug. 25–29. Fair rides and concessions (Wed. & Thurs. 3–10 p.m., Fri. noon–10 p.m., and Sat. 1–10 p.m.), a bingo tent, livestock shows, demolition derbies (Tues. & Wed. 7:30 p.m.), Lost Nations Rodeo (Thurs. 7:30 p.m.), truck & tractor pulls (Fri. & Sat. 7 p.m.), a fair queen contest (Fri. 7 p.m.), exhibits of baking, canning, floriculture, arts, and hobbies. The fair officially kicks off with a Children’s Parade (Tues. 5:30 p.m.) for ages 3–12 on decorated bikes & wagons or on foot from the municipal lot behind Common Grill to the fairgrounds, and ends with the Chelsea Fair Parade (Sat. 1 p.m.), which includes the high-energy Celtic-inspired Chelsea House Orchestra, and many more local favorites. Complete schedule available at chelseafair.org. 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Chelsea Fairgrounds, Old US-12 at Old Manchester Rd., Chelsea. Daily admission, $10; 5-day pass, $30 (middle & high school students and seniors 65 & older, $20; kids age 10 & under, free). Free admission for seniors age 65 & over on Thurs. before 5 p.m., for active or inactive U.S. service members with ID on Fri., and for families on Fri. from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. $5 pass for women on Fri. before 11 a.m. (734) 475–1270, [email protected], chelseafair.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History

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    Every Tues.–Sun. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens. The newest program lets participants try out simulated snake senses to experience the world as if they were a snake. No live snakes. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Mavis Staples: Sonic Lunch/Marquee Arts

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    See 6 Thursday. Today: This legendary 86-year-old gospel, soul, and R&B diva possesses a quintessentially gospel voice. With a trademark blend of muscular power and shimmering grace punctuated at times with a startling growl, her luminous singing is designed to, in her words, “leave people feeling better than I found them.” Her 2025 solo album, Sad and Beautiful World, a fierce and loving dispatch for grim times, appeared on several critics’ year-end lists. Opener: Brooklyn singer-guitarist Mei Semones performs jazz-influenced indie pop originals with lyrics in both Japanese and English. 11:30 a.m., Michigan Theater. Free (doors close when seats are full). marquee-arts.org/live-events.