• Free
    Observer Editor

    Sustainability Fair: Scio Township

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    All invited to check out displays of alternative-fuel vehicles, try e-bikes, see a worm composting tower at work, and talk to ecology experts. Also, hands-on activities for kids. Noon–3:30 p.m., Meijer parking lot, 5645 Jackson. Free. sciotownshipmi.gov.

  • Observer Editor

    “Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy

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    Fri. Oct. 2 & 16 and every Sat. & Sun. (See review) During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show some animals that live in the rainforest, including a two-toed sloth, a Dumeril’s boa, an iguana, and a red-footed tortoise at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show a two-toed sloth, a Dumeril’s boa, and an iguana at 1 & 4 p.m., and a red-footed tortoise at 2 & 3 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 7–9 p.m. (Fri.) and noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 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.

  • Observer Editor

    Historic Home Tour: Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation

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    Guided architectural tour of 6 historic southside Ypsi houses and the elegant downtown Ypsi District Library, built in 1915 as a Carnegie post office. VIP ticket includes refreshments and a tour of the restored C. King & Co. Cafe building. Noon–5 p.m., 402 S. Washington, Ypsi. $30 (VIP ticket, $65) in advance at bit.ly/ypsihist-10-4-26 & (if available) at the door. (734) 845–7024, [email protected]. 

  • Observer Editor

    “Refugia Festival”: U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens/Nichols Arboretum

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    This family-friendly festival celebrating sonic and environmental beauty includes a tree tour (12:50 p.m.), pollinator talks (1:25 & 2:35 p.m.), and “What’s That Sound?!” (3:30 p.m.), a talk about natural sounds by EMU biology professor Julie Reinhardt. Also, live performances by dancer Kaitlyn Wilson (12:15 p.m.), electroacoustic musician Alex Wand, cellist Katri Ervamaa, and performance artist Jessica Hemingway (1:40 p.m.), group movement and performance art by Embodied Ecologies (3 p.m.), and electroacoustic new music ensemble the Soft Knee Collective (4:10 p.m.). Bring something to sit on. Food vendors. Noon–6 p.m., Nichols Arboretum peony garden entrance at 1610 Washington Hgts. Pay what you can in advance or at the gate ($10–$20 suggested). refugiafestival.com. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory

    Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory
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    Every Sun. All invited to play one of a wide variety of board games in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Instruction provided. Also, on Oct. 4, game playtesting with Michigame Design Lab (2 p.m.), during which players are invited to try out new board & card games from local designers Bruce Bielawa & Joe Hopkins and provide feedback. Noon–6 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. sylvanfactory.com. 

  • Community Listing
    Free

    Prior Art: OHMHA Fall Festival

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    At Thurston Pond next to OHAC Pool, 2300 Yorktown Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

    Oct 4 2026, Sunday, 1-3 PM: Prior Art appears at the Orchard Hills – Maplewood Homeowners Association (OHMHA) Fall Festival. Local rock band playing a mix of 60’s – 90’s rock covers and originals. Prior Art is Vocalist Rachel Arnsdorf, Alan Balkany on Guitar, Ryan Matthews on Bass, Alan Warmanen on Vocals & Drums, and Doug Wochna on vocals/sax/keys.

    Past OHMHA Fall Festivals included displays of a Fire Engine and a Police car, displays of animals from the Leslie Science Center, Face Painting, musical performances, donuts and cider.
    Cost: Free, but donations to the tip jar are appreciated

    Priorartband.com

    Free
  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun

    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. 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.) & 1–3 p.m. (Sun.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867. 

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater

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    Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. T. Rex (noon) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence); 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 Tales of the Maya Skies (2 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Tour: Kempf House Museum

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    Guided tours of this restored 19th-century Greek revival home, named for the family of German American musicians who occupied it circa 1900. 1–4 p.m., 312 S. Division. Free, donations accepted. (734) 994–4898, kempfhousemuseum.org. 

  • Observer Editor

    Artisan Market: Holy Bones Events

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    Quirky market featuring off-kilter handmade arts and crafts by local artisans. Food vendors. 1–7 p.m. Michigan Firehouse Museum, 110 W. Cross, Ypsi. Free admission. [email protected], holybonesfestival.com.  

  • Observer Editor

    “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”: 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. 

    Oct. 4: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (Peter Jackson, 2003). Extended version of the conclusion of this fantasy trilogy in which Frodo, Sam, and Gollum overcome many obstacles, including the corrupting influence of the powerful ring they carry, as they travel toward a battle against the evil Sauron. 1:30 p.m.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Holly Bass: We Hold These Truths”: U-M Museum of Art Exhibition Tour

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    UMMA curators lead a tour of this show that weaves audio and video pieces into reconstructions of an 1876 parlor, a 1976 den, and a gathering space organized around a long “Century Table” to invite visitors to look at unresolved histories, shared narratives, and possible futures. 2–3 p.m., UMMA A. Alfred Taubman Gallery I, 525 S. State. Free. Preregistration required at umma.umich.edu/events (space limited).

  • Observer Editor

    Shamel Pitts Tribe: University Musical Society

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    Oct. 3 & 4. Afrofuturism-inspired dance performance of their new work Marks of Red by six women dancers, directed by the singular Brooklyn choreographer Shamel Pitts. Anchored in the improvisational Gaga modern dance style, the piece draws from sumo wrestling, butoh dance, and the rhythms of techno music, celebrating the divine feminine amidst womb-like scenery, within an evocative electronic music soundscape. This NYC-based company is a multidisciplinary arts collective founded in 2019 by Pitts, a 2024 MacArthur fellow and 2020 Guggenheim fellow in choreography. 7:30 p.m. (Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Power Center. Tickets $30–$56 (students, $15–$20) in advance at ums.org, by phone, & (if available) at the door. (734) 764–2538.

  • Observer Editor

    “Wild Rehab”: Waterloo Natural History Association

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    A representative from the Howell Nature Center discusses the work of Michigan’s largest wildlife rehabilitator, which treats thousands of wild animals every year, from common to endangered species, with the goal of returning them to the wild. 2–3:30 p.m., Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush, Chelsea. $2 (families, $5); preregistration required at [email protected] (include name, phone number, and number of attendees). $15 Michigan recreation passport ($20 at the gate) required.

  • Observer Editor

    “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

    “Maestro”: Theatre Nova

    “Maestro”: Theatre Nova
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    Every Fri.–Sun., Sept. 25–Oct. 18. Briana O’Neal directs local actors in Michigan playwright Michael Alan Herman’s cheeky comedy of manners about two 18th-century Viennese composers who go to ridiculous lengths to compete for a recently vacated royal court position. 8 p.m. (Fri.), 3 & 7 p.m. (Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $33 (seniors, $30; students, $20) in advance at theatrenova.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 635–8450.

  • Observer Editor

    “Time Passes: 8 Short Plays by Samuel Beckett”: U-M Theatre Department

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    Oct. 1–4 & 8–11. Malcolm Tulip directs drama students in short works by this celebrated Irish playwright known for his verbal play, visual precision, and political imagination. The plays, written between the late 1950s and the early 1980s, include Act Without Words II, Play, Come and Go, Footfalls, Rockaby, Catastrophe, What Where, and Quad. 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.), & 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin. Tickets $35 (students, $16) in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 764–0583.

  • Observer Editor

    “Ghost in the Machine”: 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. 

    Oct. 4: “Ghost in the Machine” (Valerie Veatch, 2026). Exhilarating, opinionated documentary that explores the dark history of AI, tracing its roots to eugenics. The Wrap calls it a “radical, necessary Molotov cocktail.” 2:30 p.m.

  • Observer Editor

    International Folk Dance Party: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance

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    Oct. 4 & 18. Traditional Eastern European and Middle Eastern circle and line dancing to recorded music. No experience or partner needed. Wear loose-fitting clothing and clean, flat, nonslip shoes. Beginners welcome. Preceded at 2 p.m. by a lesson. 3–5 p.m., Concourse Hall, 4531 Concourse. Pay what you can ($10 suggested; first time, free). [email protected].