Events
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FreeObserver Editor
Maya Binyam: U-M English Department Zell Visiting Writers Series
MoreReading by this fiction writer whose award-winning 2023 debut novel Hangman tells the story of an unnamed African man returning home after decades in America to visit his dying brother. When he arrives, he finds that he doesn’t recognize the country or anyone in it. Q&A and signing. Also, tomorrow Binyam gives a free craft lecture (10–11 a.m., Michigan League, Henderson Rm.). 5:30–6:30 p.m., UMMA, Stern Auditorium, 525 S. State. Free. [email protected].
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Observer Editor
Children’s Program: 33rd Ann Arbor Polish Film Festival
MoreNov. 13–15. Three days of subtitled Polish films at the Michigan Theater, marquee-arts.org. Tickets $15 (students & seniors, $10; U-M & MSU students with ID, free) except as noted. annarborpolishfilmfestival.com.
Nov. 14: Children’s Program. Includes a children’s book fair and the AAPFF Contests for Children awards ceremony, followed by a family feature film for kids age 7 & up: Smok Diplodok (The Green Dinosaur) (Wojtek Wawszczyk, 2025). Heartwarming animated adventure about a young diplodocus who teams up with a wizard and 2 scientists to rescue his family. 10 a.m.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Intro to 3D Modeling & 3D Printing”: Washtenaw Community College Super STEAM Saturday
MoreAll invited to try computer-aided design (CAD) on the platform used by engineers and product designers, followed by a chance to 3D print a design. No experience needed. Geared toward middle school students, but all welcome. 10 a.m.–noon, WCC, Technical & Industrial bldg., rm. 241, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Free, but preregistration required at bit.ly/wccsteam.
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Observer Editor
Holiday Craft Show: The Guardian Guild of Livingston Classical Academy
MoreNov. 14. Crafts by over 50 vendors. An afternoon visit from Santa, concessions. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., 8877 Main, Whitmore Lake. $2 admission (veterans & kids, free). livingstonclassicalacademy.org.
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Observer Editor
Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild Holiday Sale
MoreNov. 14. A juried sale of fiber art, wearable items, yarn, and gifts by local fiber artists. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Zal Gaz Grotto, 2070 W. Stadium. Free admission. annarborfiberarts.org/events/sales-and-exhibits.
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Observer Editor
Spinner’s Flock Fiber Artisan Market
MoreNov. 14. Fiber, yarn, more. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Washington Street Education Center (Senior Center Building), 512 E. Washington, Chelsea. Free admission. (734) 769–1657, spinnersflock.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
MoreEvery Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play one of 200 songs, with melodies transcribed in numbers, on the 17-bell chime’s numbered keys. Ambitious players can add chords. Kids welcome. Noon–12:30 p.m. (Wed. & Fri.) & 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.). Free. [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
“The Physics of Art and the Art of Physics”: U-M Physics Department Saturday Morning Physics
MoreU-M physics professor Xiaoming Mao discusses the physics principles behind artistic practice, then turns the lens around to ask how beauty, elegance, and symmetry guide physicists in their search for the laws of nature. Part of a popular series of talks aimed at general audiences by U-M and visiting scholars. 10:30 a.m.–noon, 170 Weiser Hall, 500 Church (enter off Geddes). Also via livestream; see bit.ly/saturdayphysics. Free. (734) 764–4437.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Tues.–Sun., except Nov. 26. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. The newest program examines how membranes can help solve water shortages. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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Observer Editor
Jewelry Sale: U-M Turner Senior Resource Center
MoreNov. 13 & 14. Vintage and costume jewelry, pre-owned and donated. Proceeds support local geriatric programs. Cash or check only. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (Fri.) & 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (Sat.), 2401 Plymouth Rd., ste. C. Free admission. (734) 998–9353.
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FreeObserver Editor
AADL Printmaking Festival: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreDaylong celebration of all forms of printmaking featuring talks by local printmakers, hands-on printmaking demos, and sale tables with vendors offering letterpress, screen printing, block printing, and other hand-printed goods. Schedule: “Perfectly Impractical” (noon), a lecture-demonstration by Detroit-based printmaker Elaisha Hilliard. Drop-in printing demos (1–4 p.m.) with Ypsi artist Lena B. Ellis-Boatman and others TBA. “Finding Ceremony” (1:15 p.m.), a talk on Indigenous printmaking by Delia Touché. “Stitched Editions: Responding to Tradition While Yielding Something New” (2:30 p.m.), a talk by Turkish printmaker Melih Meric. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200. For more information and the latest schedule, see aadl.org/printfest.
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Observer Editor
A2 Studio Tour
MoreNov. 14 & 15. Over 14 Ann Arbor artists open their studios for a show and sale. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., map of locations at a2studiotour.com. [email protected].
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Observer Editor
Critter House Open Hours: Leslie Science & Nature Center
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun. A chance to view LSNC birds of prey and its Critter House animals, which include frogs, turtles, snakes, and other species native to Michigan. Noon–3 p.m., 1831 Traver. $5 suggested donation. (734) 997–1553, lesliesnc.org.
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Observer Editor
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun. and Nov. 6 & 20. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show some native Michigan animals, including a cougar, black rat snake, and opossum at 1 & 4 p.m.; and a wild turkey at 2 & 3 p.m. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show all four animals at 7:30 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. Noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) & 7–9 p.m. (Fri.), 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.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Marvelous Magnets”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun., except Nov. 15, 28, & 29. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for age 5 & up that explores magnetism, magnetic fields, and what they have to do with everyday life. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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Observer Editor
Documentary 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: Documentary Program. Two documentaries. Cicha Wędrówka (Konrad Borusewicz, 2025). Documentary short about ecological changes in the Tatra Mountains. The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & the Art of Survival (Julie Rubio, 2024). Feature-length documentary about this preeminent Polish Art Deco painter known for her sensual nudes and portraits of high society during the Jazz Age. 1 p.m.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Othello”: U-M Theatre Department Senior BFA Directing Thesis
MoreNov. 13 & 14. Jeffrey Wagner directs fellow drama majors in a studio production of Shakespeare’s tragedy of jealousy, suspicion, and betrayal. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 1 p.m. (Sat.), U-M Walgreen Drama Center, Newman Studio, 1226 Murfin. Free. (734) 764–0583.
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Observer Editor
“Carmen”: Fathom Entertainment
More(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline).
Nov. 14: “Carmen.” Rebroadcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2010 production of Bizet’s popular opera, a steamy melodrama set in Seville around 1820, about the fiery Gypsy temptress Carmen. A hot-tempered young army corporal falls victim to her charms, but when she falls for a bullfighter, the corporal’s jealousy takes a violent turn. The score’s famous arias include the “Flower Song,” the “Toreador Song,” and the habanera “Love is a rebellious bird.” 1 p.m.
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Observer Editor
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (noon) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago; 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 T. Rex (2 p.m.) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence). Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
Museum Highlights Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Sat., except Nov. 28. Thirty-minute tour of the museum’s exhibits and galleries, as well as an introduction to some current U-M biological sciences research projects. 1:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. (734) 764–0478.
