• Observer Editor

    Nate Craig: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase

    Nate Craig: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
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    Nov. 19–21. Master of sardonically smart one-liners on the insults and amusements of modern life, Craig has appeared on Comedy Central’s Roast Battles and acted in the Netflix comedies Manic, Old Dads, and F Is for Family. Opening act TBA. The Nov. 19 performance is a “Comedy for a Cause FUNdraiser” for National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $25 at aacomedy.com & (if available) at the door. Special engagement; no passes, discounts, or coupons accepted. (734) 996–9080.

  • Observer Editor

    “Comedy Night”: Bløm Mead + Cider

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    Stand-up comedy by Jacob Barr and other local comics. 7:30–9 p.m. Bløm, 100 S. Fourth Ave. $10 (includes one 12 oz. pour of mead, cider, or nonalcoholic beverage) in advance at drinkblom.com/events & (if available) at the door. Usually sells out. (734) 548–9729.

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    Observer Editor

    Telegraph Quartet: U-M Music School

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    This acclaimed San Francisco–based chamber ensemble, currently U-M music school artists-in-residence, are joined by U-M music students in George Rochberg’s String Quintet, Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 76, No. 2 “Quinten”, and Osvaldo Golijov’s string octet Ever Yours. 7:30 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg. Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. (734) 763–2538.

  • Observer Editor

    “Jack Tucker Comedy Standup Show”: University Musical Society

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    Nov. 18–22. New York City cult favorite Zach Zucker, a French-trained comedic performer known for blending clowning with satire, appears as Tucker, a dim, delusional, and overconfident hack stand-up whose desperate need to be adored drives him to the brink of comedy chaos. With an absurdist sound design fueling the unraveling, the result is a “raucously funny” “triumph” according to the New York Times reviewer, who says “not since The Play That Goes Wrong have I seen mistakes this meticulous.” Age 14 & up. 7:30 p.m. (Wed.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin. $36–$46 (students, $15–$20). (734) 764–2538, ums.org.

  • Observer Editor

    3rd Saturday Contra Dance: Pittsfield Union Grange

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    River Abel calls to music by Judi Morningstar, Brad Battey, and Marty Somberg. Bring clean shoes for dancing. Beginners’ intro at 7 p.m. 7:30–10:30 p.m., 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $10–$15 suggested donation (pay what you can). (734) 274–0773.

  • Observer Editor

    “West Side Story”: U-M MUSKET

    “West Side Story”: U-M MUSKET
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    Nov. 20–22. Gonzalo Delgado directs fellow U-M students in Arthur Laurents’ spirited musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, set in New York and featuring the rival street gangs the Sharks and the Jets. The beloved Leonard Bernstein–Stephen Sondheim score includes such favorites as “Maria,” “Tonight,” and “America.” 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Power Center. Tickets $15 (students and kids age 12 & under, $9) in advance at ummusket.org & at the door. [email protected].

  • 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

    “Comedy on Tap”: Slows Bar BQ

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    Sets by area stand-up comics. 8 p.m., 207 E. Washington. $13 at the door. slowsannarbor.com/events.

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    Observer Editor

    “Our Town”: U-M Residential College Players

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    Nov. 20 & 21. RC students perform Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize–winning portrait of a small New Hampshire town at the beginning of the 20th century. The 3 acts examine “Daily Life,” “Love and Marriage,” and “Death” with graceful simplicity and deep humanity. 8 p.m., East Quad Keene Theater, 701 East University. Free; donations accepted. (734) 647–4354.

  • Observer Editor

    “Chasing Clouds”: Penny Seats Theatre Company

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    Nov. 20–Dec. 6. Lauren London directs local actors in local playwright Michael Alan Herman’s existential fantasy comedy-drama about a pair of elderly farmers who farm clouds for their silver linings as they struggle to keep their farm—and their relationship—intact. 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Cahoots, 206 E. Huron St. Tickets $28 (students, $20; seniors, $25), in advance at pennyseats.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 926–5346, [email protected].

  • Observer Editor

    “Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde”: U-M Theatre Department

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    Nov. 19–22. Halena Kays directs drama students in Moisés Kaufman’s award-winning 1997 play that chronicles the swift and tragic downfall of the famous Irish playwright. Wilde sued the Marquess of Queensberry in 1895 for criminal libel after the Marquess called him a “posing sodomite.” This lawsuit backfired on Wilde, resulting in two additional trials to determine whether he was guilty of “gross indecency with male persons.” Recommended for ages 16 & up. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 North University. Tickets $29–$35 (students, $16) in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 764–0538.

  • Nightspots

    Steven Page.: Ark

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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Sold out.

  • Nightspots

    Vicalely.: The Arboretum

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    The Arboretum 984 E. Michigan Ave., Saline

    Local acoustic rock cover band. Openers: The Vagrant Symphony, an Ypsi psych-folk band, and The Monarch, a Michael Jackson tribute act. 

  • Nightspots

    The Extrusions.: Zal Gaz Grotto

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    Zal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor

    Dance music by this popular local cover band with a huge repertoire of classic, New Wave, and modern rock hits and forgotten gems from the 1960s through the 2010s.

  • Nightspots

    Las Drogas.: Ziggy’s

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    Ziggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    Ypsi proto-punk power trio. Opener: Hillbilly Knife Fight, a Detroit-area punk-metal band.

  • Observer Editor

    Fustercluck & Friends: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater

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    Performance by an ensemble of 4 Detroit-area improvisers with over a century of combined experience. 8:30–9:30 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $18 (if available) at the door.

  • Nightspots

    “Songwriters Circle.”: North Star Lounge

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

    In-the-round performance by local singer-songwriters Jed Dupas, Michael Crittenden, and Josh Rose. 8:30–9:45 p.m. $20.

  • Nightspots

    Towner.: Ann Arbor Funhouse

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    Ann Arbor Funhouse 207 E. Washington., Ann Arbor

    Ypsi alt-rock quartet.