Events
-
-
Observer Editor
“Pitch-a-Friend”: Lowertown Bar & Cafe
MoreAll 21+ invited to give a 3–5 minute clean, positive match-making slide presentation of their single friends to a live audience. Followed by mingling. Also designed for making platonic friends. LGBTQ+ friendly. 7–9 p.m., 1031 Broadway. Free to attend; to pitch, preregister ($5) at pitch-a-friend.com/annarbor.
-
Nightspots
Tariq Gardner & the Evening Star.: Blue LLama
MoreBlue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann ArborAfro-futuristic jazz by this ensemble led by drummer Gardner, a recent U-M music school grad whose music also draws on elements of hip-hop and neo-soul. Dinner shows: $125 (includes drink pairings from Two James Distillery).
-
Nightspots
Jake Reichbart.: Earle
MoreEarle 121 W. Washington, Ann ArborSolo jazz guitarist. Solo jazz pianists TBA occasionally substitute.
-
Nightspots
Lonnie Spangler.: The Ranch
MoreThe Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann ArborCountry and classic-rock covers by this Lansing-area singer-guitarist.
-
Nightspots
Norm & Sandy.: Ypsi Alehouse
MoreYpsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, YpsilantiLocal singer-guitarist duo.
-
Observer Editor
General Meeting: Ann Arbor Ski Club
MoreA chance to learn about the club’s upcoming downhill and cross-country ski and snowboarding outings, and other social activities. Followed by dancing to music spun by a DJ. Must be 21 or older. 7–10 p.m., UA Local 190, 7920 Jackson Rd. $10 (members, free). [email protected].
-
Observer Editor
Thursday Night Improv: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
MoreEvery Thurs., except Sept. 24. Two structured improv events, both followed by a pay-what-you-want improv jam with a series of games and long-form scenes. Spectators welcome.
Sept. 3 (7:30–8:30 p.m.): Draft Line. Improv students are selected to perform a set with one of the house teams.
Sept. 10 (7:30–8:30 p.m.): Duoplicity. Experienced improvisers are invited to be randomly paired up to perform a 6-minute scene.
Sept. 17 (7–8 p.m.): Super Fresh. Three improv teams perform new and experimental comedy.
Various times, 2350 W. Liberty. $7.50 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $10 (if available) at the door.
-
Observer Editor
Square Dance: University Musical Society Ypsi Freighthouse Residency
MoreAll invited to join the Detroit Square Dance Society in an evening of square dancing and line dancing, with live music TBA & non-gendered calling. All dances taught and rehearsed. 7:30 p.m., 100 Market Pl., Ypsi. Tickets $5 (additional donation appreciated) in advance at ums.org/season/2026-27-season & (if available) at the door. (734) 764–2538.
-
Observer Editor
“Hot Rod”: Michigan Theater
MoreFilm 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.
Sept. 10: “Hot Rod” (Akiva Schaffer, 2007). Andy Samberg stars as an accident-prone stuntman in this offbeat comedy. 8 p.m.
-
Nightspots
The Claudettes.: Ark
MoreArk 316 S. Main, Ann ArborSelf-styled “garage cabaret” quartet from Chicago whose music fuses New Orleans piano-based blues with the energy of rockabilly and punk and the sultriness of 60s soul. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune calls their sensibility “equal parts James Dean and David Lynch.” $29.
-
Nightspots
Indie Rock Royalty.: Zal Gaz Grotto
MoreZal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann ArborAn eclectic mix of covers and originals by this local quartet.
-
Nightspots
Fenrot.: Ziggy’s
MoreZiggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, YpsilantiDetroit-area death–metal band. Openers: fellow Detroit-area heavy–metal acts Sins of Madness and Tyler RG.
-
Nightspots
Swan Upon Leda.: Blind Pig
MoreBlind Pig 208 S. First St., Ann ArborU-M student alt-rock band. Openers: fellow U-M student bands The Supreme Court Rejects, Carouselle, Puppy Teeth, and Lanternfly. $14.
-
Nightspots
The Pherotones.: Last Word
MoreLast Word 301 W. Huron, Ann ArborA wide range of jazz and jazzed-up popular music, from the 1920s to the present, by this all-star local quintet. With trumpeter Ross Huff, pianist Giancarlo Aversa, bassist Brennan Andes, violinist Jordan Adema, and drummer Wes Fritzemeier.
-
Nightspots
Open Mic.: Tap Room
MoreTap Room 201 W. Michigan, Ypsilanti, YpsilantiAll musicians invited. Hosted by singer-guitarist Brian Brickley.
-
FreeObserver Editor
Sept. 11 Memorial Services: City of Ann Arbor Police and Fire Departments
MoreMemorial service to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and remember all who lost their lives that day. Fire chief Mike Kennedy, police chief Andre C. Anderson, city administrator Milton Dohoney Jr., mayor Christopher Taylor and U.S. rep. Debbie Dingell all give remarks. 9 a.m., Fire Station No. 1, 111 N. Fifth Ave. Free. a2gov.org/news/posts/ann-arbor-fire-and-police-departments-to-hold-sept-11-memorial-service.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Joe’s Breakfast Club”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
MoreEvery Fri. Moderate-paced ride, 20 miles or more, to Dexter and beyond. Pack a lunch or stop in Dexter. See aabts.org for weather cancellations or delays. 9 a.m. sharp, meet at Delhi Metro Park parking lot (left of the tollbooth), E. Delhi off Huron River Dr. Free. [email protected].
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Olson Park Gravel Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
MoreEvery Fri. Slow/moderate-paced 18-mile gravel road ride with a rest stop at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. See aabts.org for weather cancellations or delays. 9 a.m. sharp, meet at Olson Park, 1515 Dhu Varren. Free. (412) 302–9960.
-
Observer Editor
Annual Used Book Sale: American Association of University Women
MoreSept. 11–13. Sale of thousands of books in over 60 categories, as well as DVDs. Proceeds support academic scholarships. Preview ($20) on Friday 8–10 a.m. 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (Sun.), Washtenaw Community College (Morris Lawrence Bldg.), 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Free admission and parking. annarbor-mi.aauw.net.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery 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 (sight, hearing, and smell) 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.
