Events
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Nightspots
Pontiac Trail Blazers.: North Star Lounge
MoreNorth Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann ArborLocal bluegrass quartet known for its beautiful vocal harmonies and instrumental prowess. Tonight they are joined by mandolinist Jason Dennie.
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Observer Editor
“Night Terrors”: Wiard’s Orchards
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun. A haunted hayride, a ghostly mental asylum, and three more scary attractions, all bristling with scores of costumed monsters. Refreshments available from the Wiard’s Country Store. Recommended for ages 12 & up. 7:15–11:30 p.m., 5565 Merritt, Ypsi. Tickets $36–$65 in advance only at hauntedhousemichigan.com. (734) 390–9212.
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Observer Editor
“Tales from the Cryptid: A Halloween Spooktacular”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
MoreSpecial Halloween edition of this unscripted show about a cryptid that shakes up a small town. Costumes encouraged. Contests and prizes. 7:30–8:30 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $18 (if available) at the door.
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Observer Editor
“Samhain with Selkie”: Kerrytown Concert House
MoreWest Michigan Celtic ensemble Selkie is known for blending traditional Irish music with original close-harmony songs sung in English, Gaelic, and French. Tonight, they conjure a traditional Samhain evening, blending spooky storytelling, haunting melodies, and dark humor to celebrate the Celtic transition to the new pastoral year. 7:30 p.m., 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $32–$42 (students, $20–$30) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 769–2999.
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FreeObserver Editor
Telegraph Quartet: U-M Music School
MoreThis acclaimed San Francisco–based chamber ensemble, currently U-M music school artists-in-residence, presents a program TBA. 7:30 p.m., U-M Walgreen Drama Center, Stamps Auditorium, 1226 Murfin. Free. (734) 763–2538.
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Nightspots
Eyes of the Raven.: Rumpus Room
MoreRumpus Room 506 N. Main, Chelsea, ChelseaNew Detroit-area Grateful Dead tribute band led by bassist Jim Rowan and guitarist Miko Fossum.
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Observer Editor
“King Lear”: Robin’s Goodfellows
MoreOct. 30–Nov. 1. This new U-M student Shakespeare company performs the bard’s tormenting yet sublime story of an aging king who decides to divide his kingdom among his 3 daughters. It’s one of Western literature’s most wrenching studies of arrogance, willful pride, and filial relationships. 2 p.m. (Sun.) & 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. $10–$16.50 in advance at muto.umich.edu & at the door. instagram.com/robinsgoodfellows.
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Observer Editor
“Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
MoreEvery 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.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Raise the Roof: The Musings of Michael Daugherty”: U-M Symphony Band
MoreThis music student ensemble performs a program honoring Grammy Award–winning local composer Daugherty, a longtime U-M composition professor who will be retiring at the end of the academic year. Highlights include Daugherty’s Concerti for Timpani and Trombones, his well-known 2002 piece Bells for Stokowski, and a new setting of Cadillac Ranch, his 2025 work inspired by a public art installation on the outskirts of Amarillo, Texas. Preceded at 7:15 p.m. by a brief talk. 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Free. (734) 764–0583.
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Observer Editor
“Pop-Up Comedy”: Don’t Tell Comedy Show
MoreBoth the lineup of stand-up comics and the location are not revealed until the day of the show. Age 21+. Drinks and food for sale. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. 8 p.m., Burns Park indoor location. Tickets $30 in advance only at donttellcomedy.com/cities/ann-arbor.
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Nightspots
Lucy Kaplansky.: Ark
MoreArk 316 S. Main, Ann ArborAcclaimed singer-songwriter, and former clinical psychologist, known for her strong, supple voice and her wryly engaging blues- and country-flavored ballads. $29.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Rocky Horror Picture Show”: U-M Residential College Players
MoreRC Keene Theater, 701 East University. (734) 647–4354.
Oct. 30 & 31: “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Jim Sharman, 1975). Musical comedy cult classic that spawned a long tradition of participatory showings. The plot follows a fresh-scrubbed young couple who find themselves unexpected guests at a mansion whose residents include a transsexual transvestite alien in the midst of a diabolical experiment. The screening is accompanied by a live shadowcast, in which onstage actors act out scenes from the film in sync with the action on the screen and invite audience interaction. 8 p.m. Free; donations accepted.
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Nightspots
“Spook Festival.”: The Arboretum
MoreThe Arboretum 984 E. Michigan Ave., SalineWith performances by the area hip-hop rapper Magik Ziggidy and others TBA.
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Nightspots
Shelby & Jake.: Mash (Ypsilanti)
MoreMash (Ypsilanti) 400 W. River, YpsilantiLansing husband-and-wife duo of acoustic country-pop singer-guitarists.
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Nightspots
Deer & Elk.: The Ranch
MoreThe Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann ArborLansing duo that specializes in classic country covers.
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Nightspots
The Extrusions.: Zal Gaz Grotto
MoreZal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann ArborDance 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.
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Nightspots
Hunter & the Hasbeens.: Ziggy’s
MoreZiggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, YpsilantiYpsi rock trio. Opener: Blind Liars, an Ypsi queer indie pop band.
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Observer Editor
Riverside Swings: Riverside Arts Center
MoreEvery Fri. Swing dancing to recorded music. No partner or experience required. Wear comfortable low-grip/tread shoes. Preceded at 7 & 8 p.m. by hour-long lessons. Followed by a “late-night blues-&-fusion” dance. The 1st Friday of each month is free, and the 3rd Friday includes a Charleston lesson. 9–11 p.m., 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. $5 (students, $4). riversidearts.org/riverside-swings.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Telescope Observing”: U-M Detroit Observatory
MoreEvery Fri. All invited to drop in to use the observatory’s 1857 Fitz telescope and other modern instruments. Exhibits are also open regardless of viewing conditions. Last visitors admitted 30 minutes prior to closing. 9–11 p.m., 1398 E. Ann at Observatory. Free, no registration required. (734) 763–2230, detroitobservatory.umich.edu.
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Nightspots
“Liminal Lounge Presents: A Night for Twin Peaks.”: Ann Arbor Funhouse
MoreAnn Arbor Funhouse 207 E. Washington., Ann ArborExperimental ambient music by area electronic acts, including Towner, The Bloody Pickups, Geranium Red, and DJ Batz.
