Events
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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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Free
Observer Editor
Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to play one of a wide variety of board games in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Instruction provided. Also, on Nov. 1, 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.
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Free
Observer 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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Free
Observer Editor
“Yarn Art Landscapes”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults and kids age 5 & up invited to make a textured landscape with scraps of yarn. 1–2 p.m., AADL Pittsfield. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Free
Observer Editor
Native American Dance and Cultural Program: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreChampion powwow dancer Reg Pettibone, a full-blooded Ho-Chunk Native American, performs a family-friendly program of traditional native dances, songs, and stories, and presents a hands-on display of artifacts. 1–2:30 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Free
Observer Editor
Drop-in Knitting: Spun
MoreEvery Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 1–3 p.m. (Sun.) & 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.
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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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Free
Observer Editor
Tour: Kempf House Museum
MoreGuided 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.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Anishinaabe Relief Printing”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAll invited to learn how to carve a block, then use it to make a relief print. Presented by Jamie John, a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians. 1–4 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200
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Community ListingFree
Open House: Gretchen's House Foundation
More5741 Jackson Road., Ann Arbor
Gretchen’s House Foundation
Join us for our Volunteer Open House on Sunday, November 1! Drop in anytime between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to meet our team, learn about our mission, and see how you can get involved with the Gretchen’s House Foundation.
Date: November 1, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: 5741 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor, MI
Sign up at: https://www.ghfdn.org/volunteerWe’d love to see you there! Invite a friend who may want to volunteer!
Gretchen’s House Foundation Thrift Store
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Free
Observer Editor
“Walking with Whales Tour”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreNov. 1, 8, & 22. Thirty-minute tour that uses the museum’s specimens to tell the story of prehistoric whales and dolphins, who had 4 limbs and walked on land. 1:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. (734) 764–0478.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Public Art Walking Tour”: U-M Museum of Art (UMMA)
MoreUMMA curator Ekaterina Shipyatsky leads a 1.5-mile walking tour of art installations around main campus, and shares some of the stories behind the art. The tour includes the newly installed (near Palmer Field) Agrifolia Majoris by Nancy Rubins. Rain or shine, so dress for the weather. 2–3 p.m., outside UMMA’s main entrance, 525 S. State. Free. umma.umich.edu/events. (734) 764–0351.
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Observer Editor
“Fall Birding”: Waterloo Natural History Association
MoreMichigan naturalist and Haehnle Sanctuary Chairman Steve Jerant goes over binocular and birdwatching basics before leading a hike through the woods to look for birds. Bring binoculars if you have them; a few pairs available to borrow. 2–3:30 p.m., Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush, Chelsea. $2 (families, $5); preregistration required by emailing [email protected] with name, phone number, and number attending. $15 Michigan recreation passport ($20 at the gate) required.
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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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Observer Editor
Apollo’s Troupe Theatre
MoreOct. 18, 22, & 24, Nov. 1, 5, & 7. Rochester-based veteran poet Frederick Glaysher performs stage adaptations of his epic poems, Into the Ruins of Modernity (Oct. 18 & Nov. 1) and The Parliament of Poets (Oct. 22 & 24, Nov. 5 & 7), each a combination of poetry reading, protest play, and performance art that emphasizes the transformative nature of art and its power to fight fascism & oligarchy, and celebrates human capacities for cooperation and peace. Not suitable for children. 2 p.m. (Sun.) & 7 p.m. (Thurs. & Sat.), Cahoots, 206 E. Huron St. $15–$30 (students, $12–$20; seniors, $15–$25) at buytickets.at/apollostroupe or (if available) at the door. Group rates available. (947) 203–0085.
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Observer Editor
“America 250”: Ann Arbor Concert Band & Ann Arbor Civic Chorus
MoreArtistic directors David Leach and Karen TenBrink lead Ann Arbor’s community band and chorus in a program celebrating the complex beauty of the American journey. Selections include John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare” and “The Cowboys Overture,” Morton Gould’s “American Salute,” Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” and “The Promise of Living,” Omar Thomas’s “A Mother of the Revolution,” John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” and more. Guest conductors include U-M director of bands Jason Fettig and Bowling Green State University director of bands Matthew Dockendorf. With narration by Carl Grapentine and Todd Nichols. 2 p.m. Hill Auditorium. Tickets $15 (seniors & students, $10; kids under age 14, free) in advance at mutotix.umich.edu & (if available) at the door. (734) 764–2538, aaband.org.
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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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Free
Observer Editor
Exhibition: Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club
MorePerformances by the club’s synchronized skating team, the Hockettes. 2:45–3:35 p.m., Ann Arbor Ice Cube, 2121 Oak Valley. Free. (734) 213–6768, annarborfsc.org.
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Free
Observer Editor
Yarn, Fabric, & Notions Swap: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAll invited to pick up excess yarn, fabric, or sewing notions the AADL has collected. Donations accepted at all AADL locations through Oct. 25. 3–4 p.m., AADL Downtown, lower level program rm. Free. (734) 327–4200.
