Events
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“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 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.
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Observer Editor
35th Birthday Celebration: Sunday Artisan Market
More50+ local artisans, live music, food trucks, and more to celebrate 35 years of the Sunday Artisan Market, a juried market where artists and craftspeople show their work every Sunday, from April through the Sunday before Christmas. Work includes paintings, prints, ceramics, jewelry, woodcraft, drawings, candles, fabric & textile products, soap & personal care goods, repurposed items, and more. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Kerrytown Farmers Market pavilion. Free admission. (734) 913-9622 (voicemail only), [email protected], sundayartisanmarket.org.
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H.A.C. Ultimate
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to a relaxed pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. 11:15 a.m., Fuller Park, just west of the pool & parking lot (or occasionally across the street). Free. (734) 846–9418, [email protected].
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Charity Soccer Match: Elliott Deedler ECMO Scholar Fund
MoreAll invited to cheer on Pioneer High students as they play a friendly exhibition match to benefit patients at U-M’s pediatric critical care program. ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) is an advanced life-support machine that saved now 15-year-old Pioneer High soccer player Deedler’s life. Noon, Pioneer High School Hollway Field, 601 W. Stadium at Main. $5 cash at the gate.
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Stage Combat Demonstration: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreMembers of the Michigan stage combat troupe Theatrica Gladiatoria demonstrate choreographed sword fighting, martial arts, and other stunts. Noon–1 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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“The Iron Crafter”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAll-ages team-based crafting competition. Each team will have one hour to design and build a craft project using common tools and secret craft supplies that are revealed at the time of the event. Prizes for top finishers. Noon–3 p.m., AADL Downtown, lower level program rm. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun. and Fri. Aug. 7 & 21. On Sat. and Sun., conservancy staffers present and give insights into some animals with superpowers, including an African crested porcupine, a three-banded armadillo, and a frilled dragon at 1 & 4 p.m., and an animal keeper shows a Gila monster 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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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 Aug. 2, game playtesting with Michigame Design Lab (2 p.m.), during which players are invited to try out new board and 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 Laser Tag Day: Best In Games
More4095 Carpenter Rd, Ypsilanti, MI, United States, 48197, Ypsilanti
🎉 FREE Laser Tag Day is Here! 🎉
Celebrate the anniversary of our Guinness World Records achievement with us and enjoy FREE Laser Tag all day!
Bring your friends, experience the excitement, and be part of our record-breaking legacy. Arcade cards, day passes, and delicious food will be available for purchase in-store.Gather your crew and celebrate with us for an action-packed day!
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“Megafauna Mystery”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for kids age 5 & up that uses museum specimens to explore paleontology and what can be learned from giant bones and fossils. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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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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Sundays at Cobblestone: Cobblestone Farm Museum
MoreAll invited to tour the house and farm, as well as to join docents and board members in inventorying & cataloging items and cleaning the museum. 1–3 p.m., 2718 Packard. Free. cobblestonefarm.org.
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“Hand-Sewing Marathon: Adorable Felt Ice Cream Cones”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreCraft activity for adults & teens. Involves the use of sharp needles. 1–4:30 p.m., AADL Malletts Creek. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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“Walking with Whales Tour”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Sun. 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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“Woodstock”: 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.
Aug. 16: “Woodstock” (Michael Wadleigh, 1970). Documentary about the legendary 1969 music festival. 1:30 p.m.
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“Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
MoreEvery Wed.–Sun., June 25–Aug. 30. (See review) Kate Thomsen directs longtime Purple Rose resident playwright Carey Crim’s comedy-drama about a group of old friends gathered to celebrate their friend Emma’s fourth wedding. Together, they revisit their memories of each of her previous three weddings to “the one.” Adult language and subject matter. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). 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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“Gutenberg! The Musical!”: Penny Seats Theatre
MoreAug. 7–22. Emily Wilson-Tobin directs local actors in Anthony King and Scott Brown’s 2-man musical about a pair of aspiring playwrights who perform all the parts in a run-through for potential backers of their new, hilariously ill-advised project—a big, splashy musical about printing press inventor Johannes Gutenberg. Adult themes. 8 p.m. (Thurs., Fri., & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Cahoots, 206 E. Huron St. Tickets $28 (seniors, $25 & students, $20) in advance at pennyseats.org & (if available) at the door.
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“Southern Rapture”: PTD Productions
MoreAug. 13–16 & 19–22. Karrie Waarala directs local actors in Cleveland playwright Eric Coble’s 2009 dark satire exploring art, commerce, and censorship. The plot, based on a 1996 staging of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America in Charlotte, North Carolina, follows a theater company in a major Southern city as it puts on a controversial play featuring foul language, homosexual themes, and 7 minutes of full frontal male nudity. Leading up to the premiere, the city’s mayor brings legal action, locals threaten to burn the theater down, and the terrified actors exchange cans of pepper spray as opening night gifts. “The broad laugh-out-loud humor narrows slowly toward a poignant ending, making a fantasy into a reality,” writes one Charlotte Observer reviewer. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun. & Wed.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (students & seniors, $15) in advance at ptdproductions.com & at the door. (734) 483–7345.
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Michigan Playwrights Festival: Theatre Nova
MoreSee 13 Thursday. Today: Joël Henning Doty’s Dispersion, about a woman in a coma who hears her children’s true feelings about family secrets, communicates with her dead husband, and gets lessons from a funny, wise nurse, or, maybe, an angel? 2 p.m.
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“Midsummer Greenway Delight Nature Walk”: Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy
MoreAll invited to join a naturalist to celebrate SMLC’s 28th anniversary by taking a 1.5-mile walk through LeFurge Nature Preserve’s 325 acres of diverse terrain, including rolling hills, wetlands, meadow, and woods. Dress for the weather. No pets. Refreshments and socializing start at 1:15 p.m. 2–3:45 p.m., park and meet at Conservancy Farm, 8383 Vreeland, Superior Twp. Free, donations welcome. (734) 482–5957, [email protected].