• Free
    Observer Editor

    Noon Lecture Series: Kempf House Museum

    Noon Lecture Series: Kempf House Museum
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    Oct. 7: “The History of the Argus Camera Company.” Talk by Argus board president Bob Kelly. (See Oct. 8 for the Argus Fall Conference). Oct. 14: “Finding a Cache of Historical Recipes.” Ann Arbor historian Susan Wineberg discusses how a chance find of a Black cook’s hand-written personal recipes from the 1930s–1950s led to their publication by the U-M Press. Oct. 21: “The Women of the Kahn Family, A Quiet Dignity.” Carol Rose Kahn, granddaughter of Hill Auditorium and Burton Tower architect Albert Kahn, shares stories of Albert’s niece, an internationally known chess player; his sister, founder of a blueprinting company; and other women ancestors. Noon–1 p.m., Kempf House, 312 S. Division. Free; donations accepted. (734) 994–4898, kempfhousemuseum.org. 

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    “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.

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    “Così fan tutte”: Fathom Entertainment

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    (734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

    Oct. 3 & 7: “Così fan tutte.” Live (Sat.) and prerecorded (Wed.) broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera production of Mozart’s comic opera, a rare blend of high-spirited farce with psychological acuity and emotional depth. This production sets the story—about 2 soldiers who decide to test their sweethearts’ faithfulness by wooing them disguised as foreigners—in a carnivalesque environment inspired by 1950s Coney Island. Italian, subtitles. 1 p.m. $24.

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    “Adore Him: He Is Here”: Fathom Entertainment

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    (734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

    Oct. 4–8: “Adore Him: He Is Here” (Don Johnson, 2026). Religious docudrama about Eucharistic adoration. 4:30 p.m. (Sun. only) & 6 p.m. Cinemark only.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    The DOJ and Threats to the Press”: U-M Wallace House Center for Journalists

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    New York Times reporter Eric Schmitt and Gabe Rottman of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press discuss the Trump administration’s efforts to use the Justice Department to intimidate members of the press. 4:30–6 p.m., Ford School, Annenberg Auditorium, 735 S. State. Free. (734) 998–7666. [highlight in pink – notable event] 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Michigan Marching Band Practice

    Michigan Marching Band Practice
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    Every Mon.–Thurs., except Oct. 19 & 20. U-M’s highly disciplined 200+ member marching band or sections thereof can be seen and heard practicing on the new Elbel Field, across the street from the old Elbel Field. All welcome to find a spot in the bleachers and get a sneak preview of upcoming halftime shows. Rehearsals usually last 1–2 hours. Also, at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, the band hosts its monthly free Open Stadium Rehearsal at Michigan Stadium. 4:45 p.m., Hill at Fifth Ave. Free. (734) 764–0582.

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    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory

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    Every Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play both casual and tournament forms of the collectible card game MTG. Wed. & Sat. (5 p.m.): “Commander.” A drop-in session of the most popular form of the game. Free. Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Booster Draft.” Players take turns opening booster packs to create a 40 card deck. $25. Various times & prices, 2459 W. Stadium. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

  • Observer Editor

    30th Annual Edgefest: Kerrytown Concert House

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    Oct. 7–10. One of the world’s 50 top jazz/avant music festivals, according to DownBeat, this annual event includes multiple shows over 4 days. Tonight: U-M music theory major Christian Bush (6 p.m.) leads a septet in “For Roscoe,” a set celebrating the legacy of master avant-garde Detroit saxophonist and festival honoree Roscoe Mitchell, who plays the festival on Oct. 8 & 10. NYC jazz bassist Hannah Marks (7 p.m.) leads her Feed the Fire Quartet, an ensemble known for incorporating elements of punk, noise, and free jazz. The Oluyemi Thomas Trio (8 p.m.) includes Detroit-born bass clarinetist and saxophonist Thomas and pianist Kenn Thomas and bassist Jaribu Shahid. The rural Michigan Northwoods Improvisers (9 p.m.) trio plays soulful, rhythmically propulsive improvised jazz fusion. The Damon Smith/Ursel Schlicht/Roscoe Mitchell (10 p.m.) trio honors the life and legacy of the great improvising pianist Connie Crothers. 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10 p.m., Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $20 per show (students, age 18 & under, $10) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. $70 day passes (Saturday, $100) and $240–$390 full festival passes in advance only online & by phone. (734) 769–2999. 

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    “Community Table”: The Washtenaw Food Hub

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    Every Wed. Food- and agriculture-related discussions and demos. Oct. 7: “Lacto-Fermented Hot Sauce.” Fermentation enthusiast Louis Daher demonstrates how to turn hot peppers and mango into hot sauce. Oct. 14: “Heirloom Corn.” Local farmer Ben Monroe gives a farm-to-table portrait of this traditional crop. Oct. 21: “Washtenaw Tool Bank Collective.” Washtenaw County Conservation District representative Doug Reith discusses which tools are best suited for different projects, and how to use them. Oct. 28: “Fresh-Hopped Wild Rice Ale.” Rachel Kanaan and Mason Shipe of Jupiter Fen Kombucha Club show how to brew this seasonal beer. $22. 6–7 p.m., 4175 Whitmore Lake Rd. Free, except Oct. 28. Preregistration required for all events at tinyurl.com/a2-foodhub. thewashtenawfoodhub.com.  

  • Observer Editor

    “Adore Him: He Is Here”: Fathom Entertainment

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    (734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

    Oct. 4–8: “Adore Him: He Is Here” (Don Johnson, 2026). Religious docudrama about Eucharistic adoration. 4:30 p.m. (Sun. only) & 6 p.m. Cinemark only.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    An Evening with Inkscape”: Ann Arbor District Library

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    All invited to try this vector drawing software that is often used to prepare images for laser engraving and heat transfer vinyl cutting. 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun
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    Every Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.) & 1–3 p.m. (Sun.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Stephanie Schechner: Literati Bookstore

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    Translator Schechner discusses her recent translations of 2 novels by 20th-century lesbian French writer Mireille Best—Hymn to Moray Eels and Camille in October. 6:30 p.m., 124 E. Washington. Free. (734) 585–5567. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Group Runs: A2 Runners

    Group Runs: A2 Runners
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    Every Mon. & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a beginner or advanced 3- to 5-mile group run, followed by socializing at a downtown coffee shop. 6:30 p.m., meet at the Kerrytown Clock Tower. Preregistration requested at meetup.com/a2runners. Free. [email protected].   

  • Observer Editor

    30th Annual Edgefest: Kerrytown Concert House

    More

    Oct. 7–10. One of the world’s 50 top jazz/avant music festivals, according to DownBeat, this annual event includes multiple shows over 4 days. Tonight: U-M music theory major Christian Bush (6 p.m.) leads a septet in “For Roscoe,” a set celebrating the legacy of master avant-garde Detroit saxophonist and festival honoree Roscoe Mitchell, who plays the festival on Oct. 8 & 10. NYC jazz bassist Hannah Marks (7 p.m.) leads her Feed the Fire Quartet, an ensemble known for incorporating elements of punk, noise, and free jazz. The Oluyemi Thomas Trio (8 p.m.) includes Detroit-born bass clarinetist and saxophonist Thomas and pianist Kenn Thomas and bassist Jaribu Shahid. The rural Michigan Northwoods Improvisers (9 p.m.) trio plays soulful, rhythmically propulsive improvised jazz fusion. The Damon Smith/Ursel Schlicht/Roscoe Mitchell (10 p.m.) trio honors the life and legacy of the great improvising pianist Connie Crothers. 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10 p.m., Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $20 per show (students, age 18 & under, $10) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. $70 day passes (Saturday, $100) and $240–$390 full festival passes in advance only online & by phone. (734) 769–2999.