Events
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Nightspots
Laith Al-Saadi.: Rumpus Room
MoreRumpus Room 506 N. Main, Chelsea, ChelseaThis veteran local singer-guitarist, a former finalist on The Voice, plays an eclectic mix of roots Americana, classic rock, and blues, including many originals. Guitar World calls him “a cross between Danny Gatton and Buddy Guy at their best.” $20.
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FreeObserver Editor
Matthew Bengtson and Joseph Gascho: U-M Music School Faculty Recital
MoreThese U-M early music professors perform a program of keyboard works by Scarlatti, Marcello, Vivaldi, and others on a recently acquired copy of a 1722 fortepiano by Bartolomeo Cristofori, widely regarded as the inventor of the piano. Also tomorrow at 2 p.m., renowned keyboard builders Thomas and Barbara Wolf present a guest lecture on how they built the instrument, followed at 4 p.m. by a student keyboard recital. 8 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg., McIntosh Theatre, 1100 Baits. Free. (734) 764–0583.
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Observer Editor
Brad Phillips: Rancho Tranquilico
MoreRescheduled from Oct. 10. House concert by this nationally renowned Saline-bred multi-instrumental string virtuoso and multi-genre singer-songwriter whose one-man show includes traditional music, popular covers, and originals, all performed on guitar, fiddle, or mandolin. BYOB. No tobacco products or pets. 8 p.m. (doors, 7:30 p.m.), 11300 Island Lake Rd., Dexter. Park along the driveway. $25 payable via Venmo: @bradphillipsmusicllc. Preregistration required; space limited. (734) 223–2321, [email protected].
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Observer Editor
“The Skin of Our Teeth”: U-M Rude Mechanicals
MoreNov. 6–8. This U-M student theater troupe performs Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize–winning 1942 satirical allegory, which he called “a history of mankind in comic strip.” The Antrobus family barely survives the Ice Age only to be plunged into Noah’s Flood and washed up onto a postapocalyptic wasteland. The tragedies are put on hold when the actors break character and poke fun at the notion of a play, and the family’s ditzy maid adds a flirty comic touch, but the sinister, slow evolution of the family’s bratty boy into a mindless, militaristic possible murderer adds considerable darkness to this work that Wilder said “mostly comes alive under conditions of crisis.” 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 North University. Tickets $15 (students & seniors, $10) in advance at muto.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 763–1107, [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
Telescope Observing: U-M Detroit Observatory
MoreNov. 6, 13, 14, & 20. 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. 8–10 p.m., 1398 E. Ann at Observatory. Free, no registration required. (734) 763–2230, detroitobservatory.umich.edu.
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Observer Editor
“What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”: Theatre Nova
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun., Nov. 6–15. Diane Hill directs local actors in this ensemble musical comedy, subtitled “A Cabaret of Love, Lies, and Bad Decisions,” a celebration of the funniest, most disastrous productions in Broadway history. Music by Brian Rose. 8 p.m. (Fri.), 7 p.m. (Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sat., except Nov. 7), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $35–$100 in advance at theatrenova.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 635–8450.
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FreeObserver Editor
Angell Hall Observatory Open House: U-M Student Astronomical Society
MoreNov. 6 & 20. All invited to peer through the observatory and rooftop telescopes (weather permitting) and view planetarium shows. Also, short astronomy presentations by club members. 8–10 p.m., Angell Hall Planetarium, rm. 3118. Free. (734) 764–3440.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Witch”: U-M Residential College Players
MoreNov. 6 & 7. RC students perform Jen Silverman’s 2018 dark comedy, a feminist retelling of the 1621 Jacobean tragicomedy The Witch of Edmonton, about the real-life trial and execution of Elizabeth Sawyer, an impoverished English woman who is not actually a practitioner of witchcraft, but rather a brilliant, defiant cynic who refuses to sell her soul cheaply. 8 p.m., East Quad Keene Theater, 701 East University. Free; donations accepted. (734) 647–4354.
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Observer Editor
U-M Men’s Glee Club Fall Concert
MoreMatthew Abernathy leads this student a cappella ensemble in a program of songs TBA. 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Tickets $8–$25 in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 615–3204.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Femme Feedback” Comedy Night: Bløm Mead + Cider
MoreA variety of women and trans comics try out new material with a veteran comic presiding to offer feedback. 8–10 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729, drinkblom.com/events.
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Nightspots
The Minor Pieces.: Ark
MoreArk 316 S. Main, Ann ArborNewly formed local folk-rock & Americana quartet that plays everything from soulful country-flavored ballads to raucous blues-rock anthems. Opener: the country-folk duo of Hunter Neff & Mike Harrington.
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Nightspots
“Rhizome Roots Speakeasy.”: Water Tower Distilling Co.
MoreWater Tower Distilling Co. 23 N. Washington,, YpsilantiMusic and poetry open mic; all performers invited. 8–10 p.m.
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Nightspots
Steve Somers & Friends: Ypsi Alehouse
MoreYpsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, YpsilantiJazz & blues standards by an ensemble led by WCC jazz guitar instructor Somers.
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Observer Editor
“La Rondine (The Swallow)”: U-M Voice & Opera Department
MoreNovember 5–8. U-M opera students, accompanied by the University Symphony Orchestra, perform Puccini’s bittersweet love story about a French courtesan and an idealistic young man who offers an alternative to her life of excess. Sung in Italian, English supertitles. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), and 2 p.m. (Sun.), Power Center. Tickets $29–$35 (students, $16) in advance at smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 615–3204. tickets.smtd.umich.edu/6978/6979
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Nightspots
Seizure Pleaser.: The Arboretum
MoreThe Arboretum 984 E. Michigan Ave., SalineDetroit-area electronic music project. Openers: fellow area electronic music acts Cap Spit, Omo, and Brainfone.
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Nightspots
The Atomic Café.: Zal Gaz Grotto
MoreZal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann ArborPopular local 80s cover band.
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Nightspots
The Dead Bloom.: Ziggy’s
MoreZiggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, YpsilantiDetroit-area rock ‘n’ roll band that plays what it calls “working class songs for working class people.” Openers: the Detroit hardcore punk trio Bastard Brute, the Detroit “neo-riot grrrl garage” trio 3 the Hardway, and the Detroit alt-rock trio P.H.S.
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Nightspots
The Machine.: Mash (Ypsilanti)
MoreMash (Ypsilanti) 400 W. River, YpsilantiPop, rock, and punk dance tunes by this local quartet featuring 2 former Bluescasters, guitarist Phil Ryski and bassist Doug Wolgat, along with drummer Rocky Di Iacovo and singer Aubrey Selaty.
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Nightspots
The Loose Chords.: Moonwinks Tavern
MoreMoonwinks Tavern 5151 Plymouth Rd. (734) 994-5151.Local folk-rock & Americana duo. Opener: Bob Hoot, a veteran singer-songwriter who, in 2024, moved to Michigan from Madison where he led several groups, including the acclaimed Americana rock ‘n roll band Tent Show Troubadours.
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Observer Editor
“Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
MoreEvery Wed.–Sun., Sept. 24–Dec. 20, except Nov. 26. 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.
