Events for August 5, 2026
Selwyn Birchwood
Acclaimed blues singer and guitar virtuoso from Florida known for his gravelly voice, electrifying guitar solos, and high-energy live shows. Rolling Stone calls Birchwood “a remarkable, contemporary bluesman…a powerhouse young guitarist and soulful vocalist.” $29.
Payton & Annabelle
West Michigan alt-folk duo known for their intimate harmonies and confessional lyrics. Openers: the Kalamazoo indie rock band Two Dollar Bills and the U-M student jam band On Tap. $14.
Lisa Sung Quartet
Jazz standards and originals by this ensemble led by Grand Rapids-based composer-pianist Sung.
“Gear Lords: A Night in Electronic Music.”
Monthly performance by live electronic production musicians, using beat machines, samplers, modular systems, synths and similar instruments.
Poetry Open Mic
All invited to bring a poem or monologue that they’ve written. Hosted by cat h. bradley & Forrest Hejkal. Sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m. 7–10 p.m. Free.
“Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History
Every 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.
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
Every Sat., Fri., & Wed. All invited to play one of 200 songs, with melodies transcribed in numbers, on the 17-bell chime’s numbered keys. Ambitious players can add chords. Kids welcome. 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.) & noon–12:30 p.m. (Wed. & Fri.). Free. [email protected].
“Aida”: Fathom Entertainment
(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events & at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline).
Aug. 5: “Aida.” Rebroadcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2025 production of Verdi’s celebrated opera, a drama set in ancient Egypt about an enslaved Ethiopian princess caught in a love triangle with a heroic young Egyptian warrior desired by the pharaoh’s daughter. Acclaimed soprano Angel Blue, in her long-awaited Met debut, sings the title role. Italian, English subtitles. 1 & 6:15 p.m. Cinemark only.
“Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
Every 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.
“Map Envelopes”: Ann Arbor District Library
Adults and kids age 8 & up invited to trace maps with templates, then fold and glue the edges to make ready-to-send postal envelopes. 3–4 p.m., AADL Traverwood. Free. (734) 327–4200.
“Parker Mill Tour”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission
Aug. 5 & 18. All invited to tour the historical cabin and learn about the Parker family’s daily life in the 19th century. Activities for all ages. 4–7 p.m., Parker Mill County Park, 4650 Geddes. Free. tinyurl.com/wcparc-summer2026.
Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory
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.
Wed. (6 p.m.): “Pauper.” A fun and fast format for all skill levels, three rounds. $5.
Wed. (6:30 p.m.): “Standard.” Three rounds, with competitive tournament rules, prizes of store credit. $10.
Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Friday Night Draft.” Cost and format vary.
Various times, 2459 W. Stadium. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.
“West Side Nite Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
Every Wed. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 10 to 30 miles, along the B2B Trail to Hudson Mills Metropark and/or Dexter-Huron Metropark with a possible visit to the Dexter Dairy Queen. This ride is a favorite with newcomers and casual riders. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 5 p.m. sharp, meet at Forest Lawn Cemetery parking lot, corner of Broad & Grand, Dexter. Free. (734) 426–5116.
Game Night: Sylvan Factory
Every Tues. All invited to play one of a selection of board games, assemble a puzzle, paint miniatures, or try a tabletop role-playing game, all in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Also, at 6 p.m., RPG One Shots, introductory games of different tabletop role-playing games perfect for beginners, finished after one session (see website for this week’s game, preregistration strongly encouraged at sylvanfactory.square.site). 5 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.
Ypsi Fine Arts Club: Riverside Arts Center
Aug. 5 & 19. All invited to this creative gathering where artists show 1 or 2 pieces of their work, some of which may be for sale. Participation not required. 5–6:30 p.m., 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Free. (734) 480–2787, riversidearts.org/events.
Board Game Night: Bløm Mead + Cider
Every Wed. All invited to play popular board games. Use provided games or bring your own. 5–10 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729, drinkblom.com/events.
“The Side Questers”: Schuler Books
Local sci-fi & fantasy writer J. J. Kochmanski discusses his new novel, an unconventional hero’s journey told through the perspective of a non-player character in an online fantasy role-playing game. Signing. 5:30 p.m., Westgate Shopping Center. Free; preregistration requested at schulerbooks.com/events-ann-arbor. (734) 662–0600.
“Community Table”: The Washtenaw Food Hub
Every Wed. Food- and agriculture-related discussions and demos.
Aug. 5: “Botanical Bath Bombs.” $5.
Aug. 12: “Stitch & Sip.” Bring a textile project to work on. Free.
Aug. 19: “Sourdough Basics.” Free.
Aug. 26: “Brew’d: Apple & Pear Bug.” Make a wild-fermented brew starter, with samples & recipes. $7.
6–7 p.m., 4175 Whitmore Lake Rd. Cost varies. Preregistration required for all events at tinyurl.com/a2-foodhub. thewashtenawfoodhub.com.
“Folk Song Jam Along”: Ann Arbor District Library
Lori Fithian and Jean Chorazyczewski lead this family-friendly sing-along of familiar folk and pop songs. Lyrics and chords projected. Musicians invited to bring their own acoustic instruments. 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. [email protected].
Drop-in Knitting: Spun
Every 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.
“Paddle the Huron River”: Delhi Metropark
All age 18 & up invited to paddle the Huron by kayak to enjoy the scenery and discuss the wildlife with a park naturalist. Skip’s Huron River Canoe Livery provides the gear. Park at the main parking lot at Delhi Metropark and take the walking path to Skip’s to catch the shuttle to Dexter-Huron Metropark to paddle back to Delhi. Participants must be able to carry 20 lbs. and use both arms through a full range of motion. 6–8 p.m., 3902 E. Delhi. $30 per person. Preregistration required at huron-paddle-8-5-26 by 4 p.m., Aug. 4. (734) 426–8211.
“A2 Crokinole Club”: Lowertown Bar & Cafe
Every Wed. All invited to play this century-old Canadian disc game played on a circular hardwood board. Players flick discs across concentric scoring rings. All skill levels welcome; boards provided. On the patio, weather permitting. 6–8 p.m., 1031 Broadway. Free. lowertowna2.com/events.
“Aida”: Fathom Entertainment
(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events & at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline).
Aug. 5: “Aida.” Rebroadcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2025 production of Verdi’s celebrated opera, a drama set in ancient Egypt about an enslaved Ethiopian princess caught in a love triangle with a heroic young Egyptian warrior desired by the pharaoh’s daughter. Acclaimed soprano Angel Blue, in her long-awaited Met debut, sings the title role. Italian, English subtitles. 1 & 6:15 p.m. Cinemark only.
Group Runs: A2 Runners
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].
Scio Bus Alliance Meeting
Scio Bus Alliance Meeting August 5, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Scio Farms Clubhouse
6655 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor MI 48103
Enjoy free food, drinks, and dessert while talking transit in Scio Township.
Whats Working – Whats Not – And How We Can Make It Better Together
Help strengthen Scio’s transit system as a simple, affordable, and reliable option for everyone.
Need a ride? Hop on the WAVE Community Connector to get to the meeting, and book a Door to Door ride home.
Call 734-475-9494 or email [email protected] or download the Ride Pingo app on the Google Store or Apple Store
To fill out a form to receive updates and invites from the Scio Bus Alliance click the following link http://bit.ly/4fY8qVM
“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”: Fathom Entertainment
(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events & at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline).
Aug. 2 & 5: “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (Mel Stuart, 1971). Delightfully unsettling musical fantasy about a little boy who visits a magical candy factory run by the thrilling, dangerous Willy Wonka, played by Gene Wilder. Sun. 4 p.m. (Cinemark) & 1 p.m. (Emagine). Wed. 6:30 p.m. (Cinemark) & 7 p.m. (Emagine).
Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet
Every Sun., Tues., & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different locations. Rain or shine. Dozer Coffee (8 a.m. Sun. & 7 a.m. Tues.), 112 Jackson Plz., (734) 929–9022 & Fleet Feet (7 p.m. Wed.), 123 E. Liberty, (734) 769–5016. Free. fleetfeetsemichigan.com.
“Quakers: Who Are We?”: Ann Arbor Friends Meeting
Aug. 5 & 19. A small group of local Quakers discusses their beliefs and answers questions about Quakerism, conscientious objection to war, and other topics. 7–8 p.m., Friends Meeting House, corner rm., 1420 Hill. Free. annarborfriends.org.
“Ponyo”: Michigan Theater
Film 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. 5 & 8: “Ponyo” (Hayao Miyazaki, 2009). Studio Ghibli anime fantasy centered on the friendship between a 5-year-old boy and a magical goldfish who yearns to become human. Japanese, subtitles, 7 p.m. (Wed.) & dubbed, 11 a.m. (Sat.).
Ann Arbor Bridge Club
Every Wed., except Aug. 26. All invited to play friendly, competitive ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Arrive 20 minutes early if coming without a partner. Call before coming to check that the game is being held. 7–10:30 p.m., Walden Hills clubhouse, 2114 Pauline (park in marked spaces in the lot on the north side of Pauline). $6 per person. (734) 945–6021.
Live Production Electronic Music
Hardware Electronic Music Showcase of: Kalron, Electric Otto Funk Factory, Daker, Sue and OMO.
“Wednesday Night Swing”: Swing Ann Arbor
Every Wed. Lindy Hop, East Coast swing, Charleston, and Balboa dancing to recorded music. No partner needed. Wear comfortable low-grip shoes. Preceded at 6:30 p.m. by a free beginner lesson. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Michigan League Vandenberg Rm. (Aug. 5 & 12), Michigan Union Anderson ABCD Rm. (Aug. 19), and outside location TBA at swingannarbor.com (Aug. 26). $5 (free for members and lesson attendees) at the door.
Visitors Night: Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club
The chance to see trains whizzing around on a big, elaborate layout, housed in a depot restored by the club. 7:30–10 p.m., Dexter Depot, 3487 Broad, Dexter. Free. [email protected].