Milwaukee-based historian Vince Tripi presents a detailed analysis of the music video for Lady Gaga’s hit “Born This Way,” exploring themes of identity, queerness, and literature. 6:30–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, 4th fl. Free. (734) 327–4200.

(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. 6: “Big, Loud & Live 2026.” Live broadcast of the Drum Corps International world championship preliminaries in Indianapolis. 6:30 p.m. $20.

Aug. 6–9. Connor Thomas Rhoades directs local actors in William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s Tony-winning 2004 one-act musical comedy about 6 anxiously overachieving adolescents competing in a spelling bee run by 3 adults who have barely managed to escape childhood themselves. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 1 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 North University. $23 (students & seniors, $21) at horizonpa.yapsody.com & at the door.

All invited to a discussion of Ross Montgomery’s 2025 locked-room mystery set at a remote English manor house. 7–8 p.m., Booksweet, Courtyard Shops, 1729 Plymouth Rd. Free. Preregistration requested at shopbooksweet.com.

Aug. 6–9. Darla Hand directs local actors in an outdoor production of Oscar Wilde’s sharp 1892 comedy about the very proper Lady Windermere, who comes to believe her husband is having an affair, leading to gossip, misunderstandings, and drama. The production features live musical accompaniment, and is set in a garden-party atmosphere against the backdrop of the historic Dixboro schoolhouse. 7 p.m. (Thurs.), 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 3 p.m. (Sun.), Dixboro Village Green, 5221 Church Rd. Tickets $15 at loonlighttheatre.com & (if available) at the gate. [email protected].

Every Thurs. Bløm staffers lead 2 rounds of trivia. Teams or single players welcome. Prizes. 7 & 8 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729, drinkblom.com/events.

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. 6: “Spaceballs” (Mel Brooks, 1987). Beloved, eminently quotable Star Wars parody featuring characters such as Dark Helmet, Pizza the Hut, and Princess Vespa. Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis, John Candy, Daphne Zuniga. 7 p.m.

Every Thurs., June 25–Aug. 29. Downtown concerts by area bands. Kids activities. Outdoor seating and dining, as well as dancing. Tonight: Ransom Jones, a veteran local jazz-funk-rock quintet led by singer-guitarist Jim Dana. 7–9 p.m., W. Henry parking lot (across the street from Carrigan Cafe), Saline. Free. More information at salinemainstreet.org/events. (734) 717–7406.

Every Thurs. Performances by up to 12 aspiring and established area stand-up comics. 7:15 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $5 in advance at aacomedy.com & $6 at the door. (734) 996–9080.

WCPARC naturalist Shawn Severance leads a meditative hike through the tranquil settings of West Lake Preserve as the sun sets. 7:30–8:30 p.m., West Lake Preserve, 21520 Waterloo, Chelsea. Free. [email protected], washtenaw.org/registerparks.

Aug. 6 & 13. Two structured improv events, both followed by a pay-what-you-want improv jam with a series of games and long-form scenes. Spectators welcome. Aug. 6: Draft Line. Improv students are selected to perform a set with one of the house teams. Aug. 13: Duoplicity. Experienced improvisers are invited to be randomly paired up to perform a 6-minute scene. 7:30–8:30 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $7.50 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & (if available) at the door.

Every Fri. Moderate-paced ride, 20 miles or more, to Dexter and beyond. Pack a lunch or stop in Dexter. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 9 a.m. sharp, meet at Delhi Metro Park parking lot (left of the tollbooth), E. Delhi off Huron River Dr. Free. [email protected].   

Every Fri. Slow/moderate-paced 18-mile gravel road ride with a rest stop at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 9 a.m. sharp, meet at Olson Park, 1515 Dhu Varren. Free. (412) 302–9960.   

Aug. 7 & 8. Yard sale that’s part of a string of sales along the road between Detroit and New Buffalo. Rentschler Farm gift shop also open. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Rentschler Farm Museum, 1265 E. Michigan Ave., Saline. Free admission. (734) 944–0442. 

Aug. 7 & 8. Formerly “Dexter Daze,” these festivities in downtown Dexter include a parade, fireworks, food and craft vendors, kids activities, games, and music at three locations. Today’s live music at the Monument Park gazebo includes a mix of rock and alt-country covers and originals by Outbound Packard (3–5 p.m.) and Detroit blues band Randy Brock (7–10 p.m.). Also throughout both days at Monument Park: cornhole (with a tournament), mini golf, a social tent, and a dunk tank. On a second stage on Broad at Grand, live music includes blues and rockabilly from the Gravel Shakers (1–3 p.m.) and honky tonk and country originals from the Step Aside Band (5–7 p.m.). The Broad location also features a kids bike decorating station, a jump around party, karate and drama demos, and other kids entertainment on both days. In Mill Park on both days, hands-on kid-friendly activities include bounce houses, balloon animals, and more. Today’s festivities end with fireworks at dusk. 10 a.m.–8:30 p.m. (Fri.) & 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (Sat.), downtown Dexter. Free admission. dextersummerfestival.com.

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.

Every Friday. Local food truck rally. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (or until sold out), County Farm Park, 2230 Platt.

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].

Every Friday. All invited to bring one copy of a favorite recipe and take home one that someone else has brought. Noon-3 p.m., 407 N. Fifth. spicemerchants.biz.

Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) and a 499er game (Thurs.) for players with no more than 499 ACBL master points. 1–4 p.m. (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $9 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email [email protected].