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.

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.

Jazz standards and originals by this ensemble led by Grand Rapids-based composer-pianist Sung.

Monthly performance by live electronic production musicians, using beat machines, samplers, modular systems, synths and similar instruments.

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.

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 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].

(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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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].

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.