Oct. 12–13. The public is welcome to attend all or part of this 2-day conference that includes speeches and panel discussions with policymakers, scholars, diplomats, and practitioners to explore international law, power, security, climate, and Africa’s economic future. 10:15 a.m.–4:15 p.m., Weiser Hall, rm. 1010, 500 Church St. Free. Preregistration required at fordschool.umich.edu/events. [email protected]. 

Every Tues. (except Oct. 20). Talks by U-M and visiting scholars.

Oct. 6: University of Albany geography professor Tom Narins on “Bad Romance in Southeast Asia: China-Linked Cyber-Scamming, Variegated Govotolerance, and the Geopolitics of Criminality along China’s Belt and Road.”

Oct. 13: City University of New York anthropology professor Anru Lee on “Haunted Modernities: Gender, Memory, and Place-Making in Postindustrial Taiwan.”

Oct. 27: Northeastern University sociology professor Chuncheng Liu on “Metricracy: The Data and Symbolic Politics of a Chinese Social Credit System.”

Noon–1 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. (734) 764–6308, [email protected].

Every Tues. All invited to play the classic word game, using the 5th-edition Scrabble dictionary. Bring your own set, if you like. 3:30–8 p.m., Arbor Brewing Company Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsi. Free. [email protected], meetup.com/ann-arbor-scrabble-meetup.

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.

Every Tues. All invited to play board games, assemble a puzzle, paint miniatures, or try a tabletop role-playing game, all in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. 5 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com. 

Oct. 13 & 26. All invited to get basic sewing help with unfinished projects or learn how to use the AADL sewing machines. Bring your own sewing machine, if you wish. No experience necessary. Also, sewing instructor Rae Hoekstra discusses zigzag finishes (Oct. 13) and local crafter Amber Adams-Fall demonstrates hand-stitched invisible hems (Oct. 26). 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.  

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. 

Oct. 13 & 27. Performances by U-M dance and chamber music students. 6:30–7:20 p.m., U-M Dance Bldg. Percy Granoff Studio, 1000 Baits. Free. smtd.umich.edu/events.