• Nightspots

    Double Wide Ride: The Ranch

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    The Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Popular Lansing-area modern outlaw country band that plays 90s-inspired line dancing originals along with classic country covers.

  • Nightspots

    Kevin Jones & 10th World: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Jazz ensemble led by Jones, a veteran New Jersey-bred percussionist whose playing is distinguished by its strong Afro-Cuban pulse.

  • Nightspots

    George Bedard: Ark

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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Local guitar great Bedard leads a band of veteran local musicians in his popular annual series exploring the history of American roots music. Tonight’s first set pays tribute to the legendary rock ‘n’ roll guitar pioneer Carl Perkins, featuring songs like “Honey Don’t,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” and “Dixie Fried.” The second set explores music from the year 1963, from rock’n’roll and surf music to country and R&B, with songs by a variety of artists, including George Jones, The Surfaris, Otis Redding, Little Johnny Taylor, and Bob Dylan. $35.

  • Nightspots

    Bloody Run: Blind Pig

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    Blind Pig 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor

    Detroit-area heavy shoegaze band. Openers: the local punk & grunge quartet The Blank, the Detroit shoegaze duo Nurse, and the Detroit-area post-hardcore alt-punk band Reader. $14.

  • Nightspots

    Kelly “Bird” McDermott: Habitat Lounge

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    Habitat Lounge 3050 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor

    Ensemble led by this local jazz flutist-vocalist. With pianist Phil Lesky and drummer Marc Smith.

  • Observer Editor

    “Swim to the Moon”: Epic Races

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    5K, 10K, 1.2-mile, and half-mile open water races. Awards, medals for finishers, T-shirts, & more. Proceeds benefit North Star Reach, a camp for kids with life-threatening medical conditions. Races begin from 6:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. (registration opens at 5:45 a.m.) Halfmoon Lake beach, 8725 Hankerd, Gregory. $180–$225 in advance at swimtothemoon.net; prices increase on race weekend. Michigan Recreation Passport (daily, $12 at the gate) required for each vehicle. (734) 585–7101.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet

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    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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Dressage Shows: Waterloo Hunt Club

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    July 31Aug. 2 & Aug. 1316. Equine competition combining artistry and technical abilities highlighted by graceful freestyle routines set to music. No pets. Concessions. 8 a.m.5 p.m., 11500 Glenn at Katz (west off Mount Hope Rd. from I-94 exit 150), Grass Lake. Free. [email protected].

  • Community Listing
    Free

    World Clap Day with Ypsi First!: First United Methodist of Ypsilanti

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    209 Washtenaw Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48197

    Hello, Ypsi neighbors! Ypsi First is inviting our community to participate in World Clap Day on Sunday, August 16. We’ll gather at 9:45 a.m. in our parking lot and join people around the world for one synchronized clap at exactly 10:00 a.m. This is a free event for all ages—bring your family, friends, and neighbors and help us put Ypsi on the worldwide map! It’s Free come Clap with Us!

    fumcypsi.org

    Free
  • Observer Editor

    Elemental Ecstatic Dance

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    Every Sun. Dancers of all ages and abilities invited for free-form dancing to a variety of recorded music, from EDM to classical and ambient to world music. Wear loose clothes, barefoot or stocking feet. 10:45 a.m.–1 p.m. A2 Yoga, 2030 Commerce. $20 (age 11 & under, free) cash or Venmo (@andjru) at the door only. tinyurl.com/ecstatic-dance-a2.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History

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    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.

  • Observer Editor

    35th Birthday Celebration: Sunday Artisan Market

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    50+ local artisans, live music, food trucks, and more to celebrate 35 years of the Sunday Artisan Market, a juried market where artists and craftspeople show their work every Sunday, from April through the Sunday before Christmas. Work includes paintings, prints, ceramics, jewelry, woodcraft, drawings, candles, fabric & textile products, soap & personal care goods, repurposed items, and more. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Kerrytown Farmers Market pavilion. Free admission. (734) 913-9622 (voicemail only), [email protected], sundayartisanmarket.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    H.A.C. Ultimate

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    Every Sun. All invited to a relaxed pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. 11:15 a.m., Fuller Park, just west of the pool & parking lot (or occasionally across the street). Free. (734) 846–9418, [email protected].

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Stage Combat Demonstration: Ann Arbor District Library

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    Members of the Michigan stage combat troupe Theatrica Gladiatoria demonstrate choreographed sword fighting, martial arts, and other stunts. Noon–1 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200.

  • Observer Editor

    Charity Soccer Match: Elliott Deedler ECMO Scholar Fund

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    All invited to cheer on Pioneer High students as they play a friendly exhibition match to benefit patients at U-M’s pediatric critical care program. ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) is an advanced life-support machine that saved now 15-year-old Pioneer High soccer player Deedler’s life. Noon, Pioneer High School Hollway Field, 601 W. Stadium at Main. $5 cash at the gate.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “The Iron Crafter”: Ann Arbor District Library

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    All-ages team-based crafting competition. Each team will have one hour to design and build a craft project using common tools and secret craft supplies that are revealed at the time of the event. Prizes for top finishers. Noon–3 p.m., AADL Downtown, lower level program rm. Free. (734) 327–4200.  

  • Observer Editor

    “Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy

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    Every Sat. & Sun. and Fri. Aug. 7 & 21. On Sat. and Sun., conservancy staffers present and give insights into some animals with superpowers, including an African crested porcupine, a three-banded armadillo, and a frilled dragon at 1 & 4 p.m., and an animal keeper shows a Gila monster at 2 & 3 p.m. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show all four animals at 7:30 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. Noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) & 7–9 p.m. (Fri.), 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 (kids ages 2–12, $13; under age 2, free) cash or credit at the door only. (734) 929–9324, thecreatureconservancy.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory

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    Every Sun. All invited to play one of a wide variety of board games in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Instruction provided. Also, on Aug. 2, game playtesting with Michigame Design Lab (2 p.m.), during which players are invited to try out new board and card games from local designers Bruce Bielawa & Joe Hopkins and provide feedback. Noon–6 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. sylvanfactory.com.