• Observer Editor

    “The Transformers: The Movie”: Fathom Entertainment

    Various Times
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    (734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 3165500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

    Sept. 17–23: “The Transformers: The Movie” (Nelson Shin, 1986). Animated sci-fi action based on the popular television series about a war between 2 robotic clans. Various times; see website.

  • Observer Editor

    “Quilt Day”: Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild

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    Local textile artist Debbie Grifka discusses her art quilts. The program begins with a brief business meeting and ends with a member show-and-tell and sale of quilting supplies. 9 a.m., WCC Morris Lawrence Bldg., Towsley Auditorium, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. $10/per lecture (members, free). [email protected].

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    POSTPONED: Michigan Folk School Folk Festival: Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation

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    Postponed to a date TBA due to weather.

    Live traditional old-time music by the local Vintage Stringband, country and folk songs by Ypsilanti singer-guitarist Kandy Fredrick, and traditional Irish folk music by Lochanna Móra. Display and sale of folk art and crafts, and demos of traditional crafts like blacksmithing, stained glass, leathercraft, basket weaving, and more. Also, participatory field games and food trucks. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Staebler Farm County Park, 7734 Plymouth Rd. Free. (734) 926–0060, [email protected], mifolkschool.com.

  • Community Listing

    Jesus is Lord women’s Conference: New Arbor Bible Church

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    8318 Carpenter Rd., Ypsilanti

    Sign up by August 30th for an extra prize!!

    ✨ You’re invited—no pressure, no pretending ✨

    If you’ve ever felt confused about faith… hurt by church… or you love Jesus and just want to grow deeper—this is for you.

    What does it really mean to say “Jesus is Lord”—and how does that shape our everyday lives?

    Join us for a one-day women’s gathering in Ann Arbor 💛
    A safe, honest space to ask questions, grow in your faith, or simply come and be.

    🗓 September 19
    🕙 10AM–6PM (doors open at 9)
    📍 New Arbor

    A full day of:
    • live worship
    • real, relatable messages
    • honest conversations (no pressure to share)
    • a powerful personal story
    • space to reflect, pray, or just be

    Lunch is provided 🥗
    Come alone or with a friend—you’ll be welcomed either way.

    Whether you’re searching, healing, or growing—you belong here 🤍

    💬 Questions or want to come? Message me or sign up here: https://subspla.sh/67bjx2w

    $10
  • Observer Editor

    “Pressing for Cider”: Hudson Mills Metropark

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    All invited to learn about the history of the milling hamlet of Hudson, take a short walk, join in pressing apple cider, and taste the fresh product. Open to all ages, but geared to families with kids age 4 & up. 11 a.m.–noon, HMM Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial, Dexter. $5 (kids under 2, free). Preregistration required at tinyurl.com/hudsonm-sep2026 by 4 p.m. the day before the program. $10 vehicle entrance fee. (734) 426–8211.

  • 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 (sight, hearing, and smell) 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

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
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    Every Sat. & Sun., Sept. 12–Nov. 21; and Wed.–Fri., Sept. 16–Oct. 30. A carnival atmosphere with a variety of family-oriented fall activities on this family farm, including wagon rides, a petting farm, a corn maze, and more. For an extra charge on Sat. & Sun., an apple cannon, paintball, apple or pumpkin picking, and other activities available. Cider and donuts available. Also, on Sept. 12 & 13, the season opens with a food truck rally, and on Sept. 19 & 20, view classic cars at the Fall Car & Jeep Show. No pets. 11 a.m.–6 p.m., 5565 Merritt. (east of Carpenter), Ypsi. Weekend admission: $27.50 (babies under 2, free). Weekday admission: $18 (babies under 2, free) online only at wiards.com. (734) 482–7744.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Annual Ann Arbor Russian Festival: St. Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church

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    Sept. 19 & 20. Slavic food and drinks, including blini, borscht, and more. Live entertainment by bell ringers, St. Vladimir’s Choir, traditional dancers, and others. Also, a tearoom with Russian sweets, church tours, and a kids corner with a bounce house, petting zoo, games, and more. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. (Sat.) & 1–7 p.m. (Sun.), St. Vladimir Church, 9900 Jackson Rd., Dexter. Free admission. (734) 475–4590, annarborrussianfestival.org.

  • Observer Editor

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
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    Every Fri.–Sun., Sept. 19–Nov. 1. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits to allow for routes of various lengths. Also, a U-Pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, and yard games. On Sept. 27, Family Fun Day (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) features ice cream, balloon art, kids activities, and live music from the Saline Fiddlers. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.), & 5–9 p.m. (Fri.), 6175 Daly, Dexter. $16 (ages 5–12, $13; age 4 & under, free with adult admission). blastcornmaze.com.

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Volleyball

    U-M Volleyball
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    Match vs. South Carolina. The U-M also has regular season home matches this month against LSU (Sept. 2, 7 p.m.), EMU (Sept. 17, 7 p.m.), a doubleheader against Cornell (Sept. 19, noon; Sept. 20, 1 p.m.), Penn State (Sept. 25, 7 p.m.), & Washington (Sept. 27, noon). 6:30 p.m., Crisler Center. $8 & $10 (groups of 10 or more, $3 each). (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Rentschler Farm Open House”: Saline Area Historical Society

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    Self-guided tours of this 1901 farm, which has explanatory signage throughout its farmhouse, barns, dairy barn, icehouse, windmill, and more. Live sheep and chickens to admire. Noon–3 p.m., Rentschler Farm Museum, 1265 E. Michigan Ave., Saline. Free admission. (734) 944–0442. 

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater

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    Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. T. Rex (noon) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence); The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.) explores the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own; and Tales of the Maya Skies (2 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.

  • Observer Editor

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

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    Fri. Sept. 4 & 18 and every Sat. & Sun. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show some barnyard buddies, including a Highland cow, a chicken, a Flemish giant rabbit, and a miniature donkey at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show the cow, chicken, and rabbit at 1 & 4 p.m., and the donkey at 2 & 3 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 7–9 p.m. (Fri.) and noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 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.

  • Observer Editor

    21st Annual Oktoberfest: Saline Main Street

    21st Annual Oktoberfest: Saline Main Street
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    Sept. 18 & 19. This old-fashioned Oktoberfest kicks off with the annual “tapping of the golden keg” on Friday and features a beer garden with German brews and traditional German food, and live music TBA. Saturday’s events include wiener dog races, children’s activities and games, and live music TBA. 5–11 p.m. (Fri.) & noon–11 p.m. (Sat.), downtown Saline. $10 after 5 p.m. on Fri. and 3 p.m. on Sat. for those age 21 & over; free otherwise. Details at salinemainstreet.org/calendar.

  • Observer Editor

    “Twenty Years of the Met in Cinemas: An Anniversary Celebration.”: Fathom Entertainment

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    (734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 3165500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

    Sept. 19: “Twenty Years of the Met in Cinemas: An Anniversary Celebration.” Soprano Renée Fleming hosts this retrospective of Metropolitan Opera broadcast performances. 1 p.m. $15.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Splatoon 3: Hyper-Local Splatfest”: Ann Arbor District Library

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    All invited to play a tournament version of this popular Nintendo Switch video game. Participants may bring their own Switch handheld consoles or borrow one from the library. 1–4 p.m., AADL Downtown, 4th fl. Free. (734) 327–4200.