• 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.

  • 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

    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

    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

    Just Between Friends Sale

    Just Between Friends Sale
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    Sept. 16–19. Semi-annual consignment sale, eagerly anticipated by parents of young children, offering a chance to buy & sell used maternity items, baby & children’s clothes, toys, and baby gear. Prices drop Sat. at 2 p.m. Doors shut 30 minutes before closing. 3–9 p.m. (Wed., tickets required), noon–9 p.m. (Thurs.), 9 a.m.–7 p.m. (Fri.), and 9–11 a.m. & 2–7 p.m. (Sat.), Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Free if reserved online, $3 at the door; $5–$25 early access. For preregistration, discounts, and to sell items, go to annarbor.jbfsale.com.

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Football vs. Texas–El Paso

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    Sold out. 3:30 p.m., Michigan Stadium. (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com/sports/football.

  • Observer Editor

    Miss Washtenaw County Pageant

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    Contestants compete in talent, responses to on-stage questions, fitness, and evening wear categories. The winner goes on to the 2026 Miss Michigan Pageant. Also, the Miss Washtenaw Teen Pageant. 4 p.m., Manchester High School, 20500 Dutch, Manchester. Tickets $20 (kids age 5 & under, $10) in advance at misswashtenawcounty.com; $5 more at the door (cash or Venmo).

  • Observer Editor

    “Rasa Festival 2026”: Akshara

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    An evening of traditional Indian dance and music with performances by local dancers Sreyashi Dey, Asha Subramanian, Sandhya Sree Atmakuri, and Asa Willoughby. 4 p.m., Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $25 (students & seniors, $15) in advance at a2tix.com & at the door. (734) 223–5715, [email protected].

  • Observer Editor

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory
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    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.

  • Nightspots

    AJ Lynn.: Sam Hill

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    Sam Hill 5827 Jackson Rd.

    Detroit folk-rock singer-guitarist.

  • Nightspots

    Four Roses.: North Star Lounge

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    North Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

    Local rock cover band. 6:30–7:45 p.m. $20.

  • Observer Editor

    “Preservation Fall Fest”: HOMES Campus

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    112 Jackson Plaza, Ann Arbor

    Local craft beer, food, and live music by a lineup of indie Michigan bands, including Detroit pop-rock singer-songwriter Bandeau (7 p.m.), Detroit folk-rock duo Jackamo (8 p.m.), Grand Rapids lo-fi “space travel” jam band Normal Mode (9 p.m.), a solo acoustic performance by frontman of Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers Joe Hertler (9:45 p.m.), and Detroit psychedelic art-rock trio Sonic Smut (11 p.m.). 6:15–11:45 p.m., 112 Jackson Plz. $30 in advance only at tinyurl.com/a2-homes-pres. (734) 369–9268, [email protected].

    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-preservation-fall-fest-the-homes-campus-tickets-1992886007696

    $30 – $75
  • Observer Editor

    “Saturday Night Improv: Double Header”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater

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    Every Sat., except Sept. 26. Rotating lineup of two local improv troupes. On Sept. 5, the show is followed by Tony & Friends (8:30–9:30 p.m.), featuring Hear.Say owner Tony DeRosa and other improv comics TBA performing long-form comedy. 7–8 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $18 (if available) at the door.

  • Observer Editor

    “The Music of Studio Ghibli”: Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra

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    Guest conductor Wilburn Lee, music director of the Missouri Symphony, leads the A2SO in a performance of Joe Hisaishi’s scores to Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved Japanese anime films, including My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and others. 3 & 7:30 p.m., EMU Pease Auditorium, W. Cross at College Pl., Ypsi. $15–$85 in advance at a2so.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 994–4801.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Drummunity!”

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    Local drum teacher Lori Fithian leads a drum circle. Instruments provided, or bring your own. Kids welcome. 7 p.m., Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth, 704 Airport Blvd., ste. 1. Free, but donations welcome. (734) 4267818.