• Observer Editor

    81st Manchester Community Fair

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    Aug. 18–22. Midway rides (Wed.Sat.), carnival games, concessions, livestock shows, live music, beer tent, and more. Special events include an opening parade (Aug. 18, 6:30 p.m.), classic & antique tractor pulls (Aug. 19, noon & 4 p.m.), pro wrestling by Insane Wrestling Revolution (Aug. 19, 7 p.m.), a Bump and Run Demolition Derby (Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m.), a cornhole competition (Aug. 21, 6 p.m.), and bull riding & rodeo (Aug. 22, 7 p.m.). For complete schedule, see manchesterfair.org. 5–10 p.m. (Tues.), 10 a.m.–10 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), & 3–10 p.m. (Fri.), Alumni Memorial Field, Vernon & Wolverine, Manchester. Admission: Tues., $5; Wed., Thurs., & Sat., $10 (Sat. before noon, $5); Fri., free. Kids age 5 & under, free. (734) 2601019, [email protected].

  • Observer Editor

    Board Game Night: Bløm Mead + Cider

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    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.

  • Observer Editor

    Ann Arbor Bridge Club

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    Every Wed., except Aug. 26. All invited to play friendly, competitive ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Arrive 20 minutes early if coming without a partner. Call before coming to check that the game is being held. 7–10:30 p.m., Walden Hills clubhouse, 2114 Pauline (park in marked spaces in the lot on the north side of Pauline). $6 per person. (734) 945–6021.

  • Nightspots

    Third Coast Swing: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Veteran Ludington trio that specializes in swing-era Gypsy jazz.

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    David Goyette: Ziggy’s

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    Ziggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    Detroit-area folk-rock singer-guitarist.

  • Nightspots

    Chastity Brown: Ark

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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Acclaimed Minneapolis-based Americana singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who cites James Baldwin and Carson McCullers as prime influences. The Billings Gazette calls her “a banjo-playing soul singer, a harmonica-blowing gospel belter, piano-pounding blues woman.” $29.

  • Observer Editor

    81st Manchester Community Fair

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    Aug. 18–22. Midway rides (Wed.Sat.), carnival games, concessions, livestock shows, live music, beer tent, and more. Special events include an opening parade (Aug. 18, 6:30 p.m.), classic & antique tractor pulls (Aug. 19, noon & 4 p.m.), pro wrestling by Insane Wrestling Revolution (Aug. 19, 7 p.m.), a Bump and Run Demolition Derby (Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m.), a cornhole competition (Aug. 21, 6 p.m.), and bull riding & rodeo (Aug. 22, 7 p.m.). For complete schedule, see manchesterfair.org. 5–10 p.m. (Tues.), 10 a.m.–10 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), & 3–10 p.m. (Fri.), Alumni Memorial Field, Vernon & Wolverine, Manchester. Admission: Tues., $5; Wed., Thurs., & Sat., $10 (Sat. before noon, $5); Fri., free. Kids age 5 & under, free. (734) 2601019, [email protected].

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    Observer Editor

    Sonic Lunch: Bank of Ann Arbor

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    See 6 Thursday. Today: Ax and the Hatchetmen, playful, energetic Chicago-based alternative rock sextet fronted by singer-guitarist Axel Ellis. Their debut album, So Much to Tell You, was released late last year. Opener: Ohly, indie folk project headed by Detroit-based singer-songwriter Christian Ohly, performs dreamy originals rooted in his personal experiences of Midwest nostalgia, heartbreak, and growth. 11:30 a.m.

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    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

    Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center

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    Every Mon. & Thurs. Play open to all skill levels age 18 & up, both non-sanctioned (Mon.) and ACBL-sanctioned (Thurs.). Noon–3:30 p.m. (Thurs., $9) & 12:30–3:30 p.m. (Mon., $5); $1–$2 less for AASC members. 1320 Baldwin. (734) 794–6250, a2gov.org/senior, annarborbridge.com.

  • Observer Editor

    Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club

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    Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) and a 499er game (Thurs.) for players with no more than 499 ACBL master points. 1–4 p.m. (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $9 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email [email protected].

  • Observer Editor

    “Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company

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    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.

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    Observer Editor

    A2 Summer Streets Music Series: Main Street Area Association

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    Every Thurs.–Sun., June 4–Sept. 28. Local musicians TBA perform at several locations along Main downtown. Rain cancels. 4 p.m. Thurs.–Sun., S. Main between E. Washington & W. William. For the complete lineup, go to mainstreetannarbor.org/a2-summer-streets. Free.

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    Observer Editor

    “A2Zero Sashiko Skills & Clothing Swap”: City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations

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    All invited to learn how to repair clothing using beautiful visible mending with traditional Japanese sashiko stitching. Also, bring in up to five washed and in-good-condition clothing items and accessories and find new-to-you treasures to take home. You can take clothing without bringing anything, or bring clothing without taking anything. 4–7 p.m., Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St. Free. luma.com/a2zeroclothingswaps.  

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    Observer Editor

    “Patio Playlist with P.O.R.K.”: Zingerman’s Delicatessen

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    Outdoor performance by Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings, a local 10-piece big band led by tubaist Chris Smith that specializes in the old-time big band music of the late 1920s and early 1930s associated with Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver. 4:30–6:30 p.m., Zingerman’s patio, 422 Detroit St. Free. (734) 663–3400.

  • Nightspots

    Alex Wand & Nelle Anderson: North Star Lounge

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

    An improvisational blend of opera and performance art by this duo of soprano-composer Anderson and Wand, a local guitarist who plays joyous and unpredictable instrumental originals featuring unconventional tunings. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.