• Observer Editor

    Annual Gaming Convention: U•Con

    Annual Gaming Convention: U•Con
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    Nov. 13–15. Hundreds of competitors of all ages are expected to turn out to play a wide spectrum of tabletop games, from board games and role-playing games to collectible card games and miniaturized simulations of historical and fictional battlefields. Participants also are invited to bring in games to play in an open gaming area. Also, a dealers’ room with sales and demos. In-person registration begins today at 7:30 a.m. For a complete schedule of events, see ucon-gaming.org. 9 a.m.–1 a.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 9 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.), Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, 1275 S. Huron St., Ypsi. Weekend pass: $65 in advance, $75 (students and active & retired military, $65) at the door; kids ages 7–12 (accompanied by an adult), $20 in advance & at the door; kids 6 & under, free. Daily passes (available both in advance & at the door): Fri. $45, Sat. $55 ($45 in advance), Sun. $35. A few games cost extra. Advance registration available at ucon-gaming.org. (734) 930–6363.

  • Observer Editor

    Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory

    Magic: The Gathering: 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. Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Booster Draft.” Players take turns opening booster packs to create a 40-card deck. $25. Various times & prices, 2459 W. Stadium. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

  • Nightspots

    Rick Burgess Trio.: Earle

    Rick Burgess Trio.
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    Earle 121 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Jazz ensemble, named after the late jazz pianist and Earle cofounder Burgess, featuring drummer Robert Warren and a rotating roster of bassists and pianists.

     

  • Nightspots

    Pontiac Trail Blazers.: North Star Lounge

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

    Local bluegrass quartet known for its beautiful vocal harmonies and instrumental prowess. Tonight they are joined by guitarist Clint Weaner. 7–10 p.m. $10.

  • Observer Editor

    “Lalka (The Doll)”: 33rd Ann Arbor Polish Film Festival

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    Nov. 13–15. Three days of subtitled Polish films at the Michigan Theater. Tickets $15 (students & seniors, $10; U-M & MSU students with ID, free) except as noted. annarborpolishfilmfestival.com. [highlight in pink – notable event] 

    Nov. 13: “Lalka (The Doll)” (Maciej Kowalski, 2026). Acclaimed new adaptation of Bolesław Prus’s 1890 novel, a psychological study of romantic infatuation about a wealthy merchant who falls for a cold woman from a ruined aristocratic family. Preceded at 6 p.m. by an Opening Gala Reception ($50 includes a ticket to the film) in the Michigan Theater lobby. 7:30 p.m.

  • Observer Editor

    “Family Pains”: PTD Productions

    “Family Pains”: PTD Productions
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    Nov. 5–8 & 11–14. Marie Jones directs local actors in the premiere of Michigan playwright Erin Osgood’s new family comedy-drama about a young woman who surprises her conservative family by bringing her new Black wife to Thanksgiving dinner. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun. & Wed.), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (students & seniors, $15; Thurs., pay what you can), in advance at ptdproductions.com, by phone, & at the door. (734) 483–7345.

  • Observer Editor

    “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”: Theatre Nova

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    Every Fri.–Sun., Nov. 6–15. Diane Hill directs local actors in this ensemble musical comedy, subtitled “A Cabaret of Love, Lies, and Bad Decisions,” a celebration of the funniest, most disastrous productions in Broadway history. Music by Brian Rose. 8 p.m. (Fri.), 7 p.m. (Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sat., except Nov. 7), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $35–$100 in advance at theatrenova.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 635–8450.

  • Observer Editor

    “71st Annual Study Break Concert”: U-M Friars

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    This self-styled “crack squad of supercrooners,” an a cappella octet drawn from the U-M Men’s Glee Club, performs pop songs, oldies, and more. Tonight they are joined by the Chinese yo-yo troupe Revolution! 8 p.m., Rackham Auditorium. Tickets $15 (students, $10) in advance at the-friars.com & at the door. [email protected].

  • Observer Editor

    Riverjack Ramblers: Rancho Tranquilico

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    House concert by this Michigan folk-rock & Americana trio led by veteran mandolin virtuoso Jason Dennie. With guitarist George Merkel & bassist Tommy Reifel. BYOB. No tobacco products or pets. 8 p.m. (doors 7:30 p.m.), 11300 Island Lake Rd., Dexter. Park along the driveway. $25 payable via Venmo: @tommy-reifel. Preregistration required; space limited. (734) 223–2321, [email protected].

  • Observer Editor

    Stand-Up Comedy Night: HOMES Campus

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    Performance by Josh Adams, a nationally touring Detroit comedian known for his clever observational humor and storytelling. Opener: Ned Rice, Ann Arbor comic and Emmy-nominated joke writer for Jay Leno, Bill Maher, and Joan Rivers. Hosted by Michigan comic Alana Gonzalez, who finds the funny in parenting, relationships, and modern chivalry. Doors 7:30 p.m. 8–10 p.m., 112 Jackson Plz. Tickets $25 at homescampus.com 

  • Nightspots

    Riders in the Sky.: Ark

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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    This innovative, often comical Nashville-based quartet of ace musicians has revitalized the genre of the cowboy song. Inspired by the 1930s group the Sons of the Pioneers, the quartet includes two former Ann Arborites, Fred Labour and Doug Green. They specialize in elaborate harmonizations of cowboy folk songs, western ballads, and sentimental Hollywood versions of the real thing. Their repertoire also includes old-time fiddle pieces, some jazz numbers, virtuoso yodels, comic send-ups of western drama, and even occasional rope tricks. $35. 

  • Nightspots

    Bittersweet.: The Arboretum

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    The Arboretum 984 E. Michigan Ave., Saline

    Grand Rapids alt-rock band. Opener: HomiSui, a Detroit-area emo-punk band that incorporates elements of rap-rock and goth-pop.

  • Nightspots

    The Dirty Notion.: Ziggy’s

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

    Detroit-based reggae, ska, and rocksteady band. Openers: the 7-piece Detroit ska band The Belmarks and the Pinkney-area ska-punk band Superdot.

  • Nightspots

    Weekend Comeback.: Mash (Ypsilanti)

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    Mash (Ypsilanti) 400 W. River, Ypsilanti

    High-energy Detroit-area cover band that plays hits from the 60s to the present day.

  • Observer Editor

    “Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company

    “Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
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    Every Wed.–Sun., Sept. 24–Dec. 20, except Nov. 26. Rhiannon Ragland directs retired Detroit newscaster and playwright Devin Scillian’s family comedy-drama about a conflict between brothers—an aging country rocker and a buttoned-down finance guy—after their mother’s death. Adult language and subject matter. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.), & 3 p.m. (Sat. & Wed.). 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $31.50–$52.50 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org, (734) 433–7673, & (if available) at the door. Discounts available.

  • Observer Editor

    “Club Mug Improv Show”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater

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    New monthly comedy show hosted by local improv troupe The Mug Boys, with rotating guest performers TBA. 9–10 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $18 (if available) at the door.