• Observer Editor

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
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    Every Wed.–Sun. 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 & donuts available. Also, on Oct. 3 & 4, local artisans & crafters sell their items at the Craft Show Weekend, and on Oct. 24, young entrepreneurs sell homemade items at the Kids Market (noon–4 p.m.). 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.

  • Observer Editor

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
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    Every Fri.–Sun. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits. Also, a u-pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, and yard games. The corn maze is illuminated and guests get a free glow stick on Glow Maze Nights (Oct. 9, 16, & 23, 5–9 p.m.). On All You Can Carry Pumpkin Day (Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.), for $10 you can purchase all the pumpkins you can successfully stack and carry down the lane. On Pumpkin Smash Day (Oct. 30, 5–9 p.m.), each guest receives a free pumpkin to smash, which is then composted or fed to the farm’s animals. Costumes encouraged for the Halloween Spooktacular (Oct. 31, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.). 5–9 p.m (Fri.), 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.). 6175 Daly, Dexter. $16 (ages 5–12, $13; age 4 & under, free with adult admission). blastcornmaze.com.

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    Observer Editor

    Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory

    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 Oct. 4, game playtesting with Michigame Design Lab (2 p.m.), during which players are invited to try out new board & card games from local designers Bruce Bielawa & Joe Hopkins and provide feedback. Noon–6 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. sylvanfactory.com. 

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    Observer Editor

    “Reopening Celebration Weekend”: U-M Museum of Art

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    Oct. 10 & 11. After an 8-month renovation, UMMA’s Alumni Memorial Hall reopens with art-making activities (noon–5 p.m. both days), a discussion with renowned social-practice artist and MacArthur Fellow Rick Lowe (1 p.m. Sat.), whose exhibit Black Wall Street Journey: Re and De Imagining Black Progress occupies the Taubman I Gallery until January (see Galleries), as well as guided tours (on the hour, 1–5 p.m., both days) through the building. Noon–8 p.m., 525 S. State. Free. (734) 764–0395, umma.umich.edu/visit/events. 

  • Observer Editor

    “Cloverfield”: Michigan Theater

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    Film screenings every day. Tickets $11.75 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, and U.S. veterans, $9.75; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar. 

    Oct. 11: “Cloverfield” (Matt Reeves, 2008). Found footage monster movie in which 6 friends attempt to flee from a monster that attacks New York City. 4 p.m.

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    Observer Editor

    “Porter’s Place & Dunbar Tower Celebration”: Ann Arbor Housing Commission

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    Grand opening of this new community gathering space and affordable apartment building, with food trucks dispensing free food, storytelling performances, art installations about the city’s historic Black West Side, self-guided building tours, and speeches. 4:30–6:30 p.m., 121 Catherine. Free. [email protected], a2gov.org/housing-commission/porters-place. 

  • Observer Editor

    “Tales from the Cryptid: An Improvised Urban Legend”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater

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    Oct. 11 & 18. A fully unscripted one-act theatrical show about the appearance of a new cryptid that shakes up a small town. Also, on Oct. 18, a family-friendly matinee performance (3–4 p.m.). 6–7 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $18 (if available) at the door. 

  • Observer Editor

    Curtis Glatter: Maple Street Studios

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    This local composer-percussionist performs electro-acoustic soundscapes from his new album, Code: Color: Field. 6 p.m., 418 Maple, Ypsi. Donation requested. Preregistration required at maplestreetstudios.org. (734) 216–1375. 

  • Observer Editor

    Drag Becomes Her presents “Death Becomes Her”: Michigan Theater

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    Film screenings every day. Tickets $11.75 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, and U.S. veterans, $9.75; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar. 

    Oct. 11: Drag Becomes Her presents “Death Becomes Her” (Robert Zemeckis, 1992). Local drag stars Alex Suarez, Perry Dox, and Virgil Ciel perform before, after, and occasionally during a screening of this surrealist black comedy starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis, a send-up of our beauty- and youth-obsessed culture. Costumes encouraged; specialty cocktails available. 6 p.m.

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    Observer Editor

    Symphony Band Chamber Winds: U-M Music School

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    This music student wind ensemble performs a program of chamber works, including mid-century classics by Francis Poulenc and Robert Washburn, along with contemporary pieces by Rubén Gómez, Stephen Elsinger, and Kevin Day. 7 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg., McIntosh Theatre, 1100 Baits. Free. (734) 764–0583. 

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    Observer Editor

    U-M Orpheus Singers Fall Choral Concert

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    This small choir of music students, accompanied by student musicians, perform 16th-century German composer Joseph Martin Kraus’s intense and dramatic Requiem in D minor, along with excerpts from Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri. 7 p.m., U-M Walgreen Drama Center, Stamps Auditorium, 1226 Murfin. Free. (734) 764–0583. 

  • Observer Editor

    “V/H/S”: Michigan Theater

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    Film screenings every day. Tickets $11.75 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, and U.S. veterans, $9.75; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar. 

    Oct. 11: “V/H/S” (2012). This anthology of five short horror films is set in a frame narrative which acts as its own sixth short horror film. 7 p.m.

  • Observer Editor

    “The Opera Ghost”: Penny Seats Theatre Company

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    October 2–17. Brandy Joe Plambeck directs local actors in Joseph Zettelmaier’s new gothic drama. Deep beneath the famed Palais Garnier Opera House, a mysterious masked man recalls the events of his ghoulish life, which is nearing its end. Adult topics. 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 7 p.m. (Sun.). Cahoots, 206 E. Huron St. Tickets $28 (students, $20; seniors, $25), in advance at pennyseats.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 926–5346, [email protected].

  • Observer Editor

    Ballroom Dance Club at the U-M

    Ballroom Dance Club at the U-M
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    Every Sun. Ballroom dancing to recorded music, including foxtrots, waltzes, cha-chas, rumbas, tangos, swing, and more. No partner necessary. Preceded at 6 p.m. by beginning lessons and practice. 7–9 p.m., Michigan Union Ballroom. $5 ($10 includes lessons). (734) 763–6984.  

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    Observer Editor

    Symphony Band Chamber Winds: U-M Music School

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    This music student wind ensemble performs a program of chamber works, including mid-century classics by Francis Poulenc and Robert Washburn, along with contemporary pieces by Rubén Gómez, Stephen Elsinger, and Kevin Day. 7 p.m., U-M Moore Bldg., McIntosh Theatre, 1100 Baits. Free. (734) 764–0583.

  • Nightspots

    Joshua Redman Quartet.: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Jazz ensemble led by saxophonist Redman, the son of saxophonist Dewey Redman, who has established himself as one of the brightest stars of contemporary jazz with his technical virtuosity, his mastery of jazz idioms, and the emotional depth and subtlety of his playing. Tonight he showcases material from his brand-new album, Words Fall Short. $75 (dinner & show, $125).

  • Observer Editor

    “Night Terrors”: Wiard’s Orchards

    “Night Terrors”: Wiard’s Orchards
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    Every Fri.–Sun. A haunted hayride, a ghostly mental asylum, and three more scary attractions, all bristling with scores of costumed monsters. Refreshments available from the Wiard’s Country Store. Recommended for ages 12 & up. 7:15–11:30 p.m., 5565 Merritt, Ypsi. Tickets $36–$65 in advance only at hauntedhousemichigan.com. (734) 390–9212.