• Observer Editor

    a2Tech360: Ann Arbor Spark

    More

    Sept. 22–Oct. 2. Almost 2-week-long tech festival, with pitch competitions, a hackathon (two days of intensive coding), talks, panel discussions, a career fair, start-up demos, workshops, networking events, and more. Various times & locations. A mix of free and ticketed events. See full schedule at a2tech360.com.

  • Observer Editor

    Filament: Academy of Early Music

    More

    This Philadelphia trio has championed 17th- and 18th-century chamber music since 2019 with a “fervor and delight that make early music seem current,” according to the Broad Street Review. Tonight, they present “The Muse’s Prism,” a mix of “greatest hits” from their first 7 years together—including consort music of William Lawes, sonatas by Buxtehude, Bertali, and Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre, unpublished sonatas taken directly from manuscripts, and the trio’s own arrangement of Bach’s beloved Schübler Chorales. With violinist Evan Few, viola da gambist Elena Kauffman, and keyboardist John Walthausen. Preceded at 6:45 p.m. by a talk. 7:30 p.m., St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 306 N. Division. $35 (seniors, $30; students, $10) in advance at academyofearlymusic.org & (if available) at the door. $5 increase after Oct. 2. (734) 228–4338. 

  • Observer Editor

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
    More

    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.

  • Observer Editor

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
    More

    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

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

    More

    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

    Nisson Glass Art

    More

    Art show and sale in a garden. Proceeds benefit the Ann Arbor Art Center’s public art program. Noon–5 p.m., 1227 Lutz. Free admission. [email protected]. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory

    Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory
    More

    Every Sun. All invited to play one of a wide variety of board games in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Instruction provided. Also, on Sept. 6 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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Sharon Mills Open House Tour”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission

    More

    Sept. 20 & 27. Docent-led tour of historic building and grounds along the River Raisin, which includes a hydroelectric generator that was one of many Southeast Michigan facilities that comprised Henry Ford’s Village Industry project. 1–5 p.m., Sharon Mills County Park, 5701 Sharon Hollow, Manchester. Free. 971–6337. 

  • Observer Editor

    “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”: Michigan Theater

    More

    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. 

    Sept. 27: “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (Peter Jackson, 2002). Extended version of this fantasy sequel in which hobbit Frodo Baggins and his loyal companion Sam continue their quest, aided by the treacherous Gollum. 1:30 p.m.

  • Community Listing

    Fall Market: Revel Run

    More

    The Foxhole Biergarten at Revel Run, Chelsea

    Join us Sunday, September 27th for a beautiful fall day at Revel Run! Grab a drink and enjoy our Fall Market right outside The Foxhole Biergarten.

    🛍️ Browse unique vendors and local finds
    🍻 Enjoy great drinks at The Foxhole
    🌮 Food trucks on site
    🎶 Live music throughout the day
    🐎 Watch one of our horse shows open to the public happening across the property!

    The Foxhole Biergarten will be open 11 AM to 8 PM, so grab your friends and family, come shop, eat, sip, listen to some live music, and enjoy the horse show all in one place.

    🍁 Fall Market | Sunday, September 27th
    📍 Revel Run
    ⏰ Foxhole Open: 11 AM- 8 PM
    We can’t wait to kick off the fall season with you! 🍂🐎🍻

    revelrun.com

    Free
  • Observer Editor

    Good Morning Bedlam: Knight Road House Concert

    More

    Outdoor performance by this high-energy pop-folk duo from Minneapolis whose sound incorporates bluegrass, Americana, and indie-folk influences. 3 p.m., Knight Rd. (address provided upon registration). Preregistration required at knightroadhouseconcerts.org or email [email protected]. $30 suggested donation via Venmo or at the door.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “America’s Story: Opportunity, Diversity, and Belonging Across 250 Years”: Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County

    More

    Talk by Dexter genealogist Katherine R. Willson, author of The Genealogist’s Guide to Grand Rapids, Michigan, followed by a writing exercise (3:15) using a provided workbook, prompts, and small group discussion to write short accounts about our ancestors. 1:30 & 3:15 p.m., Trinity Health Education Center Auditorium, 5305 Elliott, parking lot P, Ypsi. Also via livestream; for URL email [email protected] by Sept. 25. Free.

  • Observer Editor

    “Mental Health Isn’t Funny”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater

    More

    Sept. 24, 26, & 27 (different times). Educational sketch comedy show about mental health issues, written by mental health professionals who are also improv performers. All proceeds benefit the suicide-prevention nonprofit Garrett’s Space. 7–8 p.m. (Sept. 24 & 26), & 4–5 p.m. (Sept. 27), 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $18 (if available) at the door.

  • Observer Editor

    “The SeAH Korean Art Song Gala”: U-M School of Music

    More

    (See preview) Pianist and U-M music professor Matthew Thompson accompanies U-M voice students and alumni singers in a program of traditional Korean songs that set a poem or text to music in a way that mirrors classic European art songs. Followed by a guest performance of Korean art songs by world-renowned Korean soprano Sumi Jo. The concert celebrates the first time that Korean song performance has been taught at U-M. 4 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Tickets $11–$25 in advance at smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 764–0583.

  • Observer Editor

    “A Tale of Two Quintets”: Kerrytown Concert House

    More

    Local pianist Kathryn Goodson is joined by a group of string musicians in Schubert’s 1819 “Trout Quintet,” which includes variations on his successful song “Die Forelle.” Also, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ lavish Piano Quintet in C Minor. With double bassist Gregg Emerson Powell, violist John Madison, violinist Sonia Lee, and cellist Thor Sigurdson. 4 p.m., 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $32–$42 (students, $20–$30) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & at the door. (734) 769–2999.

  • Observer Editor

    “Chefs in the Garden”: Growing Hope Fundraiser

    More

    Strolling appetizer and cocktail hour with live music TBA, followed by dinner served in the farm hoop house prepared by Zingerman’s Roadhouse chef Bob Bennett. 5–8 p.m., Growing Hope Urban Farm, 922 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsi. $150 in advance only at givebutter.com/chefs2026.