Events
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Observer Editor
AI and Mental Health Conference 2026: U-M Institute for Data & AI in Society
MoreA day of panel discussions, talks, and interactive discussions open to anyone interested in the future of AI and mental health. Speakers include American Psychological Association senior director of health care innovation Vaile Wright, Slingshot AI head of research Caitlin Stamatis, and others TBA. Michigan Union, Rogel Ballroom, 530 S State St. Free; preregistration required at midas.umich.edu/events/aimh-conference-2026.
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FreeObserver Editor
Drop-in Knitting: Spun
MoreEvery Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.) & 1–3 p.m. (Sun.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.
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Nightspots
Mary Ann Kirt.: El Limon
MoreEl Limon 2709 PlymouthPop-folk and indie rock originals by this local singer-guitarist.
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FreeObserver Editor
Fiber Arts Drop-in: Dzanc House
MoreOct. 5 & 19. All invited to join in crocheting, knitting, embroidering, etc. 6–9 p.m., 402 S. Huron St., Ypsi. Free. dzanchouse.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
Group Runs: A2 Runners
MoreEvery Mon. & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a beginner or advanced 3- to 5-mile group run, followed by socializing at a downtown coffee shop. 6:30 p.m., meet at the Kerrytown Clock Tower. Preregistration requested at meetup.com/a2runners. Free. [email protected].
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“Hits & Giggles with The New Popes.”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater.
MoreHear.Say Brewing + Theater. 2350 W. Liberty.Stand-up comedians are joined by a live band to try their hand at music, with an assortment of ’80s hits and other covers. 7–8:30 p.m. $18.
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Nightspots
Paul Keller Orchestra.: Zal Gaz Grotto
MoreZal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann ArborAward-winning 14-piece big band led by bassist Keller and featuring vocalist Sarah D’Angelo and occasional guest vocalists. Also, each week features a middle set by a guest college or high school student ensemble.
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Observer Editor
Opera by the Glass: Comic Opera Guild
MoreLocal singers perform arias and art songs by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, and Gilbert & Sullivan, along with Broadway show tunes and popular songs. 7:30 p.m. (seating begins at 6 p.m.), 734 Brewing Company, 15 E. Cross, Ypsi. Free; donations accepted. Buy your own food & drink. Reservations required at bit.ly/operaontapreservations or email [email protected]. (734) 678–2782.
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Observer Editor
Tartan and Thistle Scottish Country Dancers
MoreEvery Mon. Learn to dance jigs, reels, and strathspeys. All dances taught. Usually with live music by Susie Lorand, Josh Burdick, and friends. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $10 suggested donation (first-timers free). (734) 474–7299, (734) 274–0773.
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Nightspots
Copeland.: Ark
MoreArk 316 S. Main, Ann ArborIntimate acoustic performance by this veteran Florida indie rock band known for its introspective lyrics and dreamy melodies. Opener: Jenny Dee, an indie folk singer-songwriter from Chicago. $35.
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Nightspots
Hannah Sandoz.: The Arboretum
MoreThe Arboretum 984 E. Michigan Ave., SalineChicago-based indie alt-folk singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and audio engineer who creates immersive avant-garde soundscapes. Opener: Mirror Fish.
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Nightspots
Moony.: Ziggy’s
MoreZiggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, YpsilantiA new project by Ypsi indie pop-rock singer-songwriter Seth Findley. Openers: The Doozers, a Detroit indie rock quartet. and Colin Bracewell, an indie pop singer-songwriter from Minneapolis.
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FreeObserver Editor
U-M Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies Noon Lecture Series
MoreEvery Tues. (except Oct. 20). Talks by U-M and visiting scholars.
Oct. 6: University of Albany geography professor Tom Narins on “Bad Romance in Southeast Asia: China-Linked Cyber-Scamming, Variegated Govotolerance, and the Geopolitics of Criminality along China’s Belt and Road.”
Oct. 13: City University of New York anthropology professor Anru Lee on “Haunted Modernities: Gender, Memory, and Place-Making in Postindustrial Taiwan.”
Oct. 27: Northeastern University sociology professor Chuncheng Liu on “Metricracy: The Data and Symbolic Politics of a Chinese Social Credit System.”
Noon–1 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. (734) 764–6308, [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
“Lunchtime Concert”: U-M Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments
MoreMonthly concert featuring a wide range of music performed by music students & faculty on instruments from across the centuries and around the globe. Noon, North Campus Research Complex, bldg. 18, 2800 Plymouth Rd. Free. (734) 417–3899.
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FreeObserver Editor
U-M Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies Noon Lecture Series
MoreEvery Tues. (except Oct. 20). Talks by U-M and visiting scholars.
Oct. 6: University of Albany geography professor Tom Narins on “Bad Romance in Southeast Asia: China-Linked Cyber-Scamming, Variegated Govotolerance, and the Geopolitics of Criminality along China’s Belt and Road.”
Oct. 13: City University of New York anthropology professor Anru Lee on “Haunted Modernities: Gender, Memory, and Place-Making in Postindustrial Taiwan.”
Oct. 27: Northeastern University sociology professor Chuncheng Liu on “Metricracy: The Data and Symbolic Politics of a Chinese Social Credit System.”
Noon–1 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. (734) 764–6308, [email protected].
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Observer Editor
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club
MoreEvery Thurs., Fri., & Tues. 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].
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FreeObserver Editor
Ann Arbor Area Scrabble Club
MoreEvery Tues. All invited to play the classic word game, using the 5th-edition Scrabble dictionary. Bring your own set, if you like. 3:30–8 p.m., Arbor Brewing Company Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsi. Free. [email protected], meetup.com/ann-arbor-scrabble-meetup.
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Observer Editor
“Adore Him: He Is Here”: Fathom Entertainment
More(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (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).
Oct. 4–8: “Adore Him: He Is Here” (Don Johnson, 2026). Religious docudrama about Eucharistic adoration. 4:30 p.m. (Sun. only) & 6 p.m. Cinemark only.
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FreeObserver Editor
Michigan Marching Band Practice
MoreEvery Mon.–Thurs., except Oct. 19 & 20. U-M’s highly disciplined 200+ member marching band or sections thereof can be seen and heard practicing on the new Elbel Field, across the street from the old Elbel Field. All welcome to find a spot in the bleachers and get a sneak preview of upcoming halftime shows. Rehearsals usually last 1–2 hours. Also, at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, the band hosts its monthly free Open Stadium Rehearsal at Michigan Stadium. 4:45 p.m., Hill at Fifth Ave. Free. (734) 764–0582.
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Nightspots
Easy Street Jazz Band.: Zal Gaz Grotto
MoreZal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann ArborEarly jazz classics from Scott Joplin and Bessie Smith to Louis Armstrong and beyond by this veteran local septet led by trombonist Terry Kimura.
