• Observer Editor

    a2Tech360: Ann Arbor Spark

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    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.

  • Nightspots

    Corey Lee.: The Ranch

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    The Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Country covers by this Grand Rapids singer-guitarist. 5 p.m.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Climate Week

    U-M Climate Week
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    Sept. 27–Oct. 4. A week of speeches, forums, clothing exchanges, and more. Today’s Earthfest includes hands-on art and gardening activities, free bicycle repairs, and information tables by local sustainability organizations. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., the Diag. Complete calendar at climateweek.umich.edu/calendar.

  • 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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Real-World Perspectives”: U-M Poverty Solutions Fall Speaker Series

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    Every Fri., except Oct. 9. Talks by scholars and social workers, followed by Q&A.

    Oct. 2: U-M professor of social work and public policy Kristin Seefeldt on “Lessons Learned from Designing and Evaluating Ann Arbor’s Guaranteed Income Pilot.”

    Oct. 16: Wayne State University social work professor Kess Ballentine on “Beyond Silos: An Inter-Institutional Framework for Understanding Poverty and Advancing Social Change.”

    Oct. 23: UCLA architecture professor Dana Cuff on “cityLAB’s Innovations for Affordable Housing.”

    Oct. 30: “Designing for Dignity: Strengthening Food Assistance Amid Policy Threats.” U-M public health professor Kate Bauer in conversation with Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan director Taylor Moore.

    Noon–1:30 p.m., School of Social Work, B780 (basement), 1080 South University. Also via livestream. Free. (734) 929–8027, [email protected], fordschool.umich.edu/events.

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater

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    Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. T. Rex (noon) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence); The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.) explores the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own; and Tales of the Maya Skies (2 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.

  • Community Listing

    Taste of Greece Gyro Fundraiser: AHEPA

    Taste of Greece Gyro Fundraiser: AHEPA
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    “AHEPA TASTE OF GREECE GYRO DRIVE-THRU” AHEPA is sponsoring a Gyro Drive-Thru fundraiser at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Ann Arbor (3109 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103) on Friday, October 2, from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm and on Saturday, October 3, from 11:00 am -7:00 pm. Dinner is $20 and includes a Gyro Sandwich, Spanakopita, Greek Salad, and a Bottle of Water. Baklava will be available for $6 or 2 for $10. All net proceeds will go toward AHEPA Charitable initiatives and St. Nicholas Church.
  • Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Field Hockey

    U-M Field Hockey
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    Match vs. Iowa. The U-M also has home matches this month against Northwestern (Oct. 4, noon), Maryland (Oct. 9, 4 p.m.), Monmouth (Oct. 11, 11 a.m.), and Ohio State (Oct. 30, 5 p.m.). 5 p.m., Ocker Field, 1202 S. State. Free. (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com.

  • Nightspots

    WEMU 5:01 Jazz Series.: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    With an ensemble led by veteran local drummer Sean Dobbins. Tonight they play a set of Stevie Wonder songs. 5 p.m. Free.

  • Community Listing

    Friday Night Live Music at Lake Forest Golf Club: Lake Forest Golf Club

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    3110 West Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor

    🍂 Friday Nights Are Getting Cozy at Lake Forest! 🔥🎶

    Join us Friday, October 2nd for an evening of live music, great food, and all the things we love about fall at Lake Forest.

    🎹 Louis Johnson on piano
    🎸 David Stearns on bass
    🎶 Live music beginning at 5 PM

    Come early for Happy Hour from 3–5 PM, then settle in for the evening. Grab a blanket, gather around the firetables, enjoy the gardens and games, and relax with friends and family while Louis & David provide the soundtrack. And come hungry! Chef Blake’s new Fall Menu is here, along with Friday’s special:

    🍂 Butternut Squash Lasagna
    Layers of pasta, ricotta, butternut squash purée and Parmesan, finished with a sage cream sauce.

    🔥 Firetables & cozy blankets

    🍸 Happy Hour 3–5 PM
    🎶 Live music at 5 PM
    🍽️ New Fall Menu & Friday Specials

    Good music. Great food. Cozy fall nights.
    That’s Friday at Lake Forest.

    Open to everyone — bring your friends, bring the family, and make a night of it!

    www.lakeforestgc.com

    Free
  • 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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Ypsiween Street Festival

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    Live music and other performances TBA, art making, and food for sale. 5-10 p.m., Washington St. at Michigan Ave.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “RAC-O-Ween”: Riverside Arts Center

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    All invited to this outdoor concert featuring performances by Shape Note Singing Ypsi, progressive jazz band Tikimen of Berlin, saxophonist Kenji Lee, and Detroit spoken word poet Madeline October. Part of First Fridays Ypsi. 5:30 p.m., 76 N. Huron St. (outdoors by the colonnade), Ypsi. Free. riversidearts.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “A Fireside Chat with Vijay Gupta”: A2 Symphony & U-M Music School

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    A discussion about music and wellness with violinist and writer Gupta, a MacArthur Fellowship recipient and founder of the Los Angeles nonprofit Street Symphony, which brings music into homeless shelters, jails, hospitals, and reentry programs. With U-M professor of medicine Daniel Whibley and U-M psychiatry professor Lindsey Mortenson. Gupta also gives a Penny Stamps talk this month. (See 1 Thurs.). 5:30 p.m., Rackham Auditorium. Free, but preregistration required at a2so.org/vijay-gupta.