Events
-
-
Community Listing
Ms. Rachel Storytime: Starbright Entertainment LLC and Hide and Seek Play Cafe
More1954 S Industrial Hwy Ste A, Ann Arbor
This Ms. Rachel inspired storytime will have young fans moving, playing, and learning! Sing and dance to some of Ms Rachel’s favorite songs like “Hop Little Bunnies” and “Icky Sticky Bubble Gum”, play movement games, and read interactive stories with Starbright Entertainment’s own “Ms Rachel”!
$6 – $10 -
Observer Editor
Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
MoreEvery 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.
-
Community ListingFree
“Middle East in Focus: U.S. Strategy in a Changing Region”: U-M Ford School of Public Policy
More735 S. State St. , Ann Arbor
Carnegie Endowment senior fellow Aaron David Miller, a U-M PhD and longtime State Department Middle East negotiator, and Defense Priorities Middle East program director Rosemary Kelanic discuss the conflicts, alliances, and diplomatic prospects shaping U.S. policy in the region.
Ford School Professor Javed Ali, a former National Security Council senior director for counterterrorism, moderates.
Lunch provided. 11:45 a.m.–12:50 p.m., Weill Hall, Betty Ford Classroom (rm. 1110), 735 S. State St. Registration encouraged at fordschool.umich.edu/events. This event will be livestreamed.
Questions? Email: [email protected]
free -
FreeObserver Editor
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
MoreEvery Fri., Sat., & Wed. All invited to play one of 200 songs, with melodies transcribed in numbers, on the 17-bell chime’s numbered keys. Ambitious players can add chords. Kids welcome. noon–12:30 p.m. (Fri. & Wed.) & 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.). Free. [email protected].
-
FreeObserver Editor
Noon Lecture Series (Oct. 14 Canceled): Kempf House Museum
MoreOct. 7: “The History of the Argus Camera Company.” Talk by Argus board president Bob Kelly. (See Oct. 8 for the Argus Fall Conference). CANCELED: Oct. 14: “Finding a Cache of Historical Recipes.” Ann Arbor historian Susan Wineberg discusses how a chance find of a Black cook’s hand-written personal recipes from the 1930s–1950s led to their publication by the U-M Press. Oct. 21: “The Women of the Kahn Family, A Quiet Dignity.” Carol Rose Kahn, granddaughter of Hill Auditorium and Burton Tower architect Albert Kahn, shares stories of Albert’s niece, an internationally known chess player; his sister, founder of a blueprinting company; and other women ancestors. Noon–1 p.m., Kempf House, 312 S. Division. Free; donations accepted. (734) 994–4898, kempfhousemuseum.org.
-
Observer Editor
“Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
MoreEvery Wed.–Sun., Sept. 24–Dec. 20. 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.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“From Prehistoric Qubits to Building a Useful Quantum Computer”: U-M Physics Department Ta-You Wu Lecture
MoreTalk by physicist John Martinis, a 2025 Nobel laureate recognized for pioneering superconducting qubits and advancing scalable quantum computing systems. 4–5 p.m., Rackham Amphitheatre. Free. (734) 764–4437.
-
FreeObserver Editor
Board Game Night: Argus Farm Stop
MoreOct. 14 & 28. All invited to participate in a relaxed evening of board games. If you want, bring a game to share. 4–7 p.m., 1200 Packard. Free; food & drink for sale. (734) 997–5448, argusfarmstop.com.
-
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.
-
FreeObserver Editor
Letterpress Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreOct. 9, 14, 23, & 31 (different times). A chance for adults to learn the basics of printing with movable type. 5–7 p.m. (Oct. 9, 14 & 23) and 3–5 p.m. (Oct. 31), AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
-
FreeObserver Editor
Board Game Night: Bløm Mead + Cider
MoreEvery Wed. All invited to play popular board games. Use provided games or bring your own. 5–10 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729, drinkblom.com/events.
-
Observer Editor
Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery 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
James Margolis.: North Star Lounge
MoreNorth Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann ArborBlues singer-songwriter & guitarist from Philadelphia known for his big voice and virtuosic finger picking guitar. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.
-
Observer Editor
“Community Table”: The Washtenaw Food Hub
MoreEvery Wed. Food- and agriculture-related discussions and demos. Oct. 7: “Lacto-Fermented Hot Sauce.” Fermentation enthusiast Louis Daher demonstrates how to turn hot peppers and mango into hot sauce. Oct. 14: “Heirloom Corn.” Local farmer Ben Monroe gives a farm-to-table portrait of this traditional crop. Oct. 21: “Washtenaw Tool Bank Collective.” Washtenaw County Conservation District representative Doug Reith discusses which tools are best suited for different projects, and how to use them. Oct. 28: “Fresh-Hopped Wild Rice Ale.” Rachel Kanaan and Mason Shipe of Jupiter Fen Kombucha Club show how to brew this seasonal beer. $22. 6–7 p.m., 4175 Whitmore Lake Rd. Free, except Oct. 28. Preregistration required for all events at tinyurl.com/a2-foodhub. thewashtenawfoodhub.com.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Wild Roots & Fall Foliage”: Wild Ones
MoreHerbalist jim mcdonald explores the medicinal virtues of many weeds and wildflowers in our area. 6–7:30 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens Auditorium, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free; metered parking. [email protected], annarbor.wildones.org.
-
FreeObserver Editor
Christopher Fennell: Ann Arbor Art Center Artist Talk
MoreRenowned sculptor Fennell discusses his public art practice of transforming discarded objects into dynamic large-scale sculptures. He is working on a sculpture made from decommissioned Ann Arbor Fire Department ladders to be installed at the city’s new fire station. 6–7:30 p.m., 117 W. Liberty. Free. annarborartcenter.org.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“Out Here”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreOccasional free screenings in the Downtown branch lower level program rm., and other locations as noted. (734) 327–4200.
Oct. 14: “Out Here” (Lisa J. Klein, 2025). Short documentary about a social worker and former addict trying to help unhoused individuals in Sacramento, California. Followed by discussion. Sponsored by the U-M Community Scholars Program. 6 p.m.
-
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.
-
FreeObserver Editor
Crazy Wisdom Bookstore Gathering Series
MoreOct. 14 & 21. Community gatherings and talks by local practitioners. Oct. 14 (6–8 p.m.): “Witches Night Out.” Group meeting and discussion. Oct. 21 (6:30–8:30 p.m.): “Goddesses of the Arbor.” Discussion geared toward late millennial and Gen X women. 6 p.m., Crazy Wisdom, 114 S. Main, upstairs. Free. (734) 665–2757, crazywisdom.net.
-
FreeObserver Editor
“The Spirits”: Literati Bookstore
MoreKalamazoo-based writer Bonnie Jo Campbell discusses her new novel, a gritty, spooky, and ultimately heartening holiday story set on the night before Christmas in a small Michigan town. 6:30 p.m., 124 E. Washington. Free. (734) 585–5567.
