• Observer Editor

    Chelsea Community Fair: Chelsea Fairgrounds

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    Aug. 25–29. Fair rides and concessions (Wed. & Thurs. 3–10 p.m., Fri. noon–10 p.m., and Sat. 1–10 p.m.), a bingo tent, livestock shows, demolition derbies (Tues. & Wed. 7:30 p.m.), Lost Nations Rodeo (Thurs. 7:30 p.m.), truck & tractor pulls (Fri. & Sat. 7 p.m.), a fair queen contest (Fri. 7 p.m.), exhibits of baking, canning, floriculture, arts, and hobbies. The fair officially kicks off with a Children’s Parade (Tues. 5:30 p.m.) for ages 3–12 on decorated bikes & wagons or on foot from the municipal lot behind Common Grill to the fairgrounds, and ends with the Chelsea Fair Parade (Sat. 1 p.m.), which includes the high-energy Celtic-inspired Chelsea House Orchestra, and many more local favorites. Complete schedule available at chelseafair.org. 10 a.m.10 p.m., Chelsea Fairgrounds, Old US-12 at Old Manchester Rd., Chelsea. Daily admission, $10; 5-day pass, $30 (middle & high school students and seniors 65 & older, $20; kids age 10 & under, free). Free admission for seniors age 65 & over on Thurs. before 5 p.m., for active or inactive U.S. service members with ID on Fri., and for families on Fri. from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. $5 pass for women on Fri. before 11 a.m. (734) 475–1270, [email protected], chelseafair.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History

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    Every Tues.–Sun. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens. The newest program lets participants try out simulated snake senses to experience the world as if they were a snake. No live snakes. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Mavis Staples: Sonic Lunch/Marquee Arts

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    See 6 Thursday. Today: This legendary 86-year-old gospel, soul, and R&B diva possesses a quintessentially gospel voice. With a trademark blend of muscular power and shimmering grace punctuated at times with a startling growl, her luminous singing is designed to, in her words, “leave people feeling better than I found them.” Her 2025 solo album, Sad and Beautiful World, a fierce and loving dispatch for grim times, appeared on several critics’ year-end lists. Opener: Brooklyn singer-guitarist Mei Semones performs jazz-influenced indie pop originals with lyrics in both Japanese and English. 11:30 a.m., Michigan Theater. Free (doors close when seats are full). marquee-arts.org/live-events.

  • Observer Editor

    Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center

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    Every Mon. & Thurs. Play open to all skill levels age 18 & up, both non-sanctioned (Mon.) and ACBL-sanctioned (Thurs.). Noon–3:30 p.m. (Thurs., $9) & 12:30–3:30 p.m. (Mon., $5); $1–$2 less for AASC members. 1320 Baldwin. (734) 794–6250, a2gov.org/senior, annarborbridge.com.

  • Observer Editor

    Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club

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    Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri. 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].

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Piano Lab Pro Premiere”: U-M Music School

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    Music school dean David Gier and others demonstrate a new app for Apple Vision Pro that lets performers rehearse inside a realistic, immersive concert hall, complete with a simulated audience, so they can practice managing nerves before a concert. 1:30–3:30 p.m., Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits. Free. Preregistration requested at bit.ly/pianolabprodemo. (734) 764–0583.

  • Observer Editor

    “Summer of Soul”: 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. 

    Aug. 27: “Summer of Soul” (Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, 2021). Footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, featuring performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, the Staple Singers, and more. 2 p.m.

  • Observer Editor

    “Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company

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    Every Wed.–Sun., June 25–Aug. 30. (See review) Kate Thomsen directs longtime Purple Rose resident playwright Carey Crim’s comedy-drama about a group of old friends gathered to celebrate their friend Emma’s fourth wedding. Together, they revisit their memories of each of her previous three weddings to “the one.” Adult language and subject matter. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $31.50–$52.50 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org, (734) 433–7673, & (if available) at the door. Discounts available.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    A2 Summer Streets Music Series: Main Street Area Association

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    Every Thurs.–Sun., June 4–Sept. 28. Local musicians TBA perform at several locations along Main downtown. Rain cancels. 4 p.m. Thurs.–Sun., S. Main between E. Washington & W. William. For the complete lineup, go to mainstreetannarbor.org/a2-summer-streets. Free.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Clements Library Tour

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    Aug. 27 & 28. Hour-long docent-led tour of the Clements’s early American history collection highlighted by the new exhibit Up, Up, and Away: A History of Ballooning in America. 4–5 p.m., 909 South University. Free; preregistration required at clements.umich.edu. (734) 649–3370.

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Men’s Soccer

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    Exhibition match vs. Cleveland State. The U-M has another exhibition match this month against Saginaw Valley (Aug. 14, 4 p.m.) and regular home season games against Loyola Marymount (Aug. 20, 6 p.m.), Niagara (Aug. 27, 4 p.m.), and Southern Illinois–Edwardsville (Aug. 30, 2 p.m.). 4 p.m., U-M Soccer Stadium, 2250 S. State. $6 & $8 (groups of 10 or more, $3 each; kids 5 & under, free). (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com.

  • Community Listing
    Free

    The Enneagram: A Path to Liberation: Manya Arond-Thomas, M.D.

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    AADL Pittsfield Library Community Room, Ann Arbor

    An introduction to the Enneagram that will give an overview of how this multi-dimensional system offers us a powerful tool and detailed map for both psychological health and spiritual development.

    Free. To register, please contact [email protected] or 954-789-4052.

  • Observer Editor

    “Instrument Petting Zoo”: Ann Arbor YMCA

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    Members of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra offer kids and adults a chance to explore and play violins, cellos, and wind instruments. 56 p.m., YMCA Michigan Rm., 400 W. Washington. $10 (YMCA members, $5), preregistration by Aug. 20 required at tinyurl.com/aayipz. annarborymca.org.

  • Observer Editor

    “Gallery Night”

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    Show and sale of art at Chris Nordin Studio, Cluster Museum, Gutman Gallery, WSG Gallery, and other local businesses, including TeaHaus, Thistle & Bess, and Found, all within walking distance of each other. Works are in all sorts of media by local artists, some of whom are on hand to answer questions, give short talks, and demonstrate techniques. Also, a group of Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra musicians performs chamber music (5–6:30 p.m.) at 230 N. Fourth Ave. in Sculpture Plaza. 5–8 p.m., 307 N. Main, 111 & 117 E. Ann, and 118, 204, 222, & 415 N. Fourth Ave. Free admission.

  • Nightspots

    Rachel Arnsdorf: North Star Lounge

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    North Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

    Jazz ensemble led by this local vocalist. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.

  • “Nature Nerds Book Club”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation

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    All invited to celebrate the end of summer by sharing favorite outdoor memories and reading aloud from Barbara Kingsolver’s novel Prodigal Summer. 5:30–6:30 p.m., Natural Area Preservation office, 3875 E. Huron River Dr. Free, preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2parksrec or (734) 794–6250. [email protected].

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Open Lab: Ann Arbor District Library

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    Aug. 6, 13, 19, & 27 (different times). All invited to work on their own projects using the library’s tools, including silhouette cutting machines, die cutters, embossers, and button makers (Aug. 6); 3D printers, laser engravers, and 3D pens (Aug. 13); sewing machines, silhouette vinyl cutters, and heat presses (Aug. 19); and soldering equipment and electronic components (Aug. 27). 5:30–7:30 p.m. (Aug. 6, 13, & 27) & 11 a.m.–1 p.m. (Aug. 19), AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Thursday Evening Dirt”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society

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    Every Thurs. Moderate-paced ride, 25 to 35 miles, along the less-traveled unpaved roads around Chelsea. Bring a chair and a beverage or snack for a postride tailgate. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 6 p.m. sharp, meet at Aberdeen Bike and Outdoors, 1101 Main, Chelsea. Email [email protected] for each week’s route. Free. (313) 9805277.