Events
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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.
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Nightspots
Rick Burgess Trio.: Earle
MoreEarle 121 W. Washington, Ann ArborJazz ensemble, named after the late jazz pianist and Earle cofounder Burgess, featuring drummer Robert Warren and a rotating roster of bassists and pianists.
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Nightspots
Dave McMurray.: Blue LLama
MoreBlue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann ArborGroove-oriented Detroit jazz-funk ensemble led by Was (Not Was) saxophonist McMurray. He’s recently released a pair of albums of jazz covers of Grateful Dead songs.
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Observer Editor
“A Hear.Say Halloween Monster Bash”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
MoreHalloween party with music and dancing. Also, a costume contest with prizes awarded based on the theme “The Horrors of AI.” 7–11 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. Admission TBA at heardotsay.com.
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Observer Editor
“Night Terrors”: Wiard’s Orchards
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun. A haunted hayride, a ghostly mental asylum, and three more scary attractions, all bristling with scores of costumed monsters. Refreshments available from the Wiard’s Country Store. Recommended for ages 12 & up. 7:15–11:30 p.m., 5565 Merritt, Ypsi. Tickets $36–$65 in advance only at hauntedhousemichigan.com. (734) 390–9212.
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Observer Editor
“King Lear”: Robin’s Goodfellows
MoreOct. 30–Nov. 1. This new U-M student Shakespeare company performs the bard’s tormenting yet sublime story of an aging king who decides to divide his kingdom among his 3 daughters. It’s one of Western literature’s most wrenching studies of arrogance, willful pride, and filial relationships. 2 p.m. (Sun.) & 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. $10–$16.50 in advance at muto.umich.edu & at the door. instagram.com/robinsgoodfellows.
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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.
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Observer Editor
Murray Hill: The Ark
MorePart cabaret, part stand-up, and part behind-the-curtain tell-all by this acclaimed veteran NYC-based comic who’s touring in support of his brand-new memoir, Showbiz! My Life as a Middle-Aged Man. Hill is known for his razor-sharp wit, rampant ad-libbing, and heartfelt storytelling, and his show incorporates a live band, along with plenty of crowdwork. 8 p.m., 316 S. Main. Tickets $40 in advance at theark.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 761–1451.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Rocky Horror Picture Show”: U-M Residential College Players
MoreRC Keene Theater, 701 East University. (734) 647–4354.
Oct. 30 & 31: “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Jim Sharman, 1975). Musical comedy cult classic that spawned a long tradition of participatory showings. The plot follows a fresh-scrubbed young couple who find themselves unexpected guests at a mansion whose residents include a transsexual transvestite alien in the midst of a diabolical experiment. The screening is accompanied by a live shadowcast, in which onstage actors act out scenes from the film in sync with the action on the screen and invite audience interaction. 8 p.m. Free; donations accepted.
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Nightspots
: The Arboretum
MoreThe Arboretum 984 E. Michigan Ave., SalineYpsi punk & metal band.
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Nightspots
Saga.: Ziggy’s
MoreZiggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, YpsilantiYpsi synth-rock band. Openers: the Flint black-metal band Baazlvaat, the Novi punk-rock band Permanently Pissed, and the Detroit-area dark ambient project Kloister.
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Nightspots
“Heads over Halloween Drag & Variety Show.”: North Star Lounge
MoreNorth Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor9–10:15 p.m. $15.
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Nightspots
Rob Crozier, Sven Anderson, Max Bowen, and Rob Avsharian.: Habitat Lounge
MoreHabitat Lounge 3050 Jackson Rd., Ann ArborLocal jazz quartet.
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Nightspots
Pajamas.: Blind Pig
MoreBlind Pig 208 S. First St., Ann ArborHalloween show by this local funk-rock jam quartet, with a second set of exclusively Devid Bowie covers. Costumes encouraged. $25.
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Observer Editor
“Donut Dash”: Skyline High School
MoreFamily-friendly untimed 1-mile fun run (9 a.m.) and 5K run/walk (9:30 a.m.). Medals. Donations benefit Skyline Athletics. Free donuts at the finish line. Coffee truck. 8:30 a.m. check in, 2552 N. Maple. $35 (5K), $15 (1 mile) by 10/31. Preregistration required at runsignup.com/race/mi/annarbor/sabcdonutdash, [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
MI Postcards for Patriots
MoreOct. 4, 11, 18, 25 & Nov. 1. All invited to drop-in to volunteer to help turn out the vote for the November 2026 election by writing postcards and other activities. 10:30 a.m.–noon, AADL Pittsfield. Free. [email protected], equalityingov.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
MI Postcards for Patriots
MoreAll invited to drop in to volunteer to help turn out the vote for the November 2026 election by writing postcards. 10:30 a.m.–noon, AADL Pittsfield. Free. [email protected], equalityingov.org.
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Observer Editor
Elemental Ecstatic Dance
MoreEvery Sun. Dancers of all ages and abilities invited for free-form dancing to a variety of recorded music, from EDM to classical and ambient to world music. Wear loose clothes, barefoot or stocking feet. 10:45 a.m.–1 p.m., A2 Yoga, 2030 Commerce. $20 (age 11 & under, free) cash or Venmo (@andjru) at the door only. tinyurl.com/ecstatic-dance-a2.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Sharon Mills Quilting Bee”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission
MoreNov. 1, 10, & 22. WCPARC docents lead both seasoned quilters and novices in stitching a traditional 1860s quilt top around a frame. Materials provided. The final product will be displayed in the historic cabin at Parker Mill. All ages welcome. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (Sun.) & 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (Tues.), Sharon Mills Park, 5701 Sharon Hollow, Manchester. Free. (734) 971–6337, washtenaw.org/registerparks.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Tues.–Sun., except Nov. 26. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. The newest program examines how membranes can help solve water shortages. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
