Events
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FreeObserver Editor
Great Honk Fest V
MoreFamily-friendly outdoor festival featuring performances by area rock bands, including the popular veteran Ypsi Detroit-style rock ’n’ roll band Mazinga, the Ypsi “garage-a-billy” power trio Las Drogas, the local indie psychedelic-rock band King Norman, the local instrumental rock ’n’ roll & surf quartet the Vicissitones, and the Stomp Rockets, an energetic local garage-punk quintet that’s the latest in a long, storied line of great bands fronted by the charismatic vocalist Dan Mulholland. BYOB and a chair. 2–7 p.m., Olson Park Pavilion, 1515 Dhu Varren. Free; band tips encouraged. bit.ly/honkfestv.
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FreeObserver Editor
A2 Summer Streets Music Series: Main Street Area Association
MoreEvery Thurs.–Sun., June 4–Sept. 28. Local musicians TBA perform at several locations along Main St. 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.
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Community Listing
Cupcakes & Cocktails: Tammy's Tastings
MoreThe Last Word, 301 W Huron St , Ann Arbor, MI
Please Note: Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate zero-proof requests or food allergy accommodations for this class.
Join us for a super fun cocktail class where we’ll shake, stir, and sip our way through six classic cocktails—each perfectly paired with a handcrafted, booze-infused mini artisanal cupcake inspired by the flavors of the drink.
Featured Cocktails: Old Fashioned, French 75, Espresso Martini, Margarita, Mojito, and Sazarac.
Each booking includes: a flight of delicious cocktail-inspired cupcakes, making this a truly one-of-a-kind tasting experience!
The Last Word is closed during the class, so no food service is available. The class includes a combination of history and stories, technique instruction, and hands-on making of cocktails. Plus sampling, of course! Total consumption is equivalent to around 2 cocktails per person over the 2 hour class. Please anticipate working with other groups, sharing ingredients, and doing a mix of sitting or standing throughout the class.
Please note that we have a restricted table layout and use communal seating. Parties of two will almost always be seated with at least one other party of two. Groups of four or more will usually have their own table. You may request a private table in the “seat with” section of the booking form, and we will attempt to honor your request, but there is no guarantee that one will be available.
Sale ends 3:00pm 09/11/2026
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Observer Editor
“RiffTrax Live: Sting of Death”: 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).
Sept. 9 & 13: “RiffTrax Live: Sting of Death” Broadcast of a prerecorded “riffing” performance by former Mystery Science Theater 3000 stars Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett, who aim their comic heckling at a screening of William Grefé’s cheesy sci-fi horror about deadly jellyfish. Wed. 7 p.m. (both theaters). Sun. 2:15 p.m. & 5 p.m. (Emagine) and 4:15 p.m. (Cinemark). $15.
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Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings: Zal Gaz Grotto
More2070 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor
10-piece big band led by Chris Smith, specializing in hot jazz of the 1920s and 30s. Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Duke Ellington and other jazz legends are prominent in their repertoire. Great for listening or dancing.
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Nightspots
Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings.: Zal Gaz Grotto
MoreZal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann ArborLocal 10-piece big band led by tubaist Chris Smith that specializes in the old-time big band music of the late 1920s and early 1930s associated with Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver.
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Observer Editor
“Tales from the Cryptid: An Improvised Urban Legend”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
MoreSept. 13 & 20. A fully unscripted one-act theatrical show about the appearance of a new cryptid that shakes up a small town. 6–7 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $18 (if available) at the door.
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Nightspots
Joaquin Moore: There and Back Again.: Blue LLama
MoreBlue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann ArborQuartet of U-M jazz studies students led by saxophonist Moore.
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Nightspots
Open Blues Jam.: Water Tower Distilling Co.
MoreWater Tower Distilling Co. 23 N. Washington,, YpsilantiPerformers of all skill levels invited. Hosted by James Bourland & the Staches, a local quintet fronted by Bourland, a singer-guitarist who specializes in all forms of American roots music. 6–9 p.m.
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Observer Editor
“The Passion of the Christ”: 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).
Sept. 10–17: “The Passion of the Christ” (Mel Gibson, 2004). Graphically violent dramatic depiction of the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. 6:30 p.m. Cinemark only.
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Observer Editor
“Twin Peaks Season 2”: Michigan Theater
MoreFilm 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.
“Twin Peaks Season 2” (David Lynch, 1990). Screenings of season 2 of this groundbreaking surreal prime-time television show begin tonight, as idiosyncratic FBI agent Dale Cooper continues to investigate the murder of high school student Laura Palmer. Episodes 2–9 screen Sept. 13, 20, 27 & Oct. 4. 7 p.m.
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FreeObserver Editor
Traditional Irish Session: Conor O’Neill’s
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to join or listen to an instrumental jam session. 7–9 p.m., 318 S. Main. Free. (734) 665–2968.
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Observer Editor
Ballroom Dance Club at the U-M
MoreEvery Sun. Ballroom dancing to recorded music, including foxtrots, waltzes, cha-chas, rumbas, tangos, swing, and more. No partner necessary. Preceded at 6 p.m. by beginning lessons and practice. 7–9 p.m., Michigan Union Ballroom. $5 ($10 includes lessons). (734) 763–6984.
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Nightspots
Justin Judge.: The Ranch
MoreThe Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann ArborMid-Michigan country singer-guitarist.
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Nightspots
Arnold/Jassi/Kramer.: Ravens Club
MoreRavens Club 207 S. Main, Ann ArborLocal world music–inflected jazz ensemble of drummer Jesse Kramer, guitarist John Arnold, and bassist & vocalist Pathe Jassi.
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Nightspots
Maya de Vitry.: Ark
MoreArk 316 S. Main, Ann ArborNashville-based fiddler-turned-songwriter best known as a founding member of the Lancaster (PA) Americana country-folk trio Stray Birds. NPR calls her latest album, All My Faith, “the perfect soundtrack for uncorking that emotion and (defiantly) loving life again.” $29.
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Observer Editor
Blou Reed: Rancho Tranquilico
MoreBarn concert by this young local jazz sextet, led by tenor saxophonist Elvin Sharp, that plays funky original compositions along with classics from the hard-bop and post-bop catalog. BYOB and a chair. No tobacco products or pets. 7:30 p.m. (doors, 7 p.m.), 11300 Island Lake Rd., Dexter. Parking is in neighboring Ruhlig’s Country Market driveway. $20 payable via Venmo: @elvinsharpmusic. Preregistration required; space limited. (734) 223–2321, [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
“Swift Nights Out”: Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance
MoreSept. 11–13. All invited to view chimney swifts gathering at dusk and count them as they enter their roosts in a spectacular swirling tornado of birds. Participants choose a known roosting location and report back to WBNA organizers. Part of a national effort to monitor the migration of this bird species and learn its favorite chimneys for overnight roosting. 8 p.m. until the last swift descends into its chimney. Various locations, preregistration required at washtenawbna.org/events. Free.
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Nightspots
Jazz Jam Session.: Ann Arbor Funhouse
MoreAnn Arbor Funhouse 207 E. Washington., Ann ArborJazz ensemble led by veteran local drummer Pete Siers and Kenji Lee, a local saxophonist whose expressive brand of jazz draws on Japanese folk music, Western classical music, and punk.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Independence Lake Gravel Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
MoreEvery Mon. Slow/moderate-paced 23-mile ride to Independence Lake on mostly dirt roads. See aabts.org for weather cancellations or delays. 9 a.m. sharp, meet at Old St. Patrick Catholic Church, 5671 Whitmore Lake Rd. Free. (412) 302–9960.
