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
John Arnold Trio.: Blue LLama
MoreBlue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann ArborEnsemble led by this local guitar virtuoso. With bassist Pathe Jassi and drummer Rick Beamon.
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FreeObserver Editor
University Lowbrow Astronomers
MoreA chance to join local astronomy buffs for a look at the sky through instruments, including the observatory’s 24-inch McMath classical Cassegrain telescope. Participants encouraged to bring their own telescopes. Visitors must turn off all electronic equipment (car radios, transmitters, phones, etc.) at the observatory entrance. Cancelled if sky is overcast at sunset or if the weather is extremely inclement. If in doubt, call after 4 p.m. day of event. Rain date is Oct. 10. Sunset–12:30 a.m. or as long as the sky remains clear, Peach Mountain Observatory, 10296 North Territorial. (about 1¼ miles west of Hudson Mills Metropark), Dexter. Free. (734) 975–3248.
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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
First Saturday Contra Dance: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance
MoreRick Szumski calls to music by the Stout Hearted String Band. Bring clean shoes for dancing. Beginners’ introduction 7 p.m. 7:30–10:30 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $10–$15 suggested donation. (734) 274–0773, aactmad.org.
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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
“The Opera Ghost”: Penny Seats Theatre Company
MoreOctober 2–17. Brandy Joe Plambeck directs local actors in Joseph Zettelmaier’s new gothic drama. Deep beneath the famed Palais Garnier Opera House, a mysterious masked man recalls the events of his ghoulish life, which is nearing its end. Adult topics. 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 7 p.m. (Sun.). Cahoots, 206 E. Huron St. Tickets $28 (students, $20; seniors, $25), in advance at pennyseats.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 926–5346, [email protected].
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Nightspots
Susan Werner.: Ark
MoreArk 316 S. Main, Ann ArborA talented singer-songwriter known for a jazz-inspired, classically trained vocal style she describes as “pop illiterate,” Werner writes incisive, vividly imagined songs in a variety of moods. Tonight she is joined by the King Margo Band, a Nashville-based ensemble led by the singer-songwriter duo of former Ann Arborite Lucciana Costa and Rachel Coats who play self-styled “sarcastic folk-rock.” Opener: Flamy Grant, a North Carolina drag queen singer-songwriter whose music centers on the queer spiritual journey, telling stories of resilience and recovery from religious trauma. $29.
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Observer Editor
“Time Passes: 8 Short Plays by Samuel Beckett”: U-M Theatre Department
MoreOct. 1–4 & 8–11. Malcolm Tulip directs drama students in short works by this celebrated Irish playwright known for his verbal play, visual precision, and political imagination. The plays, written between the late 1950s and the early 1980s, include Act Without Words II, Play, Come and Go, Footfalls, Rockaby, Catastrophe, What Where, and Quad. 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.), & 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin. Tickets $35 (students, $16) in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 764–0583.
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Nightspots
Eric Ripper.: Mash (Ypsilanti)
MoreMash (Ypsilanti) 400 W. River, YpsilantiDetroit pop-rock singer-songwriter.
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Nightspots
HomiSui.: Ziggy’s
MoreZiggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, YpsilantiDetroit-area emo-punk band that incorporates elements of rap-rock and goth-pop. Openers: the Detroit alternative pop-rock band Jackson & the Poolsharks, the Cleveland punk trio C-Level, the Toledo shoegaze band No Luck, the alt-rock band Hollow, Birdie, and Detroit-area indie rock acts Root Cause, Internal Revenue, and Flowers in Winter.
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Nightspots
James Bourland.: North Star Lounge
MoreNorth Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann ArborThis local singer-guitarist, a versatile performer who specializes in all forms of American roots music, leads an all-star ensemble in a rare performance of his original compositions, with songs exploring topics from heartbreak to redemption. 9–10:15 p.m. $18.
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Nightspots
“Disco Boutique.”: Ann Arbor Funhouse
MoreAnn Arbor Funhouse 207 E. Washington., Ann ArborWith local DJs Mogi Grumble and Gemstone James.
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Nightspots
Habitat Jazz Collective.: Habitat Lounge
MoreHabitat Lounge 3050 Jackson Rd., Ann ArborJazz originals and standards by a local ensemble led by singer-bassist Rob Crozier.
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Nightspots
Gnash.: Blind Pig
MoreBlind Pig 208 S. First St., Ann ArborAll ages. The stage name of Garrett Charles Nash, a singer and rapper whose music blends emo melancholy with introspective R&B and hip-hop lyrics. $28.
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Nightspots
Ryan Racine.: Old Town
MoreOld Town 122 W. Liberty, Ann ArborVeteran local alt-country honky-tonk and rockabilly singer-songwriter.
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Observer Editor
“Trinity Health Probility Ann Arbor Marathon”: Epic Races
More26.2-mile, 13.1-mile, 5K, and 10K chip-timed races on circuitous courses through city streets, along the river, through Nichols Arboretum, and in Gallup Park. The 5K, 10K, and half-marathon events are open to walkers. All courses start and end near Main St. downtown. Courses closed to vehicular traffic until 2 p.m. Awards. 8 a.m. (registration opens at 6 a.m.), Ashley between Liberty & Washington, $60–$160 in advance at epicraces.com; prices increase on race day. (734) 585–7101.
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FreeObserver Editor
U-M Climate Week
MoreSept. 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.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Apple Day”: Pittsfield Union Grange
MoreA chance to press apple cider. Apples available for purchase or bring your own (1 bushel or less) to make cider. Bring your own jugs, if you have them. Also, apple tastings and apple baked goods for sale. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Free. (734) 274–0773.
