Events
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Free
Observer Editor
“Introductory Woodcarving: Pumpkins”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreOct. 8 & 15 (different times). Adults & teens invited to learn woodcarving basics, then carve a small pumpkin to take home. 5:30–7:30 p.m. (Oct. 8) & 2–4 p.m. (Oct. 15), AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Observer Editor
D&D Adventurers League: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery Fri. All invited to play the current official campaign of the popular Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game, using 5th-edition rules. Kids under 13 must have adult accompaniment. 6–10 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. $10. Space limited, preregistration strongly recommended. (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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Free
Observer Editor
“Good Fortune”: Jewel Heart Buddhist Center
More1129 Oak Valley Dr. Concessions. Free. (734) 994–3387, jewelheart.org.
Oct. 16: “Good Fortune” (Aziz Ansari, 2025). Mystical comedy about an angel who attempts to show a struggling man that money won’t solve his problems. Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, Aziz Ansari, Sandra Oh, Keke Palmer. Discussion follows. 7 p.m.
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Nightspots
Don Hicks & Friends.: Blue LLama
MoreBlue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann ArborAn ad hoc local ensemble led by trumpeter (and Blue Llama owner) Hicks.
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Nightspots
Pontiac Trail Blazers.: North Star Lounge
MoreNorth Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann ArborLocal bluegrass quartet known for its beautiful vocal harmonies and instrumental prowess. Tonight they are joined by dobro player Mark Lavengood. 7–10 p.m. $10.
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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
“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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Observer Editor
“Maestro”: Theatre Nova
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun., Sept. 25–Oct. 18. Briana O’Neal directs local actors in Michigan playwright Michael Alan Herman’s cheeky comedy of manners about two 18th-century Viennese composers who go to ridiculous lengths to compete for a recently vacated royal court position. 8 p.m. (Fri.), 3 & 7 p.m. (Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $33 (seniors, $30; students, $20) in advance at theatrenova.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 635–8450.
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Observer Editor
“Come from Away”: U-M Musical Theatre Department
MoreOct. 8–11 & 14–18. Vincent Cardinal directs musical theater students in Irene Sankoff & David Hein’s award-winning 2017 upbeat musical set in the week following the September 11 attacks, when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the world, were diverted to the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland. Despite culture clashes and language barriers, the local people encourage the stranded travelers with music and an open bar, forming lifelong friendships, and even sparking romances. 7:30 p.m. (Wed. & Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (10 Sat. & Sun.), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 North University. Tickets $34–$40 (students, $16) in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 764–0583.
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Nightspots
Mike Dawes.: Ark
MoreArk 316 S. Main, Ann ArborWildly inventive English fingerstyle guitarist known for his rich tone and ability to play multiple parts at the same time. “Dawes is jaw dropping,” writes Guitar Player Magazine. $35.
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Observer Editor
“Black Cat: Ghoulita Graves Presents … The Curse of Blood”: Neighborhood Theatre Group
MoreOct. 16–18 & 22–24. Marisa Dluge directs local actors in an original musical by NTG members Greg Pizzino and A.M. Dean. Part of NTG’s annual Black Cat Halloween series. 8 p.m. (Thurs.-Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Back Office Studio, 13 N. Washington, Ypsi. Ticket price TBA at ntgypsi.org & at the door.
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Nightspots
Weekend Comeback.: Mash (Ypsilanti)
MoreMash (Ypsilanti) 400 W. River, YpsilantiHigh-energy Detroit-area cover band that plays hits from the 60s to the present day.
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Nightspots
The Switchbacks.: Zal Gaz Grotto
MoreZal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann ArborLocal hard-rocking country and blues quintet fronted by vocalist Janet Benson.
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Nightspots
“The Resurrection of the Zombie Ball.”: Ziggy’s
MoreZiggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, YpsilantiWith Detroit horror-punk band Cult of Space Skull, the area rock trio Hex Club, and dark folk-rock by The Lonesome Skeleton Band, a Detroit-area one man band who performs in skeleton makeup.
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Observer Editor
Beth Stelling: Blind Pig
MoreL.A.-based stand-up comic & TV writer whose act deftly blends silly, surprise-packed stories with cutting social outrage. She’s known for her cool-girl persona, confessional style, and sharply observed jokes on topics ranging from her eccentric father to dating, aging, and the absurdity of living in L.A. Her 2020 HBO special Girl Daddy was deemed “best debut special of the year” by a New York Times reviewer, who called it “a virtuosic performance, conversational while dense with jokes.” Opening acts TBA. 8 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), 208 S. First St. Tickets $30 in advance at blindpigmusic.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 996–8555.
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Community ListingFree
GED: Ghettotech, Electro and Drum ‘N Bass
More336 S. Ashley st, Ann Arbor
The GED music series is a mini-series (this is the 2nd show) exploring the idea(s) if we should do regular shows focused on one (or more) of these genres. Each show features 1 set of each genre by a local DJ, hardware artist or a producer. These shows are BYOB, no cover and open to the public.
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Nightspots
Taylor Tucky.: The Ranch
MoreThe Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann ArborCountry cover band from Taylor. 8:30 p.m.
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Observer Editor
Candlelight Concerts: Kalkaska String Quartet
MoreThis Detroit-based ensemble presents 2 candlelight concerts tonight: “A Tribute to Coldplay and Imagine Dragons” (6:30 p.m.) features instrumental arrangements of music by these 2 early 21st-century rock bands, and “A Tribute to Michael Jackson” (8:45 p.m.) highlights instrumental arrangements of the pop superstar’s bestselling songs. Age 8 & up. 6:30 & 8:45 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 1432 Washtenaw Ave. $29–$60 per show. Preregistration required at feverup.com/en/ann-arbor/candlelight.
