• Observer Editor

    a2Tech360: Ann Arbor Spark

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    Sept. 22–Oct. 2. Almost 2-week-long tech festival, with pitch competitions, a hackathon (two days of intensive coding), talks, panel discussions, a career fair, start-up demos, workshops, networking events, and more. Various times & locations. A mix of free and ticketed events. See full schedule at a2tech360.com.

  • Observer Editor

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory

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    Every 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.

    Wed. (6 p.m.): “Pauper.” A fun and fast format for all skill levels, three rounds. $5.

    Wed. (6:30 p.m.): “Standard.” Three rounds, with competitive tournament rules, prizes of store credit. $10.

    Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Friday Night Draft.” Cost and format vary. Various times, 2459 W. Stadium. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

  • Observer Editor

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory
    More

    Every 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.

    Wed. (6 p.m.): “Pauper.” A fun and fast format for all skill levels, three rounds. $5.

    Wed. (6:30 p.m.): “Standard.” Three rounds, with competitive tournament rules, prizes of store credit. $10.

    Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Friday Night Draft.” Cost and format vary. Various times, 2459 W. Stadium. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

  • Observer Editor

    “The Upside Down World Circus ”: Bread & Puppet Theater

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    This Vermont-based company, one of the oldest nonprofit political theater companies in the country, returns with its latest art circus. The show features performances by imaginatively costumed stilt dancers, wild papier mâché beasts, and a brass band, all commenting on the current political climate. After the show, all are welcome to eat the company’s famous free sourdough rye bread with aioli. Also, a sale of books, posters, postcards, and banners from the Bread & Puppet Press. 7 p.m., Riverside Park, 2 E. Cross, Ypsi. $20–$30 suggested donation in advance at tinyurl.com/bread-puppet-9-30-26 or at the gate. breadandpuppet.org/tour.

  • Nightspots

    Big Top Swing.: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    A new Detroit-area instrumental ensemble that plays fresh interpretations of vintage swing from the 30s & 40s.

  • Nightspots

    Open Mic.: North Star Lounge

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

    All invited to present a song, story, poem, monologue, comedy bit, magic act, other performance. Hosted by Annie Bacon & Forrest Hejkal. Sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m. 7–10 p.m. $5. 

  • Observer Editor

    Ann Arbor Bridge Club

    Ann Arbor Bridge Club
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    Every Wed. All invited to play friendly, competitive ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Arrive 20 minutes early if coming without a partner. Call before coming to check that the game is being held. 7–10:30 p.m., Walden Hills clubhouse, 2114 Pauline (park in marked spaces in the lot on the north side of Pauline). $6 per person. (734) 945–6021.

  • Nightspots

    Hazlett.: Ark

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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Sold out.

  • Nightspots

    Everything Yes.: Blind Pig

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    Blind Pig 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor

    All ages. North Carolina high-energy jazz-fusion band led by popular YouTube drummer Zack Graybeal, widely known online as ZackGrooves. $22.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Fall Migration in Nichols Arboretum”: Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance

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    Every Thurs., Sept. 3–Oct. 29. WBNA members lead a hike through the Arb to look for fall warblers and other southbound migrants. Birders of all skill levels welcome. 8–11 a.m., meet in the cul-de-sac at the end of Riverview. (off Geddes near the east end of Dow Field). Free. washtenawbna.org.

  • Observer Editor

    “The 2026 Midterm Elections: Process, Policy & Consequences”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Thursday Morning Lecture Series

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    Every Thurs., Sept. 17–Oct. 15. Series of 5 weekly talks.

    Sept. 17: MSU political science professor Eric Gonzalez Juenke on “How to Think About Midterm Elections Like an Expert.”

    Sept. 24: U-M communications professor Yanna Krupnikov on “The Impact of Social Media on U.S. Elections”

    Oct. 1: MSU political science professor Matthew Grossmann on “Why Policymaking Success Leads to Electoral Failure.”

    Oct. 8: U-M Dearborn political science professor Mitchel A. Sollenberger on “Presidential Power and Democratic Resilience: Institutional Change and the 2026 Midterms.”

    Oct. 15: Oakland University political science professor David Dulio on “The 2026 Midterms: What the Data Tells Us.”

    10–11:30 a.m., Washtenaw Community College Towsley Auditorium (Morris Lawrence Bldg.), 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Preregistration required at olli-umich.org. $120 (members, $70) for the 5-lecture series. $25 per lecture (members, $15). Membership, $50 a year. (734) 998–9351.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Climate Week

    U-M Climate Week
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    Sept. 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.

  • Observer Editor

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
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    Every Wed.–Sun. A carnival atmosphere with a variety of family-oriented fall activities on this family farm, including wagon rides, a petting farm, a corn maze, and more. For an extra charge on Sat. & Sun., an apple cannon, paintball, apple or pumpkin picking, and other activities available. Cider & donuts available. Also, on Oct. 3 & 4, local artisans & crafters sell their items at the Craft Show Weekend, and on Oct. 24, young entrepreneurs sell homemade items at the Kids Market (noon–4 p.m.). No pets. 11 a.m.–6 p.m., 5565 Merritt (east of Carpenter), Ypsi. Weekend admission: $27.50 (babies under 2, free). Weekday admission: $18 (babies under 2, free), online only at wiards.com. (734) 482–7744.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Center for Japanese Studies Noon Lecture Series

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    Oct 1 & 15 (different locations). Talks by visiting scholars.

    Oct. 1: “Living Ainu Art: Community, Nature, and Intergenerational Knowledge through Song and Dance.” Lecture-performance of Indigenous Japanese Ainu dance and music by U-M Museum of Art visiting curator Kanako Uzawa.

    Oct. 15: “A History of Unowned Dance: Bodies in Transmission.” Dancer & choreographer Yasuko Yokoshi discusses how performing traditional Japanese dance has reshaped her body and artistic practice.

    Noon–1:30 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church St. (Oct. 1) & 4448 East Hall, 530 Church St.(Oct. 15). Free. (734) 764–6307.