Events
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Observer Editor
“The Transformers: The Movie”: Fathom Entertainment
Various TimesMore(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. 17–23: “The Transformers: The Movie” (Nelson Shin, 1986). Animated sci-fi action based on the popular television series about a war between 2 robotic clans. Various times; see website.
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Observer Editor
“Heaven in Stone and Glass”: Fathom Entertainment
Various TimesMore(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. 20 & 23: “Heaven in Stone and Glass” (Rob Kaczmark & Branden J. Stanley, 2026). Religious documentary exploring sacred mysteries built into Gothic cathedrals. Various times; see website.
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Observer Editor
Sunday Artisan Market
MoreEvery Sun. Juried market of local handmade arts & crafts, now in its 35th year. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Kerrytown Farmers Market pavilion. Free admission. (734) 913–9622.
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Free
Observer Editor
Entheofest
MoreSpeakers and street performers congregate to celebrate plant medicines and psilocybin fungi, also known as magic mushrooms. Talks and panel discussions TBA, information booths. 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m., U-M Diag in front of the Hatcher Library. Free. a2entheofest.org.
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Observer Editor
Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun., Sept. 12–Nov. 21; and Wed.–Fri., Sept. 16–Oct. 30. 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 and donuts available. Also, on Sept. 12 & 13, the season opens with a food truck rally, and on Sept. 19 & 20, view classic cars at the Fall Car & Jeep Show. 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.
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Observer Editor
Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun., Sept. 19–Nov. 1. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits to allow for routes of various lengths. Also, a U-Pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, and yard games. On Sept. 27, Family Fun Day (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) features ice cream, balloon art, kids activities, and live music from the Saline Fiddlers. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.), & 5–9 p.m. (Fri.), 6175 Daly, Dexter. $16 (ages 5–12, $13; age 4 & under, free with adult admission). blastcornmaze.com.
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Observer Editor
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. T. Rex (noon) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence); The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.) explores the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own; and Tales of the Maya Skies (2 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.
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Observer Editor
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
MoreFri. Sept. 4 & 18 and every Sat. & Sun. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show some barnyard buddies, including a Highland cow, a chicken, a Flemish giant rabbit, and a miniature donkey at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show the cow, chicken, and rabbit at 1 & 4 p.m., and the donkey at 2 & 3 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 7–9 p.m. (Fri.) and noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 (kids ages 2–12, $13; under age 2, free) cash or credit at the door only. (734) 929–9324, thecreatureconservancy.org.
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Free
Observer Editor
Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to play one of a wide variety of board games in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Instruction provided. Also, on Sept. 6 game playtesting with Michigame Design Lab (2 p.m.), during which players are invited to try out new board & card games from local designers Bruce Bielawa & Joe Hopkins and provide feedback. Noon–6 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. sylvanfactory.com.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Poké Battle Sunday”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults and kids grade 3 & up invited to play this popular Nintendo Switch video game. Participants may bring their own Switch handheld consoles or borrow one from the library. 1–4 p.m., AADL Downtown, 4th fl. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Sharon Mills Open House Tour”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission
MoreSept. 20 & 27. Docent-led tour of historic building and grounds along the River Raisin, which includes a hydroelectric generator that was one of many Southeast Michigan facilities that comprised Henry Ford’s Village Industry project. 1–5 p.m., Sharon Mills County Park, 5701 Sharon Hollow, Manchester. Free. 971–6337.
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Community ListingFree
International Day of Peace: Community Commons Initiating Committee
MoreCommunity celebration including music, poetry, speeches, and art-making TBA. Bring your own music, words, and art to contribute. 1-5 p.m., Liberty Plaza Park, Liberty and Division. Free. [email protected]
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Free
Observer Editor
Annual Ann Arbor Russian Festival: St. Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church
MoreSept. 19 & 20. Slavic food and drinks, including blini, borscht, and more. Live entertainment by bell ringers, St. Vladimir’s Choir, traditional dancers, and others. Also, a tearoom with Russian sweets, church tours, and a kids corner with a bounce house, petting zoo, games, and more. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. (Sat.) & 1–7 p.m. (Sun.), St. Vladimir Church, 9900 Jackson Rd., Dexter. Free admission. (734) 475–4590, annarborrussianfestival.org.
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Observer Editor
“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”: 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.
Sept. 20: “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (Peter Jackson, 2001). Extended version of the first in the epic adventure movie trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic 3-volume fantasy series concerning a humble hobbit trying to save the world of Middle-earth. The other 2 films screen Sept. 27 & Oct. 4. 1:30 p.m.
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Free
Observer Editor
Forest Lawn Cemetery Tour: Dexter Heritage Society/Dexter District Library
MoreWalking tour of this historic cemetery and the graves of prominent Dexter residents portrayed by Dexter residents in period costume. Includes U.S. Senator Royal Samuel Copeland, Dr. William C. and Lillian Wylie, Calvin Turner Fillmore, and others. Uneven ground. 2–4 p.m., preregistration required (space limited) at dexter.lib.mi.us/events or (734) 426–4477, ext. 120. Free, donations to the cemetery tree fund gratefully accepted.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Photographing Orchids”: Ann Arbor Orchid Society Monthly Meeting
MorePresentation by Michigan master gardener Lynn O’Shaughnessy. Also, a silent auction, orchid raffle table, and show-and-tell. 2–4 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, rm. 125, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free; metered parking. [email protected], annarbororchidsociety.org.
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Free
Observer Editor
Farmstead Tours: Pittsfield Township Historical Society
MoreGuided tours of the historic 1832 Sutherland-Wilson farmstead. Also, in the house, Somewhere in Time, an exhibit mounted by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild. 2–5 p.m., Sutherland-Wilson Farm, 797 W. Textile. Free. [email protected], pittsfieldhistory.org.
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Free
Observer Editor
Michigame Design Lab Game Playtesting: Bløm Mead + Cider
MoreAll invited to try out new board and card games from local designers and provide feedback. 2–6 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729, drinkblom.com/events.
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Free
Observer Editor
Artists’ Mixer: Neighborhood Theatre Group
MoreAll invited to meet, connect, and collaborate with fellow local creatives. Light refreshments and drinks served. 3–5 p.m., the Back Office Studio, 13 N. Washington, Ypsi. Free; preregistration recommended at ntgypsi.org. [email protected].
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Free
Observer Editor
“Bacon: The History of America’s Most (Un)Desirable Food”: Culinary Historians of Ann Arbor
MoreUniversity of Tennessee-Chattanooga history professor Mark Johnson discusses how bacon overcame religious prohibition, cultural contempt, and dietary advice to become a gastronomic and pop cultural phenomenon. Q&A. 4–5:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, lower level program rm. Also via YouTube,; URL at culinaryhistoriansannarbor.org or aadl.org/events. Free. (734) 327–4200.