Events
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Nightspots
Paul Keller Orchestra.: Zal Gaz Grotto
MoreZal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann ArborAward-winning 14-piece big band led by bassist Keller and featuring vocalist Sarah D’Angelo and occasional guest vocalists. Also, each week features a middle set by a guest college or high school student ensemble.
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Nightspots
Open Stage.: Ark
MoreArk 316 S. Main, Ann ArborAll acoustic performers invited. Fifteen acts are selected randomly from those who sign up (doors open 7:30 p.m.) to perform 8 minutes (or 2 songs) each. The most talented and popular Open Stage performers are offered their own evenings at the Ark. $3 (members & students, free) at the door only.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Tues.–Sun., starting Oct. 21. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. The newest program examines how membranes can help solve water shortages. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
U-M Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies Noon Lecture Series
MoreEvery Tues. (except Oct. 20). Talks by U-M and visiting scholars.
Oct. 6: University of Albany geography professor Tom Narins on “Bad Romance in Southeast Asia: China-Linked Cyber-Scamming, Variegated Govotolerance, and the Geopolitics of Criminality along China’s Belt and Road.”
Oct. 13: City University of New York anthropology professor Anru Lee on “Haunted Modernities: Gender, Memory, and Place-Making in Postindustrial Taiwan.”
Oct. 27: Northeastern University sociology professor Chuncheng Liu on “Metricracy: The Data and Symbolic Politics of a Chinese Social Credit System.”
Noon–1 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. (734) 764–6308, [email protected].
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Observer Editor
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club
MoreEvery Thurs., Fri., & Tues. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) and a 499er game (Thurs.) for players with no more than 499 ACBL master points. 1–4 p.m. (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $9 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email [email protected].
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Observer Editor
“Becoming American: The Immigrant Experience Through the Eyes of the Storyteller”: Michigan Immigrant Rights Center Fundraiser
MoreOct. 27 & Nov. 15. Immigrants from Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Hungary, India, Laos, Mexico, and Ukraine tell their stories over 2 events, followed by a panel discussion. Proceeds benefit this nonprofit legal resource center. 3–5 p.m., St. Clare’s Episcopal Church/Temple Beth Emeth, 2309 Packard. $35 (students & reduced income, $20) in advance at jlive.app/events/17069 & (if available) at the door.
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FreeObserver Editor
Ann Arbor Area Scrabble Club
MoreEvery Tues. All invited to play the classic word game, using the 5th-edition Scrabble dictionary. Bring your own set, if you like. 3:30–8 p.m., Arbor Brewing Company Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsi. Free. [email protected], meetup.com/ann-arbor-scrabble-meetup.
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FreeObserver Editor
Michigan Marching Band Practice
MoreEvery Mon.–Thurs., except Oct. 19 & 20. U-M’s highly disciplined 200+ member marching band or sections thereof can be seen and heard practicing on the new Elbel Field, across the street from the old Elbel Field. All welcome to find a spot in the bleachers and get a sneak preview of upcoming halftime shows. Rehearsals usually last 1–2 hours. Also, at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, the band hosts its monthly free Open Stadium Rehearsal at Michigan Stadium. 4:45 p.m., Hill at Fifth Ave. Free. (734) 764–0582.
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Nightspots
Easy Street Jazz Band.: Zal Gaz Grotto
MoreZal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann ArborEarly jazz classics from Scott Joplin and Bessie Smith to Louis Armstrong and beyond by this veteran local septet led by trombonist Terry Kimura.
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FreeObserver Editor
Game Night: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery Tues. All invited to play board games, assemble a puzzle, paint miniatures, or try a tabletop role-playing game, all in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. 5 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Intro to Laser Engraving: Wooden Coasters”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults & teens invited to use a laser cutter to engrave a provided coaster to take home. 5:30–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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FreeObserver Editor
“The Extraordinary Caterpillar”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreOccasional free screenings in the Downtown branch lower level program rm., and other locations as noted. (734) 327–4200.
Oct. 27: “The Extraordinary Caterpillar” (Jeff McKay, 2025). Hour-long documentary that explores the hidden world of caterpillars and their role in global biodiversity and food webs. 6 p.m.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Whose City? Street Art and the Performance of Belonging in Tbilisi, Georgia”: U-M Center for World Performance Studies
MoreU-M international studies professor Greta Uehling discusses how street art functions as a form of cultural resistance in politically constrained societies like Georgia. 6 p.m., Michigan League, Vandenberg Rm. Free. (734) 763–0622.
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FreeObserver Editor
Drop-in Knitting: Spun
MoreEvery Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.) & 1–3 p.m. (Sun.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.
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Observer Editor
Collage & Chill: Dzanc House
MoreOct. 13 & 27. All invited to make collages. Supplies provided, but bring your own if you like. 6–8 p.m., 402 S. Huron St., Ypsi. $5 suggested donation. dzanchouse.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Chamber Music & Dance With a View”: U-M Music School Rush Hour Concerts
MoreOct. 13 & 27. Performances by U-M dance and chamber music students. 6:30–7:20 p.m., U-M Dance Bldg. Percy Granoff Studio, 1000 Baits. Free. smtd.umich.edu/events.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Conservation of Imperiled Insects in Michigan”: Michigan Botanical Society
MoreMichigan Natural Features Inventory conservation scientist Logan Rowe gives an overview of rare insect species found in Michigan and highlights their close associations with native plants. Followed by refreshments. 7 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens auditorium, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free; metered parking. (734) 718–6114, michiganbotanicalsociety.org/huron-valley-chapter.
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Community ListingFree
Skazat! Poetry Series
MoreReading (via Zoom) by poet Derrick Austin, author of This Elegance (Boa Editions, 2026). Preceded by open mic. 7–8:30 p.m., for URL preregister at facebook.com/skazat. Free. (734) 223–3165.
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Nightspots
Jake Reichbart.: Earle
MoreEarle 121 W. Washington, Ann ArborSolo jazz guitarist. Solo jazz pianists TBA occasionally substitute.
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FreeObserver Editor
“La Signora senza camelie”: U-M Cineforum: Italian Classics on Campus
More2435 North Quad, 105 S. State. Monthly free screenings of Italian-language films, with subtitles.
Oct. 27: “La Signora senza camelie” (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1953). Melodrama about a shopgirl-turned-screen siren and the tensions arising with her new film executive husband, who pushes her into a “serious, artistic” production of the life of Joan of Arc. FREE. 7 p.m.
