• Observer Editor

    D&D Adventurers League: Sylvan Factory

    D&D Adventurers League: Sylvan Factory
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    Every 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.

  • 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. 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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Annual CDL Song Fest 2026: Chelsea District Library

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    This annual event is highlighted by a performance by 2-time Grammy nominee Chris Collingwood (8–9:30 p.m.), lead vocalist and founding member of 90s and early 2000s power pop band Fountains of Wayne, whose songwriting is known for its sharp storytelling, memorable hooks, and heartfelt lyrics. His new band, Look Park, released its eponymous debut album in 2016; it received wide critical acclaim and was called “one of the best rock albums of the year” by Salon. Tonight Collingwood is joined by fiddler and vocalist Gina Romantini. Preceded at 7:30 p.m. by an interview with Collingwood about his career, influences, and craft by WEMU FM The Song Break host John Bommarito. Also, a Teen Showcase performance (6:45–7:15 p.m.) by 2 local teen bands TBA. 6:45–9:30 p.m., Robin Hills Farm pasture barn, 20390 M-52, Chelsea. Free. (734) 475–8732, chelseadistrictlibrary.org/songfest.

  • Nightspots

    Rick Burgess Trio.: Earle

    Rick Burgess Trio.
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    Earle 121 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Jazz ensemble, named after the late jazz pianist and Earle cofounder Burgess, featuring drummer Robert Warren and a rotating roster of bassists and pianists.

     

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Good Fortune”: Jewel Heart Buddhist Center

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    1129 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.

  • Nightspots

    Don Hicks & Friends.: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    An ad hoc local ensemble led by trumpeter (and Blue Llama owner) Hicks.

  • Nightspots

    Pontiac Trail Blazers.: North Star Lounge

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

    Local 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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Night Terrors”: Wiard’s Orchards

    “Night Terrors”: Wiard’s Orchards
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    Every 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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company

    “Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
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    Every 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.

  • Observer Editor

    “The Opera Ghost”: Penny Seats Theatre Company

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    October 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].

  • Observer Editor

    “Maestro”: Theatre Nova

    “Maestro”: Theatre Nova
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    Every 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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Come from Away”: U-M Musical Theatre Department

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    Oct. 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.

  • Nightspots

    Mike Dawes.: Ark

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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Wildly 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.

  • Observer Editor

    “Black Cat: Ghoulita Graves Presents … The Curse of Blood”: Neighborhood Theatre Group

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    Oct. 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.

  • Nightspots

    Weekend Comeback.: Mash (Ypsilanti)

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    Mash (Ypsilanti) 400 W. River, Ypsilanti

    High-energy Detroit-area cover band that plays hits from the 60s to the present day.

  • Nightspots

    The Switchbacks.: Zal Gaz Grotto

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    Zal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor

    Local hard-rocking country and blues quintet fronted by vocalist Janet Benson.

  • Nightspots

    “The Resurrection of the Zombie Ball.”: Ziggy’s

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    Ziggy’s 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    With 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.

  • Observer Editor

    Beth Stelling: Blind Pig

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    L.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.

  • Community Listing
    Free

    GED: Ghettotech, Electro and Drum ‘N Bass

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    336 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.

    Free