Events
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Community ListingFree
Hidden Blazers Bluegrass: The Ravens Club
More207 S Main, Ann Arbor
Every Monday, high-energy bluegrass from the new local supergroup featuring washboardist Vince Russo, with James Bourland on bass, Joe O’Dell on guitar, Bubba Wilson on mandolin, and Ryan Michaud on banjo. No Cover, 25% service industry discount
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Free
Observer Editor
Scandinavian Music Jam
MoreAug. 10 & 24. Bruce Sagan leads an acoustic jam session devoted to traditional music from Sweden and Norway. All instruments welcome, no experience necessary. 7:30–9:30 p.m., location TBA; email [email protected]. Free.
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Observer Editor
Tartan and Thistle Scottish Country Dancers
MoreEvery Mon. Learn to dance jigs, reels, and strathspeys. All dances taught. Usually with live music by Susie Lorand, Josh Burdick, and friends. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $10 suggested donation (first-timers free). (734) 274–0773.
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Free
Observer Editor
Comedy Show: The Blind Pig
MoreEvery Mon. Performances from up to 15 aspiring stand-up comics from around the state. Local comics emcee. Age 21 & up only. Free candy. 8–9:30 p.m., 208 S. First St. Free. (734) 996–8555.
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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).
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Free
Observer Editor
Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet
MoreEvery Sun., Tues., & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different locations. Rain or shine. Dozer Coffee (8 a.m. Sun. & 7 a.m. Tues.), 112 Jackson Plz., (734) 929–9022 & Fleet Feet (7 p.m. Wed.), 123 E. Liberty, (734) 769–5016. Free. fleetfeetsemichigan.com.
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Observer Editor
Chelsea Community Fair: Chelsea Fairgrounds
MoreAug. 25–29. Fair rides and concessions (Wed. & Thurs. 3–10 p.m., Fri. noon–10 p.m., and Sat. 1–10 p.m.), a bingo tent, livestock shows, demolition derbies (Tues. & Wed. 7:30 p.m.), Lost Nations Rodeo (Thurs. 7:30 p.m.), truck & tractor pulls (Fri. & Sat. 7 p.m.), a fair queen contest (Fri. 7 p.m.), exhibits of baking, canning, floriculture, arts, and hobbies. The fair officially kicks off with a Children’s Parade (Tues. 5:30 p.m.) for ages 3–12 on decorated bikes & wagons or on foot from the municipal lot behind Common Grill to the fairgrounds, and ends with the Chelsea Fair Parade (Sat. 1 p.m.), which includes the high-energy Celtic-inspired Chelsea House Orchestra, and many more local favorites. Complete schedule available at chelseafair.org. 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Chelsea Fairgrounds, Old US-12 at Old Manchester Rd., Chelsea. Daily admission, $10; 5-day pass, $30 (middle & high school students and seniors 65 & older, $20; kids age 10 & under, free). Free admission for seniors age 65 & over on Thurs. before 5 p.m., for active or inactive U.S. service members with ID on Fri., and for families on Fri. from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. $5 pass for women on Fri. before 11 a.m. (734) 475–1270, [email protected], chelseafair.org.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Tues.–Sun. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens. The newest program lets participants try out simulated snake senses to experience the world as if they were a snake. No live snakes. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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Observer Editor
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club
MoreEvery Tues., Thurs., & Fri. 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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Free
Observer 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. meetup.com/ann-arbor-scrabble-meetup. [email protected].
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Free
Observer Editor
“Waterway Relatives”: U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens
MoreAll invited to join Earth and Environmental Sciences professor Selena Smith to discuss the interdependencies between waterways and humans, explore water sampling trays to look for aquatic organisms, and take a short walk. Dress for the weather. 4:30 p.m., 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free; metered parking. (734) 647–7600, mbgna.umich.edu/events.
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Free
Observer Editor
Game Night: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery Tues. All invited to play one of a selection of board games, assemble a puzzle, paint miniatures, or try a tabletop role-playing game, all in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Also, at 6 p.m., RPG One Shots, introductory games of different tabletop role-playing games perfect for beginners, finished after one session (see website for this week’s game, preregistration strongly encouraged at sylvanfactory.square.site). 5 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.
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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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Free
Observer Editor
“Colorful Pajaki Chandeliers”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAdults & teens invited to use straw, colorful paper, twine, and a wooden hoop to make these Polish decorations used to celebrate important life events like birthdays and holidays. 5–7 p.m., AADL Downtown, lower level program rm. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Free
Observer Editor
Riso Lab: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreAll invited to use analog tools to create a 2-color design for a 2026 calendar and print it with the lab’s Risograph duplicator, a digital screen printer similar to a photocopier. 5–7 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Dog and Suds Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
MoreEvery Tues. Moderate-paced ride, 20 to 30 miles, along the less-traveled roads west and north of Chelsea. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 6 p.m. sharp, meet at Aberdeen Bike and Outdoors, 1101 Main, Chelsea. Start location occasionally changes. Free. (734) 662–0205.
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Free
Observer Editor
“Tomato Bonanza”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreThe Lakehouse Bakery (Chelsea) owner Keegan Rodgers hosts a hands-on introduction to making great tomato sauce and finding other uses for the abundance of tomatoes from your garden or local markets. Tasting. 6–7 p.m., AADL Malletts Creek. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Free
Observer Editor
Touch Rugby: U-M Rugby Football Club
MoreEvery Tues. & Thurs. All invited to play a low-contact version of rugby. Beginners welcome. 6–7:30 p.m., Riverside Park, 1000 Canal. Free. [email protected].
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Community ListingFree
What Do You Carry? Community Showcase & Open Mic: U-M Arts Initiative
More343 S. Fifth Ave, Ann Arbor
We all carry something: grief and hope, memory and story, the spoken and the unspoken. What Do You Carry? invites you to an evening of shared words and witnessing, and to our open mic and community story circle, where you’re welcome to share something of your own: a poem, a song, a story, a reflection, a piece of art that speaks to what you carry. Come to read, or simply come to listen; every way of being here is welcome.
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Free
Observer Editor
Drop-in Knitting: Spun
MoreEvery Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 1–3 p.m. (Sun.) & 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.
