Events
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Nightspots
Ryan Racine.: Old Town
MoreOld Town 122 W. Liberty, Ann ArborVeteran local alt-country honky-tonk and rockabilly singer-songwriter.
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Nightspots
The Now Trio.: Blue LLama
MoreBlue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann ArborDetroit ensemble that plays standards and originals, along with lesser-known arrangements by prolific composers. With pianist Ben Maloney, bassist Jeff Pedraz, and drummer Travis Aukerman.
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Observer Editor
“Twin Peaks Season 2: Episodes 8 & 9”: 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.
Oct. 4: “Twin Peaks Season 2: Episodes 8 & 9” (David Lynch, 1990). Screenings of the most highly rated episodes of season 2 of this surreal prime-time television show continue, as idiosyncratic FBI agent Dale Cooper deepens his investigation of the murder of high school student Laura Palmer. 7 p.m.
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Observer Editor
“The Opera Ghost”: Penny Seats Theatre Company
MoreOctober 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].
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Observer Editor
Ballroom Dance Club at the U-M
MoreEvery Sun. Ballroom dancing to recorded music, including foxtrots, waltzes, cha-chas, rumbas, tangos, swing, and more. No partner necessary. Preceded at 6 p.m. by beginning lessons and practice. 7–9 p.m., Michigan Union Ballroom. $5 ($10 includes lessons). (734) 763–6984.
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FreeObserver Editor
Traditional Irish Session: Conor O’Neill’s
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to join or listen to an instrumental jam session. 7–9 p.m., 318 S. Main. Free. (734) 665–2968.
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Observer Editor
“Night Terrors”: Wiard’s Orchards
MoreEvery 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.
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Observer Editor
“Donnie Darko”: Fathom Entertainment
More(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).
Oct. 2–4: “Donnie Darko” (Richard Kelly, 2001). Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this dark, original, and somewhat incoherent psychological sci-fi thriller about a hallucinating teen. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore. 7:30 p.m. Cinemark only.
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Nightspots
Lindsay Lou.: Ark
MoreArk 316 S. Main, Ann ArborMichigan-bred, Nashville-based Americana singer-songwriter best known locally as the frontwoman of the former Michigan bluegrass band The Flatbellys. Rolling Stone calls her “an artist who has been deftly weaving bluegrass into ethereal, indie-folk explorations.” $29.
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Nightspots
Jazz Jam Session.: Ann Arbor Funhouse
MoreAnn Arbor Funhouse 207 E. Washington., Ann ArborJazz ensemble led by veteran local drummer Pete Siers and saxophonist Kenji Lee (see Blue Llama).
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Observer Editor
AI and Mental Health Conference 2026: U-M Institute for Data & AI in Society
MoreA day of panel discussions, talks, and interactive discussions open to anyone interested in the future of AI and mental health. Speakers include American Psychological Association senior director of health care innovation Vaile Wright, Slingshot AI head of research Caitlin Stamatis, and others TBA. Michigan Union, Rogel Ballroom, 530 S State St. Free; preregistration required at midas.umich.edu/events/aimh-conference-2026.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Independence Lake Gravel Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
MoreEvery Mon. Slow/moderate-paced 23-mile ride to Independence Lake on mostly dirt roads. See aabts.org for weather cancellations or delays. 9 a.m. sharp, meet at Old St. Patrick Catholic Church, 5671 Whitmore Lake Rd. Free. (412) 302–9960.
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FreeObserver Editor
AI and Mental Health Conference 2026: U-M Institute for Data & AI in Society
MoreThe public is welcome to attend all or part of this day of panels, talks, and interactive discussions open to anyone interested in the future of AI and mental health. Speakers include American Psychological Association senior director of health care innovation Vaile Wright, Slingshot AI head of research Caitlin Stamatis, and others TBA. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Michigan Union, Rogel Ballroom, 530 S. State. Free; preregistration required at midas.umich.edu/events/aimh-conference-2026.
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FreeObserver Editor
Weekly Rehearsal: Washtenaw Women’s Community Chorus
MoreEvery Mon. All invited to join this independent local women’s chorus to sing an eclectic program, including classical, folk, Broadway, pop, and jazz. Joshua Marzan directs. 9:30–11:30 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, rear ground level, 1432 Washtenaw Ave. Free to visitors ($175 per semester for those who join; partial scholarships available). [email protected].
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Nightspots
Hard Candy.: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater.
MoreHear.Say Brewing + Theater. 2350 W. Liberty.Chelsea rock band, led by Spark vocalist Robin Grant, that covers lesser-known bands and deep cuts, along with some familiar hits.
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Observer Editor
“Adore Him: He Is Here”: Fathom Entertainment
More(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).
Oct. 4–8: “Adore Him: He Is Here” (Don Johnson, 2026). Religious docudrama about Eucharistic adoration. 4:30 p.m. (Sun. only) & 6 p.m. Cinemark only.
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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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FreeObserver Editor
“Europe’s Coalition of the Willing, Ukraine, and the Future of NATO”: U-M Center for Europe and Eurasia
MoreTalk by International Institute for Strategic Studies senior advisor for Europe François Heisbourg. 5–6:30 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church St. Free. (734) 764–3490.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Monday Evening Migration at Matthaei”: Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance
MoreEvery Mon. All invited to join club member James Weir on a leisurely stroll through the well-maintained dirt paths of the Botanical Gardens to observe migrating warblers, thrushes, flycatchers, cuckoos, and other birds making their way south. Binoculars provided if needed. 5:30–7:30 p.m., 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free. washtenawbna.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company (AARC)
MoreEvery Thurs., Sat., & Mon. (different AARC locations). Runners of all abilities invited to join a 5K mapped route (Thurs. & Mon.) or either a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.). AARC Colonnade (6 p.m. Thurs.), 2621 Plymouth Rd.; AARC Traver Village (7 a.m. Sat.), 901 W. Eisenhower; and Corner Brewery (6 p.m. Mon.), 720 Norris, Ypsi. Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.
