Events
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Observer Editor
“What’s Happening in the Arctic—and Why We Should Care”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Thursday Morning Lecture Series
MoreEvery Thurs., Oct. 22–Nov. 19. Series of 5 weekly talks.
Oct. 22: Norwegian Arctic security expert Gabriella Gricius on “The Arctic Region in the Context of European Geopolitics and Security.”
Oct. 29: Viking Cruises Arctic guide John McCannon on “Four Ages of the North: The Broad Contours of Arctic History.”
Nov. 5: Harvard Arctic Initiative director Jennifer Spence on “The North American Arctic: Myths and Realities.”
Nov. 12: U-M ecology professor George Kling on “Environmental Changes in the Arctic: Local and Global Impacts.”
Nov. 19: Washington D.C.-based Arctic security expert Pavel Devyatkin on “Russian Arctic Policy, Security Strategy and International Cooperation.”
10–11:30 a.m., WCC Morris Lawrence Bldg., Towsley Auditorium, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Free. Preregistration required at olli-umich.org. $120 (members, $70) for the 5-lecture series. $25 per lecture (members, $15). Membership, $50 a year. (734) 998–9351.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery Tues.–Sun., except Nov. 26. 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 Center for Japanese Studies Noon Lecture Series
MoreNov. 5 & 12 (different locations). Talks by visiting scholars.
Nov. 5: University of Arizona Japanese Studies professor Joshua Schlachet on “Nourishing Life: Cultures of Food and Health in Early Modern Japan.”
Nov. 12: Cardiff University criminology professor Yutaka Yoshida on “When Self-Empowerment Goes South (or East, More Precisely): Gender, Neoliberalism, and Romance Fraud in Japan.”
Noon–1:30 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. (Nov. 5) & 4448 East Hall, 530 Church. (Nov. 12). Free. (734) 764–6307.
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Observer Editor
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center
MoreEvery Mon. & Thurs., except Nov. 26. Play open to all skill levels age 18 & up, both non-ACBL-sanctioned (Mon.) and ACBL-sanctioned (Thurs.). 12:30–3:30 p.m. (Mon., $5) & noon–3:30 p.m. (Thurs., $9); $1–$2 less for AASC members. 1320 Baldwin. (734) 794–6250, a2gov.org/senior, annarborbridge.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Division Street Pipes”: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
MoreEvery Thurs. through early Dec., except Nov. 26. U-M organ majors and faculty perform music TBA on the church’s Richards, Fowkes & Co. organ. 12:15 p.m., 306 N. Division. Free. (734) 663–0518, standrewsaa.org.
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Observer Editor
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club
MoreEvery Tues., Thurs., & Fri., except Nov. 26. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) and a game (Thurs.) for players with no more than 750 ACBL master points. 1–4 p.m. (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $9–$11 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
“The Geopolitics of Academic Freedom: The View from the Frontline”: 36th Annual U-M Davis, Markert, Nickerson Lecture on Academic and Intellectual Freedom
MoreTalk by Michael Ignatieff, who served as the president and rector of Central European University between 2016 and 2021, the turbulent years that saw CEU’s expulsion from Budapest and its reestablishment in Vienna during the rule of Hungary’s far-right prime minister Viktor Orbán. Refreshments at 3:30 p.m. 4–5:30 p.m., Alexander Ruthven Bldg., rm. 2000, 1109 Geddes. Preregistration required and livestream available at facultysenate.umich.edu/2026-current-lecture. Free. (734) 764–0303.
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Community Listing
“Drop-in Collage: Junk Journaling”: SCRAP Creative Reuse
More4567 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA, Ann Arbor
Join us at SCRAP for Drop-in Collage on First Thursdays!
Drop-in collage is held in the Education Studio. Get crafty with magazines, calendars, stamps, other people’s photos, and more! Explore unique reuse materials to make your masterpiece.
✧ Great craft for people who enjoy scrapbooking, junk journaling, binding and interest of that sort ✧
Ages 10+: Youth must be accompanied by an adult.
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FreeObserver Editor
Michigan Marching Band Practice
MoreEvery Mon.–Thurs., except Nov. 24–26. 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. 4:45 p.m., Hill at Fifth Ave. Free. (734) 764–0582.
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Community Listing
Annual Spaghetti Dinner: St. Nicholas Ladies Philoptochos
More3109 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor
The St. Nicholas Ladies Philoptochos-sponsored Annual Spaghetti Dinner will take place on Thursday, November 5, from 5:00-7:30 pm. The menu includes Spaghetti with Marinara or Meat Sauce, Salad, Bread, Dessert, and Beverage. The cost is $20 for adults and $12 for children 10 and under. Carryout is available. Proceeds go to those in need.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
3109 Scio Church Road
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Nightspots
Lamm & Henley.: North Star Lounge
MoreNorth Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann ArborLocal jazz duo of bassist August Lamm and pianist-guitarist Andy Henley specializes in arrangements of songs from the Great American Songbook. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.
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FreeObserver Editor
Danielle Braithwaite-Shirley: U-M Stamps School of Art & Design Penny Stamps Speaker Series
MoreThis London- and Berlin-based artist and game designer discusses their work, which takes the form of immersive video games, using animation, sound, and live performance to explore and retell the stories of Black trans people. 5:30–7 p.m., Michigan Theater. Free. (734) 936–0671, stamps.umich.edu.
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FreeObserver Editor
Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company
MoreEvery Mon., Thurs., & Sat. (different AARC locations), except Nov. 26. Runners of all abilities invited to join a 5K mapped route (Mon. & Thurs.) or either a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.). Corner Brewery (6 p.m. Mon.), 720 Norris, Ypsi.; AARC Colonnade (6 p.m. Thurs.), 901 W. Eisenhower; and AARC Traver Village (7 a.m. Sat.), 2621 Plymouth Rd. Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
Bad Decisions Track Club
MoreEvery Thurs. Runners of all abilities invited to join this eclectic group of runners ranging from people training for their first 5K to ultramarathoners. Sessions are typically interval-based track workouts, followed by socializing at a nearby brewery. 6 p.m., Ferry Field, State at Hoover. May meet elsewhere if the weather is bad. Free. See walline.wixsite.com/bdtc to sign up for email updates on each week’s workout.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Defining the Discipline of Robotics for Excellence and Equity in an AI-driven World”: U-M Institute for Data & AI in Society
MoreTalk by U-M robotics professor Chad Jenkins. 6–7:30 p.m., Dana Bldg., rm. 1040, 440 Church, and via Zoom. Free. Preregistration required at midas.umich.edu/midas-events. [email protected].
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FreeObserver Editor
“Cross-Stitched Bookmark”: Ann Arbor District Library
MoreCraft activity for adults & teens. 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, 4th fl. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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FreeObserver 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. 6–7:30 p.m., AADL Downtown, lower level program rm. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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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. 1–3 p.m. (Sun.) & 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.
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Observer Editor
“Musical Moments 2026”: Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates Fundraiser
MoreLive music by world-renowned favorite local blues pianist Mark “Mr. B” Braun, members of local gypsy jazz ensemble Djangophonique, classical horn player and Appalachian folk vocalist Mary Beth Orr, soprano Alice McAllister Tillman, and world music ensemble AgawDilim. Silent auction. Proceeds benefit the organization’s musician support and community educational programs. Hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine, & beer. 6–8 p.m., Michigan Firehouse Museum, 110 W. Cross, Ypsi. $75 includes food & drinks. Preregistration required by Oct. 29 at greatlakespaa.org or (734) 276–8558.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Repairsday Thursday”: All Hands Active
MoreEvery Thurs., except Nov. 26. All invited to drop in with broken electronics, furniture, toys, or any other item they’d like to try to repair or repurpose with the help and guidance of AHA members. Repairs not guaranteed. 6–8 p.m., basement of 255 E. Liberty, ste. 225. Free; donations welcome. [email protected], meetup.com/allhandsactive/events.
