Events
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Observer Editor
Annual Gaming Convention: U•Con
MoreNov. 13–15. Hundreds of competitors of all ages are expected to turn out to play a wide spectrum of tabletop games, from board games and role-playing games to collectible card games and miniaturized simulations of historical and fictional battlefields. Participants also are invited to bring in games to play in an open gaming area. Also, a dealers’ room with sales and demos. In-person registration begins today at 7:30 a.m. For a complete schedule of events, see ucon-gaming.org. 9 a.m.–1 a.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 9 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.), Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, 1275 S. Huron St., Ypsi. Weekend pass: $65 in advance, $75 (students and active & retired military, $65) at the door; kids ages 7–12 (accompanied by an adult), $20 in advance & at the door; kids 6 & under, free. Daily passes (available both in advance & at the door): Fri. $45, Sat. $55 ($45 in advance), Sun. $35. A few games cost extra. Advance registration available at ucon-gaming.org. (734) 930–6363.
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Free
Observer Editor
A2 Community Bookfest (formerly Kerrytown BookFest): Ann Arbor District Library
MoreThis bustling, lively festival—the largest 1-day book festival in Michigan—celebrates books and bookmaking with a variety of demos, talks, signings, displays, and sale tables by local bookstores, booksellers, and publishers. Schedule: Bestselling NYC writer Katie Kitamura (10:30 a.m.), author of the award-winning 2017 novel A Separation, discusses her work. A picture book writing workshop (noon) with local children’s writer Amy Nielander. A chance to drop in and make garlands (noon–2 p.m.) out of old book pages. “Demystifying the Author/Editor Relationship,” (1:30 p.m.), a talk by Ohio-based novelist Tiffany Graham Charkosky and her editor, Ronit Wagman. “Self-Publishing Success Stories,” a panel discussion with self-published authors Zig Zag Claybourne, Sylvia Hubbard, Michael Lucas, and Katharine Sweet. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200. For more information and the latest schedule, see aadl.org/bookfest.
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Observer Editor
Sunday Artisan Market
MoreEvery Sun. through Dec. 20. Juried market. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Farmers Market Pavilion, Kerrytown. Free admission. (734) 913–9622.
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Free
Observer Editor
H.A.C. Ultimate
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to a relaxed pick-up game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Beginners welcome. Play proceeds regardless of the weather. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Fuller Park, just west of the pool & parking lot (or occasionally across the street). Free. (734) 846–9418, [email protected].
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Observer Editor
A2 Studio Tour
MoreNov. 14 & 15. Over 14 Ann Arbor artists open their studios for a show and sale. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., map of locations at a2studiotour.com. [email protected].
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Observer Editor
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun. and Nov. 6 & 20. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show some native Michigan animals, including a cougar, black rat snake, and opossum at 1 & 4 p.m.; and a wild turkey at 2 & 3 p.m. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show all four animals at 7:30 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. Noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) & 7–9 p.m. (Fri.), 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 (kids ages 2–12, $13; under age 2, free) cash or credit at the door only. (734) 929–9324, thecreatureconservancy.org.
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Free
Observer Editor
Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to play one of a wide variety of board games in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Instruction provided. Also, on Nov. 1, game playtesting with Michigame Design Lab (2 p.m.), during which players are invited to try out new board & card games from local designers Bruce Bielawa & Joe Hopkins and provide feedback. Noon–6 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. sylvanfactory.com.
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Observer Editor
Afternoon Program: 33rd Ann Arbor Polish Film Festival
MoreNov. 13–15. Three days of subtitled Polish films at the Michigan Theater. Tickets $15 (students & seniors, $10; U-M & MSU students with ID, free) except as noted. annarborpolishfilmfestival.com.
Nov. 15: Afternoon Program. One short, followed by one feature film. Taty Nie Ma (Dad’s Not Home) (Jan Saczek, 2025). Two brothers conceal their father’s dementia to avoid his institutionalization after their mother’s death. Followed by a Q&A with the director. Dom Dobry (Home Sweet Home) (Wojciech Smarzowski, 2025). Harrowing drama about a whirlwind romance that turns dark and abusive. 1 p.m.
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Observer Editor
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (noon) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago; The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.) explores the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own; and T. Rex (2 p.m.) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence). Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.
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Observer Editor
“Environmental Adaptation”: Waterloo Natural History Association
MoreRepresentatives from Science Alive present live amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals whose adaptations to their structure, form, and habits help them survive in their environment. 2–3:30 p.m., Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush, Chelsea. $2 (families, $5); preregistration required by emailing [email protected] with name, phone number, and number attending. $15 Michigan recreation passport ($20 at the gate) required.
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Observer Editor
“Cyrano de Bergerac”: Community High School Ensemble Theatre
MoreNov. 12–15. Emily Wilson-Tobin directs Community High students in Simon Evans and Debris Stevenson’s new translation of Edmond Rostand’s 1897 play, a hit on London’s West End this year. The classic tragicomedy about a gallant but ugly swashbuckler who feels unworthy of love gets new life in this adaptation that gambols in the riches of language, blending modern lyrical verse, classic text, and grime poetry. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), CHS Craft Theatre, 401 N. Division. Tickets $22 (students & seniors, $15) in advance at communityensembletheatre.ludus.com, & (if available) at the door (usually sells out). (734) 994–2025, a2cet.org.
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Observer Editor
“Bastard”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
MoreEvery 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.
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Observer Editor
“All About the Trio Goes to the Movies”: Kerrytown Concert House
MoreU-M jazz professor Ellen Rowe presents one of her popular lecture-concerts, this one a tribute to one of jazz’s richest source books: Hollywood, from Henry Mancini (Moon River, Days of Wine and Roses) and Johnny Mandel (The Shadow of Your Smile, Emily) to Jerome Kern (The Way You Look Tonight, Long Ago and Far Away), and David Raksin (Laura). With bassist Paul Keller and drummer Pete Siers. 2–4 p.m., 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $32–$42 (students, $20–$30) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 769–2999.
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Observer Editor
U-M Men’s Basketball
MoreGame vs. Oakland. The U-M plays home games this month against Marquette (Nov. 11, 7 p.m.) and William & Mary (Nov. 15, 2 p.m.). 6 p.m., Crisler Center. Tickets $18 & up at mgoblue.com in advance & (if available) at the gate. (734) 764–0247.
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Observer Editor
“What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”: Theatre Nova
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun., Nov. 6–15. Diane Hill directs local actors in this ensemble musical comedy, subtitled “A Cabaret of Love, Lies, and Bad Decisions,” a celebration of the funniest, most disastrous productions in Broadway history. Music by Brian Rose. 8 p.m. (Fri.), 7 p.m. (Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sat., except Nov. 7), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $35–$100 in advance at theatrenova.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 635–8450.
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Observer Editor
“Hadestown: Teen Edition”: Pioneer Theatre Guild
MoreNov. 12–15. High school students perform pop-folk singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell’s musical, which sets the myths of Orpheus & Eurydice and Hades & Persephone in a hellish industrial version of the Greek underworld. The 2019 show won Tonys for best musical and best original score, which draws on American folk music and New Orleans jazz. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), PHS Schreiber Auditorium, 601 W. Stadium. Tickets $20 (students & seniors, $15) in advance at a2ptguild.org & at the door. [email protected].
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Observer Editor
“Little Shop of Horrors”: Skyline High School Theatre
MoreNov. 13–15. Students perform Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s 1982 musical, a wryly humorous, oddly tender black comedy, adapted from the 1960 Roger Corman B-movie, about a carnivorous plant that grows to monstrous proportions. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), 2552 N. Maple. Tickets $15 (seniors, students, & kids, $10) in advance at a2skylinetheatre.ludus.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 994–6515, [email protected].
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Free
Observer Editor
Michigame Design Lab Game Playtesting: Bløm Mead + Cider
MoreAll invited to try out new board and card games from local designers and provide feedback. 2–6 p.m., 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729, drinkblom.com/events.
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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 (Oct. 27), 2309 Packard.
Beth Israel Congregation (Nov. 15), 2000 Washtenaw Ave.
$35 (students & reduced income, $20) in advance at jlive.app/events/17069 & (if available) at the door.
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Free
Observer Editor
Barnstormers Revue Theatre Makers Playground: Forge Theater
MoreAll invited to help create a collaborative performance piece. 3–5 p.m., 3000 Packard, ste. B (entrance on Platt behind Little Caesars). Preregistration requested at forgetheatercollaborative.com. Free. (734) 219–9434.
