• Free
    Observer Editor

    American History Trivia Night: Gerald Ford Presidential Library

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    All invited to answer American history trivia questions on everything from the Declaration of Independence to modern popular culture. Prizes. 6:30–8 p.m., Ford Library Auditorium, 1000 Beal. Free. (734) 205–0555.

  • Observer Editor

    Figure Drawing: Dzanc House

    Figure Drawing: Dzanc House
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    Sept. 9 & 23. All skill levels welcome to draw a live model. Bring your own art supplies. Light refreshments. 6:30–9 p.m., 402 S. Huron St., Ypsi. $10 to pay model. Preregistration required by the Mon. before the event. dzanchouse.org.

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    Bonsai Auction: Ann Arbor Bonsai Society

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    Silent and live auctions by club members of bonsai trees and equipment, including everything beginners in the hobby need to get started. All are welcome to bid. 6:30–9:30 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free admission; metered parking. [email protected], annarborbonsaisociety.org/events.

  • Observer Editor

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory

    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.

    Wed. (6 p.m.): “Pauper.” A fun and fast format for all skill levels, three rounds. $5.

    Wed. (6:30 p.m.): “Standard.” Three rounds, with competitive tournament rules, prizes of store credit. $10.

    Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Friday Night Draft.” Cost and format vary. Various times, 2459 W. Stadium. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

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    “Michigan Central Station”: Salem Area Historical Society

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    Angela Wyrembelski discusses her role as senior architect of the design team charged with Ford’s recent renovation of Detroit’s long-derelict train terminal, and shares history, photos, and stories from the renovation. 7 p.m., Jarvis Stone School, 7991 North Territorial at Curtis, Salem Twp. Admission $2 (members, free). (248) 486–5515.  

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    Cozy Craft Club Screening of “The Craft”: Michigan Theater

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    Film 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. 

    Sept. 23: Cozy Craft Club Screening of “The Craft” (Andrew Fleming, 1996). Supernatural horror film about 4 outcast teenage girls who study witchcraft. Low house lights on for crafters. Bring your knitting or other project. 7 p.m.

  • Nightspots

    Nicole Zuraitis Quartet.: Blue LLama

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    Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    This acclaimed sultry-voiced NYC jazz vocalist & pianist is known for both for her mastery of jazz standards and her skill as an arranger and composer. Her 2024 album How Love Begins won a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album, and she has played with a long list of jazz greats, including Christian McBride, Dave Brubeck, Darren Criss, and Teyana Taylor. 7 p.m. Dinner show: $85.

  • Nightspots

    Runnin’ on Blues.: Ypsi Alehouse

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    Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

    Southern rock, blues-rock, and blues by this Livonia trio.

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    Ann Arbor Bridge Club

    Ann Arbor Bridge Club
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    Every Wed. All invited to play friendly, competitive ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge. Arrive 20 minutes early if coming without a partner. Call before coming to check that the game is being held. 7–10:30 p.m., Walden Hills clubhouse, 2114 Pauline (park in marked spaces in the lot on the north side of Pauline). $6 per person. (734) 945–6021.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Values in Focus: A Conversation with Andrea Joyce”: U-M Delta Gamma

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    Emmy Award–winning NBC sports reporter and U-M alum Joyce discusses ethics, leadership, and the responsibility of storytelling in sports and media. 7:30–8:30 p.m., Rackham Auditorium. Free, preregistration required at tinyurl.com/um-andreajoyce-9-23-26.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    University Symphony Orchestra: U-M School of Music

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    Kenneth Kiesler directs this music student ensemble in Ravel’s colorful and revolutionary orchestral showpiece La Valse, Beethoven’s driving and festive Symphony No. 7, and Saint-Saëns’ exotic Nile-inspired Piano Concerto No. 5 featuring U-M Concerto Competition–winning soloist Jinzhao Xu. 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Free. (734) 764–2538.

  • Nightspots

    Devon Gilfillian.: Ark

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    Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

    Young Nashville-based soul singer whose smooth, gospel-tinged falsetto harkens back to Al Green and Marvin Gaye but with a contemporary hip-hop sensibility and phrasing. Tonight he plays songs from his brand-new album Time Will Tell. Opener: Jon Muq, a Ugandan pop-rock singer-songwriter known for his honest songwriting and the joyful clarity of his voice. A crowd favorite at this year’s Ann Arbor Folk Festival. $35.

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    Exit Ticket.: Ziggy’s

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

    Detroit-area shoegaze band. Openers: Lyloc, a Detroit emo-grunge trio, and Wetbody, a Detroit alt-rock band.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Fall Migration in Nichols Arboretum”: Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance

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    Every Thurs., Sept. 3–Oct. 29. WBNA members lead a hike through the Arb to look for fall warblers and other southbound migrants. Birders of all skill levels welcome. 8–11 a.m., meet in the cul-de-sac at the end of Riverview. (off Geddes near the east end of Dow Field). Free. washtenawbna.org.

  • Observer Editor

    JLC Book Sale

    JLC Book Sale
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    Sept. 23–26. Local family-run sale of over 30,000 used books, as well as DVDs, audiobooks, video games, puzzles, and board games. Also, a presale on Sept. 23 from 4–8 p.m. for teachers and homeschool families. 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, bldg. A, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Free admission. jlcbooksale.com.

  • Observer Editor

    “The 2026 Midterm Elections: Process, Policy & Consequences”: U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Thursday Morning Lecture Series

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    Every Thurs., Sept. 17–Oct. 15. Series of 5 weekly talks.

    Sept. 17: MSU political science professor Eric Gonzalez Juenke on “How to Think About Midterm Elections Like an Expert.”

    Sept. 24: U-M communications professor Yanna Krupnikov on “The Impact of Social Media on U.S. Elections”

    Oct. 1: MSU political science professor Matthew Grossmann on “Why Policymaking Success Leads to Electoral Failure.”

    Oct. 8: U-M Dearborn political science professor Mitchel A. Sollenberger on “Presidential Power and Democratic Resilience: Institutional Change and the 2026 Midterms.”

    Oct. 15: Oakland University political science professor David Dulio on “The 2026 Midterms: What the Data Tells Us.”

    10–11:30 a.m., Washtenaw Community College Towsley Auditorium (Morris Lawrence Bldg.), 4800 E. Huron River Dr. 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.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History

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    Every 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 (sight, hearing, and smell) 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.