Early November is a good time to explore a little beyond your usual routine. This week brings music on campus, a neighborhood market morning, live theater in Ypsilanti, shopping in Chelsea and an outdoor race in Dexter. Here are nine things to consider from Tuesday, November 3, through Sunday, November 8.
Tuesday, November 3: Hear the bells at Burton Tower
A lunchtime stop on U-M's Central Campus offers a different way to experience Ann Arbor. Kathy Beck and Vinson Lam perform a 30-minute carillon recital on the 53-bell Charles Baird Carillon. Date and time: Tuesday, November 3, noon–12:30 p.m. Place: Burton Memorial Tower, 881 N. University Avenue, Ann Arbor. Cost: Free; no ticket required. The bell chamber requires stairs and is not ADA accessible. Official event details →
Wednesday, November 4 and Saturday, November 7: Ann Arbor Farmers Market
A fall market morning in Kerrytown is hard to beat. Shop for seasonal produce and locally made goods, then take a little time to wander the nearby streets. Dates and times: Wednesday, November 4, and Saturday, November 7, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Place: Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit Street, Ann Arbor. Cost: No admission price listed; purchases vary. Official event details →
Thursday–Sunday, November 5–8: U-M Opera presents La Rondine
Puccini's La Rondine brings romance, humor and some beautiful music to the Power Center, performed by U-M's Department of Voice & Opera with the University Symphony Orchestra. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. Performances: Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. Place: Power Center, 121 Fletcher Street, Ann Arbor. Tickets: $29–$35; students $16, including fees. Allow extra travel time because of Central Campus construction. Official event details →
Friday and Saturday, November 6–7: Wine, Walk, & Shop in Chelsea
Downtown Chelsea's 21st annual Wine, Walk, & Shop brings together independent retailers, special offers, art and pop-up shopping. The Chamber's event page includes a Saturday vendor market at the visitor center from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and a Chelsea Depot Artisans Market from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Dates: Friday and Saturday, November 6–7; individual business hours vary. Place: Downtown Chelsea. Cost: Free to browse; purchases and any tastings vary. Alcohol activities are for eligible adults. Official event details →
Thursday–Sunday, November 5–8: Family Pains at Riverside Arts Center
Ypsilanti's PTD Productions stages Erin Osgood's Family Pains, a play about returning home with big news and discovering that family reactions rarely follow the script in our heads. Performances: Thursday–Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. Place: Riverside Arts Center Theater, 76 N. Huron Street, Ypsilanti. Tickets: $20 general admission, $15 for students, seniors and active military; Thursday is pay-what-you-can. Recommended for ages 18 and older. Official event details →
Saturday, November 7: Books and family crafts in Dexter
Make a morning of it at the Dexter District Library. The Friends of the Library Used Book Sale runs 9 a.m.–3 p.m., with most used books priced from 25 cents to $1. Children of all ages can also drop in from 11 a.m.–noon to make a wooden-spoon puppet; no registration is required. Place: Dexter District Library, 3255 Alpine Street, Dexter. Cost: Free to attend and participate in the craft; book purchases extra. Official event details →
Dexter District Library's fall children's program details, including the drop-in craft, are available here. Official event details →
Saturday, November 7: Adam Ezra Group at The Ark
If live music is more your speed, Adam Ezra Group brings its folk-and-Americana energy to The Ark, with special guest Sirsy. Date and time: Saturday, November 7; doors at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Place: The Ark, 316 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor. Tickets: $35–$46.50 online or by phone, including processing fees; check availability. Official event details →
Sunday, November 8: The Original Kroger A2 Turkey Trot in Dexter
Get an early start at Hudson Mills Metropark with the annual A2 Turkey Trot. The 200-meter kids' Drumstick Dash begins at 8:55 a.m., the 5K at 9 a.m., the 10K at 10 a.m., and the Mashed Potato Mile at 10:30 a.m. Place: Hudson Mills Metropark, 8801 N. Territorial Road, Dexter. Cost: Registration varies by distance; select children's races are free. A Metroparks vehicle entry fee or pass may apply. Confirm registration and race-day instructions before leaving. Official event details →
Sunday, November 8: Escher Quartet and Jason Vieaux at Rackham
For a quieter Sunday afternoon, UMS presents the Escher Quartet with guitarist Jason Vieaux in a program that moves between classical guitar and strings, including Boccherini's lively Fandango. Date and time: Sunday, November 8, at 4 p.m. Place: Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington Street, Ann Arbor. Tickets: From $36 plus fees; student tickets listed at $15–$20. Check the ticket office for current availability. Official event details →
One of the best parts of living in this area is how different each community feels, even when the next one is only a short drive away. Pick a favorite, check the organizer's page for last-minute changes, and enjoy the week. — Sheila