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Hi neighbors!

From new restaurant openings to holiday events, Santa sightings, art fairs, and cozy workshops, I’ve got you covered with what’s going on around town the next week!

Let’s get into it!

📰  What’s New?

🍖 Slows Bar BQ Opens in Downtown Ann Arbor

Slows Bar BQ has taken over the former Blue Tractor/Texacano spot at 207 E. Washington St, bringing their award-winning barbecue and full-service dining to A2. This is their fourth location and the first in Ann Arbor — the perfect place to expand your stomach pre-Thanksgiving.

🎤 Bori Korean Kitchen + Karaoke Opens on Main Street

bori korean kitchen & bar — also on Instagram at @eatdrinkbori — is now open at 311 S. Main St, serving modern Korean comfort food and hosting a full karaoke bar. Think seoul-ful flavors, craft drinks, and the lively noraebang energy that goes from “let’s grab dinner” to “why are we singing Whitney Houston at 10pm?” very fast.

🎶 Jeff Daniels’ New Restaurant + Music Venue Coming to Chelsea

A new restaurant + venue called JD’s Stage Bistro is under construction in Chelsea and set to open in spring 2026. Backed by Jeff Daniels, his family, and the Tannin Property Group, the project promises wood-fired pizzas, cocktails, a patio, private event spaces, and a world-class listening room for local + national singer-songwriters.
Read more via MLive.

🗓️ What’s Happening?

Looking for things to do in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Ypsi & beyond this weekend? 

🎅 Fri, Nov 21 — Santa’s Arrival Parade at Briarwood Mall

Santa lands at Briarwood at 5:30 PM, parading from JCPenney Court to Von Maur. Bring the kids, the cheer, and your “we’re definitely getting a photo with Santa” energy.

🧠 Fri, Nov 21 — AADL World Famous Trivia

5:30–7:30 PM @ AADL Westgate — Free.
Show up, play smart, win prizes… and finally have a place where it’s appropriate to show off all those random facts you know.

🛍️ Sat & Sun, Nov 22–23 — Riverside Holiday Art Fair

Handmade art, vintage finds, self-care goods & 60+ vendors at Riverside Arts Center. $1 suggested entry donation. Perfect for holiday gifting or “I swear I’m shopping for other people.”

🦃 Sun, Nov 23 — Friendsgiving Potluck at hear.say Brewing

They’ve got the turkey — you bring a side or dessert (and comfy pants). Starts at 4 PM.

🍹 Wed, Nov 26 — CommuniTea Table: Fermented Holiday Drinks Workshop

5–6 PM @ Washtenaw Food Hub
Learn to make festive fermented drinks with Rachel Kanaan — kombucha, tepache, kvass, and other “I made this myself” holiday flexes.

🏠 Thinking about making a move in the Ann Arbor area?  

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🎵  Live Music Lineup

(Live music events in Ann Arbor/Ypsi unless otherwise noted & those marked with ($) charge a cover or require a ticket to the best of my knowledge)

Friday, November 21st:
Mary Ann Kirt @ Ypsi Alehouse at 4:30pm (no cover)
Tony Pinnell and Lizzie Randolph @ Argus Farm Stop (325 W Liberty) from 5:30-7:30pm
Davey O. @ North Star Lounge from 5:30-6:30pm (no cover)
Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More @ First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor at 6:30pm ($28)
Jeff McNiven and Tony Moreno @ Ypsi Alehouse at 7pm (no cover)
Pontiac Trail Blazers ft. Jordan Adema @ North Star Lounge from 7-10pm ($) 
Dave McMurray Quintet @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 7-8pm & 9-10pm ($)
Gregory Stovetop Duo w/ Drew Howard @ The Rumpus Room (Chelsea) at 7:30pm (free)
What A Swell Party This Is! A Celebration of Four Giants of the Great American Songbook with Tyler Driskill & Friends @ Kerrytown Concert House from 7:30-9pm ($)
Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet @ Rancho Tranquilico at 7:30pm (Dexter) ($)
Gemini Moon @ Mash (Ypsi) at 8pm (no cover)
Januzzi Watchman, Zero Sun, Carmekl Liburdi @ Ziggy’s (Ypsi) at 8pm ($5)
Brett Dennen @ The Ark at 8pm ($40)
Blind Date @ Zal Gaz Grotto from 8-11pm ($) 
Rob Crozier Ensemble @ The Habitat Lounge from 9-11pm (no cover)
Relics of the Future @ Ypsi Alehouse at 9:30pm (no cover)
Nobody’s Business @ Mash (Ann Arbor) from 10pm-2am (no cover)

Saturday, November 22nd:
No Conflict @ Ypsi Alehouse at 4:30pm (no cover)
Ed Dupas w/ Lucky 17 @ North Star Lounge from 6:30-7:45pm
Alune Wade @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 6:30-7:30pm and 9-10pm ($)
The Malty Taskers @ Ypsi Alehouse at 7pm (no cover)
The Suicide Machines w/ Norcos Y Horchata, Saber Tooth Gary @ The Blind Pig, doors at 7pm ($30)
Evan Christopher @ Kerrytown Concert House at 7:30pm ($)
The Verve Pipe @ The Ark at 8pm ($35)
Marbrisa & Audra Kubat @ Rancho Tranquilico at 7:30pm (Dexter) ($)
Maddy Ringo w/ James Bourland and the Staches @ Ziggy’s (Ypsi) at 8pm ($10) 
Vig Arcadia @ Mash (Ypsi) at 8pm (no cover)
Ferrario @ Zal Gaz Grotto from 8-11pm ($)
Mark Jewett w/ Amy Petty @ North Star Lounge from 8:30-9:45pm ($)
Rob Crozier Ensemble @ The Habitat Lounge from 9-11pm (no cover)
Soundogs @ Ypsi Alehouse at 9:30pm (no cover)
Cetan Clawson @ Mash (Ann Arbor) from 10pm-2am (no cover)
Liquid Street @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 10:15-11:15pm ($)

Sunday, November 23rd:
Steve Somers and Friends @ Ypsi Alehouse at 2pm (no cover) 
Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings @ Zal Gaz Grotto from 5-8pm ($)
Bob Mervak @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 6-7pm & 7:30-8:30 pm($)
Larkn w/ Ashley Pyle @ The Ark at 7:30pm ($29)
Musical Improv Jam @ hear.say Brewing + Theater (Chelsea) from 7:30-9:30pm (PWYC)

Monday, November 24th:
Paul Keller Orchestra @ Zal Gaz Grotto from 7-10pm ($)

Tuesday, November 25th:
Easy Street Jazz Band @ Zal Gaz Grotto Club from 5-7pm ($) 
Desmond Lorenz @ Ziggy’s (Ypsi) at 8pm ($)
Don Julin’s Trio 25 @ The Ark at 8pm (free)

Wednesday, November 26th
Jonas Berzanskis w/ Dave Keeney @ North Star Lounge from 5:30-6:30pm (no cover)
Ain’t Dead Yet @ LIVE Nightclub from 6:30-9pm (free)
Annie Bacon & Forrest Hejkal @ North Star Lounge from 7-10pm (no cover)
Nate Topo Quartet ft. Zania Alaké @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 7-8pm & 8:30-9:30pm ($) 
McLaughlin's Alley @ Ypsi Alehouse at 7pm (no cover)
Brennan Andes and Friendz w/ Ember and Ash, The Tone Farmers @ The Blind Pig, doors at 8pm ($20)
Bimbo Cowgirl, Time Creep, Cracked & Hooked @ Ziggy’s (Ypsi) at 8pm ($10)

And if you haven’t already… make sure you follow me on Instagram to get more updates & ideas of things to do and see in the area! 

💙 THANK YOU!

Thanks for reading the AA Insider this week!

If you enjoyed it enough to share it with someone else, that would make me super happy too 🙂