Events of May 19, 20, and 21, 2023

Friday, May 19

Live at the Lab.  7 AM – 9 AM.  Lean Rocket Lab, 133 W Michigan Ave, Jackson.  Join The Chamber and 106.9 HOME.fm at the Lean Rocket Lab as the 106.9 Morning Show goes On the Road. There will be casual networking and FREE Fortress Cafe coffee for those attending.  We are welcoming in a variety of community members and business owners to highlight the great things going on in Jackson – all morning long!  Free to both members and non-members.

Calvary United Methodist Church Rummage Sale.  May 18th and 19th 9 AM – 6 PM.  Sat May 20th Bag Day $3 9 AM-11 AM, Sat May 20th 11 AM – Noon FREE.  925 Backus Street, Jackson.  517-782-0543  (Lansing Avenue Entrance).  Plants Available!

American 1 Spring Car Sale.  May 17-20.  12 to 8 PM Wednesday, Thursday and Friday;  10 AM to 5 PM Saturday.  Westwood Mall.  Chance to win 3 loan payments.  $100 gas card from your dealership.  Spin the prize wheel!  Food truck on site.  Several area auto dealers with a huge selection!

Spring Arbor Branch Book Sale.  Stop by the Jackson District Library Spring Arbor Branch to shop deals on books for all ages  Book Sale Dates: May 17-19, 10 AM – 5 PM.

Late Night Friday at Sandhill Crane Vineyards.  6 – 10 PM.  Sandhill Crane Vineyards Late Night Friday with Live Music by Aaron Zraik.  4724 Walz Rd, Jackson.  We’re welcoming Aaron Zraik back to Sandhill! Aaron is a regular here at the winery and will be performing from 6-9pm!  In Honor of Michigan Wine Month, Pinot Blanc will be released on this Friday night! We’ll be open ’til 10pm with last call and cafe closing at 9:30pm! Come out for a nice May evening!

Grass Lake StoryWalk Ribbon Cutting.  6:30 PM.  Join the Jackson District Library for a community celebration at the Grass Lake StoryWalk on May 19 at 6:30 PM! This family event will include a ribbon-cutting, music, food and activities.  The Grass Lake StoryWalk is located on the nature trail next to the Grass Lake High School football field.

Kids Planetarium Show:  Imagine the Moon.  12 PM.  When was the last time you looked at the Moon? Not Just noticed it, but really looked at it? To most of us the Moon seems like an afterthought, a thing we might notice in passing and then not give a second glance. But the Moon’s place in our lives is so much more than just its physical presence in the sky. It is a constant companion in our collective imagination.  Hurst Planetarium, Ella Sharp Museum.

May Planetarium Show:  The Hot and Energetic Universe.  4 PM.  High Energy Astrophysics explores hot gas in clusters of galaxies, which are the most massive objects in the universe. It also probes hot gas accretion around supermassive black holes in the centers of galaxies. This documentary uses immersive visualizations and real images from modern astronomy to dive into the basic principles of electromagnetic radiation and the natural phenomena related to High Energy Astrophysics.  Hurst Planetarium, Ella Sharp Museum.

Art Battle Jackson.  7 – 11 PM.  Doors @ 7:00pm / Painting @ 8:00pm.  ART 634, 634 N Mechanic St Suite 25, Jackson.  TICKETS:  $20 Day of Event, $15 General Admission, $12 Early Bird.  Get tickets here.  Grab your best pals and join us for an amazing experience of live art!  Artists have 20 minutes to take their canvases from blank to beautiful, battling not only the clock but each other as well in 3 rounds. Watch the paint fly before your eyes and help vote to determine the Winner of the night!  All artwork created will also be available via silent auction.  Be a part of the fun as a spectator, or participate as one of the featured artists by applying online at artbattle.com/artists!  Art Battle® Jackson is an All Ages event with a 21+ bar

Saturday, May 20

Tunnel 2 Towers 5 K.  Race starts at 9:00 AM at The Cascades.  Tunnel to Towers is an annual event that honors and supports first responders.  The 7th Annual T2T Jackson Event on Sat., May 20 is sure to be an unforgettable experience.  Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a casual walker you can be part of this meaningful and inspiring event!  Every participant represents the name and face of a First Responder that was lost on September 11, 2001.  Join this special event to honor their memories!  For more information and to sign up click here.

Jackson County Master Gardener Association Spring Garden Event.  9 am – Noon. Keeley Park (Jackson County Fairgrounds), 200 W Ganson St, Jackson.  Use the North Entrance (North Street).  A large assortment of plants will be for sale.  Knowledgable gardeners will be present to answer your questions and assist in selection.  Garden tools will be sharpened for a cash donation.  Reconditioned garden tools will also be available for purchase.  Terms of Sale:  Cash or Check with proper ID.  Sponsored by Jackson County Master Gardener Association, The Men’s Garden Club, and The Women’s Garden Association.

Car Wash Fundraiser.  2 PM to 6 PM.  Andy’s Place Apartments Recovery Fundraiser.  Residents of Andy’s are hosting a car wash to earn $$$ for a summer camping trip.  $20 per car.  Andy’s Place, 2104 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson.

Jackson’s Bark & Brew. 1 PM to 5 PM.   The Jackson County Animal Shelter presents Bark and Brew ’23 on Saturday, May 20.  We’ve paired the love of dogs and the love of Michigan beer to give you a fun, dog-friendly event with local food trucks, live music, vendor booths, and dog contests. This is the premier fundraising event for Jackson County Animal Shelter. The team at the Shelter is dedicated and compassionate about providing care for pets that are awaiting a new home. Keeley Hall, 128 W Ganson St, Jackson.  Details and tickets here.

Sarah Hart Live in Concert.  7 PM.  Queens Church.  Tickets are $20 per person and they are still available thru Friday 4:30 pm at the Parish Office.  You can still order online at www.queenschurch.com.  There you will also find free recordings of her music.  Pre-ordered tickets will be at the ‘Will Call’ table by the elevator at Church on Saturday evening.  Tickets will also be available at the door.  Kids 12 and under attend for free!

The Block Party.  11 AM – 2 PM.  Encounter Church, 620 Robinson Rd, Jackson.  Join us for our 3rd annual BLOCK PARTY! This year will be our biggest one yet! This free all ages event provides safe fun for the community! Not only will we be bringing back the big trucks and the RC race track but a zorb ball course, drifting trikes and a gel blaster arena will be added as well! Skateboard and scooter demonstrations will be provided from Battleground Skatehouse out of Battle Creek. We will have all kinds of kids activities like a reptile station, inflatables, fun games, temporary tattoos, an arcade and more! Free hotdogs and chips will be provided and Vito’s Espresso will be inside with items for purchase. This event will be both outdoors and indoors and will be taking place rain or shine. Activities may very due to weather.

Lights, Camera, Action!  An Evening of Movie Music.  7 PM to 11 PM.  Join us for a family friendly night on the town while the Jackson Area Music Movement with special guests perform iconic hits from your favorite movies!   Performers of J.A.M.M. Include Anna Commet, Anthony Reinker, Kathy Wynn and Chris Shell.  Special Guests include Jayna Schmid, Stephanie Pierce, Audrey Febres – Cordero, and Chloe Grisa!  One night only, cash bar available, and snacks!  Tickets are $25 at the door or $20 (plus service fee) online.  Bella Notte Ristorante, 137 West Michigan Avenue, Downtown Jackson.

Rod St. Germain Band with TC and the Roadmasters.  7:30 PM – 10:30 PM.  Ron St Germain Band with TC & the Roadmasters.  BLUEStage Jams, 398 Brooklyn Rd, Napoleon.

Irish Hills Bombshells Roller Derby.  Doors open at 5 PM, Bout starts at 6 PM.  IHB Vs Central Michigan.  Optimist Ice Arena, 1300 W North St, Jackson.  It’s the Irish Hills Bombshells Roller Derby’s second home bout of the 2023 season, this time held at Optimist Ice Arena! Join us for a night of family-friendly fun. Pre-sale tickets are $10, just send payment to our Venmo and you will be on a list for entry at the door. Pre-sale tickets end on 5/19. Tickets at the door are $12 but will be reduced to $10 if you bring a donation for Partial to Girls. 

SOLD OUT.  JSO presents The Music of Harry Potter.  7 PM.  Michigan Theatre, Downtown Jackson.  SOLD OUT.

 Sunday, May 21

Candlelit Prayer Gathering for Law Enforcement.  6 PM.  Let us come together to pray for the brave men and women who serve and protect our community, state, and country.  They risk their lives daily to ensure our safety, and we want to show our gratitude and support.  Together, we can lift them up and ask for God’s protection and guidance as they carry out their duties.  Please bring a candle to light and join us in prayer for our law enforcement officers.  Lumen Christi Catholic School, 3483 Spring Arbor Road, Jackson.

Jackson School of the Arts Student Art Exhibition.  1 PM to 3 PM.  Jackson School of the Arts welcomes the community for a Student Art Exhibition, featuring the amazing works of our talented students (ages 2 to 18). This event will showcase a diverse range of art forms including paintings, sculptures, drawings and mixed-media creations.  Jackson School of the Arts 135 W Cortland St, Jackson.

Wheel of Game presented by Monster Box Theatre.  7 PM to 9 PM.  Wheel of Game is a sendup of classic TV game shows, performed live, armed with only a spinning wheel and a few props, your hosts from the Monster Box Improv team will guide the volunteer contestants through a series of ridiculous and usually hilarious competitions with the victors being awarded almost completely useless prizes. Whether you choose to play or just come to watch, we’re all going to have a lot of fun.  Grand River Brewery, 117 W Louis Glick Hwy, Downtown Jackson.