Today in the J

Friday, May 8 Grand River Farmers Market Downtown Market.  9 AM to 2 PM.  Grow Jackson invites you to the Grand River Farmers Market at the downtown pavilion.  Come on down and reconnect… We’ve got dozens of your favorite vendors ready to go with seasonal fruits & veggies, flowers, beef, chicken, eggs, pork, cheeses, honey, syrup, pasta, dairy, artisan breads, mushrooms, granola, microgreens, tea, jams, pestos, sweets, coffee, soups, ready-to-eat hot foods, sandwiches, snacks, natural home, plants, health and beauty products, even pet treats - plus a few true artisans for a little retail therapy! The Jackson District Library returns - they’ll be with us each Friday, so bring your library card, and if you don’t have one - they can get you one! Slim Nichols at Mancino’s.  6 PM to 9 PM.  Come on down to hear Mike Slim Crupi and Kevin Nichols this Friday at Mancino's at 6:00 P.M. till 9:00 P.M. It will be a rocking good time for everyone!.  3017 Wildwood Avenue. Late Night Fridays with Live Music at Sandhill Crane Vineyards.  6 PM to 9 PM.  Join us in the vineyard, on the porch, and at our family-owned winery for live music every Friday from…

Wake Up! Jackson.  7:30 AM to 9 AM.  Start your morning building meaningful connections with fellow business leaders, gaining fresh networking insights, and celebrating the momentum happening across Jackson’s business community.  This Month’s Featured Speaker: Beth Kuiper, Executive Director, Jackson Downtown Development Authority (DDA).   Forty Nine South, 2527 Helena Ave., Jackson.  Cost: $15 (Members) | $25 (Non-Members).  Presented by Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Film Screening:  Back to the Future (1985).  7 PM.  Picture it: the year is 1985, denim jackets are all the rage, and the electric rhythm of Huey Lewis & The News vibrates through the air. You are invited to journey "Back to the Future" with us at our special cinematic showcase on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Grab a seat and transport yourself to Hill Valley where you will join Marty McFly as he stumbles into an accidental time travel adventure that changes the course of his life – and history – forever!  Michigan Theatre, Downtown Jackson. Women 4 Women.  4 PM to 7 PM.  Women 4 Women invites you to join us for a meaningful evening supporting and uplifting women in our community.  SOAR Cafe, 401 N. Mechanic Street, Jackson.  Benefiting Jackson Friendly Home & SOAR. …

American 1 Community Shred Day.  4 PM to 6 PM.   Home Office, 201 S. Perrine Street, Jackson.  Identity theft is something everyone should be educated about, and it's important to understand the steps to take to prevent it from happening. At American 1, we offer Community Shred Days for free for individuals and small businesses. This is an opportunity to safely and securely destroy personal documents that include important and private information you would never want anyone to have. American 1 uses reputable shred companies to bring a shredding truck on-site to Shred Day where your documents will be shredded on-site before you leave. We make sure that all shredded materials are disposed of in a proper manner and the companies are able to recycle in a secure process to ensure no personal information could ever be obtained. american1cu.org/shred-days  Jackson Camera Club Open House.  6 PM to 7:30 PM.  Meet the photographers from the Jackson Camera Club behind our Photography Month photo exhibit at the Eastern Branch! Ask them questions about their work, and maybe you can learn a trick or two to enhance your own photography skills. Enjoy light refreshments as you browse the collections and make sure to chat with…

Tuesday TEN$.  Join us downtown for Tuesday TEN$ featuring $10 lunch specials at 18 participating Downtown Jackson restaurants. Tuesday TEN$ happens on the first Tuesday of every month, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Whether you’re on a lunch break, meeting friends, or just looking for a great mid-day meal, Tuesday TEN$ is an easy (and affordable) way to support local businesses.  Participating restaurants and featured menu items will be shared ahead of each event. Grab your friends and join us for lunch on May 5! Hope and Help Begins With Us:  How to Support Someone at Risk of Suicide. 10 AM to 11 AM.  FREE TRAINING by LifeWays, 1200 N. West Avenue, Jackson. This 1-hour training discusses the prevalence of suicide, reviews risk and protective factors, explores warning signs, teaches attendees how to facilitate a suicide risk assessment, and reviews questions to ask someone considering suicide. Click this link to register: https://www.lifewaysmi.org/event.../hope-and-help-5-5-2026 Tech Help Tuesdays.  1 PM to 3 PM.  Need help with your phone, tablet, laptop, or other tech device? Join us every Tuesday from 1–3 PM at the Jackson District Library’s Brooklyn Branch conference room for Tech Help Tuesdays! Bring your device and your questions—our staff is here to…

First Monday Improv Comedy with Monster Box Theatre at Ironbark.  7 PM to 9:30 PM.  Join us for another evening of improv comedy games, built on suggestions from the audience!  2610 Kibby Road, Jackson. Film Screening “Star Wars:  A New Hope”.  7 PM.  May the 4th be with you! Join us for an unforgettable interstellar journey as Star Wars: A New Hope lights up our historic theatre on May 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Be a part of the cosmic celebration, right where classic cinema magic unfolds. Feel the energy as the iconic Star Wars universe comes alive on the big screen. Let yourself be swept away by the stirring strings of John Williams’ legendary score, the very notes that have enraptured audiences since 1977.  Michigan Theatre, Downtown Jackson. Star Wars Trivia.  5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  May the fourth be with you as you battle together with your team against your fellow rebels! Come together to have a wonderful Star Wars-themed night to celebrate May 4th. Trivia will be based on the 9 Skywalker Saga movies.  Winners will receive a small prize; snacks and refreshments will be provided for everyone. The game will be run through a smart device, so…

Friday, May 1 Opening Day - Grand River Farmers Market Downtown Market.  9 AM to 2 PM.  Grow Jackson invites you to OPENING DAY of the Grand River Farmers Market at the downtown pavilion.  Come on down and reconnect… We’ve got dozens of your favorite vendors ready to go with seasonal fruits & veggies, flowers, beef, chicken, eggs, pork, cheeses, honey, syrup, pasta, dairy, artisan breads, mushrooms, granola, microgreens, tea, jams, pestos, sweets, coffee, soups, ready-to-eat hot foods, sandwiches, snacks, natural home, plants, health and beauty products, even pet treats - plus a few true artisans for a little retail therapy! The Jackson District Library returns - they’ll be with us each Friday, so bring your library card, and if you don’t have one - they can get you one! 10:00 - 1:00, The Velascos, featuring Lanni, make their musical debut.  Cookin’ with Beans will be bringing the breakfast burritos and tacos for lunch - a small truck with huge flavor!  We can’t wait to be back - hope to see you downtown Friday, May 1! Shredded Party. 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.  Now that tax season is over, bring your documents for secure shredding! Drop by Richmond Brothers anytime…

The Rising Star Gala. 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.  Gauci Golf Resort, 8421 Sports Park Dr, Onsted.  Fundraiser Event for The Star Theatre. Join us for an exciting fundraiser event to support The Star Theatre in Brooklyn, MI! This event aims to raise funds for the theatre's ongoing operations, community programs, and special projects. Enjoy a night filled with entertainment, food, and community spirit!  Featuring:  Live performances by local artists, Silent auction featuring donated items from local businesses, Food and drinks available for purchase, Raffles with exciting prizes.  Event page and tickets here. Film Screening “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” (1993) 7 PM.  Join us for a big-screen screening of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, a deeply moving drama that follows Gilbert as he navigates family responsibility, personal growth, and life in a small town. At the heart of the story is his relationship with his younger brother Arnie, whose unique way of experiencing the world shapes both the challenges and the beauty of their daily lives.  Michigan Theatre, Downtown Jackson. Jackson County Student Art Show.  Join us for the 11th Annual Jackson County Student Art Show! This inspiring showcase features artwork from over 20 schools, with students in grades K–12 displaying…

Middle School at Parkside Informational Meeting.  5:30 PM.  New Student & Incoming 6th Grade Informational Meeting.  Any new students to Parkside or incoming 6th graders starting in fall 2026.  The agenda includes overview of MSP courses and programs, extracurricular opportunities, Q&A session and more.  Parkside Auditorium, 2400 Fourth Street, Jackson. Jackson County Student Art Show.  Join us for the 11th Annual Jackson County Student Art Show! This inspiring showcase features artwork from over 20 schools, with students in grades K–12 displaying their incredible creativity. The show spans the entirety of the mall, so be sure to take a stroll and soak it all in. We’ll also have light entertainment and refreshments on select days, making it the perfect time to come out, explore, and support local students and their beautiful art.  During mall hours at Jackson Crossing Mall. The Rummage Shop at Chesterton Academy. 3 PM to 7 PM.   It's not the 1st or 3rd Wednesday, but we're going to open anyway! We love having all of you finding great deals on both needs and wants, so we're opening on a "non open day".  Bring your friends, cash, and/or your friends' cash and enjoy an afternoon and evening of shopping. Four…

Michigan Poet Laureate Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd - Author Visit. 12 PM to 2 PM.  Meet 2026 Michigan Poet Laureate Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd as she joins us for a reading of her works. About the Poet: Dr. Boyd is a recently retired distinguished professor in African American Studies at Wayne State University and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Michigan in the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies. Her poetry, essays, and creative nonfiction have appeared in anthologies, academic journals, cultural periodicals, and newspapers in the United States and Europe. The Kresge Foundation honored her as the 2023 Kresge Eminent Artist. She has a Doctor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English from Western Michigan University. Carnegie Library, Downtown Jackson. National Civics Bee:  Jackson County Competition.  5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  Calling All Young Civic Leaders in Jackson County Michigan!  The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host the National Civics Bee Michigan Statewide Finals at the White Auditorium at Spring Arbor University! This exciting nonpartisan competition gives 6th–8th graders the chance to show off their civics knowledge, share ideas…

Jackson Fire Department Car Seat Inspection. 1 PM to 3 PM.  Jackson area families wanting to make sure their children travel safely can take advantage of the Car Seat Inspection Program from the Jackson Fire Department. Firefighters launched the program in 2022 to provide monthly car seat checks for the Jackson area. The inspections are free and no prior sign up is needed. The inspections will take place at the Jackson Central Fire Station, 518 N. Jackson St. Families are welcome to visit the fire station for the checks between 1-3 p.m. When visiting the Jackson Central Fire Station, pull into the south driveway of the fire station off of N. Jackson Street. Drive around the building past a yellow tower. There will be three large bay doors and a parking lot in front of them to park in. Firefighters will greet you once you've parked. Firefighters request parents or guardians bring their children and car seats to the inspection. Crews will look to make sure the car seat is in proper working order, fastened to the vehicle correctly, and is a safe fit for the child. A limited number of car seat replacements are available for free if firefighters…