Events of April 27, 28, and 29, 2018

April 27

Jackson County Airport Reynolds Field 90th Anniversary and New Runway Dedication.  Jackson County Airport, Richmond Brothers Hangar, 3568 Wildwood Avenue, Jackson.  10 AM.  Be a part of history and enjoy music, food, vintage aircraft, and special presentations.  All are welcome and free admission.

Jackson College Health Sciences Open House from 9 AM to 12 N on Jackson College Central Campus.  Participants interested in careers in health care will gather in Bert Walker Hall, Rooms 144 & 145, at 9 a.m. for a welcome, then break into groups for a tour of the Health Laboratory Center. Participants will rotate through visits the various health pathway areas and learn about careers in those pathways.  Afterward, students will return to Bert Walker Hall for lunch.  This is a free event, and all are welcome. Register online to be entered to win prizes: www.jccmi.edu/healthcareeropenhouse.

Red Cross Blood Drive.  10 AM to 2:45 PM, Springport High School, 300 West Main Street, Springport.

Jackson College welcomes Amy Grant.  Amy Grant’s career stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality and philanthropist. Grant’s chart success has been consistent with six No. 1 hits, 10 Top 40 pop singles, 17 Top 40 Adult Contemporary tracks and multiple Contemporary Christian chart-toppers. In addition to her six Grammy Awards, Grant has earned 26 Dove Awards, has a star on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Music City Walk of Fame.  Tickets $50, $45 and $35. 517-796-8600 or jccmi.edu for tickets.  7:30 PM, Potter Center Music Hall.

Marriage Matters Jackson Fundraising Date Night.  Hilltop Manor Inn, 10871 Gates Rd (15 minutes from Jackson), Clark Lake.  Put on your boots and get ready to kick up your heels and have fun at Boots, Buckles & Bling, MMJ’s Fundraising Date Night tonight.   The event, hosted by MMJ’s Shelby Raines, is set in a refurbished rustic barn and features a delicious dinner, live music, a spectacular auction and special activities throughout the evening. Plus, Shelby will share exciting MMJ happenings from the past year and plans for the months ahead.  Attire for the night? “Pretty yourself up” in whatever fits your fancy for a night out in the country. Casual or classy, you’ll fit right in if you come ready to have a good time! $99 per couple.  Doors open at 6:00 p.m.  Dinner at 6:30 p.m.  For more information Click Here.

The Jackson Coffee Company presents live entertainment with Bill Bynum.  With songs both traditional and original, bluegrass and country music, Bill Bynum & Co. is a band that’s easy to love. Bill has written a number of songs which deliver a story with strong emotional content and has collaborated with bluegrass industry legend, Pete Goble.  7 PM to 10 PM, Jackson Coffee Company, Downtown Jackson.

Dr. Bruce Brown’s Farewell Concert.  Join us in honoring Dr. Bruce Brown during a farewell concert in the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church! Dr. Brown is a professor of music and chairperson of the Department of Music at SAU. He is an active composer and serves as Composer in Residence for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. He also hosts the JSO’s pre-concert lecture series, “Backstage Glimpses.”  For more information Click Here. 

Jackson High School Theatre Department presents “Little Shop of Horrors”.  Friday and Saturday at 7 PM, Sunday at 3 PM.  Jackson High School Auditorium.  Admission is $7 at the door.

Columbia Central Junior High School Performing Arts Proudly Presents “The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf”.  2 shows only!  11775 Hewitt Rd, Brooklyn.  Friday April 27 at 7:00 PM, Sunday April 29 at 2:00 PM.  Tickets are $5.00 each, sold at the door.

Open Mic Poetry Night.  Calling all poets! The Concord Branch is hosting an open mic poetry night. Read an original poem or one of your favorites.  Join us on Friday, April 27 at 6-7 p.m.  Intended for all ages.  Concord Branch, Jackson District Library.

April 28

11th Annual Fairy Festival.  Today from  11 AM -4  PM.  The 2 day weekend event is free and includes arts & crafts, vendors, Ye Ole Fairy Shoppe, the Cupcake Cafe, a Fairy Garden Contest, Tea with Miss Jackson Crossroads, Stories in the Forest with JDL, carriage rides, dancing fairies and performances by the Fairy Festival Players. Walk through the Fairy Kingdom and explore the dark mountain. Meet a Knight and travel to Neverland with Captain Hook on his ship. So much imaginary fun. Plan to stay all day and have lunch in the Fairy Bistro! Enjoy shopping for unique items with our vendors.   Don’t forget to dress up!  See our website for Fairy Garden Contest and further details.  Jackson School of the Arts, ART 634, 634 North Mechanic Street, Jackson.

The 27th annual Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists 5k/8k Run/Walk, downtown Jackson. The event will start at Grand River Brewery, running along the Armory Arts Trail, through the Jackson High campus, and throughout the streets of downtown with a finish back at Grand River Brewery. Both the 8k and 5k course are certified. Grand River Brewery will be opening with full food service at 8:00am to accommodate participant’s family and friends.    All events are $30.00.  Each registration will offer the option to purchase a GRB breakfast buffet meal that will follow the event. The Kids Fun Run is $5.00. Registration is available at www.runsignup.com.  Late registration and packet pick up is also available on race day from 7:00am to 7:45am at Grand River Brewery.  For more information, visit: https://www.orsmi.com/orthorun8k5k/

Kids Superhero Run.  Dress up as your favorite Superhero and chase the “Villain” across the finish line!  $5.00 per superhero.  Must be 8 years old or younger to participate.  All participants will receive a free water bottle!  This event will take place following the Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists 8k/5k.  For more information Click Here. 

Grand River Brewery Beer Mile.  Live music, great beer, great food.  Drink a beer, run a quarter mile. Drink a beer, run a quarter mile.  Drink a beer, run a quarter mile.  Drink a beer, run a quarter mile.  Register at MIBeerMile.com.

Bark for Life.  Celebrating, Honoring and Remembering our canine friends affected by cancer. We will gather by the Fishery Pond area next to the Cascades Falls. Registration opens at 10am; Opening Ceremonies at 11am; 50/50 Drawing is at 1pm. Register at relayforlife.org/barkjacksonmi.

Great Lakes Sports Collectibles Show.  Guest Autograph signer Former Detroit Tigers relief pitcher and 1989 American League All-Star Mike Henneman!  Mike Henneman will be signing from 11am-1pm  $15 for any item.  $10 on a baseball card.  100 tables filled with sports collectibles of all kinds.  Featuring dealers from all across the Great Lakes region.$1 admission.  9 AM to 3 PM, Optimist Ice Arena.  1300 West North Street.

Sentinel Knights, Riders Against Child Abuse presents Comedy Show,  an evening full of laughs!    Doors open at 7:00 PM, Show starts at 8:00 PM.  General Admission Tickets are $15.00 at the door.  day of show.Acts include: Scott Clow, Alan Black, Amy Probst, and Derek Bartlett.  Michigan Theatre, Downtown Jackson.

Jackson High School Theatre Department presents “Little Shop of Horrors”.  Friday and Saturday at 7 PM, Sunday at 3 PM.  Jackson High School Auditorium.  Admission is $7 at the door.

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.  10 AM to 2 PM.  The Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, the Center for Family Health, City of Jackson Police Department and the Jackson County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition are hosting this opportunity for the public to rid their homes of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications.  People can bring any pills and patches for disposal to the Center for Family Health, 505 N. Jackson Street.  The service is free and anonymous.

The Jackson County 4H Small Animal Association presents our Craft and Vendor Show.  It will be located in the Tractor Supply Company building on Airport Rd., entrance on the South Side of the building.  Handmade items from local crafters and direct sales vendors will be there to help you get a jump start on your Mothers Day shopping and pamper you.  10 AM to 4 PM.

Jackson:  Then & Now.  A comparative picture history of Jackson.  2 PM, Queen of the Miraculous Medal Church Vincentian Hall (lower level).  Free admission.  Utilizing modern, historic and often rare photographs, a vivid picture of Jackson’s past will be presented. 

The 10th Annual Midwest Literary Walk, downtown Chelsea.  The annual spring Midwest Literary Walk welcomes critically acclaimed authors from all over the country and from various fields of writing, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry and more. The event features readings at venues throughout historic downtown Chelsea, all within easy walking distance. The annual event is held in Chelsea on the last Saturday of April and is free and open to the public. This year’s line up includes National Book Award Finalist Ada Limón, New York Times Bestselling author Will Schwalbe, and American Book Award Winner Michael Eric Dyson. The event wraps up with a 10th Anniversary Toast at Zou Zou’s Cafe on Main Street. Visit midwestliterarywalk.org for event details.

The Michigan Theatre presents the film “The Greatest Showman”.  Movie starts at 2 PM, doors open at 1:30 PM.  $5 admission.

The 13th Annual Jazz Bash.  Jazz Music Lovers everywhere!! The Hanover-Horton Department of Music and the HH Music Boosters would like to invite you to attend our 13th annual Jazz Bash! The bash is being held on Saturday in the High School Gym beginning at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy 2 hours of great music, desserts, assorted non-alcoholic beverages, and a Silent Auction. The silent auction will feature many, many items, most which you can’t find anywhere else! All proceeds go to help fund the HH music department.  Making music throughout the evening will be the Hanover-Horton Comet Jazz Band, and our guest artists Tom Firth and the Hifi’s!  Tickets are $15 for reserved seats and $10 for general seating.  You can pick up your tickets at the Hanover-Horton High School Office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

April 29

11th Annual Fairy Festival. Continues today from 12-4 pm.  The 2 day weekend event is free and includes arts & crafts, vendors, Ye Ole Fairy Shoppe, the Cupcake Cafe, a Fairy Garden Contest, Tea with Miss Jackson Crossroads, Stories in the Forest with JDL, carriage rides, dancing fairies and performances by the Fairy Festival Players. Walk through the Fairy Kingdom and explore the dark mountain. Meet a Knight and travel to Neverland with Captain Hook on his ship. So much imaginary fun. Plan to stay all day and have lunch in the Fairy Bistro! Enjoy shopping for unique items with our vendors.   Don’t forget to dress up!  See our website for Fairy Garden Contest and further details.  Jackson School of the Arts, ART 634, 634 North Mechanic Street, Jackson.

The First Congregational Church UCC Jackson, 120 N. Jackson St.  will be unveiling and dedicating our National Registry of Historic Places Plaque on April 29^th at 11:30am.  The building was built 1859-1860 prior to the American Civil War. The church was the sending off spot of the local forces, “Jackson Blair Cadets” and the Jackson County Rifles, to fight in the war. The church, from its birth, has been a beacon of working on social justice issues beginning with the anti-slavery movement. It continues work on social justice issues to the present age. We invite you to come for a short dedication service to commemorate the longevity and work creating this safe place for the Jackson Community. The church will be open for tours for those who would wish to see the interior.

Choral Masterworks Concert honoring Leonard Bernstein.  The Jackson Chorale presents its annual spring Masterworks concert and this year we will honoring the centennial anniversary of Leonard Bernstein.  Along with some Bernstein favorites, the Chorale will be performing Jubilate Deo by Dan Forrest, an American composer.  Also performing at this concert are the Jackson Chorale’s Children’s Choir and our summer music camp scholarship winners.  Join us on April 29th at St. Mary’s Church in downtown Jackson for a lovely afternoon of beautiful music.  4 PM to 5PM.  120 East Wesley Street, Jackson.

Jackson High School Theatre Department presents “Little Shop of Horrors”.  Friday and Saturday at 7 PM, Sunday at 3 PM.  Jackson High School Auditorium.  Admission is $7 at the door.

Columbia Central Junior High School Performing Arts Proudly Presents “The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf”.  2 shows only!  11775 Hewitt Rd, Brooklyn.  Friday April 27 at 7:00 PM, Sunday April 29 at 2:00 PM.  Tickets are $5.00 each, sold at the door.