Events of April 28, 29, and 30, 2023

Friday, April 28

Live at the Lab.  7 – 9 AM.  Live at the Lab, Lean Rocket Lab, 133 W Michigan Ave, Jackson.  Join The Jackson Chamber at the Lean Rocket Lab as the 106.9 HOME.fm 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! Both members and prospective members are invited to attend. It’s FREE!  133 West Michigan Avenue, Downtown Jackson.

“In Common” Opening Night.  Purple Rose Theatre.  Melanie is haunted by a voice that won’t leave her head. Call it a ghost, a hallucination, or clear evidence of a mental collapse. Either way, it’s a lingering reminder of a friend who was killed years ago; the friend was black, Melanie is white, and questions about why it happened – and who was to blame – come newly into focus when Melanie is drawn into a relationship that offers her a brighter future, but no clear escape from the past.  *Contains adult language & subject matter,  Directed by: Rhiannon Ragland.  Assistant Director: K. Edmonds.   Details and tickets here.

16th Annual Fairy Festival VIP Night.  4 PM to 8 PM.  Jackson School of the Arts, 135 West Cortland Street, Downtown Jackson.  Join the fun for this Magical event downtown!  Includes:  Face painting, Art projects, Fairy tea parties.  FRIDAY is a VIP day with ticket cost of $35 and includes those activities plus:  A kids dance party.  Aerial hoop & juggling performances.  Theatre performances of ‘Neverland’(And smaller crowds).  SATURDAY cost is $15, includes:  Typical activities and outdoor vendors.  Dress up!  For details visit jacksonarts.org/fairy.

Brandon Rose & Soul Therapy.  7 PM.  Brandon Rose & Soul Therapy with special guests Jackson’s own, BIG L & Code Blu.  Michigan Theatre of Jackson, 124 N. Mechanic Street, Jackson.  TICKETS HERE: https://michigantheatre.org/.  $15 presale/$20 at the door.  Presented by St. Nicholas Lodge and hosted by Jackson Mayor Daniel J. Mahoney.

Live Sessions with Linen Ray.   8-10 PM.  Live Sessions: Linen Ray w/ Adam Plomaritas at Ogma Brewing Co., 129 E Michigan Ave, Jackson.  Enjoy an evening at Ogma with Nashville folk-rock/Americana group, Linen Ray and special guest, Adam Plomaritas.The critically-acclaimed Americana band gleaning inspiration from 1970s Laurel Canyon folk-rock, alt-country and traditional country, and gospel is set to kick off at 8 pm.

Wheels of Karma Live at Ironbark.  8 PM.  The planets align, the stars shine, and the Wheels of Karma once again unite to bring forth an epic evening of classic hits from the last several decades!  Ironbark Brewing Co., 2610 Kibby Road, Jackson.

Rib BBQ.  5 PM.  Sons of the American Legion Rose City Post #324 Rib BBQ.  5:00pm until gone.  Come early, bring your friends and your appetite.  Sons of the American Legion Rose City Post #324, 1190 Falahee Rd, Jackson. 

Imagine the Moon.  Showing Through April.  Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays at 12:00pm,  Hurst Planetarium.  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. This is a show ESPECIALLY for children! You can catch Imagine the Moon at Noon, every day we’re open! Visit ellasharp.org for more information!   Event page here.

Spring Night Sky Tour.  Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 4:00pm.  Saturdays, & Sundays at 2:00pm & 4:00pm.  Hurst Planetarium at Ella Sharp Museum.  Join us as we transform the dome into the Spring sky! We’ll cover tips and tricks for navigating the night sky! Everything in this live presentation can be seen just looking up—no telescope required!  For more information on this show, please visit Ellasharp.org!

Saturday, April 29

21st Annual Family Service & Children’s Aid 5K RUN and WALK.  9 AM.  Middle School at Parkside. The course will take place on the Falling Waters Trail.  Overall Awards will be given to the top male and female finishers of Open (all ages), Masters (40+), and Grandmasters (50+) in the 5k Run, and 5k Walk.  Age Groups Awards to the top 3 places in each age group.  Special pricing for families – only $3 for kids registering with an adult.  Early Packet pick-up Friday, April 28th from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm at Family Service & Children’s Aid (306 W Michigan Ave, Jackson, MI).  Race day packet pickup at Middle School at Parkside from 8:00am – 8:50am on race day morning.  Proceeds from the race go to Family Service & Children’s Aid.   This race is part of the 2023 ORS Race Series.  To learn more click here: ORS Race Series.

Fairy Festival Saturday:  Standard Day.  10 AM to 6 PM.  We welcome you to a very special weekend filled with activities, crafts, and snacks inspired by child-like imagination. Boys and girls always find the Festival full of wonderment and their grown-up companions can’t help but rediscover the child inside themselves as well!  Walk through the Fairy Kingdom, Mermaid Cove and explore the dark mountain. Meet a Fairy Princess and travel to Neverland with Captain Hook on his ship. Don’t forget to dress up!  Fairy Festival will provide access to free access to outdoor vendors and certain activities will be included with admission.  Ticketed time slots start at 10AM and are every 30 minutes until 4PM.  Tickets are $15 per person (each person attending must have their own ticket).  Learn more here https://jacksonarts.org/fairy

Minecraft IRL.  2 PM to 3 PM. Love Minecraft? Join us at the Carnegie Library for an immersive experience working together to scavenge material and craft Minecraft items.  Intended for ages 9-15 and registration is required. Register at https://buff.ly/403dbST

National Viral Video Day.  11 AM to 6 PM.  Jackson Candy & Fudge Factory.   This event/promotion is going to be fun!   Saturday, April 29th, is National Viral Video Day.  If you come into our store and create a video and post it on social media, (Instagram/TikTok/FB/or a website), we’ll give you FREE your choice of the following:-1/4 lb of fudge; -20 pieces of taffy; -1/4 lb of bridge mix; or -3 old-fashioned stick candies.  In addition, if your post gets over 500 likes, follows, etc, in the next 30 days, we’ll give you a $20 gift card to Jackson Candy & Fudge Factory. This promotion is limited to one video post per family. And you’ll need to post the video while at the store and show staff.  1522 East Michigan Avenue, Jackson.

Con Con Movie Premiere and Screening.  7 PM.  Enjoy the works of two African-American filmmakers when they take center stage at the Michigan Theatre, part of Jackson College’s Concatenation Convention events focusing on Afrofuturism! All are welcome April 29 at 7 p.m. in the Michigan Theatre, Jackson.  Jackson native Justin Henry is a filmmaker and director of three short films that we will be screening: “Orion,” “Oracle” and “Exypnos.” David Kirkman of Ferguson, MO, is director of the film “Underneath: Children of the Sun” that will be screening.  This is a free event, and all are welcome. (Note, one film is rated R. Visit https://michigantheatre.org/).  About Con Con:  The Concatenation Convention, or Con Con, brings together the world of science fiction and fact. This year, Con Con is focusing on Afrofuturism, as a different way to think about the past, present and (most importantly) the future of people of African heritage throughout the world.  It allows us a way to imagine positive and empowering narratives that everyone can champion and enjoy. Jackson College professors Steven Albee-Scott and Steven Tuckey, with community member Jon Hart, coordinate the events. Learn more at www.jxnconcon.org.

Getting Grow Jackson Garden Ready for Spring.  10 AM.  People for the Parks and Trails and Grow Jackson are joining forces to get the Grow Jackson garden at the City’s MLK Recreation Center ready for spring. The food grown in this garden will be provided to nearby residents. People for the Parks and Trails is a non-profit that is dedicated to improving Jackson’s parks and trails through volunteer projects and fundraising.    Volunteers will fill raised beds, spread top soil, and plant spring crops. The MLK Recreation Center is located at 1107 Adrian St. Volunteer projects are open to everyone! Equipment is provided by the Parks and Recreation Department. You are welcome to bring your own work gloves and hydration. Events often have coffee and water provided. The time commitment is usually around 90 minutes to 2 hours. Children are welcome at volunteer opportunities, provided they are supervised. This park has a playground so children are welcome to play while parents/guardians volunteer.

Crafts and Drafts.  One North Kitchen and Bar will host Crafts & Drafts on Saturday, April 29, 2023.  10 AM – 3 PM.  3rd annual Spring Crafts & Drafts is happening at One North. Shop from unique local craft vendors while enjoying lunch and craft cocktails or beers.  2115 Bondsteel Dr., Jackson.

Healthy Kids Day.  1  – 4 PM.  Healthy Kids Day at YMCA Storer Camps.  Come on out for a fun, free afternoon at camp! Enjoy some of your favorite activities such as arts & crafts, archery and rock wall climbing. Additionally, check out local organizations and businesses who support the health and wellness of kids in the community.  YMCA Storer Camps, 6941 Stony Lake Rd., Jackson.

Jackson County Genealogical Society Workshop:  Using Census for Genealogy Research.  10 AM to 2 PM.  Jackson District Library Carnegie-McIntyre Room.  Free for public to attend.  Questions please call 517-768-9266.

Mother Child Tea Party.  2:30 PM  Mother – Child Tea Party at the Treasure Chest, 4000 Page Ave, Michigan Center.  You and your child can have fun with Princess/ Prince, kid friendly tea party with a craft! Only $12 per person, we can adjust for gluten or dairy free, they can take a picture with our princess. You must pre register as space is limited.  Questions? Email treasurechestmichigancenter@gmail.com

Wheel of Game.  7:30 PM.  Wheel of Game, an Improv Comedy Game Show hosted by Monster Box Theatre at Iron Bark Brewing Company, 2610 Kibby Road, Jackson.

Sunday, April 30

Choral Masterworks Concert “Mass of the Children”  5 PM.  The Jackson MI Chorale presents Mass of the Children honoring the children lost on 9/11 and in school shootings.  Featuring the Jackson Chorale and Children’s Chorale.  Doors open at 4:30 PM.  St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Downtown Jackson.  Admission:  $15 adults, $10 children 12 and under.  Tickets available here.

National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day and International Jazz Day.  12 PM – 5 PM.  Adopt a Shelter Pet Day with Live Jazz by Will Cyprian.  Sandhill Crane Vineyards, 4724 Walz Rd, Jackson.  Sandhill Crane Vineyards and Cascades Humane Society are celebrating two things we love on this special day in April – National Adopt a Pet Day and International Jazz Day!  Enjoy our first live jazz event of 2023 with music by Will Cyprian from 1-4pm! Support CHS by learning about their organization and visiting with pets!  Bring in an item from CHS’s wish list and receive a 1oz wine flight on us! See the link below to see what they need! https://chspets.com/wish-list/