Events of Thursday, November 20, 2025

“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” 7 PM.  Get ready to laugh out loud! Jackson College presents the winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” a wickedly funny comedy that reimagines Chekhov’s classic characters (“Uncle Vanya”) in a modern setting. In a quiet Pennsylvania farmhouse, middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia bicker, dream, and complain about their lives — until their glamorous movie-star sister Masha arrives with her new, much-younger boyfriend Spike. Cue the chaos, comedy, and a few heartwarming moments along the way! What follows is a hilarious, poignant story about family, change, and finding your place in the world. Performances will be Nov. 20-23 in the Michael Baughman Theatre. Get tickets now! $15 general admission, JC students free!  Potter Center, Jackson College Central Campus.

Great Lake to Lake Route #1 Inaugural Ride.  3 PM.  Join the League of Michigan Bicyclists and our partners for one of our last rides of the year: a special inaugural ride on the new extension of the Great Lake to Lake Route #1 Trail in Jackson, MI — Thursday, November 20. Thanks to a generous gift from the Mike Levine Foundation and the Jewish Foundation of Ann Arbor, another gap in the Great Lake to Lake Route #1 Trail has officially been connected! This new section now closes what was the “Jackson gap” which forced cyclists off-trail and onto roads, creating a smoother, safer, and more scenic ride for trail users. Where: Jackson County Parks (200 W Ganson St., Jackson, MI 49202) What to expect: LMB Events Director Neal Glazebrook, joined by LMB board members and Executive Director Andy Rohrer, will lead a relaxed 7-mile round trip ride from the Jackson County Parks office to the end of the new trail segment and back. It’s a great way to celebrate progress, connect with the community, and experience Michigan’s growing trail network firsthand. We’ll also have a few extras to make the day even more special!  Come join the celebration — all are welcome. T-shirt supply is limited. Learn more here.

Dr. Dan Phelan and Dr. Kara Van Dam Alumni Fireside Chat.  4 PM to 6 PM.  College alumni are invited to an evening of connection and insight. Hear from Dr. Daniel Phelan, and Dr. Kara Van Dam, Vice President and Chief Executive of GVSU Omni, as they share their unique journeys of leadership and the lessons learned along the way. Jets Hangar, Jackson College Central Campus. RSVP here.

Fall into Film:  Gremlins (1984).  7 PM.  When a young man receives a mysterious creature called a mogwai as a Christmas gift, he’s warned to follow three simple rules. But when those rules are broken, a small town is overrun by mischievous—and deadly—gremlins. Directed by Joe Dante and produced by Steven Spielberg, Gremlins is a darkly comedic holiday-horror hybrid that has become a cult classic for its blend of scares, satire, and creature chaos. Presented as part of our Fall into Film series. Doors open at 6:30PM; the film begins at 7:00PM. Admission is $5 at the door; members attend free.  Michigan Theatre, Downtown Jackson.

Nom Nom November – Free Community Meals.  5 PM to 6 PM.   1208 Greenwood Church is opening its doors every weekday from 5–6 PM for the rest of November to provide free meals to anyone in need. Come as you are, enjoy a warm meal, and share community with us. Each day will feature a different menu of the day, prepared with care and open to all. Keep up to date here in our Facebook event or at www.1208greenwood.com/nomnom. 1208 Greenwood Ave, Jackson. Weekdays, 5–6PM/   Free meals. Open to everyone.   chicken carbonara! It’s pan fried chicken over bucatini noodles covered in a special homemade white sauce. We’ll have vegetable soup, salad and bread on the side as well 🙂