Events of Thursday, September 11, 2025

Spirit of America Blood Drive. 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM.   Versiti Blood Center of Michigan invites communities to remember the heroes of Sept. 11, 2001, and the 2,977 Americans who lost their lives, as well as the patriotic blood donors who stepped up in the days and weeks that followed—the true spirit of America. This year’s Spirit of America blood drive is a reminder that every donation can be the difference between life and death for a neighbor, a friend or a fellow citizen in need. As we reflect on this historic day, Versiti solemnly asks the public to join in remembrance and answer the call to make a difference. Donors will receive a commemorative T-shirt, while supplies last, as thanks for helping save local lives.  American 1 Credit Union Event Center, Keeley Park, Downtown Jackson.  Donors can sign up at Versiti.org or by calling Versiti Blood Center of Michigan at 866-642-5663. Walk-in donors are welcome.

Fall  into Film: The Big Sleep (1946).  Doors at 6:30PM,  Film at 7:00PM.  Admission: $5 at the door. Free for members.  Raymond Chandler’s hardboiled detective novel comes to life in Howard Hawks’ The Big Sleep, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Private eye Philip Marlowe is hired by a wealthy family to deal with a blackmailer, but soon finds himself ensnared in a complex web of murder, blackmail, and double-crosses. The chemistry between Bogart and Bacall crackles in this stylish noir classic full of rapid-fire dialogue and moral ambiguity.  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.

Tunnel to Towers 9-11 Memorial. 7 PM.  Join us as we spend an evening of patriotic remembrance while enjoying wonderful food from The Great American Food Truck and watching a display of patriotic beauty at the historic Cascade Falls.

40 Years in the Hood:  The Detroit Heidelberg Project.  Witness an extraordinary exhibition curated by renowned Detroit-based artist Tyree Guyton, whose work has transformed the art world and inspired communities for over 40 years. Tyree Guyton is best known for his iconic Heidelberg Project, which has turned discarded objects into powerful symbols of community, resilience, and hope.  Ella Sharp Museum.  Free Admission!

Civil War Exhibit at Ella Sharp Museum. The Jackson Civil War Muster, in partnership with the Ella Sharp Museum and the Jackson County Michigan Historical Society, is proud to present Michigan in the Civil War, a powerful traveling exhibition from the Detroit Historical Society. While no battles were fought on Michigan soil, the state’s citizens played a vital role in one of the most defining moments in American history. From the first shots at Fort Sumter to the surrender at Appomattox, Michiganders served as soldiers, nurses, abolitionists, and leaders, including Governor Austin Blair, whose actions helped shape the war’s outcome and the nation’s future. Featuring over 60 artifacts and photographs, this exhibition illuminates the personal stories, sacrifices, and enduring legacies of those who answered the call to serve. Michigan in the Civil War is on display now at the Ella Sharp Museum through the end of September—don’t miss this chance to step into history and explore Michigan’s role in the fight that defined a nation.