Events of Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Movers for Meals Free Play Night at Tilted.  6 PM to 10 PM.  Each person who donates 5 non-perishable food items will be able to play all the pinball machines and video games at Tilted Arcade Bar for free! Your donations will benefit the Jackson Salvation Army and Jackson Community Food Pantry. Please share with friends and family and help us make this Holiday season a better one for Jackson at-need families.  146 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson.

Crafternoons at the Library.  3 PM – 4:30 PM.  William Atkinson Hall, Room 107, Jackson College Central Campus.  Get your craft on at Crafternoons at the Library! Whether you’re very experienced or just looking to learn, join us for a chill session of knitting, crocheting, embroidering, or whatever craft you like best. Looking to learn or find a new project? We’ll have materials on hand and people to help you learn something new! It’s the perfect way to unwind and meet fellow craft lovers in the college community. Bring your projects, your enthusiasm, and let’s stitch up some fun together!

Bingo Night.  6 PM.  Winner-take-all games at 6:55 and 7:45! Concessions available for purchase. Join us to support the Vandercook Lake Music Boosters and help to provide amazing opportunities for our VCL music students!  Vandercook Lake High School.

Julia Child: A Recipe for Life. New Exhibit at Ella Sharp Museum.  Julia Child: A Recipe for Life, explores the key ingredients in Julia’s personal journey, which became part of America’s culinary revolution, through a series of immersive experiences. Julia’s insatiable curiosity and tenacious spirit drove her to endlessly try, test, and teach how to make delicious food. Learning empowered Julia and she in turn empowered others, profoundly transforming American cuisine and food culture.  Julia Child: A Recipe for Life is a traveling exhibition produced and toured by Flying Fish, developed in collaboration with Napa Valley Museum, supported by The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, the Schlesinger Library, Harvard Radcliffe Institute, and generously sponsored by Oceania Cruises.  Tuesday – Friday: 10 am – 5 pm, Saturday: 11:30am – 4pm, Sunday – Monday: Closed.  Admission includes Museum Galleries and Hurst Planetarium Shows.  Check here for updates.

Upcoming:

Thursday, Nov. 21 – Friday, Nov. 22

Poetry Out Loud. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  James McDivitt Hall, Room 218, Jackson College Central Campus.  Poetry Out Loud—presented in partnership with Michigan Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Foundation—lifts poetry off the page, creating community and connection.  Through this program, high school students across the country participate in a dynamic poetry recitation competition that is designed to improve their public speaking skills, help build confidence, and teach them about literary history and contemporary life. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.4 million students across the country have participated in Poetry Out Loud.

On November 21st and 22nd at Jackson College, high school students are invited to compete for a chance to win our local Poetry Out Loud competition! Students will recite works selected from an anthology of more than 1,200 poems. Judges will evaluate student performances on criteria including voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, and accuracy. The winner of our local competition will advance to the state Poetry Out Loud competition in Lansing on March 14-15th 2025. The state champion will receive $200 and will advance to the national finals next spring in Washington, DC where $50,000 in awards and school/organizational stipends will be distributed. The representing school or organization of the state champion will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials and the first runner-up will receive $100, with $200 for their school or organization. The Poetry Foundation provides and administers all aspects of the monetary prizes awarded and travel arrangements for the Poetry Out Loud National Finals.

To learn more about the Poetry Out Loud competition, contact Katie Wittenauer (kwittenauer@mihumanities.org) or visit PoetryOutLoud.org.

To sign up for our local competition at Jackson College, contact Holly Taylor (taylorholly@jccmi.edu). *Only high school students (9-12th grade) may participate in this event.*

Saturday, November 23

The Commodores at Potter Center.  7:00 PM.  With a legacy spanning five decades, The Commodores continue to captivate audiences with their legendary Motown sound. Known as “The Legends of Motown,” The Commodores are a Grammy award-winning group celebrated for their chart-topping hits like “Easy,” “Brick House,” “Machine Gun,” “Nightshift” and “Three Times a Lady.”  The Commodores aren’t just any group. They have staying power. Just like their hit song “Brick House,” The Commodores have created a foundation that just won’t budge. With new discs, a new tour, and a new label, The Commodores have maintained their place among the most successful entertainers in the world. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime experience to see The Commodores up close and personal!  For tickets: jccmi.edu/pottercenter/commodores

Music on Tap Jazz Night.  8 PM.  Djangophonique, an award-winning ensemble celebrated for their captivating performances, will bring the vibrant energy of Django Reinhardt’s jazz manouche to Weatherwax Hall on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 8pm. Their music effortlessly blends traditional Hot Club sounds with a modern flair, keeping the spirit of Parisian dance halls and soulful ballads alive. Known for their lively, joyful performances, Djangophonique’s sound is perfect for both jazz lovers and those new to the genre. Their upbeat rhythms and smooth melodies will make for an unforgettable evening of music.  Guitar Workshop: Before the concert, join the band for Swingin’ with Django: A Journey into Gypsy Jazz, a FREE workshop at 4pm at Weatherwax Hall where musicians and enthusiasts can dive into the foundational elements of Django Reinhardt’s style. Open to all but reservations are required. Learn more and register at jacksonsymphony.org/concerts-and-events/jazz-night-with-djangophonique  Tickets for Djangophonique are $20 in advance at jacksonsymphony.org/concerts-and-events/jazz-night-with-djangophonique. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $25.