This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
Megan Meyer, Chris Krause, Sabrina Dahlgren, Chad Baker, Josh Abram and Darby Johnson pose for a picture promoting the upcoming Speakeasy Cabaret, an immersive 1920s experience. Six Eleven’s first Midland event is set for 9-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 22-23 at Midland Center for the Arts’ Pendulum Lounge.
Chippewa Nature Center will offer naturalist-led kayak trips this summer.
Families cool off from temperatures in the high 80s at Plymouth Pool Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Midland.
Attendees watch "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" during Movies on Main. Movies will be shown this summer every Wednesday through August. All of the movies are free and open to the public.
The Chemical City Band will perform on June 29 at the Nicholson-Guenther Band Shell in Central Park in Midland. (Daily News file photo)
Cancer survivors, caregivers and others gather for the Luminaria display during the 2021 Midland County Relay for Life on June 19, at the Midland County Fairgrounds (Photo by Andrew Mullin/amullin@hearstnp.com).
Skaters of all ages take laps around the rink during "Let's Roll Together," an event hosted by The Arc of Midland and Roll Arena, Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022.
Chippewa Nature Center hosts Nature Play.
Guests enjoy cocktails, food and music in the Pendulum Lounge which is open Thursdays at Midland Center for the Arts. (Daily News file photo)
Editor’s note: If you have an event you would like to have included, please email the information to Reporter Victoria Ritter, vritter@mdn.net.
Hanging out with Hummingbirds is set for 8:30-11:30 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Allen Chartier, Michigan’s hummingbird expert, will answer questions during a one-hour indoor program, followed by an outdoor banding program. Chartier will discuss his research compiled from banding hummingbirds for over 15 years. Meet at the Visitor Center. This event is free.
Relay for Life of Midland County is set for 10 a.m. and will go till 10 a.m. Sunday, July 24 at the Midland County Fairgrounds. Area bands will provide live music. The event will also feature games, a car show, fire truck pull, inflatables and opportunities to dunk local celebrities. For more information, visit the Relay for Life's event page on Facebook. This event is free and open to the public.
Sanford Pop Up Palooza is set for 1-6 p.m. at Porte Park in downtown Sanford. This free event will feature food trucks, kids games, a cornhole tournament and Make and Take crafts by Home Depot. Performing bands include Coleman Road, the Reliks, Stix and Stone and Brother Hyde.
The Little Mermen are set to perform at 6:30 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. Go "Under the Sea" with the premier Disney cover band that plays rock versions of favorite Disney tunes (in costume). Founded by singer-songwriter Alexis Babini with the goal of bringing Disney-fueled nostalgia and singalongs to a generation that grew up on Disney, and never let it go. The Little Mermen play all the Disney hits, from The Jungle Book to The Lion King, and even Frozen. Tickets are $18, plus processing fees, and can be purchased at midlandcenter.org, by calling the Ticket Office at 989-631-8250 or in-person at 1801 W. St. Andrews Road.
The Commons Live Music series will host 23 North at 7-9 p.m. at the Pedestrian Plaza Stage at the intersection of McDonald and Main streets in Downtown Midland. Bring a chair (or snag one of the outdoor tables), grab a drink and some food from a downtown restaurant and enjoy the music. This event is free.
A Speakeasy Cabaret is set for 9-11 p.m. at the Pendulum Lounge in Midland Center for the Arts. At this immersive interactive speakeasy event, go back in time to the prohibition from start to finish. Everything from the servers to the acts will be immersively held. The show will have adult themes. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.sixeleventheatre.org/speakeasycabaret.
Homestead Sunday is set for 1-5 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Step back in time at CNC's log cabin, timber frame barn and one-room school for a family-friendly afternoon at the Homestead Farm and Log Schoolhouse. Weekly themed activities and tours will be available throughout the afternoon. Try grinding corn, pumping water, writing on a slate board, working in the garden, tilling the field or watering the animals. The Homestead and Schoolhouse will be open Sundays in June, July and August. This event is free.
Nature Play is set for 2-4 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Whether it's making pies in the mud kitchen, building forts, constructing river, lounging in hammocks or creating nature art, this hour of play is sure to engage everyone. Come make some new friends and enjoy a summer afternoon. Caregivers must remain with children during this program. This program will be facilitated by volunteer host families. Meet in The Woods Nature Play Area near Arbury Trail. This event is free.
A Butterfly Wildflower Meadow Walk is set for 2 p.m. at McLean Nature Preserve. Guests are invited for a short guided walk on mowed trails for close-up views and many photo opportunities. McLean Nature Preserve is located at 2199 N. Flajole Road, Rhodes in northwestern Bay County. For directions or further information, call Jim or Shirley McLean at 989-631-3067 in Midland. On the day of the program they can be reached at 989-698-6239.
An Upper Chippewa River Kayak trip is set for 6-9 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Spend an evening paddling down the Chippewa River with a naturalist, looking for turtles, fish, herons, hawks and eagles. After meeting at the Visitor Center, the group will travel to the Universal Access Site via CNC van and begin a leisurely paddle down river back to the Nature Center. CNC will provide a kayak, paddle and life jacket for each participant. Meet at the Visitor Center. Cost is $30. Register at www.chippewanaturecenter.org/
Frogs and Pollywogs is set for 6-7 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Whether you’re young or just young at heart, grab your mud boots for an evening at the pond! The group will meet at the Visitor Center to learn about CNC’s common frogs and handling techniques before heading out to the ponds and wet woodlands to experience these charming and slimy amphibians first hand. Meet at the Visitor Center. This event is free.
MidlandSummer Stage Theatre is set to present "H.M.S. Pinafore" at 7 p.m. at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library Auditorium. Midland area middle and high school actors will perform this classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. Tickets are $4 for adults, $3 for children and $12 for families of four or more; ticktes will be available at the door. Additional showtimes are 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 27.
A Story Hour is set for 10 a.m. at the Nature Play Area of Averill Preserve. Join a Chippewa Nature Center naturalist for an hour learning about nature. Attendees will meet at the pavilion and walk down to the Nature Play Area. The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program. This event is free.
A Lunchtime Concert featuring Donny Brown is set for 12-1:30 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Bring a blanket or a chair and listen to live music in the dappled shade of the Birch Grove. Picnics are welcome. Included with admission or purchase of an annual admission card.
Sprouts & STEMS – Living Light: Fireflies! is set for 7 p.m. at Creative 360. Guests are invited to come and learn about fireflies (and see a few!). The group will read a firefly story, do a “glow” experiment, and there will be glow-in-the dark art projects. The “Sprouts and STEMs” program is a collaboration between Creative 360, the Midland Section of the American Chemical Society and the Midland County Youth Action Council. This event is free, but registration is encouraged by calling Creative 360 at 989-837-1885.
Sound Community Music Series is set for 7-9 p.m. at Live Oak Coffeehouse. This live music series features classical and jazz musicians from the mid-Michigan area.The first hour of each event is an opportunity for students, amateurs, and professionals to share musical performances. The second hour spotlights professional musicians as they perform a full-length concert. The featured artists of the evening gratefully accept financial support from the audience in the form of donations.
A Yoga Happy Hour is set for 7:15-9 p.m. at Mi Element Grains & Grounds. Come for 45 minutes of all-levels yoga practice, then stay afterward to enjoy a beverage of your choice and some friendly conversation between 8-9 p.m. Participants are asked to bring their own mat and any yoga props; a limited number of mats will be available to borrow. Cost is $18 with drink included, $12 for just yoga. The ticket price includes one coffee, tea or beer (must be 21 and up for beer option) to enjoy during the event or take a voucher to enjoy your drink later.
The Chemical City Band is set to perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Central Park Bandshell. If it rains, the concert will take place in Central Auditorium.
A Teen Pool Party is set for 8:30-10 p.m. at Plymouth Park Pool. Join The ROCK and Midland Parks and Recration for a night of fun at the pool. This event is geared for 6-12 grade students. There is no entry fee; candy, drinks and sno-cones will be available for $1 each.
Movies on Main is set to show "Muppet Treasure Island" at 9 p.m. outside of Ace Hardware in Downtown Midland. Concessions will be available for purchase. Guests can bring a lawn chair and blankets. This event is free.
Bird Banding is set for 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. See resident and migratory birds up close, as birds are caught in mist nets and banded for research. Join researcher Mike Bishop and CNC staff at the Homestead Farm. If it is raining or windy, banding will not take place. If the weather is questionable, call the front office on the day of the scheduled banding. This event is free.
Outdoor Yoga Flow is set for 12-12:45 p.m. on Main Street between Ashman and McDonald streets in Downtown Midland. Allied Group Fitness will be offering free yoga classes. Reservations are highly recommended and suggested, but drop-ins are welcomed. There will be a select number of yoga mats that will be provided for those who don't have their own; drop-ins should plan on bringing their own mat. This class is open to all experience levels.
Summer Wildflowers by Golf Cart is set for 4-5:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join CNC naturalists to learn how to identify commonly found species and discuss their roles within an ecosystem. This program is especially designed for people with limited mobility and pre-registration is required. Meet outside the Visitor Center. Cost is $15. Register at www.chippewanaturecenter.org/
The Pendulum Lounge is open 4:30-8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. DJAM will provide live music. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails, small plates and hearty offerings. Tickets are not required to attend the Pendulum Lounge, seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.
Teenage Musicals Inc. presents "The Music Man" at 7 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. The musical follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band that he vows to organize – despite the fact that he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased at midlandcenter.org, by calling the Ticket Office at 989-631-8250 or in-person at 1801 W. St. Andrews Road. Other showtimes are 7 p.m. July 29 and 2 p.m. July 30 and 31.
Tunes by the Tridge is set for 7-9 p.m. Coleman Road Band will perform at this family-friendly event located at the farmer's market area at the foot of the Tridge. Families will want to bring quilts and lawn chairs on Thursday evenings and enjoy listening to bands perform. These performances are free to all.
Story Time is set for 10-11 a.m. at Dow Gardens. Come to hear award-winning children’s books read aloud in the Children’s Garden. All ages are welcome. Included with admission or purchase of an annual admission card. This is a drop-in event. Registration is not required.
Hoedown in Downtown Midland is set for 6-9 p.m. Enjoy free line dancing lessons from 6-7 p.m., complimentary of In Cahoots Country Dance Club, as well as live country music from 7-9 p.m. by the Todd Michael Band! Grab a Commons beverage from one of the participating Downtown Midland businesses and dress up in your full country git' up.
The Commons Live Music series will host the Todd Michael Band at 7-9 p.m. at the Pedestrian Plaza Stage at the intersection of McDonald and Main streets in Downtown Midland. Bring a chair (or snag one of the outdoor tables), grab a drink and some food from a downtown restaurant and enjoy the music. This event is free.
The Commons Live Music series will host Empty Pockets at 7-9 p.m. at the Pedestrian Plaza Stage at the intersection of McDonald and Main streets in Downtown Midland. Bring a chair (or snag one of the outdoor tables), grab a drink and some food from a downtown restaurant and enjoy the music. This event is free.
Homestead Sunday is set for 1-5 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Step back in time at CNC's log cabin, timber frame barn and one-room school for a family-friendly afternoon at the Homestead Farm and Log Schoolhouse. Weekly themed activities and tours will be available throughout the afternoon. Try grinding corn, pumping water, writing on a slate board, working in the garden, tilling the field or watering the animals. The Homestead and Schoolhouse will be open Sundays in June, July and August. This event is free.
Yoga and Kayaking is set for 3-5 p.m. at the Midland Tridge. In collaboration with Ike's Mobile Kayaks, the group will kayak upstream along the Tittabawasee River and then return downstream for a more leisurely float back to the Tridge. Back at the Tridge, participants will end the session with yoga to stretch out and wind down from the journey. Cost is $40, including all equipment.
A Teen Pool Party is set for 8:30-10 p.m. at Plymouth Park Pool. Join The ROCK and Midland Parks and Recration for a night of fun at the pool. This event is geared for 6-12 grade students. There is no entry fee; candy, drinks and sno-cones will be available for $1 each.
A Lunchtime Concert featuring Jim Pagel and Allie is set for 12-1:30 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Bring a blanket or a chair and listen to live music in the dappled shade of the Birch Grove. Picnics are welcome. Included with admission or purchase of an annual admission card.
A Lower Chippewa River kayak trip is set for 6-8 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join a CNC naturalist for a relaxing three-mile paddle from CNC’s launch on the Homestead Road down the Chippewa River to the Tridge in Downtown Midland. CNC will provide a kayak, paddle and life jacket for each participant. The group will meet at the Visitor Center. Cost is $25. Register at www.chippewanaturecenter.org/
Movies on Main is set to show "Sing 2" at 9 p.m. outside of Ace Hardware in Downtown Midland. Concessions will be available for purchase. Guests can bring a lawn chair and blankets. This event is free.
A Story Hour is set for 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. This program will be held outdoors unless weather is unfavorable. Meet at the Woods Nature Play area near Arbury Trail. This event is free.
Outdoor Yoga Flow is set for 12-12:45 p.m. on Main Street between Ashman and McDonald streets in Downtown Midland. Allied Group Fitness will be offering free yoga classes. Reservations are highly recommended and suggested, but drop-ins are welcomed. There will be a select number of yoga mats that will be provided for those who don't have their own; drop-ins should plan on bringing their own mat. This class is open to all experience levels.
Meet the Chippewa Nature Center Wildlife Ambassadors at 1-2 p.m. at CNC. Join an CNC interpretive naturalist to meet the reptiles and amphibians ambassadors that live in the Visitor Center. We will discuss the adaptations that help their species survive in the wild. This program will be held at the Lanigan Pavilion at the end of the Homestead Road. Bring camp chairs for seating. This event is free.
The Pendulum Lounge is open 4:30-8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. Cold Cut Trio will provide live music. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails, small plates and hearty offerings. Tickets are not required to attend the Pendulum Lounge, seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.
Tunes by the Tridge is set for 7-9 p.m. The Founding will perform at this family-friendly event located at the farmer's market area at the foot of the Tridge. Families will want to bring quilts and lawn chairs on Thursday evenings and enjoy listening to bands perform. These performances are free to all.
Rent is set to perform at 8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. Rent follows a year in the life of impoverished young bohemian artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. This show contains adult language, sexual innuendo, drug use and profanity. Tickets are $29.50 for adults and $23.50 for students and can be purchased at midlandcenter.org, by calling the Ticket Office at 989-631-8250 or in-person at 1801 W. St. Andrews Road. Other showtimes are 8 p.m. Aug. 5-6 and 11-13.
Story Time is set for 10-11 a.m. at Dow Gardens. Come to hear award-winning children’s books read aloud in the Children’s Garden. All ages are welcome. Included with admission or purchase of an annual admission card. This is a drop-in event. Registration is not required.
The Commons Live Music series will host Stone Street Revival at 9-11 p.m. at the Pedestrian Plaza Stage at the intersection of McDonald and Main streets in Downtown Midland. Bring a chair (or snag one of the outdoor tables), grab a drink and some food from a downtown restaurant and enjoy the music. This event is free.
The Commons Live Music series will host Jim Pagel Jazz Trio at 7-9 p.m. at the Pedestrian Plaza Stage at the intersection of McDonald and Main streets in Downtown Midland. Bring a chair (or snag one of the outdoor tables), grab a drink and some food from a downtown restaurant and enjoy the music. This event is free.
Homestead Sunday is set for 1-5 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Step back in time at CNC's log cabin, timber frame barn and one-room school for a family-friendly afternoon at the Homestead Farm and Log Schoolhouse. Weekly themed activities and tours will be available throughout the afternoon. Try grinding corn, pumping water, writing on a slate board, working in the garden, tilling the field or watering the animals. The Homestead and Schoolhouse will be open Sundays in June, July and August. This event is free.
A Lunchtime Concert featuring Laure & the Lefties is set for 12-1:30 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Bring a blanket or a chair and listen to live music in the dappled shade of the Birch Grove. Picnics are welcome. Included with admission or purchase of an annual admission card.
The 2022 CST Encore Awards are set for 6-8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts' Little Theater. The awards will recognize and honor the lifetime achievements of a few volunteers, as well as celebrate the productions that made up the Center Stage Theatre 2021-2022 season. Admission is free, but all attendees are required to RSVP by Friday, Aug. 2; reservations can be made at https://bit.ly/3yWYPbl
Movies on Main is set to show "Spiderman: No Way Home" at 9 p.m. outside of Ace Hardware in Downtown Midland. Concessions will be available for purchase. Guests can bring a lawn chair and blankets. This event is free.
Outdoor Yoga Flow is set for 12-12:45 p.m. on Main Street between Ashman and McDonald streets in Downtown Midland. Allied Group Fitness will be offering free yoga classes. Reservations are highly recommended and suggested, but drop-ins are welcomed. There will be a select number of yoga mats that will be provided for those who don't have their own; drop-ins should plan on bringing their own mat. This class is open to all experience levels.
The Pendulum Lounge is open 4:30-8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. The Jim Pagel Trio will provide live music. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails, small plates and hearty offerings. Tickets are not required to attend the Pendulum Lounge, seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.
Yoga and Kayaking is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Midland Tridge. In collaboration with Ike's Mobile Kayaks, the group will kayak upstream along the Tittabawasee River and then return downstream for a more leisurely float back to the Tridge. Back at the Tridge, participants will end the session with yoga to stretch out and wind down from the journey. Cost is $40, including all equipment.
A Floodplain Hike at is set for 6-8 p.m. at Forestview Natural Area. Have you looked at a map of Forestview and wondered, what's the land beyond the trail like? Executive Director Elan Lipschitz is offering to take a group beyond the trail and hike near the river. The 2-3 mile path will be on uneven ground and potentially wet areas. This path is moderate to difficult; for your safety, do not try this on your own.
Tunes by the Tridge is set for 7-9 p.m. Red Herring will perform at this family-friendly event located at the farmer's market area at the foot of the Tridge. Families will want to bring quilts and lawn chairs on Thursday evenings and enjoy listening to bands perform. These performances are free to all.
Story Time is set for 10-11 a.m. at Dow Gardens. Come to hear award-winning children’s books read aloud in the Children’s Garden. All ages are welcome. Included with admission or purchase of an annual admission card. This is a drop-in event. Registration is not required.
The Commons Live Music series will host Gould & Graham at 7-9 p.m. at the Pedestrian Plaza Stage at the intersection of McDonald and Main streets in Downtown Midland. Bring a chair (or snag one of the outdoor tables), grab a drink and some food from a downtown restaurant and enjoy the music. This event is free.
The Commons Live Music series will host Detroit Rock City – KISS Tribute at 7-9 p.m. at the Pedestrian Plaza Stage at the intersection of McDonald and Main streets in Downtown Midland. Bring a chair (or snag one of the outdoor tables), grab a drink and some food from a downtown restaurant and enjoy the music. This event is free.
Homestead Sunday is set for 1-5 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Step back in time at CNC's log cabin, timber frame barn and one-room school for a family-friendly afternoon at the Homestead Farm and Log Schoolhouse. Weekly themed activities and tours will be available throughout the afternoon. Try grinding corn, pumping water, writing on a slate board, working in the garden, tilling the field or watering the animals. The Homestead and Schoolhouse will be open Sundays in June, July and August. This event is free.
A Lunchtime Concert featuring Casey Lane is set for 12-1:30 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Bring a blanket or a chair and listen to live music in the dappled shade of the Birch Grove. Picnics are welcome. Included with admission or purchase of an annual admission card.
A Story Hour is set for 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12 p.m.at Chippewa Nature Center. The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. This program will be held outdoors unless weather is unfavorable. Meet at the Woods Nature Play area near Arbury Trail. This event is free.
Outdoor Yoga Flow is set for 12-12:45 p.m. on Main Street between Ashman and McDonald streets in Downtown Midland. Allied Group Fitness will be offering free yoga classes. Reservations are highly recommended and suggested, but drop-ins are welcomed. There will be a select number of yoga mats that will be provided for those who don't have their own; drop-ins should plan on bringing their own mat. This class is open to all experience levels.
Herbert Dow's Garden Tour is set for 1-2:30 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Visitors will meet on the porch of The Pines, the home of Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow, and partake in a guided walking tour through the gardens. Photographs, along with letters and journals from the archive will shed light on how the property looked when it was the private residence of the Dow family. Cost is $15 for adults, $7 for kids ages 6-18 and $5 for ages 5 and under. Learn more at dowgardens.org/events/herbert-tour/
The Pendulum Lounge is open 4:30-8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. Jacob Wisenbach will provide live music. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails, small plates and hearty offerings. Tickets are not required to attend the Pendulum Lounge, seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.
Victoria Ritter grew up in Midland and after earning a degree in English at Grand Valley State University, returned. She joined the Daily News as its newsroom clerk, and eventually began editing obituaries, and in 2016 wrote her first article. She loves the arts, from reading and creative writing to catching a movie or singing in her church choir.