Presented by the Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau
02/02/2015 – Hackley Handicrafts
Monday, February 2 at 6:00pm, come to Hackley Public Library to learn a new craft with Nancy Hartman! This month she will introduce you to homemade butter making. Brought to you through the generosity of the Friends of Hackley Library. For more information, call 231-722-7276.
02/02/2015 – A Piece of My Heart
You’re invited to the USS Silversides Submarine Museum for the Theatrical Synergies production of “A Piece of the My Heart”, a dramatic play which presents the true stories of six courageous women sent to Vietnam and their struggle to make sense of a war that irrevocably changed them and a nation that shunned them. Show times are January 30 & February 2 at 7:00pm and January 31 & February 1 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for members, veterans and seniors and $20 for the general public. Tickets may be purchased at the door and do not include admission to the museum or the vessels. For more information, call 231-755-1230.
02/03/2015 – 02/28/15 ‘Off the Wall’ Teen Poetry and Art Contest
”Off the Wall” is Hackley Public Library’s Creative Writing & Drawing Contest for middle & high school students. Young people in grades 7 – 12 can enter poems, stories, drawing, comics, or any other original creative work. (Flyers with details are available at the library.) Entries will be accepted beginning February 2 and are due at the library by 5:00pm Saturday, February 28, 2015. The best work will be published in HPL’s “Off the Wall” booklet. Winners will be recognized in an awards ceremony. For more information, call 231-722-7276.
02/03/2015 – Brandon Davis and the Victory in Praise Choir
In honor of Black History Month, Hackley Public Library brings you the Victory in Praise Choir, presenting a program with singing and surprises, Tuesday, February 3 at 6:00pm! For more information, call 231-722-7276.
02/03/2015 – White Lake Classical Series
You’re invited to the Book Nook & Java Shop for the White Lake Classical Series featuring Bob Swan on viola, Bryan Uecker on piano and Sondra Cross on clarinet, Tuesday, February 3 at 7:00pm. Admission is $5 at the door, or get there at 6:15pm for the best seats in the house and dinner including Chicken Florentine, couscous, vegetable, peanut butter pretzel cheesecake and a glass of house wine for $17. For more information or to RSVP, call 231-894-5333.
02/05/2015 – Belinda the Ballerina and Friends Opening Reception
Belinda the Ballerina and Friends: The Illustrations of Amy Young, an exhibition of original book illustrations by artist Amy Young will open at the Muskegon Museum of Art on Thursday, February 5. The MMA invites the public to meet the artist at a reception that evening from 5:30 to 7:00pm. Young will give a talk about her life and work in the MMA’s auditorium at 7:00pm. Light refreshments and juice will be served. The event and refreshments are free. For more information, call 231-720-2574.
02/06/2015 – 02/08/15 West Michigan Youth Wintersportsfest 2015
Thirteen events from Feb. 6-8 at various sites. Headquarters at Muskegon Sports Complex. Snowshoe, figure skating, ice speedskating, inline speedskating, luge, cross country ski, gymnastics, competitive cheer, biathlon, hockey, bowling, archery, rifle marksmanship! www.msports.org
02/06/2015 – 02/07/15 Polar Plunge
February 6 from7:00-11:00pm, come to the Event Center at Fricano Place and “Rock the Plunge” with live music from Yard Sale Underwear! There’ll be a $5 cover charge with proceeds to benefit the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Then, Saturday, February 7 take the Plunge! Registration begins at noon with the 2015 Polar Plunge happening at 2:00pm. There’ll be an “After Splash Bash” immediately afterward featuring raffles, door prizes, a DJ and an award ceremony. Visit somi.org for more information or to get signed up.
02/06/2015 – Bling Thing
The 3rd annual “Bling Thing” is hosted by The Friends of Hackley Public Library and offers a wide variety of inexpensive costume, vintage, and fine jewelry. Purses, scarves, belts, clothing, and sparkly home decor items will also be available for purchase. An early sale party will take place on Friday, February 6, from 5:00 to 8:00pm. A minimum $5 donation at the door offers up wine, chocolate and first-dibs on jewelry and other items. The sale continues on Saturday, February 7, from 10:00am to 3:00pm with free entry.
02/06/2015 – Muskegon Lumberjacks Home Game
Come to the L.C. Walker Arena Friday, February 6 at 7:15pm as the Muskegon Lumberjacks take on the Youngstown Phantoms. www.muskegonlumberjacks.com
02/06/2015 – West Michigan Symphony Presents: ‘Words and Music’
The West Michigan Symphony presents “Words and Music”, February 6 at 7:30pm on the Frauenthal stage! Vincent Karamanov performs Mozart’s sublime and dancelike bassoon concerto, and the WMS performs Theme and Variations from Mozartiana, Peter Tchaikovsky’s own tribute to the immortal Amadeus. If the great works of art could talk, what would they say? Carla Hill narrates Voices from the Gallery, a witty and moving work by the living composer Stephen Paulus. Tickets are available through the WMS ticket office at 231-726-3231, StarTickets at 800-585-3737, or the Frauenthal Box Office by calling 231-727-8001. www.westmichigansymphony.org
02/07/2015 – Hoffmaster Park Snowshoe Hike
Weather permitting, Snowshoe hikes begin at the Visitor Center at 10:30am. They are located at 6585 Lake Harbor Rd. Norton Shores. Snowshoes for these programs may be reserved from the Gillette Nature Association for a $5 fee per pair. Snowshoes must be reserved in advance and paid for when hike reservation is made. Reservations may be made by calling 231-798-3573. Reservations are required. State Park passport required for entry into the state park.
02/07/2015 – Arm Knitting
Arm knitting necklaces at the Norton Shores Library! Drop your needles and check this out. All supplies for first necklace will be supplied by the Norton Shores Library at 705 Seminole beginning at 2:00pm in the Community Room. In under an hour you can create a chunky, textured necklace -you don’t even need to know how to knit. Call 231-780-8844 for more information.
02/07/2015 – Manners and Etiquette Class
Come to the Greater Muskegon Woman’s Club for a fast-paced, fun, hands-on learning course for today’s girls, grades 2nd-5th at the Manners and Etiquette Class. Learning centers will be devoted to table manners in social gatherings, phone etiquette, writing thank you notes and much more. A tea party is also included. Each girl must be accompanied by an adult. Reserve your space by calling Melissa at 616-422-3643.
02/07/2015 – West Michigan Lake Hawks Basketball
The West Michigan Lake Hawks will be playing at home against the Coast II Coast All-Stars, Saturday, February 7 at 6:00pm at Reeths Puffer High School. Tickets are $8 per person, or ask about special family pricing. www.lakehawksbasketball.com
02/07/2015 – Russian. Trio. Classics.
West Michigan Symphony (WMS) concerts at The Block presents a Russian inspired piano trio program with WMS associate principal cellist Igor Cerkovic, WMS violinist Oleg Bezuglov and pianist Natalia Beuglova performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50 and the Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67. Doors and bar open at 6:30, concert starts at 7:30 PM on February 7th. Call 231-726-3231 for more information.
02/08/2015 – Howl N Blues
“Howl N Blues” is a winter, six concert, blues party series held the 2nd Sunday of each month, November 2014 through April 2015 at the Watermark 920. There’ll be a cash bar, food, 50/50 raffles, dancing, and good times guaranteed! There’ll also be printed information about the plight of the shelter animals, the importance of spaying and neutering, adoptable dog pictures etc. All shows will benefit PoundBuddies Animal Shelter & Adoption Center. Doors open at 1:00pm with music from 2:00-6:30pm. February 8 from 2:00-6:30pm, it’s GUITAR SLINGERS with the Howlin’ Blues Band. Find out more at www.watermarkcenter.com.
02/08/2015 – John Gorka at The Block
Sunday, February 8, come to The Block for an intimate Sunday afternoon of music in downtown Muskegon with “The preeminent male singer songwriter of the New Folk Movement”, John Gorka, with special guest Trina Hamlin. Tickets are available at Drip Drop Drink. See www.qf-legacy.com for more information.
02/08/2015 – Country Western Music Show
The Muskegon Firefighters Union Local #370 is proud to present its Annual Country Western Music Show at the Reeths-Puffer High School Auditorium on Sunday, February 8 at 3:00pm. The show features Jim Glaser “Woman, Woman”, Bobby Tomberlin “Singing Bee”, and Carrie Tillis “Just a Little Gift”. Support your local firefighters by attending this great show! Tickets are $20 for 1, $35 for 2 or $50 for a family tickets that cover up to 8 people. Call 231-722-4527 to order yours.
Ongoing Events:
Japanese Warriors Robots Exhibit
The Muskegon Museum of Art showcases selected robots from Schwartz’s collection of over 2,000 pieces produced from 1972-1982, during the peak of these action figures’ popularity. This show will thrill audiences of all ages! www.muskegonartmuseum.org
The Essential Elijah Pierce Exhibit
The Muskegon Museum of Art is pleased to present The Essential Elijah Pierce, an exhibition of more than 40 woodcarvings by barber, carver, and lay preacher Elijah Pierce! “Your life is a book and every day is a page,” Pierce believed. This is an exhibit you don’t want to miss! www.muskegonartmuseum.org
Collector’s Corner: Hat Pins
The Collector’s Corner exhibit at the Lakeshore Museum Center features the Hat Pin collection of Martha Giacobassi. Hatpins, the decorative yet functional objects that held women’s hats in place, have been popular since the 1800s. Styles range from plain and utilitarian to highly decorative and ornate. Hatpins grew in length as women’s hat styles grew in size, which meant that some hatpins were well over a foot in length. After injuries and attacks with hat pins began to receive news coverage in the 1910s, laws and ordinances were passed in many states limiting the length of hatpins and requiring that they have covered tips. The collection features 263 hatpins as well as hat pin holders, photos, and hats. Her collection will be on display through early March in 2015. www.lakeshoremuseum.org
Armchair Archeology: From Hobby to History
”Armchair Archaeology: From Hobby to History” is on display at the Lakeshore Museum Center! The exhibit explores early archaeology practices and philosophies that would be considered controversial today and showcases the local men who did it right. The exhibit features ten Muskegon residents from the late 1800s to early 1940s who were working in the area to learn about who and what was living here before them. Artifacts on display from the local digs include pottery shards, arrowheads, projectile points, and tools. Visitors will have an opportunity to take a seat and spend some time reading books and journal articles written by and about the men featured in the exhibit. www.lakeshoremuseum.org
Change of Seasons Juried Art Show
”Change of Seasons” is hosted by the White River Gallery and Nuveen Community Center for the Arts. Local artists of all ages compete for cash prizes in this annual juried art show. Entries are due by February 13. Get all the details by visiting the website below or call 231-893-2524.
Exhibition of 3-D Prints
An exhibition of 3-D prints and other digital work entitled “Nagas” by Saritdikhun Somasa opens in Overbrook Art Gallery on January 20, 2015 and will run through February 27. The exhibit is linked to the annual MCC Global Awareness Festival, which this year focuses on the Pacific Rim region. A special reception for the artist will be held in the Overbrook Lobby on Monday, February 9, from 6:30-8:00pm, with Somasa’s lecture in the Stevenson Center Room 1100 beginning at 7:00pm. Somasa, a 2-D and 3-D computer graphic artist, was born in Thailand and grew up in a Buddhist environment. For the past 10 years, he has been teaching Digital Arts at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. For more information on the exhibit, contact the MCC Arts and Humanities Department at (231) 777-0324.
US Army Nurse Corps Exhibit
Through February 22, come to the USS Silversides Submarine Museum for the exhibit Women in the Military: WWII Nurses, explaining the training and military services of Muskegon Nurses during WWII. For more information, call 231-755-1230.
‘Dynamic Earth’ Planetarium Viewing
“Dynamic Earth: Exploring Earth’s Climate Engine” is a NEW, 30-minute planetarium program that will have you riding on swirling ocean currents, diving into the heart of a hurricane, and flying into fiery volcanoes. FREE shows are Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 7:00 p.m., January 13-April 2 (closed March 3 & 5 for semester break), at Muskegon Community College (221 S. Quarterline Rd, Room 135). For more information, or to schedule a private show, please call (231) 777-0289, or email tamera.owens@muskegoncc.edu.
Branching Out: Michigan Woodworkers
December 11, 2014 through February 8, 2015, come to the Muskegon Museum of Art for “Branching Out: Michigan Woodworkers”. Branching Out features the art of Michigan artists who work in wood. Sculpture, fine furniture, and craft objects will be on display, highlighting the range of techniques and forms these artists are incorporating to create their pieces. Branching Out is part of the MMA’s ongoing Made in Michigan Artist Series, a commitment to supporting and exhibiting the work of Michigan artists. For more information, call 231-720-2570.
Art Talk: Regional Ekphrastic Poetry Competition
January 22-March 26, you’re invited to be part of the Art Talk: Regional Ekphrastic Poetry Competition of the Muskegon Museum of Art.
Ekphrasis: The graphic, often dramatic, description of a visual work of art
All adult/college writers residing within the state of Michigan are invited to create original ekphrastic poems based on works of art from the Muskegon Museum of Art’s permanent collection.
- The 10 artworks may be viewed on-line at muskegonartmuseum.org or at the MMA on January 22. Competition guidelines and entry forms will also be available for download or to pick up in the gift store on January 22.
- Cash prizes, Museum memberships, and gift certificates will be awarded to the winning poets.
- Competition entries will be accepted through March 26. The awards ceremony and award winners reading will take place April 23.
Call 231-720-2570 for more information.
Belinda the Ballerina and Friends: The Illustrations of Amy Young
Belinda the Ballerina and Friends: The Illustrations of Amy Young is an exhibition of original book illustrations by artist Amy Young at the Muskegon Museum of Art. Big-footed ballerinas, dogs on boats, and mud fairies are just a few of the characters that Amy Young has brought to life through her stories and bright, colorful book illustrations. This exhibition features original artwork she created for the popular children’s book Belinda the Ballerina and other books that Young has written and illustrated. The exhibition will be on display February 5 through April 26, 2015. For more information, call 231-720-2574.
Muskegon Recreational Club Fish Fry
It’s Muskegon Recreation Club’s Fish Fry Time again! Every other Friday from September 19 – through Good Friday, April 3, you’re invited to take part in their popular fish dinner. Take out is from 5:00pm – 7:30pm. Dine in from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. The cost is $9 for 1 lb. of Lake Perch, your choice of potato, coleslaw and bread. Onion rings are available for $3.00. The club is located at 1763 Lakeshore Dr. For more information, visit www.muskegonrecclub.com
Muskegon Farmers Market
Shop for your fresh, local products during the winter months inside at the Muskegon Farmers Market from 9:00am-2:00pm each Saturday in their warm, cozy barn at 242 W. Western Ave., downtown Muskegon.