04/06/2015 – 04/11/15 Spring Break Workshop: Theatre Survival Skills
This Theatre Survival Skills course combines the instruction of playwriting, monologue performance, stage manager skills, creating deep emotions on stage, basic makeup skills (for guys and girls,) improvisation, a variety of accents, and projecting your stage voice with volume and articulation all into one week, April 6-11 at the Howmet Playhouse. Classes are 10:00am-Noon for grades 6-8 and 1:00pm-3:00pm for grades 3-5. Class fee is $50. Call the Nuveen Center at 231-894-2787 to register.
04/06/2015 – 04/10/15 Spring Break Art Camp
Kids ages 7-11 are invited to the Muskegon Museum of Art for the Spring Break Art Camp with instructor Ellen Sprouls, Monday–Friday, April 6–10 from 9:00am–noon. The cost per day is $20 or $17 for members. The cost for the week is $75 or $65 members. Get those kids moving and creating (and out of the house!). Each day, students will explore different mediums through various projects based on exhibitions that are on view in the Museum. Come for the week or drop-in for the day. To register, call one week in advance at 231-720-2571.
Daily Themes
Monday: Eat (Still Life)
Tuesday: Dance (Belinda the Ballerina)
Wednesday: Paint (Expressions 2015)
Thursday: Build (The Art of the Brick)
Friday: Write (Permanent Collection)
04/06/2015 – WWII Lecture Series: And the Skies Rained Blood
The 2015 WWII Lecture Series is finally here! April 6 at 6:00pm, it’s And the Skies Rained Blood: The Allied Bombing Campaign Over Nazi Germany, presented by Dr. Fred Johnson, Associate Professor of History, Hope College. Cost is $5.00 per person or FREE with your USS Silversides Submarine Museum membership. For more information, call 231-755-1230.
04/06/2015 – Hackley Handicrafts
Learn a new craft with Nancy Hartman! This month will be scrapbooking at Hackley Library. This is a FREE event and open to the public. Hope to see you there from 6:00pm-7:00pm. www.hackleylibrary.org
04/07/2015 & 04/09/15 Zentangles for Tweens and Teens
Tuesday & Thursday, April 7 & 9 from 10:00am–noon, kids 8 to 14 can come to the Muskegon Museum of Art for “Zentangles for tweens and teens” with instructor Marjorie Goosen, Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT). The cost is $40 or $35 for members, which includes materials. Zentagling is a great way to express yourself, with no art training or background required to make beautiful, fun, and funky images. Learn simple, repetitive strokes to make exciting, unique, fresh drawings using simple tools. Prepare to be amazed with your success. To register, call 231-720-2571 by March 31.
04/07/2015 – White Lake Classical Series
You’re invited to the Book Nook & Java Shop Tuesday, April 7 for the White lake Classical series featuring a performance by Haijin Choi and Adam Liebert. Dinner begins at 6:15pm and is only $17. Music begins at 7:00pm and there is a $5 cover. For more information or to make reservations, call 231-894-5333.
04/08/2015 – 04/23/15 33rd Muskegon County Student Art show
”Expressions”, the annual Muskegon County student art exhibition is organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art in partnership with the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District. The show opens March 25 and will run through April 23. “Expressions” showcases the artistic talents of Muskegon County K-12 students, featuring two and three dimensional artworks in a variety of media. For more information, call 231-720-2570.
04/09/2015 & 04/12/15 Braveheart Raptor Rehabilitation Center Open House
Braveheart Raptor Rehabilitation Center invites you to visit them from 1:00pm-4:00pm to learn all about the facility, the birds, and what they do. Guests will also get to see the permanent resident birds, and touch real artifacts! In addition to the free handouts about preserving the environment for raptors and other conservation information, you can purchase T-shirts, raptor bookmarks, and notecards with photos of their ambassador birds. For more information, call 231-821-9125 or check them out on Facebook!
04/09/2015 – FREE Admission Family Fun Nights at the MMA
Thursdays, April 9 and 16 from 5:00–8:00pm, come to the Muskegon Museum of Art for FREE Admission Family Fun Nights! See The Art of the Brick and create your own sculpture in the interactive LEGO building area. For more information, call 231-720-2571.
04/10/2015 – Superhero Academy
Friday, April 10th at 10:30am, come to Walker Memorial Library for the “Superhero Academy”! Do you have what it takes to be a superhero? Join them for some superhero crafts, books, boot camp and more! For families with children ages 3-10. Please call the library to register at 231-744-6080.
04/10/2015 – Alley Door: West Side Soul Surfers
The Alley Door Club is located on the 3rd floor of the Hilt Building in the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts. Doors open at 6 PM. West Side Soul Surfers will play 7 PM – 10 PM Cash bar available. Valid I.D. required. Tickets $7 in advance at the Frauenthal Box Office. 4-top $55.00* price includes 4 admission tickets 8-top $80.00* price includes 8 admission tickets Monday – Friday 11 AM – 5:30 PM. For more information call 231-727-8001 Tickets also available at the (door) from the Frauenthal Box Office.
04/10/2015 – Small Paintings
Join us at our opening in our Red Lotus Gallery as we present petite works of art in different styles and mediums that are 12″ x 12″ or less. This display will be up for the month of April. http://muskegonca.com/Home
04/10/2015 – Dueling Pianos
Dueling Pianos is always a great time in Muskegon. This upcoming event is Friday, April 10 from 7:00pm- midnight at the Watermark 920. Tickets are $12.00 in advance and $15.00 day of the show. Doors open at 7:00pm. The show begins at 8:00pm!
04/11/2015 – Frederick Douglas: From Slavery to Statesman for His People
You’re invited to the James Jackson Museum of African American History for the DVD presentation, Frederick Douglas: From Slavery to Statesman for His People, Saturday, April 11 at 3:00pm. For more information, call 231-739-9500.
04/12/2015 – 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. April 12 it’s the ALL-STAR FINALE with the Howlin’ Blues Band. Find out more at www.watermarkcenter.com.
04/13/2015 – Generational Walking Challenge: Weekly Stroll
Muskegon State Park is hosting a Generational Walking Challenge this spring beginning April 13. This weekly walk happens Mondays at 5:00pm at the Snug Harbor Day Use Area. At the end of 8 weeks, on May 29, participants can turn in their activity tracking form for a chance to win prizes. The grand prize for the family or group that logs the most minutes of activity is a 2-night stay at Muskegon State Park’s Yurt (limit 7 people per team).
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park will host a completion celebration on Friday, May 29 at 5:00pm. Register today for Muskegon County’s Generational Walking Challenge with your family and friends by emailing bucke1@michigan.gov. This program is funded by MRPA’s Active Living Grant, in partnership with the Michigan DNR. Other partners include the Health Project, EcoTrek Fitness and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. A Recreation Passport is required for entry into all Michigan state parks and recreation areas.
04/13/2015 – Checkers Morton Jazz Performance
April is Jazz month and to celebrate we have Checkers Morton playing at Hackley Public Library. If you come to hear Checkers Morton you may be a different person when you leave. What you will hear is a band of friends who have played together under this moniker for 40 years. You will hear music from the heart and soul – inspired by the flow of energy that originates at our Source. Original compositions by all of the members of the band, ranging from Dan’s light hearted ‘Padge’ to Gus’ deeply inspiring ‘Little Raga’. You will hear this amazing music performed on wood, reeds, brass, ivory and primal drums. Checkers Morton is Dave Collee on bass, Gus VanStee on keys, Jim Beegle on trumpet, flueglehorn, congas and flute, Dan Giacobassi on saxes, flute and shakuhachi and Tim Froncek on the drums. Checkers Morton came together in the early autumn of 1972 on the shores of Lake Michigan in Grand Haven, Michigan. The power of the lake and the power of Free Music forged a bond that is still strong today. Though decades and members have come and gone, those of us who remain still get together to honor that Muse which brings us such beauty and deep meditation … Free Music … Checkers Morton. For more information see their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CheckersMorton/timeline
Ongoing Events:
Collector’s Corner: Beatles Memorabilia
Beatles Memorabilia is the topic of the display in the Collectors Corner at the Lakeshore Museum Center. Featured are album covers from The Fab Four, fan club cards, a collectible plate, a Beatles themed Trivial Pursuit Game, beach towel and more. Figures of the four musicians and a yellow submarine are also included in William Stidham Sr.’s collection. The museum is open weekdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm and Saturdays from Noon to 4:00pm. For more information, call 231-722-0278.
Armchair Archeology
”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
Reading by Any Means Necessary
You’re invited to the James Jackson Museum of African American History for the “Reading…by any means necessary” program, every Monday through Saturday from 2:00-5:30pm. The museum is located at 7 E. Center St. in Muskegon Heights. Call 231-739-9500 for more information.
Dawn of the Space Age
See space travel from the beginning with a NEW program at the Carr-Fles Planetarium! From the launch of Sputnik to the future of Mars exploration, “Dawn of the Space Age” is an incredibly accurate reconstruction that gives you the chance to become a first-hand observer, and concludes with a brief planetarium dome demonstration of the current night sky. No reservations are needed for this FREE show on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. (doors open by 6:45), which runs April 7-23 and May 19-June 11. The planetarium is in room 135 on the main campus of Muskegon Community College, 221 S. Quarterline Rd., Muskegon. For more information, or to schedule a private show for groups of 15-44, please call (231) 777-0289 or email tamera.owens@muskegoncc.edu.
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 through April 26, 2015. For more information, call 231-720-2574.
The Art of the Brick®
Beginning February 19, the Muskegon Museum of Art will host The Art of the Brick®, an exhibition featuring large-scale sculptures created out of iconic LEGO® bricks by New York based artist Nathan Sawaya. The exhibition has proved to be very popular with audiences as it has toured the globe. “This year alone, we’ve visited Ireland, South Africa, and Amsterdam,” said Sawaya. “We are thrilled to be bringing this collection to Muskegon.” The Art of the Brick will be on view at the Muskegon Museum of Art, 296 W. Webster Ave from February 19 through May 3. The public is invited to attend an opening reception on Thursday, February 19, from 5:30 to 7:00pm. Light refreshments will be served at the family-friendly event, which will be free and open to the public. For more information, call 231-720-2571.