Muskegon County Calendar of Events 03/02/20 – 03/09/20

Presented by the Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.visitmuskegon.org

PINTwood Derby Competition
March 2
Join Pigeon Hill in the taproom for their first ever PINTwood Derby Competition!  This event is to bring out the kid in all of us, so get competitive, grab a beer and challenge your friends to the PINTwood Derby!  They will have Derby Build-It Nights and practice runs Monday nights in March, as well as the first 2 Mondays in April. The big PINTwood Derby Competition will be April 18 at 1:00pm.  Get all the details at Pigeon Hill’s Facebook page.

My Vietnam Tour
March 2 @ 6:00 pm
Monday, March 2 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, the USS Silversides Submarine Museum invites you to join them for the Monday night lecture by Mike Robinson, “My Vietnam Tour.”  Robinson centers on how writing his memoirs about Vietnam helped him.  For more information call (231) 755-1230.

Classical Night: Kyle Thompson
March 3 @ 6:00 pm
Tuesday, March 3 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm, come to the Book Nook & Java Shop for Classical Night featuring Kyle Thompson on guitar.  The cover is $5.  Come early for dinner at 6:15pm to enjoy Chicken Cacciatore (parmesan-crusted chicken breast, linguine, and tomato sauce), broccoli, a glass of house wine, and Afogatto for $17.  For more information call 231-894-5333.

Live at the Library: Just Us
March 3 @ 6:30 pm
Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30pm, come to the North Muskegon Library for the vocal sextet, Just Us!  They will provide a treat for your ears and your soul with beautiful melodies, sweet harmony, and a heavenly blend of voices. Light refreshments will be provided at this free event.  For more information call (231) 744-6080.

Traditional Irish Music Session
March 3 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The first Tuesday of every month from 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Hennessy’s Irish Pub invites you to join them for a Traditional Irish Music Session!  Whether a beginner or an advanced session player, bring your Irish musical instrument and participate in this merry band of Irish session players.  Even if you don’t play, come and listen!  For more information call (231) 728-3333.

Aromatherapy Meditation for Seniors
March 4 @ 2:00 pm
The first Wednesday of the month at 2:00pm, Ravenna Public Library invites you to join them as you learn how to use both aromatherapy and meditation for inner peace.  For more information call 231-853-6975.

Art Talks Back Poetry Contest
March 5
Michigan writers are invited to create original ekphrastis poems based on one of the ten selected works of art from the Muskegon Museum of Art’s permanent collection in this year’s Art Talks Back Poetry contest. The contest is open through March 26, 2020. This competition and event is free and open to the public. Find competition guidelines, selected artworks, and the required entry form at www.muskegonartmuseum.org. The winning poets will be awarded and their poetry read on April 30 at 6:00pm. Prior to the award ceremony, beginning at 5:00pm, a reception will be held in the galleries.  The First-Place award is sponsored by The Poetry Society of Michigan.  For more information call 231-720-2570.

Hackley Attic Escape Room
March 6 @ 5:00 pm
Friday, March 6 at 5:00pm and 7:00pm, experience the Hackley House like never before with the “Hackley Attic Escape Room!”  For many years, the attic of the Hackley House has been a mysterious place for visitors.  Now it is up to you and your closest friends to escape a Victorian storage room filled with puzzles, locks, and riddles.  Brush up on your Muskegon history and escape the attic in 80 minutes!  Tickets are $15 for museum members and $20 for non-members.  Space is limited to 10 people per session. Please RSVP via Eventbrite.com or contact Erin Schmitz at 231-724-5535 or erin@lakeshoremuseum.org.

Community Swim Family Fun Nights
March 6 @ 5:30 pm
The MCC Lakeshore Fitness Center invites you to bring your floats and pool toys to hang out and play games in the 25-meter lap pool!  Family Fun Nights in the pool are a new way to spend quality time with your loved ones, plus, on Flick & Float nights, they’ll play a family-friendly movie to add to the fun.
Community Swim Family Fun Nights happen every other Friday, March 6 – June 26 at 5:30pm.  These events are free for members or only $2 for non-members.  For more information, please visit the Member Service Desk or call 231-722-9322.

Chef Tim O’s No-Cook Fridays
March 6 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Book Nook & Java Shop invites you to join them for comfort food to start your weekend with chef and bartender Tim O’Connell’s ‘No Cook Fridays!’  The cost is only $10 to enjoy great food, live music and a full bar.  Dinner is at 6:00pm and the music begins at 7:00pm.  For more information, call 231-894-5333.
• March 6 – Greek style, Lemon Chicken, herbs & potatoes
• March 13 – Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff, Egg Noodles
• March 17 – Murder mystery dinner, Corn beef, Cabbage & Boiled potatoes
• March 20 – ?

The Ride 2020
March 7 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Saturday, March 7 from 9:00am – 1:00pm, Mercy Health invites you to join “The Ride 2020” at the Mercy Health Arena (formerly the L.C. Walker Arena)!  Whether you are a serious cyclist or a casual biker, The Ride has a spot for you and your team.  All participants will receive a commemorative gift and refreshments.
Anyone may form a team of eight members.  Your team of eight cyclists will ride bikes mounted on trainers for 25 minute intervals and compete for team trophies and individual medals.  Prizes are awarded for various categories, ranging from most mileage ridden to most spirited team.  The entry fee is $400 per team, or $50 per rider.  The entry fee for a Youth Team is $200 per team or $25 per rider.  Some teams ask area businesses to help sponsor their teams.  For more information, contact Megan Akselberg, Annual Gifts and Events Coordinator, at 231-672-6976 or Megan.Akselberg@mercyhealth.com.

Read Early. Read Often. Family Birthday Party
March 7 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Saturday, March 7 from 10:00am – 12:00pm, come to the Watermark 920 for the “Read Early. Read Often. Family Birthday Party!”  Happy 6th birthday, Read Early. Read Often. This free event, presented by Muskegon County’s Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition and MILakeshoreKids.com is in honor of National Reading Month and is especially suited to families with small children.
There is free admission as well a free giveaways.  Also, each organization will host a sensory activity, craft or interactive item at their table that corresponds to a children’s literary character or book.  There will be no selling products or services at this event.  For questions, contact Kristy at milakeshorekids@gmail.com.

Art, Eat, Educate with Christie Dreese at Art Cats Gallery
March 7 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Saturday, March 7 from 11:00am – 12:30pm, Art Cats Gallery invites you to “Art, Eat, Educate with Christie Dreese!”  Do you ever wonder how an artist gets a certain effect?  How they get inspired?  What makes them tick?  Join local artist Christie Dreese as she discusses her work, her inspirations and her vision as she demonstrates her oil painting technique.  Enjoy treats from an area restaurant and learn about art.  For more information call (231) 755-7606.

Astronomical Spring vs Real Spring
March 7 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Saturday, March 7 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm, the Lakeshore Museum Center invites you to the program “Astronomical Spring vs Real Spring!”  What is astronomical spring?  What weather signs do we look for to know that spring is coming?  Visit the museum to learn the science behind spring weather and build a Rain Stick.  Lessons are every 30 minutes in the auditorium.  This event is $5, or free to Muskegon County residents and museum members at this walk-in, open-house style event.  For more information call 231-722-0278.

Swing Dance Class at Hackley Library
March 7 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Saturday, March 7 at 2:00pm, come to Hackley Library for a Swing Dance Class!  Do you love to dance or wish to learn how to swing dance?  Master the moves from Muskegon Area Dance Lovers (MADLOS) during this free swing dance class!  There is no need to have a partner for this fun program.  To register, call 231-722-8011, stop into Hackley Library, or visit the events calendar at hackleylibrary.org.

Reclaiming Rake
March 7 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday, March 7 from 5:00pm – 9:00pm, Reclaim Source and Rake Beer Project invite you to join them at Rake Beer Project for a party celebrating their new reclaimed wooden bar-top!  There will be live music, an art gallery, free food, a secret free giveaway (while supplies last), and a kick-ass raffle!  There’ll be over $4000 in prizes!  The entire Reclaim Source team will be there and they’d love to see you and have a beer!  For more information, e-mail rakebeerproject@gmail.com.

Muskegon Risers Home Game
March 7 @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 7 from 7:15pm – 9:15pm, come to the L. C. Walker Arena for the fifth home game of MKG’s 2019/20 arena season. They’ll take on Kalamazoo FC!  Season and single game tickets are available at www.muskegonrisers.com/mens-arena-tickets.

Bohemian Rhapsody Sing-a-Long
March 7 @ 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 7 at 7:30pm, the Playhouse at White Lake presents a Bohemian Rhapsody Sing-a-Long!  The Friends of the Playhouse invite you to a foot-stomping celebration and sing-a-long with last year’s Academy Awards Best Picture nominee!  Freddie Mercury defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the world’s most beloved entertainers.  The film traces the rise of the band through their iconic songs, their near-implosion as Mercury’s lifestyle spirals out of control and their triumphant reunion on the eve of Live Aid, where Mercury, facing a life-threatening illness, leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music.
This film is rated PG13 and stars Golden Globe® winner Rami Malek!  Tickets are $10 + $1 ticketing fee with all proceeds benefiting the Playhouse.  You are invited, even encouraged, to come in costume!  For more information call (231) 894-4048.

Matt Gabriel @ Next Door
March 7 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Saturday, March 7 from 8:00pm – 11:00pm, come to the Next Door restaurant to relax and enjoy some craft cocktails, wood-fired pizzas and live music from Matt Gabriel!  For more information call (231) 375-5185.  Check out their upcoming events at www.NextDoorMKG.com.

Back Alley Comedy Club: Jordan Garnett
March 7 @ 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 7 at 8:00pm, come to the Back Alley Comedy Club for live stand-up from comedian Jordan Garnett!   Tickets are $7 in advance through Eventbrite.com or $10 at the door.  For more information call (616) 570-8765.

Comedy Night: Carl Johnson
March 7 @ 9:00 pm
Saturday, March 7 from 9:00pm – 10:30pm, come to Smash Wine Bar & Bistro for Comedy Night featuring Carl Johnson!   Carl is a Detroit area favorite who has opened up for Steve-O from Jackass, Matt Braunger, Mark Normand, and many more.  There’s no cover charge, but reservations are recommended.   For more information call (231) 246-7910.

2020 Global Awareness Festival: Caribbean
March 9 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
The 20th Annual MCC Global Awareness Festival will look at the geology, ecology and culture in the Caribbean with lectures and cuisine on March 9-12, 2020. The events, which are free and open to the public, take place on the Muskegon Community College main campus.  Each year, the Global Awareness Festival highlights a different geographic area of the world. Flags representing approximately 200 nations are displayed in the main campus hallways. For more information, call (231) 777-0380 or e-mail Jennifer Jones, chair of the MCC Social Sciences Department, at jennifer.jones@muskegoncc.edu.
Monday, March 9 from 10:30am – 11:30am, it’s “Earthquakes & Volcanic Eruptions of the Caribbean” presented by Olivia Bradin, Student, Muskegon Community College in the Blue and Gold Room:  The Caribbean Islands are located in a geologically volatile setting. While the Caribbean can be a beautiful vacation destination, it is also important to be aware of local hazards and what to do in case you find yourself in harm’s way. Come to this talk to learn more about the geology of the Caribbean.

Victorian Secrets
March 9 @ 6:00 pm
Monday, March 9 at 6:00pm, come to the North Muskegon Library for “Victorian Secrets!”  Historical interpreter, Wendy Batchelder, will show you the hidden language of the Victorians.  Discover obsolete forms of communication from 100 years ago or more.  Learn about charming Victorian customs that used flowers and fans to express sentiments, good tidings, or regrets.  See beautiful antique calling cards, fans, autograph books, and more.  Make your own “tussie-mussie” flower bouquet or decorate a beautiful silk fan. Call 231-744-6080 to register for this free event.

Ardan Academy at Hackley Public library
March 9 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Monday, March 9 from 6:30pm – 7:30pm, come to Hackley Public Library to join the dancers from Ardan Academy as they kick off the St. Patrick’s festivities with an Irish dance performance.  This event is free and open to the public.  For more information call (231) 722-8000.