What's Happening — Sept. 7, 2022

2022-09-10 03:58:12 By : Ms. marry wang

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Northwood University is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, Sept. 8, at its Student Union/Bookstore.

Guests enjoy cocktails, food and music in the Pendulum Lounge which is open Thursdays at Midland Center for the Arts. (Daily News file photo)

Chippewa Nature Center will offer naturalist-led kayak trips this summer. 

Chippewa Nature Center hosts Nature Play.

Chippewa Nature Center will host Homestead Sundays at 1-5 p.m. on Sundays, June through August. 

People gathered at Dow Gardens to enjoy a music performance from Freeland band "Laura and the Lefties" from 12-1:30p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10. 

Many flowers are still in bloom as people visit Dahlia Hill Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

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.

A blood drive is set for 10:30 a.m-3 p.m. at the Student Union/Bookstore at Northwood University, 4000 Whiting Dr., Midland. Participants can schedule an appointment online. Walk-ins also are welcome.

Yoga is set for 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Dahlia Hill. Come early to peruse the blooms, then settle in for an all-levels yoga practice led by Sarah Nelson. No experience is necessary. Participants are asked to bring their own mats if they have one. This event is weather-dependent. Donation-based pricing ($5 suggested minimum) or use a class pass. Pre-registration is required at sarahnelsonyoga.com/classes

What's in a Name? Flower Folklore is set for 6-7:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join CNC staff for a casual trail walk to discover the uses, names and other folklore of a variety of plants. Meet at the Visitor Center. This event is free.

Uke Night is set for 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Creative 360 Galleries in Downtown Midland. Learn to play the ukulele in one hour with lively instructors Darby and Jerry Gwisdala. Snacks will be provided, though participants may bring their own beverages. Reservations are strongly suggested. Cost is $5.

A Wee Stroll is set for 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Take a guided walk with your child, learn about the outdoors and learn ways to introduce children to the natural world around them. Meet at the Visitor Center. This event is free.

A Tall Grass Prairie Walk is set for 3 p.m. at McLean Nature Preserve. Experience the kind of prairies that American settlers encountered in their western travels. The preserve has restored a tall grass prairie to an area that was previously farmed. A guided walk on mowed trails will cross sections of the prairie and also some wooded areas. Fall wild flowers are in bloom including several kinds of asters. Monarchs and other butterflies are also still in the fields. 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.

The Commons Live Music series will host the Robertson Brothers 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.

Emerging Artists Exhibition Opening Reception is set for 7-8:30 p.m. at Creative 360. Creative 360 and Parker Lane Studios have teamed up to host the second annual exhibition and symposium for Great Lake Bay emerging artists. The goal is to educate, empower, and encourage artists. This exhibition is open to artists age 16-55. On exhibit through Oct. 16. This event is free.

A Pancake Breakfast and Fly-In is set for 7-11 a.m. at the Midland Jack Barstow Airport. Come see the aircraft on display from the chapter as well as those that fly in while enjoying all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, eggs and homemade doughnuts. Kids will enjoy the pedal airplanes as well as activities at the Kid's Table. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for kids ages 5-12.Proceeds go toward supporting EAA Chapter 1093 and their mission to share the spirit of aviation with the local community. Funds raised will be distributed to local individuals pursuing a career in the aviation industry in the form of scholarships.

Mingling with the Monarchs: Butterfly Tagging is set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Be a part of citizen science and learn about the monarch butterfly, the only true migratory butterfly. The group will net butterflies, give them a checkup, apply a tiny tag, then send them on their journey to Mexico for their winter vacation. Tagged butterflies are reported to the University of Kansas, and their data helps us understand butterfly migration. Join Denny Brooks at the Lanigan Pavilion at the Homestead Road turnaround. This event is free.

Thunder on the Strip is set for 1-5 p.m. at Gladwin Zettel Memorial Airport. This  drag race is a great opportunity to race any street legal cars or trucks, just for fun. Registrations for the races start at 9 a.m., with races beginning at 1 p.m. Rain-out date is the same time on Sept. 11. For more details, call 989-329-2529.

A Back to School Bash is set for 2-4 p.m. at Central Park. Visitors can play yard games, earn prizes and enjoy food, including samples from Chocoletzle. Free entertainment at the band shell includes story time and puppets. This event is free.

The Commons Live Music series will host Soul Xpress 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 Full Moon Stroll is set for 7:30-9 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join an interpretive naturalist for a hike to enjoy this month’s full moon. Learn how the tradition of naming moons began and what makes each month special. Please wear dark colors and bring a flashlight. Meet at the Visitor Center. This event is free.

A Sept. 11 Remembrance Event is set for 7:30-10:30 a.m. at Dow Diamond. The free event offers an opportunity for the public to participate in a silent journey of 3,000 steps around Dow Diamond’s concourse in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the towers, planes, Pentagon, Pennsylvania, and as first responders. The event starts at 7:59 a.m. on the concourse at Dow Diamond. At 10:28 a.m., "Taps” will be played recognizing the time when the North Tower collapsed. The event will conclude with participants exiting under the Garrison Flag.

A Sept. 11 memorial event is set for 8:30 a.m. at Northwood University, hosted by the Kappa Sigma Chapter. Donations will be collected for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, FDNY Foundation and Folds of Honor. Students will be climbing 2,200 steps at Hantz Stadium at 8:46 a.m. to signify when the first World Trade Center tower was struck in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. To support the effort, donations can be made online. Donations also can be made in person at a booth Kappa Sigma will have at the Sept. 10 Northwood football game, or in person on the day of the event. For more information, contact Alex Mazon at Mazona27@northwood.edu and 914-703-8604.

Midland R/C Modelers Club's annual air show is set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 200 Patterson Road, Midland. Along with flying demonstrations of planes, helicopters, and drones, the event will feature a new R/C partner: the Midland Fire Department drone squad displaying drones that assist them in fire response and search and rescues. The fire department will also demonstrate a water rescue. The event includes fun for the whole family with a 2:30 candy drop, air combat, World War II scale planes and food concessions. A portion of the proceeds will go to help the Legacy Center for Community Success. Admission is $3 or $5/car.

Family Fun Day: Fall Back in Time Social is set for 3-5 p.m. at Greater Midland Community Center. The community is kicking off Family Fun Days in style with a sock hop dance. There will be games, crafts, swimming, jungle gym, bounce house and snacks. Come dressed in a 1950’s costume and be entered to win a door prize! This event is free for members, $6 for non-members.

Brett Mitchell & the Mitchfits are set to perform as part of the Pines Concert Seriest at 6:30-8 p.m. at Dow Gardens. The summer concert series showcases regional musicians as they perform original work surrounded by the beauty of Dow Gardens. Concerts take place on the lawn of the historic Pines home. Included with admission or purchase of an annual admission card. 

Nature Journaling 2 is set for 6:30-8 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center.Laura Volsejpka will demonstrate how nature journaling can capture unique outdoor experiences in creative ways and allow you to revisit them in the future. Participants are asked to bring their own journal or a clipboard with paper, pencils and/or crayons. Dress for the weather. This event is free.

A blood drive is set for 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Ieuter Insurance Group's parking lot, 414 Townsend St. in Midland. At this drive, donors will earn an opportunity to win a VIP hometown football experience in a Versiti Blood Center of Michigan contest. Register for a donation time slot at https://donate.michigan.versiti.org/.../drive.../149263

Riverside Writers – Writing & Telling Your Story is set to meet 3-4 p.m. at Riverside Apartments. Everyone’s life is a story to tell. Anne McGeehan-Woodard leads the writing and/or telling of stories. Participants can share their stories in this relaxed atmosphere. There is no charge to attend. Contact Creative 360 if you're interested in attending.

Garden to Table is set for 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Creative 360. Chef Evan Sumrell of farm-to-table restaurant Aster will be the presenter. The presentation will be followed by an open forum for discussion and tips from master gardeners and others in the community. This event is free.

A virtual reality experience is set for 2-4 p.m. at the Coleman Area Library. Want to virtually swim with dolphins in the ocean? Maybe slash some beats like a musical Jedi? Or, play a game of virtual putt-putt golf with your friends? Guests can experience virtual reality with the library's new VR Quest2 headsets. Help and guidance will be provided to get guests started. This free event is meant for ages 13 and up. Teens must have a waiver on file from a legal guardian before they can participate. For more information, call the Coleman Area Library at 989-465-6398.

A History Tour by Golf Cart is set for 6-7:30 at Chippewa Nature Center. Join CNC staff for an afternoon of stories as they check out the River Trail, Homestead and other areas while exploring some historic features. This program is especially designed for those with limited mobility. Meet at the Visitor Center. Cost is $15, $12 for CNC members. Pre-register by Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Sprouts & STEMs: Pizza Plants & Garden Greens is set for 7 p.m. at Creative 360. The accessible and inclusive teaching garden at Creative 360’s Bayliss site is the perfect location to learn about art, environmental responsibility and natural science. Please pre-register by calling Creative 360 to let them know how many people are coming. This event is free.

Yoga is set for 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Dahlia Hill. Come early to peruse the blooms, then settle in for an all-levels yoga practice led by Sarah Nelson. No experience is necessary. Participants are asked to bring their own mats if they have one. This event is weather-dependent. Donation-based pricing ($5 suggested minimum) or use a class pass. Pre-registration is required at sarahnelsonyoga.com/classes

Taste of Downtown is set for 6-11 p.m. in Downtown Midland. Participating retailers, restaurants and pubs will welcome guests with food and beverages of the downtown area. Musicians will provide live music 6-8:30 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., the taste portion will wrap up and guests will be invited to the outdoor patio at the H Hotel to continue the party with live entertainment, a cash bar, coffee and mini dessert station, and an evening under the stars until 11 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at tasteofdowntown.eventbrite.com. This event is for ages 21 and up.

Paddles and Pints is set for 6-8 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Spend an evening kayaking down the Chippewa River with a naturalist looking for turtles, fish, eagles and other wildlife. The trip will end at the Tridge where participants may take a short walk to WhichCraft Taproom for a refreshing drink. A $10 voucher is included with registration. Meet at the Tridge where CNC staff will shuttle participants via 15-passenger van to CNC’s canoe/kayak launch. Cost is $40, $32 for CNC members. Pre-register by Wednesday, Sept. 14.

"Three Viewings" is set to perform at 7 p.m. at Creative 360. The night will be filled with light-hearted charm with a few tugs of the heart strings. These three stories, set in a Midwestern funeral parlor, are darkly funny and promise to bring audiences both laughter and unexpected twists. Cost is $12 pre-pay, $17 at the door. Guests may bring their own beverage. Another showing is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16.

A Fall Bird Migration Bandathon is set for 4-7 p.m. as well as 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Sept. 17-18 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 Lanigan pavilion at the end of the Homestead Road. This event is free.

The Commons Live Music series will host Shawn LaMere 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 Second Annual MACC Car Show is set for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Car registration begins at 8 a.m. There is a $10 registration fee for cars. Food and beverages will be available for sale throughout the day. Show will be held rain or shine. All proceeds go to the Youth Outreach Team to support their summer mission trip.

Intro to Working with Plant Based Natural Dyes is set for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Learn the basics of dying wool and other protein-based fibers such as alpaca or silk. Focused on natural dyes, participants will learn how to forage for color with an eye on sustainability, plant their own garden, prepare a dye bath and choose the proper mordant. Participants will dye their own samples of wool to take home. Led by Sue Erhardt, a fiber arts enthusiast and member of Midland Fiber Arts Guild. Meet at the Homestead Farm. Cost is $35, $28 for CNC members. Register by Thursday, Sept. 15.

An Annual Classic Car Show is set for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Gladwin County Fairgrounds. Admission is free. Those who wish to register vehicles may visit the office at 700 E. Cedar Ave., call 989-426-9411 or email dlaidlaw@thegladwincountyrecord.com; cost to register a vehicle is $20. Hot dogs, brats, pop, music, giveaways, and trophies will all be featured at this year's show.

The Commons Live Music series will host Infinity & Beyond – A Journey Tribute 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.

Airport Story Hour is set for 1-2 p.m. at Jack Barstow Municipal Airport. Children ages 2-5 are invited to enjoy a light snack while listening to an aviation/space related story at this free event. Warm weather readings will be held in the beautiful outdoor MCADA area near the terminal. Cold weather readings will be held in the terminal building. If held inside current CDC recommendations will be followed. 

A Senior Pancake Breakfast is set for 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Greater Midland Community Center's 50+ Center. Cost is $3 for 50+ members, $5 for non-members; cash only, sign up one week prior to the event.

Preparing for the November Election Presentation is set for 7 p.m. at Creative 360. Hosted by the League of Women Voters – Midland Area, the session will share information about the proposals for amendments to the Michigan constitution that will be on the ballot in November. Featured speaker will be Judy Karandjeff, past president of the League of Women Voters of Michigan, and executive director of the Michigan Women’s Commission. This event is free.

Riverside Writers – Writing & Telling Your Story is set to meet 3-4 p.m. at Riverside Apartments. Everyone’s life is a story to tell. Anne McGeehan-Woodard leads the writing and/or telling of stories. Participants can share their stories in this relaxed atmosphere. There is no charge to attend. Contact Creative 360 if you're interested in attending.

Stone Street Revival is set to perform 6-8 p.m. at Northwood University as part of the Freedom Fest concert series. The concert will be held at the John and Marjorie Hohman Amphitheater on Northwood University's campus.  The event also will include food trucks, yard games for the whole family and free cake and non-alcoholic beverages. Adult beverages will be available for purchase at Tavern 59, which will be set up for attendees who are 21 years of age or older. This event is free.

A Black Light Hike is set for 8-9 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join CNC staff for a night hike using black lights. Also known as UV lights, these special lights allow us to discover a luminescent world with glowing insects, algae, flowers and fungi. Some UV flashlights will be available; participants are asked to bring one if they have their own. Meet at the Visitor Center. This event is free.

Coffee and Conversation is set for 8-9:30 a.m. at Populace Coffee in Midland. Ever wanted to learn more about United Way or the needs in our community? Grab your morning coffee and chat with the United Way of Midland staff about what's happening in Midland County. This event is free.

A virtual reality experience is set for 2-4 p.m. at the Coleman Area Library. Want to virtually swim with dolphins in the ocean? Maybe slash some beats like a musical Jedi? Or, play a game of virtual putt-putt golf with your friends? Guests can experience virtual reality with the library's new VR Quest2 headsets. Help and guidance will be provided to get guests started. This free event is meant for ages 13 and up. Teens must have a waiver on file from a legal guardian before they can participate. For more information, call the Coleman Area Library at 989-465-6398.

Logging History is set for 6-7 p.m. at Averill Preserve/Averill Rollway Pavilion. Learn from a Chippewa Nature Center historical naturalist about Midland's logging industry of the 1880s along the high banks of what is now the Averill Preserve. Visit littleforks.org/natural-areas for directions. 

The Midland Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 405 N. Saginaw Road in Midland. MGS meetings are open to the public and will often discuss handy tools and ideas to help people research their family tree. The program will cover a website tool called "Find-A-Grave." 

River of Time is set to begin at 9 a.m. at Vets Park in Bay City. Hundreds of re-enactors dress, act and live the part of Native Americans, colonists, French voyageurs, and Civil War-era soldiers - just to name just a few. Demonstrations of 18th century crafts, music, children's activities, meal preparations and so much more are a part of the daily scene along the Saginaw River. This event is free and continues through Sunday, Sept. 25.

Yoga is set for 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Dahlia Hill. Come early to peruse the blooms, then settle in for an all-levels yoga practice led by Sarah Nelson. No experience is necessary. Participants are asked to bring their own mats if they have one. This event is weather-dependent. Donation-based pricing ($5 suggested minimum) or use a class pass. Pre-registration is required at sarahnelsonyoga.com/classes

From Seeds to Trees is set for 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Help CNC plant acorns and hickory nuts. Participants will learn the challenges trees face, how we help them survive and which animals plant trees without even knowing it. Meet at the Visitor Center. This event is free.

An Evening with Author Juan M. Garcés is set for 7-8:30 p.m. at Creative 360. Come for an evening of love, family secrets, subterfuge and discovery as Midlander Juan M. Garcés shares passages from his novel "Love in Four Dots." The historical fiction is based on authentic coded love letters rich with political intrigue hidden in an 1844 edition of Don Quixote that Garcés had purchased as a college student. Pre-registration is required for this free event. Light refreshments, wine and cheese will be served. Donations will be gratefully accepted.

Nectar & Thorns is set to perform 7-8 p.m. at Coleman Area Library. This one-man-play was written and will be performed by Raymond Goodwin. This fictional story takes place in summer 1978 in Missaukee County, Michigan. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public. Due to the play's intense themes, the material is suitable for ages 14 and up. For more information, call the Coleman Area Library at 989-465-6398.

The Commons Live Music series will host Brett Mitchell & the Mitchfits 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 sturgeon release is set for 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Bob Caldwell Municipal Boat Launch in Midland. Join the Saginaw Bay Watershed Lake Sturgeon Reintroduction Program as young lake sturgeon are released into the Tittabawassee River. Fish will arrive at approximately 11 a.m. and participants of all ages are encouraged to help release individual fish into the river. Please wear secure fitting shoes that can get wet as participants releasing fish will need to wade 1-2 feet deep in the river. For more information about the Sturgeon Reintroduction Program or to "Adopt a Sturgeon," visit www.saginawbaysturgeon.org. This event is free.

Old Hope Civil War Veterans Cemetery Tour is set for 1-2:40 p.m. at Old Hope Township Cemetery just north of Midland. Listen to stories from Hope’s own Civil War veterans (portrayed by local actors) and hear of the war and life after when they came to settle and make their way in early Midland County. Tours will be conducted every 20 minutes. This event is held rain or shine. Admission is free for museum members, $8 for the public. Pre-registration is required and social distancing is encouraged on the tour. Sales will close at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. Ticket purchasers will have their name on a list at the cemetery on Saturday, so an actual event ticket is not necessary. Walk-ups will be allowed at the cemetery if space remains; cash only sales for walk-up entrance. 

The Commons Live Music series will host Coleman Road 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 Neighboring Week Car Seat Check, Food Drive and Cookout is set for 4-7 p.m. at Midland Law Enforcement Center. Car seat technicians will be available to ensure that car seats are installed appropriately and will be able to answer questions in regards to child passenger safety. Non-perishable food items will be collected and all food will donated to the Bridge Food Center.Hot dogs, chips and other refreshments will be available to those that donate to the food drive. No appointment is necessary and this event is free to the community.

Riverside Writers – Writing & Telling Your Story is set to meet 3-4 p.m. at Riverside Apartments. Everyone’s life is a story to tell. Anne McGeehan-Woodard leads the writing and/or telling of stories. Participants can share their stories in this relaxed atmosphere. There is no charge to attend. Contact Creative 360 if you're interested in attending.

Spider Sniffing is set for 8:30-9:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join an interpretive naturalist at the Lanigan Pavilion at the end of the Homestead Road to dive into the world of spiders. The group will use flashlights held to the tips of their noses to “sniff” out eight-legged friends. CNC has a limited supply of flashlights to loan. This event is free.

A Lunch and Learn session is set for 12 p.m. at the Greater Midland Community Center's 50+ Center. This lesson will focus on benefits of aquatic therapy, presented by Abbi Brady, PT, DPT. Independence Village Senior Living will provide lunch. This event is free to seniors. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Amanda, 989-832-7937 ext. 2270 or aewald@greatermidland.org at least one week prior to the event.

A virtual reality experience is set for 2-4 p.m. at the Coleman Area Library. Want to virtually swim with dolphins in the ocean? Maybe slash some beats like a musical Jedi? Or, play a game of virtual putt-putt golf with your friends? Guests can experience virtual reality with the library's new VR Quest2 headsets. Help and guidance will be provided to get guests started. This free event is meant for ages 13 and up. Teens must have a waiver on file from a legal guardian before they can participate. For more information, call the Coleman Area Library at 989-465-6398.

Sprouts & STEMs: Sustainable Garden Art is set for 7 p.m. at Creative 360. The accessible and inclusive teaching garden at Creative 360’s Bayliss site is the perfect location to learn about art, environmental responsibility and natural science. Please pre-register by calling Creative 360 to let them know how many people are coming. This event is free.

Yoga is set for 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Dahlia Hill. Come early to peruse the blooms, then settle in for an all-levels yoga practice led by Sarah Nelson. No experience is necessary. Participants are asked to bring their own mats if they have one. This event is weather-dependent. Donation-based pricing ($5 suggested minimum) or use a class pass. Pre-registration is required at sarahnelsonyoga.com/classes

Neighboring Week: Brownies and Bookmarks is set for 10 a.m. at Safe and Sound Child Advocacy Center. Visit the center for a brownie, bookmark and tour the agency. It's the perfect time to get questions answered about keeping kids safe. This event is free.

A Fall Walk is set for 5-8 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Enjoy an evening walk, through the luminary-lit forest, at the peak of fall color. This event includes live music and seasonal refreshments (available for purchase at the Café). Included with admission or purchase of an annual admission card. 

Broadway Flight Series is set for 7-9 p.m. at Creative 360. Creative 360 is pairing Broadway musicals and wine for a “balanced evening of smooth, live entertainment with a spicy finish.” Performers from the Great Lakes Bay Region will whisk audiences through a taste of four Broadway shows while they enjoy a coordinated selection of wines. Guests may bring their own beverage. Cost is $20 pre-pay, $25 at the door.

The Commons Live Music series will host the Sinclairs 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.

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.