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 History Hike is set for 10-11:30 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join CNC’s historical interpreter to hike the trails and explore the natural resources that brought people to the region. The group will look for evidence of how nature has influenced history and guided the settlement of the area. Meet at the Visitor Center. 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/
Tunes by the Tridge is set for 7-9 p.m. Michele Spitz Tribute to Linda Ronstadt 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.
The Pendulum Lounge is open 4:30-8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. 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.
The Accidentals are set to perform at 8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. The Accidentals are a female fronted, multi-instrumentalists, power trio. Their music is dynamic and intelligent, a blend of Neko Case lyrics, Jack White rock and Queen dynamic. It’s edgy, indie folk-influenced, pop rock. Tickets are $24, 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, Midland.
Campfire and S’mores is set for 9:30-10:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join a CNC interpretive naturalist for fun around the campfire. We will discuss nocturnal animals while we enjoy sweet treats. Meet at the Homestead Farm area. This event is free.
Friday, July 15
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.
Herbert Dow’s Garden Tour is set for 5-6:30 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/
Improv Happy Hour is set for 6:30-8 p.m. at Creative 360. Join Ariel Rak and a number of first timers and barely beginning improvers to play games, try scenes and just generally crack each other up. No experience necessary. Snacks will be provided, but guests may bring their own beverages. 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.
Saturday, July 16
Family Kayaking on the Chippewa River is set for 9-11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. The group will meet at the Visitor Center and after a quick lesson on basic kayaking skills, participants will put on life jackets, grab paddles and kayak down the Chippewa River to the Tridge. Bring a snack, water bottle and water shoes. CNC will provide a kayak, paddle and life jacket for each participant, as well as transportation back to CNC at the end of the trip. www.chippewanaturecenter.org/
The Great Lakes Market is set for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Emerson Park. Over 40 artists and makers will be on site with their wares. There will also be live music and food trucks. The market will continue 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, July 17. Admission and parking is free.
The first annual Classic Car and Motorcycle Show is set for 11 a.m. at American Legion Post 165 in Midland. All vehicles up to 1997 are welcome as well as all motorcycles. Early registration fee is $15, day of show is $18; registration is open 8-11 a.m. The show will feature coffee and donuts in the morning and brats, hot dogs and chips for lunch. There will also be raffles, music and awards for vehicles.
Bill Engvall – the Farewell Tour is set to perform at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. Bill Engvall is a Grammy nominated, multi-platinum selling recording artist and one of the top comedians in the country. He returns to the Center after performing here in 2020. “Here’s Your Sign It’s Finally Time” will be his farewell tour as he retires from standup. Tickets start at $30.50, 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, Midland.
The Commons Live Music series will host Nameless 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.
Sunday, July 17
A Dog Days of Summer Hike is set for 10 a.m. at Riverview Natural Area. Hit the trails to escape the summer sun under the shady canopy of Riverview Natural Area. Guides will give an option for a longer hike at the stairways, hikers can choose a one-mile hike or an additional two miles. Participants are encouraged to bring their dogs for a hike, but a dog is not required. Dogs will be leashed.
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.
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.
Monday, July 18
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.
Tuesday, July 19
A John Pratt Mosaic House tour is set for 1-3 p.m. at Creative 360. The John Pratt Mosaic House stands as a reminder of a man who, through art, battled his demons and inspired countless others along the way. Visitors will learn about John Pratt and the twists and turns his life took that led him to this extraordinary endeavor. Everyone will then drive separately to the house to hear more stories and experience the house for themselves. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $8.
Music in the Woods is set for 6-8 p.m. at the John and Marjorie Hohman Amphitheater on Northwood University’s campus. Coleman Road Band will perform. 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.
A Longer Table Event is set for 6-8 p.m. at Grove Park in Midland. Participants can enjoy a shared meal, music, coffee and conversations. This Longer Table Event is an opportunity to come together with fellow neighbors, community members, nonprofits and advocates for improving both the wellbeing and accessibility to parks and recreation for everyone. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at www.drinkliveoak.com/product/longer-table-event/475.
A Firefly Frenzy is set for 9:30-10:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Meet an interpretive naturalist at the end of Homestead Road at the Lanigan Pavilion to learn about our native fireflies and watch them light up the fields and forests of CNC. Participants will search for their glowing larvae and learn about their bioluminescence. This event is free.
Wednesday, July 20
A Lunchtime Concert featuring Cool Lemon Jazz 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.
“An Evening with Your Candidates,” a forum of Midland area candidates for U.S. Congress and Michigan House and Senate is set for 5:30 p.m. in Bennett Sports Center at Northwood University. Doors open at 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Register for preferred seating by visiting www.northwood.edu/an-evening-with-your-candidates
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 “The Grinch” 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.
Thursday, July 21
A Story Hour is set for 9:30-10:30 a.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.
Lunch with a Box Turtle is set for 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Pack your lunch and head to the Lanigan Pavilion at the end of the Homestead Road to munch alongside CNC’s eastern box turtle. Presentors will talk about the box turtle’s journey to Michigan and how the species’ special traits help them survive in the wild. Camp chairs are recommended as picnic table seating is limited. 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. Camryn Grant 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.
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/
Tunes by the Tridge is set for 7-9 p.m. The Resonators 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.
Thursdays in the City is set for 7-9 p.m. on the corner of Antler Street and Cedar Avenue in downtown Gladwin. Gladwin locals, Dan Rowley, Kip Fritcher and Tim Rowley will be playing music for all to enjoy. Guests are asked to bring their own chairs. This free event is set to take place rain or shine. For more information, call 989-429-3272.
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is set to perform at 7 p.m. at Creative 360. Brimming with intrigue, sophisticated humor and surprising twists, Agatha Christie’s iconic murder mystery about a group of strangers trapped during a snowstorm, is the world’s most successful and longest-running play. Join the Hath Summer Players for their Reader’s Theater version of this classic. No ticket necessary. Donations are accepted at the door. More showtimes include 7 p.m. July 22 and 23 as well as 2 p.m. July 24.
Friday, July 22
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.
A Salamander Meander is set for 10-1:30 a.m. at Riverview Natural Area. Join a Chippewa Nature Center naturalist to look for salamanders under logs and near vernal pools. Some portions of this hike may be off trail on uneven terrain but hikers can choose how adventurous they wish to be.
Food Truck Friday is set for 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Jack Barstow Airport. Fly or drive in to enjoy delicious food from local food trucks. All trucks will serve until they run out. Guests can take their food to go or visit the Aviation Discovery Area and enjoy your food at one of the benches or picnic tables under the pavilion while they watch planes come and go.
The Commons Live Music series will host Miranda and the M80s 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.
Saturday, July 23
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 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.
Sunday, July 24
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.
Monday, July 25
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/
Tuesday, July 26
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.
Wednesday, 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.
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.
Thursday, July 28
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/
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.
Friday, July 29
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.
Conjunto Champz is set to perform 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Creative 360. This spirited Tejano music, also known as Tex-Mex, fuses Mexican and Spanish vocal traditions with Czech and German dance tunes and rhythms, particularly polka. Bring chairs, blankets and a picnic basket, and pick a spot on the lawn for a fun and lively performance in Creative 360’s summer concert series! Cost is $10 in advance, $15 at the gate. Ages 10 and under attend for free.
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.
Saturday, July 30
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.
Sunday, July 31
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.
