Community Calendar

There are hundreds, if not thousands of tribute bands performing the music of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, U2, and other monsters of rock. But Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young? Next to none.

A band dedicated to tributing CSNY is unheard of due to the difficulty in replicating the 3- and 4-part vocal harmonies that made the group international superstars. Marrakesh Express excels at reproducing CSNY's complex songs and cascading, layered harmonies, and takes the audience back to the late 1960s with energetic musicians who bring an authentic hippie vibe and visual to the stage.

CSNY was arguably the biggest band in the world after the demise of the Beatles, and is one of the most enduring and influential musical groups of all time. The band, born in the turbulent years of the late 1960s, released hit after hit that spoke directly for their generation. Their songs remain in heavy rotation on classic rock radio stations to this day.

Marrakesh Express upholds the integrity of that music with their vivid and realistic performance of CSNY’s most recognizable songs. Featuring four harmonizing vocalists backed by a top-flight band, they deliver a unique and energetic concert performing the classic CSNY hits, deep cuts, and fan favorites.

Marrakesh Express has played to literally tens of thousands of appreciative fans, including headlining a Woodstock 40th Anniversary Tribute Concert. The music of CSNY has stood the test of time and fans of the classic rockers, as well as young people who are curious about “the 60s,” are anxious to venture out to hear it represented live.

Step back in time at the Port Oneida Fair and experience life as it was in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Imagine the life of the pioneers as you help bale hay or watch a broom-maker at work. Learn about spinning, basket weaving, soap making, butter making, candle dipping, and fur trapping. Listen as park rangers and local history experts share the area's history. Watch as teams of oxen and horses cut, load, and haul hay and artists and craftsmen demonstrate their skills.

Arrive anytime between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. Most people spend 3-4 hours at the fair.

All programs are free with a valid park entrance pass. Passes may be purchased at the Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, Michigan, and cost $25 (per vehicle) for seven days, $45 for an annual Sleeping Bear Dunes pass, or $80 (or less) for the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands pass series.

Play with the toys on Monday! This is a great opportunity to connect with each other, play with some different toys, and look at and check out library books. Drop-in between 10:00am and 11:30am or stay the whole time.
This program is best for ages 0-5. Siblings and children of all ages are welcome.

Recurring every Monday from 6/1-8/31 10-11:30am.

Spend your lunch hour with instructor Cheryl Meyer exploring the art of poetry. Bring a lunch if you like and learn different methods for creating free-verse poetry to capture these moments in time. Through fun writing prompts, group discussions, and constructive feedback, you'll have the opportunity to create and share your work in a relaxed, non-judgmental environment. Perfect for those looking to spark their creativity, challenge themselves, or try something new. This is truly beginner-friendly; no writing experience needed!

This 2-week course will be held from 11 am-1 pm on Mondays, August 10-17, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: 16 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Explore the practice of abstract painting with artist and instructor Tena Gilbreath. Regardless of painting experience, students can delve into acrylics while engaging in a variety of methods to experiment, consider, and create abstract art. We’ll approach each week with a new concept and project, intended to force you to reconsider how you create, regardless of your usual chosen media. Expect a new exercise each week, addressing themes such as sound map painting, gesture painting, collaborative improvisation painting, and more. All skill levels are welcome, and all supplies are provided!

This 4-week course will be held twice weekly from 1-3 pm on Mondays and Thursdays, July 27-August 20, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: 14 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

MIDLAND MAN SCOUTS

Second and fourth Monday of each Month
7:00 – 8:30 pm / $8 each day - Let us know you are coming!
Jan 12
Jan 26
Feb 9
Feb 23
March 9
March 23
April 13
April 27
May 11

WHAT: Men developing camaraderie and a social network through participation in a variety of tasks and challenges.

HOW: We will meet up to chat and pick tasks, challenges, competitions to complete. For instance, we might task each member to write one sentence about their life each day for fourteen days. At the next session, members share what they completed. We might challenge everyone to pick one health related behavior and do that for two weeks, reporting back to the group. The competition will obviously be arm wrestling. Group members will be encouraged to plan and participate in mutually beneficial outings.

Let’s show this loneliness epidemic who is boss!

With Eric Beasley, Ph.D., Sociology Michigan State University. Eric has been a professor for many years and likes improv, yoga, comedy, basketball, and guitar, along with whatever you're interested in! Send any questions, suggestions, one-liners, etc. to Eric at beasle23@msu.edu.

What's included
Chatting, bonding, and fun challenges!

Michigan is home to an amazing array of food and drink brands, each with a fascinating story behind it. Ready-to-eat breakfast cereals like Kellogg’s and Post changed how the world eats, and Gerber first made baby food commercially available. But the Wolverine State is bursting with many other notable edibles, such as Faygo, American Spoon, Jiffy, Sanders and Vernors. Better Made uses Michigan potatoes for its chips. Fudge, pasties and anything made with cherries are also local standards. Others are gone but not forgotten, like Awrey’s and Twin Pines. Authors Gail Offen and Jon Milan explore the history and stories behind all of these and many, many more.

Explore the beauty and radiance of summer’s golden flowers in watercolor with instructor and artist Cheryl Meyer. We’ll recreate the intricate forms of sunflowers by focusing on the details. Working from a still life, instruction will be centered on developing the finer details within your works, enabling you to enhance the depth and realism of your paintings. While prior watercolor painting experience is recommended, it is not required to participate in this workshop.

This 2-day workshop will be held from 10 am-12 pm on Tuesday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 12 in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: 14 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Explore the world of theater, improv, and more with Mount Pleasant’s own Tena Gilbreath, a professional Hollywood theatre and Second City improv actress. Students age 7-12 can gain insight into the theater world and learn the fundamentals of acting through improvisation, scene work, voice acting, character development, and performance techniques. You’ll gain confidence in public speaking, storytelling, and exercise creativity while having fun in a supportive environment. Expect to improve your acting technique and build performance experience through creative exercises and theater games, culminating in a showcase of your skills at the final session.

This 6-week course will be held from 3-6 pm on Tuesdays, July 7-August 11, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Recommended age: 7-12

A snack will be provided midway through each session. Students with food sensitivities should bring a snack from home.

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Play in your pajamas! The children's program room will be open for ages 0-5 and their caregiver(s) for an evening of play. This is a great opportunity to connect with each other, play with some different toys, and look at and check out library books.

Recurring every Tuesday and Thursday 6/2-8/27 5:30-6:45pm

Turn up the music and join instructor Amy Perschbacher for an evening of Latin dance fun! Learn the basics of Salsa, including easy-to-follow steps, fun turns, and partner connection, then switch it up with a lively Latin line dance everyone can enjoy—no partner required!

Whether you come with a friend, a partner, or on your own, you'll enjoy a welcoming atmosphere filled with great music, movement, and plenty of fun. No dance experience necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and get ready to dance! Invite a dance buddy and reserve your spot today!

This workshop will be held from 6-7:30 pm on Tuesday, August 11, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at 111 E. Broadway, Mount Pleasant, MI.

Recommended age: 16 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Explore the beauty and radiance of summer’s golden flowers in watercolor with instructor and artist Cheryl Meyer. We’ll recreate the intricate forms of sunflowers by focusing on the details. Working from a still life, instruction will be centered on developing the finer details within your works, enabling you to enhance the depth and realism of your paintings. While prior watercolor painting experience is recommended, it is not required to participate in this workshop.

This 2-day workshop will be held from 10 am-12 pm on Tuesday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 12 in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: 14 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Capture a truly handmade feel in your journaling or sketching by creating from scratch. Utilizing recycled materials, instructor Chyann Haas will guide you in creating handmade papers to be formed into a book. Your papers will have texture, character, and a soft handmade feel, perfect for creating your hand-bound book. We’ll create your book with hard covers to make them durable and useful for journaling, sketching, artwork, and more.

This 4-week course will be held from 3-4:30 pm on Wednesdays, August 12-Sept 2, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at 111 E. Broadway, Mount Pleasant, MI.

Recommended age: 13 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Please Attend this FREE Presentation given by independent researcher Charles A. Koehler jr. about his new and original research on ancient lost native trails in Cheboygan, Otsego and Montmorency Counties Michigan. He has been researching native trails that were drawn on the original survey maps by John Mullett and William Burt in 1837 to1850. Charles has gone into the field and completely relocated two trails totaling 17 miles. Conducted an Archeological survey, updated the 1850 map to 2024 and G.P.S. mapping. Charles through difficult detective work has been able to find enough evidence in science, Aboriginal antiquities and the archeology of the environment in Northern Lower Michigan's history to date 1 trail back to 7,000 B.C. Come and see the evidence for yourself of this ancient native mother of all trails in this area.

Gestural Drawing is the practice of using loose, quick, and intuitive linework to create expressive, energetic works of art. We'll work with a live, clothed model each session who will strike a variety of expressive poses to aid us in developing our understanding of these methods. Led by artist and instructor Matthew Grimmer, we'll learn to adopt a looser style through several simple exercises paired with group and individual instruction. This class is welcoming to students of all levels. Beginners will benefit from instruction which includes the basics of working with charcoal and drawing the figure, while more advanced students may enjoy the opportunity to work with a live model alongside chats and critiques with the Instructor and other students.

REQUIRED SUPPLIES:
Students are expected to bring their own pad of Newsprint Paper (18x24"). We will be making a large number of studies in this class, which will require us to quickly flip from page to page, so it's important we're not wasting time shuffling around in a sea of paper (the personal pad will also keep all your drawings safe!).
Everything else is provided, but if students are compelled to bring their own supplies, they should expect to bring Vine or Stick Charcoal (medium and soft or extra soft), and a kneadable eraser. NO compressed charcoal, please.

This 3-week course will be held 6:30-8:30 pm, Wednesday, August 5-19, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: 14 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.