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Events and Happenings in Lansing This Week: July 27

Events and Happenings in Lansing This Week: July 27

Wednesday, July 27 

25th Annual Muelder Summer Carillon Concert Series  6 p.m. Beaumont Tower, MSU, W. Circle Dr., East Lansing. music.msu.edu.  

50 over Fitness – Meridian 50 Plus Stretch and Flex Exercise group.  9-10 a.m. Central Park Pavilion, 5151 Marsh Rd., Okemos.         517-853-4600. meridian50plus.com.  

Allen Farmers Market – Corner Shepard/Kalamazoo. 2:30-7 p.m. Allen Market Place, 1611 E Kalamazoo, Lansing.  

Concert in the Park – Ryan Dehues. 7-9 p.m. William E. Tennant Performance Shell, St Johns City Park, 801 W Park St. clintoncountyarts.org.  

Concerts in the Park – Tijuana Sound with Taylor Taylor opening. Frances Park, 2701 Moores River Dr., Lansing.  7 p.m. lansingmi.gov  

It’s My Art Show!  9 a.m.-7 p.m. Okemos Branch Library, 4321 Okemos Road, Okemos. 517-327-0938.                  retreadart.com.  

Meditation in the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition – All are welcome! 7-9 p.m. Van Hanh Temple, 3015 S. MLK Jr Blvd.,   Lansing. lamc.info.  

Meridian Democrats July Meeting – 6-8 p.m.  Henry’s Place, 4926 Marsh Rd., Okemos. 517-351-8547.  

Meridian Farmers’ Market – 1995 Central Park Dr., Okemos.  3-7 p.m.  

Meridian Township Summer Concert Series – 6-8:30 p.m. Marketplace on the Green, 1995 Central Park Dr.,                    Okemos. meridian.mi.us.  

Pagan Community Night – online or in-person. 6-8 p.m. Weavers of the Web, 809 Center St. #7A, Lansing.  weaversoftheweb.org.  

Read @ Potter Park Zoo – Stop by the Potter Park Zoo to get a FREE book! 3-4 p.m. Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing. 517-483-4222. eradl.org.  

Storybook Stroll – through late August. Read while you stroll! 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Grand Ledge Area District Library, 131 E. Jefferson St., Grand Ledge. gladl.org.  

Summer Reading Finale – Foam Party & Water Carnival – 6-7:30 p.m. Jaycee Park Pavilion, 525 E. River St., Grand Ledge.  gladl.org 

Wine Wednesday – Wine & cheese tasting 6 p.m., wine & chocolate 8:30pm. Hooked, 3142 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. 517-721-1330.  

Thursday, July 28 

ArtPath Artist Talk with Joan Bambery – 6 p.m. Rotary Park, 325 Riverfront Dr., Lansing.  

Bath Farmers Market – 3-6:30 p.m. James Couzens Memorial Park, 13753        Main St, Bath. shopbfm.org.  

Computer Help – get your computer looked at for free. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Eaton Rapids Area District Library,                         220 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids.   

Dimondale Farmers’ Market – 3-7 p.m., 136 N Bridge St, Dimondale. 517-230-0520.  

Family Pops Concert – by the East Lansing Kiwanis Community Band.  7-8 p.m. Hawk Nest Park, 526 Buteo Dr., East Lansing. 517-332-5662.  

Fowlerville Family Fair – 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Fowlerville Family Fairgrounds, 8800         Grand River Ave., Fowlerville.  

Goldfish Taste Testing – What goldfish flavor is best? 10:30-11:30 a.m. Playground of Dreams, 100 Howe Dr., Eaton Rapids.             eradl.org.  

It’s a Thursday Thing – In downtown St Johns musicians will be performing on the corner. 5-7 p.m. downtownstjohnsmi.com.  

Music in the Garden – Be Kind Rewind – 7-8 p.m. Veterans Memorial Gardens, 2074 N Aurelius Road, Holt. delhitownship.com.  

Music in the Park – Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Food concessions. 7-9 p.m. Jaycee Park, 525 E. River St, Grand Ledge. grandledgechamber.com.  

Sand & Shell Canvas Art – Create a masterpiece! All supplies provided. 5-6:30 p.m. Playground of Dreams, 220 S. Main, Eaton Rapids. eradl.org.  

Sounds of Summer – Enjoy a variety of musical entertainment.  6:30-8 p.m. Two Rivers Bandshell, Dixie Highway,               Portland. ectownusa.net.  

Stitch ‘n Bitch – Come hang out with some fellow stitching witches! 5-8 p.m. Keys To Manifestation, 809 Center St. #7, Lansing. manifestlansing.com.  

Summer Concert Series – 7-9 p.m. American Legion Bandshell, McCormick Park, 300 N. Putnam St., Williamston.  

Summer Concert Series – 6:30 p.m. The Courthouse Lawn, 100 W Lawrence Ave, Charlotte.  

Switch Gaming! – Grab your Nintendo Switch or ours.  6-8 p.m. Grand Ledge Area District Library, 131 E. Jefferson St., Grand Ledge.   

Wacousta Picnic Playdate Family Storytime – 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Wacousta UMC, 9180 Herbison Rd., Eagle.                                517-627-7014.  

Friday, July 29 

50 over Fitness – The Meridian 50 Plus Stretch and Flex Exercise group.  9-10 a.m. Central Park Pavilion, 5151 Marsh Rd., Okemos. 517-853-4600.                        meridian50plus.com.  

Charlotte Fire Flow Jam Series 2022 – 9 p.m. Old Courthouse Museum, 100 W Lawrence Avenue, Charlotte.  

Cruise In – 5-8 p.m. Holt Farmers’ Market, 2150 Cedar St, Holt. delhitownship.com.  

DANCE Lansing – The annual dance concert, co-sponsored by Happen Dance and LCC Performing Arts. 7-8:30 p.m. Lansing Community College, 419 N Capitol Ave., Lansing. 517-483-1122. lcc.edu.  

Fight Night – Enjoy an evening of boxing featuring Lansing area boxers ages 8-35. 6-11 p.m. Prudden Street Gym, 727 Prudden St, Lansing.  

Fostering Fun Squirt Gun 5K Run – 7-9 p.m. St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 E. Main Street, DeWitt. runsignup.com.  

Fowlerville Family Fair – 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Fowlerville Family Fairgrounds, 8800 Grand River Ave., Fowlerville. 

Friday Night Concert Series – 7 p.m. Lake Lansing Park South Band Shell, 1621 Pike St, Haslett. pk.ingham.org.  

Jr. Spy – Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Dr, Lansing. 517-485-8116. impression5.org.  

Natural Wonders – Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Dr, Lansing.                         517-485-8116. impression5.org.  

Science of Art – Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Dr, Lansing.                        517-485-8116. impression5.org.  

TGIF Dinner & Dance – doors open at 7 p.m. Hawk Hollow, 15101 Chandler Rd. Bath. 734-604-5095. tgifdance.com.  

Saturday, July 30 

2022 Capitol Trophy Tournament – hosted by Lansing Capitals Vintage Base Ball Club.  8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Frances Park, 2701 Moores River Dr, Lansing. 

29th Annual Car Capital Auto Show – R.E. Olds Transportation Museum. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 240 Museum Dr., Lansing.  reoldsmuseum.org.  

DANCE Lansing – annual dance concert, co-sponsored by Happen Dance and LCC Performing Arts. 7-8:30 p.m. Lansing Community College, 419 N Capitol Ave, Lansing. 517-483-1122. lcc.edu.  

Michigan’s Bacon Festival 2022 – Hey Lanstronauts!  3 p.m. Jackson Field, 505 East Michigan Ave, Lansing. 

Public Making Hours – Feeling crafty? Join us in the education wing. 1-4 p.m. Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, 547 E Circle Dr, East Lansing. 517-884-4800.  

Sunday, July 31 

2022 Capitol Trophy Tournament – hosted by Lansing Capitals Vintage Base Ball Club.  8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Frances Park, 2701 Moores River Dr, Lansing. 

East Lansing Farmers Market – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court, East Lansing. cityofeastlansing.com.  

Find the Mason Bulldog 2022 – Where’s the Mason Bulldog? In Mason, MI of course!  business.masonchamber.org.  

Free Outdoor Concert: Roaring Twenties Party Band – 6 p.m. University Lutheran Church, 1020 S. Harrison Rd.,    East Lansing.  

Introduction to Unity’s 5 Basic Principles – 9:30-10:15 a.m. Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing, 2395 S. Washington, Lansing.  unitylansing.org.  

Kids Day – 1-4 p.m. Absolute Gallery, 307 E Grand River Ave, Lansing. 517-482-8845. absolutegallery.net.  

Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Golf Outing 2022  $80/player. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Centennial Acres Golf Course, 12485 Dow Rd, Sunfield. lfccgolfouting.com.  

Lansing Roller Derby Boot Camp | Summer 2022 – Basic Skills. 6-8 p.m. Court One Training Center, 7868 Old M-78, East Lansing. 

Sunday School for Witches – workshop series. 3-4:30 p.m. Keys To Manifestation, 809 Center St. #7A, Lansing. 517-974-5540. manifestlansing.com.  

Monday, August 1 

50 over Fitness – Meridian 50 Plus Stretch and Flex Exercise group.  9-10 a.m. Central Park Pavilion, 5151 Marsh Road, Okemos.            517-853-4600. meridian50plus.com.  

Alluring Nature 2022 Art Show: En Plein Air Exhibition – through August.  12-5:30 p.m. Framer’s Edge, 1856 W. Grand River Ave., Okemos. framersedge.net.  

Brown Bag Books – August 1-31.  Win prizes! 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Grand Ledge Area District Library, 131 E. Jefferson St., Grand Ledge. gladl.org 

Dinomania – 8 a.m. Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Dr, Lansing.                     517-485-8116. impression5.org.  

Ingenious Engineers – 8 a.m. Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Dr, Lansing. 517-485-8116. impression5.org.  

Pinball Arcade – 8 a.m. Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Dr, Lansing. 517-485-8116. impression5.org.  

Scrabble Hour – Recreational Scrabble 6-8 p.m. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Rd., East Lansing. 517-351-2420. elpl.bibliocommons.com.  

Video Game Designer – 8 a.m. Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Dr, Lansing. 517-485-8116. impression5.org.  

Tuesday, August 2 

Board Game Meet Up – ages 18 & up. 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Spare Time Bowling Alley, 3101 E Grand River, Lansing.  

DIY Soap – Make soap with us – all supplies provided. 2-3 p.m. Playground of Dreams, 100 Howe Dr., Eaton Rapids. eradl.org.  

Family Pops Concert – Free family concert by the East Lansing Kiwanis Community Band. Outdoors.  7-8 p.m. Edgewood Village Park, 6213 Towar Garden Circle, East Lansing.  

Lansing Roller Derby Boot Camp | Summer 2022 – Basic Skills. -8 p.m. Court One Training Center, 7868 Old M-78,                East Lansing.  

National Night Out – 5:30-7:30 p.m. Veterans Memorial Gardens, 2074 N Aurelius Road, Holt. delhitownship.com.  

Parent Happy Hour – Storytime for kids and wine flight specials for parents. 5-7 p.m. Hooked, 3142 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.            517-721-1330.  

Picnic Playdate Family Storytime – Meet at GLADL.! 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Grand Ledge Area District Library, 131 E. Jefferson St. gladl.org 

Spanish Storytime – at the Playground of Dreams (Pavilion 2). 10:30-11 a.m. Playground of Dreams, 100 Howe Dr., Eaton Rapids. eradl.org.  

Sporcle Live! Trivia – Are you a trivia buff? Two games 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Crunchy’s, 254 W Grand River Ave, East Lansing. crunchyseastlansing.com. 

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EDI Year in Review: Events and happenings  

EDI Year in Review: Events and happenings  

The 2021-2022 year celebrated artists, ideas, and anniversaries at Illinois State University. Lectures and film series prompted discussions. Exhibits and performances inspired. Here is a look at events and happenings at Illinois State that honored and celebrated equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).  

Find highlights of EDI initiatives and efforts on campus here.

Find highlights of EDI research and honors here.

Series and celebrations: 

women sitting on a stage and talking
Title IX Celebration Banquet

Title IX  – A year-long commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the landmark statute Title IX  kicked off with the unveiling of a banner at Redbird Arena for ISU trailblazer and longtime coach/administrator Dr. Linda Herman, and culminated in a three-day celebration with leaders including Herman, Jill Hutchinson, and Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy. Events took place throughout the year, including the School of Kinesiology and Recreation hosting the Title IX Conference, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies hosting Know Your IX co-founder Alexandra Brodsky, and holding a summer course on the many facets of Title IX.  

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Student Research Symposium 25th anniversary –  The University commemorated 25 years of the annual Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Student Research Symposium with an exhibit at Milner Library called 25th & Change, and a dynamic lineup of speakers. 

headshot of Dr. Cara Wong
Dr. Cara Wong

International Seminar Series – The International Seminar Series honored “A New Normal in a Global Context,” with talks on U.S. foreign policy, the world economy, and public health. Speakers included Dr. Cara Wong, author of Boundaries of Obligation in American Politics: Geographic, National, and Racial Communities, presenting “National Identity and Racism in an Era of COVID-19: The Case of Asians and Asian Americans.”  

Photograph by artist Aaron Turner
“Meanings of the past” by Aaron R. Turner, who was a visiting artist

Native American Film Series – The Native American Film Series offered discussions throughout October of films that focused on historic and contemporary issues facing indigenous peoples. Films included Our Spirits Don’t Speak English, Rumble: The American Indians Who Rocked the World, and The Peyote Road.   

Wonsook Kim School of Art Visiting Artist Lecture Series – The Wonsook Kim School of Art Visiting Artist Lecture Series featured works and presentations by artists such as Maria Gaspar, M. Rachael Arauz, Aaron Turner, and Ishan Khosla. Their works delved into spatial justice, identity, and Blackness.  

Experiencing Images: How the visual shapes our world – The Experiencing Images speaker series looked to spark discussion on how people use images to construct identity and meaning. Speakers included Cecil McDonald Jr., Cannupa Hanska Luger, Nicholas Mirzoeff, Dr. Byron Craig, Jin Lee, and Jason Reblando.  

illustration of a comic book character
ReggieCon explored Amulet, a Lebanese American high schooler 

ReggieCon ReggieCon is a series of virtual panels with experts in comic and popular media, focusing on issues of race and diversity. This year featured panels that focused on the authors and comics of Black Jack and Black Panther, Jessica Jones, Amulet, and My Neighbor Totoro

Breaking Bread – Illinois State’s Design Streak Studio helped to design and promote the Breaking Bread series, which explored culture through food.  

Green Screen – The Center for Math, Science and Technology and the ISU Office of Sustainability sponsored The Green Screen: A Climate Change Film Series. Films featured a different topic each month, with a focus on the global climate change crisis.  

artists reaching up to his work
Fidencio Fifield-Perez was one of several speakers for Latinx Hertge Month. @fidencio.f.perez

Water Wednesdays – The Water Center hosted a series of talks on water-related scholarship, known as Water Wednesdays, throughout the spring semester.  

September

Events surrounded Recovery Month on campus.  

Filmmaker David Osit and Ramallah Mayor Musa Hadid spoke after student viewed a the documentary Mayor on September 8. 

Latinx Heritage Month opened with artist Fidencio Fifield-Perez, continued with Dr. Maritza Quiñones-Rivera speaking on Centering Blackness in Latinx, Neyda Martinez showing her film Decade of Fire, and the Latinx Cultural Dinner’s welcome of Oscar- and Tony-award winning actress Ariana DeBose.  

logo
TRIBE

Milner Library hosted Leadership of Liberation framework to explore the connections between cultural preservation, community-based leadership, and academic libraries.  

The student organization TRIBE@ISU (Teaching, Reviving, Indigenizing, Beautifying, and Equalizing, Illinois State University Chapter) hosted Honoring Life: Vigil for Residential and Boarding School Victims and Survivors on September 30. 

October 

University and community leaders gathered during Homecoming Week to hold a ribbon cutting and dedication for the new Multicultural Center on October 15. See more on the Multicutural Center in the EDI Year in Review: 2021-2022 story.

headshot of Travis L. Wagner
Travis L. Wagner

Travis L. Wagner presented “The Algorithm Led Me Here: Using Contemporary LGBTQIA+ to Understand the Future of Queer Archives” for QueerTalks on October 18. 

The Office of the President hosted the first campus-wide retreat for the EDI Leaders Circle. Advocate-leaders from across campus gathered to discuss their plans and strategies to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

The Center for Civic Engagement welcomed Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, for an exploration into health equity on October 19. 

November 

Logo for an art installation titles I am Here. We Ae Here. We Belong.
Graphic for I am Here. We are Here. We Belong. art installation

The University honored National Immigrants Day on October 28, with a thousand 4-by-6-inch flags that lined the Quad for 24 hours on November 1. 

University College’s TRIO hosted First Generation Week from November 1-5. The week was a tribute and celebration to the often-unsung contributions and achievements of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who were the first in their families to enter higher education. 

Ariana DeBose headshot
Ariana DeBose

Tony-nominated actress Ariana DeBose spoke at the Latino Cultural Dinner on November 8. 

Illinois State University held its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11.  

Illinois State University’s Muslim Student Association hosted an “Introduction to Islam, Myths and Facts with Dr. Sabeel Ahmed” on November 11.  

The School of Theatre and Dance presented Sueño by Pedro Calderón de la Barca throughout November.  

headshot of Dr. Jennifer Parker
Dr. Jennifer J. Parker

The annual Charles Morris STEM Social for Underrepresented Students featured alum and healthcare researcher Dr. Jennifer J. Parker on November 10. 

Queer Coalition and Pride honored Transgender Awareness Week on November 17 with listening circles and a vigil.  

MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient and author Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt presented the talk “Biased” on November 18. Eberhardt offered a reasoned look into the effects of implicit racial bias and offered practical suggestions for reform. 

December 

#ObsidianVoices celebrated artistic excellence in the African diaspora on December 10.  

January 

African American Studies hosted “Black Women Rising: From the Classroom to the Boardroom with Angela Allen and Tiffany Mathis on January 24.  

The Sociology & Anthropology Research Series featured Dr. Liv Stone sharing her research titled “Popularizing Anarchist Ethics: Autogestión in Mexico City” on January 21.  

Dr. Buffie Longmire-Avital explored how academic institutions can mitigate systemic injustices experienced by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students in her talk “Historically Underrepresented or Historically Excluded? The Creation of an Institutional Infrastructure that Amplifies Student Capital” on January 28. 

February 

peope cheering
Cheering during the Play4Kay game, 2022

Athletics hosted the annual Pride Night on February 4 in Redbird Arena. 

The 12th annual Play4Kay game returned on February 6. The event raises funds for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the fight against all cancers affecting women. 

Author and scholar Dr. Ebony Omotola McGee presented “Black, Brown, Bruised: Looking at racialized STEM education” on February 18.  

Mexican American and Indigenous poet-author Jennifer Givhan offered insights into issues affecting the lives of women and the ways we inherit and construct or reconstruct our identities on February 18.  

Students gathered for a photo
Sudents gather for a photo during a trivia night from the Undergraduate Women in Economics.

State Comptroller Susana Mendoza spoke during one of two February events from the Economic Literacy Project cohort, which promotes economic literacy.  

Undergraduate Women in Economics hosted a watch party of the panel “Diversifying Economics: Moving Beyond the ‘D’ in DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging)” from the virtual Women in Economics Symposium on February 24. 

AsiaConnect hosted a virtual forum featuring Dr. T.Y. Wang on February 25.  

Adaptapalooza gave community members an opportunity to experience inclusive recreation for people with physical disabilities on February 23.

Person in a harness on the climbing wall
The annual Adaptapalooza on February 23, 2022

Dr. Zine Magubane delivered the Black History Month lecture “The Uses and Abuses of Jim Crow: Contemporary Race Theory and the Problem of History on February 28. 

March 

Dr. Mirelsie Velázquez, author of Puerto Rican Chicago: Schooling the City, 1940-1977, led CRCC Conversations on communities and spaces of belonging for institutions of higher learning.   

The Multicultural Center presented Sunn M’Cheaux in March and April to lead the “Safe(ish)” program, which helps individuals understand the personal narratives and experiences of gender- expansive and LGBTQIA+ individuals. 

The Women’s History Club hosted speaker Dr. Martha Horst to discuss women and music composition on March 21.  

Person holding sign that says Protect Trans Kids
ISU’s Queer Coalition hosted a Trans Day of Visibility Sashay and rally in Uptown Normal.

The Katie School of Insurance hosted a career networking event with a panel titled “The Power of an Inclusive Workforce” that featured Michelle Schrotter and included a panel discussion with Priscilla Escobar, Angela Allen, Jean Celestin, and Tawonda Goode 

The School of Theatre and Dance performed the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, Fairview, which shines a spotlight on modern day racism.  

Queer Coalition staged Transgender Day of Visibility Sashay through Uptown Normal on March 31.  

Dr. Charissa Cheah and Dr. David Chih drew attention to the impact of the increase in violence against Asians and Asian Americans during the pandemic in their talk titled “Racial Discrimination against Asians and Asian Americans and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic” on March 29. 

April   

headshot of performer LaLa Ri
LaLa Ri

LaLa Ri, named Ms. Congeniality of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13, headlined the 23rd annual Pride Charity Drag Show, which raised funds for the LGBTQ+ Support Fund at ISU.  

NexSTEM program students presented research topics at the multi-institution 2021-22 Research Poster Symposium on April 2.  

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and Tony-nominated producer Jose Antonio Vargas was the keynote speaker for the Asian Cultural Dinner on April 12.  

Jose Antonio Vargas speaking
Jose Antonio Vargas was the featured speaker at this year’s Asian Cultural Dinner.

In celebration of Bilingual Advocacy Week, a talk by Dr. Kim Potowski explored “Spanish in the U.S.: Myths and Realities” on April 14. 

Aburoo Due Creative Productions, led by Illinois State University Professor of Ethnomusicology Ama Oforiwaa Aduonum, performed Walking with My Ancestors: Cape Coast Castle on April 8 in Kemp Recital Hall.  

The annual exhibit FOOD for THOUGHT: Understanding Cultural Identity and Heritage Through Food launched on April 19 at Milner Library.  

African American Studies presented sociologist Cedrick-Michael Simmons’ talk “The Challenges of Diversity Management” on April 22. The talk explored the political and structural challenges confronting diversity managers.   

The Clothesline Project

Director of the Center for Civic Engagement Katy Strzepek and Assistant Director Harriett Steinbach guest spoke on “Designing Civic Engagement Assignments Using an EDI Lens” on April 15. The workshop explored ways to decolonize service learning and other forms of civic engagement. 

The Clothesline Project brought awareness to the unique stories of survivors of sexual assault and violence on April 19. The event was part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month events, hosted by Students Ending Rape Culture and Health Promotion and Wellness.  

Honoring Asian art and artistry highlighted Asian Heritage Week at Illinois State University, with events running from April 22-25. 

Maura Toro Morn posing in classroom
Maura Toro-Morn

Dr. Maura Toro-Morn, professor of sociology and director of Latin American and Latino/a Studies, delivered the 2022 Spring College Lecture on April 25. The talk, “Gendered Migrations in the Age of Global Disruption,” explored global migrations and inequality. 

In recognizing World Design Day, the Multicultural Center hosted “Design Thinking for Student Success” on April 27. 

The Crossroads Project presented a staged reading of Dear Mr. C by Tidtaya Sinutoke, winner of the 2022 Diverse Voices Playwriting Initiative. 

Summer 

ISU marked the observance of Juneteenth.   

people gathered in front of a house
Members of the Illinois State University TRIO program

Illinois State University hosted the statewide TRIO conference from June 3-5.

The College of Education helped to sponsor the Restorative Leadership Community Series, June 27-29. The series guided participants on an overview of restorative practices and focused on building proactive and responsive listening circles.   

ISU helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pell grants.  

In light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade, Illinois State University held a Listening Circle under the guidance of Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Outreach Danielle Beasley of Student Counseling Services on July 7. 

University Galleries presented Nazafarin Lotfi: Subtle Time as an online exhibition, exploring experiences of growing up in post-Revolutionary Iran and continuing artistic practice as an immigrant in the United States.   

Items in the story were taken from features in the bi-weekly newsletter Identity, and the weekly newsletter Report. If you have events from the 2021-2022 year to add to this story, please contact Rachel Hatch at rkhatch@ilstu.edu.

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Chamber happenings: Annual business meeting, exciting events on tap

On April 19, our Waterbury Regional Chamber will host its 132nd annual business meeting from noon-2 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Waterbury Downtown. During the meeting, we will highlight our accomplishments of the past year, elect and re-elect board members, and hear from keynote speaker David Lehman, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development and a senior economic advisor to Gov. Ned Lamont. We also will acknowledge 37 companies who are celebrating their 40th-, 30th-, 20th- or 10th-year milestone as a chamber member.

Presiding over the meeting is Mary Rosengrant-Chiappalone of Biondi & Rosengrant, the board of directors chairwoman.

“The last year proved to be one of the most unpredictable times for the chamber in its 132-year history, as our community continued to be challenged by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rosengrant-Chiappalone said.

“Our business community, membership and chamber found bold and innovative ways to continue providing the resources, news, networking opportunities and other information that residents and businesses needed to adapt and succeed.”

Our premier sponsor for this event is Thomaston Savings Bank; our corporate sponsor is Barker Specialty. All business leaders are welcome to attend by registering on waterburychamber.com.

FIND AN EVENT THAT FITS YOU

The Waterbury Regional Chamber and our affiliate chambers have many exciting events coming up over the next few months.

Do you know someone looking for a job? With funding from a CARES grant, the chamber has partnered with the Northwestern American Job Center to bring together more than 50 area employers for a spring job fair on April 28 from 3-6 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Waterbury Downtown. Employers are welcome to register and job seekers are encouraged to attend.

Our next Out for Business networking event will take place on May 4 from 5-7 p.m. at The Residences at Quarry Walk in Oxford. Out for Business events give members and potential members the opportunity to visit the site of a member business, network, enjoy food and drink, socialize and have the chance to win a door prize.

On May 13, I will host our next Wake Up Your Business virtual networking event. This online opportunity, from 8-9 a.m. on Zoom, gives members and individuals interested in learning more about the the chamber the chance to make new connections, grow their business, and create more visibility. Registration is free.

Are you looking for a family-friendly event? The Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce will host the 17th Annual Duck Race and Festival on June 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Naugatuck. The day will feature live music, a petting zoo, activities and entertainment for children, food vendors, business vendors, crafters and, of course, the anticipated Duck Race, which involves thousands of rubber ducks racing down the Naugatuck river for a prize of $5,000 cash.

As part of Duck Day, you can support many area nonprofit organizations by purchasing a raffle ticket, which puts you in the running for one of 20 prizes, including $5,000 cash.

We have many other exciting opportunities in the weeks and months ahead. Be sure to follow us on social media and to check out waterburychamber.com, where you can register for any of these events. For help, reach out to the chamber at 203-757-0701.

Lynn Ward is president and CEO of the Waterbury Regional Chamber. Contact her at 203-757-0701 ext. 310 or lward@waterburychamber.com

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Fort Worth’s Best Spring Events and Festivals — 9 Major Happenings You Need to Have On Your Calendar

Fort Worth's Best Spring Events and Festivals — 9 Major Happenings You Need to Have On Your Calendar

After winter’s last gasp (hopefully) and yet another freeze to thaw out of, boy are we are ready for spring. Flowers blooming, birds singing, blue skies overhead, you know the drill. And after two years of COVID-related-closures, event postponements and outright cancelations, this spring in Fort Worth is going to be epic. That means major festivals, big events and a warm return to normality.

There is something for everyone to enjoy, from food and drinks to arts and sports. This year there are more reasons than ever to plan your calendar around enjoying one or all of these spring festivals and happenings. We’ll see you there.

This is your guide to Fort Worth’s Best Spring Events:

Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

The most dramatic event of the year has to be the famed Van Cliburn’s return. The once-every-four-years piano competition brings preliminary screening auditions March 6 through 12 at TCU’s PepsiCo Recital Hall. They are free and open to the public. The 72 selected pianists will perform 25-minute recitals before the competition whittles them down to just 30.

Van Cliburn International Piano Competition – Semi-final and final rounds held at Bass Performance Hall
Van Cliburn International Piano Competition’s semifinal and final rounds are held at Bass Performance Hall.

This year’s diverse roster of hopefuls are being drawn from 22 countries. The final round runs from June 2 through 18, when Fort Worth, along with the rest of the world, learns the winner.

But there’s more major piano happenings in Fort Worth — including the opening of a brand new venue. TCU will open the Van Cliburn Concert Hall, with a special performance from Russian pianist Olga Kern on April 13. Kern was one of the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition winners and the concert will take place on the 64th anniversary of Van Cliburn’s famous Moscow triumph in 1958.

The concert hall is the newest addition to the $53 million TCU Music Center and another step forward for Fort Worth, which is benefitting from exciting new venues like Dickies Arena.

Flyfest

Tarrant Regional Water District’s trout stocking season culminates with TRWD FlyFest along and in the Trinty River on Saturday March 12. They stock nearly 3,000 native fish annually, including 1,800 pounds of rainbow trout, creating an optimal angling experience. This year will be the seventh Flyfest, which continues to grow in popularity.

So, don’t be alarmed by all the fisher folks donning their waders, and casting their lines in a rhythm ― 10 and 2, 10 and 2. . .

Fest – FlyFest 2022 promises a catch along the Trinity.
FlyFest 2022 promises a catch along the Trinity.

Along with open fishing in the river, there will be kids’ activities and presentations by experts. Orvis and Coffee & Caddis will be on hand with fly tying and casting instruction and gear. There will be plenty of beer, wine and food trucks on hand along with live music. For the kiddies, there will be face painting, a fishing tank to get them hooked early and a rock climbing wall.

Magnolia at the Modern

This special film series runs from March 18 to May 1. The cozy auditorium at the Modern Art Museum has long brought rare art films to Fort Worth. Among the seven films in this year’s Magnolia at the Modern series is Breaking Bread, which follows Arab and Jewish chefs in Haifa, Israel as they collaborate in the kitchen.

Most movies featured in the series will be shown Fridays at 4 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm; Saturdays at 5 pm; and Sundays at noon (half-price show), 2 pm, and 4 pm (with a few exceptions). Ticket prices are $10 regular admission, $8 for Modern members and $7 for Reel People members. Advance sales begin two hours prior to each show at the admissions desk.

Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival

Fort Worth’s mouthwatering festival and its six exclusive ticketed events are finally returning. The venue will be the Heart of the Ranch, in its shady Clearfork setting, and the Nite Bites event will take full advantage of the skyline views from Whiskey Ranch.

Chefs, restaurateurs and local caterers will join bartenders, brewers and regional and international wine labels at this annual tour-de-force. The Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival takes place between March 31 and April 3. Check out some of the well-known names taking part this year and get your tickets or VIP passes secured before they sell out at Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival’s website.

Main Street Arts Festival returns to a waiting crowd this spring.

Main Street Arts Festival

Running from Thursday April 7 through Sunday April 10, Main Street Arts Festival touts itself as the largest four day arts event in the Southwest. It’s a chance for North Texans to indulge in art, music and food in one bonanza. This is the Main Street Arts Festival’s 35th year and fans can expect new entertainment venues. In all, more than 200 local, regional and national juried artists will descend upon downtown.

Lining the red bricks of Main Street, this free event is a local tradition. There is even a craft brew garden and a wine pavilion, with hundreds of musical acts taking to the stage, providing a soundtrack all weekend long.

Japanese Garden Spring Festival is a cultural and natural wonder.

Japanese Garden Spring Festival

The Fort Worth Botanic Gardens has a hidden gem on its vast campus — The Japanese Garden. The garden, which will celebrate its 50th year in 2023, is a lush seven and a half acres filled with bamboo forests, cherry trees, Japanese maples, magnolias, arched bridges, raked rock gardens and ponds filled with koi fish. If you’ve never experienced it, the Spring Festival is the time to go.

While the fall festival highlights the ruby red Japanese maple leaves turning, the Japanese Garden Spring Festival (April 23 and 24 this year) is full of color and life. It’s also a cultural treasure with judo, sumo and karate exhibitions, traditional tea ceremonies, drummers, dancers and swordsmen. There will be Japanese delicacies to sample, bonsai trees and calligraphy. And that’s just a few of the Japanese art forms that will be showcased.

ArtsGoggle

For one day only — April 23 this year — Magnolia Avenue hosts its annual ArtsGoggle. The Southside is planning for an epic return to the festival this year. This free-to-the-public, family-friendly event brings more than 1,000 visual artists, 50 musical performances and artistic displays of every kind. Plus plenty of food and drink.

Many Magnolia Avenue businesses host open houses during ArtsGoggle, and the event spills into the open streets with more than a mile of exhibits to stroll.

MayFest

Generations of Fort Worthians have fond memories of MayFest. The 2022 edition marks the beloved festival’s 50th Anniversary. It all takes place May 5 through 8 in Trinity Park. Past years have included fireworks reflecting in the Trinity River. Exact details are still forthcoming about the events for this year’s milestone Mayfest.

Filled with food, arts and crafts, entertainment and music, Mayfest has it all, from ferris wheels to confetti eggs. You can expect plenty of activities and kids areas. There will be paddle boats along the river and, as always, an eclectic mix of vendors to explore and entertainment to revel in.

Fest – Mayfest – Here’s hoping the waterskiing squirrel makes an appearance.
You never what you’ll see at Fort Worth’s Mayfest. Here’s hoping the waterskiing squirrel makes an appearance.

Charles Schwab Challenge

While last year’s Colonial Golf Tournament brought limited spectators under COVID conditions, full crowds will return to the oak lined wonder this May 23 to 29.

The winner receives a coveted Colonial Red Plaid Jacket. The oldest event on the PGA Tour has a lot in store, like its famous water-protected No. 13 hole, along the stretch known as (Ben) Hogan’s Alley. We can hardly wait for a few lazy days at Colonial this spring.

First round action at the 2020 Vivint Houston Open
Jordan Spieth is just one of the big name golfers who love playing in Texas. (Photo by F. Carter Smith)

Hang in there, Fort Worth. Spring is on its way — and it has plenty of fun in store.