Arts Saginaw

10/08/2026

Listen to the Music is back at the Court Street Theater! Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7, both at 7:00pm.

Tim Grefe, Stephan Gaus, and Andy Grefe are on stage together again, with a lineup of Mid-Michigan musicians: Dennis Gottlieb, Joe Balbaugh, Steve Nyquist, Tammy Grefe, Catherine McMichael, and Jeremiah Kraniak.

Last November's fundraiser brought calls for one more, so we've answered the call.

It is a fundraiser for the Choral Society. Tickets are $45, with a limited number of balcony seats at $55.

Which night works better for you, Friday or Saturday?

10/07/2026

Upwards of 80 guests and artists attended the opening of the “Inspired Moments” exhibition Tuesday night (Oct. 5) at the Andersen Enrichment Center in Saginaw.

On display through Oct. 15, it features original artwork by members of the Saginaw Area Watermedia Artists (SAWA) – who hail from throughout the Great Lakes region.

New this year is a “See It. Love It. Take It Home!” table and racks. Original and matted but unframed works by SAWA members are available there to purchase and take home right away.

Andersen, 120 Ezra Rust, is open from 9am to 3pm Monday through Friday. Admission is free.

— Photographs by Marsha Braun

10/05/2026

This past weekend, two Saginaw Township Heritage High School seniors earned impressive bragging rights for the rest of their lives.

Michaela Hamilton and Jaina Musonda performed with Broadway megastar star Sutton Foster during her Wharton Center for the Performing Arts performance on Saturday, Oct. 3, in East Lansing.

More than 100 students auditioned from high school and college choirs and dance programs throughout Michigan — 30 were chosen for the choir and 20 others were chosen to perform in a tap ensemble.

The student ensemble members were nominated by their teachers and chosen by a panel of musical theater professionals.

Singers submitted a 32-bar vocal selection and dancers a tap combination created by Foster’s choreographer Eric Sciotto.

Michaela and Jaina participated in three songs performed by the choir along with Foster: "On My Way" from the musical “Violet,” "Anything Goes" from the musical ‘Anything Goes,” which included the tap ensemble, and the Cole Porter tune "Every Time We Say Goodbye," which was an a ca****la arrangement by Foster's piano accompanist, Michael Rafter.

In addition, Jaina was selected to perform a solo part, singing the role of Teen Fiona with Foster as the adult Fiona, in the song "I Know It’s Today" from “Shrek the Musical.”

Foster, raised in Troy, is a Tony-award winning actress, singer and dancer whose Broadway credits include starring roles in “Once Upon A Mattress,” “Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” “The Music Man,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Anything Goes,” “Shrek,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Little Women” and “Les Misérables,” among many others.

She won two best actress in a musical Tonys (“Anything Goes” and “Millie”) and received six other Tony nominations for best actress in a musical . And she is currently set to star in a stage musical adaption of “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

On television, she led the critically acclaimed series "Younger," as well as “Bunheads,” and appeared in roles on "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”

As a solo artist, she has toured the country with her hit “An Evening With” concert and released multiple recordings.

For a review of the East Lansing concert:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1bCT839X3U/?mibextid=wwXIfr

And to hear Jaina and Sutton:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=KBJML-jvXokDJKoR&v=pGPBQhiq4ZE&feature=youtu.be

And for an extra treat, check out this video of the two Heritage gals dueting the national anthem at a Loons game

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1GtYgfRcjd/?mibextid=wwXIfr

10/05/2026

Seven people and two organizations in Saginaw, Midland and Bay City are slated to officially receive Regional Philanthropy Awards in November ceremonies.

And in this case, philanthropy doesn’t mean just donating stacks of money to causes.

As defined in a dictionary, “ a philanthropist is a person who donates time, money, skills, or resources to promote human welfare and improve the common good.”

The awards are bestowed annually by the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals on what is celebrated as National Philantrophy Day on Nov. 18.

— Inaugural Award Celebrating Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy: Richard and Donna Dolinski of Midland (nominated by Delta College, with support from numerous nonprofit organizations)

Over the years, Richard has written hundreds of successful fundraising grants for organizations. During their years living in Japan she taught English to young Japanese women. He served on the Midland Public Schools Board of Education for 18 years.

And in 2004 they provided and secured the financial resources to fund The Legacy Center for Community Success in Midland, which is focused on improving early childhood development.

Other initiatives involving the couple (pictured) include the Adopt a Child’s Smile hygiene program providing free dental care, Midland Kids First which helps high-risk students graduate from the juvenile justice system, funding medical training facilities and scholarships at Delta College, and raising money and volunteering for Delta Public Media.

— Outstanding Philanthropists Award: Tracy and Andreas Teich of Bay City (nominated by Hidden Harvest)

Both have served on numerous community boards and committees, and are taking a leadership role in the expansion efforts of the Hidden Harvest Solution Center in Saginaw.

Over the years, they have offered support to the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, Midland Center for the Arts, Chippewa Nature Center, CAN Council Great Lakes Bay Region, Great Lakes Health Centers, Bay City Players and more.

— Outstanding Fundraising Executive: Denise O’Keefe of the MyMichigan Health Foundation (nominated by Midland Area Community Foundation)

She has led the campaign for My Michigan’s Heart and Vascular Center in Midland, raising more than $15 million towards a new facility.

The MyMichigan Health Foundation also raises money to support patients, programs, facilities, endowed scholarships and health initiatives throughout central and northern Michigan

— Outstanding Corporation: Cumulus Media of Saginaw (nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region)

Its five radio stations have supported fundraising efforts and provided in-kind services for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Great Lakes Bay Region, American Cancer Society, Covenant Kids, Special Olympics Area 22 and Hidden Harvest.

— Outstanding Foundation: Midland Rotary Foundation (nominated by Midland Area Community Foundation)

Beginning in 2019, the club and its foundation became a driving for the development of improvements at Grove Park in Midland, including a new basketball court, pavilion/gazebo, playground, and accessible pathways and a Changing Places restroom.

— Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser: Ellen Charlebois of Pinconning (nominated by Bay Area Community Foundation)

For 23 years, she has been a driving force in raising money for Bay County nonprofits, including the Bay Area Community Foundation, Northern Bay County Fund, Pinconning and Linwood Area Chamber of Commerce, Pinconning Arts Council and Friends of the Pinconning Community Center.

In 2024 and 2025 alone, six volunteer-led fundraising events organized under her leadership generated more than $25,000 in revenue.

— Outstanding Young Philanthropist: T’Emi Oshin (nominated by Midland Area Community Foundation)

While a student at Dow High School in Midland, Oshin founded the school’s first Black Students Alliance and the Black Youth of Midland organization that reached 400 students and staff.

She also a member of the Midland Area Community Foundation for Youth Action Council, eventually rising serving serve in its statewide council.

Currently she is a student at Wayne State University, and was recently selected to serve on the board of trustees of the Skillman Foundation.

The induction luncheon will take Saginaw Valley State University’s Curtiss Hall from 11:30am-1:30pm.

General admission tickets are available at $45 per person. Register at Jotform at https://www.facebook.com/AFPMidMichiganChapter. Email [email protected] for assistance or questions.

10/02/2026

🚧Saginaw Valley Rail Trail Construction Update 🚧
Beaver Creek bridge deck has been completed and the entirety of the trail is open this weekend! 🌞
Milling and paving will begin next week with significant trail closures beginning on Tuesday October 6 from Lumberjack Park to Entrepreneur Drive.
By Thursday October 8, a majority of the trail will be closed from Lumberjack Park in St. Charles to Benkert Rd (just south of Swan Creek). We anticipate having the full trail open again the week of October 12. The trail section from VanWormer Trailhead to Center/West Michigan Road will remain open throughout construction.
Thank you for your patience as we restore some of our oldest sections of the SVRT (25 years!)

10/02/2026

So, what’s up these days at the Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum, located at 315 W. Genesee in Saginaw.

Obviously lots of playtime … but also a tremendous amount of work accomplished and plans in progress for a new exhibit.

Today (Oct. 1), president and CEO Ann Doyle issued an update on the 16,000-square-foot facility that opened in 2008 in a converted Garber Buick auto dealership.

Doyle has been its executive director since 2021.

Below are some of the recent needs she says were taken care of:

— The old telephone system and security camera system were replaced with grant dollars from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. Both were not working correctly.

— The museum believes every child should be able to experience its Michigan-based programs and exhibit. This year a grant from the GM Corporate Giving Fund and proceeds from the museum’s Kids at Heart fundraiser have paid the bulk of the cost for field trips for public and private schools.

Together so far they have paid for 3667 children, 493 teachers, 1516 lessons, and 107 bus stipends of $50 per bus, with a maximum of two buses per field trip.

— The Insides Out gallery and its different medical areas were updated, including the replacement of the big heart. This was done with personal donations and grants from the Saginaw Community Foundation, Covenant Healthcare and MyMichigan Health.

— Numerous sponsors helped with the community events.

— The front of the building will be tuck-pointed, and other minor repairs were completed.

— A new conveyor will arrive soon to replace the broken one in Aunt Sugar’s Farm & Uncle Pickles Barn, thanks to a grant from Michigan Sugar.

And in 2027, Doyle says, a new gallery is planned. It is a replica of the Round Island Lighthouse that sits across the shipping channel from Mackinac Island. Freeland Boy Scouts have worked on this lighthouse for more than 25 years.

The project will be a community build for the shell. The inside will be fabricated and will feature nautical-themed hands-on activities.

“The estimated cost for the fabrication and the materials needed for the construction is $135,000,” says Doyle.

“We are seeking donations towards this gallery and also volunteers to assist with construction. The starting date will be announced once the funds are secured.”

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

This Saturday, Oct. 3, is the annual Fall Harvest Festival at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland

Chippewa Nature Center connects all people with nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences

09/30/2026

EXHIBITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Echoes of Nature: 200 Years of Japanese Printmaking
October 7, 2026 - January 23, 2027
Opening Event: October 7, 2027
Celebrate the opening of Echoes of Nature: 200 Years of Japanese Printmaking with an evening inspired by Japanese art, craft, and tradition. The evening is planned to begin with a tea ceremony at 4:30 PM, followed by drop-in activities from 5:30-7:30 PM. Guests can explore the exhibition while enjoying a short curator talk at 6:15 PM and view demonstrations connected to traditions such as origami and ceramics.
This event is free.
Registration for the tea ceremony is required. Seats are limited.
Learn more: www.saginawartmuseum.org/echoesofnature
Exhibition Support providd by: Hemlock Semiconductor, Shaheen Development, Morley, Tri-Star Trust, This exhibition was organized by the Flint Institue of Arts, Flint Michigan