Free Airplane rides to youth 8 - 17 years of age - permission required.

Explore the physical properties of water, the harnessing the power of water, and water’s role in our everyday lives.

Organized by Science North.

Museum Hours:
Monday-Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday-Saturday: 10am-4pm
Thursday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 1pm-5pm

Join certified Diva instructors in weekly classes where you learn belly dance techniques and get a low-impact, high cardio workout. No bouncing, no running, no jumping. Each week, you’ll learn graceful new belly dance moves that are incorporated into your workout. Your instructors focus on problem areas like arms, abs, stomach, and rear.

Make a note - the key word is really “BOOTCAMP” so be prepared to dance, sweat and really work your body.

7:15 – 8:00 pm

$45 for non-members/$40 for members per session

**Session II - February 22, March 1, 8, 15 (snow day make-up March 22)

In this class, incorporate Booty Camp techniques into dances while getting a great workout and learning Diva choreographies. This class is also the getaway to becoming a part of the Belly Dance Divas® troupe, though performing is optional. Stay in this class until you learn 5 Diva choreographies, before moving to the apprentice level.

Pre-requisite: Completion of a minimum of 2 sessions of Booty Camp classes.
8:00-8:45pm

$45 for non-members/$40 for members per session

**Session II - February 22, March 1, 8, 15 (snow day make-up March 22)

You’re almost there! All your hard work and determination lead you straight to the Diva Troupe. This class focuses on completing choreographies 5 through 10, reviewing all the Divas’ dance numbers, and preparing you for our 2010 show.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Diva Choreographies 1 through 5. 

Pre-registration required.
6:30 – 7:15 pm

$45/$40 members per session

**Session II – February 22, March 1, 8, 15 (snow day make-up March 22)

Nia is a powerful mind-body movement practice that draws from dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts to create health, well-being, and awareness. Practiced barefoot to music, Nia builds strength, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, grace, joy, and a deep sense of aliveness. Using a variety of movement forms, Nia teaches you to awaken, increase, gather, and contain your energy. Nia is masculine and feminine; linear and fluid; fast and slow. Nia facilitates balance and connection among all realms of Body-Mind-Emotion-Spirit. Come dance. No experience necessary. With Certified Nia Blue Belt Instructor Stephanie Cirihal.

Wednesdays, 9:00 – 10:00 am

$59 for non-members/$52 for members per session or $10 drop-in always
welcome!

**Session II – February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24, April 7, 14

Now's the time to embark on the endeavor of a lifetime -- writing and sharing stories from your life. Anne McGeehan-Woodward guides you on this fascinating journey that begins at Riverside Apartments in downtown Midland. If you wish, share your creative writing through Creative 360's web site, and reach readers near and far.

Tuesdays 3:00-4:30pm

$18.00

**Session II - March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27

Can't get to the floor due to knee or hip problems? Are you finding yourself short of breath, or walking in a stooped position? Are you looking for a way to improve your general health? This class teaches poses created with you in mind. Practice seated and standing postures using chairs for props. The practice of yoga offers improved flexibility, balance, strength, and posture. Learn proper breathing techniques to enhance good health and relaxation. No previous yoga experience necessary. Join this friendly, non-competitive group in a work-to-your-ability atmosphere.

Appropriate for both men and women. With Wilma Carter, Certified Senior Yoga Instructor

Tuesdays, 10:00 - 11:30 am

$81/$72 members. $10 drop-ins

**Session II - 9 classes - March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27

This ancient exercise invites the opening of mind, body and spirit with gentle movements that both energize and calm. Improve flexibility, balance, and muscle strength while transforming stress into relaxation and tranquility. All movement is accompanied by restorative music. . . . breathe, smile and join in the dance. With instructor Jan Fromhold

Wednesdays, 5:30 – 6:45 pm

$55/$50 members per session or drop-in $12

Session II – March 3, 10, 17, 24, April 7

Time to Pay Attention to the Body, Mind, Spirit Connection.

Join an enthusiastic group of seniors taking responsibility for their own good health. Practice postures using chairs, blocks, blankets, pillows, and straps to maintain flexibility, balance, and strength. Learn breathing techniques to enhance health and relaxation. This refreshing approach to wellness is light, cheerful, and non-competitive. Getting down to the floor is not necessary -- but you can if you want to. Appropriate and helpful for both men and women. With Wilma Carter, Certified Senior Yoga Instructor

Thursdays, 10:30 am - Noon

$81 for non-members, $72 for members and $10 drop-in

Session II - 9 Classes - March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Escape to the tropics at The Dow Gardens! You're invited to experience thousands of colorful butterflies in the Conservatory.

Butterfly Craft Barn - Every weekend stop by the craft barn to make crafts for free! Plus there will be Face Painting in the barn on:
March 6/7 by the Midland High Key Club
March 13/14 by the Dow High Key Club
April 10/11 by the Dow High Key Club

Butterfly Cart Tours by Appointment
New this year – for just $2 per person (in addition to admission) we will transport up to five people to and from the Conservatory on a cart tour. Please call 989-631-2677 to schedule at 24 hours in advance of your coming.

Wednesday Late Nights with the Butterflies – Open until 7:30 pm
Wednesday: March 17, 24, 31, April 7 and 14.
Experience the butterflies in the evening. Great photos of butterflies roosting can be captured during these special evening viewings.

An installation of the woven forest by fiber artist Roz Berlin.

Over 200 magnificent trees take root in the gallery at Creative 360. Berlin has been hand-weaving her forest for over 30 years. It began as an inspiration to weave a tree for the doorway of her young son’s room in response to the book “Where the Wild Things Are.” Once she started weaving trees, she did not stop. Now you can explore the forest, weaving yourself in, out, around, and through the branches and roots. The magic and mystery of the woven forest may awaken in you, as they have in Berlin, a desire to protect and preserve the natural environment that we have inherited.

Several special events will take place in the woven forest during March and April.

On exhibit March 5 – April 23. Gallery visits are free, thanks to our generous donors.
Donations always gratefully accepted.

Members-only reception with the artist, Thursday, March 4 / 7:00 – 8:30 pm

Free public reception, Friday, March 5, 7 – 8.30 pm

Nia is a powerful mind-body movement practice that draws from dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts to create health, well-being, and awareness. Practiced barefoot to music, Nia builds strength, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, grace, joy, and a deep sense of aliveness. Using a variety of movement forms, Nia teaches you to awaken, increase, gather, and contain your energy. Nia is masculine and feminine; linear and fluid; fast and slow. Nia facilitates balance and connection among all realms of Body-Mind-Emotion-Spirit. Come dance. No experience necessary. With Certified Nia Blue Belt Instructor Stephanie Cirihal.

Saturdays, 9:30 – 10:45 am

$41 for non-members/$36 for members or $10 drop-in always welcome!

Session III - 5 classes – March 6, 13, 20, April 10, 17

Every Monday parents and caregivers are invited to bring in their charges and sit amongst the roots of Roz Berlin's Magical Forest Glen to read stories.

Mondays, March 8 through April 19

10:00 am - Noon

Second Thursday of the month - Whitman Room, 3417 W. Main St

Gather round the hearth to feel the warmth of memories shared. On the second Thursday of each month from September-November and March-May, a group of long time residents join together to share their recollections. Audiences are invited to listen, learn and join in with questions or memories of their own. This wonderful series also serves to preserve our past by recording sessions for the oral history collection.

By John Austin,

$8 admission. Participants will be admitted to WaterWorks exhibition for member rate ($3).

Mr Austin is Director of the Great Lakes Economic Initiative for the Brookings Institution, designed to improve the economic viality of the Great Lakes states. He is a respected public policy analyst and a features speaker around the Great Lakes on the economy of the region, and in particular the role of the Great Lakes, our water and natural resources as assets.

Amreeka chronicles the adventures of Muna, a single mother who leaves the West Bank with Fadi, her teenage sone, with dreams of an exciting future in the promised land of small town Illinois. In America, as her son navigates high school hallways the way he used to move through military checkpoints, the indomitable Muna scrambles together a new life cooking up falafel burgers as well as hamburgers at the local White Castle. Told with heartfelt humor by writer-director Cherien Dabis in her feature film debut, Amreeka is a universal journey into the lives of a family of immigrants and first-generation teenagers caught between their heritage and the new world in which they now live and the bittersweet search for a place to call home.

Friday and Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm.

2009 USA/Cabada/Kuwait; 96 minutes; In English and Arabic with English subtitles; Rated PG-13

The annual JOE HARPER CITY HOUSE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS will be held beginning on Friday, March 12, 2010 and will conclude on Monday, March 15, 2010. The Midland Amateur Hockey League hosts the event annually for all its house teams. Teams in all age divisions will vie for the City Champions honor. For a complete schedule, please visit our web site at www.midlandhockey.net.
Questions-email mahl@charterinternet.com .

This "sweet" afternoon is dedicated to the nature of maple syrup. In the Sugarhouse, you'll see sap being boiled into syrup in our wood-fired evaporator. Visit the Schoolhouse to learn about trees you'll find in the Beech-Maple Woods and discover how they make all that sap. Finally, don't forget to take a guided walk through the Sugarbush where you'll discover how we collect sap and (if there's enough) help empty some buckets!

All ages welcome

Decorate your house in green for the holiday. Using an array of beads make a shamrock you can hang in your window, a leprechaun key chain, and a rainbow. You'll be sure to have fun and go home with the luck of the Irish! Ages 6-12

Saturday, March 13

1:30-3:30pm

$25 for non-members/$20 for members

Tennis tournament

Visit the Sugarhouse, where you can watch steam rise off the evaporator pan as pure sap is boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. In the Beech-Maple woods buckets "decorate" trees and, on warm days, you can hear sap dripping into buckets. An interpreter will be on hand to explain the whole process and guide you through the sugarbush.

All ages welcome.

Brain Awareness Week at Creative 360 – March 15 – 21

Creative 360 joins a worldwide celebration of the human brain with free events for all ages. Get to know the raw material of your own creativity.

Ages 6 – 12 • Monday, March 15 / 10:00 – 11:00 am Neuroscience for Kids – Activities and games to help you learn about the nervous system.

All Brain Awareness Week activities are free but require pre-registration 7 days in advance.

Brain Awareness Week at Creative 360 – March 15 – 21

Creative 360 joins a worldwide celebration of the human brain with free events for all ages. Get to know the raw material of your own creativity. Find more information about Brain Awareness Week at www.sfn.org/BAW. Visit www.Dana.org to sign up for free publications in lay language about new discoveries in neuroscience.

Babies • Any time the gallery is open. Sensations in the Forest Glen.

All Brain Awareness Week activities are free but require pre-registration 7 days in advance.

Learn how to hold your own camp for grandchildren.

First rule: no parents allowed!

Craft projects, mystery field trips and making memories included. A great time guaranteed for all in the Green Forest Glen!

Tuesday, March 16

6:30-9:00pm

$20 for non-members/$15 for members, plus a $5 materials fee

Corned Beef & Cabbage
$7.00 Adults $6.00 Seniors
$1.00 if you show your American
Legion Membership Card

Winter birding can be challenging if your binoculars fog and your fingers freeze, but it is so worth it to get a view of a Northern Shrike, Rough-legged Hawk or other winter visitor! Join Senior Naturalist Janea Little for part or all of this bird walk. If there is a lot of snow, we'll use CNC's snowshoes (or bring your own); otherwise we'll stick to boots. Loaner binoculars are available.

Ages: 12 & up (under 18 w/adult)

Presented by Gary Skory - Director, Midland County Historical Society.

Gary will explore the trials and triumphs Midland experienced during the Great Depression from the business sense of Willard Dow to the tragedy of an attempted robbery that turned fatal. What lessons might we draw from that time to help us through our current "Great Recession"?

Admission: $5

March 25th 7:00-9:00 pm OPENING RECEPTION - Free admission

Join us at the Herbert D. Doan Midland County History Center and view this unique exhibit focusing on the 100 year history of Boy Scouts in the United States.

The MCHS has partnered with the Lake Huron Area Council of The Boy Scouts of America to create an exhibit that will display local and regional artifacts, describe the unique contributions of the local scouting movement, and highlight area scouts over time. Numerous related programs will also be offered in conjunction with the exhibit.

Admission (includes access to all Heritage Park exhibits):

Adults: $5, Children 4-14: $3, Children under 3: free.

Brain Awareness Week at Creative 360 – March 15 – 21

Creative 360 joins a worldwide celebration of the human brain with free events for all ages. Get to know the raw material of your own creativity.

Adults • Friday, March 19 / 10:00 am – noon and 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Xponential – Free creative play in the art of your choice.

All Brain Awareness Week activities are free but require pre-registration 7 days in advance.

Brain Awareness Week at Creative 360 – March 15 – 21

Creative 360 joins a worldwide celebration of the human brain with free events for all ages. Get to know the raw material of your own creativity.

Adults • Friday, March 19 / 10:00 am – noon and 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Xponential – Free creative play in the art of your choice.

All Brain Awareness Week activities are free but require pre-registration 7 days in advance.

Brain Awareness Week at Creative 360 – March 15 – 21

Creative 360 joins a worldwide celebration of the human brain with free events for all ages. Get to know the raw material of your own creativity.

Ages 13 – 17 • Friday, March 19 / 3:00 – 4:30 pm

Brain Bee – Are you brain-savvy?

All Brain Awareness Week activities are free but require pre-registration 7 days in advance.

A Unique & Exciting Expo Experience! An assortment of many different vendors. Many chances for you to win prizes of many sorts, There will also be a cash bar and lots of fun all waiting for you. So grab a friend and come on out to join in all the excitement. Admission fee is only 2.00 per person over the age of 16yrs. Proceeds will go to The Rock of Midland.

The Michigan Amateur Hockey Association will hold its 18 & Under Midget BB State Finals hosted by the Midland Amateur Hockey League. 8 of the top teams in the Midget BB classification will vie to the State Championship Title. For a complete schedule, please visit www.midlandhockey.net .

All games are free of charge and are held at the Midland Civic Arena.

Combo ticket with WaterWorks admission is $9 adult, $6 children.

Join our friends from the Ann Arbor Hands0On Museum for and ABSORBING good time as you participate in up to 20 hands-on science experiment/demo statings. May activities will focus on WATER as a theme.

All ages welcome.

FREE Summer Camp Kick-off Event will be happening in the brick loby on this day too! Don' t miss it.

Instructor: Monika Pfannes

We've all seen and admired them - those beatiful, brightly colored and intricately designed Ukrainian Easter eggs call pysanky. Now you can learn to create them yourself at Pysanky Egg Workshop! The workshop will include lessons on sketching designs and working in relief with layers of wax and brilliant dyes, along with a little about the history of this intriguing European craft.

Participants will have time to complete two finished eggs.

Cost: $35

It's the first day of Spring and things are busy in the Sugarbush! In the Sugarhouse, be sure to stop in for free smells as we boil maple sap into syrup in the evaporator. Under the Red Oak nearby, traditional skills instructor Jim Miller will be making folded birchbark containers, a springtime activity for Native Americans of our area who used bark "mokuks" to collect maple sap. You can also visit the Schoolhouse and Cabin for special kids activities and take a guided walk through the Sugarbush.

All ages welcome

Discover the right camp to keep your youngster happy this summer at the FREE Summer Camp Kick-Off in the Brick Lobby of Midland Center for the Arts from noon to 4 pm on Saturday, March 20! A scavenger hunt and the Midland Community Tennis Center’s traveling court add to the fun. Many organizations will be taking registrations on-site, so make sure to bring your summer calendars along.

Come and discover why Downtown Midland is so unique!

Don’t miss this fun-filled musical adventure complete with the delightfully dangerous Captain Hook and the boy who won’t grow up: Peter Pan! Music by Mark Charlap and Jule Styne. Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Book by J.M. Barrie. Directed by Jim Eikrem. Musical direction by Jim Hohmeyer.

Presented by Music Society
Sponsored by Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Directors
Tickets: $26/$16

Presented by Audrey Diadiun. Audrey will share many of her stunning photographs of the birds of her yard, Chippewa Nature Center, Houghton Flooding, Nyanquing Point, and other mid-Michigan natural areas. You may have already seen some of her photographs in the Midland Daily News' photography contest, which she won with a beautiful photo of an osprey.

Ages: 18 & up

Brain Awareness Week at Creative 360 – March 15 – 21

Creative 360 joins a worldwide celebration of the human brain with free events for all ages. Get to know the raw material of your own creativity.

Ages 3 – 5 • Saturday, March 20 / 1:00 – 2:00 pm

How big is your brain? What does it feel like?

All Brain Awareness Week activities are free but require pre-registration 7 days in advance.

Don’t miss this fun-filled musical adventure complete with the delightfully dangerous Captain Hook and the boy who won’t grow up: Peter Pan! Music by Mark Charlap and Jule Styne. Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Book by J.M. Barrie. Directed by Jim Eikrem. Musical direction by Jim Hohmeyer.

Presented by Music Society
Sponsored by Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Directors
Tickets: $26/$16

Visit the Sugarhouse, where you can watch steam rise off the evaporator pan as pure sap is boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. In the Beech-Maple woods buckets "decorate" trees and, on warm days, you can hear sap dripping into buckets. An interpreter will be on hand to explain the whole process and guide you through the sugarbush.

All ages welcome.

Part 2 of a two-part program, a read and review, of Bucky Works: Buchminster Fuller's Ideas for Today, by J. Baldwin is scheduled for February 23 and March 23, 2010.

Join the Alden B. Dow Home & Studio staff for this two-part review as they delve into the lives of Buckminster Fuller and Alden B. Dow.

Registration deadline is February 19.

The initial evening will include a tour of Dow's Studio as well as time to examine rarely seen and daring product designs by Dow. The second part of the program will include open discussion on Bucky Works, Fuller's inventions, ideas of sustainable life and look at commonalities between Fuller and Dow.

The cost for this two-part program is $40

We're in the heart of maple syrup season and you won't want to miss the chance of visiting the sugarhouse at night. Watch steam rise off the evaporator pan as pure sap is boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. In the Beech-Maple woods buckets "decorate" trees and, on warm days, you can hear sap dripping into buckets. An interpreter will be on hand to explain the whole process and guide you through the sugarbush.

All ages welcome.

You’ve read aloud to your children or grandchildren. You’ve even read how-to books about reading aloud. But there’s nothing like getting together with other folks who read out loud to youngsters to pick up ideas for making your voice more expressive when you read.

This workshop offers tips & techniques and lets you practice reading aloud in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Bring your favorite kids’ book to share with others. Instructor Renée Johnson’s fondest memories are of her mother reading bedtime stories. She carried on the tradition with her own daughter, Creative 360 instructor Emma Johnson. Having also taught public speaking, Renée naturally wants to promote the art of reading aloud.

Tuesday, March 23

7:00 – 8:30 pm

$12

The death of a pet can be a difficult time. Many of us feel the need to gather mementos that remind us of our beloved furry family member. This workshop offers participants the opportunity to create a memory box to honor a lost pet. We provide boxes and supplies. Participants may also bring their own box, supplies, photos, and stories to share. With facilitator Jill Staszak.

Wednesday, March 24

6:00-8:00pm

$20 for non-members/$17 for members, plus a $5 materials fee

SEMINAR on the FUNDAMENTAL TECHNIQUES of WALLEYE FISHING

$8 general admission

Walleye fisherman Mark Martin will answer all your walleye fishing questions during an informal discussion of the sport. Learn new techniques, when and how to use different bait, care of equipment and many other aspects of the sport of walleye fishing.

More information at a later time.

We're in the heart of maple syrup season and you won't want to miss the chance of visiting the sugarhouse at night. Watch steam rise off the evaporator pan as pure sap is boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. In the Beech-Maple woods buckets "decorate" trees and, on warm days, you can hear sap dripping into buckets. An interpreter will be on hand to explain the whole process and guide you through the sugarbush.

All ages welcome.

Don’t miss this fun-filled musical adventure complete with the delightfully dangerous Captain Hook and the boy who won’t grow up: Peter Pan! Music by Mark Charlap and Jule Styne. Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Book by J.M. Barrie. Directed by Jim Eikrem. Musical direction by Jim Hohmeyer.

Presented by Music Society
Sponsored by Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Directors
Tickets: $26/$16

Take a walk through history on this special day dedicated to the history of maple syrup. Outside the Sugarhouse, learn about the "batch method" as you watch sap boiling in a huge copper kettle. Inside, see how it's made in our modern wood-fired evaporator. Under the Red Oak, traditional skills instructor Jim Miller will be making folded birchbark containers once used by Native Americans to collect sap. In the Log Cabin, kids will make their own sap spile from sumac branches, just like settlers did in the 1870s, and taste maple taffy made on the woodstove. Don't forget to stop by for a lesson in the Schoolhouse and take a guided tour through the Sugarbush!

All ages welcome

Instructor: Monika Pfannes

Learn to use better, more professional supplies at the Intermediate Pysanky workshop. The workshop will include lessons and tips on sketching designs and working in relief with layers of wax and brilliant dyes. Participants will additionally receive a kit of supplies to continue the art on their own after the workshop.

Cost: $60

See the glass butterflies form right before your eves at the Dow Gardens butterfly barn. Artist, Tim Drier, has been entertaining butterfly visitors for many years. Don't miss seeing his artistry firsthand. A limited number of signed and dated glass butterflies will be available for purchase at the barn.

Tennis Tournament

Enjoy spring break while exploring the wonders of spring in Michigan! This indoor program includes a variety of self-guided, hands-on exploration stations, Experiments, fun facts, crafts, and scavenger hunts are just a few of the types of activities you'll find. Each day is the same, but feel free to come back again and again!

Free of charge. No registration required.

All ages welcome

Enjoy a Sunday afternoon at the gardens with the folk/acoustic music of "Muzyka!"

Also Sunday, April 18

Visit the Sugarhouse, where you can watch steam rise off the evaporator pan as pure sap is boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. In the Beech-Maple woods buckets "decorate" trees and, on warm days, you can hear sap dripping into buckets. An interpreter will be on hand to explain the whole process and guide you through the sugarbush.

All ages welcome.