Human Services Building in the Zimmerman Training Room - North

From the Palace to the Farm: Japanese Poetry for the Masses at Saugatuck Center for the Arts.  Jeremy Robinson, assistant professor of Japanese at Grand Valley State University, shares the fascinating story of how the centuries old "shared writing" form, Renga, gave birth to the popular Haiku form.  What was initially an elite form of writing was gradually taken over by a more common culture and ultimately won a much broader audience.

Free admission.

For more info call 269-857-2399 or email info@sc4a.org

ARC Allegan will host its fourth annual Spring Fling Dance from 6-8pm at Blessed Sacrament Church, 110 N Cedar Street in Allegan.  The event will feature music by DJ Mitch Wooster, dancing and refreshments.

Attendees must be 18 years and older.

Advance tickets cost $3 per person if purchased by April 8; after April 8 and at the door tickets will cost $5 each.

For more information or to help sponsor the event, call 269-673-8841 or email arcallegan@verizon.net

Get ready for Antiques Road Show: Japan with host David Pepper, owner of Okame Japanese Antiques in Windsor, Ontario.  Mr. Pepper begins with an overview of the major themes in Japanese art then evaluates your Japanese antiques and collectibles.

$4 per item evaluated or $10 for 3 items

Please register if you are bringing items for appraisal.

For more info call 269-857-2399 or email info@sc4a.org

$55/person, plus tax and gratuity.

Space for dinner limited to 40 people - reservations are required.

For reservations or more info call 269-561-7258

email:  info@saltoftheearthfennville.com

2007 winner of "Americas Got Talent" Ventriloquist Terry Fator and his "cast of thousands" will perform at the Allegan County Fair on Friday, September 17 at 8pm.

Tickets go on sale April 15 at 10am and may be purchased at the Allegan County Fair Box Office or by phone at 888-673-6501.  Tickets are also available through Star Tickets Outlets inside Meijer Stores or by calling 800-585-3737.

Tickets cost $35 in the grandstand, $40 on the track, and $50 for "Gold Circle" seating.  All seats are reserved.

For more info, visit www.allegancountyfair.net or

Presented by Steve Westin with 35 years growing & consulting experience in agriculture. 

The presentation will be held at the Fennville Library and there is no cost to attend.

Don't miss this performance presented by children participating in the "Notable Pages" program from the Saugatuck/Douglas District Library.  The presentation tells the traditional Japanese tale of the Kamishibai man who pedaled his bicycle into town, clapping wooden blocks together to begin his story-telling.  Like moths to a flame, children gather from all directions, clamoring to buy the candies that the kamishibai man sells and hear his latest tale.

Located at Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck 

Admission is FREE but tickets are required.  Tickets are available at the Saugatuck/Douglas District Library and the Saugatuck Center for the Arts.

For more info please call 269-857-2399 or email info@sc4a.org

Talented youth, aged 5 - 18 years old, are invited to showcase their talents and skills in the second annual Allegans Got Talent.  A premiere talent show event, the winner will be awarded a $500 savings bond.  The competition will be held at the Griswold Auditorium, located at 401 Hubbard Street in Allegan, with all proceeds benefitting the Marilla Griswold Endowment Fund.

Open auditions are March 29 and 30 from 4 - 6pm with a $10 audition fee per participant.

The preliminary round performance is scheduled for April 16 at 7pm and the final performance is April 23 at 7pm.

Tickets will go on sale after auditions for both the preliminary round and final nights of performances and are $5 each.

Event rules and guidelines are available on the web site or at the Griswold Auditorium.  Please call 269-673-3456 for more information regarding the event.

Instructor Jim Warren shares the history of Japan's famous fermented rice alcohol and discusses how to drink - and evaluate - sake.  Sakes, like wines can be evalusated for taste, scent, aftertaste, and a variety of other sensory properties.  Participants will sample a series of sakes and understand how each gets its differing flavors, scents, and textures.

7 - 9pm

$40 - Space is limited: call 269-857-2399 to register.

For more info call 269-857-2399 or email info@sc41.org

Free admission 9am - 4pm at the Griswold Auditorium

$10 Cocktail Reception from 5pm - 9pm

269-673-7080

Benefit Ride at Silver Creek County Park & Campground

For more info email info@acpriders.com