Our anticipation and excitement can hardly be contained as this year’s 17th Annual Shannon Street Blues and Heritage Festival draws near. The office is buzzing with talks of the Blues and events that make this a one-of-a-kind festival! Speaking of events this year we have some great events that will be held in conjunction with Bluesfest!!!
Are you musically talented? Are you the American Idol that hasn’t been discovered yet? Well, come strut your stuff as local performers are invited to compete in the 2008 Battle of the Open Mics! Amateur performers will compete for the opportunity to be the opening act of the 17th Annual Shannon Street Blues & Heritage Festival to be held June 6th and 7th at the West Tennessee Farmers’ Market in Downtown Jackson. The battle will begin at 8:00 p.m. every Tuesday throughout the month of May at the Downtown Tavern. Amateur performers will have 15 minutes to sing and play. Small groups or individuals only. Sign up at the Tavern prior to each Tuesday by calling 424.1995 or visit www.myspace.com/openstage_jackson for more information.
So you can’t sing? Do you love watching The Food Network? Do you love to cook? Well, if you answered yes to any of these questions, we sure have a treat in store for you. Grab your best recipe and your apron and enter our Jackson in June BBQ Cook-Off. Whether your specialty is whole hog, shoulder, ribs or sauce get entered and get cookin this June Downtown!!! Visit us online for more details www.downtownjackson.com ! I know my mouth is already watering! Is yours?
Are you excited yet? I know I am! Stay tuned next week as I’ll have more to tell you about our 17th Annual Shannon Street Blues and Heritage Festival! I can hardly wait!!!
Welcome to the future of Downtown Jackson ... one we can invent together!
Close Encounter on the Railroad
Relive the golden age of railroad with stories from real railroad men. Engineers Bill Smith and Carl Reetz will tell it like it was. This event is free and open to the public, especially geared toward children.
Saturday, May 17
11:00 AM
N.C. & St. L. Depot Railroad Museum
582 South Royal Street
For more information call 425.8223
May Mayhem
Ready for a night of Great Music and Fun? Scissor Company presents May Mayhem at Main Street Live. The rock show will be on 2 stages, featuring Infantdecibel, Prosevere, Blackberry Wednesday, 5 Live Martyrs, Sound the Charge, East of Innocence, Never to Fly, Roses Unread, Sentenced to Life. $10 Covercharge.
Saturday, May 17
7:00 PM
Main Street Live
215 West Main Street
For more information call: 410.8263
Saturday Night Live
What’s better than Starbuck’s Coffee? Getting entertained while enjoying your favorite Starbucks beverage!!! Starbucks and 4Ya Soul Cafe presents Saturday Night Live. Open mic, comedy, poetry, live music, spoken word and networking. You name it they’ve got it! Hosted by Marcus Hendricks.
Held the third Saturday of every month.
Saturday, May 17
7:00 PM
Starbucks
112 East Baltimore
For more information call 616.1628
5th Annual All Breed Dog Show
Do you have a prized pooch? Join us for the 5th Annual All Breed Dog Show sponsored by the Dog Fanciers Association, Inc. Admission is $5.00 per vehicle for a 1 day pass and $8.00 per vehicle for a 2 day pass.
Saturday & Sunday, May 17 & 18
8:00 AM -5:00 PM
Jackson Fairgrounds Park
800 South Highland Avenue
For more information call 427.6427
AARP Driver’s Safety Program
The AARP Driver Safety Program is an 8-hour classroom refresher that can help you learn the effects of aging on driving and how you can adjust your driving.
Monday & Tuesday, May 19 & 20
10:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Jackson Madison County Library
433 East Lafayette Street
For more information call 425.8600
Boys and Girls Club Teen Center
Come and view the new facility! Explore the 70 seat movie theater, computer lab, game room, gym, kitchenette, and learning center. Catering to youth ages 13-18 years old. RSVP to kristy@aeneas.net
Thursday, May 22
4:00 PM
Zion Church of Jackson Community Center
261 McCowat Street
For more information call 423.0627
Tourism Symposium
The Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tourism Association of Southwest Tennessee will be providing hospitality training for local hotel/motel staff.
Two sessions will be available for front desk clerks and staff. Area attractions will be present to feature the local treasures! Whether a professional in the hospitality industry, or a local attraction/event, you need to R.S.V.P. by Friday, May 16, to be a part of the symposium.
Tuesday, May 20 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM
Jackson Chamber of Commerce
197 Auditorium
To R.S.V.P. or for more information call 616-7474
Downtown Car Show
Saving gas this Memorial Day weekend? Why not stop downtown for the 44th Annual West Tennessee Antique Car Show & Swap Meet!
Do you own a production car, muscle car, street rod, antique tractor or antique engine? Why not show it off at the car show? Even if you don't have a sweet ride or antique but dream of having one someday this event is for you!
Saturday, May 24
9:00 AM
Jackson Courthouse
101 East Main Street
For more information call 660.1780
Downtown Jackson Tennessee Events Thru Next Sunday (Click on the event name to go to their website)
Jackson Fairgrounds Park, 800 South Highland Avenue
425.8614
Play Bingo, collect information from our booth vendors, have lunch with us, entertainment by the Bristol Show Choir, raise money for our area's Senior Olympics. Door Prizes, Give a ways! Tickets on sale now $10 at North Side Lions Club, Westwood Recreation Center,South Jackson Community Center, and Thomas Media.
Jackson-Madison County Library, 433 East Lafayette Street
427.5554
This free training is designed to help you understand infant adoptions and how to better work with women with unplanned pregnancies. The program will be presented by AGAPE Child and Family Services.
First United Methodist Church, 200 South Church Street
422.4002
FUMC Senior Adult Ministry presents Adventures in Learning featuring local vocalist Esther Gray accompanied on the piano by Mitzi Mathenia. Program begins at 11 Luncheon at 12 cost is $6 per person. Deadline for reservations is 9:00 a.m. May 12.
Jackson-Madison County Library, 433 East Lafayette Street
425.8600
Presented by the Griot Collective of West Tennessee. 1 pm Saturday. A native of Meridian Mississippi, Treasure Williams is a Memphis based writer, freelance editor, journalist, MC adn the emerging poet. She is the Memphis editor of the Drumvoices Revue and a Cave Canem fellow.
N.C. & St. L. Depot Railroad Museum, 582 South Royal Street
425.8223
Relive the golden age of railroad with stories from real railroad men. Engineers Bill Smith and Carl Reetz will tell it like it was. This event is free and open to the public. Especially geared toward children six years old.
Starbucks and 4 Ya Soul Cafe presents SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. Open microphone, Comedy, Poetry, Live Music, Spoken Word, Networking, you name it they have got it! Hosted by Marcus Hendricks. Held the 3rd Saturday of every month.
Scissor Co presents May Mayhem at Main Street Live featuring Infant decibel,Prosevere, Blackberry Wednesday, 5 live Martyrs, Sound the Charge, East of Innocence, Never to Fly, Roses Unread, Sentenced to Life. $10 Covercharge
Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, 197 Auditorium Street
616.7474
The Jackson CVB and TAST will be hosting hospitality training for local hotel and motel staff. Two sessions will be conducted for front desk clerks and staff. Area attractions will be present to discuss their venues and events.
Jackson-Madison County Library, 433 East Lafayette Street
425.8600
Rena David, of Jackson, will review Think Big:Unleashing the Power of Excellence by Dr.Ben Carson. The American neurosurgeon is also the author of Gifted Hands his autobiography, and The Big Picture. The public is invited. The book club meets the third Tuesday monthly from September through May.
Zion Church of Jackson Community Center, 261 McCowat Street
423.0627
Come and view the new facility! Explore the 70 seat movie theater, computer lab, games room, gym, kitchenette, and learning center. Catering to youth 13 - 18 years old. RSVP to kristy@aeneas.net.
Ned R. McWherter West Tennessee Cultural Arts Center, 314 East Main Street Featuring the work of artists Janice Sumlar, Dana Brooks and Jetta Garner. Open Monday through Friday. Free admission
Relive the golden age of railroad with stories from real railroad men. Engineers Bill Smith and Carl Reetz will tell it like it was. This event is free and open to the public, especially geared toward children.
Ready for a night of Great Music and Fun? Scissor Company presents May Mayhem at Main Street Live. The rock show will be on 2 stages, featuring Infantdecibel, Prosevere, Blackberry Wednesday, 5 Live Martyrs, Sound the Charge, East of Innocence, Never to Fly, Roses Unread, Sentenced to Life. $10 Covercharge.
What’s better than Starbuck’s Coffee? Getting entertained while enjoying your favorite Starbucks beverage!!! Starbucks and 4Ya Soul Cafe presents Saturday Night Live. Open mic, comedy, poetry, live music, spoken word and networking. You name it they’ve got it! Hosted by Marcus Hendricks.
Held the third Saturday of every month. 
Do you have a prized pooch? Join us for the 5th Annual All Breed Dog Show sponsored by the Dog Fanciers Association, Inc. Admission is $5.00 per vehicle for a 1 day pass and $8.00 per vehicle for a 2 day pass.
The AARP Driver Safety Program is an 8-hour classroom refresher that can help you learn the effects of aging on driving and how you can adjust your driving.
Come and view the new facility! Explore the 70 seat movie theater, computer lab, game room, gym, kitchenette, and learning center. Catering to youth ages 13-18 years old. RSVP to 
The Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tourism Association of Southwest Tennessee will be providing hospitality training for local hotel/motel staff.
Saving gas this Memorial Day weekend? Why not stop downtown for the 44th Annual West Tennessee Antique Car Show & Swap Meet! 
