Orquesta Ritmo, founded by Director Michael Eyia in the late 70s, brings vibrant Latin music to American audiences, drawing from Eyia’s Cuban heritage. Starting as a 5-piece group, it has evolved into a ten-piece ensemble, performing alongside renowned artists like Oscar D’Leon and Los Lobos. Recognized for promoting Cuban culture, Ritmo continues to entertain at events across the Midwest.

SALSA NIGHT WITH ORQUESTA RITMO

SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

8:00 PM

WEATHERWAX HALL

Back by popular demand, Orquesta Ritmo returns to bring the heat with their signature blend of high-energy salsa and vibrant Latin rhythms. Founded by Michael Eyia and rooted in Cuban musical traditions, this ten-piece ensemble fills the room with bold horns, driving percussion, and infectious grooves that get people dancing. For fans of: Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and Buena Vista Social Club.

SALSA NIGHT PRE-PARTY

Location: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (309 S. Jackson St. Jackson, MI 49201)

Join us at an exclusive Pre-Party at 6:00 PM with appetizers, drinks, and a chance to learn the basics of salsa dancing with instruction from Lesly Sauceda. Organized with Nuestra Comunidad, this exciting event has limited space available.

RSVPs are required to secure your place. FREE | Donations appreciated

Get Tickets or Subscribe here: https://www.jacksonsymphony.org/concerts-and-events/salsa-night-orquesta-ritmo/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUXAkhwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXRlUUZ5aDhQQUhCMHQ4ZVBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEePJYES612GyxOHI4Iti03rYDffTQ_H3pJu_YdaUwP8NdumYSFMVaK4afYnCA_aem_rqMsotEWTphcB9ue4fVPxQ

Tickets available online
Or buy in person/phone at:
JSO Box Office
215 W. Michigan Ave.
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 782-3221

Seating is first come, first served. There are no assigned seats when you purchase your tickets.

Handicapable access.

Parking Information/Handicap/Wheelchair Accessibility details:

Parking- There is no designated parking lot for the event, but many do not struggle to find parking. Parking on the street is free with no time restrictions in downtown Jackson after 5pm, with free 2-hour parking before 5pm. There are some marked handicapable parking spaces on the street located on Michigan Ave and on Jackson Street within view of the venue. There is no valet parking for this event.

From the car to your seat- Sidewalks are wide in downtown Jackson and gently slope down into crosswalks for easy travelling. Our doors have handicap buttons to open doors automatically. The hallway is wide and easy to maneuver. The distance to travel once in the building is quite short. Weatherwax Hall is on the ground floor so no stairs or elevators are needed to get to your seat. There is a balcony view as well, available only to those who can use the stairs.

Seating- There will be tables set up to sit at, as well as individual seats set up in row formation. A variety of seats to choose from! All seats are moveable so it is easy to adjust and make room for a wheelchair. Flag down a volunteer or JSO member to remove a chair for you if needed. We’re happy to help!

Elevators- There are no elevators needed since Weatherwax Hall, the bar, and the bathrooms are located on the ground floor. If you would like a balcony seat, this can only be accessed using the stairs.

After a one year break, the Jackson Hispanic Heritage Festival returns to Blackman Park. The Festival begins at 12:00pm and ends at 10:00pm on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Located at 212 W. Michigan Ave in Jackson, the Festival is a perfect fit for the beautiful Blackman Park. Celebrating the Hispanic culture with music, food trucks, merchandise from Mexico gets a jump on most of the State’s Hispanic Festivals. Elsewhere, festivals tend to fall after the Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th.

For more information please email: festival@nucojxn.org

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/JacksonHispanicHeritageFestival

Get your calendars out, it’s time to plan some trips to Eastern Stadium!

The Lansing Common FC just released their 2026 schedule and after a strong 2nd place finish in 2025 they are ready to bring home a this year! With nine home games within their 14 game season,

Get your season ticket at lansingcommonfc.com/memberships and don’t miss a minute of the action this summer!

We can’t wait to celebrate soccer and community with you all summer long.

Lansing Common FC website: https://lansingcommonfc.com/

Lansing Common FC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LansingCommonFC

Lansing Common Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lansingcommonfc/

Graphics by @cheyanne.ruby

Priscilla Cano is a Bilingual Disability Advocate at Michigan Disability Rights Coalition. She wanted to share this great opportunity for Spanish speaking parents of children with disabilities in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The LEAD program is accepting applications for our Spanish speaking parents. This program is completely in Spanish and it is designed to help Spanish speaking families learn about advocacy and supporting their children with disabilities. Parents will also learn about disability pride, history, culture & inclusion, supporting their child with disabilities, and navigating the special education system.

Below are flyers in English and Spanish along with a link to the application. The application in both English and Spanish but the program will be conducted completely in Spanish. Please feel free to share with your family, friends and anyone that you know that could benefit from this program. If you have any questions, please reach out to priscilla@mymdrc.org

Dates: Saturday, April 11th and Sunday April 12th (in-person sessions) and 4 virtual sessions (dates to be determined).

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Meals will be provided and A $175 stipend will be provided to those that attend the program. Childcare and transportation assistance is available upon request. 

Spanish Application: www.tinyurl.com/LEADPadres26

English Application: www.tinyurl.com/LeadParents26

The ALSAME Youth Conference will be held this year at Western Michigan University on Friday, May 8, 2026 from 8:30am to 3:00pm. This highly anticipated conference brings students from across the State for a day of workshops, information and for many, it will be their first time on a college or university campus. If you are a student, ask your counselor at your school about ALSAME. If you are a parent, call your school and get in touch with the counseling center to inform them that not only are you interested in having your son or daughter attend, but you would like to know about scholarship opportunities.

Have you heard about ALSAME’s Scholarship? The application for this academic year is open now and we want you to apply! Click on this link for more information: https://alsame.org/scholarships/

¿Sabes acerca de la beca de ALSAME? ¡La solicitud para este curso académico está abierta y queremos que apliques! Haga clic en este enlace para obtener más información: https://alsame.org/scholarships/

Alsame has been active state wide in sponsoring college fairs for Latino students and parents, disseminating information about colleges and universities to students and community agencies, and gathering data which will assist Latino students in their pursuit of higher education.

In addition, Alsame has been a resource not only to educational entities but also to organizations in the non-educational arena interested in the economic and political welfare of Latino students in the state of Michigan.

Alsame is also concerned with the quality of life of Latino/Hispanic students on Michigan college campuses, the large number who do not complete college; and the lack of Latino/Hispanic professionals on the campuses to assist incoming Latino/Hispanic students.

ALSAME Website: https://alsame.org/

ALSAME Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/advocatesforlatinostudents