Local Events

BY CHRISTIA WOODFORD

VISIT A MUSEUM THROUGH MUSEUMS FOR ALL

Due to COVID-19, many museums participating in Museums for All have adjusted their hours and ticket purchasing policies. Before visiting a museum, please call or check their website to see if they are open or require advance registrations. Many museums are offering virtual resources—check your local museum’s website for more information. Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,000 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card and a photo ID. Check here for participating museums. https/museums4all.org/

MUSEUMS

Abrams Planetarium

Sensory Friendly Show

Third Sunday of every month at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 pm 755 Science Road, East Lansing, MI, United States

These shows will run with the lights up, the sound down, and the theater doors open so people can move about

as needed. We also provide a place to “chill out” in our lobby. All shows include a live star talk about what is up in the sky that night. We will include a short break between the main show and star talk. Information about what to expect during the show will be provided when you purchase tickets.

Cost: Adults, $5.50, Students and senior citizens, $5.00, Children (age 12 and under), $4.50 Friends of Abrams Planetarium Members, Free Free with Museums For All (with valid EBT, medicaid, or WIC card and photo ID)

Ella Sharp Museum

Sensory Time

Every Saturday at 9:00 am 3225 4th Street, Jackson, Michigan 49203

During Sensory Friendly Hours, the Ella Sharp Museum will open its galleries at 9am, an hour before the museum opens to the public. Families with members who are neurodiverse, autistic, have other sensory processing disorders or cognitive disabilities are welcome to visit the museum for a quieter experience in a more controlled environment.

Designated quiet zones will allow visitors to decompress and experience the museum at their own pace. Prior to each program, families are invited to browse our “pre-visit” materials to help them prepare for their visit including social narratives and maps of our facility. These pre-visit materials are also available to help families plan for visits that take place outside of program hours and a sensory backpack is available at the front desk for use. To provide the most sensory-friendly environment possible, we will limit the capacity for these special times to 50 people. https/ellasharpmuseum.org/ classes-and-events/sensory-time/

SPORTS

Detroit Tigers

Sept. 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

Comerica Park 2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201 https/www.mlb.com/tigers

Detroit City FC

Sept. 2, 9, 23, 27

Keyworth Stadium 3201 Roosevelt St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

https/www.detcityfc.com/

Detroit Lions

Sept. 17 Seahawks, Sept 24 Falcons

Ford Field, 2000 BRUSH ST, DETROIT, MI 48226

FAMILY FUN

Detroit Zoo

Brick Live! All Summer!

8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067

More than 70 unique, dazzling displays of toy brick models – like a 7-foot elk and 12-foot giraffe to a 10-foot gator and a massive mako shark – made of more than two million bricks!

A 3-acre jungle of creativity that sparks curiosity, joy and amazement for guests of all ages!

• “Selfie stations” inside the jungle-themed Jeep or the fascinating Venus flytrap!

• Special activities from The Robot Garage and Zoo Corps (see below for more details)

• One of the best and most fun memory-making events in metro Detroit!

• Get Tickets: https/detroitzoo.org/ events/zoo-events/bricklive/

Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo

Sept. 10, 8:00 am

This year, Run Wild is celebrating the fastest animal at the Detroit Zoo the wildebeest! These close cousins of the antelope can sprint up to 50 miles per hour, ranking them among the world’s fastest land mammals. Not only do wildebeests have speed on their side, but they also are masters of distance. Each year, more than 1.5 million wildebeests complete a 300mile migration loop through Tanzania and Kenya. This annual journey is recognized as one of the seven wonders of the natural world. After you complete your Run Wild 5K or Fun Walk, join us for a day at the Detroit Zoo to meet resident wildebeests Jeffery and Lenny and learn more about what makes them the perfect race mascots.

Start Times Register at https/ runwild.detroitzoo.org/

5K Run

8 a.m.

10 Mile

Road entrance of the Detroit Zoo (USATF sanctioned)

Fun Walk – 8:45-10:15 a.m. – Inside the Detroit Zoo (non-competitive, untimed)

World Gorilla Day

Sept. 24, 11:00 am- 3:00 pm

World Gorilla Day

Sept. 24, 11:00 am-3:00 pm

Sensory Friendly Evenings

As part of our work to create accessible and welcoming spaces for all, the Detroit Zoo will turn down the music and adjust the lights during special evenings this summer.

Starting in June, the Detroit Zoo is hosting three Sensory Friendly Evenings for guests with different sensory needs. Sensory Friendly Evenings will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 30. During these times, the Zoo and its attractions will be open to all visitors, but special accommodations will be in place to ensure the Zoo can be enjoyed by families and individuals of all abilities. What accommodations can I expect during Sensory Friendly Evenings ?

Reduced music volume at gate entry

Reduced volume and adjusted lighting inside the Polk Penguin Conservation Center’s Shackleton experience

Limited effects and adjusted lighting in the 4D Theater

Reduced sound on the BRICKLIVE trail

Altered music on the Carousel

KultureCity sensory bags equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards will be available to guests who may feel overwhelmed by the environment. Guests can check out the bags at Customer Care and the Park Safety Office. Weighted lap pads and strobe glasses are available upon request. A dedicated sensory room is available for those who may need a quieter and more secure space. Included with Zoo admission | Free for members | No event registration required https/detroitzoo.org/events/ zoo-events/sensory-friendly-evenings/

Legoland Discovery Center Michigan

Sensory Friendly Mornings Check the website for upcoming Mornings

4240 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326

During Sensory Friendly Mornings , we’ll reduce the lighting, turn off music & disable distracting stimuli for an hour before we open to the general public. This event is perfect for our friends on the autism spectrum. Sensory sensitive adults are welcome to visit during Sensory Friendly Mornings without a child (age 16 or under) in the party until the attraction opens to the general public at 10am. Adults who are not accompanied by a child must exit the attraction upon opening. Groups that are accompanied by a child are welcome to stay past 10am. Tickets are limited and must be purchased online in advance for this special event.

https/www.legolanddiscoverycenter. com/michigan/tickets-passes/

Sealife Michigan

Sensory Friendly Mornings Check the website for upcoming mornings

4316 Baldwin Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326

During Sensory Friendly Mornings , we’ll reduce the lighting, turn off music & disable distracting stimuli for an hour before we open to the general public. This event is perfect for our friends on the autism spectrum. The aquarium will open to the general public with normal lighting, sound, etc. at 10am, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you like and do not have to leave when the event ends at 10am. Tickets are limited and must be purchased online in advance for this special event. Please check https/www. visitsealife.com/michigan/what-s-inside/ events/sensory-friendly-mornings/

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

Sept. 1- Sept. 30 Various Activities scheduled throughout the month 5437 W Jefferson AveTrenton, MI 48183

https/www.fws.gov/refuge/ detroit-river/events?event_date_and_ time=%7B%22from%22:%222023-0615T16:00:00.000Z%22,%22to%22:null %7D&$skip=10

MJR Digital Cinema Sensory-Friendly Film

Check website for movie times

100 East Maple Road, Troy, MI, 48083, United States

https/www.mjrtheatres.com/sensoryfriendly-films?fbclid=IwAR1JnETT4LqVME0tv0TkWPiYH5lckEcSi4ou3EcdA4eyfbqJYLgmReJ00

EVENTS

Day of the Dog: Run, Walk or Jog

1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1, 26.2!

Virtual Race August and September Races can be completed anytime in August or September 2023, even better if it’s August 26th!

Hosted by Freedom Service Dogs. It is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by rescuing dogs and custom-training them for individual client needs. Clients include children, veterans and active duty military, and other adults. Their disabilities include autism, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Register for $19.99 at https/www. eventbrite.com/e/2023-dog-day1m-5k-10k-131-262-save-2-tickets598391514127?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

11th Annual Family Days for Children

With Autism - Arts, Beats & Eats 2023!

Sept. 2 & 3, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm 271 South Lafayette Avenue Royal Oak, MI 48067

For tickets and more information https/www.eventbrite.com/e/familydays-for-children-with-autismarts-beats-eats-2023-tickets636642594137?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Sept. 15, 4:00 pm & Sept. 16, 6:00 pm Rotary Park Hiking Trails, 32300 Six Mile Rd, Livonia, MI

Please join us (Parents of The Vend Bros) and mingle with other parents with kiddos on the spectrum (all spectrums of all kinds)!

Let’s vent together, take a break, let the kids play, and just relate! I’m always open to any questions so if you have some, bring them! https/www.thevendbros.com/event-details/ autism-in-the-park-parent-play-meet-up-2

NAMIWalks Michigan

Sept. 16, 8:00 am- 12:30 pm Wayne State University, 630 Merrick St, Detroit, MI 48202

The power of our mission is being felt as never before. The achievement of “Mental Health for All” has never felt this critical yet closer to being realized.

It’s not how far we walk at NAMIWalks Michigan on September 16 at Wayne State University, but how far we’ve come to make our milestones count. With your support and high spirits, we intend to make an unprecedented impact on mental health in our community.

NAMIWalks 2023 represents a powerful chance to leave a significant mark on the local mental health landscape.

Whether you’re a previous participant or a new voice waiting to be heard, we’re pretty sure you’ll find the festivities inspired and inspiring.

This year, changing the world begins at Wayne State University. See you there!

Dogs are welcome at certain NAMIWalks events. Please confirm the local policy before bringing your furry friends out to the event. Register at https/www.namiwalks. org/index.cfmfuseaction=donorDrive. event&eventID=1427

Is there a local event for the special needs community you would like us to promote in an upcoming issue? Email us at SpecialNeedsIndy@n2pub.com.