Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1515188
Eastwood Towne Center. Located within the Red Cedar development, discover restaurants, retail space, public park space and a connection to the Lansing River Trail. During the Spring of '97 Beggar's Banquet expanded and opened an ele- gant room known as "The Gallery". This private room is the perfect setting for any social or business function. The venue can accommodate a formal dinner to cocktail parties or anything in between. While Black History has traditionally been celebrated during the month of February, in Michigan's Capital region visitors can find the history and valuable benefactions that African Americans have contributed (and still do) through- out the region each and every day. Once meetings break out be sure to delve into Lancing's cultural scene. The All Around the African World Museum and Resource Center through pictures, artifacts, printed material and displays, the African presence in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. Displays are supplemented by guided tours on request. One of so many local artists, Brian Whitfield's energetic, vibrant work can be found in the Lansing Art Gallery and other traditional spaces, but also in large mural sized spaces throughout Lansing. His "Under the Bridge" is located where US 127 bridges Michigan Avenue and shoppers to Capital City Market in downtown Lansing can enjoy his beautiful art when entering from the parking lot. 22 B M & T ••• January/February 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Downtown Lansing Capitol JACKSONVILLE, FL Nestled between skyscrapers and the sparkling St. Johns River, Downtown Jacksonville's North and South banks have a lively vibe with a vibrant atmos- phere. Fortune 500 companies call the city's core home, as well as major full – service convention hotels, world-class museums, unique lunch and dining des- tinations, and a dense variety of nightlife options, from dive bars, to live music halls, to upscale lounges. Visitors love the riverfront down- town, vibrant local culture, miles of white sand beaches, access to nature and wildlife, and world-class golf, shop- ping and dining. Jacksonville was voted a top meeting site and destination in the South by Convention South. Downtown Jacksonville boasts 5.6 miles of beautiful Riverfront, including almost 3 miles of Downtown River- walk, perfect for a stroll or a jog by the River or even one of their famous sky- line photographs. The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center combines the grand historic architecture of the former train termi- nal with modern technology. Located in downtown Jacksonville, the Prime Osborn Convention Center offers 275,000 gross square feet of flexible meeting space plus 78,500 square feet of continuous exhibit space all with wire- less capability, making it the perfect set- ting for conventions, tradeshows, meet- ings, and banquets. Just minutes from the Jacksonville International Airport and less than a mile from over 2,300 hotel rooms, the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center is a sophisticated setting for your next event. Additionally, from casual oceanfront lounges, to elegant country clubs, beau- tiful parks and everything in between, Jacksonville boasts an impressive selec- tion of offsite venues to accommodate groups from 10 to 10,000. The Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts is a center for profes- sional and community artistry in down- town Jacksonville. A cornerstone of the downtown area, the Times-Union Center is committed to supporting a wide range of entertainment experi- ences at the highest level of profession- alism. This three-venue facility accommo- dates events from corporate general sessions to community recitals, from unique receptions to intimate dinners. The venues include the Moran Theater, Jacoby Symphony Hall and Terry Theater. The 2,900 seat Moran Theater is ideal for large events of all types while providing excellent seating for all patrons. The Jacoby Symphony Hall is an acoustically exquisite room, seating 1,800 guests in three tiers. The multi-use Terry Theater seats 600 and welcomes a wide variety of events each year. Home to general sessions, comedy shows, the- ater and dance recitals, among others, the space provides an intimate setting for any small event. Art and history are an everyday/- everywhere occurrence in Jax and you can experience it in its hip historic neighborhoods, in Downtown through the active Art in Public Spaces Program, at one of the Jacksonville Symphony concerts, at a Jacksonville Jazz Festival, during numerous street fairs and craft markets, and inside the thought provoking world-class muse- ums, some of the most visited in the Southeast. Prime Osborn Convention Center ballroom