Movies, music and more at Bay City’s century-old building

The Historic Masonic Temple welcomes a new year with fun community events.

By: Austin Gonzales

BAY CITY – Since 1905, the Historic Masonic Temple has been the place for many community gatherings. Today, the building still stands and the Friends of the Historic Masonic Temple are looking to invite you inside to all their wonderful upcoming events!  

Pure Pro Wrestling returns to the blue room auditorium on Feb. 10, at just $15 a ticket. The tickets being sold are for a family fundraising event! Catch former Ring of Honor World Television Champion, Silas Young, as he makes a stop in Bay City for some in-ring action. Also on the card will be Michigan State Cruiserweight Champion, James Alexander, defending his title against Cody Manning.

The Historic Masonic Temple looks to kick-off the month of St. Patrick’s Day with some Irish tunes. On March 8, the band Monday’s Supper will be performing in the Temple’s blue room auditorium. Tickets are available online starting at $20. Featuring the talents of Siusan O’Rourke and Zig Zeitler, Monday’s Supper looks to entice audiences with their traditional and original ballads. So come enjoy some good Irish music and whiskey tasting.

Concerts and wrestling aren’t the only way to get a peek inside this gorgeous building. In conjunction with the premiere play from local playwright Zoey Schwab. The Historic Masonic Temple will be partnering with the CAN (Child Abuse & Neglect) Council for community awareness about violence towards minors. Schwab’s debut play, “The Wasp Closet,” spotlights domestic abuse. With the help of the CAN Council, the Historic Masonic Temple looks to provide informational training around the topic. 

The executive director of the Historic Masonic Temple, Kelly Kent, is excited to share more information about the partnership soon. Kent also shared how these events have helped elevate the building into a community arts center. The Historic Masonic Temple offers several art education programs developed by local artists and educators. 

“Our change over the years has been driven by our community,” Kent says. “As people come into the building they are inspired to create and to share.”

The Friends of the Historic Masonic Temple welcome visitors to check out the building every third Saturday of the month. The Temple is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 700 North Madison Ave. in Bay City. The team is always looking for volunteers and collaborators to contribute to new creative partnerships for the community. You can visit the Temple’s website to sign up for the emailed newsletters and meet the team that helps continuously bring fresh life into this beautiful building.