April 5. By Tripp Liles. Spring is officially in the air and we’re getting back to normal one day at a time. We’ve largely ditched the masks and, after a two-year hiatus, many local events are returning full force.

It’s feeling like the right time to get out and enjoy life again and Robbins Park is the focal point for several events.

Robbins Park

On April 9,  Hop Into Spring from 2 p.m to 4 p.m. This event is primarily for the younger kids with the central activity being an Easter Egg hunt and photos with Peter Cottontail. There will also be crafts and concessions available.

There’s a Spring Stroll, a free, guided hike on Thursday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. It’s free, but pre-registration is encouraged. Go to Cornelius Parks and Recreation for more information.

On April 30 Robbins Park also hosts Earth Jam 2022 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This “green” event features a wide array of activities including crafts, nature walks and live music. There will also be opportunities to learn how you can make small changes in your life that create positive impacts on the environment.

Arts and culture

If you’ve been through downtown Cornelius recently you’ve noticed the Cain Center is taking shape. No matter if you’re left brain or right brain dominant, more art is a good thing.

Indeed, arts and culture are blossoming all over North Meck.

The Tawba Walk Arts and Music Festival is a great reason to get off the couch. Held on Saturday April 23 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Tawba Walk is a multidimensional art crawl. It features vendors, live performances and food, all amidst the downtown Cornelius art scene.

Art on the Green is April 23 and 24 on Main Street and the town green in downtown Davidson. This is a juried art show celebrating regional art with over 50 local artists participating as well as others from the region.

April closes with the BrightFire Music and Arts Festival at Historic Rural Hill in Huntersville on April 30. BrightFire is a festival celebrating the spring themes of renewal through music, art, dance, nature and fire.

The fire portion is highlighted by the Sunset Fire Lighting Ceremony that will premier an innovative music and dance collaboration by Anne Harris, Fred Dunlap and The Mark dance company. Additionally there will be food trucks, a beer garden and live performances by a wide range of artists performing rock, Americana and even some trip-hop. Ticket prices are varied and are available at eventbrite.com.

Live music

Live music is one art form that has definitely suffered during the pandemic, but you should know that April is Jazz Appreciation Month.

Created in 2001 by Dr. John Edward Hasse, curator at The Smithsonian’s Museum of American History, Jazz Appreciation Month presents a time when organizations, musicians and fans can focus on perhaps this country’s greatest accomplishment in arts—jazz.

On Sunday, April 24, the Concerts on the Green series returns to downtown Davidson from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Davidson College Jazz Ensemble will start the series with a performance on the library stage. This is an excellent opportunity to hear some great music and reconnect with a picnic on the town green.

Another local music series is the Jazz Month Concert Series held at Veterans Park in Huntersville on Saturdays in April. The series starts on the 9th with local artist Holly Hopkins who has been playing at local places like Thigs Cocktail Bar and the Cornelius Arts Center. Hopkins began playing the saxophone at an early age but it was when she stepped behind the mic and let her voice be heard that she discovered her true talent.

She has been a regular performer across the area for several years and this outdoor event is a great opportunity to support a local artist. The other concerts are on April 23 with Grammy winner Marlow Rosado and on April 30, Arsena Schroder. Each concert in the series starts at 5 p.m. at Veterans Park in Huntersville.

These events represent just a few things to get out and enjoy.

• On Monday and Thursday of each week, Cornelius Today publishes local events and activities online at www.corneliustoday.com.