Out On the Town

WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 2-6 >> ‘Varekai’ by Cirque Du Soleil

A winged man falls from the sky, setting off an evening of gravity defying, jaw-dropping feats of acrobatics and visual effects. In “Varekai,” the Cirque Du Soleil performers whisk audiences off to a magical forest world populated with whimsical creatures and stimulating music. Imaginative costuming, awe-inducing balancing and juggling acts and slapstick comedy make for a mindblowing evening that serves as a “tribute to the nomadic soul.” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 4 p.m. Saturday; 1:30 & 5 p.m. Sunday. $28.50-148.50. Jack Breslin Student Events Center, 1 Birch Road, East Lansing. (517) 432-5000, breslincenter.com

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 4-5 >> MSU Opera Theatre presents Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’

If you liked “Rent,” now’s your chance to see the show that inspired it. The triple threat of MSU’s Symphony Orchestra, Opera Theatre and Children’s Choir come together to perform this bohemian love story. In the Latin area of Paris in the 1840s, Mimi and Rodolfo are free spirits who are young and passionately in love. But this is a tragic opera — do you really think they make it to the end? The performance is sung in its original Italian, but English subtitles are projected on the stage. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. $20/$18 seniors/$5 students. Fairchild Theatre, 542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. (517) 353-5340, music.msu.edu.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 4-5 >> ‘Titanic the Musical’

Nearly 100 local homeschooled students handle every aspect of this production, including acting, lighting, sound and design. Sorry, no Jack or Rose here: This story focuses on the individuals who were actually on board the Titanic, including Captain E.J. Smith, J. Bruce Ismay and Isidor and Ida Strauss. The passengers, staff and crewmembers deal with class differences, immigration and the deadly power of nature. The show also runs April 11-12. 7 p.m. Friday; 1& 7 p.m. Saturday. $10/$8 in advance. Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 378 State St., Charlotte. (855) 472-1472, hpami.org.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 4-6 >> Kings & Queens Dance Concert: A Tribute to Music Royalty

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll (that would be Elvis Presley), the King of Pop (Michael Jackson), the Queen of Soul (Aretha Franklin) and the lead singer of Queen (Freddie Mercury) unite for a one-night ode to music royalty. (What, was Prince too busy?) A company of 27 LCC students will move to a variety of dances choreographed by faculty, alumni and students. The dances include ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, tap and hip-hop. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $15/$10 seniors, LCC staff and alumni /$5 students. LCC Dart Auditorium, 500 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing. (517) 483-1488, lcc.edu/showinfo.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 4-6 >> Shuto Con

Last year over 4,000 anime fans stormed downtown Lansing for the third annual Shuto Con festival, more than double the number the previous year. This year there will be three rooms devoted to panels, over 40 visiting artists and tables upon tables of gear. A dodgeball contest, a cosplay competition and door prizes will sweeten the deal if you’re thinking of debuting your Miku Hatsune costume. The Capital Area Humane Society will bring a horde of adoptable animals on Sunday afternoon. If you’re not ready for commitment, pay a small donation to play with these lively animals. $10-$45. Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. Radisson Hotel, 111 N. Grand Ave., Lansing. (517) 483-7400, shutocon.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 6 >> ‘Rocks of Ages’ at Wharton Center

The slogan “Long hair, don’t care” seems like it was created for this show, the hair metal jukebox musical that runs for one night only this weekend. In the ‘80s, head-banging music was the only way to rock, and in a seedy club on Sunset Strip, a small town girl hopes to make her Hollywood dream come true. She bumps into an aspiring rock star and their love story is told through the hit songs of the Me Decade, including “Cum on Feel the Noize,” “Nothin’ But a Good Time” and, of course, “Don’t Stop Believin.’” 6:30 p.m. $22-$45. Wharton Center Cobb Great Hall, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 432-2000, whartoncenter.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 >> Income Inequality Dialogue at LCC

In seeking to promote a dialogue on the issue of income inequality, Lansing Community College is hosting an event that explores the growing disparity between the haves and have-nots. “Let’s Talk: Poverty and Wealth and Our Common Future,” allows attendees to break into small groups to explore questions like: Should the government play a role in enabling or constraining individual wealth? The event is sponsored by numerous educational and political groups in the region, including the Michigan League for Public Policy and the Peace Education Center. FREE. RSVP to pec.comments@gmail.com. 7-9 p.m. Lansing Community College Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing.