Outdoor music round up

East Lansing has outdoor music events peppered throughout the week, starting tonight with Open Mic @ the Plaza by the clock tower at Ann Street Plaza. Interested musicians, solo or g r o u p acts are encouraged to show up at 6:30 to sign up for a slot with a three-song limit. The evening isn’t all about those hungry for a little spotlight: Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and come enjoy all of Lansing’s hidden talent.

If the unpredictable nature of open mic isn’t your thing, East Lansing has more outdoor music events over the weekend at Ann Street Plaza. On Friday, Dave Menzo & the Cave of Wonders hits the stage. Menzo has a unique sound layered with strings, vocals and percussive elements. Then on Saturday, aggressive folk and traditional old-time duo Adrian & Meredith perform, giving us a quick tease for the upcoming Great Lakes Folk Fest. Both shows start at 7 p.m. and are free.

A couple of miles to the east, Meridian Historical Village in Okemos’ Central Park hosts its final Music in the Park event tonight featuring the old timey styling of Jackson French Quarter Dixieland Band. That performance will be followed by the folk, soft rock and original songs of Tom and Mary. The free concert starts at 7 p.m., but the historic buildings open at 6:30 p.m. so you can check out a little local history and purchase some lemonade and ice cream for the show.

Lansing is also offering a last chance to enjoy outdoor music with the final show in its Concerts in Park series. The series puts a different band in a different park around Lansing over the course of seven weeks. Davis Park plays host to the series’ final show on Wednesday, Aug 6, with the jazz/ funk of the Unicorn Bar regulars Frog and the Beeftones.

While it seems Lansing has every corner of the city covered for outdoor live music, it may even have filled the nooks and crannies as well. The Old Town General store hosts another in its Concerts in the Courtyard series on Aug 7. That show will feature the eclectic musical styling of Elden Kelly. The series takes place in the lush garden directly behind the Old Town General store. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.; a portion of the $15 price tag for admission benefits Music is the Foundation, a program that supports music in Mid-Michigan schools and communities.

So get out there and sear this warm weather into your brain while you can. You’ll only have yourself to blame if we get another long winter and you run out of warm memories before spring. 

THURSDAY, JULY 31 >> STARGAZING 2014 The Firecracker Foundation is a nonprofit organization formed last year to provide support to people who have experienced sexual trauma. At this gathering, survivor Patrick Harris will share his story. This date also marks the foundation’s one-year anniversary. The Firecracker Foundation hopes to gain more donors so that it can continue to provide therapeutic programs to victims. $25. 7:30 p.m. Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing. (517) 749-3128, thefirecrackerfoundation.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 31 >> ZOO BREW The Zoo Brew series continues at Potter Park Zoo Thursday with a Southern spin. Zoo Brew allows visitors to support the zoo by enjoying beer and wine in close proximity to the zoo’s animals. The evening will feature live and local country music provided by the North Country Flyers. Food will be provided by the zoo´s catering; the next (and final) part of the series will be classic rock-themed event next month. $5. 5:30-9 p.m. Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. (517) 483-4222, potterparkzoo.org.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 >> PUBBIN’ 4 PETS The Capital Area Humane Society wants to raise money to reduce the overpopulation of pets in the Lansing area. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Lansing clinic that provides spaying and neutering operations for pets at a low cost. Participants will also receive a T-shirt as well as appetizers at the first stop, Tavern on the Square, from 4-5 p.m. The group will continue to various bars downtown. $30. 4 p.m. Start at Tavern on the Square. 206 S. Washington Square, Lansing. (517) 626-6060, cahs-lansing.org.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 >> ‘AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY’ SCREENING Michigan Women’s Historical Center & Hall of Fame will show the documentary “American Revolutionary.” The film is about Hall of Fame member Grace Lee Boggs, a writer, activist and philosopher living in Detroit at the age of 99. The film follows her participation in major 20th-century social movements including civil rights, feminism and environmental justice. Boggs will be at the event and will lead a discussion on the film afterwards. $10/$8 seniors/ $5 students. 6:30 p.m. Hannah Community Center. 819 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 484-1880, michiganwomen.org.