Queens of comedy

The event will feature standup comedy from four Lansing-area women. Headlining the show is comedian Kate Brindle, who recently moved to East Lansing to pursue a doctorate in law at Michigan State University.

“I’m trying to balance studying and telling jokes,” she said by phone. “Comedy is my sanity. It’s a nice break from studying personal injury cases.”

Brindle has toured the country performing at comedy clubs and festivals, and has opened for such notable comedians as Dave Attell, Kevin Nealon and Sarah Silverman.

This is the second time Brindle has been a “She Laughs” entertainer, and it’s a natural fit. After earning a bachelor’s degree in theater at New York University, she went on to earn a master’s degree in women’s and gender studies at Eastern Michigan University.

“Issues involving women are close to my heart,” she said. “The Women’s Center provides such a valuable service to the community.”

Brindle’s academic achievements are impressive, but her comedy is down-toearth and relatable.

“It’s a lot of observational humor,” she said. “I talk about family and everyday life.”

Lansing politicos will recognize two of the other performers on the bill. City Councilwoman Kathie Dunbar and Equality Michigan Executive Director Emily Dievendorf will take the stage, not as political operatives, but as comedians.

“It’s really great for us to have these women involved,” said Cindie Alwood, executive director of the Women’s Center. “Comedy is very personal and high-risk. For them to take their work hats off and share their soul is wonderful.”

Dievendorf, who made her standup comedy debut at the 2013 “She Laughs” event, finds the experience of being on stage empowering.

“Comedy is terrifying,” she said. “I felt that if I could do this, I could do anything.”

Rounding out this year’s group of funnywomen is East Lansing resident Brenda Nelson. Nelson served as emcee for several early versions of  “She Laughs,” but this is her first time joining the lineup as a comedian.

Attendees will also get to see the transformation that has taken place inside the former Cadillac Club. The event will be in the Cadillac Room, which is part of the newly renovated Riverview Church-REO Town Venue. The room features sleek, modern design and restored wood floors that reveal the building’s origins as a bowling alley.

“It’s great that we have a space like this that the community can use,” said Justin Detmers, venue director. “We want to be a venue to help the community achieve its potential.”

For Alwood, "She Laughs" is a great way to kick off the year.

“It’s a bright spot in a very dreary season,” she said.

This annual event serves as one of the biggest fundraisers for the Women’s Center, which provides counseling, career training and economic education for local women. Many women who come to the center seeking help are unable to pay for these services, and fundraisers like “She Laughs” allow the center to offer more services and not have to turn away women who are going through financial hardships.

Over the years, Alwood has seen many young comedians overcome their stage fright to perform at "She Laughs," and in a way that is a metaphor for the Women’s Center’s mission.

“We’re here to help women achieve their potential, to give up their fears and move forward,” she said.

—TY FORQUER

“She Laughs X”

7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16 $25 The Cadillac Room, Riverview Church-REO Town Venue 1115 S. Washington Ave., Lansing (517) 372-9163, womenscenterofgreaterlansing.org

THURSDAY, JAN. 15 >> ‘1847: A YEAR OF BEGINNINGS’

The year 1847 was pivotal in Lansing history. It was the year Michigan lawmakers made the unexpected decision to move the state capital to Lansing, which at the time was a township with fewer than 100 residents and exactly eight registered voters. This is just one of the historic events which will be explored by former Michigan State University professor Ann Harrison in her presentation “1847: A Year of Beginnings.” The event, hosted by the Historical Society of Greater Lansing, will delve into a year surprisingly rich in history. Notable 1847 events Harrison will discuss include the births of Thomas Edison, Jesse James and Alexander Graham Bell, the founding of the Communist Party and the publication of books “Wuthering Heights” and “Jane Eyre.” 7 p.m. Capital Area District Library Downtown Branch, 401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing. (517) 282-0671, lansinghistory.org.

FRIDAY, JAN 16 >> ‘BEYOND MATERIAL’ AT (SCENE) METROSPACE

We interact with fiber everyday, whether hand- or machine-made. Clothing, curtains and upholstery are part of our everyday life, but a new art exhibit invites viewers to move beyond the material and view them in a new context. (SCENE) Metrospace unveils its new exhibit, “Beyond Material,” at a free public opening Friday. “Beyond Material” is a traveling exhibition of work conceptually responding to the history of fiber and textiles as craft and art. The exhibit is guest curated by Grand Rapids-based Kate Garman; the exhibition runs Jan. 17-Feb. 22. 6-9 p.m. Friday. FREE. (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing. (517) 319-6832, scenemetrospace.com.

MONDAY, JAN. 19 >> BEER AND SLIDERS PAIRING AT FRONT 43

This burger-and-beer pairing event, hosted by I’m a Beer Hound, matches brews from Dark Horse Brewing Co. with specially made sliders, chosen by Front 43’s chef, Chris Sandker. The event gives craft beer enthusiasts a chance to sample four of Dark Horse’s stout beers with a little food to keep the buzz from hitting too quickly. The pairings offered will be: One Oatmeal Stout with a chicken mushroom swiss slider; Too Creamy Stout with a BAO slider; Tres Blueberry Stout with a blueberry barbeque beef slider; Fore Smoked Stout with a pork, coleslaw and mustard slider; and Scotty Karate with a beer slider with bacon. 7p.m. Monday. $30. Front 43 Neighborhood Pub, 3415 E. Saginaw St., Lansing. imabeerhound.com.

FRIDAY, JAN. 16 – SUNDAY JAN. 18 >> BLUE MAN GROUP AT WHARTON CENTER

The Blue Man Group returns to East Lansing, bringing a show that combines new content with audience favorites. This revamped live show is an immersive experience featuring new sets, a live band, high-resolution video and a 30-foot tall LED curtain. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. $39-74. Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 353-1982, whartoncenter.com.

SUNDAY, JAN. 18 >> MID-MICHIGAN BLUEGRASS & FOLK JAM

The serene sounds of nature will be replaced with the clamor of an old-fashioned hootenanny this Sunday as Woldumar Nature Center hosts the Mid-Michigan Bluegrass & Folk Jam. Musicians of all skill levels and experience are invited to tune up their axes and meet at the nature center’s Interpretive Center building for an afternoon of community music making. Bluegrass and folk enthusiasts who may not want to play are invited to join and help out as volunteers. 2-6 p.m. $4/$2 seniors/ children FREE. 5739 Old Lansing Road, Lansing. (517) 482-2382, re-news.net/mmb.