Out on the Town: Fashion for the Fire

Fashion for the Fire will light up the Runway on Saturday to raise awareness and funds to fight sexual trauma and support childhood sexual trauma survivors in the Lansing community. The centerpiece of Fashion for the Fire is an avant-garde fashion show that is a collaboration between the Firecracker Foundation and two MSU Apparel and Textile Design seniors, Katie Raynard (bottom left) and Anami Chan (bottom right).

Raynard, creative director for Fashion for the Fire, has always looked for ways to combine activism with her designs. She knew at the end of her junior year that she wanted to create an entire collection of pieces related to a local cause.

“I decided that I would like to put on a public showing of these pieces to raise awareness and potentially proceeds for the cause,” Raynard said.

Raynard reached out to Chan last fall. Chan’s passion for social justice, inspired by working with refugees in Italy, made her a perfect partner for this event. Raynard chose to work with the Firecracker Foundation after a close friend was impacted by sexual assault.

“Witnessing (my friend’s) passion for this cause and seeing the powerful woman she is, I wanted to come alongside her in the fight against sexual trauma,” Raynard said.

Raynard reached out to Tashmica Torok, founder of the Firecracker Foundation, and the event began to take shape. Torok is the keynote speaker for the event, and her story helped inspire one of the designs featured in the fashion show.

“Allowing survivors a creative way to share their personal experiences with sexual trauma is an important piece of the healing process for adults and children,” Torok said.

“Each fashion design represents a story willingly shared by an adult survivor to help advocate for children in this community.”

The Firecracker Foundation helped Raynard and Chan to reach out to the four additional sexual trauma survivors whose stories are featured in Fashion for the Fire. The survivors’ journeys were recorded and will be shared during the show along with the designs that were inspired by them.

“Our aim for the night is to unveil journeys to further create conversation on the issue of sexual trauma,” Raynard said. “In doing so, we are also promoting the Firecracker Foundation and raising proceeds for them to further their work in our community.”

Fashion for the Fire

7-9 p.m. Saturday, April 11 $25/$50 VIP The Runway 300 S. Washington Square, Lansing. fashionforthefire.wix.com/2015

Following the fashion show, select pieces featured in the fashion show will be auctioned, with all proceeds going to the Firecracker Foundation. The purpose of the auction is to allow for audience members to take these fashion pieces into their daily lives and to spark conversation as they wear them. Raynard and Chan are looking forward to hearing responses and conversations from those who attend Fashion for the Fire and hope that discussions about sexual trauma develop beyond the night of the show.

“We are not only excited to hear the conversation that is furthered the night of April 11, but also the conversation that is continued afterwards,” Raynard said.

—ARIEL ROGERS

Fashion for the Fire

7-9 p.m. Saturday, April 11 $25/$50 VIP The Runway 300 S. Washington Square, Lansing. fashionforthefire.wix.com/2015

THURSDAY, APRIL 9-12 >> ‘ROMEO & JULIET’ AT MMFT

The Mid-Michigan Family Theatre takes a stab at Shakespeare’s classic romantic tragedy with its production of “Romeo and Juliet.” In one of the most famous stories of star-crossed love, two youngsters fall for each other amid a longstanding feud between their families. Can the love between Romeo and Juliet stop their warring relatives, or will they be counted among the ever-increasing casualties? 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $7/$5 seniors and kids under 17. Alfreda Schmidt Community Center, 5815 Wise Road, Lansing. (517) 339-2145.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 >> MUSIC AT THE MANSION

The Turner-Dodge House continues its series of intimate, salon-style musical performances with Thursday’s installment of “Music at the Mansion.” This concert will feature pianist and composer Frederick Isaac. Isaac’s work has been featured in CBS’ daytime soap opera, “The Young and the Restless,” and HBO’s “Vice.” Composing for TV and film is just one of Isaac’s talents; the multi-faceted performer dabbles in a variety of genres and performance styles. 7 p.m. $10. Turner-Dodge House, 100 E. North St., Lansing. beebe. michael@yahoo.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10-12 & APRIL 17-19 >> ‘THE HOUSE AT POOH CORNER’ AT RIVERWALK THEATRE

All your favorite characters from the Hundred Acre Wood will come to life on stage in All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre’s production of “The House at Pooh Corner.” In this adaption by Bettye Knapp, Christopher Robin runs away with Pooh Bear and the rest to escape the looming threat of being sent off for education. The gang has no real idea what “education” is, and they soon find out that running away from your problems is seldom the best answer. 7 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $7/$5 children. Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive, Lansing. (517) 482-5700, riverwalktheatre.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 >> FOURTH ANNUAL LIFE AS A ZEBRA BENEFIT CONCERT

The Life as a Zebra Foundation presents an evening of music and fundraising for a cause with its fourth annual benefit concert. The event will help support the foundation’s efforts to raise awareness and research of rare and invisible diseases. This year’s concert features Noah Guthrie and Chris Trapper. Guthrie is described as having a pop/Americana/soul sound and has appeared on television, including the serialized musical “Glee.” Trapper, well known for his hit song “This Time” from the “August Rush” soundtrack, will compliment the evening’s entertainment with his singer/songwriter sensibilities. The evening will also include a silent auction, drinks and appetizers. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Life as a Zebra Foundation. 6-11 p.m. $50/$25 concert only. Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, 219 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing. zebranation.org

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 >> TEASE-A-GO-GO: BURLESQUE IN SPACE

Tease-A-Go-Go is taking its semi-regular burlesque variety show into outer space. The evening’s sci-fi-themed performances will include alien babes, UFOs, and more. Attendees are encouraged to dress up; a costume contest will award gift certificates to the guests with the best space-traveler get-ups and a free photo booth (including plastic ray-guns) will be available. 18-plus only. 9 p.m. $10. The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing. avenuelansing.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 >> DANZ FOR KIDZ FUNDRAISER

Shake your tail feathers for a good cause Saturday at the fourth annual DanZ for KidZ fundraiser. A variety of mid-Michigan-based teams will lead attendees in fun Zumba routines. Zumba turns Latin and international dance moves into an exciting cardiovascular workout. No experience necessary, come dressed in your workout clothes and jump right in. Proceeds from the event go to Sparrow Children´s Center’s Pediatric Oncology Fund. 6-8 p.m. $15-20 in advance/$25 at the door. Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. sparrowfoundationdanzforkidz.eventbrite.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14 >> EXCEPTIONS: ACCESSIBLE ART

Exceptions, an MSU-based literary journal that publishes creative works by members of the visually impaired community, hosts a one-night-only interactive exhibit at the Broad entitled “Accessible Art.” The exhibit features student generated works with tactile elements inspired by Braille poems, resulting in a medium meant to be experienced with both your hands and your eyes. The intent of “Accessible Art” is to attract visitors who wouldn’t normally frequent an art museum and to engage individuals all over the visual ability spectrum. 7-9 p.m. FREE. Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, 547 E. Circle Drive, East Lansing. broadmuseum.msu.edu.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14 >> LOCAL AUTHOR FAIR

Lansing and its surrounding areas are home to some exceptional literary talent. The Delta Township District Library wants to put a spotlight on what our literary scene has to offer with its Local Author Fair. Several authors will be on hand to discuss and sign their books, including Jordan VanZwoll, L.R. Ballard, Janet Kay Darling and many more. 6-7:30 p.m. FREE. Delta Township District Library, 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing. (517) 321-4014, dtdl. org/events/local-author-fair.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 >> ‘LEGENDS OF THE KNIGHT’ SCREENING

Batman is arguably one of the most iconic superheroes of all time. In his 75 years of beating criminals to a pulp on the streets of Gotham City, this fictional character has inspired a legion of fans to do so much more than just tie towels around their necks like capes. The documentary “Legends of the Knight” showcases the impact the character has had on people’s lives and how their love for the Dark Knight has inspired them to embrace their own heroism. The showing is presented by the Small Talk Children’s Assessment Center, an organization that supports kids who are victims of or witnesses to assaultive crimes. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their own Batman gear to impress the Dark Knight himself, who will be attendance. All proceeds from the showing will benefit Small Talk Children’s Assessment Center. 7 p.m. $10. Celebration! Cinema, 200 E. Edgewood Boulevard, Lansing. smalltalkcac.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15-19 >> MSU SCIENCE FESTIVAL

Michigan State University wants to take those with an appetite to learn on a tour through the wonders of science with its four-day Science Festival. The free festival explores a variety of ordinary and extraordinary topics. Scott Sampson will deliver a keynote speech Friday. Sampson, a paleontologist amongst other things, is best known as the host of PBS KIDS´ “Dinosaur Train” and Discovery Channel´s “Dinosaur Planet.” The festival also welcomes Arthur Benjamin, a “mathmagician,” who will start the closing day with a presentation on the beauty of mathematics. Aside from the celebrity appearances, the fest will also feature activities at all of MSU’s scientific hotspots: there will be tours of the MSU Bug House and Cyclotron, a night of astronomy at Abrams Planetarium and even a behind-the-scenes look at how exhibits are installed the Broad Museum. See the website for complete info on events, times and locations. FREE. MSU Campus, East Lansing. sciencefestival.msu.edu.