Dance party

That´s why, the City of East Lansing has created a series of events for children and families to get outside and enjoy some quality entertainment. Play in the Park is an interactive outdoor children’s entertainment series in East Lansing where families can bring a picnic dinner and enjoy weekly programs every Tuesday in July.

The events takes place in East Lansing’s Valley Court Park. Kicking off the first Tuesday is Mary Jane Heppner-Gamble, who will lead attendees in creative dance. Gamble teaches dance and creative movement throughout the Lansing area. For Tuesday’s program, she will use music, props and stories while teaching children dance movements at a pace they can learn and understand.

Gamble began her dance career in 1972 as a full-time student at the Cleveland Ballet and has taught creative dance movement for over 28 years. She has a special love for working with children.

“I give them energy and they give it right back,” said Heppner-Gamble. “I love their energy, and we match each other because we’re full of joy and enthusiasm.”

Heppner-Gamble said children can expect to pick up movements easily because they will be movements from their everyday lives, such as running, jumping and turning.

Because the children will be dancing and moving around, they should come with comfortable clothing and tennis shoes. Flip flops and sandals are discouraged.

As for the rest of the month, the program has lined up an eclectic slate of family-friendly performers.

The next installment of Play at the Park will feature storyteller Karen Czarnik on July 14. A seasoned, multitalented performer, Czarnik uses music and stories to “teach, engage, encourage and tickle the funny bone,” according to her web site.

On July 21 is Superhero Science, where Michigan Science Center’s Traveling Science Program will teach children how superheroes use energy, force, electricity and magnetism to save the world.

The final Play in the Park event will be July 28, featuring a musical performance by Guy Louis and the Chautauqua Express. Guy Louis Sferlazza III, who performs simply as Guy Louis, specializes in folk and rock music with an educational message. The Utica-based artist presents family concert and school assemblies throughout the Great Lakes region, performing songs about environmental awareness, racial and cultural awareness, literacy and other topics. 

Play in the Park

7 p.m. Tuesday, July 7 FREE Valley Court Park 280 Valley Court, East Lansing (517) 319-6888, cityofeastlansing.com

THURSDAY, JULY 2 >> BEER GROTTO AND DARK HORSE FUND-RAISER

“Cold Beer, Good Cause, Great Lakes!” That’s the motto for a collaboration between the Beer Grotto and Dark Horse Brewing Co. to raise money for the Alliance for the Great Lakes, a group is dedicated to the conservation of the Great Lakes. For the month of July, when you purchase a featured Dark Horse beer at any Beer Grotto location, they will donate $1 to the Alliance for the Great Lakes. The fundraiser kicks off with an event Thursday featuring live music from Darin Larner Jr. and exclusive brews provided by Dark Horse. 7- 10 p.m. FREE. The Beer Grotto, 500 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 100, Lansing. (517) 371-1080, beergrotto.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 7-8 >> ZOO DAYS AT POTTER PARK ZOO

You can enjoy a game of soccer while admiring your favorite animals this week because Zoo Days are back at Potter Park Zoo. Each day will be filled with outdoor games, activities and food stationed throughout the zoo. There will be opportunities to learn cool facts about the animals from Potter Park Zoo guides. Grab a voucher from Greater Lansing Meijer locations for discounted admission. 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. $1 with a voucher. Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. (517) 483-4222, potterparkzoo.org/zoo-day-1.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 >> PROJECT POP-UP: KUMIHIMO BRAID MAKING

The Lansing Art Gallery is bringing a taste of Japanese culture to downtown Lansing with an “artful activity” featuring kumihimo braid making. “Kumihimo” is Japanese for “gathered threads.” Sharron Patchett VanCampen is a designer who works primarily with textiles. She is an expert in quilting and fiber art. VanCampen will lead a demonstration of kumihimo braid making using a braiding wheel called a Marudai frame. Participants will have a hands-on opportunity to create their own kumihimo braided cord. Noon. FREE. Lansing Art Gallery, 119 N. Washington Square, Lansing. (917) 374-6400, lansingartgallery.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 9-19 >> ‘PROOF’ AT OVER THE LEDGE THEATRE CO.

Theater PREVIEW What do you get when you Combine mathematics and mental illness? “Proof.” From American playwright, David Auburn, “Proof” is a drama about the life of Catherine, who is dealing with the death of her father, a mathematical genius who was mentally ill. Following his death, Catherine meets one of her fathers’ ex-graduate students who discovers a paradigm-shifting proof about prime numbers in Robert’s office. The play follows Catherine through her attempts to prove the proof’s authorship and her struggle to stay sane. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $10/$8 seniors/$6 students. Ledges Playhouse, 137 Fitzgerald Park Drive, Grand Ledge. overtheledge.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 9 >> MOONLIGHT FILM FESTIVAL: INTO THE WOODS

Have you ever imagined running into Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel? Well, East Lansing’s Moonlight Film Festival is bringing you the next best thing with a special outdoor viewing of “Into the Woods.” This new age fantasy follows a baker and his wife on an adventure to break an old witch’s curse. They creep into the woods three days before the rise of the blue moon and embark on a journey they will never forget. This is the first film of the Moonlight series and you can enjoy a live performance from Taylor Taylor an hour before show time. Goomba’s Pizza will have pizza and snacks available to purchase. The event will be canceled due to rain and/or severe weather. 9:30 p.m. FREE. Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court, East Lansing. (517) 319-6888, cityofeastlansing.com/445/Moonlight-Film-Festival.

THURSDAY, JULY 9 >> FOUR SHILLINGS SHORT AT CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD

The Old Town General Store’s next installment of Concerts in the Courtyard features a performance from Four Shillings Short. This husband and wife duo performs traditional and original music from the Celtic islands, Medieval Renaissance Europe, India and the Americas on an array of over 30 instruments. Christy Martin, multiinstrumentalist and vocalist, took up folk music in the ‘80s. Aodh Óg Ó Tuama, an Ireland native, studies Medieval and Renaissance music. The group has toured in the U.S. and Ireland since 1997. 7:30 p.m. $15. Old Town General Store, 408 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing. (517) 487-6847, oldtown-generalstore.com/concerts-in-the-courtyard.