Broad appetizer, Pump house main course

It may seem like a strange combination, but the Broad Art Museum’s Acoustic Lunch concert series is an opportunity for Lansing community members to pack a lunch and listen to concert previews by artists who perform with Pump House Concerts.

At noon Wednesday, guests can absorb the sound of the Accidentals, a group of singer-songwriters and multiinstrumentalists from Traverse City. The group will perform a full concert later that evening in East Lansing’s intimate Pump House venue.

Among the three of them, the Accidentals play more instruments than you can shake a glockenspiel at. Founding members Katie Larson and Savannah Buist met in 2011 as high-school classmates. Both grew up with musical families and later developed their talents with professors from Interlochen Center for the Arts, where Larson’s father is a pianist.

In 2014, the duo brought in Michael Dause to play percussion and have been performing with him ever since. July marked his one-year anniversary with the group.

To the band, community support is invaluable.

“Community has been huge for us since we started four years ago,” the girls said. “The same local bookstores and breweries that we played at back then are still the places we play at today.”

Thanks to the dedication of the individuals and organizations that love the sound of the Accidentals, the band’s second album, “Bittersweet,” was born. Backers provided $11,500 to bring the project to fruition in 2013. To inspire support, the band sold off guitars and other merchandise as part of the fundraising campaign.

“The fan base finds incredible new ways to support us all the time,” said the band, which affectionately refers to its fans as the “Famgrove.” The term comes from the title of its song “Mangrove,” and the word “family.”

Dedicated listeners can purchase a Famgrove lifetime membership for exclusive perks such as free downloads, free admissions to certain concerts, and access to a private blog.

Collaboration and partnership with other musicians has also been essential.

“There are a lot of Michigan artists who have adopted us as little sisters,” explained Buist and Larson. Two figures in particular have taken the band under their wings: songwriter Marshall Crenshaw and producer Stewart Lerman, who are helping to create their next album.

The group finds much of its support here in Michigan. Though they have toured across much of the country, they frequently find places to perform in the Mitten State.

“Savannah is actually working on a new song about Michigan with another Michigan artist,” Larson revealed. Though the band has a contract for four more albums, this song will be a single.

Acoustic Lunch: The Accidentals

Noon Wednesday, July 22 FREE Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Education Wing 547 East Circle Drive, East Lansing (517) 541-5690, broadmuseum.msu.edu

The Accidentals at the Pump House

7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 $15 suggested donation 368 Orchard St., East Lansing (517) 927-2100, facebook.com/pumphouseconcerts

FRIDAY, JULY 17-19 & JULY 24-26 >> ALICE IN WONDERLAND AT RIVERWALK THEATRE

Children in Riverwalk Theatre’s Young Artisan Workshop have been Theater in summer workshops learning how to act, make props and design PREVIEW costumes, and now they ready to put their new skills to work. This cast and crew, ranging in age from 10 to 18, will perform a new adaption of Lewis Carroll’s beloved tale written by Riverwalk Theatre Young Artisan Workshop alumnus Christian Thompson. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $8/$6 children 12 and under. Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive, Lansing. (517) 482- 5700, riverwalktheatre.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 16-19 >> DOWNTOWN EAST LANSING 2015 SIDEWALK SALE

Take advantage of some great deals while supporting local businesses as the City of East Lansing partners with several downtown East Lansing businesses, art galleries and restaurants to host its annual sidewalk sales. In addition to the sales, the Sea Cruisers, best known for its blend of music from the 50s, 60s and 70s, will perform inside Ann Street Plaza on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. See website for participating locations. FREE. Downtown East Lansing, (517) 319-6931, cityofeastlansing.com/1631/sidewalk-sales.

FRIDAY JULY 17 >> TURNER STREET OUTDOOR THEATER

Pull up a lawn chair and grab some popcorn as Turner Street Outdoor Theater turns Old Town’s Cesar Chavez Plaza into an outdoor movie theater. This week’s selection is Disney’s animated sci-fi movie “Big Hero 6,” preceded by live music from Kevin Reynolds and John Beltran. 9-11:30 p.m. FREE. Lot 56/Cesar Chavez Plaza, intersection of Turner Street and Grand River Avenue, Lansing. (517) 485-4283, iloveoldtown.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 17 >> WE COLLECT STUFF

The Broad Museum invites you to explore your hoarder side as it talks collecting with local business owners from Curious Book Shop and Flat Black & Circular. Community members will also have unique personal collections on display, and a panel from the museum will discuss the art that MSU has collected over the years and how it has been collected. A cash bar will be available. 7 p.m. FREE. Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, 547 E. Circle Drive, East Lansing. (517) 884-4800, broadmuseum.msu.edu.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22-26 >> ‘STORY THEATRE’ AT LCC

Theater For the final show in its series of outdoor theater, LCC presents a unique take on classic tales with “Story Theatre.” The performance features several short plays based on myths and folk tales from old volumes such as “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” and “Aesop’s Fables.” The performance utilizes a technique developed by Paul Sills, founder of the first improvisational theater in the U.S., which incorporates elements like mime and dance. The family-friendly ‘Story Theatre’ includes classics stories like “Henny Penny,” “The Golden Goose,” “The Fisherman and His Wife,” “The Robber Baron” and more. The rain location for all performances will be LCC’s Dart Auditorium. 7 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. FREE. LCC Outdoor Amphitheatre, 610 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing. lcc.edu/showinfo.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 >> ANNUAL COMMUNITY GARDEN TOUR

The Greater Lansing Food Bank offers residents an opportunity to exercise both their bodies and their eyes with its Annual Community Garden Tour. This tour, which can be taken on bus, by bike or on foot, takes participants to different gardens around the city, all the while sharing stories about the people, plants and food involved. Snacks are provided. Call or email gardenproject@glfoodbank.org to register. 5:30 p.m. snacks, 6 p.m. tour. Garden Project Resource Center, Foster Park, Kalamazoo St., Lansing for bus and walking tours or Riddle School, 221 Huron St., Lansing for bike tour. (517) 853-7809.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 >> ALLEN STREET FARMERS MARKET’S ANNUAL KIDS FESTIVAL

Fun and good health are what the Sparrow Physician’s Health Plan intends to spread at the annual Kids Festival at the Allen Street Farmer’s Market, inspired by a desire to keep kids safe from lead poisoning. In addition to building arts and crafts, playing games and having their faces painted, kids and adults can receive free health checks. Kids can get free eye exams, lead screenings and immunizations, while adults can receive free heart screening and blood pressure checks. Local ukulele aficionado Ben Hassenger will provide live music. 2:30 – 7 p.m., Allen Street Farmers Market, 1619 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing. (517) 999-3911, allenmarketplace.com