Making it happen

“Making and maker events started in Silicon Valley in the mid-2000s,” said Kara Hope, president of the Holt Community Arts Council. “Since then, maker events have taken place all across the United States and around the world.”

Maker events give makers a chance to share their work with the public. Saturday’s Maker Expo is as a place for inventors, crafters, and others makers to show off their projects.

“The idea is to encourage innovation,” Hope said. “Often, that innovation comes through the use of technology. For example, makers were among the first to explore the uses of 3D printing.”

Saturday’s all-ages event features many engaging activities lined up for the community, including a Spicy Salsa Competition with free taste testing and voting, a visit from REACH Studio Art Center’s truck, a solar-powered car on display and guest appearances by maker groups like the Lansing Makers Network and Okemos’ Mini Maker Space. The wide range of exhibits runs the gamut from the whimsical to the practical.

“Even if they don’t call themselves ‘makers,’ we know that we have creative people here in Delhi Township and the mid-Michigan area,” said Sara Reedy, event organizer and Holt Community Arts Council vice president. “We want to give them a chance to share what they have created. And we want to give residents and visitors the opportunity to see what kind of talent exists right here.”

Impression 5 will also be on hand, bringing a giant catapult for kids to experiment with. A live music showcase will feature Taylor Taylor and Sierra Denae of MI Chicks with Picks, a group dedicated to promoting women in music.

While the Maker Expo is designed to appeal to both adults and kids, attendees over the age of 21 are invited to their own adults-only event. Beer Works, which is designed to complement the Maker Expo, will feature tasty, locally-brewed beers from Sleepwalker Spirits and Ales, Old Nation, EagleMonk Pub and Brewery and more.

The Holt community has been asking the arts council to bring an art fair to Holt for years, Hope said, but because the region already has so many art festivals, it was hard to find the right niche. Hope wanted to bring something would make visitors say, “Wow!” or ask, “How do they do that?” She hopes that the Maker Expo and Beer Works will provide that experience.

“It should be a great day of fun for everybody, and we’ll have something that will appeal to just about everyone,” said Hope. “ We’re pretty excited and we hope for a great turn out.”

Maker Expo

Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 FREE Veterans Memorial Gardens 2074 Aurelius Road, Holt (517) 614-6737, holtarts.org

Beer Works

1-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8  $35/$30 adv. Veterans Memorial Gardens 2074 Aurelius Road, Holt (517) 614-6737, holtarts.org

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 >> FILM SCREENING: ‘2 SECONDS’

Old Town’s MICA Gallery continues its celebration of “Spokespeople,” its new cycling-themed exhibit of works by artists Khalid Ibrahim and Terry Seiting, with a screening of “2 Seconds,” a film that explores a burgeoning love between two former racing cyclists. In the film, a cyclist named Laurie loses a big race by two seconds due to a preoccupation with a single gray hair she found on her head that morning. The tiny amount of time seems to haunt Laurie, and she resigns herself to a life as a bike messenger. But after she meets Lorenzo, a cyclist who retired due to similar circumstances, the two slowly learn from one another how to let go of past mistakes. The film is presented in French with English subtitles. 7 p.m. FREE. MICA Gallery, 1210 Turner St., Lansing. micagallery.org.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 >> RAKUGO: TRADITIONAL JAPANESE SIT-DOWN COMIC

The Asian Studies Center at MSU invites you to experience Rakugo, a form of entertainment steeped in 400 years of Japanese tradition. Rakugo is a form of ancient Japanese comedy where the performer remains seated in front of their audience. Using only a paper fan and a small cloth, the lone entertainer weaves a complex and comical story through changes in their voice and subtle movement. The evening will feature performances by Atsuko Deguchi and Eiji Hamaoka, both former members of the Rakugo Study Club at Kobe University in Kobe, Japan. The performance will be preceded by refreshments at 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m. FREE. Wells Hall 2nd Floor Atrium, B Wing, MSU Campus, East Lasning. (517) 353-1680, asia. isp.msu.edu.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 >> GREAT LAKES FOLK FEST KICK-OFF: UKE STRUM

The Great Lakes Folk Festival promises a weekend full of unique music, food and activities. But before the festival really gets rolling, Ben Hassenger, local musician and organizer of Old Town’s Mighty Uke Day, will lead an army of ukulele enthusiasts in a community ukulele strum in front of East Lansing City Hall. Guests are encouraged to bring their own uke and music stand, but there will be some loaners on hand. Sheet music for the songs that are going to be played is available for download via the link provided. 6 p.m. FREE. Great Lakes Folk Festival City Hall Stage, Abbot Street, East Lansing. tinyurl.com/GLFF2015.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8–9 >> SUNDOWN SAFARI AT POTTER PARK ZOO

Potter Park Zoo is giving guests a chance to check out what all of its wild inhabitants do after dark with its Sundown Safari event. Guests will camp overnight at the park and will be treated to a guided tour through the zoo led by the zoo’s knowledgeable and fun staff, have a snack by a campfire and partake in an educational program after a continental breakfast in the morning. Guests should plan on bringing amenities normally expected for a camping trip, like sleeping bags, tents, bug spray and toiletries. Zoo admission and parking are included in the price of the event. 6:30 p.m. $30/$25 members. Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. (517) 342-2713, potterparkzoo.org.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 >> ROCKING AND MIXING IN THE PARK

There is something for everyone at Sunday’s Rocking and Mixing in the Park charity event. Guests can check out live art demonstrations by local artists, get a massage, participate in a yoga class, get a free tie-dye shirt from Michigan Shirt Works, listen to several live music acts and DJs, watch competing teams running around in giant inflatable spheres in a game of Knockerball and so much more. While the event is free, Rocking and Mixing will have several charitable organizations in attendance offering visitors a chance for attendees to give a little back as well. For a full list of music, activities, charities and schedules, check out the website. Noon-9 p.m. FREE. Ferris Park, 400 N. Walnut St., Lansing. ow.ly/Qtujl.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 >> BBQ BLOCK PARTY

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer. Locally, Armory Alliance Neighbor Watch #237 is celebrating evening with a BBQ Block Party. There will be a free outdoor picnic with hot dogs and burgers, bike decorating and a small parade. Members from local police and fire department will be in attendance, as well as that stalwart canine for awareness of crime in our neighborhoods, McGruff the Crime Dog. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and a dish to pass. 6-9 p.m. FREE. Second block of Horton Street, Lansing. (810) 882-1035.