What's up in Lansing: Twyla Tharp and more

Good day on this fairly warm Tuesday.

Twyla Tharp Dance is returning to the Wharton Center in celebration of the center's 50th anniversary.

Twyla Tharp, founder of Twyla Tharp Dance, has choreographed over 160 works, from evening-long dance performances to movies and Broadway shows. Throughout her career, she has received critical acclaim for her choreography and has earned several prestigious awards, including a Tony Award and two Emmy Awards.

Her works are known for their creativity, wit and streetwise nonchalance. Twyla Tharp’s fierce band of dancers will perform a program designed to celebrate the group’s 50th anniversary, set to music by John Zorn, J.S. Bach, jazz trumpeter Steve Bernstein and MSU alum Henry Butler.

A preview talk will be held at 6:45 p.m., and an after-performance chat directly follows the performance.

7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $37. Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 432-2000, whartoncenter.com.

Also today, Rabbi Michael Zimmerman of Lansing’s Congregation Kehillat Isreal hosts a whirlwind international tour of Jewish composers across the centuries, from the madrigals of the Gonzaga court during the Italian Renaissance to recent works by young Jewish composers.

The class is the first in a three-week, Tuesday night series that explores the contributions of Jewish musicians to classical music. The other two classes will discuss Jewish operas (Nov. 10) and Jewish ballets, choreographers and dancers (Nov. 17).

7 p.m. FREE. Congregation Kehillat Israel, 2014 Forest Road, Lansing. (517) 882-0049, kehillatisrael.net.

For more events today, see below.

Classes and Seminars

Lansing Area Codependents Anonymous. 5:45-6:45 p.m. FREE. Everybody Reads, 2019 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) 515-5559, coda.org.

Speakeasies Toastmasters. Improve listening, analysis, leadership and presentation skills. Noon-1 p.m. FREE. Ingham County Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar St., Lansing. (616) 841-5176.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Have a support system, lose weight. 7 p.m. FREE to visit. Eaton Rapids Medical Center, 1500 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids. (517) 543-0786.

Not So Happy Endings Support Group. For women ending relationships. 5:30-7:30 p.m. FREE. Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, 1710 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) 896-3311.

Hopeful Hearts Grief Group. Learn, grow and heal together. 10-11 a.m. FREE. The Marquette Activity Room, 5968 Park Lake Road, East Lansing. (517) 381-4866.

Capital City Toastmasters Meeting. Learn public speaking and leadership skills. 7 p.m. FREE. CADL Downtown Lansing Library, 401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing. (517) 367-6300, cadl.org.

Overeaters Anonymous. Support for weight loss efforts. 7 p.m. FREE. Okemos Presbyterian Church, 2258 Bennett Road, Okemos. (517) 290-5163.

Mommy and Me Gymnastics Class. 10-10:30 a.m. $11. Mother and Earth Baby Boutique, 4601 W. Saginaw Highway, Ste. N Lansing. (517) 977-7096.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Have a support system, lose weight. Wheelchair accessible. Weigh-in 6:30, meeting 7 p.m. FREE first visit. St. Terese Church, 102 W. Randolph St., Lansing. tops.org.

H.E.R.O. Class- Home Winterization. Home improvement class. 6-8 p.m. FREE. Neighborhood Empowerment Center, 600 W. Maple St., Lansing. (517) 372-5980, glhc.org.

Restorative (Chair) Yoga. 3-4:15 p.m. $10 drop-in/$7 members. Meridian Senior Center, 4406 Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 706-5045, meridianseniorcenter.weebly.com.

Transgender Support Group for Parents. Safe discussion of hurdles faced by families. Call for location. 7:15-9 p.m. FREE. Location to be announced. (517) 927-8260.Events

Bible and Beer. Discussion of Scripture's power in daily events. 6 p.m. Midtown Brewing Co. 402 S. Washington Square, Lansing. (517) 482-0600, bibleandbeer@ccclansing.org.

Knitting and Crochet Group. All ages and levels welcome. 11 a.m.-noon FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, elpl.org.

Lunch @ MSC. Register day before. Noon-1 p.m. $5.75/$3 ages 60kknd. Meridian Senior Center, 4406 Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 706-5045, meridianseniorcenter.weebly.com.

Reflexology. 10:20 a.m.-noon $14/$12 members. Meridian Senior Center, 4406 Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 706-5045, meridianseniorcenter.weebly.com.

ToddlerTime. Ages 18-36 months listen to stories and music. 10:15-10:45 a.m./11-11:30 a.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, elpl.org.

Sporcle Live! Trivia. Team based. Win Crunchy's gift certificates. 7 p.m. FREE. Crunchy's Pizza & Burgers, 254 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing.

Music

Karaoke. 8 p.m.-midnight. FREE. Unicorn Tavern, 327 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing. (517) 485-9910.Theater

Twyla Tharp Dance: 50th Anniversary in Dance. Award-winning dancer performs. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20. Wharton Center, 750 E Shaw Lane, East Lansing. 1-800-WHARTON, whartoncenter.com.