What's up in Lansing: Martin Luther King Jr. Day concert, 'The Boys Next Door' and more

Good day and happy weekend.

An MSU concert is calling attention to an important issue Sunday. "Do You Know My Name?," a concert composed by Grammy-winning artist Billy Childs, brings to light the issue of human trafficking. To read more about the concert, see this City Pulse article by Lawrence Cosentino.

Lansing Poetry Club hosts a reading of poetry and prose Sunday celebrating life along Old Grand River — both the river and the road. Featured reading and poet is Joyce Benvenuto, who taught English for 18 years at Haslett Public Schools. The reading will be followed by an open mic, and all are invited to share a poem. Refreshments will be provided. Sunday, 3 p.m. FREE. MICA Gallery, 1210 Turner St., Lansing. micagallery.org.

This week the Owosso Community Players presents 'The Boys Next Door,' the humorous and heartfelt story of four disabled men living together in a communal residence.

The performance marks the 60th anniversary of the Arc Shiawassee, a nonprofit advocacy group that assists individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “I’m hoping that ‘The Boys Next Door’ will bring more awareness about individuals with disabilities in our community and create a greater degree of acceptance.” said Lynn Grubb, executive director of the group.

8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. $15/$13.50 students and seniors/$7.50 children 13 and under. Lebowsky Center, 122 E. Main Street, Owosso. (989) 723-4003, owossoplayers.com.

For more of the weekend's events, see below.

Saturday, January 16

Classes and Seminars

Aux Petits Soins. French immersion class for ages 0-12. See web for specific times for each age group. $15/$12 students. 1824 E. Michigan Ave., Suite F, Lansing. (517) 643-8059, facebook.com/auxpetitssoinsllc.

Cross Country Ski Class. Ski rentals available, must be reserved ahead of time. 9:30-11:30 a.m. $15/$20 with ski rental. Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, Meridian Township. meridian.mi.us.

Lansing Area Multiple Sclerosis Self-Help Support Group. Info and support for MS patients. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. FREE. Sparrow Professional Building, 1200 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing. (517) 393-9747.

Tai Chi at Allen Market Place. Instruction in Qigong, meditation and Yang style tai chi forms. 9-10 a.m. FREE. Allen Market Place, 1619 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing. (517) 272-9379.

Skywatchers of Africa. Planetarium show. 8 p.m. $4/$3.50 students and seniors/$3 kids. Abrams Planetarium, 400 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. (517) 355-4676, abramsplanetarium.org.Events

CADL Adventurer's Role Playing Game Club. Ages 13-18 embark on creative RPG adventure. Call or register online. 2-4 p.m. FREE. CADL Mason, 145 W. Ash St., Mason. (517) 676-9088, cadl.org.

Free Public Tours. 1 and 3 p.m. FREE. Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, 547 E. Circle Drive, MSU Campus, East Lansing.

Ladies Night Out. Vendors, massages, refreshments and door prizes. 6-9 p.m. $10 in advance/$12 at door. Bath Community Center, 5959 Park Lake Road, Bath. (517) 641-6728.

Meet Author/Ilustrator Ruth McNally Barshaw. Author helps kids write and sketch. Call to register. 2-3 p.m. FREE. CADL Haslett, 1590 Franklin St., Haslett. (517) 339-2324, cadl.org.

Mobile Food Pantry. Food for those in need. 9-11 a.m. FREE. Tabernacle of David Church, 2645 W. Holmes Road, Lansing.

Puppet-making Workshop. Puppet crafts made from a variety of materials followed by puppet show. 11 a.m.-noon FREE. CADL Dansville, 1379 E. Mason St., Dansville. (517) 623-6511.

Trailer Park Boys, 7 p.m. The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

Theater

All My Sons. Post-WWII drama by Arthur Miller. 8 p.m. $15/$12 students and seniors. Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive, Lansing. (517) 482-5700, riverwalktheatre.com.Music

MSU Guest Recital: Michael Heald, violin, and Timothy Lovelace, piano. 8-9:30 p.m. $10/$8 seniors/students FREE. Cook Recital Hall, MSU Music Building, 333 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing. (517) 353-5340, ow.ly/WOkjI.

Whoa, Nelly! Rides Again @ Red Cedar Spirits. Americana, roots, blues, country, folk and gospel tunes. 7:30-9:30 p.m. FREE. Red Cedar Spirits, 2000 Merritt Road, East Lansing. whoanelly.org.Nightmare After Christmas, 9 p.m. The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.Chip Christy, 8 p.m. Black Cat Bistro, 115 Albert Ave., Lansing.Alistar, 8 p.m. Blue Gill Grill, 1591 Lake Lansing Rd., Lansing.Grant Hendrickson, 8:30 p.m. Capital Prime, 2324 Showtime Dr., Lansing.Karaoke, 9 p.m. Crunchy's, 254 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing.The Tenants, 9:30 p.m. Darb's, 117 S. Cedar St., Mason.Third Degree, 9 p.m. Esquire, 1250 Turner St., Lansing.Well Enough Alone, 9:30 p.m. The Exchange, 314 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.Chris Lasko, 7 p.m. Gallery Brewery, 143 Kent St., Portland.Mix Pack, 9:30 p.m. Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.Karaoke, 9:30 p.m. Leroys, 1526 S. Cedar St., Lansing.Bobby Knucklez, 8 p.m. Mac's Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.Those Delta Rhythm Kings, 9 p.m. Moriarty's Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.Kathy Ford, 7 p.m. Reno's East, 1310 Abbot Road, East Lansing.Life Support, 7 p.m. Reno's North, 16460 Old US 27, Lansing.New Rule, 7 p.m. Reno's West, 5001 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing.Blind Ambition, 9:30 p.m. The Roadhouse, 70 W. Grand Ledge Hwy., Mulliken.The Third Degree, 9 p.m. Unicorn Tavern, 327 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing.Capitol City DJs, 10 p.m. Watershed Tavern and Grill 5965 Marsh Rd., Haslett.Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, 10:30 p.m. Whiskey Barrel, 410 S. Clippert St., Lansing.

Sunday, January 17

Classes and Seminars

Charlotte Yoga Club. Beginner to intermediate levels. 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. $5 annually. AL!VE, 800 W. Lawrence Road, Charlotte. (517) 285-0138, charlotteyoga.net.

Perfect Little Planet. Planetarium show. 2 p.m. $4/$3.50 students and seniors/$3 kids. Abrams Planetarium, 400 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. (517) 355-4676, abramsplanetarium.org.

Skywatchers of Africa. Planetarium show. 2 p.m. $4/$3.50 students and seniors/$3 kids. Abrams Planetarium, 400 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. (517) 355-4676, abramsplanetarium.org.

Events

Free Public Tours. 1 and 3 p.m. FREE. Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, 547 E. Circle Drive, MSU Campus, East Lansing.

Lansing Area Sunday Swing Dance. Lessons 6-6:45 p.m., dance 6:45. $8 dance/$10 dance & lesson. The Lansing Eagles, 4700 N. Grand River Ave., Lansing. (517) 490-7838.

Swiss Steak Dinner. Meal in a family-friendly atmosphere. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $10/$4 kids. Lansing Liederkranz Club, 5828 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. (517) 882-6330, liederkranzclub.org.

Snow Tales Guide Walk. Naturalist-guided nature walk. 3 p.m. $3/$7 per family. Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, Okemos. (517) 349-3866, meridian.mi.us.Theater

All My Sons. Post-WWII drama by Arthur Miller. 2 p.m. $15/$12 students and seniors. Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive, Lansing. (517) 482-5700, riverwalktheatre.com.Music

Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer, and Protest Concert. Billy Childs performs. 3 and 7 p.m. FREE, ticket required. Fairchild Theater, MSU Auditorium, 542 Auditorium Rd., East Lansing. (517) 353-5340, ow.ly/WORTx.

New in Student Performance. Doctoral student and chamber group perform original score. 2 p.m. FREE. Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, 547 E. Circle Drive, MSU Campus, East Lansing.