What's up in Lansing: "Motortown," Shuto Con and more

Good day on this cloudy Friday.

You may notice some colorful characters roaming the streets of downtown Lansing this weekend. But don’t be alarmed, they're probably headed to Shuto Con, Lansing's annual anime and cosplay convention. The three-day convention features panels hosted by industry professionals and amateur fans on topics ranging from "Introduction to Cosplay Photography" to "The Reality of Anime Voice Acting" to "Playing With Power: A Nintendo Fan Panel.” Other events include costume competitions, live music from the band Freezepop and an exhibit hall of artist and vendor booths. Last year’s convention drew over 6,000 participants; organizers are hoping to top 7,000 this year. A portion of the convention’s proceeds benefits the United Way of Genesee County’s Flint Water Fund. 9 a.m. Friday-6 p.m. Sunday. $55 weekend pass/$30 Friday only/$35 Saturday only/$25 Sunday only/$15 child pass. Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. shutocon.com.

LCC Theatre Program’s latest production examines the human cost of war. The story follows Danny, a British soldier recently returned from a tour in Basra, Iraq. After a rejection from an old flame, Danny purchases a gun and sets off on a road trip across a homeland he no longer recognizes. Written by Simon Stephen, Motortown debuted in 2006 and won an Olivier Award for best new play in 2005. LCC's production is directed by Andy Callis. Due to mature content, the play is not recommended for children. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $10/$5 students. Black Box Theatre, 168 Gannon Building, 422 N. Washington Square, Lansing. (517) 483-1488, lcc.edu/showinfo.

Two Minnesotan cowboys bring their stories and songs to the big city Friday for a show hosted by Ten Pound Fiddle. Guitarist/fiddler Pop Wagner, who also sings and calls square dances, performs alongside Bob Bovee, a fellow guitarist as well as harmonica player, banjoist, singer and yodeler. The duo bring a slate of cowboy songs and square dance numbers, as well as original songs and instrumental pieces. The pair tours throughout the U.S. and Canada and has toured Europe four times. 8 p.m. $15/$12 Ten Pound Fiddle members/$5 students. MSU Community Music School, 4930 S. Hagadorn Road, East Lansing. (517) 337-7744, tenpoundfiddle.org.

Once upon a time lived 12 beautiful princesses — with a secret. Though each night their bedroom door is firmly locked, by morning their dancing shoes appear inexplicably worn out. Distraught, the king promises one daughter's hand in marriage to anyone who can solve the puzzle. Mid Michigan Family Theatre presents the story of these princesses and the mystery of their nocturnal dancing habits. Based on a fairy tale from the Grimm brothers, the play is adapted by Charles DeWald. This production is directed by Bill Gordon and features choreography by Lia Baldori. 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and March 25; 3 p.m. Sunday; 2 and 4:30 p.m. on March 26. $7/$5 students and seniors. Happendance Performance Space, 3448 Hagadorn Road, Okemos. mmft.org.

Not everything exists in just black and white. This is the argument of artist Jessica Kovan’s new exhibit, "The Shadow Side," which examines the way elements of both good and bad make up the world around us. According to Kovan, recognizing the duality of light and dark is necessary, albeit difficult, in creating beauty. Her mixed-media works take simple, everyday objects and present them in a complex way. The gallery celebrates the opening of the exhibit with a Friday evening reception. A portion of the proceeds from works sold in the show benefit the Firecracker Foundation, a local nonprofit that helps child victims of sexual abuse. The exhibit runs through April 24. 5:30-8 p.m. FREE. Grove Gallery and Studios, 325A Grove St., East Lansing. (517) 333-7180, grovegalleryandstudios.com.

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.

Bernice Bobs Her Hair: Women in 1920s America. Talk by Dr. Shirley Wajda, MSU Museum curator of history. Noon-1 p.m. FREE. MSU Museum Auditorium, 409 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing. museum.msu.edu.

Breaking into Wholesale Markets: Presentation, Standards, and Pricing. Lesson for farmers on selling at wholesale markets. Register online. 1-3p.m. FREE. Allen Market Place, 1619 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing. (517) 999-3923, tinyurl.com/p7jecrt.

Mud & Mug. Pottery workshop. Guests can bring food and drink. 7-10 p.m. $25. Reach Studio Art Center, 1804 S. Washington Ave. Lansing. reachstudioart.org.Literature and Poetry

Meet Author-Illustrator David Small. Ages 13 and up can meet graphic novel author. 6:30-7:30 p.m. FREE. CADL Downtown Lansing, 401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing. (517) 367-6363.

Music

An Evening of Jazz. With Organic Vibes jazz trio. 7 to 9 p.m. $7. Wilson Center Auditorium, 101 W. Cass St., St. Johns. (989) 224-8159, wilsoncenterauditorium.org.

Mason Orchestral Society Concert. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Donations welcome. Plymouth Congregational Church, 2001 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing. masonorchestras.org

The Coffeehouse at All Saints. Musical/spoken word showcase. 7:30-9:30 p.m. FREE. All Saints Episcopal Church, 800 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 402-2582, ow.ly/XeLKP.

Dan Nichols. 7:30 p.m. FREE. Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 1924 Coolidge Road East Lansing.

Honah Lee, 9 p.m. The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

Alistair, 7 p.m. Brookshire, 205 W. Church St., Williamston.

Rush Clement, 8:30 p.m. Capital Prime, 2324 Showtime Dr., Lansing.

Young Guns, 9 p.m. Coach’s Pub & Grill, 6201 Bishop Rd., Lansing.

Karaoke, 9 p.m. Crunchy's, 254 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing.

DJ Brendan, 9 p.m. Esquire, 1250 Turner St., Lansing.

Mix Pack, 9:30 p.m. The Exchange, 314 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

Karaoke, 7:30 p.m. Grand Cafe/Sir Pizza, 201 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing.

Miranda & the M-80s, 9:30 p.m. Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

Steve Cowles, 5:30 p.m. Harrison Roadhouse, 720 Michigan Ave., East Lansing.

Stefanie Haapala, 7 p.m. The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

Hordes, 8 p.m. Mac's Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

East Side Players, 9 p.m. Moriarty's Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

New Rule, 7 p.m. Reno's East, 1310 Abbot Road, East Lansing.

Bobby Standall, 7 p.m. Reno's North, 16460 Old US 27, Lansing.

Rachel Curtis, 7 p.m. Reno's West, 5001 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing.

Philip Fox Band, 8:30 p.m. Tequila Cowboy, 5660 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing.

Frog & the Beeftones,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.

Joe Wright, 6 p.m. Waterfront Bar and Grill, 325 City Market Dr., Lansing.

Theater

Just Another High School Musical. Musical by Bryan Starchman. 7 p.m. $5/$3 kids. Perry High School, 2555 Britton Road, Perry.

Motortown. Complex and provocative look at the human costs of war. 8-9:30 p.m. $10/$5 students. Lansing Community College, 500 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing. (517) 483-1546, lcc.edu/showinfo.

Twelve Dancing Princesses. Story from the Brothers Grimm adapted for stage. 7 p.m. $7/$5 seniors and students. Happendance Studios, 3448 Hagadorn Road, Okemos. mmft.org.

Motown the Musical. Musical about the life of Berry Gordy. 8 p.m. Tickets from $38. Cobb Great Hall, Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. 1-800-WHARTON, whartoncenter.com.

Events

Coloring for Adults. Adults relax by coloring. Call or register online. 2-3 p.m. FREE. CADL Mason, 145 W. Ash St., Mason. (517) 676-9088, cadl.org.

Curious George Storytime. Stories for families. 10:30-11 a.m. FREE. All Saints Episcopal Church, 800 Abbot Road, East Lansing. elpl.org.

Epon Golf Demo Day. Demos on equipment from Epon Golf and TruGolf Prestige simulators. 3-6 p.m. FREE. Leading Edge Golf, 2805 Jolly Road, Suite 260, Okemos. leadingedgegolf.com.

Howl at the Moon: Guided Night Walk. Guided nature walk. Leashed dogs welcome. 7:30-8:30 p.m. $3. Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, Meridian Township. (517) 349-3866, bit.ly/HNCprg.

Minecraft Game Night. Ages 8-15 game together. Call or register online. 7-8:30 p.m. FREE. CADL South Lansing, 3500 S. Cedar St., Lansing. (517) 272-9840 ext 202, cadl.org.

Shuto Con. 3-day-long anime and gaming convention. 9 a.m.-midnight. Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. shutocon.com.

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

Spring Storytime. Ages 3-6 enjoy storytime. 10:30-11:30 a.m. FREE. CADL Mason, 145 W. Ash St., Mason. (517) 676-9088, cadl.org.

Arts

The Shadow Side Opening Reception. Featuring paintings and mask art from Jessica Kovan. 5:30-8 p.m. Grove Gallery and Studios, 325 Grove St., East Lansing.