What's up in Lansing: Oars and Ales, Oktoberfest, theater openings and more

Good day on this chilly, rainy Friday.

River Town Adventures and Lansing Brewing Company team up for Oars and Ales, an event where participants can roll down the river straight to the brewery for a cold beer. Paddlers meet up at Lansing Brewing Company, where a party bus will take them to Potter Park Zoo to begin a two-hour-long kayak or canoe trip to the Lansing City Market. From there, participants are brought back to the brewery for an after party. With their ticket, paddlers receive a t-shirt, a crowler (growler/can combo) and crowler coozie, a snack for the river as well as a chance to participate in giveaways. Kayaks and canoes from River Town Adventures are available on a first come, first serve basis, but you can bring your own boat as well. Lansing Brewing Company, 518 E. Shiawassee St., Lansing. 4:30-6:30 p.m. $50. Septemberoarsandales.eventbrite.com.

Even if you can’t make it to Munich this year for Oktoberfest, you can still break out your lederhosen and your dirndls and head down to Old Town’s yearly festival. The two-day event — for ages 21 and up — offers a wide selection of Oktoberfest brews and hard ciders from Lansing Brewing Company, Uncle John’s Cider Mill and Ellison Brewery kknd Spirits. This year’s music lineup features Heartland Klezmorim, the Polish Muslims, the Atomic Boogaloo Band and more. Saturday attendees can check out afternoon polka lessons from Mark Taylor. Admission includes a souvenir stein and four food/drink tickets. 6-11 p.m. Friday; 3-11 p.m. Saturday. $18/$30 for both days before Thursday; $22/$40 for both days at door. Old Town, intersection of Turner St. and Grand River Ave., Lansing. (517) 485-4283, oldtownoktoberfest.com.

Grove Gallery & Studios hosts a triple-reception for three of its exhibitions Friday. “On the Edge,” one of the three exhibits, features work from nine artists in a variety of styles and mediums. The theme of "edges" has been taken literally by some and conceptually by others. Another exhibit, “100 Pears: A Journey of Discovery” includes works depicting pears by award-winning designer Jennifer Rosseter. The third, “One Man, One Barn, One-of-a-kind” by artist and craftsman Mark Rosseter, presents a collection of unique modern wooden furniture. 5:30-8 p.m. FREE. Grove Gallery & Studios, 325A Grove St., East Lansing. (517) 333-7180, grovegalleryandstudios.com.

A seemingly posh world is strained by the threat of violence in “Punk Rock,” the latest production from MSU’s Department of Theatre. Eight British students are driven to violence by a potent mix of academic pressure, romantic worries and the constant harassment of the class bully. The play, written by English playwright Simon Stephens, is directed by Rob Roznowski. In conjunction with Saturday’s performance, the Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence co-sponsors a free symposium on youth and gun violence. Details can be found on the MSU Department of Theatre’s website. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Oct. 1; TBA on Oct. 8 depending on football game. $15. Studio 60 Theatre, 542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. (517) 355-6690, theatre.msu.edu.

LCC Theatre Program kicks off its season with the tale of fierce, relentless battle — well, as fierce as a fight between a teenager and her SAT tutor can be. The sophisticated, wealthy Jamie opens the door one day, expecting her drug dealer, only to find herself face-to-face with nerdy college student Clark. Though the two initially clash, they eventually form an alliance and learn to see past their misgivings for the sake of their goals. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday. $10/$5 students. LCC Black Box Theatre, 168 Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave., Lansing. (517) 483-1488, lcc.edu/showinfo.

For more local events, see below.

Classes and Seminars

Gentle Yoga. Relaxing pace class suitable for beginners. 11 a.m.-noon. First class FREE/$5/$3 members. Williamston High School, 3939 Vanneter Road, Williamston.Literature and Poetry

Randy D Pearson's Book Talk. Author talks about writing and publishing and shares excerpts from his work. 7-8 p.m. FREE. Charlotte Community Library, 226 S. Bostwick St., Charlotte. (517) 543-8859, charlottelibrary.org.Music

The Joe Hill Road Show. Concert on the music, life of WWI songwriter. 7:30 to 10 p.m. $18/$15 fiddle members/$5 students. MSU Community Music School, 841-B Timberlane St. East Lansing. (517) 337-7744, tenpoundfiddle.org.

The Scratch Pilots Present: Get Busy Fridays. Featuring DJ'S McCoy, Don Black and Cutt-Nice. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $3. The RIV, 231 M.A.C., East Lansing.

Black Lives Matter Fundraiser, 8 p.m. The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave.

Steve Cowles, 6 p.m. Brookshire, 205 W. Church St.

Rush Clement, 7:30 p.m. Buddies - Okemos, 1937 W Grand River Ave

Lee Groove, 8 p.m. Classic Pub & Grill, 16219 Old US 27

Smash Alley, 9 p.m. Colonial Bar, 3425 S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

Scott Seth, 9 p.m. Darb's, 117 S. Cedar St., Mason

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

Cheap Date, 10 p.m. Dublin Square, 327 Abbot Road

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

The Wise Guys, 9:30 p.m. The Exchange, 314 E. Michigan Ave.

Glamhammer, 9:30 p.m. Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan Ave.

Mark Sala, 5:30 p.m. Harrison Roadhouse, 720 Michigan Ave.,

Alistair, 6 p.m. Harper's, 131 Albert Ave.

Trax A Trillion Birthday Extravaganza, 8 p.m. Mac's Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave.

Jim Shaneberger Band, 9 p.m. Moriarty's Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave.

Jacob Ford, 6 p.m. Reno's East, 1310 Abbot Road

Elkabong, 6 p.m. Reno's North, 16460 Old US 27

Life Support, 6 p.m. Reno's West, 5001 W. Saginaw Hwy.

Kari Holmes & Modern Day Drifters, 7:30 p.m. Tequila Cowboy, 5660 W. Saginaw Hwy.

The Rotations, 9 p.m. Unicorn Tavern, 327 E. Grand River Ave.

Capitol City DJs, 10 p.m. Watershed Tavern and Grill 5965 Marsh Rd.

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

Theater

Burn This. Trio of friends cope with the death of a friend. 8-10 p.m. $12/$10 seniors and students. Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive, Lansing. (517) 482-5700, riverwalktheatre.com.

Punk Rock. British students challenge the establishment and themselves. 8 p.m. $15. Studio 60 Theatre, 542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. (517) 355-6690, theatre.msu.edu.

None of the Above. Snappy comedy about student and tutor. 8 p.m. $10/$5 students. Black Box Theatre, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave., Lansing. (517) 483-1488, lcc.edu/cma/events.Events

Oars and Ales. Two-hour paddling adventure with afterparty and transportation to and from river. 4:30 p.m. $50. Lansing Brewing Co., 513 E. Shiawassee St., Lansing. ow.ly/erCn304t2N4.

After School Teen Program. For teens in grades 7-12. 2:30-5:30 p.m. FREE. All Saints Episcopal Church, 800 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351- 2420, elpl.org.

Bras Along the River Trail. Bra decorating in honor of those affected by breast cancer. 5-7 p.m. FREE. Supplies can be purchased. Lansing City Market, 325 City Market Drive, Lansing. (517) 483-7460, ow.ly/xonB304omEC.

Back to the Moon for Good. Show on space exploration. 8-9 p.m. $3-4. Abrams Planetarium, 755 Science Road East Lansing. (517) 355-4672, ow.ly/SOuP304fb2G.

Greater Lansing Balloon Festival. Hot-air balloons launched. 4-8 p.m. $5. Hope Sports Complex, 5801 Aurelius Road, Lansing. greaterlansingballoonfestival.com.

Old Town Oktoberfest. Beer and German culture festival. 6-11 p.m. $18/$22 adv.; weekend passes available. Old Town at Turner Street and Grand River Avenue, Lansing. (517) 485-4283, oldtownoktoberfest.com.

Arts

Grove Gallery Art Reception. Reception for three art shows. 5:30-8 p.m. FREE. Grove Gallery and Studios, 325 Grove St., East Lansing. (517) 333-7180.

The Cultural Rhetoric Show. Art reception for scholars and artists. 5:30-7:30 p.m. FREE. Reach Studio Art Center, 1804 S. Washington Ave., Lansing. (517) 999-3643. reachstudioart.org.