What's up in Lansing: 'The Odd Couple,' 'Mamma Mia!' and more

Good day on this sunny Friday.

The GLBT Alumni Association of MSU honors the late Bill Beachler, the group’s former secretary and a longtime activist in the Greater Lansing LGBTQ community, at its annual homecoming reception Friday. Beachler, who died in January, was a 40-year MSU football season ticket holder and organizer of the GLBT Homecoming Reception since its inception. The evening includes a memorial speech and a display of Beachler’s accomplishments, as well as a heavy appetizer meal and the presentation of this year’s Pride Scholarships recipients. 6:30 p.m. $20/$10 students. Red Cedar Room, Kellogg Center, 55 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing. (517) 449-6479, msu.edu/user/glbtalum.

In 1985, twenty years after the debut of “The Odd Couple,” playwright Neil Simon decided to put a twist on his classic comedy in the form of a gender-swapped script. Felix becomes Florence and Oscar becomes Olive, but the gags and wit remain the same. Starlight Dinner Theatre's production, directed by Lisa Sodman Elzinga, stars Charlotte Ruppert as the uptight Florence Ungar and Rachel Mender as easygoing Olive Madison. 6:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Show and dinner: $36/$33 students and seniors; show only: $15/$14 students and seniors. Waverly East Intermediate School, 3131 W. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) 599-2779, starlightdinnertheatre.com.

“Mamma Mia!,” Broadway’s hit ABBA-inspired musical, says “here we go again” for the last time at the Wharton Center this weekend. The production’s farewell tour comes to East Lansing Friday for a three-night stand. The disco-flavored musical comedy follows a young woman who, on the eve of her wedding, sets out to determine which of three men is her father. When she invites the trio to the small Greek island she and her mother live on, she finds that this question doesn’t have an easy answer. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets from $41/$28 students. Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 432-2000, whartoncenter.com.

For more local events, see below.

Classes and Seminars

8 Eight Week Intro to A Course In Miracles. A course on spirituality. 6:30-8:30 p.m. St. Katherine's Episcopal Church, 4650 N. Meridian Road, Williamston. (616) 403-2878

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.

Introduction to A Course In Miracles. Four-week workshop on peace and forgiveness. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $6 per class. St. Katherine's Episcopal Church, 4650 N. Meridian Road, Williamston. (517) 371-3010, unitylansing.org

Palatte to Palate. Paint with palette of color while treating your palate to refreshments you bring. 7-9:30 p.m. $28/$50 pairs. Reach Studio Art Center, 1804 S. Washington Ave. Lansing. (517) 999-3643, ow.ly/XUOtR.

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally. Leadership workshop hosted by Latino Leaders for the Enhancement of Advocacy and Development. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. $25. Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing. (517) 515-9800Music

Jazz Orchestras and Jazz Guitarist Russell Malone. 8 p.m. $25/$12 seniors/$5 students and children. Fairchild Theatre, 542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. 517-353-5340, music.msu.edu/event-listing.

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

The Whiskey Charmers. Alt-country duo with openers Trevor James Musical Sound and Joshua Barton & Seerstones. 7-9 p.m. $5. Wilson Center Auditorium, 101 W. Cass St., St. Johns. (989) 227-2425, wilsoncenterauditorium.org.

The Gloryholes, 5 p.m.The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave.

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

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

Smooth Daddy, 9:30 p.m. The Exchange, 314 E. Michigan Ave.

Tell Yo' Mama, 9:30 p.m. Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan Ave.

Touche Amore, 7 p.m. The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave.

Stefanie Haapala, 7 p.m. Mac's Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave.

Twyla Birdsong Band, 9 p.m. Moriarty's Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave.

Hoosier Highway, 8:15 p.m. Tequila Cowboy, 5660 W. Saginaw Hwy.

Hot Mess, 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

Female version of The Odd Couple. Update of Neil Simon's comic classic. 6:30-9:45 p.m. Show only: $15/$10 children. With dinner: $33-36/$20 children. Waverly East Intermediate School, 3131 W. Michigan Avenue, Lansing. (517) 599-2779, starlightdinnertheatre.com

Mamma Mia! ABBA-inspired musical. 8 p.m. Tickets from $41. Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. whartoncenter.com.Events

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.

Howl at the Moon: Guided Night Walk. Dogs on non-retractable leashes welcome. 7-8 p.m. $3. Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, Meridian Township. (517) 349-3866, bit.ly/HNCprg.

MSU GLBT Alumni Homecoming Reception. Food, drinks and fellowship. Special tribute to Bill Beachler. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $20/$10 students. Kellogg Conference Center, 55 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing. (517) 449-6479, ow.ly/VPlH304TBmY.

Needlework Pattern Sale. Selling needlework books and patterns. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE. Delta Township Library, 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing. (517) 321-4014, ow.ly/JTfv303AgJC.

The Glo Run 5K Chip Timed. Nighttime 5K. 8-11 p.m. Hawk Island County Park, E. Cavanaugh Road, Lansing. (224) 757-5425, theglorun.com/lansing/index.html.

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.