What's up in Lansing: Nerds, doors and Rock and Roll

Good day on this unseasonably warm November Thursday.

People aren’t always what — or who — they seem in Williamston Theatre’s latest comical production, “The Nerd.” During the Vietnam War, Willum Cubbert’s life was saved by a stranger named Rick Steadman. When Willum sends a letter to Rick promising to do anything to repay him, Rick takes him up on the offer. Rick turns out to be a hopeless nerd, causing faux-pas after faux-pas with his awkward behavior and lack of social graces. But as time goes on, it becomes apparent that Rick has secrets up his sleeve. Williamston Theatre’s production is directed by John Lepard. Call or see web for complete schedule and ticket prices. Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam St., Williamston. (517) 655-7469, williamstontheatre.org.

Local artists take interior design to a new level today, unleashing their creativity on entryway doors, cabinet doors, closet doors and more. Capital Region Habitat Young Professionals, an offshoot of Habitat for Humanity, presents Door Jam!, a fundraiser where local creatives decorate doors with art that celebrates the Greater Lansing community. The evening also includes a silent auction, raffle drawings, refreshments and live music. Admission includes a raffle ticket and an electrical outlet cover decorated by a budding artist from nearby elementary schools. 6-9 p.m. $10. Woldumar Nature Center, 5739 Old Lansing Road, Lansing. tinyurl.com/doorjam.

A popular saying states: “If you remember the ‘60s, you weren’t really there.” But Bill Castanier and Bob Pearson, the two presenters in the Historical Society of Greater Lansing’s latest presentation, remember and share their experiences Thursday — and they certainly were there. Castanier was a staffer at the State News during the tumultuous decade, and Pearson was a DJ at Lansing rock station WILS. The two draw on their experiences to share what Greater Lansing was really like during the decade of rock ‘n’ roll and flower children. 6:30 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 282-0671, lansinghistory.blogspot.com.

For more local events, see below.

Classes and Seminars

Lunch at the Senior Center. Call day before to order meal. Noon-1 p.m. $5.75/$3 suggested donation for ages 60 and up. Meridian Senior Center, 4406 Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 706- 5045, meridianseniorcenter.weebly.com.

(TOPS) Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Weigh-in 5:15 p.m. Meeting 6 p.m. First meeting FREE. Room 207, Haslett Middle School, 1535 Franklin St., Haslett. (517) 927-4307.

A Course in Miracles. Four-week workshop on peace and forgiveness. 7-9 p.m. Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing, 230 S. Holmes Road, Lansing. (517) 371-3010, unitylansing.org.

Celebrate Recovery. For all hurts and hang-ups. 6 p.m. Donations welcome. Trinity Church (Lansing), 3355 Dunckel Road, Lansing, (517) 492-1866.

H.E.R.O: Holiday Home Safety. Course for homeowners and renters. 6-8 p.m. FREE. Greater Lansing Housing Coalition, 600 W. Maple St., Lansing. (517) 372-5980, glhc.org.

Radiation from the Big Bang. Professor lectures on latest developments in astronomy. 7:30-8:30 p.m. FREE. Abrams Planetarium, 755 Science Road, East Lansing. (517) 355-4672, ow.ly/H7z1304dwAs.

Literature and Poetry

Chipmunk Story Time: Leaf Hunt. Storytime and nature activity. 10-11 a.m. $3. Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, Meridian Township. (517) 349- 3866, bit.ly/HNCprg.

Music

Open Mic @ The Colonial Bar & Grill. Weekly bring-your-own-instrument open mic. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. FREE. The Colonial Bar & Grille, 3425 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing. (517) 882-6132.

MSU Opera Theatre: The Elixir of Love. 7:30 p.m. $20/$18 seniors/$5 students. Fairchild Theatre, 542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. (517) 353-5340. music.msu.edu/event-listing.

Open Mic, 8 p.m. Avenue Cafe, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

Steve Cowles, 6 p.m. Eaton Rapids Craft Co., 204 N. Main St., Eaton Rapids

Aryay, 9 p.m. The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

Atomic Boogaloo, 9 p.m. Moriarty's Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

Events

After School Action Program. Light meal, tutoring and activities. 4-6 p.m. FREE. Eastside Community Action Center, 1001 Dakin St., Lansing.

Matt Braunger, Comedy show. 8 p.m. Mac's Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

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.

Thanksgiving at Cristo Rey Community Center. Volunteers and food donations needed for meal for those in need. See web link for details. Cristo Rey Community Center, 1717 N. High St., Lansing. (517) 881-9181, ow.ly/ejcq305OBT8.

12-Step Meeting. AA/NA/CA all welcome. In room 209. Noon-1 p.m. FREE. Donations welcome. Cristo Rey Community Center, 1717 N. High St., Lansing.

Anime & Manga Club. Ages 10-18 watch and discuss anime with snacks. Call to register. 4:30-5:30 p.m. FREE. CADL Holt-Delhi, 2078 Aurelius Road, Holt. (517) 694-9351.

Drum Circle. Meditative drumming session. 7-9 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Inner Ascended Masters Ministry, 5705 S. Washington Ave., Lansing. lightiam.org.

Fantastic Beasts Pizza Party. Ages 6 and up celebrate new movie release. Call to register. 5-7 p.m. FREE. CADL Mason, 145 W. Ash St., Mason.

Ladies Silver Blades Figure Skating Club. All skill levels welcome. Lessons, practice and fun. 9:30- 11:20 a.m. $5. Suburban Ice, 2810 Hannah Blvd., East Lansing. (517) 881-2517, ladiessilverblades.com.

Mason Codependents Anonymous. A fellowship to develop healthy relationships. 7-8 p.m. FREE. Mason First Church of the Nazarene, 415 E. Maple St., Mason. (517) 515-5559, coda.org.

Senior Reminiscing Series. Fun and nostalgia remembering times gone by. 12:30-1:30 p.m. FREE. CADL Williamston, 201 School St., Williamston.

Wine & De-Fine. Regina Carey leads discussion about "Raising Your Frequency." 6-8 p.m. $15. Red Cedar Spirits, 2000 Merritt Road, East Lansing. (517) 927-7115, reginacarey.com.

Woven Potholders. Grades 3 and up create woven potholder using looms. Call to register. 3:15- 4:15 p.m. FREE. CADL Leslie, 201 Pennsylvania St., Leslie. (517) 589-9400.

Theater

The Nerd. Comedy about selflessness and selfishness. 8 p.m. Pay-what-you-can. Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam St., Williamston. (517) 655- 7469, williamstontheatre.org.

Wicked. Story of the Wicked Witch of the West. 7:30 p.m. Tickets from $45. Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 432-2000, whartoncenter. com.