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Rocking out for the Greater Lansing Food Bank

For all the local rock scene folks who have an urge to do something positive for those in need, the Benefit for The Greater Lansing Food Bank at Mac’s Bar may be the ticket. On Thursday, five local bands will perform in hopes of raising some funds — all door money and canned food donations go to the food bank. This annual event is hosted by local musician Todd Karinen of Jackpine Snag, a heavy-blues band. Performers include Lord Vapid, Croatone, Bert, The Plurals, and Paul Dubya and The Oak River Bridge Boys Band.

Lord Vapid (a.k.a. Andrew Lucas) is a Lansing-based one-man-band that draws influence from ‘50s and ‘60s R&B while also giving nods to classic punk and alternative rock. Vapid has been playing shows and recording since 2006. For a discounted admission fee, be sure to bring a canned good to the show.

Thursday, Feb. 2 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $7, $5 with canned good, show at 9 p.m.

Middle of the Mitten host 17 bands

Since opening, The Record Lounge has always been a record store dedicated to supporting local bands. Each year the vinyl shop hosts the Middle of the Mitten festival, a live music event that features Michigan-based groups and solo acts. The 4th annual event is spread across two days, in two different venues: (SCENE) Metrospace and The Loft. Pre-sales are available at the Record

Lounge for $10, tickets are $12 at the door; one ticket allows entry to both nights. For more ticket information, visit www.facebook.com/MiddleOfTheMitten.

Day One kicks off Friday at (SCENE) and features headliners Gun Lake, an emerging Ann Arbor-based indie-folk group led by songwriter Mark Fain. Opening the extended show are American Opera, Life Size Ghost, Sunny Side Up, Nathan K, Nathan Alan, Match by Match, Paige Bolen and Vince Zydeck.

Friday, Feb. 3 “Day One” @ (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Day Two of the fest (Saturday) features a collection of indie and folk groups, including Simien the Whale, The Sunset Club, Newday Dreamers, Bangups, Citizen Smile, Meadower, The Blue Effect and Commodore Cosmos.

Saturday, Feb. 4 “Day Two” @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Nothin´ 2 Lose at The Colonial

For those looking for some foot-stompin’ retro rock and blues covers, Nothin’ 2 Lose plays a two-nighter at the Colonial Bar and Grill on Lansing’s south side. On Friday and Saturday the band will tear through classics with a sound similar to the Allman Brothers, Humble Pie and The James Gang. The Lansing-based band includes vocalist Jamie Rohda, Geoff Crusen (lead guitar), Steve Garcia (drums) and Phil DeMaggio (bass).

Friday Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4 @ The Colonial Bar and Grill, 3425 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing, 21 and over, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Pump House hosts Americana rockers

Grievous Angel, a Ferndale-based folk group named after the classic Gram Parsons tune, performs at the Pump House on Sunday. The Americana band has won multiple honors at the Detroit Music Awards, including the awards for “Outstanding Acoustic Group” and “Outstanding Folk Group.” The band’s sound is mainly a mixture of folk, rockabilly, blues, and alt-country, but also includes some cosmic jamming, vintage rocking and roadhouse boogies.

Sunday, Feb. 5 @ Pump House, 368 Orchard St., East Lansing, all ages, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Billboard topping rapper, Wale, hits Lansing

Wale (pronounced: wah-lay), is a major-label rapper signed to Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group. He performs Monday at the Causeway Bay Hotel Grand Ballroom in Lansing. His new single, “Lotus Flower Bomb,” is currently topping the Billboard Rap/Hip-Hop charts. Wale, whose real name is Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, is touring in support of his second studio album, “Ambition.” Wale says his rap style draws heavily from the “go-go” genre, which is a rawer, more percussion-heavy offshoot of disco. The 27-year-old rapper was raised by Nigerian parents in Washington, where he first gained a local following with a string of mix tapes. Since 2006 he’s been gaining international momentum and managed to sign a couple million dollar record deals. In 2009 Lady GaGa was featured on Wale’s single, “Chillin’.”

Monday, Feb. 6 @ Causeway Bay Hotel Grand Ballroom, 6820 South Cedar Street, Lansing, advance, doors 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m., ticket information at: www.walemusic.com.

Rap-metal lives at The Loft

West Virginia-based alt-metal band Bobaflex has been dropping progressive hard-rock albums since 1998. Tuesday the band rocks The Loft along with openers Wayland, Prospect Hill and Circus Asylum. Bobaflex is led by founding members Shaun McCoy (guitar, vocals) and Martin McCoy (guitar, vocals). While the band has been through many lineup changes, it continues to tour and record. The outfit’s latest album, “Hell in My Heart,” was released on Megaforce Records in late 2011.

Tuesday, Feb. 7 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, $13 advance, $15 at door, 18 and over, doors 8 p.m.