Turn it down

Moon and sun rise in Old Town

Festivalgoers who prefer specialty beers and tasty food along with live music may want to check out the Festival of the Moon (6 to 11 p.m. Friday) and Festival of the Sun (2 to 11 p.m. Saturday) in Old Town. As for the music, Moon headliners include Tony Lucca of NBC’s “The Voice,” along with locals Billiards Music and Ben Keeler & the 500 Club. On the following day the Sun stage hosts headliners Frontier Ruckus, along with Those Willows, Sabertooth Fiancee, Empty Orchestra and Elliot Street Lunatic.

  Bell’s Brewery supplies Moon patrons with an assortment of their brews and specialty beers, complemented by grub from Grand Grillin and Mark´s Gourmet Dogs. Festival of the Sun hosts an “ultimate” wine and beer tasting, with more than 120 wines and brews from local and national wineries and breweries, plus food from Trailer Park’d “Slow” Fast Food, Purple Carrot Truck and Restaurant Mediteran.

  The two-day fundraiser — which happens at César E. Chávez Plaza at the corner of Turner Street and Grand River Avenue — is hosted by the Old Town Commercial Association. With your entrance fee to both Festival of the Moon and Festival of the Sun, you receive a souvenir glass and three drink/food tickets. For those who want to bring along the kids, children are welcome at Festival of the Sun on Saturday until 7 p.m. — but youngsters cannot attend Festival of the Moon. 

  Tickets for Festival of the Moon are $12 in advance or $15 at the gate. Festival of the Sun are $17 in advance or $20 at the gate. A $25 weekend pass to both festivals is also available. Tickets are available at festivalofthesun.com, or from the Old Town Commercial Association, Tallulah’s Folly, Grace Boutique, October Moon and Perspective2. 

Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23 @ Festival of the Moon & Sun, César E. Chávez Plaza  at Turner Street and Grand River Avenue, Old Town Lansing. 

Scotty V returns to the jungle

Those involved in the ‘90s electronic music scene undoubtedly remember Scott VanGilder, a.k.a. DJ Scotty V. Aside from being an owner of Spin Cycle Records (a defunct electronic music store), VanGilder was also a busy jungle/drum and bass DJ, spinning at parties and events in Lansing and Detroit. For the first time in many years he returns to the decks Friday at The Loft. Also spinning some jungle are Ronin Selecta, Bassdrive, Bang Tech 12, Sylock, Joey P and Barron. So what will VanGilder be spinning? “I’ll be playing older jungle and ragga from ´94 to ´99, with a dab of stuff from later years,” he said. “It will be hard and fast — just how junglists like it.” VanGilder said he plans to keep it real, mostly. “I’m using vinyl, just like I used to,” he said. “I’m looking forward to lugging 50 pounds of records up the Loft staircase. (But) I may play an MP3 or two.” While he said he doesn’t plan to DJ full-time, VanGilder will also support the scene with the re-launch of his site mijunglist.com, in an effort to promote the “small but thriving” jungle scene in Michigan. 

Friday, June 22 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over, $5 for 21 and over, $8 for 18 to 20, doors 10 p.m.

R.E.M., Blink-182  at Summer Singalong?

Fusion Shows is hosting a series of events dubbed “Summer Singalongs,” which feature local bands covering entire sets by some of their favorite acts. The first, all-ages installment happens Saturday at The Loft. Taking the stage is Red Cedar Riot as the All American Rejects; Mike Vail & The Great Lake Effect as R.E.M.; Midwest Skies as Blink 182; Eyes On The Sky as No Doubt; Guest Stars/Frank & Earnest as The Lawrence Arms; and Way to Fall as Green Day.

Saturday, June 23 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, all ages, $7, doors 6:30 p.m.

Local electro-punks debut at Mac´s

Armed with some guitars and a couple of Korg Kaosilators, The Mindguards mix fat electro beats with raucous-punk melodies. The new duo features Richard Keyes (vocals/guitar), formerly of Gaytar, and Jerimiah Gager (bass/vocals). Keyes calls the band “a punk-rock homage to both Mike Watt and Nicki Minaj,” taking influence from the likes of Sonic Youth and Meshuggah. The Mindguards play Mac’s Bar June 28, along with headliners The Scarred (California punk) and Violent Affair (Oklahoma punk). Local acts include The Jackpine Snag and the oddball rockabilly gospel-punks Chaz Brackx & the Big Bucks. Brackx recently recorded a few tracks at Lord Vapid’s lo-fi studio in Lansing, apparently for a debut 7-inch.  

Thursday, June 28 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $10, 9 p.m.