Out On the Town

THURSDAY, NOV. 14 >> Art for Charlie Annual Auction

This event benefits the Art for Charlie Foundation, a nonprofit that helps pay for hospice care for children. The Art for Charlie auction will feature pieces from Michigan artists Juanita Baldwin, Mike Chatterly and many more. East Lansing restaurant Hopcat will also auction a trip on its private bus to its Grand Rapids location for the high bidder and 19 friends. So raise some spirits — then raise some spirits. $30. 6 p.m. The Marriott at University Place, 300 M.A.C. Avenue, East Lansing. artforcharlie.com.

THURSDAY, NOV. 14 >> Heritage of Thousand Years

The Turkish American Society of Michigan presents this classical music event featuring Murat Salim Tokac, who plays the tanbur (imagine a banjo with a longer neck) and ney (an extremely long wooden flute) player as well as other Turkish musicians and vocalists. Part one of the evening is a tanbur recital featuring Tokac and part two offers Turkish classical music from the ensemble. 7:30 p.m. $10. MSU Kellogg Center Auditorium, 219 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing.

FRIDAY, NOV. 15 >> “Xanadu”

The cult classic ‘80s film comes to the big stage with musical numbers and campiness galore. Sonny Malone is an under-appreciated chalk artist in Los Angeles. When he creates a large mural of Greek muses, he gets sucked into a crazy mythological adventure. The musical features some of Electric Light Orchestra’s greatest hits, including “Evil Woman.” This production is in collaboration with the Lansing Vixens, Lansing’s female roller derby team. $20/$18 seniors/$15 students/$8 children. 8 p.m. & 11:55 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15; 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19; 7:30 p.m. Through Sunday, Nov. 24. Studio 60 Theatre (in the basement of the MSU Auditorium), 426 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. (800) WHARTON, whartoncenter.com.

FRIDAY, NOV. 15 >> “Mamma Mia!”

And the dancing queen is back. Take a chance on Sophie and her quest to find her biological father on the eve of her wedding. On the paradiselike Greek island, you’ll find fun, friends and obnoxiously catchy ABBA music. $37-$72/$25 students. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17. Cobb Great Hall, Wharton Center, 750 W. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 353-1982.

FRIDAY, NOV. 15 >> “The Shape of a Girl”

Written by Joan MacLeod, “The Shape of a Girl” follows teenage Braidie who grapples with a tough decision and a trouble at home and in school. Does she watch as her best friend bullies another student, or does she stand up for what’s right and tell her friend to back down? This play shines a light on the harshness of teenage relationships that we so often forget as we leave teenagedom. $12. 4:30 p.m. Pasant Theatre, Wharton Center, 750 W. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 353-1982. whartoncenter.com

SUNDAY, NOV. 17 >> Lansing Symphony Jazz Band

Under director Ron Newman, the Lansing Symphony Jazz Band plays its first concert in the Pasant Theatre, featuring pieces by Thad Jones and Bob Brookmeyer. Some members of the ensemble also play with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. The Jazz Band has been featured at various festivals in the Lansing area. This concert pays tribute to MSU alum, jazz composer, pianist multiple Grammy award winner Clare Fischer, who died last year. 7 p.m. $20/$10 Students. Pasant Theatre, Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20 >> Evening with Chris Jordan

Chris Jordan is a Seattle-based cultural activist and artist. In his work, Jordan shows Americans how our mass consumption affects the world around us in beautiful photographs and conceptual pieces of art. Jordan will speak about his work, incluidng his upcoming project, the documentary film, “Midway,” focuses on the impact of pollution in the Pacific Ocean on the seabird population. FREE. 7 p.m. Pasant Theatre in the Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. geo.msu.edu.