Out On the Town

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THURSDAY, FEB. 20 >> Cry of Freedom/Ten Songs from Bulgaria

Musician Lazlo Slomovits set music to the words of poet Linda Nemec Foster, who acquired her story from the images of the Bulgarian photographer Jacko Vassiley. The trickling effect has been at work since 2006 when Vassiley captured the lives of the people living on the outskirts of Eastern European societies. In 2008, Foster publish “Ten Songs from Bulgaria”; in 2011 Slomovits started conducting the music. Some songs are slow with powerful piano chords, which gives you time to envision the story playing out. Other songs are mixed with quick melodies and drawn-out harmonica tunes that have you feeling the emotion of the story rather than seeing it. 7:30 p.m. FREE. Creole Gallery, 1218 Turner St., Lansing. (517) 267-0410 or (517) 648-1342, lindanemecfoster.com/calendar.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, FEB. 21-23 >> “All Shook Up” by Blue Light Players

He was a hunka-hunka burning love, and this weekend the Blue Light Players is bringing his hip-swiveling antics to Lansing in the Elvis Presley jukebox musical, “All Shook Up.” A roustabout named Chad shakes up a small town with love and music. Blue Light founder Helen Hart said with February being Black History Month, it’s an appropriate time to produce this show. “The musical teaches the lesson that everyone should love whomever they are meant to love, regardless of race or sexual orientation,” Hart said. “There is a strong message for peace, acceptance and understanding to make the world a better place.”

The Blue Light Players, a nonprofit group, is rocking and rolling for a cause. The group, which was started by Hart and her husband Dan Southwell, raises money for injured or fallen police officers, with $26,000 raised to date. Southwell is a police officer.

“(Dan) has attended far too many funerals for his fallen comrades and knows firsthand the trauma when officers are killed or injured in the line of duty,” Hart said. The group of adults and children has been practicing for the past five months to produce this show to raise the most money for their cause, Hart added. This performance is dedicated to Eaton County Sheriff Deputy Dean Foster, who was killed in the line of duty in 1967. His widow will attend the production, with honor guard members will be visiting each night. 7 p.m.

Friday-Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday. $15. East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 333-2580, bluelightplayers.com.

SATURDAY, FEB. 22 >> Bar Fight

Here’s hoping your favorite bartender or waiter can serve up as good a punch as they do a drink, because this Saturday they’re going toe-to-toe with servers from competing restaurants and bars. After local boxer Kolmarge Harris hung up his gloves two years ago, he focused his attention on fighting childhood obesity. The money raised will be donated to his nonprofit, Lansing Spartans Youth Organization, and an organization helping with the event Original Heroes to feed children in the area. Harris said he’d never heard of anybody doing a donation event like this, which is why he said he’s so excited about it. “They want to put the gloves on and go at it,” said Harris about the fighters who are representing Harrison Road House, Dublin Square Irish Pub and Lou and Harry’s Sports Bar, to name a few. Ringside VIP tables are available. $10/$200 VIP table. 5-11 p.m. The Club at Chandler Crossings, 3850 Coleman Road, East Lansing. (517) 489-3254.

SATURDAY, FEB. 22 >> Chili and Salsa Cook-Off

Last year the Lansing City Market held its first mini-cook-off featuring chili and salsa competitors gearing up for the big Board of Water & Light Chili Cook-Off; this year it’s back for another round. Expect to taste a few of the chili and salsa samples, and once you’ve found your favorite, vote for your favorite. The winning recipe will go on to play with the big boys at the BWL event this summer. Local singer/songwriter Taylor Taylor will provide tunes for the festivities. FREE. 1-4 p.m. Lansing City Market, 325 City Market Drive, Lansing. (517) 483-7460, lansingcitymarket.com.

SUNDAY, FEB. 23 >> 25th Annual MSU Museum Chocolate Party Benefit

Let the chocolate fountain wash away your worries. This professional invites the public to socialize with other chocolate aficionados and sample chocolate wonders. During the event, the MSU Museum will feature exhibits showing artifacts from its science and culture collections; the event’s benefits go toward the care and preservation of these two collections. $25. Tickets available at Bake N’ Cakes, How Sweet It Is or the MSU Museum Store. Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, 219 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing. (517) 432-4655, museum.msu.edu.

THURSDAY, FEB. 20 >> SmArts: A Professional Development Program for Creatives

Gain the knowledge to succeed in the art hub of Lansing with information on budgeting, marketing and event planning. This event is designed to help creative individuals start a career in the arts. The event includes personalized consultations, workshop trainings and an introduction to the business resource center for the arts. FREE for Arts Council of Greater Lansing members/$10 for non-members. 10 a.m.-noon. MICA Gallery, 1210 Turner St., Lansing. (517) 372 4636, lansingarts.org.

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