Women in the Arts Festival

In honor of its 40th anniversary, this year’s Women in the Arts festival will highlight artists from throughout the state.

Beginning Friday evening and continuing all day Saturday, the festival will feature night stage performances by Americana supergroup The Rebel Eves and all-female Detroit jazz band Straight Ahead, co-sponsored by the Ten Pound Fiddle.

Kalamazoo blues artist (and professional whistler) Megan Dooley, folk duo The Instigators, Lansing women’s chorus Sistrum and a collaborative performance by the Happendance Professional Company and music ensemble Aurora & Antheia comprise Saturday’s day stage lineup.

An artists’ market will operate both days, featuring dozens of vendors selling women-made goods, from clothes to crafts to coffee. Sistrum will also run a cafe.

At 4 p.m. Saturday, the hosts of Ann Arbor Lesbo Bingo, Ames and Callie M2, will bring the popular event to East Lansing. The prize? A cat sculpture.

Those still raring for more after the event is over Saturday evening can hop over to the Sir Pizza Grand Cafe in Old Town for an afterparty beginning at 9:30, with DJ Mae and DJ Che spinning tracks until after midnight.

Interested attendees can visit witafestival.com for a complete schedule of events.