What's up in Lansing: 'Rent' and more

Good day on this hot and sunny Thursday.

Two decades ago, on Jan. 26, 1996, Jonathan Larson’s critically acclaimed musical, “Rent,” made its Broadway debut. Riverwalk Theatre's production of the show opens today. Read about it in Eve Kucharski's June 1 article.

Are you interested in Spartan athletics, fashion and supporting a good cause? The sixth annual Hidden Key Fashion Show, hosted by the Aitch Foundation, features MSU coaches, former athletes and cancer survivors on the runway sporting clothing from local designers and retailers like Lady Aitch Designs, Kositchek’s, Playmakers, Matilda Jane Clothing. Funds raised by the fashion show go toward research at MSU to advance early detection of cancer. 5:30-11:30 p.m. $100/$75 adv. Spartan Stadium, fourth floor stadium suites. 535 Chestnut Road, East Lansing. (517) 410-9916, aitchfoundation.com.

Nebraska-based singer/songwriter Simon Joyner comes to Wilson Center Auditorium in St. Johns for a night of indie-folk music. A trailblazer in the Omaha indie-rock scene, Joyner has been described by indie-folk icon Conor Oberst, aka Bright Eyes, as an "American songwriting treasure." In the early ‘90s, Beck included Joyner in a list of top 10 albums for Rolling Stone magazine. Joyner is promoting his new book of lyrics, "Only Love Can Bring You Peace: Selected Lyrics 1990-2014," and his latest album, "Grass, Branch & Bone." Local musicians Elliott Eremita and Aidan Pope (of the American Automobile) open the show. 7 p.m. $7. The Wilson Center Auditorium, 101 W. Cass St., St. Johns. (989) 227-2425, wilsoncenterauditorium.org.

For more local events, see below.

Classes and Seminars

Lunch at the Senior Center. Call day before to order meal. Noon-1 p.m. $5.75/$3 suggested donation for ages 60 and up. Meridian Senior Center, 4406 Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 706-5045, meridianseniorcenter.weebly.com.

Capital Area Crisis Rugby Practice. All levels welcome. 6-8 p.m. FREE. St. Joseph Park, 2125 W. Hillsdale St., Lansing. crisisrfc.com.

Celebrate Recovery. For all hurts and hang-ups. 6 p.m. Donations welcome. Trinity Church (Lansing), 3355 Dunckel Road, Lansing. (517) 492-1866.

Preschool Science Explorations: Fun with Fireflies. Preschoolers enjoy hands-on science activities. 1-2:30 p.m. $4. Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, Meridian Township. (517) 349-3866, bit.ly/HNCprg.

Prostate Cancer Support Group of Mid-Michigan. Share and learn from the experiences of others. 7-9 p.m. FREE. Sparrow Professional Building, 1200 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing. (517) 364-5349.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Weigh-in 5:15 p.m., meeting 6 p.m. First meeting FREE. New Hope Church, 1340 Haslett Road, Haslett. (517) 927-4307.

Music

Open Mic @ The Colonial Bar & Grill. Weekly bring-your-own-instrument open mic. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. FREE. The Colonial Bar & Grille, 3425 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing. (517) 882-6132.

Simon Joyner in Concert. Singer/songwriter performs. 7-9 p.m. $7. Wilson Center Auditorium, 101 W. Cass St., St. Johns. wilsoncenterauditorium.org.

Odds Fish, 8 p.m. The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave.

DJ Don Black, 9:30 p.m. Black Cat Bistro, 115 Albert Ave.

Mike Skory & Friends, 8:30 p.m. The Exchange, 314 E. Michigan Ave.

Reggae Lou, 6 p.m. Fieldhouse, 213 Ann St.

Open Mic, 7 p.m. Gallery Brewery, 143 Kent St.,

All The Lights Tour, 6 p.m. The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave.

Fishbone, 7 p.m. Mac's Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave.

Lincoln County Process, 9 p.m. Moriarty's Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave.

Mark Sala, 7 p.m. Reno's East, 1310 Abbot Road

Chris Laskos, 7 p.m. Reno's North, 16460 Old US 27

Sarah Brunner, 6 p.m. Reno's West, 5001 W. Saginaw Hwy.

Frog Open Blues Jam, 8:30 p.m. Unicorn Tavern, 327 E. Grand River Ave.

Dan MacLachlan, 8 p.m. Watershed Tavern and Grill 5965 Marsh Rd.

Events

6th Annual Hidden Key Fashion Show. Fashion show benefiting cancer research. 5:30 p.m. $75. Spartan Stadium, 325 W. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. ow.ly/up5s3007fhk.

Capital Area Audubon Society. Annual ice-cream social. All are welcome. 7-9 p.m. FREE. Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mount Hope Ave., Lansing. capitalareaaudubon.org.

Mason Codependents Anonymous. A fellowship to develop healthy relationships. 7-8 p.m. FREE. Mason First Church of the Nazarene, 415 E. Maple St., Mason. (517) 515-5559, coda.org.Theater

Chapatti. Two lonely animal lovers form a bond. 8 p.m. $15. Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam St., Williamston. (517) 655-7469, williamstontheatre.com.

RENT. Rock musical. 8-9 p.m. $22/$20 seniors. Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive Lansing. (517) 482-5700, riverwalktheatre.com.