What's up in Lansing: Renegade Theatre Festival, art lectures and more

Good day on this partly-cloudy Thursday.

American Fifth Spirits kicks off a new series today, pairing its upscale cocktails with erudite lectures. The inaugural edition of Orations and Libations features artist and MSU alum Rachel Allen, who will discuss how visual perceptions — and misconceptions — shape our worldview. 7 p.m. FREE. American Fifth Spirits, 112 N. Larch St., Lansing. (517) 999-2631, americanfifthspirits.com.

The Renegade Theatre Festival continues this weekend, presenting a full slate of local theater, music and spoken word. Local theater groups like Riverwalk Theatre, Williamston Theatre and Peppermint Creek Theatre Co. offer edgy and experimental works in a variety of Old Town locations. Other festival offerings include comedic performances from Capital City Improv and a Renegade Cabaret afterparty 10:30 p.m. Friday at Zoobie’s. 7-10 p.m. FREE. Old Town, Lansing (call or see web site for full schedule). (517) 927-3016, renegadetheatrefestival.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

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.

Orations and Libations. Artist speaks on how visual perceptions shape world view. 7-9 p.m. FREE. American Fifth Spirits, 112 N. Larch St., Lansing. (517) 999-2631, ow.ly/NTGY302HnQ8.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Weigh-in 5:15 p.m., meeting 6 p.m. First meeting FREE. Haslett Community Education Center, 1090 Franklin St., Haslett. (517) 927-4307.

Literature and Poetry

Chipmunk Story Time: Turtle and Friends. Story, nature walk and activities. 10-11 a.m. $3. Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, Meridian Township. (517) 349-3866, bit.ly/HNCprg.

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.

Summer Concerts on the Square. Weekly concert at historic site. 6:30-8:30 p.m. FREE. 1885 Eaton County Courthouse Square, 100 West Lawrence Ave., Charlotte. charlottemi.org.

Drum Circle. Meditation through drumming. 7-9 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Inner Ascended Masters Ministry, 5705 S. Washington Ave., Lansing. lightiam.org.

Theater

Summer Retreat. Comedy about college buddies reuniting. 8 p.m. $23/$21 senior and military/$10 students. Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam St., Williamston. (517) 655-7469, williamstontheatre.com.

Events

Friends of the DTDL Book and Bake Sale. Located in the Elmwood room. 3-7:30 p.m. FREE. Delta Township District Library, 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing. (517) 321-4014, dtdl.org.

Build-Your-Own-Taco Bar Fundraiser. Proceeds support the eighth grade government trip to Washington D.C. 4-7 p.m. St. Casimir Catholic Church, 800 W. Barnes Ave., Lansing. (517) 374-5700.

Film Movement Series. Today: Wondrous Boccaccio (Italy) 6:30-8 p.m. FREE. CADL Okemos, 4321 Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 347-2021.

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.

Picnic Storytime. Ages up to 6 bring a lunch for outdoor stories and activities. 12:30-1:30 p.m. FREE. CADL Dansville, 1379 E. Mason St., Dansville. (517) 623-6511, cadl.org.

Spanish Conversation. All levels welcome. 7-8 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, elpl.org.

Wacousta Farmers Market. With over 30 vendors and live music. 4-8 p.m. FREE. Wacousta United Methodist Church, 9180 W. Herbison Road, Eagle. (517) 626-6623, wacoustaumc.org.

Arts

Drop-In Coloring Group. Supplies provided for adults to color. 6-7 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. elpl.org.