What's up in Lansing: JazzFest

Now in its 23^rd year, the annual Lansing JazzFest will host roughly 7,000 people from across the state in Old Town today. The event has more than a dozen artists performing, from Wess “Warmdaddy” Anderson to the Bill Heid Trio. JazzFest is also packed full of weekend activities like boat rides, art shows, music workshops and more.

Organizer of the event Terry Terry said that this year, the format of the festival has changed to make it more accessible.

“We’re going north on Turner Street, from Turner to Beaver Street we have vendors, which means that the parking lot which we were previously taking up, is now free to park in,” Terry said.

Beyond parking, the event has improved the pathways leading to it too.

“We got the city to redo the entire street, so the sidewalks and the street surface are completely new, from Clinton all the way up to North Street, and that was the most potholed part of the city and now it’s the best,” Terry said.

But what Terry is most excited for, is community aspect that the event will bring.

“Our vision has always been, to create an open space for the community where people can come together, meet old friends, make new friends and have conversation in the context of the arts, about how we can make our community better,” Terry said.

Stop by for the second day of JazzFest in Old Town!

JazzFest Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017. 2 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1200 Block of Turner Street, Lansing.

HIGHLIGHT

AUGUST 3-13 >> ‘THE TROPICAL PICKLE’ AT OVER THE LEDGE THEATRE CO

Over the Ledge Theatre Co. presents the zany and ever-hilarious play “The Tropical Pickle” this month at the Ledges Playhouse. Written by Michigan native Jeff Daniels, the play follows Bob Lee, plant manager of Shankleferd Pickle Co., when he promises his wife a free trip to Miami to represent his business at the National Condiment Convention. To secure his perfect vacation, Lee hatches a plan to impress the company’s new president with an elaborate dinner party. But of course, Lee’s plan goes awry when his dinner party hosts a slew of uninvited guests. Bob Robinson directs Bob Lee’s sidesplitting pickle-pipedream. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $10/$8 seniors/$6 students. The Ledges Playhouse, 137 Fitzgerald Park Drive, Grand Ledge. (517) 318-0579, overtheledge.org.

MUSIC

Summer Music Series at Henry's Place. From 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Henry's Place Neighborhood Gastro Sports Bar, 4926 Marsh Road, Okemos. ow.ly/j9PZ30cINgv.

THEATRE

Murder for Two. Two actors play 13 roles. 3 to 4:30 p.m. $27/$25 Military/Senior (65kknd)/$10 students. Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam, Williamston. 517-655-SHOW.

EVENTS

CoderDojo! (Ages 7-17). Learn to code for websites and more. Call ahead. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. FREE. Capital Area District Libraries South Lansing Branch, 3500 S. Cedar St., Lansing. (517) 272-9840.

CoderDojo! (Ages 7-17). Learn to code for websites and more. Call ahead. 2 - 3:30 p.m. FREE. Capital Area District Libraries Haslett Branch, 1590 Franklin St., Haslett. (517) 339-2324.

Soap-making Workshop (Adults). Dancing Crane Soaps & Sundries staff help you make soap. Call ahead x3. 1 - 2 p.m. FREE. Capital Area District Libraries Holt-Delhi Branch, 2078 Aurelius Road, Holt. (517) 694-9351.

Clinton-Gratiot Habitat for Humanity's Bike to Build. Choose from 20, 35, 50 and 75 mile rides. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. $35. NorthPointe Community Church, 505 E. Webb, DeWitt. (989) 227-1771.

Comedy Show. Money raised will be distributed to charities. Register ahead. 6 - 11 p.m. $25/includes dinner and show. Lansing Eagles, 4700 N. Grand River Ave., Lansing. (517) 896-6393.

Pubbin' 4 Pets-Superhero Edition (21kknd). Pub crawl starts at Nuthouse Sports Grill. 5 - 11:30 p.m. $30. Downtown Lansing, Washington Square between Michigan and Washtenaw Aves., Lansing.

Spartan Young Astronomers Club. For kids ages 8-12 who love learning about astronomy. 10 a.m. to noon $3. Abrams Planetarium, 755 Science Road, East Lansing. (517) 355-4672

ARTS

Peculiar Perspectives Gallery 3rd Anniversary Celebration. Refreshments and art show. 12 - 9 p.m. FREE. Keller's Plaza Upstairs, 107 S. Putnam Williamston.