You don’t have to dress in red or deck the halls to get your arts fix this month. While holiday shows are dominating local stages there are a few performances that aren’t Santa and snowflakes.
Act I: Students and faculty show off their talents
Michigan State University’s College of Music and Department of Theater are both presenting non-holiday options in the coming days.
The MSU College of Music has spent the past week with Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist René Marie. The most recent MSUFCU Jazz Artist in Residence, she’s worked with students at both the university and in schools across Michigan.
Marie is a vocalist who has been praised for her emotionally rich style. She blends jazz, soul, blues and folk. Her residency ends on Dec. 7 in a joint performance with the MSU Jazz Orchestras at the Fairchild Theatre.
The Department of Theatre closes out 2025 with improvisational comedy Dec. 4-7 in Studio 60 in the MSU Auditorium. “Unscripted” is directed by Sarah Hendrickson and is performed by the newest members of the Department of Theatre in the slot that has belonged to the Freshman Showcase for the past several years.
The five shows each have a different cast and improv games and scenes are inspired by audience suggestions.
Over at Lansing Community College, students are showcasing what they learned this semester in a series of performances. Admission is free to all shows, though ticket vouchers are needed to enter the venue. Shows include:
- LCC Blues Weekend, Multi-Instrumental Music Ensemble, Dec. 6, 3 p.m., Dart Auditorium
- LCC Blues Weekend, LCC Jazz Band, Dec. 7, 3 p.m. Dart Auditorium
- LCC Rock Band, Dec. 7, 6 p.m. The Avenue Café
- Improv Showcase, Dec. 9, 7 p.m., LCC Black Box Theatre
- LCC Concert Choir, Dec. 13, 3 p.m., Dart Auditorium
- Student Directing Showcase-10 Minute Plays, Dec. 14, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., LCC Black Box Theatre
Act II: Folk music lovers rejoice
Bill Bartilson was 7 years old when he started attending Ten Pound Fiddle concerts and 12 years old when he first started helping out at them. Fifty years later, he’s performing “The Folk Songs That Brought Us Here” for the organization at the Robin Theatre in Lansing’s REO Town on Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.
It helps that his dad was a folk singer. Stan Bartilson brought his son along to the Willow Folk Festival in 1970 and by 1975 he was helping out on the sound board and live acoustic performances were a regular part of his life.
The concert features Bill Bartilson presenting songs and stories, now with an iPad and microphones. He’ll introduce a few surprise guests and review the Ten Pound Fiddle’s 50-year history and community.
Tickets are $20 for the public, $18 for Fiddle members and $5 for students.
Encore!
Are you a true crime fan and want to try your hand at solving a mystery? There’s an opportunity this weekend, but expect the humor and camp to be high.
The Dinner Detective is hosting an interactive, comedy, true crime murder mystery dinner theater on Dec. 6 and 20 at AC Hotel Lansing University Area. The “Dirty Money” script draws the audience into finding who among them is the criminal.
Dinner includes a choice of Chicken Marsala, crispy salmon or risotto acquerello. Tickets start at $69.95, not including taxes, fees, tips or alcoholic beverage service.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.lansingstatejournal.com ’
