Community Calendar

Join the East Lansing Kiwanis Community Band for a free, family-friendly concert of Broadway tunes, marches, and traditional concert band pieces. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and the family. For more information, find us on FaceBook or email elkiwanisband@gmail.com.

Families from across Michigan and beyond will gather at the Michigan State Capitol on Wednesday, July 29, for the first Stolen Lives Picnic ever held outside of the United Kingdom, marking International Prescribed Harm Awareness Day with a day of remembrance, education, and hope.
Hosted on the Capitol lawn from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Stolen Lives Picnic honors children, veterans, survivors, and loved ones whose lives were lost or forever changed following prescribed harm. The event creates a compassionate space where families can remember those they have lost, share their stories, and advocate for greater awareness, transparency, and informed consent.

Every Wednesday at 6pm, UrtbanBeat invites you to showcase your musical talent!

Whether you're experienced or just starting, the stage is open to all.

Not a performer? Enjoy dinner, drinks, and live music from local artists. No cover charge and all ages are welcome. Come early and enjoy the local flavor of Old Town.

Sign ups are first come, first serve.

Doors at 5PM

All ages. Have you ever wondered: How do people learn about ancient life? How were fossils made? Where on Earth are fossils found? Join us for a fun fossil-themed event and learn the answers! Enjoy hands-on activity stations and meet scientists from the Michigan Geological Survey that study everything under the ground throughout Michigan! They’ll share their expertise on paleontology and show us a variety of Michigan fossils.

Wilson Thicket, one of the premier string bands in the Midwest, will be bringing their virtuosic acoustic journey in three-part harmony to St Johns for an exciting performance. The group has the soul of an Appalachian string band, but there is more to this Thicket than just a patch of bluegrass. They combine a hand-picked group of top singers, instrumentalists, and songwriters that Michigan has to offer, with decades of performing experience under their collective belts. Old school favorites, creative covers, and dynamic original songs are all delivered with captivating vocals and creative instrumental mastery. This music has plenty of roots and lots of grass. There may be some thorns, but also some flowers. Welcome to the thicket.

Individually, all four members of Wilson Thicket are excellent award-winning musicians in their own right. But collectively, they feed off of each other rising to new heights. Jason Dennie (Mandolin/Guitar/Vocals) is a three-time Cammy Award Winner for Best Folk/Bluegrass Instrumentalists. Aaron Markovitz (Guitar/Mandolin/Vocals) won a Detroit music award for outstanding recording with the group Escaping Pavement’s “The Night Owl.” Keith Billik (Banjo/Vocals) is the creator and host of The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast, a show listened to by banjo enthusiasts worldwide. Scott Kendall (Upright Bass) has been playing in bluegrass bands for most of his adult life plus other groups vested in a wide variety of musical styles.

WKAR and Michigan Learning Channel pop-up at your local library for summer learning fun! Join us for fun learning activities, PBS KIDS® swag and free books!

"Presented by Arbor Financial Credit Union

Tony Fields and Doug Decker are hands down the baddest R&B, soul and funk music duo in Michigan! Tony and Doug hooked up totally by chance in late 2007. Their first debut performance was at Four Winds Casino in 2008. They've been rockin' venues throughout Michigan ever since from Port Huron to South Haven from Sturgis to Petoskey! So make sure to check out this exceptionally talented R&B music duo!"

Celebrate 50 years of movement, artistry, and community with Happendance at the Happendance 50th Anniversary Gala Concert. This free outdoor performance returns to the “Banks of the Red Cedar” at the Michigan State University Floodplain, where Happendance first performed in the summer of 1976. Audiences are invited to bring camp chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening of contemporary dance featuring revivals of beloved works from the Happendance archives, performances by founding “Wise Women” dancers alongside current company members, and the premiere of a newly commissioned work celebrating legacy and intergenerational connection. Join us for this milestone event honoring five decades of dance in the Lansing community. Rain location: Fairchild Theatre.

BIG L & Code Blü bring a soulful blend of blues, R&B, funk, and classic rock, featuring powerful vocals, dynamic musicianship, and a timeless sound rooted in feel-good rhythms and authentic soul.

More Information/Tickets

The Packard Farmers Market returns for the 2026 season at the historic Packard Proving Grounds, bringing together local farmers, artisans, bakers, makers, and small businesses in a one-of-a-kind setting where history and community meet.

Formerly known as the Shelby Farmers Market, the newly rebranded Packard Farmers Market reflects its deep connection to the Packard Proving Grounds and its mission to support the preservation of this iconic historic site. The market runs Saturdays from May 16 through October 10, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on the expansive front lawn of the Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site.

Each week, the market is arranged in neat rows across the lawn, offering a relaxed, walkable shopping experience. Vendors may park directly next to their booths, and the grass setting provides a cooler summer atmosphere ideal for tent setups. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. The market is supported by Packard Proving Grounds volunteers and local high school students earning community service hours.

The Packard Farmers Market is open on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends and will be closed Saturday, July 4. Proceeds from the market directly benefit the ongoing restoration and preservation of the Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site, owned and operated by the Packard Motor Car Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Dates: Saturdays, May 16 – October 10, 2026 *closed July 4th

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location: Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site, Shelby Township

More information and vendor details: packardprovinggrounds.org/farmersmarket