Free and low cost family activities in Greater Lansing area April 22-28, 2010

Some great events that seemed relevant for families, courtesy of The City Pulse.


Thursday, April 22


Digging and Forking for Better Soil. Learn techniques for improving your soil. 6:30-8 p.m. FREE. Armory Community Garden, 626 Mashall St., Lansing. (517) 887-4660. www.greaterlansingfoodbank.org.

Growing Blueberries. 7-8:30 p.m. $10. Foster Community Center, 200 N. Foster Ave., Lansing.

"Reduced, Reused, and Recycled Design." Learn to go green with your home decorating projects. RSVP. 7 p.m. FREE. Design & Build Center, 4750 Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 889-5071.

Clayworks Spring Sale. 40 mid-Michigan potters have work for sale. 5-8 p.m. FREE to attend. St. Davids Episcopal Church, 1519 Elmwood Road, Lansing. (517) 626-1160.

Plantable Poems. Celebrate Earth Day and Poetry Month by writing a poem on recycled seed paper. All Day, FREE. Schuler Books & Music, 1982 Grand River Ave., Okemos. (517) 349-8840.


Friday, April 23

Clayworks Spring Sale. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Please see details Apr. 22)

Art Opening. A special exhibit featuring the work of the American Institute for Graphic Arts (AIGA) MSU Student Group. 6-9 p.m. FREE. Scene Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing. (517) 319-6832.

Earth Day Birthday. A campfire, program, marshmallow roasting and a short guided walk through the evening woods. 7 p.m. $2. Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, Meridian Township. (517) 349-3866.

Grand River Radio Diner. Music from the LA Cloggers. Noon, FREE. Lansing City Market, 325 City Market Drive, Lansing. (517) 483-7460. www.lansingcitymarket.com.

Stay Tuned. A folksy-bluesy-country blend of original tunes and old favorites. 6-9 p.m. FREE. Coffee and Friends Cafe, 5100 Marsh Road, Okemos. (517) 347-0962. www.coffeandfriendscafe.com.

"Journey to the Edge of Space and Time." A journey to black holes, giant galaxy clusters and parallel universes. 8 p.m. $2-$3. Abrams Planetarium, 400 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. (517) 355-4672.

“Swing City.” A song and dance revue celebrating the music of the ‘30s and ‘40s. 8 p.m. $5 donation. Dart Auditorium, Lansing Community College, 500 N.



Saturday, April 24

Container Gardening. Local garden expert Zandy Zweering will demonstrate the art of creating colorful container gardens. 11 a.m. FREE. CADL Haslett Library, 5670 School St., Haslett. (517) 339.2324.

Garden Startin.' Linda Anderson will outline the steps you need to take to give your plants a healthy start. 2-3:30 p.m. FREE. Hunter Park Community GardenHouse, 1400 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing.

Lansing City Market Grand Opening. Local bands, vendor specials and a ribbon-cutting with Mayor Virg Bernero. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE. Lansing City Market, 325 City Market Drive, Lansing.

Spring Bird Walk. Walks are led by volunteers from the local Capital Area Audubon Society. 9 a.m. FREE. Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mount Hope Ave., Lansing. (517) 483-4224. fofnc.org.

Clayworks Spring Sale. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Please see details Apr. 22)

Greener Delta. Info about alternative energy uses, increase environmental awareness and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. LCC West Campus, Lansing. (517) 267-5452. www.greenerdelta.org.

Construction Club. Ages 5-12. Bring your building blocks and imagination. 10:30 a.m.-Noon. FREE. Delta Township District Library, 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing. (517) 321-4014. www.dtdl.org.

Spring Studio Sale. Featuring pottery and paintings by Jon and Barb Whitney. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE to attend. Whitney Studio, 3642 W. Kipp Road, Mason. (517) 676-0476.

Party for the Planet. Earth Day themed animal enrichment, games, face painting and much more. Noon-4 p.m. $4-$10. Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. (517) 342-2710.

Covering the Bases. John Endahl and the Lansing Concert Band present a concert featuring Deanna Swoboda, tuba virtuoso. 7 p.m. FREE. Haslett High School, 5450 Marsh Road, Haslett. (517) 641-4264.

Family Movie Matinee. All ages. A family-friendly movie, shown on our big screen. 1 p.m. FREE. Delta Township District Library, 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing. (517) 321-4014. www.dtdl.org.

“Journey to the Edge of Space and Time.” 8 p.m. (Please see details Apr. 23)

“Swing City.” 8 p.m. (Please see details Apr. 23)



Sunday, April 25

In Stitches Knit-in. As a beginner or an expert, drop in to work on projects or share your ideas. 2-3:30 p.m. FREE. CADL Downtown Lansing Library, 401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing. (517) 367-6363.

Greater Lansing Community Concert. Featuring the clarinet and string quintet. Presented by the MSU College of Music. 2 p.m. FREE. Hospice of Lansing, 4052 Legacy Parkway, Suite 200, Lansing.

"Swing City." 3 p.m. (Please see details Apr. 23)

"Wasted." Local producers Jerry Spears and Aaron Greer will premiere their first feature film. 7 p.m. Celebration Cinema, 200 E. Edgewood Blvd., Lansing. (517) 507-1803. www.clickbangproductions.com.



Monday, April 26

CLASSES AND SEMINARS

BFA Thesis Exhibition. Solo exhibition featuring printmaking and installation work by Lennon Wolcott. 7-8 p.m. FREE. Kresge Art Museum, MSU Campus, East Lansing. (517) 432-3961. www.art.msu.edu.

Earl Nelson Singers Company. 7:30 p.m. FREE. First Presbyterian Church, 510 W. Ottawa St., Lansing. (517) 882-1293. www.earlnelsonsingers.com.



Tuesday, April 27



Personal Safety Awareness and Self-Defense Seminar. Presented by Sgt. Southworth and Officer Churchill. 5 p.m. $10. Grace Lutheran Church, 528 N. Martin L. King Jr. Blvd., Lansing. (517) 372-1455.

Urban Gardening and Farming Speaker Series. Featuring three area experts. RSVP at www. capitalgainsmedia.com. 5:30 p.m. FREE. Perspective 2, 319 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing. (517) 853-5880.

Spring Garden Series: Growing an Herb Garden. Presented by Coleen French of French Garden Creations. 7-8:30 p.m. FREE. CADL Okemos Library, 4321 Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 347-2021.

Weekday Spring Wildflower Walk. A guided walk with a naturalist. 10:30-11:30 a.m. $2. Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, Meridian Township. (517) 349-3866.


Wednesday, April 28

Swing Dance. Part of the 30th annual Jazz Spectacular. Co-sponsored by the MSU University Activities Board. 8 p.m. FREE. MSU Union, MSU Campus, East Lansing. www.msu.edu.

Jazz Ensembles. Part of the 30th annual Jazz Spectacular. 12:30-7 p.m. FREE. MSU Union, MSU Campus, East Lansing. www.music.msu.edu.