September Events Round-Up

Are you looking for activities for you and your family this month? There are events (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the Greater Lansing community. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the links to learn more.

Campus Events

Starts September 1Meet Your Campus Art Museum (free): Come check out the exhibitions and make a custom tote bag at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum On September 1 and 2.

September 1Wharton Welcomes featuring Charlie Burg (free): Celebrate the new school year at the Wharton Center with an evening of alternative/funk music, ice cream, games and more.

September 9Opening Reception for 1.5° Celsius Exhibition (free): Visit the MSU Museum for the opening reception of the new exhibit that addresses climate issues.

September 17: Garden Day 2022: These workshops at the Plant and Soil Sciences Building will teach you more about plants.

Learning Opportunities

September 13Family Employee Resource Group: Children with Special Needs (free): A panel of local experts will answer your questions about children with special needs and share resources in this Zoom webinar.

September 14ERGO 100: Intro to Ergonomics (free): Join this Zoom course and learn about common ergonomic stressors in the workplace.

September 17Diving Into Math with Emmy Noether (free): Enjoy this play at the FRIB Laboratory to celebrate one of the most influential mathematicians.

September 22International Employee Resource Group: Welcome Session (free): Join this Zoom webinar to connect on issues related to our international community.

Health and Wellness

September 9Spartan Clothing Swap (free): Ready to clean out your closet? Bring your unwanted clothes to the Surplus Store and Recycling Center and exchange clothes with someone else.

September 17Lansing Walk4CMT (free): Bring the whole family for a day of walking and fundraising for a cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth. 

Family-Friendly Activities

September 1 –  Sensory Friendly Hours: Visit the Impression5 Science Center for their sensory-friendly hours.

September 3 Family Day: Power of Story (free): Enjoy Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum. There will be hands-on, interactive activities throughout the museum.

September 12 MSU Bug House Monday Night Open House (free): View insects from all over the world at the MSU Bug House.

September 30East Lansing Welcomes the World (free): Enjoy this event for International students and families to meet the community and enjoy children’s activities, food, a photo booth and more.

Celebrate 10 Years at the Broad Art Museum

2022 marks the Broad Art Museum’s 10th anniversary! To celebrate, we sat down with lead museum curator Steven Bridges to discuss what he does for work and what to check out during the festivities!

Question: What does a day in your job look like?

Answer: It can change very drastically day to day. Typically, a day involves quite a lot of meetings, emailing, and a lot of administrative work. My position is to lead the curatorial team in developing, conceptualizing and implementing the exhibition program at the museum. That involves all different kinds of exhibitions from solo exhibitions of individual artists to working with a collection to developing group shows, all different kinds of projects.

Question: What are the current exhibits on display for the anniversary? 

Answer: 

History Told Slant:

We are leading this 2022 anniversary year with a focus on our collection. The collection has been around much longer than the museum itself. Formerly it was a part of the Kresge Art Museum and the collection started even before then. The approach within the exhibition is to confront and address that collections of art along with many other institutions were founded and built in such a way that have privileged white male artists and those perspectives and voices. A lot of the work that we are doing in the museum presently is confronting and trying to change those narratives. 

Recovery:

We have a large commission from the artist Beverly Fishman who is a Michigan native and formerly showed with the museum in 2013. She has two works in the museum collection and we have commissioned two new works that are on view. We are really celebrating her and her work. 

Art Along the River, Grand:

We also have an exhibition that addresses public art both here at the university and also pointing to all the great things that exist within our communities in the Greater Lansing Region. 

Kahlo without Borders:

Finally, we also have an exhibition that looks at Frida Khalo and her relationship with her doctors. It is a very intimate portrait of the artist that offers a lot of new perspective of who she was and her interpersonal relationships and how that influenced her and her work. 

Question: What is the legacy of the Broad that you and your team are highlighting during this celebration?

Answer: These anniversaries are a great time to reflect on the past ten years. There have been many successes and also many challenges. These moments offer the opportunity to look back, to learn, to celebrate the successes, but also think about, what do the next ten years look like? Where do we go from this moment? What are we excited to build on? In terms of the life of museums, ten years is actually pretty young. The legacy has a lot to do with celebrating the history of art and you see that in these collections. 

Question: What do you say to members of the MSU community who have not visited the museum or believe they won’t enjoy it?

Answer: I fully recognize that not everything is for everyone and that is why, with the range of exhibitions we have on view currently, if you don’t like one thing, hopefully there is something else for you to see. There’s options there. At any given time in the museum, there are so many things to take in, to explore, and to push yourself a little bit. If you are unsure, but you are curious about the museum, come inside and explore it for yourself! You might be surprised by what is inside.

Question: Who is the audience for the Broad Art Museum and the 10th anniversary celebration?

Answer: It is very important to me that faculty, researchers, staff and students of the university really know that we are here for them. We are always free and open to the public and whether you come to see the exhibitions or to visit the cafĂ© and work in the beautiful environment and architecture, we love to have you here. 

The Broad Art Museum turns 10 years old in November, so the exhibitions and celebrations to commemorate the birthday are changing and expanding all year long! Starting in September, the museum will add a new exhibition created to feature the architect of the unique building that catches the attention of so many on campus, designed by Zaha Hadid. Visit the Broad Art Museum’s website for more information on events and exhibitions all through 2022!

Winter Events, Activities, Holiday Shopping, and Courses

As the colder weather sets in and the holidays approach, take note of the following opportunities on campus or in the surrounding area for you and your family. Please note: the events below are subject to change at any time. Please confirm event details, safety policies, etc. directly with each event listed.

Family/Kid Friendly

  • Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – MSU Abrams Planetarium Family Shows: In November, check out Violent Universe: Catastrophes of the Cosmos and The Little Star That Could. They also offer sensory friendly shows on the third Sunday of the month.
  • Nov. 6 – Family Day: Perspective: Make creative connections with our exhibitions through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the museum. All ages are welcome. See all upcoming events at the MSU Broad Art Museum here.
  • Nov. 19 – Silver Bells in the City: Millions of lights. Thousands of people. One very special guest. Lansing’s premiere holiday event.
  • Starts Nov. 20 – Wonderland of Lights at Potter Park Zoo: Tour grounds with friends and family as thousands of lights and decorations transform the zoo into a holiday spectacle.
  • Nov. 21 – CADL-Downtown Branch Sensory Friendly Movies: Join in on the 3rd Sunday of the month for sensory-friendly family-friendly movies when we turn the lights up and turn the sound down. Feel free to get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Snacks provided.

Holiday Shopping

  • Nov. 4 – Dec. 23 (every Thursday, Friday and Saturday) – Michigan Made Holiday Art Exhibition: Showcasing established and emerging artists, enjoy holiday shopping and opportunities to support makers in the local economy.
  • Nov. 5 – 2021 MSU Houseplant & Succulent Sale: All sales from this fundraiser help support the gardens, including funding for garden maintenance, educational programming, and support for our undergraduate student employees.
  • Nov. 5 – Arts Night Out: Shops host a special sale, exhibits, arts and crafts demo, live performances.
  • Second Friday of the Month – Second Friday Shop Hop in Old Town: Hop around to multiple participating businesses for specials, make and takes, pop up shops, local artist, and more.

Music

Performance and Art

  • Nov. 3 – Whose Live Anyway? 90 minutes of hilarious improvised comedy and song all based on audience suggestions.
  • Nov. 14 – Print Club!: Print Club! is a LGBTQ+ affirming social club founded by Lansing artist Randi Richards (they/them/she/her) dedicated to making space for those that love ink to work together, share, and build skills without financial barriers.

Personal/Professional Development Opportunities

Sports/Fitness

  • Nov. 20 – Silver Bells 5K: Participants will be able to run/walk the 5K marked course in downtown Lansing or from home virtually.
  • Nov. 25 – Lansing Turkey Trot (in-person or virtual): Proceeds from the race go to support High School and Middle School Cross Country and Track programs, and Youth Running Clubs through the Michigan Running Foundation grant program.

Do you have an event you’d like us to consider including in a future article? Please email HR.CommunicationsList@campusad.msu.edu with the details.

MSU Summer Events, Activities and Courses Round-Up

Enjoy your summer with these campus activities, events, and courses to do with your family and friends!

Outdoor Activities

  • Get outside and hike the beautiful trails at the Kellogg Biological Station Bird Sanctuary Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Additionally, check out their calendar of virtual and in-person events, which now include daily bird and butterfly activities and walks throughout the property.
  • The W. J. Beal Botanical Garden on campus is an outdoor laboratory for the study and appreciation of plants. If you follow the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden Facebook page, you can see that along with the flowers and sprawling grounds, there is now a temporary art installation to check out! The garden is open for you to walk around and enjoy the plants and pond in a beautiful setting. Be sure to continue to follow current and posted COVID-19 guidelines.

Performance and Art

  • The Wharton Center is preparing for a full reopening in the fall, but if you are missing the theater, check out all of the great opportunities to learn and grow through Wharton at Home. You can also join instructors for a livestream class every Wharton Wednesday at 10:30 A.M. here.
  • The Broad Art Museum has multiple exhibits on display throughout the summer, including the “Interstates of Mind” ending on August 8 and “Where We Dwell” beginning on August 7. The Broad Art Lab on Grand River Avenue is also open once again for $16 per session. If you are looking for at home activities, the Broad Museum Online has virtual exhibits and art classes open to the public.

Learning

  • The Abrams Planetarium at MSU is now open for shows on Saturday and Sunday nights. You can register online here for either Big Astronomy or We Are Stars. Patrons can also book private showings for up to 20 people or check out Night Sky Chats, streaming on Facebook Live every Wednesday Night.
  • MSU HR is always updating the OPD Resources online, so this summer you can take a course on anything from Communication to Professional Development from the comfort of your own home. Check out the full list of course offerings here.

Health

  • MSU Health4U has multiple summer programs running every month for free, just register online and choose the program, or programs, right for you.
  • SPARTANfit Health and Wellness Program is offering a comprehensive virtual fitness assessment for MSU employees and their spouses! Get a three month plan from your assessment and start reaching your summer health and fitness goals.

Explore these great campus activities this summer but remember to continue to stay safe by wearing a mask if you are not fully vaccinated, wash your hands often, and maintain physical distance.

Events Round Up – August

Community Festivals 

Lansing Jazz Festival

Bath Days Festival

St. John’s Mint Festival

Renegade Theatre Festival

Balloon Festival

Food

Tuesday, August 6

Farm to Table Chef’s Dinner

Tuesday, August 13

Garden Chefs from Garden to Table

Sunday, August 18

Murder Mystery Dinner

Arts

Thursday, August 8

Studio (IN) Process

Saturday, August 10

Memory Box Sculpture Workshop

Friday, August 16

ART Feast

Music

Tuesday, August 6

Summer Music Series – Power 3  

Thursday, August 15

Music in the Garden: Harp Recital

Thursday, August 15

2019 State Convention Square & Round Dancers

Friday, August 23

Lansing Flow Fest

Friday, August 23

Tomas Esparza Blues Band

Family/Kid Friendly

Saturday, August 3

Family Day: Paths

Thursday, August 8

Moonlight Film Festival: Aquaman

Saturday, August 10

Celebration Cinema Sensory Showtimes: Dora and the Lost City of Gold

Saturday, August 10

Sundown Safari Camping

Tuesday, August 13

STEM Tuesday (Age 5 & Up)

Thursday, August 15

Bubble Day

Monday, August 19

Meet the Spartans

Wednesday, August 21

Stories for Sprouts and Seedlings

Thursday, August 22

Art Thursday (Age 5 & Up)

Friday, August 23

Impression 5: Sensory Friendly Hours

Sports/Fitness

Saturday, August 10

Oars & Ales 2019

Saturday, August 10

Vinyasa Yoga at Woldumar

Friday, August 16

Howl at the Moon

Saturday, August 17

Red Paddle Kayak Race

Professional Development Opportunities:

Accounting in EBS

EBS Financial System Roles/Onboarding

Crucial Accountability

Supervisor Strategies for Performance Planning