May Events Round-up

Are you looking for activities for you and your family in the upcoming 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

May 5 – Museum Tour: Deep Rooted with Beal Botanical Gardens: What can art tell us about the relationship between plants and humans? Join Maeve Bassett, Applied Ethnobotanist and Education Program Director of the Beal Botanical Garden, for an immersive tour unearthing the historical, social, and political narratives growing within works of art from the MSU Broad Art Museum collection. Registration for this free tour is encouraged.

May 5 – Piano Monster: In this family-friendly event, four grand pianos share the stage, commanded by multiple pianists whose medley of classical selections highlights multi-artist combinations, including piano four-hands. This year’s program will feature the classic children’s fairytale, Peter and the Wolf, by Sergei Prokofiev, part of an unforgettable musical experience at the Fairchild Theatre. Purchase tickets for this event.. 

May 18 and 19 – MSU Annual Arts and Crafts Show: The Annual MSU Arts and Crafts Show is a seasonal tradition and beloved community event. The Winter and Spring Arts and Crafts Shows are fundraisers for the University Activities Board (UAB). 

Family-Friendly Events

May 4 – Family Day: WEAVE: First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! Make creative connections with our exhibitions through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the museum. Join us as we explore many ways you can create art through weaving. No glue, paint, or paper needed!

May 12 – Mother’s Day: Moms Get in Free at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary: Celebrate Mother’s Day with a visit to the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary! Moms get in FREE today!

The Storybook Walk title for May is “Birdsong,” by Julie Flett. Pages from the book will be located along the accessible, ¾-mile Paved Path to read while you walk.

May 17 – Open House with the Ohio State University BUGMobile: The MSU Bug House and the OSU BUGMobile will hold a joint outreach event at the MSU Bug House as part of the Excellence in Insect Science Symposium from 3-5 PM. All are welcome to this free event!

May 18Potter Park Zoo Diversity Day: Discover the richness of our community at Diversity Day! Included with general admission, this special event celebrates the diversity of our community. Join us at the zoo for a unique experience featuring local food establishments and service organizations showcasing the best of what they have to offer. Explore the zoo grounds after grabbing a delicious dish from a local food truck vendor in the parking lot. Diversity Day is not just an event; it’s an opportunity to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the unique flavors and services that make our community thrive!

May 18 and 19 – East Lansing Art Festival: Celebrate the 61st year of the East Lansing Art Festival in Downtown East Lansing. Over 180 jury-selected artists from across the state and country be on display. In addition, there will be a full line-up of performers on both days of the festival and an artist demonstration area that will be full of interactive and learning experiences from many different types of artists.

May 24-26 – Cristo Rey Fiesta: Come celebrate Hispanic culture at the annual Cristo Rey Fiesta on Memorial Day weekend and boasting authentic Mexican food, vendors, bands and dance troupes!

May 28 and 29- Bluey’s Big Play: Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series. Tickets are available on the Wharton Center website. 

Learning Opportunities

May 7 and 8 – Building Awareness and Understanding Using the Intercultural COnflict Style Inventory (ICS): The ability to recognize and effectively respond to cultural differences in communication and conflict styles is critically important. Join a group of your peers in attending this workshop to increase cultural self-understanding of communication and conflict resolution approach, cultural other-understanding of diverse approaches used to communicate ideas and resolve conflict to more accurately interpret the statements and actions of the other party. Registration through the EBS Portal is required for this course.

May 15 – Family Employee Resource Group: Alternative Schooling Options- Homeschooling, Online Schooling, and Charter Schools: Are you considering alternative schooling options for your child outside of the K-12 public school system? Join the WorkLife Office as we present Alternative Schooling Options to help provide resources and information in this area. Registration is required for this webinar.

May 21 – Strengths-Based Leadership: Your top strengths — the things you naturally do best — can help you manage more effectively, meet your goals, and improve your team’s success. Registration is required for this online course. 

May 30 – Empowering Women Through Financial Literacy: The Women’s Networking Association welcomes you to join for a presentation by April Clobes, President and CEO of MSUFCU on “Empowering Women Through Financial Literacy.” Register for the in-person event here. 

Health & Wellness

May 6 – The Healing Power of Guided Imagery: Guided Imagery has been shown to alleviate pain, reduce depression, and boost the immune system. Join Jessie Byelich, EAP Counselor, at Abrams Planetarium to learn more. Registration for this free course is required. 

May 15 – Wellness Wednesday: Eating Invasives: Turn an ecological problem into a culinary solution with the Beal Botanical Garden and MSU Museum! This is a free program, but please register in advance for planning purposes.

Starts May 12 – Eastern Ingham Farmers Market: The Market will happen every Sunday from 10-2 at McCormick Park in Williamston, Michigan. The Market will have a variety of vendors including produce, locally raised meats, baked goods, and many items made by local artisans.

Events Round-Up – November

Arts

Friday, November 1

Arts Night Out

Thursday, November 7

Block Printing with Regina Pericini

Friday, November 8

The Broadcast Exhibition Opening Preview

Friday, November 15

Project & Sign pARTy

Saturday, November 16

Twelfth Night presented by MSU Dept. of Theatre

Community Events

Saturday, November 2

Public Plant and Succulent Sale

Thursday, November 21-December 29

Wonderland of Lights

Friday, November 22

Silver Bells in the City

Saturday, November 23-December 24

Family Farm – Christmas Season

Sunday, November 24

Breakin Bread with the Blues

Thursday, November 28

Bordeaux’s Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving Buffet or Dinner

Family/Kid Friendly

Saturday, November 2

PhUn Day

Jungle Book

Family Day at the MSU Broad Museum

Nighttime Scavenger Hunt

Monday, November 4

South of the Border: Celebrating the Music of the Other Americas

Thursday, November 7

Sensory Friendly Movie Night

Saturday, November 9

Zoo in Your Neighborhood

Monday, November 11

MSU Bug House Open House

Friday, November 15

Sensory Friendly Story Time

Saturday/Sunday, November 23-24

Brunch with Santa

Saturday, November 30

Caroling at Schuler Books

Music

Saturday, November 2

Lansing Symphony Orchestra

Wednesday, November 6

Jazz from Detroit

Saturday, November 9

Live Music w/ Time2Play

Singers on the Grand “Fifties Favorites”

Jazz Octets and special guests

Sunday, November 10

JAMM Tribute Concert

Saturday, November 16

Sensory Friendly Spartan Concert

Sunday, November 17

“Feel the Beat” Drumming Circle

Thursday, November 21

Wind Symphony

Professional Development Opportunities

Tuesday, November 5

Managing Difficult Customers

Wednesday, November 6

Identify and Maximize Your Strengths

Thursday, November 7

Thriving Through Change

Identify and Maximize Your Strengths

Saturday, November 9

Lean In Michigan Leadership Conference

Tuesday, November 12

Payments to Non-Resident Aliens and Foreign Vendors

Roadmap to Retirement

Wednesday, November 13

Supervisor Strategies for Performance Planning

From Distracted to Productive

Thursday, November 14

Communicating and Influencing Up

Fundamentals of Supervision

Creating and Sustaining a Positive Workplace

Tuesday, November 19

Capital Asset Management

Wednesday, November 20

Presentation Skills 101

Thursday, November 21

Ten Tactics for Powerful Business Writing

EBS Financial System Roles/ Onboarding

Sustainable High Performance

Sports/Fitness

Sunday, November 3

Run-A-Munk 5K Trail Run

Thursday, November 28

Lansing Turkey Trot