Next week, the lights go down for the East Lansing Film Society Film Series' final month of programming before taking the summer off. So long, Werner Herzog; hey there, Iron Man — gotta give those blockbusters room to breathe.

In a perfect world, a visionary filmmaker such as Sam Raimi could make a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz" without having it compared to its 1939 predecessor, inarguably one of the greatest motion pictures ever made. Sure, we're in the middle of a spate of subpar big screen adaptations and "re-imaginings" of classic children's stories, but it's hardly fair to make Raimi pay for the sins of his peers. But films aren't made in a vacuum; every allusion has its price.

Last weekend, the festively named Arty Party Studio celebrated its grand opening in Okemos, and co-owner/operator Susan Brewster said the response was overwhelming — about 200 folks turned out, mostly friends and members of the community.

Steppin' In It lead singer Joshua Davis releases his third rootsy solo album, "A Miracle of Birds," Friday at (SCENE) Metrospace. Backing Davis is Laura Bates, Jen Sygit, Mike Lynch and Geoff Lewis. Davis' new album was inspired by a trip he made last year to the West Bank.

Farces are a tricky business. When done well, they can evoke the subtle humor of Noel Coward or the broad slapstick of the Monty Python troupe. When they misfire, you can be left with something akin to a second-rate Wayans Brothers dud, which is better off being entirely avoided.

Pull the modest levers within your reach and big things roll your way — with a little luck. That’s how Michigan State University’s Wharton Center pieced together a big-city performing arts series in a middle-sized market for 2011-2012, drawing big names like Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis and the Vienna Symphony to the capital area.

Steady on the podium, gentle in person, Lansing Symphony maestro Timothy Muffitt is the last person you’d cast as a mad organist. But Muffitt and his legions are sounding mighty chords in next year’s season, which was announced Sunday.

At 7 a.m. Thursday, a flatbed truck backed into the parking lot of the Lansing City Market and aimed a 24-foot-long wooden crate toward the riverbank. Two workers unbolted one end of the crate. The morning sun caught a gleaming curve. Something very large, sleek and silver was sleeping inside — something from California. Was the majestic humpback whale being returned to the Grand River at last?

A college semester in Kenya brought East Lansing artist Dana Bustamante’s pen to life — along with her watercolors, oils and anything else that was lying around. One of seven Emerging Artists in the 2011 East Lansing Art Festival, Bustamante found the subject of everyday life in Kenya more important than the medium.

A college semester in Kenya brought East Lansing artist Dana Bustamante’s pen to life — along with her watercolors, oils and anything else that was lying around. One of seven Emerging Artists in the 2011 East Lansing Art Festival, Bustamante found the subject of everyday life in Kenya more important than the medium.