Explore all greater Lansing has to offer in the new year

Not sure what to do with your weekend now that the busy holiday season is over? For those who are itching to get out of the house, there are plenty of opportunities for music, art, dance and more throughout the Lansing area.

On Friday evening, singer-songwriter Darin Larner Jr. will perform at One North Kitchen & Bar at 6:30, country/rock artist Jamison Livingston will play at Eaton Rapids Craft Co. at 7, Tony Thompson will bring his eclectic range of musical stylings to The Peanut Barrel at 8 and emo/pop-punk bands FinalBossFight!, Tournament, Clipboards and Corduroy Pants will have guests moving at Mac’s Bar, also at 8. Saturday evening brings guitarist Keith Minaya to One North at 6:30, blues musician Deacon Earl to Eaton Rapids Craft Co. at 7 and Punks With Lunch’s benefit show featuring Dear Heretic, Pancho Villa’s Skull, Former Critics and She/Her/Hers to The Avenue at 9. For more information about the benefit show, check out this week’s Turn it Down.

If you still haven’t seen William Hays’ landscape-themed linoleum block prints, they are on display at Saper Galleries and Custom Framing Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Zaha Hadid Design: Untold” at the MSU Broad Art Museum, featuring objects and spaces designed by the building’s creator, also continues Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Get up and moving with Ten Pound Fiddle’s Contra and Square Dance at Central United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. Saturday. If you need a refresher or you’re new to the series, get there at 6:30 for a quick workshop on contra dance moves. If you have two left feet or prefer to get your exercise in with your four-legged friend, Harris Nature Center is hosting a guided, three-mile walk through the woods for dogs and their owners at 7 p.m. Friday. Just make sure your pet is on a six-foot, non-retractable leash.

Country Stitches in East Lansing is having a Quilt-A-Thon from 10:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with finished products going to End Violent Encounters, Loaves & Fishes Ministries, Ronald McDonald House and Gateway Community Services. No experience is needed since volunteers will just be tying and finishing the quilts, so anyone from pro quilters to novices can come out and help the cause.

Unfortunately, Wild Ferns Wellness’ salon owner and photographer both passed away recently, and the business is still recovering. Owners and staff hope the Ferns are Forever variety show, a fundraiser taking place at 7 p.m. Friday at The Avenue, will help the wellness center get back on its feet. There will be stand-up comedy, drag performances, spoken-word poetry, an open mic, “queerlesque,” a silent auction and more. The event will also be broadcast virtually.

After a hectic December, I understand if you just want to sleep in and relax at home this weekend. There’s so much to do, though, that it feels like a waste to let it all pass by. I urge you to try out at least one new event, venue or artist in the new year. I wish you the best of weekends.