Lansing-area happenings to put you in a romantic spirit

With Valentine’s Day coming up on Tuesday (Feb. 14), Greater Lansing has a multitude of holiday-themed events to enjoy this weekend as well as live music, art and science exhibits, theater productions and more.

For Friday evening’s live music, we have The New Rule at Reno’s East at 6; Tony Thompson at Red Cedar Spirits and the Cadillac Duo at Eaton Rapids Craft Co., both at 7; Tannahill Weavers from Scotland at University United Methodist Church at 7:30; The Swift Brothers at The Peanut Barrel and MSU’s Symphony Orchestra at the Wharton Center, both at 8; The Corzo Effect at The Green Door at 8:30; and The Stick Arounds, LVRS and Tangelo at The Avenue at 9. Saturday evening, we have Crossroads Resurrection at UrbanBeat, The Swift Brothers at Lansing Brewing Co., Cat Story at Eaton Rapids Craft Co., Tony Thompson at Ellison Brewery in East Lansing and Potts Road at Williamston Roadhouse, all at 7; Lansing Symphony Orchestra’s “Music of the ‘80s” at the Wharton Center at 7:30; Afro Beat Night with DJ Dalavey at UrbanBeat and Mungion and Moscow Mexico at Mac’s Bar, both at 8; Jimmy Likes Pie at The Green Door at 8:30; and Anvil Crawler, Cavalcade, A Rueful Noise and Lucius Fox at The Avenue at 9. 5 p.m. Sunday, Elden Kelly will present “Songs of Love” at UrbanBeat just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Additional Valentine’s Day-themed events include a TGIF Dinner and Dance Valentine’s party at Eagle Eye Golf Club & Banquet Center in Bath 7 p.m. Friday; a free book giveaway with Valentine’s treats and refreshments at the Capital Area Literacy Coalition 9 a.m. to noon Saturday; a mixed-media Valentine card workshop at the Lansing Art Gallery 10 a.m. to noon Saturday; Tease A Gogo’s burlesque show, featuring a kissing contest and photo booth, at The Junction 8 p.m. Saturday; “Burning Desires,” an afternoon of love poetry, at UrbanBeat 2 p.m. Sunday; and a Valentine’s dog treat baking class at Bradly’s HG 1 p.m. Sunday.

Keeping with this holiday theme, the Art Williamston gallery is hosting an opening reception for its “Love is in the Air” exhibit 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. If you want to check out other exhibits in the area, MSU Federal Credit Union’s Student Art Exhibit is on display at its Headquarters Building 1 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; “Working Hands” continues at the Lansing Art Gallery 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; Kevin Epling's "Adventures in Small Scale: The Art of Toy Photography" can be viewed at the Hannah Community Center's Public Art Gallery 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday; and “Blind Spot” and “Zaha Hadid Design: Untold” are open at MSU’s Broad Art Museum 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The Hadid exhibit is closing after this weekend, so make sure to experience it while you still can.

Riverwalk Theatre will present “Misery,” based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. For those who are easily frightened or have young children, All-of-Us Express Children’s Theatre will finish its two-weekend run of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at the Hannah Community Center 7 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and Peppermint Creek Theatre Co. will perform "Daddy Long Legs" at Bestseller's Books and Coffee Co. in Mason 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

This week’s Sparking Science session at Impression 5 Science Center, 10 a.m. Friday for ages 2 to 4, is “Awesome Artists”-themed. The center is also opening a “DC Super Heroes: Discover Your Superpowers”exhibit, which fans of characters like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman can visit 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday or Sunday.

Another science-themed event, Darwin Discovery Day at the MSU Museum, will explore the effects of climate change on plants, animals and ecosystems with hands-on demonstrations and the opportunity to speak with museum curators and university faculty and students. It runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by a screening of “Natural Selection,” about Charles Darwin’s life and work, at Abrams Planetarium at 3 p.m.

The 23^rd annual Mid-Michigan Women’s Expo will bring hundreds of exhibits, activities and vendors to the Lansing Center 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For the fathers of the family, Lansing’s Official Daddy-Daughter Dance at The Venue by Eleven 11 Events (located in the Lansing Mall) 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday offers a red carpet, custom mocktail menu, dessert bar, live music, dancing and more.

Whether you celebrate it with a romantic partner, family or friends, I hope you have an indulgent, love-filled Valentine’s Day. I wish you the best of weekends.