The final hurrahs of 2023

Lansing-area residents can welcome in the new year this weekend with events ranging from dances, drag shows and concerts to a masquerade party and a magic show. If you’ve already made plans for Sunday, there are also art exhibitions, kids’ activities and concerts to enjoy in the days prior.

For Friday evening’s live music, we have classic-rock, pop, blues and country cover band Time2Play at UrbanBeat at 7; guitarist and songwriter Matthew Shannon at the Peanut Barrel at 8; blues-rock band Frog & the Beeftones at the Green Door at 8:30; and rapper Lil Scrappy at the Junction at 9. Saturday evening, we have rock ‘n’ roll bands Sean Anthony Sullivan, J.H. Patton & the Good Companions and Something with James at Mac’s Bar at 8 and blues group Gina Garner & the All Night Long Band at the Green Door at 8:30. Sunday evening, we have indie-rock band Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers at Grewal Hall at 224 at 8; ‘80s cover band Miranda & the M-80s at The Green Door and a slew of electronic musicians from Michigan and Colorado at Lansing Shuffle, both at 8:30; and more electronic music sets at Mac’s Bar as well as a dance party with live rock ‘n’ roll by the GTG Records Party Band and a DJ set by local DJ and producer Skeptic at the Avenue, both at 9.

Other New Year’s events on Sunday include a free day of festivities at High Caliber Karting and Entertainment in the Meridian Mall, with Disney trivia at 2 p.m., karaoke at 5 p.m., a concert with cover band JP & the Energy at 9 p.m. and a balloon drop at midnight; a Ten Pound Fiddle Contra and Square Dance at the DeWitt Township Community Center, featuring a community potluck at 6:30 p.m., a short dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. and dance party that will wrap up shortly after midnight, with a break for dessert around 9:45 p.m.; another dance party beginning at 7 p.m. at Hawk Hollow Banquet Center in Bath, featuring a DJ, dinner, a cash bar and a champagne toast at midnight; a masquerade party beginning at 8 p.m. at Lansing Brewing Co., featuring live music, champagne Jell-O shots, a special beer release and a balloon drop at midnight; a seven-course dinner based on the seven deadly sins at 8 p.m. at Okemos farm-to-table pop-up restaurant Red Haven, which is close to selling out; a party at LGBTQ+ bar The Exchange, featuring food and drink specials beginning at 5 p.m., burlesque and drag performances at 10 p.m. and midnight and a champagne toast at midnight; and a drag show beginning at 9 p.m. at the Junction, featuring a special performance by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Trinity K. Bonet as well as free party favors, DJ sets and a champagne toast at midnight.

Art displays on view this weekend include late local artist and former Michigan State University Professor Lawrence French Holbrook’s digital art at Old Town’s MICA Gallery, which is open noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, and local artist Bobbie Margolis’ “Mixed Media Medley” exhibition at the Okemos Library, which is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Call the library at 517-347-2021 before visiting to make sure the gallery space is open.

Kids ages 5 to 11 can enjoy a Mission to Space-themed day camp 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Impression 5 Science Center, and kids in fourth grade and above can make folded-paper icicles at Charlotte Community Library 4 p.m. Friday.

It’s the last weekend to visit the Turner-Dodge House’s Holiday Open House, which runs noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Finally, Jeff the Magician, winner of Best Entertainer in the 2023 Top of the Town contest, will perform a magic show 11 a.m. Sunday at Lansing Shuffle.

Whatever you choose to do, I wish you the best of weekends — and a happy new year.

(Have an event? Be sure to list it free at lansingcitypulse.com/calendar. Think it’s worth at least a short story? Send a news release to nicole@lansingcitypulse.com for consideration.)