Events
Annual Events
REO Town may be best known for its special events. Our organization is volunteer-driven, and we are always on the looking out for sponsors (both in-kind and financial), volunteers (that’s you!), and interesting new event concepts. Roughly half of REO Town’s events are coordinated by the REO Town Promotions Committee while the other half are partnerships with other neighborhood and event planning organizations.
REO Town Art Attack!
REO Town Art Attack! is a free, all-ages, outdoor art festival in REO Town! In partnership with REACH Studio Art Center, Art Attack! offers attendees opportunities to make art and celebrate local creators. Vendors line Washington Avenue, with live music and food trucks across the neighborhood. This event takes place in late August/early September.
Nightmare Off Elm Street
Nightmare Off Elm Street is REO Town's neighborhood Halloween party! Businesses stay open late, housing pop-up shows from local artists. Come from 5-8 to grab a bite and check out the exhibitions, then stick around for an evening of costume parties, burlesque and drag shows, and spooky hijinks! This event takes place in late October.
Art and Craft Beer Fest
Art and Craft Beer Fest is a collaboration with I'm a Beer Hound. Activating multiple neighborhood venues, Art and Craft Beer Fest presents an array of film, music, comedy and fine art, along with an impressive selection of local microbrews. A unique aspect of this festival is that it runs from 1PM to 10PM, and includes family-friendly activities during the day. Bounce between heated, indoors spaces and enjoy all that REO Town has to offer! This event takes place in early February.
Lansing Beer Fest
Lansing Beer Fest is an outdoor beer festival on Washington Avenue between South St. and Elm St. in REO Town. The festival features 20+ Michigan Breweries and around 100 craft beers, as well as a variety of ciders and spirits. In addition to the great beer selection, the event offers food trucks, live music, vendors and more! This event takes place in mid June.
REO Town Thrift Store Gala and Burlesque Extravaganza
REO Town’s biggest, weirdest fundraiser, the Thrift Store Gala features burlesque and circus arts performers in a warehouse space somewhere in the REO Town area. Attendees are encouraged to wear thrift or vintage apparel and Decadence Dolls, a Lansing pin-up photography studio, sponsors a ‘Miss Thrift’ pageant.
How to Get Involved
There are lots of ways to get involved in REO Town. Attend a board meeting, join a sub-committee, become a member of the commercial association, or just hang out at one of our local businesses!
Super Fancy Enterprises Presents: Brunchin' Bunnies
Sleepwalker Spirits And Ale1101 S Washington AveLansing, MI48910 Map
Join us this Easter Sunday for our first ever Sleepwalker Burlesque Brunch! Sarah Jean Anderson will be hosting a lively game of charades where our two burlesque performers and our attendees (that's you!) face off against one another. Our special four course fixed menu is being prepared by the lovely and talented Chef Gen and will feature an assortment of Easter themed delicacies. We hope you'll join us! Space is very limited, so get your ticket soon!... See MoreSee Less
Smomid (presented by Capital City Film Festival)
The Robin Theatre1105 S Washington AveLansing, MI48910 Map
8PM show | 7:30PM doors
Free to attend! Please RSVP to reserve a seat. Donations welcome!
Generously sponsored by the Capital City Film Festival!
With a special opening set from The Jodie Foster Star System!
Smomid is a project by Nick Demopoulos, who is a performer, musician and instrument builder. Smomid only utilizes instruments he has designed and built to perform interactive computer music. The name is derived from an acronym of his primary instrument: “String Modeling Midi Device.” Smomid music often features glitchy and scattered beats, sampling, abstract textures, ambient spaces, and improvisation. Smomid music draws on many varied influences and creates bizarre juxtapositions with deft sonic versatility, with samples of heavy beats, Gregorian Monks chanting and Taiko drum sounds all coexisting comfortably. (One thing that doesn’t come across in an audio transmission is that there is also a visual aspect to Smomid Music. All the instruments emit light through high powered LEDs, and some illuminate visual animations and secret messages through several LED display embedded in the instruments.)
Audio Visual Compilation Video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BwdDctQBo8
Recent Audio/Visual work:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2aUTMq0td0&t=184s
Latest Album, from August 2022:
smomid.bandcamp.com/album/cyber-solstice
Some Recent Press:
ventsmagazine.com/2022/08/01/smomid-release-cyber-solstice-lp/
www.indiemusicreview.com/album-reviews/smomid-cyber-solstice
Website:
smomid.com/... See MoreSee Less
RTCA Board Meeting
Sleepwalker Spirits And Ale1101 S Washington AveLansing, MI48910 Map
The RTCA Board meets at 6pm on the third Tuesday of each month at Sleepwalker (1101 South Washington) to discuss updates from our various subcommittees, upcoming events, finances, development news, and any other big-picture REO Town stuff. Board meetings are open to anyone.... See MoreSee Less
The Poetry Room Open Mic Presents Dumpster Fire
The Robin Theatre1105 S Washington AveLansing, MI48910 Map
7PM doors open, 7:30 event starts
Registration required to read/attend the event! Please read below!
Welcome back to The Poetry Room Open Mic! This is an inclusive space for people from all backgrounds and experience levels to read and listen to poetry. You are welcome here!
Space is limited at The Robin, so we are doing signups and registration ahead of time. We have space for 16 poets to sign up before the event, and 4 to be chosen via lottery the night of the show. Each poet will be allowed to share one poem, 5 minutes or less in length. Signups will open three weeks before the event at noon (for this event 4/4), and can be done by through the sign up genius link provided.
We also have seating for about 40 people to attend the event, in addition to those sharing their work on stage. Because seating is limited, we ask that you register in advance at TheRobinTheatre.com. This event is free to attend, but you will have the option to donate to The Poetry Room when registering (you can select $0 or above).
Additional notes:
Preference will be given to poets who didn't read the previous month, in the interest of giving everyone a chance to share their work. Please consider registering to attend these events even if you're not reading! The Poetry Room is a great chance to engage with fellow writers and the beautiful community around The Poetry Room and The Robin Theatre. Thanks!
These events have been sponsored with generous donations from [insert names here].... See MoreSee Less
Djangophonique at The Robin
The Robin Theatre1105 S Washington AveLansing, MI48910 Map
8PM show, 7:30 doors
All Ages, $20
BYOB: You can bring beer or wine from Sleepwalker (next-door to The Robin) to this show. Outside, non-alcoholic beverages are also allowed.
One of our favorite acts in the state. Last time Djangophonique was here they received multiple encores. Check them out!
Djangophonique is a virtuosic, instrumentally driven acoustic jazz quartet led by guitar player Andrew Brown. With over a decade of national touring experience, Brown is no stranger to the stage and delivers every performance with personality and enigmatic charm. A true disciple of the style, Brown has spent countless hours immersing himself in the language of Django Reinhardt’s jazz manouche, and he’s joined on stage by bandmates that match his skill and passion for the material. The result is a sound that’s unmistakable to fans of the music, and alluring to the uninitiated—a sound that can bring the lively energy of a parisian dance hall to the quietest listening room or captivate a buzzing festival audience with a shimmering ballad. With respect for the tradition and a fearless creativity that bends the conventions of the style, Djangophonique is keeping the Hot Club revival alive and well in Michigan.
youtu.be/aPBCj0ar29c
djangophonique.com/#about... See MoreSee Less
Eric O'Daly / Max Lockwood at The Robin - Album Release Show!
The Robin Theatre
8PM, 7:30 doors
All Ages! $20, $15 student ($25 at the door)
BYOB from Sleepwalker!
Celebrating the release of Max Lockwood's new album!
Two of Michigan's finest up-and-coming singers and songwriters, with phenomenal bands, on one night! Eric O'Daly and Max Lockwood share this co-bill, and will perform songs off of their recent albums. Each band will perform a 45 minute set, see you there!
Eric O'Daly
If you're looking for music that will move you, challenge you and inspire you, then look no further than Eric O'Daly. A master of songwriting, O'Daly knows how to craft a beautiful ballad that will stay with you long after the song is over. But what really makes him stand out as a musician, vocalist and performer is his ability to connect with any audience. Whether he's singing about heartbreak or hope, love or loss, O’Daly’s music has a way of reaching inside your soul and resonating deeply.
Rolling Along (w/ band): youtu.be/Bvfhm8ZmrnQ
Red River Sun (Solo): youtu.be/Ui_XqNxcyks
Max Lockwood
Songwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and poet Max Lockwood has a sound rooted in songcraft and heartfelt lyricism. His music is a unification of rock & roll with folk and pop. With full arrangements and rich, poetic lyrics Max creates deep, sonic landscapes that reveal truths of love, adversity, growth. The intertwined essences bring a thoughtful and fresh new take on the singer-songwriter genre.
Burning it Down: youtu.be/36IL-5tXuwY
Tried Love: youtu.be/k4Eq7o47Hm0... See MoreSee Less
Roochie Toochie and the Ragtime Shepherd Kings at The Robin
The Robin Theatre1105 S Washington AveLansing, MI48910 Map
8PM (7:30 doors)
All ages ($20 adv, $25 door, $15 students)
BYOB from Sleepwalker!
Unforgettable music and performances from this eclectic and talented band. Don't miss this show!
After forming in 2013 to fulfill their shared dream of recording an entire album on wax cylinder, Roochie Toochie transformed their recorded repertoire of antique novelty tunes into a fantastic stage show that puts a capital "S" in showmanship. When you see the Ragtime Shepherd Kings you'll witness: fancy fiddling, dueling hawaiian guitars, ukelele wizardry, flashy lap-steel guitar, a menagerie of toy instruments, vocal harmonies that sound as if they were polished by hand, a musical pig "porkestra," scandalous dancing--and that's just the intermission!
Roochie Toochie and the Ragtime Shepherd Kings have performed at festivals, museums, theatres and the like across the country including but not limited to: First place winners of the Neotraditional Band Contest at the Appalachian String Band Festival in Clifftop VA 2015; Kauai Old Time Gathering, Kauai, HI; Knoxville Stomp, Knoxville, TN; The Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association Festival in Richmond, MN; Black Pot Festival, Lafayette, LA; Indiana Fiddler's Gathering, Battle Ground, IN; Old Tone Roots Music Festival, Hillsdale, NY and the Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI.
roochietoochie.com/about/
Video 1: youtu.be/WZlpJ7te2wg
Video 2: youtu.be/MUVys7WcCfw... See MoreSee Less