Community Convos

This episode talks about Pickle Palooza, a lively event designed to introduce pickleball to the Lansing area and bring people together through sport. The event has grown into a three-day celebration with activities and tournaments that welcome participants of all ages and skill levels. Overall, it highlights how sports can build community, support healthy lifestyles, and create meaningful connecti...

Melissa Kaplan joins Daedalian on this edition of The Convo to preview this year’s Take a Stand! Sit In! event, taking place April 14 and 16. The 2026 theme, “Joy as Resistance,” highlights how creativity can inspire reflection and strengthen community connections through artistic expression, including film, storytelling, and music. Website: Take A Stand! Sit In! - April 14 & 16 Website: Capit...

On this episode of The Convo , Daedalian is joined by Tina Nguyen, Marketing and Membership Manager at Fenner Nature Center. Tina tells us about the various activities participants can expect, including animal encounters, local artisan vendors, and the famed pancake breakfast featuring Chris Cakes, known for their energetic pancake-flipping antics. This festival, which has been celebrated for over...

The Michigan Nordic Fire Festival is a captivating celebration that merges winter festivities with Viking culture, taking place from February 27th to March 1st at the Eaton County Fairgrounds in Charlotte. A'me McGill-Austin and Cassidy Brown join us on The Convo to give us the inside story behind the annual festival's array of activities, such as live entertainment, engaging children's events, an...

TeDen welcomes Lansing local, Leonardo Christian, to talk about two upcoming fundraising events to support patients with cancer. Christian himself is a cancer survivor, with his last treatment being on August 27th, 2025, and he's here to lend his heart, soul, and personality to help others. The first event is a silent auction on Friday, October 24th, at the Michigan Institute for Creative Art (MIC...

The Convos welcomes Smitty Smith into the studio to chat about the upcoming 15th annual Pump Stock Music Festival, a celebration of music that began as a neighborhood get-together and has evolved into a cherished community event showcasing a variety of musical talents, including local favorites and renowned artists. This year's Pumpstock takes place June 7th at Bailey Park in East Lansing. Attende...

Melissa Kaplan stops by The Convo to talk about "Take a Stand! Sit In!" an annual event aimed at inspiring people to take action towards the betterment of our world. This year's "Take a Stand! Sit In!" theme is climate change and it will foster an exchange of ideas and knowledge among faculty, staff, students, and community leaders. As a part of the Capital City Film Festival, attendees will have...

On this episode of The Covno , Daedalian catches up with Old Town Commercial Association's Executive Director, Samantha Bensen. Smantha gives a rundown of what to expect at this year's "Brrs, Beards, & Brews: A Lumberjack Festival". She tells about the festival's unique offerings, including a beard competition and various feats of strength. Website: March 29th - Brrs, Beards, & Brews: A Lu...

Event Co-organizer, Aja Washington stops by The Convo to talk about the Annual Dance by the River Pow Wow. This celebration of Native American culture and dance returns to Lansing after a four year hiatus. Annual Dance by the River Pow Wow: Sept. 28 & 29 Facebook: Anishinaabe Friendship Center Website: Event details at Choose Lansing

Liz Baker, co-chair for Lansing Out of the Darkness Walk and organization volunteer, Elli Wonch explain how this annual event is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. Out of the Darkness Walk: September 21, 2024 Website: Lansing Out of the Darkness Walk Website: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Website: Out of the Darkness Community Walks

Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art (MICA) President, Terry Terry and MICA Event Coordinator, Melissa Marciniak stop by The Convo to chat about this year's BluesFest in Old Town Lansing. No surprise that a lot of great blues will be on hand, but a job fair too!? What's that about? Listen to find out. Website: Michigan BluesFest - Sept. 18-21 Website: MICA To Volunteer: 371-4600 or visit https:...

Sarah Pierce, Owner and Founder of the 517 Living website stops by The Convo to chat about the website and her annual event, 517 Living Community Week. Event: 517 Living Community Week Website: 517 Living Facebook: 517 Living

Terry Terry, President of Michigan Institute for Contemporary Arts (MICA) joins The Convo to talk about JazzFest Michigan. After three decades, one of Michigan's longest running celebration of jazz returns to Old Town Lansing, July 31 - August 4. Website: Michigan Institute for Contemporary Arts & JazzFest Michigan Facebook: JazzFest Michigan

General Manger of Music Instrument Swap, Shawn "The Fun Czar" VanSteeland is well known as a community activist and supporter of the live music scene. If you've been to any of Mid-Michigan's Music in the Park events, you've likely seen or met The Fun Czar. On this episode of The Convo, he stops by to tell us about who will be playing where in 2024. Website: Music Instrument Swap Website: Lansing C...

If you're from Mid-Michigan, chances are that you have a memory of visiting the Impression 5 Science Center. Usually those memories are from childhood, but let's face it, Impression 5 is a fun and exciting place to be no matter your age! Impression 5 Communications Manager, Taylor Hodge and Director of Innovation and Learning, Micaela Balzer drop into The Convo to talk about one of Lansing's favor...

Julia Rodriguez and Tracy Smith from the KCS Angels join Daedalian and Coach Cut in the studio to talk about their first ever Spring Soirée. The KCS Angels is a social enrichment program for adults with disabilities and the Spring Soirée will be a semi-formal event, fundraiser and silent auction. KCS Angels Spring Soirée, April 27, 2024 Website: Eventbrite Tickets Website: KCS Angels Facebook: KCS...

LCC Historians at the Movies and the Historical Society of Greater Lansing collaborate to present Pave the Way: They Even Took the Dirt , a documentary exploring the impact of I496 construction in the 1960s on then thriving Black neighborhoods and business community. Melissa Kaplan with the Historians at the Movies team joins me to talk about the HSGL-produced film, the showing on Feb. 27, and the...

Cassie Little from Inside LCC hosts this edition of The Convo . Lansing Community College 's Performing Arts Production Coordinator, Paige Dunkel to talk about all the great events closing out 2023. Website: Performing Arts Calendar Performing Arts on Facebook

Melissa Kaplan joins Daedalian and Jereny on this edition of The Convo. Melissa talks about the global Climate Change Theatre Action; a festival with two nights of short plays from different countries, poetry, art and information presented by a multidisciplinary group of students, staff and faculty. LCC’s production features five CCTA plays: Thunderbird by Jo MacDonald, Anishinaabe playwright from...

Cassie Little from Inside LCC hosts this edition of The Convo . Lansing Community College 's Performing Arts Production Coordinator, Paige Dunkel stops by to give the details on not just one, but two upcoming free shows by the LCC Jazz Band. Website: Performing Arts Calendar Performing Arts on Facebook

Cassie Little from Inside LCC hosts this edition of The Convo . She is joined by Lansing Community College 's Performing Arts Production Coordinator, Paige Dunkel. The two chat about the upcoming presentation of Sense & Sensibility . Website: Sense & Sensibility, Nov. 10-12 & 17-19 Performing Arts on Facebook

Dan and Tylor Schutz, owners of Breakout Escape Rooms creeps into The Convo to tell us about their kid friendly Halloween Adventure that mixes the escape room concept, trunk or treat and haunted house. After chatting with Dan & Tylor, I had the chance to experience the Halloween Adventure. This was an engaging experience and it would be great fun for the kiddos as long an adult escorts them th...

Joe Garcia, CEO for Cristo Rey Community Center joins The Convo to talk about their upcoming Run For Giving 5K Run/Walk, an annual event to benefit one of Lansing's most accessible resources for those in need. Run For Giving 5K Run/Walk, October 21, 2023 Website: Cristo Rey Community Center

Carolyn Fabor, Special Projects Coordinator for Potter Park Zoo slides into The Convo to tell us all about on of Lansing's favorite fall features, Boo at the Zoo! Website: Potter Park Boo at the Zoo October 14-15, 21-22, 28-29

Cassie Little from Inside LCC hosts this edition of The Convo . She is joined by Lansing Community College 's Performing Arts Production Coordinator. The two chat about Isaac's Eye, this season's kick off performance. Website: Isaac's Eye, Oct. 6-8 & 13-14