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Community Members Invited to Attend the Sweetheart Ball

The East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts (ELPRA) invites community members to the popular annual Sweetheart Ball. The dance will take place Wednesday, Feb. 8 and Thursday, Feb. 9 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center (ELHCC), 819 Abbot Road.

Youth, along with their favorite adult/caregiver (or even their whole family), can enjoy a Valentine-inspired night. The night will include a DJ, dancing, snacks, refreshments, a magic mirror photo booth, a craft table and more. Semi-formal or dressy attire is recommended for this special night! The cost is $14 per person.

Advanced registration is highly recommended, as the dances fill up fast. To register, call the ELHCC at (517) 333-2580 ext. 0 or go online to www.cityofeastlansing.com/classes.

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" Hits the Stage

All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre is excited to perform the C.S. Lewis fantasy “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” in February. This production re-creates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting Narnia. The show opens on Friday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m.

Additional show dates and times are Feb. 4, Feb. 5, Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. and Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $7 for youth (17 and under) and $10 for adults (18 and older). Community members can purchase tickets ahead of time by visiting the ELHCC Box Office, by calling (517) 333-2580 ext. 0 or going online at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/70111. For more information, visit cityofeastlansing.com/allofus.

Health and Wellness Goals in the New Year

For those who made a New Year’s resolution to take better care of their health, the East Lansing Hannah Community Center is available to help with any health and wellness goals. The ELHCC offers opportunities to work out via the fitness center, swimming pool and gymnasiums. The fitness center is open Monday-Friday (6 a.m.–9 p.m.), Saturday (8 a.m.–9 p.m.) and Sunday (noon–8 p.m.). The pool and gyms have a schedule, and the schedules can be found here https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/hannah. Community members can purchase affordable daily passes, 10-visit passes or an annual pass.

If looking for a customized workout, ELHCC's personal trainer, Jessica, works with clients to design a workout to achieve their goals. Affordable one-time and six-visit packages for personal training are offered. As an incentive, ELHCC is also offering 10% off a six-visit package through the end of January 2023. Fitness room orientations and Body Mass Index measurements are also available by appointment and for a small fee. Call (517) 319-6955 for an appointment.

Group fitness and yoga classes are also offered at ELHCC! Additional information can be found at www.cityofeastlansing.com/classes.

School of Rock Auditions – Adults and Youth

All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre (AECT) is excited to bring "School of Rock" to the stage in spring 2023. This will be the first show since 2019 where AECT will be featuring a mixed cast of youth and adults. "School of Rock" follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn extra money by posing as a substitute teacher at a prep school. There, he turns a class of straight-A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. The show will take place April 28-May 7, 2023.

Auditions will be held Thursday, Feb. 23 and Friday, Feb. 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center (ELHCC), 819 Abbot Road. Those auditioning will only need to attend one of the audition times. The minimum age to audition is 9 years old. Those interested in auditioning can reserve a time slot at https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/816/Auditions.

Additionally, an audition workshop to help potential cast members prepare for the audition experience will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the ELHCC and costs $15 ($10 for members). Pre-registration is required to attend the workshop and space is limited! To register for the audition workshop, visit the ELHCC or call (517) 333-2580 ext. 0.

Seeking Volunteers for Environmental Stewardship Work Days

The East Lansing Environmental Stewardship Program involves the community in the restoration of the City of East Lansing's park biotic communities by removing problematic invasive plant species and replacing them with native species. Volunteers are needed for upcoming work days:

January 14, 2023
Albert A. White Memorial Park
Meet behind Fire Station 1, located at 1700 Abbot Road

January 16, 2023
Harrison Meadows Park
1700 Roxburgh Ave.

Hours for all work days are 9-11 a.m. Staff will provide all needed tools for the work day. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that can get a little dirty. To RSVP for a work day, email hmajano@cityofeastlansing.com.