Barbershops have become a center of social activity, as seen in pop culture.

“Barbershop,” 2002, starring Ice Cube

“Barbershop 2: Back in Business,” 2004, starring Ice Cube

The evil barber

Sweeney Todd is perhaps the most famous of barbers in pop culture, spawning movies and musicals about this fictional serial killer.

The musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” told the story of a barber-turned-serial killer who slit his victims’ throats with a razor.

After being betrayed and banished by a judge and cohort, he returns to exact revenge and be reunited with his daughter.

The film version, starring Johnny Depp in the lead role and directed by Tim Burton, comes to theaters this Christmas.

The barbershop quartet

When you say barbershop, the image of men in clean suit coats snapping their fingers and swaying to the melody in this signature musical style.

The barbershop style is said to have begun in the late 1800s with black performers.

The group sings a cappella.

Traditionally, the four members include a lead, tenor, bass and baritone.

Quartets performed in parlors, inns and, of course, barbershops.

Local shops

Stop into one of these local shops for your next haircut:

Arkie’s Barber Shop

4984 Northwind Drive

(517) 337-9219

Frandor Barber Shop

400 Frandor Ave., Lansing

(517) 351-4521

Red Cedar Barber Shop

940 Trowbridge Road

(517) 351-1504

Campus Barbers Inc.

621 E. Grand River Ave.

(517) 337-9881