Old Town's annual Oktoberfest to feature German food, beer

Lansing's Old Town is hosting their ninth annual Oktoberfest — mid-Michigan's only German Oktoberfest celebration.

MSU Bhangra team a blend of tradition, modernity

Amit Raizada. Sophomore. Human Biology. “It’s a folk dance that is very high energy and involves a lot of fast, upbeat movements.”Used to be all girls…it’s very different structurally than having girls and guys doing it…more partner work and the way guys do bhangra in a more manly way…adds a different element Gurwinder Singh (goes by Monty). Computer engineering. 4.5 years as student Second year on the team I’m Punjabi…that’s where the dance originates from so I knew about it. “It’s way more technical than you would think but it’s great. I love it.”"Performing is like an out of body experience. At first you're nervous but then it's pure adrenaline and you're just out there having fun." Neha Gohel. Human development and family studies senior It was co-ed…been all girls for three to four years…go back to co-edWe are a competitive team…around the world, wherever we can go!3-4 minute video, wear black (can’t know where you’re from) if the judges want to see us compete, we get invited R2B2 in Dallas…has placed first place three years in a row (two years ago didn’t place but it was still a great experience)It was really cool because personally I didn’t do bhangra growing up, but I did do other Indian forms of dancingDidn’t know what to expect…when I showed up it was so cool that different colleges also have these teams. We all go to share our own experiences and there’s always a mixer the night before the comp. "We're not an all Indian team, so it's really cool to see how everyone interacts with each other, and how non-Punjabis can be on the team too." Coming into it, I had no idea…freshmen year I was really scared had no idea what I was getting myself intoDancing is a great workout…started dancing when I was 7 years old so it’s always been one of my bigger passions…it’s just cool how I got family out of it too! “We all hype each other up. You just get this energy from your team members.”Navmeet Dhillon. 5th year. Communication. On since freshmen year, took year off last year, this is 4th yearBeen to R2B2 in Dallas Tampa Bay, Florida Washington D.C. Most of them usually happen in second semester One of the reasons I came back was because I was just itching to come back and compete…it’s like going to a competition versus being in a competition is completely different "Over the years I have met so many people that I still keep in touch with. It becomes a sense of community, and it has helped me learn how to connect with others in a different way.”Didn’t know what I was signing up for freshmen year…just signed up because I like to danceThere are teams from all over…mainly went on the east coast there’s a lot on the west coast but it’s more expensive Meet people from EVERYWHEREIt’s a lot of fun because you get to know people really well…we always talk about interacting with each other on stage. If you have chemistry as a team, the audience can automatically see it and if they see you’re having fun, they have funClose-knit, like a family Family away from home…sometimes we will just sit around vent. Or you need someone to cheer you up! After you dance, you just feel so much better. It’s the biggest stress reliever. Stopped because I needed to focus on school, but it didn’t work….needed it back!Used to just think it was fun to watch and never thought of it…now that she’s doing it, she questions why she never thought of it before! “The happiest I am, is when I’m dancing”What’s cool about bhangra is that it can be traditional and modern…the music is mixed in with American music…it still has it’s traditional aspects "Even though it looks like we are going crazy on stage with our fast movement, a lot of grace gets put into it, and it is a very powerful style as well."

First MSU study abroad production goes Beyond Bollywood

Film production went above and beyond Bollywood in a unique study abroad experience.Over this past summer, several students embarked on a study abroad program in India designed to teach about film production and media in Bollywood.

The Hacky Turtles, a band with MSU students, works to spread music and positivity

Cru's annual Barn Bash relocated to bigger venue for bigger festivities

Cru, a student-led organization centered around Christianity , threw their annual Barn Bash this Friday and raised the roof — but not actually in a barn.

Sorority girls compete in Pi Kappa Alpha's annual Fireman's Challenge

Shrieking sorority sisters ran from a wheelbarrow race to a six-legged race on Wednesday in an obstacle course created by Pi Kappa Alpha.

Active National Guard member and student plays a soldier in MSU production

“Midwinter: A War Without Soldiers” reads the promotional poster for the MSU Department of Theatre’s first production.

Good Eats: the scoop on East Lansing ice cream shops

– Brittany Mearim“I like how they mix in the toppings. The toppings are really big because they’re homemade. They have really good variety.” – Andrea Raby“It’s really good ice cream on campus. It has more of a draw than a chain because it’s made at MSU."– Jane Sirigiri "Tasty Twist is more about the memories I've had there over the years of living in EL than just about the ice cream. It's always been like the late night hangout with friends and where we went for lunch in high school. But it's also one of the cheaper options and still delicious and coconut flavored soft-serve will never disappoint."– Kelsie Harper"I like tutti frutti because their frozen yogurt flavors are unique, but still really good. I love that you can add whatever toppings you want and it's fun to create your own cup of froyo."Links:cold stone: https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/aboutus/index.ht...msu dairy store: http://dairystore.msu.edu/tutti fruitti: http://www.tfyogurt.com/tasty twist: https://www.facebook.com/pages/East-Lansing-Tasty-Twist/109708919048854

To some students, disc golf is 'more than smoking weed or drinking beer'

By Ian Martinimartin@statenews.comIt was four years ago, during the beginning of his freshman year, when international relations senior Eric Savoie decided he wanted to start a disc golf club here at MSU.“I got the idea to get a club going, and that same week my buddy texted me a picture of a flyer – it was from some guy named Ziggy – that said disc golf club being formed, informational meeting this day,” Savoie said.

Pete Yorn will perform at The Loft this Sunday

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Pete Yorn will be performing at The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave, this upcoming Sunday, Oct. 5 at 8 p.m.

MSU alumna and Baby Einstein founder to speak at Wells Hall

Aspiring entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to learn from somewhat of an “Einstein.” MSU alumna, founder of The Baby Einstein Company and New York Times bestselling author Julie Aigner-Clark will be speaking to students and faculty Monday night on her success as well as new projects she is working on.

Professor celebrates 50 years at MSU with football-themed music composition

Professor Jere Hutcheson’s new composition, “Midnight Voyage,” premiered Sept. 26 at Wharton Center to celebrate his 50 years at MSU — and it came with a surprise.

Sigma Pi hosts annual volleyball tournament to raise money for U.S. troops

Warm weather and a large group of people showed up at the Sigma Pi fraternity house on Sunday for the annual philanthropy volleyball game.While the tournament was meant to be a fun way to get a team together to play volleyball, the charity chosen to receive the money is close to the brothers’ hearts.This year the brothers decided to donate all proceeds from the event to Operation Homefront which provides assistance to U.S.

Horsing around: MSU students raise and train newborn horses

Ten new baby horses have stomped into the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center this year. The foals were born between April and June and horse management students have a great opportunity to train and maintain them this semester.

Homecoming: a weekend of nostalgia for alumni

Every year, homecoming weekend draws in alumni from all corners looking to celebrate what it means to be a Spartan

Good Eats: drinking in East Lansing's coffee scene

Starbucks “I love their smoothies.

Stephen King's 'Carrie' basis for musical coming to Wharton Center

Bullying is about to become center stage.MSU will welcome New York City native Joe Barros as the guest director for the production of Carrie the Musical, coming to the Pasant Theatre at Wharton Center from October 10 through October 19.Barros said he wanted to incorporate the themes of bullying by use of technology,

Storied history

Just as the term Spartan has established the culture of the university, there are many iconic places rooted deep in MSU’s past that continue to serve as emblems for the Spartan experience, and carry this same feeling of pride that has evolved from generation to generation.

Facetime with Sweet Lorraine's Fabulous Mac 'n Cheez! owner Lorraine Platman

With 14 different types of macaroni and cheese to offer, Sweet Lorraine’s Fabulous Mac ‘n Cheez! offers students a taste of home cooking.mrBehind the operation are Lorraine Platman and her husband, Gary Sussman. The couple are no strangers to East Lansing — they were both MSU students at one point before transferring to other schools.

MSU basketball player Keenan Wetzel writes short film starring former basketball player Delvon Roe

After five months of pre-production, the crew of “The Cager” has wrapped up taping the short film about a basketball player who gets injured in college. “He was supposed to be the top-10 pick in the country and gets hurt during one of his games and isn’t able to go to the pros,” Eightfold Marketing and Creative CEO and founder Nicholas Stachurski