life/events-entertainment - The State News

On Tuesday, March 25, the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s “New Orleans Songbook” will make an appearance at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts’ Cobb Great Hall. The “New Orleans Songbook” will be led by music director, arranger and pianist Luther S. Allison, who received his Master of Music in jazz studies from MSU in 2019, and will also feature bass player Liany Mateo, who received her bachelor's degree in jazz studies, majoring in bass performance, in 2020.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

MSU graduate students to host second annual sexual health conference

Demonte Thomas

March 21, 2025

The conference’s organizers said the event fosters community among like-minded individuals, with this year's theme being "Embracing diversity and rewriting narratives."

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Her Sound, Her City: DJs share their passion for electronic music

Amelia Fraser

March 21, 2025

As a part of the Michigan State University museum’s current Techno: The Rise of Detroit’s Machine Music exhibition, Her Sound, Her City: Detroit’s Women Shaping Electronic Music was a two-part event March 20. The event’s goal was to recognize Detroit’s electronic music scene and the women who helped build it.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Columbia professor speaks on 'nuclear threat,' war in Ukraine at MSU event

Ria Gupta

March 21, 2025

On Thursday, Columbia University professor and MSU graduate school alum Peter Clement spoke to MSU students and staff about Putin and his threats of nuclear war from 2018 to present day.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Social media, fast fashion impact longevity of clothing trends

Melody Meyer

March 18, 2025

Fashion trends seem to come and go much more quickly than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. MSU experts and students reflect on the impacts of social media and fast fashion on the longevity of trends and the quality of clothing.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Bbno$ announced as MSU Spring Concert headliner

Dakota Hendren

March 15, 2025

The headliner of the 2025 Spring Concert has been announced as bbno$, a Canadian rapper and singer most known for his song "Lalala" with Y2K, which went viral in 2019. The concert will take place on March 27 at the Breslin Center. Tickets are now on sale on the Spartan Athletic Ticket Office.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

'Life of Pi' transforms the Wharton Center stage

Victoria Winfield

March 12, 2025

The newest show at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts is 'Life of Pi,' which opened on Tuesday, March 11 and will be running until Sunday, March 16. The cast of the show gathered in the Wharton Center on March 12 to answer questions from fans and community members.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wharton Center announces 2025-2026 Broadway series

Amy Cho

March 3, 2025

Michigan State University’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts has officially announced its selections for the upcoming 2025-2026 Broadway series. The list of shows includes six Broadway shows that will be making their Wharton Center debut, as well as two special events.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Feed the Break provides meal for students, raises awareness for food insecurity

Amy Cho

March 1, 2025

On Friday, Feb. 28, MSU’s University Activities Board (UAB) hosted the Feed the Break event at the Multicultural Center. In collaboration with MSU’s Spartan Food Security Council (SFSC). Feed the Break was established to provide a meal for students before spring break and to raise awareness about food insecurity.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Joel Christian Gill gives presentation on the power of storytelling

Melody Meyer

February 28, 2025

On Thursday, Feb. 27, cartoonist and historian Joel Christian Gill led a presentation at Michigan State University where he explored the importance of sharing stories. From the moment that his parents met right up to his current project, Gill used humor, creativity and comic art to tell his own story.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine honors Black legacies at annual lecture series

Hannah Locke

February 28, 2025

Dr. Russell J. Ledet spoke about the history of slavery, his family and his ancestors’ resistance that led him to where he is today.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

JMC roundtable discussion highlights African American musical activism

Reiel Ghiglia

February 26, 2025

James Madison roundtable discussion African American Art and Activism was held on Feb. 25. It was hosted by JMC professor Rashida Harrison and JMC academic and DEI specialist Jahshua Smith, with guests Jasmine Hamilton-Wray and Ozay Moore. They discussed the community, advocacy and legacy of hip hop, particularly in Black culture and activism.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PRSSA hosts discussion about book bans, intellectual freedom

Victoria Winfield

February 25, 2025

With the recent rise in book bans nationwide, PRSSA MSU held a Socratic seminar-style discussion on Feb. 24 at the MSU Union to discuss the future of fighting book bans. Spartan Solutions, a team of PRSSA club members, hosted the event.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Students celebrate Black history through art, performance at open mic night

Shealyn Paulis

February 25, 2025

Through sharing their creativity, experiences and talents, students celebrated Black History Month on Monday, Feb. 24 with Open Mic Night and Storytelling: Black Voices. All students were encouraged to perform and celebrate in the McDonel Kiva with any creative medium. Students enjoyed dinner and discussion with peers while sharing their art through song, spoken word and comedy acts.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Dr. Pero Dagbovie discusses the history of Black students at MSU

Melody Meyer

February 25, 2025

Dean of MSU’s graduate school Dr. Pero Dagbovie hosted a discussion for his book “Forever in the Path: The Black Experience at Michigan State University” on Feb. 24. The book, which was released on Feb. 1, details the histories and contributions of Black students at MSU, beginning with the first known Black students to be enrolled in the mid 1890s.