Welcome to Autumn in Old Town!
Old Town is getting ready for a beautiful, cozy fall season after a bustling summer! As we wind down and settle into the comfier months in Michigan, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in our artistic district of Lansing Michigan.
Arts Night Out is back one last time for this year, slated for Friday, October 6th. The 2023 ANO series kicked off in May and we’ve had the pleasure of hosting so many incredible, skilled artists and creators. The OTCA is excited for one last evening and will be hosting Kelsey Brianne from 5PM-8PM. Keep on scrolling for more information!
The major highlight of Old Town’s autumnal events is the Silver Gala being held October 14th. The Old Town Commercial Association is celebrating over 25 years as an organization dedicated to the development and promotion of Lansing’s oldest commercial district. There will be an evening of music, great food, art, a silent auction of local goods and services, and celebration of our wonderful community! The Silver Gala will take place at the historic R.E. Olds Museum. All are welcome and we would especially like to invite you, Tia, to join us as we unveil a spectacular event that will celebrate over 25 wonderful years of the OTCA and benefit our commercial district that led to such a vibrant, welcoming community.
For our dog parents and appreciators, don’t forget to add Howloween to your calendars for October 27 from 4PM-6PM! Old Town’s very own Preuss Pets hosts the dog trick-or-treating event each year and you won’t want to miss this incredible furry friend fest taking place throughout the neighborhood. Did we mention there’s a costume contest for the dogs with the best costume?
Fall in Old Town is absolutely stunning and whether you’re a local resident or a visitor to the area, we can’t wait to see you around the neighborhood!
The Old Town Commercial Association has two new additions to our staff: Samantha Benson and Tia Barrera!
Samantha Benson (she/her) | Executive Director
How did you find Old Town? When I first began working at Gillespie Group, I wanted to get involved with the community even more than I was through work. I visited an OTCA table at an event in the summer of 2018 and started as a volunteer on the Promotions Committee for the OTCA later that year. In August 2022, I joined the Board of Directors and have only grown more attached to the community since! This truly is the role of my dreams, I can’t express how grateful I am to be here.
Favorite Old Town Event: Chalk of the Town! The artists are so much fun to hang out with and I love seeing the sidewalks so decorated, plus it’s a great kickoff for summer.
Favorite thing to do outside of work: I’ve recently gotten way more into antiquing and have started collecting colored glass toothpick holders (odd, I know, but they’re so cute), salt cellars, and old glass fairy lamps. You also end up finding the weirdest items and I’m slowly making my home look like a witch’s house, I love it!
What Sam is looking forward to most in her new role: Being in the district full-time. Before, I was only able to be a part of Old Town when time permitted outside of work and taking classes through LCC. Now, I get to connect with the businesses and neighbors every day and it’s such a dream.
Beverage of choice: COFFEE- any day, any time! Iced tea is a close second.
Tia Barrera (she/they) | Volunteer & Communications Specialist, AmeriCorps Member
Favorite Old Town Event: ArtFeast! I love seeing our community come together to enjoy and discover local artist and cuisines, and it’s a fantastic summer event. I’m also very excited for our first ever Krampusnacht!
Favorite thing to do outside of work: I spend a lot of time out and about! I like to window shop and explore new shops as much as possible; it’s always nice to discover hidden gems in the city.
What Tia is looking forward to most in her new role: Spending more time getting to know Old Town! It’s my favorite area in Lansing, and I’m so glad I’ll be able to spend more time here and be able to connect with everyone in the community!
Beverage of choice: Soda is my beverage of choice for my day-to-day! Occasionally I’ll feel like having an iced tea or juice as well.
Welcome to the OTCA Board of Directors!
Please welcome us in joining our newest Directors:
Bradly Rakowski, Eric Hanna, Rick Preuss, Summer Schriner
Silver Gala | October 14
The vibrant Old Town Community invites you to join us on October 14, 2023, as we unveil a spectacular event that will celebrate over 25 years of the Old Town Commercial Association: the inaugural Old Town Silver Gala.
This night of music, art and appreciation will benefit the OTCA and all of the many festivals, neighborhood improvement projects and events that this non-profit supports. Cocktail attire is highly encouraged!
This event will be held at:
R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
240 Museum Drive
Lansing, MI 48933
For information about becoming a sponsor partner please email Beth Herendeen at Beth@oldtownmainstreet.org.
Arts Night Out | October 6
Join us in Old Town Lansing as we celebrate local artists and businesses at Arts Night Out!
From live music to curated exhibits and art demos, you’re sure to find something new to love and explore. Hosted monthly on first Fridays from May to October, this free and open-to-the-public event offers a chance to explore Lansing’s Arts District in unique and exciting ways.
Come. Meet the artists. Explore that shop you’ve been meaning to step into. Fill your Friday night with creativity!
This is #MyArtsNightOut.
The OTCA Arts Night Out lineup is exclusively sponsored by Full Circle Financial Planning.
Artist: Kelsey Brianne Hudson
Kelsey Brianne (she/they) is a queer and disabled artist, activist and life-long Lansing resident. Her work is abstract designs: both digital prints and marker/pen drawings. In their spare time you can catch them playing Stardew Valley, walking with friends around the Eastside neighborhood, and cuddling with any number of pets. Kelsey is currently open for commissions, and has shops where you can have her designs printed on various products as well as a commission form at bio.link/kbinstead.
OTCA | New Website in Progress
The OTCA, with the help of our friendly neighbors over at InVerve Marketing & Web and through a Technical Assistance grant from National Main Street Center, will soon be getting a new website! This exciting work in progress will allow the community to have a more streamlined and efficient way of digitally exploring all things Old Town. The website will go live closer to the end of 2023 but we will provide updates over the next few newsletters. Stay tuned!
Old Town Fall Clean-Up
The Old Town Fall Cleanup is taking place Saturday, October 7th from 9AM-12PM and we are looking for volunteers! This is a great opportunity not only to get volunteer hours but also to be a positive influence in our community and ensure that we are keeping Old Town clean and beautiful. Some tools will be provided, but we also encourage you to bring your own for personal use.
Facebook event: Old Town Fall Clean-Up!
Register here: Old Town Fall Cleanup 2023
Volunteer Opportunities
With a busy event and project season comes an endless number of opportunities for friends of Old Town to lend a helping hand. Whether you’ve got an eye for transforming public spaces or have ideas on how to help grow our upcoming festivals, we’d love to find the committee that suits you best. Reach out to Tia (tia@oldtownmainstreet.org) and let us know what your interests are! Our committees and their meeting times are as follows:
The Promotions Committee meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at 6pm.
The Design Committee meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6pm.
Organization and Economic Vitality meetings will begin soon!
If you’re not seeing a perfect fit, that’s okay! We can work with all capacities and would love to find the best situation for you. Just fill out our Be a Volun-tasker form and let us know what your superpowers are. Our team will get in touch!
Be sure to keep an eye on future newsletters for more opportunities to volunteer!
Photo credit: GLOW inside & outside, Facebook
New Neighborhood Business!
Old Town has welcomed a new storefront into our neighborhood! GLOW inside & outside opened on June 9th, 2023. Under the same ownership as October Moon and October Moon Stay, this garden furniture shop offers treasures for all areas of your home (inside & outside!). It’s a welcoming and natural space where you can shop, browse, and take some time to breathe!
GLOW inside & outside is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and Sunday from 11am - 6pm.
Fun with Sticks and Strings has moved!
Fun with Sticks and Strings has moved from its old location at 1107 N. Washington Ave. Now located at 1132 N. Washington Ave. Suite B, this knit shop offers a comfortable and encouraging atmosphere for all fiber lovers! They have a wide inventory of yarns, classes offered and opportunities for communities to get together and knit. Be sure to go say hi!
Photo Credit: Fun with Sticks & Strings, Facebook
Upcoming Events at a Glance
Upbeat Thursdays
Thursday, October 5
7pm - 10pm
UrbanBeat
Arts Night Out
Friday, October 6
5pm - 8pm
Throughout Old Town
Old Town Fall Clean Up
Saturday, October 7
9am - 12pm
Throughout Old Town
Old Town Silver Gala
Saturday, October 14
6pm - 10pm
R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
Bluegrass Jam
Thursday, October 19
5:30pm - 7pm
Elderly Instruments
Dog Howloween in Old Town
Friday, October 27
4pm - 6pm
Preuss Pets, Throughout Old Town
Greater Lansing Academy of Dance
Sunday, November 5
1pm - 3pm
MICA
Shop Small Saturday
Saturday, November 25
Throughout Old Town