The Loft in downtown Lansing is adding two theme nights to its schedule. Beginning July 23, Wednesdays will be known as Renegade Wednesdays. Promoter Shawn Kemp is stealing a page out of Q106's book and going with the "anything that rocks" format. Thursdays beginning Aug. 5 will feature hippie friendly music such as jam, folk, bluegrass, roots, reggae and most other genres you might find at Bonnaroo. Promoter Ryan Carpenter (manager of Lansing Jam band, Burton's Garden) is still pondering what to call the night.

‘80s rock band Great White, which blew up with the hit single "Once Bitten, Twice Shy," will be making an appearance at the Jackson County Fairgrounds on July 3. The Grammy nominated band has sold more than six million albums. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 day of show ... Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant will be hosting a free outdoor concert featuring The Verve Pipe on July 4 ... Soaring Eagle will also welcome Creed, or as well like to call it, the ‘90s version of Nickelback. The show is on July 30 and tickets are $62-$85 and the show will feature special guest Theory of a Deadman.

A little thing called "almost dying" doesn't stop a guy like Bret Michaels from winning Celebrity Apprentice, going on tour and releasing a new solo CD. His latest album, Custom Built, is being released on July 6, with Michaels making a stop at Lansing's Common Ground Festival July 12-18 ... M.I.A.'s good at making headlines. Whether it's performing at the Grammy's while nine months pregnant, or unapologetically voicing her political opinions, the girl doesn't stop. Recently, she made headlines with her banned-from-YouTube video, "Born Free", which depicted violent images and blatant discrimination. Soon after, she made headlines again for publicly posting a New York Times reporter's phone number after a story that ran illustrated her unfavorably. On July 13, her album, /\/\/\Y/\ (Maya), drops. It's up to you to see if it lives up to the hype ... Speaking of M.I.A., her recently declared "favorite band" Sleigh Bells is releasing its album Treats on July 20.

For beer junkies itching for a road trip, July's the best time. On July 23 and 24, Ypsilanti hosts Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival. The Festival will feature brews from all over the mitten state, and tickets are $30 in advance for Friday ($35 at the gate), and $35 in advance for Saturday ($40 at the gate).

The Tin Can, Lansing's tiniest "premier dive bar" has big plans. Word on the Street is that there may be a giant deck designed for joint use between sister company Harem Urban Lounge and the Can. The deck would overlook the Grand River and have nice site lines of the Capitol building. When General Manager Dave Sell was asked for comment on why such a big deck on the Can, he responded, "Size doesn't matter" ... Soon East Lansing residents will have two new places to get their drink on. The East Lansing City Council recently approved two new businesses to sell booze to their guests. Peking Express was the big winner being awarded a full class C liquor license while What's Up Dawg came a close second with a Tavern License. What does that mean for the East Lansing faithful? You can enjoy wine, beer and liquor while dining on your Kung Pow chicken, but only beer and wine to wash down that super duper chili cheese heart attack dog (with all the fixins) ... The biggest story in the month of June was Tom Izzo deciding to stay at Michigan State. What does that mean for East Lansing watering holes? Mike Krueger, General Manager at Crunchy's chimed in by saying, "The difference between the team being good or mediocre can mean the difference between a half full restaurant or a full restaurant". Krueger declined to comment on the actual sales number for a home basketball game, so we decided to get out the REVUE calculator. If 31 bars and restaurants did 50% of the sales they otherwise would if the team were good, and multiple it by 16 home games, that is (carry the four)... a whole lot of money. We heart Tom Izzo.

Meet the author behind the most comprehensive guide to local disc golf yet published when Stephanai Myers stops by Schuler Books and Music's Lansing location on July 7 at 7 p.m. You can enter Schuler's drawing to win a Disc Golf Survival kit, packed with everything you need to enjoy the sport and pick up the second edition of Disc Golf Michigan!: The Definitive Guide to the Disc Golf Courses of Michigan. The book contains 152 pages of accurate, up-to-date information on 115 courses in Michigan, including a state map with course locations, color photos, essential course and park information, detailed course descriptions, lengths of every hole, driving directions, relevant websites, contacts, beginner tips, basic rules, where to find maps and scorecards as well as a local disc store directory ... Like punk rock? Tesco Vee (of the Meatmen) and Dave Stimson (S.O.A. / Black Flag) recently published a 575 page book of early punk rock flyers, historic reviews and insights from the biggest names in punk rock. The book is called "Touch and Go, The Complete Hardcore Punk Zine '79-‘83". The authors they will be on at Legendary East Lansing record shop, Flat Black and Circular on Saturday, July 31 at 1 p.m. Got some old boots you want signed? This is the place to be. Unfortunately, GG Allin will not be in attendance.

Hannah Community Center is bringing Fences to East Lansing July 22-24. Set in the 1950s, it's the sixth in August Wilson's 10-part Pittsburgh Cycle and examines race relations. The drama recently ran on Broadway and starred Denzel Washington. Tickets for the production are $20.