BENTON TOWNSHIP — The Lake Michigan College performing arts department has announced its schedule of events for the spring, 2018 semester.

All performances will be hosted in venues located at the college’s Benton Township campus.

A choir concert will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, in the lobby of the Hanson Technology Center, marking the center’s first time as a concert venue. Under the direction of choir director James Kraus, the LMC concert choir, vocal chamber ensemble and jazz ensemble will be joined by the Coloma High School chamber choir to perform pieces that blend industry, nature and sound.

“The Hanson Technology Center offers a non-traditional performance space with lively acoustics and a unique visual setting, so exploring the spatial atmosphere through songs that reflect machinery and nature will result in a concert that is not to be missed,” said Kraus.

Music will range from the Renaissance period to the 21st century. Selections will include the Honda Civic “Choir” song, from the car’s infamous TV commercial, the gospel songs, “City of Heaven,” and “This Little Light of Mine,” as well as the “Famine Song.” The concert is free and open to the public.

LMC student recitals will be at noon in the band and orchestra room F125 in The Mendel Center on the following Fridays: March 23, April 6 and April 20. A variety of instrumental and vocal selections will be performed by students enrolled in the applied music courses.

Student recitals are free, and the public is welcome to attend.

The performing arts department will also present the musical, “Hairspray.” This Tony award-winning production will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 25. The production will be directed by Paul Mow, the choral and theatre coordinator. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students.

The final spring semester performance will be a jazz and rock concert at 7 p.m on Thursday, April 26, on the Mainstage of the Mendel Center. Under the direction of Dr. John T. Owens, students will perform music from various musical genres including funk, big band, fusion, Latin jazz, rock, bebop, hip-hop, punk and pop.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Current LMC students may bring their student identification badges for free admission to the concert.

Tickets may be purchased at TheMendelCenter.com or by contacting The Mendel Center box office from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at (269) 927-8700.

Contact the performing arts department at (269) 927-8876 to learn more about the college’s music and theatre programs.