Concerts coming up at The Machine Shop

FLINT — The Machine Shop, 3539 S. Dort Hwy., Flint, will present its Pin-Up Contest, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. Music will be by Cash O’Riley and Rattletrap. The cost is $5, ages 18 and up.

Country Night at the Machine Shop is Feb. 18 with Frankie Ballard and special guests Pole Barn Rebels and Stone Cold. Tickets are $10 in advance.

Taddy Porter with special guests Tripp N. Dixie and False City will perform on Feb. 23. This is a low dough show.

For tickets to all shows go to www.etix.com, Paradise Express in the Dort Mall (810-743-0330), Strange Daze Tattoos in Davison, High Octane in Fenton or at the club during business hours. Low Dough Shows are always at the door only. Details: Call 715-2650. — G.G.

College Town LEGO returns to the FIA

FLINT — The Flint Institute of Arts will host the second annual Create Your Own Masterpiece Intercollegiate LEGO® Event on Feb. 18, from 1-4 p.m. Student teams from area colleges and universities will compete for this year’s trophy and People’s Choice Award.

The event is organized by the FIA’s College Town Student Advisory Council and is the only “team competition” held locally involving students attending Baker College, Davenport University, Kettering University, Mott Community College and University of Michigan-Flint. Each five-member team will create sculptures on site during the three hour-long event.

The completed Lego masterpieces will remain on public view in the FIA Lobby through Feb. 26.

Last year’s College Town event attracted over 900 viewers during the competition and was also the subject of a short film, produced and directed by Students from the Advanced Film Program at Mott Community College. The film was later screened in the FIA’s Fleckenstein Video Gallery, and continues to receive considerable play on the FIA’s website as well as on YouTube. Filmmakers from Mott College will be shooting video again this year.

For submission guidelines and additional information visit www.flintarts.org or call 810-237-7315.

The Flint Institute of Arts is located just two blocks off I-475 in the Flint Cultural Center between the University of Michigan-Flint and Mott Community College. Museum hours are Monday- Wednesday and Friday, 12-5 p.m.; Thursday, 12-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; and Sunday 1-5 p.m. — G.G.

Alexander J’s entertainment

GRAND BLANC — Alexander J’s, 5490 Fenton Rd., will have dueling pianos playing at 9 p.m. Feb. 17. There is no charge. Alexander J’s is located at the corner of Fenton and Hill roads. Details: Call 810-715-9137. — G.G.

Swing dancing at the Jewel

GRAND BLANC — There is swing and ballroom dancing at The Jewel in Grand Blanc every Tuesday from 7-10 p.m. — G.G.