From LA to GV

Las Cafeteras, a California-based Latin alternative band, will perform live at Grand Valley State University on Monday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. in the Grand River Room of Kirkhof Center. The seven-man band tells modern stories through a number of music genres including cumbia, hip-hop, punk and rock. Formed in 2008, the group’s music touches on issues such as social justice and activism. The performance is free and open to the public. For more information, check out lascafeteras.com.

Artist-in-residence Giving Public Lecture 

Grand Valley State University’s 2014-15 Stuart B. and Barbara H. Padnos Distinguished Artist-in-Residence, Nayda Collazo-Llorens, is scheduled to speak at the Loosemoore Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. The public lecture, “Mark Making: Shifts and Strategies,” will focus on her artistic practices, theories, research and experiences. Collazo-Llorens plans to touch on several recent projects that engage “mark making,” a term used to describe different lines, texts, patterns and other elements created in artwork. The speech is free and open to the public. For more about the artist, visit naydacollazollorens.com.

Jazzing Up Campus

Three different student jazz ensembles are set to perform during the Grand Valley State University Art Gallery’s Jazz Night on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center on the Allendale Campus. Performing artists include the Shorter Jazz Combo, Coltrane Jazz Combo and Jogo Jobim. The evening will also conclude the Shared Passion exhibit, which features more than 30 pieces of art given to GVSU by the Stuart and Barbara Padnos Foundation Collection. This event is an open-house style gathering that is free and open to the public. For more about the evening, contact Stacey Tvedten, the art gallery program director, at (616) 331-8055.

Boos and Brews

This year’s Founder’s Halloween Spooktacular, which takes place on Friday, Oct. 31, features an eclectic lineup of musicians, including French electro artist Anoraak, Grand Rapids-based electronic duo Alexis, electronic/pop/R&B artist Tunde Olaniran, Millie and Jam, and Oracle. And while there won’t be authentic witchcraft, there will be plenty of authentic craft beer. The evening kicks off at 7 p.m. and goes until the usual closing time of 2 a.m. The show costs $5 and is open to those ages 21 and older. For more about the party, go to foundersbrewing.com/taproom-events/founders-halloween-spooktacular.