Arts at a glance: Mustard Plug returning to the Pyramid Scheme

David Specht

From Allendale to Brussels Grand Valley State University’s 12,000-piece art collection will look a tad smaller for the remainder of the year. In an effort to support a special exhibit commemorating the late artist Constantin Meunier, GVSU has contributed “Allegory of the Death of Lincoln” (1865), to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels. The painting, oil on canvas, will join approximately 850 other works of art by Meunier and will return to the university in early 2015. For a look at the painting, check out youtube.com/watch?v=MaXooiWoY80. Sizable Swing Dance

It isn’t every day you have the opportunity to spend time with a Guinness World Record holder. It’s just every Tuesday.

The Grand Rapids Original Swing Society, which holds the record for the largest swing dance in the world, meets each Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. for a swing dance session that draws hundreds. On Tuesday, Sept. 30, the dancing will take place outside of the Downtown Market. The group also hosts a lesson during the first 30 minutes each week in hopes that newcomers will familiarize themselves with a few dance moves before the actual dancing kicks off. The event is free, open to the public and encourages dancers of all ages. For more on the society and the dances, go to grandrapidsoriginalswingsociety.com/#!events/crq9.

Arts at Noon

While plenty of Lakers are most certainly in class at noon each Wednesday, this week brings an act worthy of missing that lab or lecture. Internationally-renowned saxophonist Donald Sinta will perform with his quartet at the Cook-Dewitt Center on the first of October, marking the second performance of the fall concert series. As always, there is no admission charge and the show is open to all. To read more about the Arts at Noon concerts visit lanthorn.com/article/2014/09/ae-arts-at-noon. For more on the Donald Sinta Quarter, head to donaldsintaquartet.com.

Ska at the Scheme

For 20 years, Grand Rapids-based ska punk crew Mustard Plug has kept fans skanking on dance floors around the nation. In between major gigs, including multiple Warped Tours and the Ska Against Racism Tour, the group often returns to their West Michigan hometown to catch up with their original fan base. On Friday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m., Mustard Plug will take the stage at The Pyramid Scheme. The six-man band will be joined by noise-rock trio Heavier Than Air Flying Machines, as well as punk bands PotatoeBabies and Auslander. The show is ages 18 and older, and tickets are $10. For more about Mustard Plug’s music, visit facebook.com/mustardplug.

Michigan-made Metal

Michigan-based metalcore band We Came as Romans is no stranger to touring, having brought their post-hardcore sounds everywhere from West Hollywood to Switzerland so far this year. On Sunday, Oct. 5, the group will work to make Grand Rapids a bit more metal when they perform at The Intersection with a handful of guest acts, including For Today, The Color Morale, Crossfaith and Palisades. The show is open to guests of all ages and starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 the day of the show. For information about the concert, go to sectionlive.com/events/came-romans.