Circus musical, Santa visits, short film festival and other things to do in Bloomington
The next few days in and around Bloomington promise to be full of spirit and cheer.
Santa Claus will be busy Saturday as he is set to appear at the "Santa on Sale Street" event in Ellettsville that morning and will then be at the Frank Southern Ice Arena that afternoon for Bloomington's "Skate with Santa." On Sunday, short films from Bloomington's own filmmakers and actors will be displayed on the silver screen at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater for a free short film festival. On Tuesday, residents can make their own tea blend or check out a dazzling performance of musical and circus whimsy.
If you're looking for some holiday cheer or just a few ways to stay warm, here are some nearby activities for the young and young at heart.
Winterfest Arts & Crafts Shop this weekend
Nine Bloomington artists will be selling art at 702 W. Kirkwood Ave. from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as Dec. 17-19. Masks are required for this event.
The participating artists are: Margie Van Auken, art and original notecards; Jessica Ruby Radcliff High, Bohemian art dolls, books and CDs; Janet Helber Harlan, fabric dolls, quilted pillows, wool hats; Karen Cherrington, feather art and rock plants; Vicki Helber, handmade tiles and gourd ornaments; Diane Jung, hats, beaded jewelry and hanging crystals; Sue Weshues, gourds of all kinds; Betty Westhues, fiber art; and Gary Daly, Central American fiber art.
Santa on Sale Street this Saturday
On Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon, downtown Ellettsville will be aglow with the holiday spirit during its annual Santa on Sale Street event.
Breakfast will be available from 8-11 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 201 N Sale St. The breakfast costs $8 each, and children aged five and younger are free.
At 9:30 a.m., Santa Claus will ride into Ellettsville on a firetruck. Attendees can catch sight of his journey as he rides through Sale Street on his way to the Ellettsville Branch Library. At the library, children will be able to meet Santa, pose for a free photo and receive a toy.
Holiday music and caroling will echo throughout the streets of downtown where several special activities and crafts will be available. Attendees can decorate gingerbread cookies, enjoy hot chocolate, view balloon sculptures and more. Thurman's Body Shop has also assembled an impressive race track.
Saturday's Skate with Santa
On Saturday afternoon, Santa Claus will visit the Frank Southern Ice Arena to bring some cheer. Residents will be able to skate to holiday music and enjoy some refreshments. Children can also visit with Santa to let him know what's on their wish list. Attendees are encouraged to don their ugliest holiday sweater for a chance to win some cool prizes.
The event begins Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $6 per person; ages 4 and younger are admitted free. Skate rental is $3.
BAFT Studios screens first short film festival at BCT
Residents can support local filmmakers through attending this free screening at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
This Sunday, the Bloomington Academy of Film & Theatre and Pigasus Institute will host its first annual short film festival. In BAFT studios, local participants work in front of and behind the camera alongside professionals to create short film projects in a collaborative environment.
More: Bloomington Academy of Film & Theatre to screen short films, 'Pompano Boy'
This festival will include 10 short films created by over 60 filmmakers of all ages and explore themes of friendship, fear, bullying, identity and more. In one short film, entitled "Before the Bonsai Speaks," an Asian immigrant woman struggles between self-acceptance or the loss of her cultural identity as she vies to be accepted into the local gardening club. Another project, "Six Weeks," follows siblings surviving a cicada invasion.
The festival is split into two parts with a 15-minute intermission. Part one of the festival presents five kid-friendly short films while part two includes films that are rated PG-13 for a more mature audience. Projects range from two to 11 minutes in length.
The short film festival takes place on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. and is a free, unticketed event. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Attendees must wear a mask while indoors and provide either verification of COVID-19 vaccination status or a negative test result within 48 hours to enter the venue.
Blend Your Own Tea Workshop on Tuesday
Tea enthusiasts can become connoisseurs at this tea blending workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 14, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the FAR Center for Contemporary Arts, 505 West Fourth St. In the class, attendees will learn how to identify different flavor notes and aromas while exploring the unique flavor profiles of different types of tea leaves, herbs and flowers to find the right combination for their palate.
Participants will craft their own custom blend through handling the different components of tea blending, such as the wide variety of herbs, flowers, roots, fruits and spices. There will be tasting sessions during the workshop and attendees will get to make several different blends of their very own to take home.
Goods for Cooks provided the tools for the workshop while Blossom & The Bee Tea Company supplied many of the herbs from their garden.
Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at Eventbrite via https://bit.ly/31y32Fb.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze at IU Auditorium
On Tuesday night, a family holiday spectacular is coming to a stage near you at the Indiana University Auditorium.
The Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a whimsical blend of Broadway-style music performances and contemporary circus artistry. At this show, holiday storybook characters — ballerinas, nutcrackers, snowmen, reindeer, aerialists, gingerbread people and ornaments — will come to life as they balance, juggle and soar through the air in an elaborate night of magic and mischief.
Over 20 different critically acclaimed artists and circus acts, dressed in over 300 unique costume designs, will perform in this stage show. Broadway singers will sing original music as well as add a few new twists on seasonal favorites such as “Deck The Halls,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”
The Cirque Dreams Holidaze performance will be on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets begin around $30 and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/3lIPJc5.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington area events: Santa, short film festival, circus musical
