Culture, homegrown comedy, arts and crafts and music this weekend in Bloomington
Nights are longer now, and there's a wonderful dark movie to accompany them. See "The Long Farewell / Dolgie Provody" at the IU Cinema Friday.
For something more uplifting and lilting catch Skullcrusher at the Bishop; singer — songwriter Helen Ballentine will swoosh you into bliss at the Bishop Bar Saturday. If laughter is what you prefer, climb the steps at the Comedy Attic and take in Bloomington's own Mark Bookwalter, who says he used to be an overweight nerdy kid, the very things that have rendered him a great grownup comic.
The second annual holiday arts and crafts show is inside the College Mall, and hear a group of charmers playing music from Renaissance England Saturday at Trinity Episcopal downtown.
Skullcrusher and Babehoven to crush it at the Bishop
Singer and songwriter Helen Ballentine, who records as Skullcrusher, will be the main act Saturday at the Bishop, 123 S. Walnut St. She'll sing from her debut album, "Quiet the Room." The Los Angeles Times said, “The solo project of the Los Angeles-based artist Helen Ballentine revels in tense moments, hard emotions and uncertain outcomes... smart, insightful sounds that draw on classic forms but explore them from inventive new angles."
Babehoven will open for Skullcrusher and is supporting its debut album, "Light Moving Time," released last month. Reflected in its music are life's confusion and contradictions and how we experience cruelty and beauty simultaneously. Maya Bon is the singer-songwriter behind Babehoven and sees light as as supremely important. It's $18 and for people 18 and older. Visit thebishopbar.com/.
2nd annual holiday arts & crafts show is cozily inside the College Mall
When the winter blues descend, get over to the 2022 holiday arts & crafts show. It's inside the College Mall, 2894 E. 3rd St, Suite M-09, between Target and Dick's Sporting Goods. Find gifts for your loved ones and yourself every Saturday and Sunday in November, plus Black Friday, continuing on Saturdays and Sundays in December through the weekend of Dec. 17 and 18. The Arts Alliance Center sponsors the event, the hours of which are noon to 6 p.m. The Arts and Crafts show provides artists an opportunity to present their work. For more information, visit https://www.bloomingtonarts.org/.
Flourish Hoboys! Wind music rushes in from Renaissance England
At 7 p.m. Saturday, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 111 S. Grant St. see the group Forgotten Clefs as they present sounds of Renaissance England. You'll hear music from the Tudor court as well as common street festivities. Pipe and tabor tunes and sacred works will combine to make a well-rounded and historically informed night. It's free, with a suggested donation of $15. Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ForgottenClefs/.
Comedy Attic hosts Mark Bookwalter
Bloomington's own Mark Bookwalter comes to the Comedy Attic, Fourth and Walnut Streets, at 7 p.m. Friday. As a kid Bookwalter says he was nerdy and overweight and learned to use humor to counteract bullies and low self-esteem. Today he tries to convince his family and friends that he is a comedian by reminding them that he has been picked to perform at Limestone Comedy Festival, Milwaukee Comedy Festival, Super Dope and other biggies. He doesn't let them forget, either, that he has been featured with such acts as Beth Stelling, Kyle Kinane, Chris Gethard and more. Bookwalter was also on a stop of the Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco House nationwide comedy tour. Tickets are $13 for students and $16 for others. Visit https://www.comedyattic.com/shows/191842.
Jealous mom / lonely son in Ukraine's dark "The Long Farewell / Dolgie Provody
It's free at https://am.ticketmaster.com/iucinema/buy, but you'll still need to get a ticket to see "The Long Farewell / Dolgie Provody" at 7 p.m. Friday at the IU Cinema, 1213 E. Seventh St. This very talked-about classic of Ukrainian cinematography examines a seemingly plain story of a jealous mother and her reserved and lonely son. Watch the plot grow, though, into an alarming look at separation of genders and how generations misunderstand one another. It's dark, and at its release, the film was banned, labelled dissident, counterrevolutionary and anti-Soviet. Director Kira Muratova was permanently stopped from filmmaking and worked as a librarian. Made in 1971, it wasn't released for 16 years. "Muratova’s most lyrical film, a delicate, heart-breaking portrait of loneliness and unrequited longing," said scholar and critic Dr. Elena Gorfinkel.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Things to do in Bloomington, Indiana, this weekend
