Five Things to Do equals eight: stargazing, plays, music and festivals for this weekend

Journalists and math: This feature's called Five Things to Do, but there are eight this week. There's just that much happening this weekend in and near South Bend. And this list doesn't even include all of the water-related activities Joseph Dits covered in this week's Outdoor Adventures column or what's listed on The Tribune's events calendar. Enjoy the days ahead.

GhostLight Theatre opens the musical ‘Violet’

BENTON HARBOR — “Violet” opens Aug. 18 and continues through Aug. 28 at The GhostLight Theatre, 101 Hinkley St.

With music by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics and book by Brian Crawley and based on Doris Betts’ “The Ugliest Pilgrim,” the musical, set in 1964 in the Deep South during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement, follows the growth and enlightenment of a bitter, young, disfigured woman.

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In hopes that a TV evangelist can cure her, she embarks on a journey by bus from her sleepy North Carolina town to Tulsa, Okla. Along the way, she meets a young black soldier who teaches her about beauty, love, courage and what it means to be an outsider.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $28-$12.

For more information, call 269-252-5222 or visit ghostlightbh.com.

‘Summer Astronomy’ details myths behind constellations at Bonneyville Mill park

BRISTOL — Elkhart County Parks presents “Summer Astronomy: A Journey Through Time” at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Bonneyville Mill County Park, 53373 County Road 131.

A park naturalist will discuss the Greek and Roman mythology behind many of the constellations visible in summer.

Participants also will receive snacks, a make-n-take star chart and helpful tips on how to find the constellations.

Sky viewing through a telescope also will take place, depending on cloud cover.

Meet at the BriarPatch Shelter.

Duration expected to be 90 minutes.

Admission is $3.

Registration is required and due Aug. 18, at elkhartcountyparks.org.

For more information, call 574-535-6458.

Elkhart Civic presents sketch comedy show ‘What’d I Say?’

BRISTOL — Elkhart Civic Theatre presents the original sketch comedy show “What’d I Say?” at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19 and 20 at the Bristol Opera House, 210 E. Vistula St.

It’s ECT’s third sketch show and the second one written entirely ECT’s sketch writing group: Brad Miller, Sean Shenk, Rachel Raska-Selle, Greg Sommers and Dave Dufour.

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The cast includes Bianca True, Ellen Parrot, Elise Davis, Shyanne Mitchell, Katie Horn, Matt Manley, Michah Briyan, Mason Stienbarger and Cat Kristoff.

The show is rated PG-13 and examines the trials of everyday — and not-so-everyday — life.

Tickets are $15.

For more information, call 574-848-4116 or visit elkhartcivictheatre.org.

Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials perform at The Acorn

THREE OAKS — Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 19 at The Acorn, 107 Generations Drive.

The nephew of Chicago slide guitarist and songwriter J.B. Hutto, Lil’ Ed Williams is known for rollicking slide work and deep-blues string bending, along with his rough-edged, soulful vocals.

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Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials — bassist (and Ed’s half-brother) James “Pookie” Young, guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton — have released nine albums in the almost 30 years they have been together, including their latest, 2016’s “The Big Sound Of Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials.”

Tickets are $50-$25.

For more information, call 269-756-3879 or visit acornlive.org.

Art Beat returns for its 19th year on Aug. 20

SOUTH BEND — Art Beat returns for its 19th year from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 20 on the Jefferson Boulevard Bridge and in Howard Park and the East Bank Village.

More than 500 artists will take part in Art Beat 2022, which features visual artists, dancers, musicians and culinary specialists.

Visual mediums include watercolor, jewelry, printmaking, drawing, pottery, sculpting, photography and fiber arts.

The Fine Art Showcase returns for a sixth year. Located between Niles Ave. and Hill St. on Jefferson Blvd., this juried showcase features nearly 20 fine art visual artists.

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Musicians and dancers will perform on five performance stages.

KID BEAT! returns for its fifth year to the northeast corner of the Century Center parking lot. In partnership with the South Bend Museum of Art, KID BEAT! consists of up to 20 booths containing artwork and activities by and for kids, as well as balloon artists, face painters and more. Additionally, the SBMA’s Mobile Art Stations provide easels and supplies for kids to be an artist for the day. The museum galleries will be open to the public during Art Beat hours, as well.

The 2022 Community Art Project will give visitors the chance to decorate small wooden tags and write what makes them happy on the back, then hang them from a decorative metal arbor called “The Happy Place,” located at the entrance to KID BEAT! and open from noon to 5 p.m.

The Culinary Arts Village returns for its 11th year, located in Howard Park with a beer garden. Culinary booths will feature artistic food creations, displays and demonstrations by area eateries, chefs and culinary students. A Food Truck Alley will be located in two locations this year, across from KID BEAT! and near the west Art Beat entrance.

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The Conscious Michiana Zen Zone makes its debut this year and features mindful art activities, plus a walking Labyrinth, Reiki, chair massages, Tai Chi, a Qi Gong flash mob and more.

Admission is free.

For more information, call 574-282-1110 or visit artbeatsouthbend.org or downtownsouthbend.com.

South Bend Symphony performs Aug. 20 at Potawatomi Park

SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Symphony Orchestra performs at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 as part of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County’s Performing Arts Series in the Chris Wilson Pavilion at Potawatomi Park, 500 S. Greenlawn Ave.

The musical theme for this full concert by the SBSO is love and passion. There will also be a special preview of the SBSO’s upcoming production of “West Side Story” with South Bend Civic Theatre this October.

Four violinists ― Ruth Halperin, Kotaro Tsuji, Erika Ruiz and Danielle Williamson ― and a cellist, Micah Gresl-Turner, from the South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras also perform with the SBSO to represent the community play-along portion of the concert.

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The program includes Tchaikovsky’s Polonaise from “Eugene Onegin,” two excerpts from Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Offenbach’s Barcarolle from “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” and four pieces from “West Side Story,” among other classical and popular works.

WVPE-FM (88.1) will offer a simulcast of the performance, including a special Q&A with Music Director Alastair Willis and Civic Executive Director Aaron Nichols.

Bring a lawn chair or a blanket for seating; some fixed seating is available near the stage.

In case of rain, the concert will move to Adams High School Auditorium, 808 S. Twyckenham Drive. Updates will be posted cfsjc.org.

Admission is free.

For more information, call 574-232-0041 or visit cfsjc.org.

The 25th annual EnviroFest takes place Aug. 20 in Elkhart

ELKHART — The Elkhart Environmental Center presents its 25th annual EnviroFest from 3 to 9 p.m. Aug. 20 at Island Park.

EnviroFest features exhibits from businesses, vendors, organizations and artists showcasing innovative ideas, sustainability initiatives, products, services, art and more.

It also includes food, drinks, kid’s activities, canoe rides by Wilderness Inquiry, animal shows by Indiana Wild, a silent auction and raffle, and live music by Acoustic Gravity and Memphis Underground.

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Bike Elkhart County will offer bike valet service so attendees can leave their bikes in a secured area.

Admission is $5 per family.

For more information call 574-293-5070 or visit elkhartenvirofest.com.

Lubeznik holds 40th arts festival

MICHIGAN CITY — The 2022 Lubeznik Arts Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Aug. 20 and 21 at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W. 2nd St.

Now in its 40th year, the festival features more than 60 art vendors, a live mural invitational, indoor exhibitions, family activities, live demonstrations, local food vendors, and beer and wine.

Lubeznik’s summer exhibit, “moniquemeloche presents…,” will be open for viewing.

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Admission is $5 on Aug. 20 and free Aug. 21. Also free Aug. 20 for members, ages 16 and younger, active military and veterans.

For more information, call 219-874-4900 or visit lubeznikcenter.org.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Stargazing, plays, concerts and festivals add up to busy weekend