Holiday events — singing, dancing —luminary walk, wild animal programs happen this week

Carol Kugler
·4 min read

Whatever your holiday traditions, taking in some "Sounds of the Season" at the downtown library or a winter solstice luminary walk near Lake Monroe are events that could be a new way to make memories.

If you're into dark movies, "Dial Code Santa Claus" is showing at the Orbit Room and if you're into singing holiday tunes, the annual Christmas Sing-Along will be Friday at Trinity Reformed Church. Rather not attend a holiday event? Check out Jake Dodds, performing at The Bluebird, the weekly contra dance at The Bishop or Wild Animal Weekend at WonderLab.

A sign outside the Orbit Room promotes slushies, cocktails, food, pinball and live music.
A sign outside the Orbit Room promotes slushies, cocktails, food, pinball and live music.

"Dial Code Santa Claus" Thursday at Orbit Room

The French film "Dial Code Santa Claus" was previously available only via VHS bootlegs, but it will be showing at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Thursday at the Orbit Room, 107 N. College Ave. Admission is $5 per person for the 18-plus show. The film follows 10-year-old Thomas and his grandfather. Left alone on Christmas Eve, they must deal with a bloodthirsty Santa Claus who tries to raid their home. But 10-year-olds can get angry and an arsenal of toys helps.

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Christmas Sing-Along Friday at Trinity Reformed Church

For more than 16 years, the Christmas Sing-Along has been a Bloomington tradition. This year it's 7-9 p.m. Friday at Trinity Reformed Church, 2401 S. Endwright Road. The Good Shepherd Band joins musical forces with the children’s choir and musicians from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind Bloomington event featuring an eclectic variety of musical styles. Afterward, there will be homemade cookies and cocoa as well as loads of Christmas cheer for the whole family. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

The stage for last year's Christmas Sing-Along at Trinity Reformed Church will be ready again this year for the annual musical event.
The stage for last year's Christmas Sing-Along at Trinity Reformed Church will be ready again this year for the annual musical event.

Jake Dodds performs Friday at The Bluebird

Country musician Jake Dodds will perform at 9 p.m. Friday at The Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St. Tickets are $7-$10. For more info or tickets, go to thebluebird.ws.

"Sounds of the Season" Saturday at library

The Sounds of Indiana chorus will present "Sounds of the Season," a nostalgic celebration of wintery tunes shared through their signature blend of history and a cappella barbershop harmony at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave.

Wild Animal Weekend at WonderLab

For a taste of the wild indoors, take the family to Wild Animal Weekend at WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology, 308 W. Fourth St. On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can meet animal ambassadors — possibly a European barn owl, American kestrel, silver-haired bat, red fox, African spurred tortoise, Virginia opossum or American crow — and experts from WildCare Inc., a Bloomington animal rehabilitation center. Each 30-minute program focuses on a single animal. Tickets are required; for times and tickets go to wonderlab.org.

Winter solstice luminary walk Dec. 21 at Lake Monroe

Enjoy a luminary-lit walk to celebrate and reflect on the winter solstice 6-8 p.m. Dec. 21 at Fairfax State Recreation Area. Stops along the half-mile path invite participants to decorate a tree with wildlife-friendly ornaments, learn about winter solstice traditions, make a candle lantern, stargaze, complete a winter scavenger hunt and more. Hot tea and cocoa will be available, with attendees encouraged to bring their own mug.

The entrance to the luminary path closes at 7:30 p.m. to ensure all participants are able to complete the walk by 8 p.m. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. The walk is not recommended for those with mobility concerns, as the path is mostly on grass and has uneven areas. The program may be canceled if weather conditions are poor or walking conditions are unsafe. Please check the event page at bit.ly/wintersolsticewalk2022 for updates.

Contra Dance at the Bishop

For people who want to move but would rather stay indoors, there's the Bloomington Old Time Music and Dance Group meeting 7 p.m. Dec. 21 for the weekly contra dance. The 21-plus event features music by the Bob and Tom Show of Louisville with caller Ken Gall of Indianapolis, at The Bishop, 123 S. Walnut St. Tickets are $3-$20.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Things to do in Bloomington, Indiana, this week: sing along, Wonderlab