'Work out' with Magic City Hippies; more things to do this weekend in Bloomington

Connie Shakalis
·4 min read

This week in Bloomington, events range from quirky to serious. See Magic City Hippies at the Bluebird or Sam Butler's folklore musicians in Dunn Meadow (the latter is free). A 1953 Japanese film depicts the condemnation suffered by Japanese women who fell for American soldiers. A more happy-hearted film is playing at the Blockhouse where viewers will watch stunts performed to rock. Walking downtown on Friday night is more enjoyable during September's Gallery Walk. Comedians are encouraged to email the Comedy Attic to sign up for Thursday open mic nights, and what are summer's last days without a good old street dance and car show in Spencer?

Magic City Hippies to get down at The Bluebird

They squat, dance, work out in cute leotards, play music and sing. Magic City Hippies come to the Bluebird at 9 p.m. Thursday for $20. Doors open at 8 p.m. Must be 21 or older. Get tickets at https://bit.ly/3cytzIq. The Bluebird is at 216 N. Walnut St. Magic City Hippies' new album, the 1980s-ish romp “Water Your Garden” is now out. See these cuties at https://createmusic.fm/wateryourgarden.

Sam Butler's Folklore Sextet — free — in Dunn Meadow

Sam Butler mixes various jazz styles with funk, rock and folk. "Swing in September" hosts Sam Butler's Folklore Sextet at 6:30 p.m. Friday, at no charge, in Dunn Meadow on the Indiana University campus. If it rains the concert will move indoors to Recital Hall. WFIU hosts Mark Chilla, David Brent Johnson and William Morris will emcee these "September-Fridays" events. Bring lawn chairs, blankets or a picnic. Butler is a master’s student at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and an associate instructor in jazz studies. He graduated this year from the Jacobs School. As an undergraduate, he was a semi-finalist in the Jazz Division of the 2019 and 2020 National Trumpet Competition. Earlier this year Butler released an album of original compositions performed with his sextet.

Japanese film about war's wounds at IU Cinema

See a newly restored film about war's consequences, "Love Letter/Koibumi" (1953), at 7 p.m. Tuesday at IU Cinema. It's free but ticketed, at https://bit.ly/3RpxDcv. Director Kinuyo Tanaka shows us the life of Reikichi (Masayuki Mori) through challenges both personal and professional. Reikichi is a repatriated veteran trying to find his lost love (Yoshiko Kuga) while translating Japanese women's love letters to American GIs. The film stems from Fumio Niwa's novel "Love Letter." IU Cinema is at 1213 E. Seventh St.

Gallery walk showcases exhibits Friday

September's Gallery Walk will be 5-8 p.m. Friday with different galleries opening their doors for people to visit and view exhibits. Up to 14 galleries showcase art from local, regional and international artists. For more information, including a downloadable brochure and map, go to gallerywalkbloomington.com.

Street dance to live music, plus a cruise-in car show

On Friday, meet in front of the Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer, for a summer evening street dance. Bring a lawn chair; food trucks will be nearby. Jeremy Sublette and the Rotations will provide live music starting at 6 p.m. A cruise-on-in car show on Spencer's downtown square starts at 5 p.m. It's free to all.

Cicada Cinema to show stunts performed to rock

This musical documentary satisfies both categories: life-endangering stunts and rock music. Watch cars drive off bridges and a flame-throwing wizard. This hats-off to Australian daredevil Grant Page thrills with its pyrotechnic tricks, romance and music. See it at 8 p.m. Friday at the Blockhouse, for $7. For those 21 and older. The Blockhouse is at 205 S. College Ave.

The Comedy Attic at the corner of Fourth and Washington streets.
The Comedy Attic at the corner of Fourth and Washington streets.

Open mic night at Comedy Attic

Bloomington is known for its comedy scene, and here's one of the reasons. At 8 p.m. every Thursday the Comedy Attic hosts as open mic night. Participants perform up to 5 minutes of all original material, and must omit anything racist, homophobic, transphobic or rape/female bashing related. "If you have to ask if it's racist, homophobic, transphobic or a rape joke, it probably is," says the website. Those who want to join in need to email comedyattic@gmail.com. If you are a newbie or not a paid pro, you must bring audience members to see you. (This is non-negotiable.) The Comedy Attic is at the corner of Walnut and Fourth streets.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Things to do in Bloomington include Magic City Hippies at the Bluebird