What to do? MLK events, gallery walk, Houndmouth at Bluebird or create glass art

Carol Kugler, The Herald-Times
·3 min read

Options are plentiful for what to do this weekend and into next week. On Friday, a group of artists, historians and storytellers will gather at the Monroe County History Center as part of Bloomington's MLK Jr. remembrance events that will continue Saturday with walks at several locations. The monthly Gallery Walk will be Friday at Bloomington galleries. Music options range from blues and rock by Houndmouth at The Bluebird on Friday and Saturday to a violin, harp and flute concert on Tuesday at First United Church. For a creative outlet, Bloomington Creative Glass Center will provide a chance to create a fused glass suncatcher on Saturday.

Bloomington Black history walk, Martin Luther King Jr. remembrance activities

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission has planned a week of remembrance and celebration of African American history in Bloomington through storytelling and walks. The City of Bloomington Economic and Sustainable Development Department and the Monroe County History Center partnered to create an interactive experience based on national and local Black history.

  • Friday, April 7: History Center Gallery Event, 5:30-7 p.m., at the Monroe County History Center, 202 E. Sixth St. Artists, historians, storytellers, and the general public will join together to celebrate. Light appetizers will be served.

  • Saturday, April 8: Community History Walk, 2-4 p.m., presenting historians/storytellers and artwork to activate five historically significant sites on the city's westside, including the Rev. Ernest D Butler Park, Banneker Community Center and Fairview Elementary School. During the walking tour, attendees will view commissioned artwork and engage with the artist and historian, who has a connection to the site, at each location. Self-guided tours are permitted using the downloadable maps and audio files that will be available after the event. A downloadable brochure with the walking tour map is now available at: https://bton.in/sxAJ4

For more information about Remembrance Week, visit https://bton.in/_w8W_.

Sarah Pearse's "May apples" will be on display at By Hand Gallery.
Sarah Pearse's "May apples" will be on display at By Hand Gallery.

'Rites of Spring' exhibit one of Gallery Walk features on Friday

By Hand Gallery will host a "Rites of Spring" exhibit featuring oil paintings and photography by Paul Smedberg and Sarah Pearce with an opening reception 5-8 p.m. Friday as part of the monthly Gallery Walk. The Gallery Walk will feature up to a dozen Bloomington art galleries showcasing local and regional artists from 5 to 8 p.m. For more, check out www.gallerywalkbloomington.com.

Paul Smedberg's "Let's Get Nice" will be on display at By Hand Gallery in Bloomington.
Paul Smedberg's "Let's Get Nice" will be on display at By Hand Gallery in Bloomington.

Blues and rock at the Bluebird on Friday, Saturday

Alternative blues and rock band Houndmouth, from New Albany, will perform at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at The Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St. Tickets are $30 for the 21-plus show. Doors will open at 7 p.m. For tickets and more info, go to thebluebird.ws.

An Egg-cellent glass blowing workshop for families

The Bloomington Creative Glass Center will host its annual Fused Glass EGGstravaganza from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at 229 W. Grimes Lane. This family-friendly workshop is an opportunity for anyone ages 5 and above to try glass making "on the spot," with participants selecting from a variety of colors and sizes of glass pieces to create a fused glass suncatcher. Once the piece is done, BCGC staff will load the glass into a kiln to be melted together overnight. Finished pieces will be available for pick up the following week. Prices range from $15-$25, depending on size. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Preregistration is encouraged, though drop ins are welcome. Register at www.bcgcglass.org.

Harp spring concert Tuesday at First United Church

The USA International Harp Competition Spring Concert for Violin, Flute and Harp will be 7 p.m. April 11 at First United Church, 2420 E. Third St., featuring Gillian Benet Sella, principal harpist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; Alexander Kerr, concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony and McGill Professor of violin at Indiana University; and Randolph Bowman, principal flutist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $30 adult, and $15 students and available at https://usaihc.org or at the door..

Rachel Smith contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington things to do: MLK events, gallery walk, glass art workshop