Take your mom to a show: Folk, country and afro-pop music fill Bloomington venues
It's all about the music this weekend in Bloomington. Well, that and jokes. OK, music, jokes, mothers and public spaces. Bloomington stages will resonate with folk, country-rock, afro-pop, a Mamma Mia sing along and the stories of a pancake lover.
If you're in the mood for something more community-oriented, consider joining in "Bloomington Day," where the future of art and design in downtown, the Trades District and soon-to-be Hopewell Neighborhood will be discussed with business leaders.
Folk singer Jeff Cannon's CD release show Thursday
Jeff Cannon's Studio Session CD release show will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at the the Ted Jones Playhouse, 107 W. Ninth St. Cannon, a folk singer and songwriter, will perform songs from his brand-new “High Tea for Poets,” (maybe he'll play "Indiana," which is about the drive to a better life) along with other selections. Tickets for the general admission show are $15-$25. Doors open 45 minutes beforehand. Will-call tickets will be at the Bloom Box Office in the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. until 4 p.m. the day of the show and if any seats remain, at the Ted Jones Playhouse.
Comedian Chad Daniels brings laughs Thursday to the Comedy Attic
Stand-up comedian Chad Daniels — self-described as a dad, comedian and lover of pancakes — will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Comedy Attic, 123 S. Walnut St., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30, available at www.comedyattic.com.
Kolby Cooper brings country music to The Bluebird Friday night
With a combination of Lonestar State roots, rough-hewn vocals and wailing electric guitars, Kolby Cooper will perform Friday at The Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St. Tickets are $15 for the 21-plus show. Doors open at 7 for the 8 p.m. show. For tickets and more, go to thebluebird.ws.
Celebrate moms singing the songs of 'Mamma Mia' on Friday
Celebrate Mother’s Day a little early with a Friday night "Mamma Mia" sing-along at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. This interactive musical experience centers on the smash-hit film about a bride-to-be trying to find her real father, all told using hit songs by the popular 1970s group ABBA. It will run 7:30-9:30 p.m. Friday at 114. E. Kirkwood Ave. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Go to buskirkchumley.org for tickets and more info. The night will begin with a short pre-show activity including a costume contest and Dancing Queen dance off.
Give consideration for the city's future at “Bloomington Day”
On Saturday, Landmark Columbus Foundation will co-host a series of events in collaboration with the city of Bloomington as part of the 2022–23 cycle of Exhibit Columbus, which is exploring the theme Public by Design to create meaningful connections between people and the public spaces they share. The Bloomington Conversation will feature a series of events exploring past, present and future themes of art and design in downtown Bloomington, the Trades District and the new Hopewell Neighborhood.
Speakers and guides include Esteban Garcia Bravo, whose artwork Aurora Almanac is installed in the Trades District Garage; landscape architect Chris Merritt, whose firm Merritt Chase contributed to the Hopewell Neighborhood Master Plan; and James Lima of James Lima Planning + Development, who specializes in the economics of placemaking and creating vibrant, equitable and resilient places.
Scheduled events are:
10:30 a.m.: welcome, with doughnuts and coffee and a overview of the Trades District Garage with remarks by artist Esteban Garcia Bravo
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: downtown art and design tour
12:30 p.m.: lunch at John Waldron Arts Center
2-4:30 p.m.: public conversation about art, design and economic development in the Hopewell Neighborhood and beyond with Chris Merritt and James Lima at the John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S Walnut St.
7:30 p.m.: free screening of “Playtime” at Upland Brewing Woodshop in partnership with Cicada Cinema.
Baba Commandant & the Mandingo Band perform Tuesday at The Bluebird
Baba Commandant & the Mandingo Band brings its fusion of Mandingue and afro-beat styles to The Bluebird at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $20 for the show and are available at thebluebird.ws.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: This weekend in Bloomington: Jeff Cannon, Chad Daniels, Mamma Mia!
