Puzzles, bald eagles, Native stories: Here's what happening this weekend in Bloomington

Carol Kugler
·3 min read

Bald eagles, alt-rock and Americana musicians, a multimedia exhibit with Native American stories, a puzzle competition and games: There are plenty of options for entertainment this coming week. Some of the events may be changed or canceled because of weather, but here's some of what's happening in and near Bloomington this weekend.

Momma with opener Mana to perform at the Bishop

Catch some rising stars Thursday at the Bishop, 123 S. Walnut St., when Momma performs at 9:30 p.m. Tickets for the 18-plus show are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Alt-rock musicians Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten will bring a balance of heavy riffs with a lighthearted sense of humor to their performance. The Bishop requires proof of vaccination for entry.

All about eagles at Lake Monroe

An adult bald eagle has the tell-tale white head and tail, which makes them easier to identify than the younger birds.
An adult bald eagle has the tell-tale white head and tail, which makes them easier to identify than the younger birds.

Eagles Over Monroe, the annual bald eagle event, returns to Lake Monroe with a self-guided driving tour, a Facebook Live tour and interview with rehabilitation specialists, crafts and a sunset eagle watch — from 7 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Tuesday. Some events have already filled up, but there are activities with no limits or registration needed. Due to weather conditions, some of the events may be delayed or canceled. Full details on all events are at bit.ly/eaglesovermonroe2023, as well as weather-dependent updates.

A map for a self-guided bald eagle driving tour can be found at bit.ly/monroelakeeagleguide. The sunset eagle watch will be 5-6 p.m. Friday at Paynetown State Recreation Area. For more, go to bit.ly/eom2023-sunset-friday.

"Blanket Songs: John Hitchcock" performance Friday at Grunwald Gallery

This is one of the creations by John Hitchcock that will be on exhibit during the "Blanket Songs" exhibition at the Grunwald Gallery at Indiana University.
This is one of the creations by John Hitchcock that will be on exhibit during the "Blanket Songs" exhibition at the Grunwald Gallery at Indiana University.

The Grunwald Gallery at Indiana University presents the opening of "Blanket Songs: John Hitchcock," a multimedia installation and performance by artist and composer Hitchcock at 5:30 p.m. Friday, ahead of an opening reception for the exhibition, which will remain through March 4.

Hitchcock is an artist and musician of Comanche, Kiowa and Northern European descent who fuses his personal history into his creations of neon sculptures, video, prints, fabric works and objects. The artist’s interests in printmaking, music composition and personal histories are combined with Kiowa and Comanche oral histories to tell a story that is both cultural and personal. The Grunwald Gallery is at 1201 E. Seventh St. Free.

Angel Olsen performs at the Bluebird

American singer and songwriter Angel Olsen, with special guest Erin Rae, will perform Sunday at the Bluebird. Olsen has recorded with the likes of Sturgill Simpson and has a film that premiered last year on Amazon Music. Doors open at 7 and show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at thebluebird.ws.

Puzzle it out at Sunday's Puzzlefest

Clockwise, Dana Tzvetkov, Sarah Akemon, Nika Zulkowski and Sarah Travis work on a puzzle at the Monroe County History Center in January 2019. More puzzles will be pieced together at this year's Puzzlefest.
Clockwise, Dana Tzvetkov, Sarah Akemon, Nika Zulkowski and Sarah Travis work on a puzzle at the Monroe County History Center in January 2019. More puzzles will be pieced together at this year's Puzzlefest.

Puzzle enthusiasts of all ages are invited to participate in the Monroe County History Center's Puzzlefest, open noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Switchyard Park Pavilion, 1601 S. Rogers St. Watch a jigsaw competition (with two divisions), live demonstrations, or bring puzzles to swap. There will be activities for all ages. Registration for the competition has already ended. Free.

Voces Novae performs Sunday at Unitarian Universalist Church

Choral pieces by Biebl, Forrest, Josquin, Kirchner and Ruggles will be showcased in a free concert by Voces Novae that explores the mind-body connection. The concert will be 5-6 p.m. Sunday at the Bloomington Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane. Suggested donation of $15 per person will be gratefully accepted, but not required. Bloomington Chocolate Company will donate chocolates. A reception will follow.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Things to do this weekend in Bloomington, Indiana: puzzles, music