From the sounds of nature to funk to folk, this weekend is all about music in Bloomington

Bloomington's Early Music Festival closes Friday night with the ensemble Tonos del Sur's performance of a tribute to the Virgin Mary, "María del Pueblo." You can also hear popular or country music at the Blockhouse, the Bluebird, Peoples Park and Switchyard Park — with Friday food trucks at the latter. Nature appreciators get both a sax concert and a talk about what we hear when we're outdoors: catch it at at Lower Cascades park. For laughs, go on over to the Comedy Attic, because the raucous Michael Ian Black is back in town.

Michael Ian Black is back in Bloomington

Michael Ian Black is coming back to Bloomington this weekend to make us laugh, at the Comedy Attic, 123 S. Walnut St. This multi-media guy has starred in TV series and films, written and directed films, is an author and commentator, and tours the U.S. regaling us with his irreverent observations. Recently he starred in TVLand's “The Gaffigan Show” and Comedy Central’s “Another Period.” Headed for Netflix, he’s soon to reprise one of his film roles in the second season of “Wet Hot American Summer."

Snicker with Black at 8 p.m. Thursday and at 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 812-336-5233; comedyattic.com/events.

Early Music Festival's closing night is Friday

Friday night will offer the finale to this year's Early Music Festival, as Trinity Episcopal Church, 111 S. Grant St., opens its doors to an in-person concert by the group Tonos del Sur performing "María del Pueblo," at 8 p.m.

The Virgin Mary has motivated composers to create some of the most magnificent music in the early music genre. From Latin American music, with European principles and indigenous languages, comes this performance. "María del Pueblo" looks at the Virgin Mary as a focus of worship and links improvised instrumental and vocals. It includes tiny pieces written in Guaraní, full settings of the Latin Magnificat text, and examples of local people's devotion to Mary.

There's also a pre-concert discussion at 7:15 p.m. with a Tonos del Sur director, Sarah Cranor, and Bloomington Early Music's board treasurer and colonial-era Latin American music specialist, Paul Borg. Both the concert and the discussion are free.

Coot Crabtree to croon in Peoples Park

Coot Crabtree is coming our way from Indianapolis, where he is based, to bring some boot stomping music to Peoples Park, 501 E. Kirkwood Ave., today. This singer/songwriter tackles Americana, strange folk & rootsy blues, alt-country and rock. He's tough, rough and ready to entertain, performing homegrown originals and some covers. Sometimes Coot does a whole solo gig; other times he joins musicians for trios or a full band. Covering Townes Van Zandt to Jerry Garcia and Hank Williams to Wilco, Coot explores what's in between.

Photos | Fat Pockets

Bluebird Nightclub hosts Fat Pockets

Fat Pockets, an American heartland party band, began in Bloomington in 2017. This seven-piece group plays rock, soul and funk and features two choreographed female singers. The rhythm section provides big sound and easy transitions. Vibrant is one description; so are glittery and cool. They'll be at the Bluebird Nightclub, 216 N. Walnut St., 812-336-3984, https://thebluebird.ws., 9 p.m. Friday for $10.

Nature Sounds outdoor saxophone concert and wind (as in air) discussion

What do a saxophone and a spring evening share? Moving air. Wind will power your mainsail and ruffle your dog's whiskers. It will also let Joseph Trahan, baritone saxophonist, entertain you from from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Friday at the Sycamore Shelter in Lower Cascades Park, 2851 Old State Rd. 37. The Parks and Recreation department of Bloomington presents the Nature Sounds series, which combines acoustic musical performance with a nature talk about — this week —outdoor sounds. It's free. Just bring a lawn chair.

For more information, call or email Crystal Ritter, 812-349-3962 or ritterc@bloomington.in.gov. Or go to https://bloomington.in.gov/parks/events/nature.

American roots music at the Blockhouse Bar

Golden Shoals band with Carpenter & Clerk will rock the room with American roots music at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Blockhouse, 205 S. College Ave. Cost is $5.

Amy Alvey and Mark Kilianski have toured by foot, going from gig to gig wearing  backpacks and carrying instrument cases for weeks at a time. For the past seven years, a variety of moving vehicles have been their home on the road. Their current show list is special to them, since it's their first uninterrupted tour under the newish name Golden Shoals. Of their debut album Folk Radio said, Golden Shoals is “consistently musically infectious and emotionally weightier than it seems at first hearing."

Catch this duo and their indie, Americana and bluegrass romp mixed with traditional old-time and modern.

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