Things to do: Comedy, films, a volkswalk, country and choral music

Connie Shakalis
·6 min read

This weekend the city heats up with entertainment options. Laugh at politics, watch a sci-fi movie with IU ties, tap toes to country music, take a specially designed hike, hear a choral group and learn about gender identity, or see a documentary about trailblazing athlete George Taliaferro.

Hari Kondabolu to jab at politics

He's political and smart, and his one-hour comedy act is new. The New York Times called Hari Kondabolu "one of the most exciting political comics in stand-up.” He's one of those guys who can make us laugh at situations we thought were unlaughable. Watch him wrestle with sexism, social-class prejudice, racism and being a product of "a patriarchal society.”

Hari Kondabolu
Hari Kondabolu

His 2018 Netflix special "Warn Your Relatives" made many “best of” lists, including Time, Paste Magazine, Cosmopolitan, E! Online and Mashable.

In 2017, his truTV documentary "The Problem with Apu" was released to acclaim, inspiring a worldwide dialogue about representation and race. The Nation called it “a devastating critique of the ultimate comedic sacred cow: 'The Simpsons.'"

He'll be at the Comedy Attic,123 S. Walnut St., 812-336-5233, at 8 p.m. Thursday and 7 and 9:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $16-$20. Go to comedyattic.com/events.

To catch a pre-show glimpse, go to https://bit.ly/3JA9ZWD.

'Everything Everywhere' music by IU grad

"Everything Everywhere All at Once," a sci-fi action movie that is dramatic and comedic, has made such a mark since opening earlier this month that it has moved from being considered an art film to being shown in chain movie theaters, including a local AMC.

The film's musical score was created by Ryan Lott, a 43-year-old Broad Ripple resident who graduated from Indiana University with a degree in musical composition who performs experimental music through his band Son Lux. During his college days, Lott played keyboards in the Bloomington-based funk band Danagas from 1998 to 2001.

You can catch the film this weekend and enjoy its Indiana-grown music at the AMC Classic Bloomington 12 theater, 2929 W. Third St.

More on Bloomington film: The musical journey of 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' began in a Broad Ripple bedroom

Country music at the Bluebird

There's a nice-guy vibe about these musicians. The Eli Young Band is an American country music band coming to the Bluebird at 8 p.m. Friday.

Mike Eli (lead vocals, guitar), James Young (guitar), Jon Jones (bass guitar) and Chris Thompson (drums) released their first album 20 years ago. Next came "Level" in 2005 and "Jet Black and Jealous" in 2008. Then, a second big-label album, "Life at Best" and then "10,000 Towns." Four of the band's singles have hit No. 1: "Crazy Girl," "Even If It Breaks Your Heart," "Drunk Last Night" and "Love Ain't." As Mike Eli sings, "Keep on dreamin' even if it breaks your heart."

See them, for $25, at the Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St., 812-336-3984, https://thebluebird.ws.

Walkers invited to join volkswalk

You won't need a Volkswagen for this event, just a good pair of walking shoes. The Bedford Hiking Club will co-sponsor a volkswalk with the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department on Saturday.

Volkswalks or volksmarches (German for people’s walk) began in Europe and are walks designed to highlight areas of interest. The distance is usually 3.1 miles or 6.2 miles (5 or 10 kilometers).

A musical tree sweater is among the sights along Saturday's volkswalk routes.
A musical tree sweater is among the sights along Saturday's volkswalk routes.

The Bloomington walk begins at Woodlawn Shelter in Bryan Park, 1001 S. Henderson St. and offers the option of a 5K or 10K route. Walkers should check in to receive a map and directions anytime from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and plan to finish by 3 p.m. For those who are walking but not seeking credit, the event is free. For regular volkswalkers, the fee is $3 to have their effort credited.

The routes wind through four Bloomington parks and several interesting neighborhoods. Participants can walk however quickly they want and are encouraged to explore points of interest along the way. It is not a timed event. Leashed dogs are welcome, but please bring pick-up bags.

The Cade: Video and arcade gaming bar includes a side of trivia

Walkers are encouraged to bring water, but there will be a checkpoint with water halfway through. Participants interested in learning more about volkswalking can pick up a starter pack with a record book and coupons for three free walks.

For more details on the volkswalk, contact Teena Ligman at 812-278-0139 or at tdligman@att.net. Find the Bedford Hiking Club at www.bedfordhikingclub.com.

Local choral group to honor gender identities

Voces Novae choir will present "Gender 2.0" at 7 p.m. on three Mondays. The first is at 7 p.m. Monday at The Back Door bar (21 and older), in the alley behind 207 S. College Ave.

The 16 singers plus one conductor will explore the aspects of gender in a free 45-minute choral program with choreography. For instance, Facebook offers more than 50 gender options for its users. During this performance people will have the opportunity to reflect on the "four gender spectrums" — biological, gender expression, gender identity, gender attraction — as well as on transgender youth, non-binary/queerness and gender-neutral pronouns, and relationships between parents and their transgender, gay or queer children.

In 2012, former Indiana University and NFL football player George Taliaferro holds the “COLORED” sign he took from the Princess Theater during the 1940s, when all the Bloomington theaters were segregated.
In 2012, former Indiana University and NFL football player George Taliaferro holds the “COLORED” sign he took from the Princess Theater during the 1940s, when all the Bloomington theaters were segregated.

'The B1G Story: George Taliaferro' documentary

Although this is a private event for the Taliaferro family, film cast and crew, along with Big Ten Network personnel, some tickets to next week's special showing of "The B1G Story: George Taliaferro" are available for Indiana University Cinema patrons.

The documentary is about Taliaferro (1927-2018), who first gained recognition for his football prowess. When he played football for IU in the 1940s, the African-American athlete was forbidden to live in a dorm or dine in Bloomington restaurants because of his race. His response altered history and won him a place in history as he broke barriers and influenced generations. Taliaferro was the first Black player drafted by the NFL. He later became an administrator at his alma mater in Bloomington.

Tickets, at $40, must be purchased in advance. You can honor George Taliaferro's remarkable accomplishments, legacy — and IU Cinema — by seeing this documentary on a big screen. Part of IU's Additional Films and Guests series, the film directed by Kevin Weaver and Tucker Gragg was released last year and has been shown on the Big Ten Network.

See the film at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at the IU Cinema, 1213 E. Seventh St. Buy tickets at https://bit.ly/3KEuz9J. While masks are not required at IU Cinema, they are encouraged.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Comedian Hari Kondabolu, Eli Young Band, movies, vollkswalk on tap