Things to do: Comics, MLK celebrations, comedy on tap this week in Bloomington

This week you can look back at comic books from years ago or look forward, with speakers and more on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A Georgia politician will speak during the city's annual MLK birthday celebration and WonderLab will offer discounted admission. People who have Monday off can volunteer at www.bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org/mlk.

There's also a bird walk near Lake Monroe and comedy at the Orbit Room. Now's a good time to get tickets for the upcoming Black Opry Revue at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater as well.

Delve into comics' golden age at IU's Grunwald Gallery

The opening of "The Deep End: Golden Age Comic Books" will be Friday at the Grunwald Gallery of Art, 1201 E. Seventh St., for an exhibit that will continue through March 4. Before the reception, Malcolm Mobutu Smith, who amassed hundreds of comic books in the past 30 years, will give a talk at noon Friday and later be part of a panel discussion at 5 p.m. that will include Andre Molotiu, artist Raphael Cornford, designer Sarah Edmands Martin and Indiana University Ph.D. student Jesse Matlock. A reception will follow from 6 to 8 p.m.

Georgia representative at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration

Georgia Rep. Park Cannon will be keynote speaker at this year's Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration at 7 p.m. Monday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Cannon, Georgia's youngest state representative, is one of two openly queer lawmakers in the Georgia General Assembly. The Democratic lawmaker made national headlines when she was unlawfully arrested and removed from the Georgia Capitol after she knocked on the door to the Republican governor’s office during his signing of SB 202, which limits voting rights in the state.

The birthday celebration will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception and light refreshments. The free event will have music and dance performances by the Indiana University African American Choral Ensemble, the IU Jacobs School of Music ballet department, World Music drumming from Fairview Elementary students, and the presentation of the Commission’s MLK Legacy Award.

WonderLab offers reduced admission Monday

WonderLab Science Museum, at 308 W. Fourth St., will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday with reduced admission prices. Special activities include A Day of Service with WonderLab. Help pack warming kits for Beacon Street Outreach or craft toys for the animals at Bloomington Animal Shelter.

Bloomington Peace Choir performs at noon Monday

All are welcome to listen to a medley of songs sung by the Bloomington Peace Choir at noon Monday at the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. The community choir brings together people for the joy of singing and sharing music.

Bird walk Wednesday at Fairfax recreation area

Sign up to search for bald eagles, gulls, loons, waterfowl and songbirds at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday with David Rupp as part of a Sassafras Audubon Society outing to Fairfax State Recreation Area. The two-hour hike will begin at the beach parking lot and explore the lakefront. Preregister by emailing david@indigobirding.com or calling 812-679-8978. There’s a maximum of 20 participants.

Comedy at the Orbit Room Wednesday

Enjoy the monthly standup comedy showcase with Dropkick Comedy at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Orbit Room, 107 N. College Ave. Tickets are available at orbit-room.square.site. The showcase will feature Natalie Bainter, Connor Delehanty, Sara Huntington, Neal Meyer, Nate Robinson and Owen Sunkel.

Black Opry Revue Jan. 19 at Buskirk-Chumley

The Black Opry Revue, with Black artists performing country, Americana, blues and roots music, will take the stage Jan. 19 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Black Opry highlights how Black artists have been part of country music since its inception. Each show has a different lineup and this one will include Isaiah Cunningham, Roberta Lea, Christine Melody, Tae Lewis and Tylar Bryant, who will not only sing but tell stories. Tickets for the reserved seating show are $35-$45 and can be purchased online at buskirkchumley.org or at the theater box office, at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Comics, comedy and other things to do this weekend in Bloomington, IN