What to do this weekend in Bloomington: BubbleFest, Juneteenth, Live Music Galore
Editor's note: This story has been updated with the correct date for the Lawrence County annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show.
Sunny June is in full swing, and with it comes Father’s Day, Juneteenth and a whole lot of music. Take your kids to the WonderLab Museum or stay up late exploring the local music scene at the Bluebird and Fairfax Bar & Grill. If you want to get groovy, munch on free food or play with human-sized bubbles, check out these Bloomington events this weekend.
It’s a bubble whammy: Suds and fun at WonderLab’s 25th anniversary
Get your mitts sudsy this weekend at the WonderLab Museum’s annual BubbleFest. It’ll be a hands-on celebration including dry ice bubbles, bubble wands, vacuum chamber bubbles and bubble art. Want to take it a step further? Climb inside a hula hoop and build a bubble around yourself.
Explore the BubbleFest during museum hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 17, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, June 18. Members get in free, and tickets are $14 for the general public.
The '80s are back: Metallica, Mötley Crüe and more at Bluebird
Tease your hair, smear on some eyeliner, bust out those shoulder pads. Head to the Bluebird Nightclub on Saturday, June 17, for an '80s glam metal cover band. Hairbangers Ball is a Chicago-based tribute band recreating the feel of an '80s rock concert. Whether you rocked hard in the 1980s or just love the sounds of the decade, if you’re over 21, you can see the show for $15. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the music starts at 9. For more or tickets, go to thebluebird.ws/.
Ain’t Even Done with the Night? Take Dad to Mellencougar
Still haven’t made Father’s Day plans? Take your old man to see Mellencougar, a John Mellencamp tribute band, at the Fairfax Bar & Grill on Saturday, June 17, from 8 to 11 p.m. Rock along to classic tunes and enjoy a full bar and pub food at this pre-Father’s Day party. Online-only presale tickets are $15 (at thefairfaxbloomington.com), and $20 at the door.
Sold out: Matt Rife 'ProblemMATTic World Tour' at IU Auditorium
Summer celebration during Juneteenth at Switchyard
Saturday, families community-wide can attend the city's Juneteenth celebration at Switchyard Park. The holiday, sometimes called Freedom Day, celebrates the historic emancipation of enslaved Black Americans. Switchyard will host free food from BBQ Train, games, music and Black-owned businesses. The Plaza Spray Pad will be open. Bring your family, friends, snacks and picnic blankets or chairs Saturday from 2 to 7 p.m.
Feel like dancing? Be loud and proud at The Back Door
Get ready to bop till you drop at The Back Door’s drag show and dance party Saturday night. The bar is partnering with Grey Goose Vodka to throw Y2GAY: A Benefit for Btown Pride. The drag show starts at 10, and the dance party will follow at midnight. Entry is a sliding scale donation of $10-$20. The Munch Box, a food truck, will open at 9 p.m.
Be transported to Texas at IU Cinema “Giant” showing
Throw it back with a showing of James Dean, Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor’s 1956 film “Giant.” Tickets are only $5 for the 4 p.m. showing Saturday, June 17. The award-winning film explores race, gender and class in 1920s Texas and is part of the Critics’ Pics series at IU Cinema. A movie synopsis and more theater information is available cinema.indiana.edu/.
It rocks! Annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show
If you like gems, fossils, jewelry — if you’re a fan of any and all things shiny — visit the Annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show June 23-25 at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds. There will be food, too, and a variety of minerals and jeweler tools for sale. Proceeds benefit scholarships. Swing by Friday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Juneteenth celebration, Father's Day things to do in Bloomington
