This weekend in Bloomington: Little 500, plant giveaway, roller derby, IU Soul Revue

Carol Kugler, The Herald-Times
·4 min read

April is a month for showers and there's plenty of events raining down on the Bloomington area this coming week, from the Women's and Men's Little 500 races on Friday and Saturday to Earth Day events at Hilltop Garden and Nature Center and Switchyard Park.

Bird lovers might want to attend the Sassafras Audubon Society bird feeder cleaning day. If you're more into action, try the Bloomington roller derby team taking on Louisville's team at The Warehouse. IU Soul Revue will be rocking at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater on Saturday night.

For a quieter time, author Scott Russell Sanders will be sharing coffee and possibly prose Sunday at the downtown public library.

Little 500 races on Friday and Saturday

A look at the new State Bicycle Company bikes that will used for the first time in this year's Little 500, during qualifying on March 23, 2023.
A look at the new State Bicycle Company bikes that will used for the first time in this year's Little 500, during qualifying on March 23, 2023.

The 35th Women’s Little 500 Race begins at 4 p.m. Friday at Bill Armstrong Stadium on the Indiana University campus. The women's race is 100 laps around the track. The 72nd Men’s Little 500 Race will be Saturday at 2 p.m. and will end after 200 laps. Both races can have up to 33 teams competing for a trophy. The races are part of what the Indiana University Student Foundation bills the "World's Greatest College Weekend."

What to know for this weekend's men's, women's Little 500 races

Gallow Dance happens Friday at Blockhouse

Expect goth, dark wave and industrial music at the Gallow Dance beginning at 8 p.m. at Blockhouse Bar, 205 S. College Ave. Groove to Bellhead of Chicago, Pilgrims of Yearning from Boston and Freeze Etch from South Bend and sets by DJ Plague, M.D. Tickets are $10 for the 21-plus show. Doors open at 7 p.m. For tickets or more info, go to www.blockhousebar.com.

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Bird feeder cleaning Saturday at Bloomington Hardware

Sassafras Audubon Society's spring bird feeder cleaning will be Saturday at Bloomington Hardware, 2700 E. Covenanter Drive. Feeders can be dropped off 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and picked up 2–4 p.m. A donation of $5 per feeder is suggested.

Free plants at Hilltop Gardens on Earth Day

Hilltop Gardens and Nature Center, 2367 E. 10th St., is giving away plants for Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. There will be free houseplants, music and the opportunity to walk through the center’s gardens.

Bike to Earth Day Saturday at Switchyard Park

City of Bloomington, Go Bloomington Home-Go Bloomington and Zero In Bloomington are sponsoring the first Bike to Earth Day at Switchyard Park from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The family-friendly event celebrates Earth Day and kicks off National Bike Month in May, with face painting, arts and crafts, live music from Peyton Womack Band, vendors, EV and e-bike demonstrations, food trucks and a cash bar provided by Upland Brewery.

BOOMington Blockheads take on Louisville Roller Derby on Saturday

From 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday will be the 2023 season opener for Bloomington’s roller derby team, the BOOMington Blockheads, who will compete against Louisville Roller Derby at the Warehouse, 1525 S. Rogers St. Tickets are $7.50 in advance and $10 at the door. Kids age 6 and younger are admitted free. Doors open at 6, with action beginning at 6:30 p.m. Go to https://bit.ly/40eq3Wt for tickets.

IU Soul Revue concert Saturday at Buskirk-Chumley Theater

America's first collegiate Black popular music ensemble, the IU Soul Revue, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Directed by IU and Soul Revue alumnus James Strong, the choir will perform R&B, soul, funk and contemporary Black popular music. Tickets are $15-$25 and are available at buskirkchumley.org or at the box office.

Scott Russell Sanders. Courtesy photo
Scott Russell Sanders. Courtesy photo

Author Scott Russell Sanders shares stories, coffee on Sunday

From 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Scott Russell Sanders, author of more than 20 books, essays and narratives, will share as part of the Coffee with Friends series at the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. His latest book is "Small Marvels: A Novel-in-Stories." The coffee time is for people age 18 and older.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Little 500 race this weekend in Bloomington, Indiana