This weekend in Bloomington: World music and art, Oktoberfest, monster movies, Shrek rave
An event packed weekend begins Thursday in Bloomington, with world music at Lotus fest, a new online game party, an Oktoberfest party complete with polka music, an apple tasting at a Saturday farmers' market and a Shrek rave also on Saturday. Here's all the details for a fun weekend.
Lotus brings world music, art to Bloomington
The world comes to Bloomington for the 30th annual Lotus World Music and Arts Festival, beginning with two bands — Windborne and Bab Commandant & the Mandingo Band — sharing the Buskirk-Chumley Theater stage beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday. Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 6 p.m. musicians will perform in six downtown locations.
From noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park, 331 S. Washington St., is the site of many free activities including live performances, workshops and visual arts.
The final concert will be Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater featuring Eric & Suzy Thompson and Sonny Singh. For tickets and more, go to www.lotusfest.org/2023/.
More info on Lotus fest: Lotus World Music & Arts Festival begins soon; catch early shows today
Oktoberfest Thirsty Thursday at the Bloomington Brewing Co.
Bloomington Brewing Company invites the community to the brewery for its second annual Oktoberfest party, 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the brewery, 2234 W. Industrial Park Drive. German beer, food provided by Pappy Shack food truck and music by the Buffoonski Brothers Polka Party Band will be part of the celebration. Bring the whole family for a German experience at the brewery. This event is free and open to all.
Mineko's Night Market launch Thursday for teens and adults
Join Bloomington's own Studio Cypher as they celebrate the launch of the upcoming exploration game, Mineko's Night Market, 6-7 p.m. Thursday at the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. Studio Cypher will share their experience of working with developer Meowza Games and how the game's crafts (and cats) were made. Mineko's Night Market also will be available to play on the library's video game station. For ages 16 and older.
"Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare" Thursday at Orbit Room
The 1968 Japanese fantasy-horror film "Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare" will be shown Thursday at the Orbit Room, 107 N. College Ave., as part of Cicada Cinema. The film will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 for the age 18-plus movie, which is the second in a hallucinatory series of Theremin-fueled films with Kaiju-styled beasties placed in mythological storylines. This film has an evil Babylonian vampire accidentally resurrected by treasure hunters that can only be stopped by the Yokai monsters.
Artistic fashion exhibit opens Friday
Bloomington artist Jane Matranga is having an opening reception for her artistic fashion exhibit 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Arts Alliance Center in College Mall, 2894 E. Third St. Matranga hand-paints creations including abstracts, portraits, fabric design and landscapes using watercolor, oil and other media. Her primary focus is creating one-of-a-kind wearable paintings and since 2011 has created garments using recycled and pieced T-shirts. The exhibit will run through Oct. 22.
Taste more than a dozen types of apples at the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market
The Bloomington Community Farmers' Market will host an apple tasting 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday with more than 18 varieties of apples grown by farm venders at the market, 401 N. Morton St. Apple varieties for tasting and purchase include: Blushing Gold, Candy Crisp, Cortland, Crimson Crisp, Crispin (Mutsu), Empire, Freedom, Gala, Golden Delicious, Golden Suncrisp, Grimes Golden, Jonathan, McIntosh, Querina, Rhode Island Greening, September Wonder, Stayman Winesap, Winecrisp and Winter Banana. The market will be open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Fall celebration Saturday at antique market
Celebrate fall at a free outdoor and indoor event 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Vintage Souls Antique Market, 4545 W. Ind. 45. The event will feature light refreshments, homemade crafts and vintage items for sale. Big D's food truck will be there.
For fun go to Saturday's Shrek Rave at the Bluebird
"It's dumb, just come have fun," is the promotion for the Shrek Rave that begins at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Bluebird Nightclub, 216 N. Walnut St. Cost is $20 for the 21-plus show. Tickets available at thebluebird.ws.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington things to do: Lotus, Oktoberfest, monsters and Shrek rave
