This weekend: Gallery Walk, comedy, '80s music and jazz and jam session

Carol Kugler, The Herald-Times
·4 min read

Want to start the new year with some fresh ideas or events? There are plenty of options for people of all ages in Bloomington. For youth, there's a workshop to help them write their own play, two events at the public library and a chance to watch "Trolls" with your family. Options for adults include laughs at the Comedy Attic with Kelly Collette, listening to the Hairbangers Ball at the Bluebird, jazz at the Orbit Room or walking through some of Bloomington's art galleries during Friday's Gallery Walk.

Workshop helps youth write their own plays

Constellation Stage & Screen invites youth ages 9-12 to participate in an introductory workshop that explains the basics of script writing and how to develop a storyline and characters ahead of this year's MiniPlays, a Bloomington playwriting competition. The workshop will be 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Southwest branch of the Monroe County Public Library, 890 W. Gordon Pike. This year’s theme for the MiniPlays workshop: Embracing Change. Participants will leave on their way to developing a 5- to 10-page script that can be submitted to Constellation Stage & Screen for consideration through Jan. 26. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.

Walk among the art at Friday's Gallery Walk

Everyone is welcome to participate in the first Gallery Walk of 2024 from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday in Bloomington galleries and studios. Artists, gallery owners and art lovers are invited to Backspace Gallery, Bloomingfoods Gallery B, By Hand Gallery, Cook Center for Public Arts and Humanities, the Engraving and Stamp Center, Pictura Gallery at the FAR Center for Contemporary Art, John Waldron Arts Center, Juniper Art Gallery, Lotus Firebay, Monroe Convention Center, Rainbow Bakery, The Vault, and The Venue Fine Art and Gifts.

Standup comedian Kelly Collette will make the crowd laugh at Bloomington's Comedy Attic.
Standup comedian Kelly Collette will make the crowd laugh at Bloomington's Comedy Attic.

Laugh along with Kelly Collette this weekend at Comedy Attic

Standup comedian and writer Kelly Collette returns to the Comedy Attic, 123 S. Walnut St., for four performances: 7 and 9:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Collette was named Best Comedian in 2020 by Citybeat and has jokes featured on Sirius XM and in a segment for NPR. She's also won accolades for her writing. Tickets are $16 for students and $20 for general admission and are available at the door and online at www.comedyattic.com.

Upcoming events Coming in 2024: Can't miss events in and near Bloomington, Indiana

Preposterous presentations Saturday for youth at the library

Do you have opinions about animals? Do you need an audience to share them with? Join in watching silly PowerPoint presentations all about why your favorite animal should be everyone’s favorite from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. Participants will have time to create or refine a presentation based on their special animal during the program. Light snacks will be provided for youth ages 9-12. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.

Hairbangers Ball will perform at the Bluebird in Bloomington.
Hairbangers Ball will perform at the Bluebird in Bloomington.

Step back into the '80s with Hairbangers Ball at the Bluebird

The American 1980s glam metal tribute band, Hairbangers Ball, will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at The Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St. Tickets for the 21-plus show are $10-$15, not including service fee, and are available at the door or online at thebluebird.ws.

JonyP Trio, open jam session Saturday at the Orbit Room

If a cozy venue filled with jazz music is what you’re looking for, then check out Orbit Room’s Jazz Night with JonyP Trio and open jam 6-11:30 p.m. Saturday. The trio, led by French Canadian musician Jony Perron, will perform old jazz standards with a modern, groovy approach, spiced with Latin influences from 6-7 p.m. Other members are Kurt Baer, saxophone, and Ian Ottinger, bass.

The open jam session will begin shortly after 7 p.m. Any jazz musicians are welcome to perform, from beginner to advanced. The band will be available to play along. Admission to the Orbit Room, 107 N. College Ave., Suite 001, is free. (All ages welcome until 8 p.m.)

Vinola Trio performs 'Play for Nature' concert Sunday

The Vinola Trio will perform a free, family-friendly concert 2-3 p.m. Sunday at the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. The all-female trio is Li-Jie Yu, clarinet; Ruoyang Xiang, piano; and Laurel Gagnon, violin. The "Play for Nature" program is in partnership with Bridges MAYO and with the music all about Earth.

Take the family to watch 'Trolls' on Monday

The whole family can enjoy a movie night at the Monroe County Public Library 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday to watch "Trolls."

After the Bergens invade Troll Village, Poppy, the happiest Troll ever born, and the overly-cautious, curmudgeonly Branch set off on a journey to rescue her friends. Their mission is full of adventure and mishaps, as this mismatched duo try to tolerate each other long enough to get the job done. All ages.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Gallery Walk, Kelly Collette, Hairbangers Ball and jazz in Bloomington