1 4th Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts • Sept 1, 10 am-6 pm; Sept 2, 10 am-5 pm
4th and Grant
The thirty-first 4th Street Festival offers handcrafted works by more than 100 artisans from Indiana and across the U.S. Toys, clothing, jewelry, photography, paintings and drawings, metalwork, glass, furniture, pottery, and more keep pedestrians browsing for hours along a leafy, restaurant-lined block of 4th Street. A bandstand features live music during festival hours.

1 Jazz Masters in the Park • 6 pm
Third Street Park (331 S. Washington)
Monica Herzig, Jamey Aebersold, Pat Harbison, and others. Free, but donations support the Jazz in the Schools program of the Bloomington Area Arts Council.

1 Club SoFA • 6 pm-midnight
IU Fine Arts (1201 E. 7th St.)
Celebrate the IU School of Fine Arts Gallery with live music, sports and games, Wii tournaments, food and drink, and a dance party (10 pm-midnight). Information at sofa@indiana.edu.

1 Busman’s Holiday • 7 pm and 10 pm
Waldron Auditorium, John Waldron Arts Center (122 S. Walnut)
Folk-rock, blues, and rock. Ticket information at 334-3100.

2 Comedy Cabaret on Strings • 1 and 3 pm
Melchior Marionette Theater (86 S. Van Buren)
The artistry of handcrafted and costumed marionettes that are half life-sized. You see the strings and the skills of the puppeteers. $4 (includes popcorn).

6 Bean Blossom Blues Fest • Sept 6-9
Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park (5163 State Rd. 135N, Bean Blossom)
Harmonica seminars and contests, jams, and blues from Gordon Bonham, Elliott and the Untouchables, Big James and the Chicago Playboys, and other bands. Admission prices range depending on how many days you attend, whether you camp, and how many harmonica workshops you decide to take. Information at www.beanblossom.com.

8 IU Philharmonic Orchestra • 8 pm
IU Musical Arts Center (101 N. Jordan)
Free.

8 Great Outdoor Art Contest • 7 am-3:30 pm
T.C. Steele State Historic Site (4220 T.C. Steele Rd., Nashville)
Artists of all ages paint outdoors to celebrate the birthday of Hoosier Impressionist Steele. $7.50 for adults; anyone 18 or younger can participate free. Registration information at 988-2785.

8 Night at the Opera • 6 pm
Auditorium, IU Kelley School of Business (1275 E. 10th St.)
Middle Way House’s annual fundraiser supports its programs for women and children victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Ticket and event information at 333-7404, ext. 223.

8 Kate Clinton • 8 pm
IU Auditorium (1211 E. 7th)
Political humor from a veteran feminist comic on her 2007 “Climate Change” tour. $35 general admission; $20 IU students. Tickets at 855-1103 or Ticketmaster.com.

11 Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957) • 1:30 pm
Buskirk-Chumley Theater (114 E. Kirkwood)
To save his career, an ad man (Tony Randall) wants a sex symbol to endorse a lipstick. But she wants something too: he has to pretend to be her new lover. Part of the Golden Age of Hollywood Movie Series. Free.

12 Bloomington Community Band • 2:30 pm
Gosport City Park (Main St., Gosport)
A scenic drive west and north through limestone country brings you to Gosport, where the Bloomington Community Band performs as part of the town’s Lazy Days Festival. Free.

14 WonderLab’s Science Night Out • 6-9:30 pm
Bloomington Convention Center (3rd and College)
The science museum’s fundraiser includes a silent auction and a live auction called by Jimmie Dean Coffey, activities for grownups, and a gourmet dinner. For 21 and older. Single tickets $75; table of eight, $600. Information at 337-1337, ext. 14.

14 Romeo and Juliet • Aug 14-15, 21-22 at 7 pm
Third Street Park (331 S. Washington)
The Monroe County Civic Theater presents the Shakespearean tale of star-crossed lovers. Free.

14 Dennis Miller • 8 pm
IU Auditorium (1211 E. 7th)
This Emmy-winning political humorist always has trenchant observations about liberals, conservatives, and every current event and trend worth pondering. $36-$45 general admission; $26-$39 IU students. Tickets at 333-9955 or Ticketmaster.com.

15 Soul Food Festival 2007 • 11 am-4 pm
Karst Farm Park (2450 S. Endwright Rd.)
“Feed your stomach and your soul” with great soul food, music, games and fun. Hosted by Bloomington’s Black Business and Professional Association. Everyone is welcome. Free.

16 Iris Dement • 9 pm
The Bluebird (216 N. Walnut)
Dement’s plaintive voice and skill as a songwriter have earned her a loyal audience. Her songs can range from reflections on life’s mysteries and simple pleasures, to wicked political commentary. $25, at Ticketmaster.com.

19 Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Uncle Pen Days Festival • Sept 19-22
Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park (5163 SR 135N, Bean Blossom)
Revel in the original country music, at an event celebrating the Bluegrass Hall of Fame established by Bill Monroe (1911-1996). Monroe is often credited with developing the bluegrass genre. (Uncle Pen was his uncle, immortalized in a Monroe classic.) An icon of traditional mountain music and the “high lonesome” sound heads up the festival roster: Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. With workshops and a Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the Carter Family. Ticket prices vary; details at www.beanblossom.com, or 800-414-4677.

19 Andrew Bird • 8 pm
Buskirk-Chumley Theater (114 E. Kirkwood)
Art-rock from a classically trained violinist and former swing jazz musician. $22.50; tickets at www.bloomingtonarts.info.

19 IU Chamber Orchestra • 8 pm
Auer Hall, IU School of Music (100 N. Jordan)
Free.

21 Rigoletto • Sept 21-22, 28-29 at 8 pm
IU Musical Arts Center (101 N. Jordan)
The IU Opera Theater stages Giuseppe Verdi’s story of an acerbic court jester (Rigoletto); his daughter, Gilda; his master, the Duke of Mantua; and a curse. Sung in Italian, with English supertitles. This classic opera survived considerable censorship in its own time. $15-$35 general admission; $12-$20 IU students. Ticketmaster.com or the box office (855-7433).

21 Plaza Suite • Sept 21-22, 28-29, Oct 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20 at 8 pm; Sept 23, 30, Oct 7, 13-14, and 20 at 3 pm
Brown County Playhouse (70 S. Van Buren, Nashville)
Neil Simon’s bittersweet comedy about one hotel room with three different stories. $20 general admission; $12 for 25 and younger. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com.

22 Bloomington Variety Show • 7 pm
Waldron Auditorium, John Waldron Arts Center (122 S. Walnut)
Part of the Bloomington Area Arts Council’s Spotlight on the Arts performance series. $10 general admission; $5 for children.

22 Happy Birthday Boomers • 8 pm
Buskirk-Chumley Theater (114 E. Kirkwood)
The Bloomington Pops’ fall concert is music of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Ticket information at www.bloomingtonarts.info or 336-8747.

23 The Manhattan Short Film Festival • 8 pm
Buskirk-Chumley Theater (114 E. Kirkwood)
You be the judge: See some of the most creative short films in the world and cast your vote for the best. Bloomington is one of 70 venues in 14 countries screening the festival. Times and ticket information at www.bloomingtonarts.info.

23 IU Philharmonic Orchestra • 8 pm
IU Musical Arts Center (101 N. Jordan)
Free.

24 IU Jazz Ensemble • 8 pm
IU Musical Arts Center (101 N. Jordan)
Free.

26 IU Concert Orchestra • 8 pm
IU Musical Arts Center (101 N. Jordan)
Free.

27 Lotus World Music and Arts Festival • Sept 27-30
Various venues in downtown Bloomington
“Lotus” means music from around the world, unforgettable live performances, a vibrant street scene with visual splendor (and more live music). Your favorite artist may turn out to be someone you’d never heard of. Thursday’s kick-off features actor, singer, and songwriter Jeff Daniels, and returning favorites the Balkan Beat Box. Friday and Saturday nights have wall-to-wall music showcases, and Saturday afternoon there’s Lotus in the Park, which is free. The festival wraps up with the World Spirit Concert on Sunday. For profiles of featured artists and schedules, visit www.lotusfest.org. Ticket information at www.bloomingtonarts.info.

30 University Orchestra • 8 pm
IU Musical Arts Center (101 N. Jordan)
Free.

AUGUST • SEPTEMBER • WEEKLY LISTINGS • AT THE GALLERIES