Celebrate IU Art Museum’s 75th birthday with a museum-wide party featuring music, swing dance lessons, poetry-on-demand, storytelling, tours, photo booth, cupcakes, ice cream, and more. Fun for museum fans of all ages! Libations and additional food will be available for purchase. Free and open to the public.

This celebration is made possible by the generosity of Dr. William S. and Karen F. Armstrong, Nancy and Bill Hunt, and Del and Letty Newkirk.

On Tuesday eve, April 12th, at 5:30 p.m., The Venue Fine Art & Gifts will host a presentation, “The Rise and Fall of The Ku Klux Klan, by Dr. Alan Safianow, Professor Emeritus in History at Indiana University Kokomo.
Dr. Safianow holds B.A. degree in History from Rutgers University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Cornell University. His special area of expertise is 20th century U.S. Social and Cultural History, and in that regard he has done extensive research on the Ku Klux Klan in north central Indiana during the 1920s. He has published numerous articles concerning the Klan in Kokomo, Tipton, and Noblesville.
In his presentation Dr. Safianow will give overview of the history of the Klan, discuss the influence the Klan exerted in Indiana during the 1920s, it’s rise and eventual decline.
At a time when we see political appeals that are thinly veiled appeals to bigotry, racism and xenophobia, this topic is particularly poignant, for “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Join us.

Tonight’s Showcase will be fun-filled with the songs of Bruce Kell (bloomingtonartspace.com/wa04001.htm) – who never fails to surprise us with his humorous songs and quirky persona. He often breaks out his flute and becomes “Grandmaster Sri Sri AnandBrucea,” using loop technology to take us to another musical realm – lots of fun. Kell will be sharing the stage with Mr. Chris Wolf (ChrisWolfSongs.com) – whose invisible dog “Spotless” won him top honors at a Blooming-Tune’s Song Competition – but it’s not the only awards this quick-witted, finger pickin’, gravel-voiced entertainer has won . . . he is REALLY talented and any Showcase that has Chris Wolf as a participant is a great Showcase. Making her first appearance will be Melanie Turner (Melanieannmusic.com) – who has some very uplifting, inspiring songs to her credit. Fresh from wintering in the Hawaiian Island of Kauai, Melanie will surely win your hearts on her debut at the Showcase. Turner is known for her skill as a music teacher and choir director, and her music is (as mentioned) inspirational. Last, but definitely not least, is J. Merriwether Williams (jmerriwetherwilliams.com) – a fellow who has shown up dressed in pajama bottoms, shirt, and tie, with his long silver hair and wash-tub bass or his favorite instrument – his banjo. This guy is a bit actor, a bit comedian, and puts it all together with his very unique song style. We think you’ll truly enjoy this evening of fun and music.
No Cover Charger – MUST BE 21+ to enter Bear’s Place back room concert hall.

Be swept away by this high-flying, death-defying hit musical that is full of extraordinary acrobatics, wondrous magical feats, and soaring songs from the composer of Wicked.