Lotus Dickey (1911-1989) was a traditional singer, songwriter, and fiddler from southern Indiana (Orange County) who inspired a generation of performers and Bloomington’s Lotus World Music and Arts Festival. Stephen and Nancy Dickey, son and daughter-in-law of Lotus and members of Grease Gravy (a country-bluegrass string band), will perform some of his songs during this concert honoring Lotus’ legacy. The event will be free and open to the public.

Free visitor parking is available by the Indiana Avenue lobby entrance. Metered parking is available at the McCalla School parking lot on the corner of 9th Street and Indiana Avenue. The parking lot also has spaces designated for Indiana University C and ST permits. During the weekends, free parking is available on the surrounding streets. An access ramp is located at the Fess Avenue entrance on the corner of 9th Street and Fess Avenue. Reserved parking spaces are available on 9th Street between Fess Avenue and Indiana Avenue. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. Please call 812-855-6873.

Beginning this Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. when The Venue hosts a reception for an exhibition of all new paintings by Monique Cagle. Heir apparent to the great tradition of Indiana Artists, Monique captures the grandeur and variety of our skies, fields, and forests, both day and night. Monique’s unique color palate, brush work, and subject matter bring to mind the words of Randy Newman, “feels like home to me.” And in some of them you will find a cat, of course, just because this is Monique.
Our fine collection of local, regional and national art will also be on display for purchase. Refreshment will be provided, and free parking is available. Join us.

Bloomington Fashion Collective invites you to attend “CURRENT: A Showcase of Local Creative Culture”, a fundraising event benefiting two special Boys & Girls Club outreach programs. Downtown businesses with a focus on fashion celebrate their entrepreneurial spirit during a special runway show featuring boutiques and salons, musicians and more. The event takes place Friday, May 13, at 7:00 pm at the Bloomington/Monroe Convention Center. The evening includes the fashion show, a silent auction and cash bar. Admission includes a complimentary signature cocktail and light appetizers.

Amy Swain, Events Coordinator for the Boys &Girls Clubs of Bloomington explains why this event is a good partnership. “Lemonade Day teaches youth goal setting, problem solving and serving others while gaining self-esteem, using the simple model of a youth business. . .a lemonade stand. Butterfly Kisses Dance is a semi-formal for young girls and their fathers (or father figures) designed to help the girls feel special, and to build their confidence.” The BFC’s mission strongly parallels the principals of these events by promoting unique independent businesses that encourage personal expression and give back to the community.

Tickets for this fashion show event are $20 and are available online at BCT Box Office, Downtown Visitors Center at the Buskirk Chumley Theater, Relish, Seaview Outfitters, and Gather: Handmade Shoppe

BC Community Theatre live comedy play: Socialite and novelist Charles Condomine invites the eccentric medium and clairvoyant Madame Arcati to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to gather material for his next book. The scheme backfires when he is haunted by the ghost of his annoying and temperamental first wife, Elvira. After the séance. Elvira makes continual attempts to disrupt Charles’s marriage to his second wife, Ruth, who cannot see or hear the ghost. Directed by Casey Kersey. Starring Wendi Woods Gore, Jerry Maguire, Jeremy Brown, Sheila Popplewell, Hilary Key, Judy Games, Kristy Kelley. Beer & wine sold in the auditorium. Fridays and Saturdays May 13, 14, 20, 21.