Around The Arts

Eighth annual Lotus Festival holds volunteer information meetings\nLotus Festival organizers will hold two orientation sessions for anyone interested in volunteering at the world music event in September. The first meeting will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. The second will take place 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Buskirk-Chumley. Inquiries can be directed to volunteer@lotusfest.org or to the Lotus Office at 336-6599. The Eighth Lotus Festival, an annual showcase of world music and arts, will be held in Bloomington from Sept. 19 -23.\nBloomington Playwrights Project postpones production\nThe Bloomington Playwright's Project has postponed its production of "Portofino," originally scheduled to open tonight. The play has been rescheduled for Spring 2002. In its place, an Open House will be held at 7 p.m. tonight. The public is invited to attend and meet BPP staff, as well as hear musical selections from "Portofino," learn about the new season, and find out about fall classes in the Bloomington Playwrights Project's School of Dramatic Arts. The Bloomington Playwrights Project is located at 312 S. Washington St. For more information, call 334-1188.\nPhotography students show work, hold reception\nBFA photography students Shana Berger and Owen Mundy, whose exhibit "Am I Marketable?" is displayed in the Indiana Memorial Union Gallery, will hold a reception at the IMUG from 6-8 p.m. Saturday. The show "looks at the effect of commercialism and consumerism on the individual in a society where everything is a commodity," according to a press release. The show continues through Aug. 30. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Saturday.\nBloomingKids! plans concert in Alumni Hall\nBloomingkids!, the Bloomington chapter of the statewide College Mentors for Kids! Inc., are holding a benefit concert at 8 p.m. Aug. 31 in the Indiana Memorial Union's Alumni Hall. Full Frontal Comedy will open the show, followed by a performance by a cappella group Ladies First. BloomingKids! is a student organization that mentors area elementary school children. Tickets to the concert are $5 and can be bought at the door or by contacting BloomingKids! at cmfk@indiana.edu or 855-2278.