This Weekend's Calendar events

Thursday, May 17\n• A Special Art Exhibit -- Paintings, ceramics, handmade papers and sculptured bowls. John Waldron Arts Center, Education Gallery in the Lower Court, May 14 -- 26, Tues. -- Sat. 1 p.m. -- 6 p.m., and Sun. Noon -- 4 p.m.\n•Sesame Street Live -- "Big Bird's Sunny Day Camp Out." Murat Theatre, May 17--20, 7 p.m., Tickets: $11.50 -- $19.50.\n• Lunch with the Arts -- featuring contemporary folk singer-songwriter, Jeff Cannon and his band. Pack a brown bag lunch and join. This week's concert is sponsored by Optiks. Monroe County Courthouse lawn, Noon -- 1:30 p.m., Free.\n• Jazz Fables -- with Jamey Abersold. Bear's Place, 1316 E. Third St., 5:30 p.m., $6.\n•Benefit Concert featuring Four Bands -- All proceeds will go to Mother Hubbard's Cupboard. Big Jon & Friends, 8 p.m.; Water Co. (new grass), 9 p.m.; Alma Azul (Latin rock), 10:30 p.m.; Trip Factory (rock/funk) 11:30 p.m. Cellar Lounge, corner of 4th & Walnut, 8 p.m., Requested Donation: $5.\n• Karaoke -- Bear's Place, 1316 E. Third St., 9 p.m., No cover.\n• WFHB New Music Showcase -- Second Story, 201 S. College, 9:30 p.m., $3.\n• Dark Blonde Water -- Kilroy's Sports Bar, 319 N. Walnut Ave, 10:30 p.m., $2.\n• The Jazz Fables with Jamey Abersold -- Bear's Place, 5:30 p.m, $6. \nFriday, May 18\n• A Special Art Exhibit -- Paintings, ceramics, handmade papers and sculptured bowls. John Waldron Arts Center, Education Gallery in the Lower Court, May 14 -- 26, Tues. -- Sat. 1 p.m. -- 6 p.m., and Sun. Noon -- 4 p.m.\n• 10th Annual Puttin' On Our Shorts -- A series of eight short plays. Presented by the Bloomington Playwrights Project. Bloomington Playwrights Project, 312 S. Washington, Show runs: May 18--27; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. and Sundays, 2 p.m.; Tickets: $7 students/seniors and $10 adults.\n• Sesame Street Live -- "Big Bird's Sunny Day Camp Out." Murat Theatre, May 17--20, 7 p.m., Tickets: $11.50 -- $19.50.\n•The Nerd -- Indianapolis Civic Theatre, 1200 W. 38th St., May 11--26, Fridays & Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Special matinee performance at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 26. $22, $17.\n• Retro Dance Party -- features a live DJ playing 70s and 80s, funk, disco and reggae. Must be 21 or older. The City Grille, 216 S. College, 10:30 p.m., Free.\n• Swamp Fox -- with Sam Lowry, and The Toddlers . Cellar Lounge, 123 S. Walnut St., 10 p.m., $3.\n• Impossible Shapes, The Pieces and Sophia Travis -- Second Story, 201 S. College Ave., 10:30 p.m., $5. \n• Volunteer Jam -- featuring the Charlie Daniels Band, 38 Special, The Dickey Betts Band, & Trent Summar & the New Row Mob. Verizon Wireless Music Center, Noblesville, 7 p.m., Tickets: $15 -- $25.\n• David Mead -- Rehearsal Studio Productions, Indy, 8 p.m., Tickets: $5 (advance) and $7. \n• Josh Holmes Band -- Kilroy's Sports Bar, 10:30 p.m, $2.\nSaturday, May 19\n• EarthFest -- Karst Farm for All Ages, Noon -- 4 p.m., Free ($2 for climbing wall).\n• A Special Art Exhibit -- Paintings, ceramics, handmade papers and sculptured bowls. John Waldron Arts Center, Education Gallery in the Lower Court, May 14 -- 26, Tues. -- Sat. 1 p.m. -- 6 p.m., and Sun. Noon -- 4 p.m.\n• 10th Annual Puttin' On Our Shorts -- A series of eight short plays. Presented by the Bloomington Playwrights Project. Bloomington Playwrights Project, 312 S. Washington, Show runs: May 18--27; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. and Sundays, 2 p.m.; Tickets: $7 students/seniors and $10 adults.\n• Sesame Street Live -- "Big Bird's Sunny Day Camp Out." Murat Theatre, May 17--20, 7 p.m., Tickets: $11.50 -- $19.50.\n• The Nerd -- Indianapolis Civic Theatre, 1200 W. 38th St., May 11--26, Fridays & Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Special matinee performance at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 26. $22, $17.\n• Retro Dance Party -- features a live DJ playing 70s and 80s, funk, disco and reggae. Must be 21 or older. The City Grille, 216 S. College Ave., 10:30 p.m., Free.\n• Latin Party -- Second Story, 201 S. College Ave., 10:30 p.m., $4.\n• Joel Kelsey Trio. Quarry Diner, Stinesville, 6--9 p.m, free.\n• You -- Kilroy's Sports Bar, 10:30 p.m, $2.\nSunday, May 20\n• Lindy in the Park -- IU Swing Dance Club -- People's Park, 5--8 p.m, free.\n• A Special Art Exhibit -- Paintings, ceramics, handmade papers and sculptured bowls. John Waldron Arts Center, Education Gallery in the Lower Court, May 14 -- 26, Tues. -- Sat. 1 p.m. -- 6 p.m., and Sun. Noon -- 4 p.m.\n• 10th Annual Puttin' On Our Shorts -- A series of eight short plays. Presented by the Bloomington Playwrights Project. Bloomington Playwrights Project, 312 S. Washington, Show runs: May 18--27; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. and Sundays, 2 p.m.; Tickets: $7 students/seniors and $10 adults.\n• Sesame Street Live -- "Big Bird's Sunny Day Camp Out." Murat Theatre, May 17--20, 7 p.m., Tickets: $11.50 -- $19.50.\n• The Nerd -- Indianapolis Civic Theatre, 1200 W. 38th St., May 11--26, Fridays & Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Special matinee performance at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 26. $22, $17.