The early bird special

Sure, the Bloomington nightlife can be a lot of fun, but what if you have work or classes in the morning? What if you just happen to be a morning person?
No problem! Throughout the summer, a wide variety of Bloomington concerts take place before the sun goes down. Below are four major musical events worth checking out before the long summer days give way to fall (and homework).

The Farmers’ Market

Along with locally grown produce, the Bloomington Farmers’ Market features live, free music. At 9 a.m. this Saturday, at the circular stage on North Morton Street (by City Hall), the market will host acoustic/jazz/rhythm and blues performer Curtis Cantwell Jackson; at 11 a.m., traditional country/bluegrass string combo The Bloomingtones will be performing.

“The audience should expect a show that is full of passion, great vocals, guitar playing, just a great morning,” Jackson said.

Meanwhile, at 5 p.m., the Tuesday Market (at Sixth and Madison streets) will host singer-songwriter Mark LaPointe.

Bloomington Parks and Recreation’s Performing Arts Series

Throughout the summer, Bloomington Parks and Rec hosts free concerts at Bryan Park, People’s Park and Third Street Park. For Bryan Park, 1001 S. Henderson St., concerts take place at 6:30 p.m. on Sundays, with the next show featuring the rock band Big Ol’ Things. Meanwhile, on the corner of Kirkwood and Dunn, People’s Park has concerts every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. (this Tuesday’s will star folk and blues performer, Lou Stant). And at Third Street Park, 331 S. Washington St., the shows take place at 7 p.m. every Friday. For tomorrow’s Third Street show, jazz vocalist Janiece Jaffe, with support from a team of local musicians, plans to offer a wide range of genres.

“Some jazz, some popular, some Latin, some waltz, some groovin’, maybe singing along … dancing is encouraged!” Jaffe said.

IU Summer Music Festival

From June 15 through August 9, the IU Jacobs School of Music is sponsoring an extensive and eclectic series of performances that range from jazz and classical, and from solo recitals to bands, orchestras and full operas. Many of the festival’s headlining events require tickets and will be at the Musical Arts Center (although the July 27 performance by choral group Chanticleer will be at the First United Church) – while others, such as the recitals, are free and held at Auer Hall. See the festival’s Web site for full information about upcoming events, their costs and their locations:
www.music.indiana.edu/publicity/summer_fest/2008.

Revolution Music and Peace Festival

The fifth Revolution Music and Peace Festival will bring together more than 20 bands from August 7 through 10 in an effort to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Organized by Tony Minnich, along with family and friends, the festival will be held at Freedom Farms northwest of Spencer, Ind., (roughly 20 to 25 miles northwest of Bloomington). This year’s lineup comprises a mixture of national and local bands including Freekbass, Taarka, The Macpodz, Knundrum and Metal In the Microwave, with tickets available for $50 (for all four days, camping space included) from the Buskirk-Chumley Theater’s Sunrise Box Office. For more information, visit the festival’s MySpace page, www.myspace.com/revolutionmusicandpeace.