There are two days in particular this year to avoid walking under a ladder, crossing paths with a black cat and breaking a mirror. Friday is the first Friday the 13th of 2019. There will be one more in December. Here are thirteen ways to embrace the holiday, including movies, lectures, live performances and food festivals.
1. Killer clown triple feature at the Starlite Drive-In Theater
The featured movies are “It” from 2017, “It Chapter Two” released this year and “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” from 1988. Gates to the theater open at 6:45 p.m., and the movies will be shown at 8:45 p.m., 11:30 p.m. and 2:40 a.m. Tickets for kids 5 years old and under are free, ages 6 to 12 are $4 and ages 13 and up are $9. Arrive by 7:45 p.m. for $1 off per ticket. The theater is located at 7640 S. Old State Road 37.
You can use your car stereo or bring a portable radio for sound. The theater asks people with larger vehicles park in the back half of the field. The event is pet-friendly, but make sure to keep them on a leash and pick up after them.
2. “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” at AMC
This thriller movie, released this August, is playing at the AMC Classic Bloomington 12 theater at 2929 W. Third St. at 2:50p.m., 5 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. The movie is almost two hours long.
3. Harvest Moon Viewing
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the next full moon will be Friday. A harvest moon is a full moon nearest to the autumnal equinox, which is Sept. 23. Stay up Friday night to watch the moon become full, which is estimated to occur around 12:33 a.m.
4. Friends of the Library Big Fall Book Sale
Starting Friday and going until Monday, the organization will be selling books, CDs, DVDs and more at the Monroe County Public Library, located at 303 E. Kirkwood Ave., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be different types of sales each day. Friday, everything will cost between 50 cents and $1.
5. Bloomington Food Truck Friday
The food trucks gather at the Dimension Mill, located at 642 N. Madison St. from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Vendors in the past have included Rasta Pops, The Big Cheeze, Döner Kabob, La Poblana Taco Truck and The Chocolate Moose. The band Homemade Jam will be this week’s live performer.
6. Friday the 13th Tattoo Event at Tattoo Kaiju
From noon to 8 p.m., two artists from Tattoo Kaiju, located at 300 E. Third St. Suite D, will be doing tattoos of selected designs starting at $50. Customers will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be an academic symposium sponsored by the IU School of Public Health and the Media School on gun violence. The event will be in room C100 of the Mobley Auditorium in the School of Public Health. There will be presentations, a moderated panel discussion and breakout sessions. The expert speakers include people from law, criminal justice, public health and medical backgrounds.
8. Cemetery Preservation & Restoration Lecture
Nationally recognized cemetery restoration specialist Jason Church will speak about cemetery preservation at the Monroe County History Center, located at 202 E. Sixth St., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is free.
9. “Every Breath We Drew” Lecture
The photography series by Jess Dugan has been an exhibit at the Grunwald Gallery of Art since August. Friday from 5 to 6 p.m., Dugan will be in room 015 of the Fine Arts Building to discuss her work, which has been widely noted as one of the most important series of photographs depicting intimacy and identity. A reception will follow.
10. Roy Wood Jr. from “The Daily Show” at The Comedy Attic
Roy Wood Jr., a correspondent for the Emmy-winning show “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” will perform at the Comedy Attic, at 123 S. Walnut St., at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students or $18 for non-students. Wood will perform there again Saturday night.
11. Rod Tuffcurls & The Benchpress at The Bluebird Nightclub
The band is from Chicago and known for playing covers. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show begins at 9 p.m. The show is for people ages 21 and up, and tickets are $10. The nightclub is located at 216 N. Walnut St.
12. Taz Mania at Conner’s Taproom
The band will perform classic rock ’n’ roll at Conner’s Taproom, located at 313 E. Winslow Road from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is free.
13. Friday the 13th Funhouse at The Back Door
The Back Door nightclub, at 207 S. College Ave., will have a themed party featuring performances from Mary Fagdalane, Mocha Debeauté, Ryne Stone and Em Merle. Doors open at 10 p.m., and the show begins at 11 p.m. This is a 21 and up event, with a $5 cover charge.
