Community Events

Jae Gasana addresses the crowd after handing performers flowers for the GRB Open Mic Night on Feb. 25, 2023, at the FAR Center of Contemporary Art. Girls Rock Bloomington and the FAR Center for Contemporary Arts hosted a Black History Month open mic night at 6 p.m. on Feb. 25, 2023.

Girls Rock Bloomington and Far Contemporary Arts Center hosts open mic event in honor of Black History Month

Feb 26, 2023 8:40 pm

The open mic welcomed several Black performers on Saturday.

A scan of artwork titled "Sigma Nu" by Adam Long is seen. The Sigma Nu Fraternity House will be hosting a gallery and auction event Dec. 7.

Sigma Nu to showcase historic Bloomington locations in art gallery Dec. 7

Dec 6, 2022 9:11 am

The gallery is Sigma Nu’s first public event since its rechartering.

Students pose for a photo during the Indiana Memorial Union's annual "Light Up the Night" event Dec. 1, 2021, outside of the IMU. Students and Bloomington residents are invited to visit the fourth annual Light Up the Night holiday celebration event at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at the IMU Circle Drive and Robel Plaza.

Fourth annual Light Up the Night holiday candle lighting to occur Dec. 1

Dec 1, 2022 4:01 pm

The merry evening will include ice skating, a holiday market and refreshments.

"Universal Language: The Legacy of Sexual and Gender Diversity in the Kinsey Institute Collections," is seen Nov. 28, 2022 in the Dr. Caroline Beebe Gallery in Lindley Hall. The exhibit celebrates human sexuality and gender diversity through items found in the Kinsey Institute's collections.

The Kinsey Institute unveils Dr. Caroline Beebe Gallery

Nov 30, 2022 5:15 pm

The Beebe Gallery is a collection of sexual expressions from history.

Will Ferrell is seen starring in the 2003 film "Elf."

Constellation Stage and Screen to welcome ‘Elf the Musical’ Dec. 15

Nov 29, 2022 1:21 pm

The inaugural family holiday musical will show from Dec. 15 to Dec. 31.

Brooklyn, New York, musician Scout Gillett performed with a full band Nov. 16, 2022, at The Orbit Room. Local artist Kay Krull opened the show.

Scout Gillett, Kay Krull perform heartfelt folk-rock sets at The Orbit Room

Nov 17, 2022 12:52 pm

The folk singers performed with southern rock voices.

Local unhoused shelter New Hope for Families will welcome Bloomington to the fourth annual Hope for the Holidays Tree Extravaganza and Auction from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 15 through 17 at Switchyard Park. The celebration will invite visitors to view over 60 elaborate holiday trees decorated by local businesses, organizations and families.

New Hope for Families Shelter to celebrate fourth annual Hope for the Holidays tree auction

Nov 10, 2022 11:25 am

The fundraising event supports the shelter’s mission to keep unhoused families together.

Constellation Stage and Screen will welcome audiences to the premiere of their first Kids Series play, “Anne of Green Gables,” at 6 p.m. Nov. 10, 2022, at the Waldron Auditorium on Walnut Street. Tickets are $15 for children and $25 for adults, and the show will run from Nov. 10-27.

Constellation Stage and Screen to premier ‘Anne of Green Gables’

Nov 7, 2022 1:39 pm

The new adaptation of the children’s classic follows Anne as she navigates family, friendship and love.

A shopper browses through rings on display Nov. 13, 2021 at the 2021 Bloomington Handmade Market Holiday Fair. The 13th bi-annual Handmade Market will take place Nov. 12 to 13 at the Monroe Convention Center and features artists with a wide range of specialties, from jewelry making, pottery and glasswork to clothing design and lamp-making.

Bloomington Handmade Market to return for Holiday Fair Nov. 12, 13

Nov 3, 2022 1:59 pm

The biannual art fair will premiere work by over 100 artists from around Bloomington and the Midwest.

The Artisan Guilds of Bloomington’s annual Holiday Show, a gathering of three local artists’ guilds, will begin at 4 p.m. Nov. 4, 2022, at the Monroe County Convention Center. Each year, the Local Clay Potters Guild, Bloomington Spinners and Weavers Guild and Indiana Glass Guild come together to present their artwork, provide demonstrations of their craft and offer a variety of handmade items for holiday shopping.

Artisan Guilds of Bloomington Holiday Show to kick off Friday

Nov 2, 2022 5:43 pm

The annual holiday artisan craft show will gather for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the Affrilachian Poets are seen on stage June 19, 2022, at the Lyric Theater and Cultural Arts Center in Lexington, Kentucky. The Affrilachian Poets will be the focus of a multievent series Nov. 4 and 5 at the Cook Center in Maxwell Hall.

Documentary screening, workshop and readings to focus on Affrilachian Poets

Nov 2, 2022 10:46 am

The events will be held Nov. 4-5 in Maxwell Hall.

The Mies van der Rohe Building is seen April 6, 2022. The building has a storied history at the university and is featured in the "Mies in Indiana" display in the Grunwald Gallery of Art.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s international status as an architect becomes local

Oct 30, 2022 10:09 am

Grunwald Gallery reveals architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s designs in Indiana.

Performer David Matlack is seen during a 2012 performance at Bloomington's annual Festival of Ghost Stories. The spooky event is presented by Bloomington Parks and Recreation and will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at Bryan Park.

‘Give them a thrill:’ Bloomington to celebrate annual Festival of Ghost Stories Friday

Oct 27, 2022 4:52 pm

The storytelling event will feature performances of nine ghostly stories by 10 performers.

Local band Sumatics performs at the WFHB Radio Station's summer 2022 Block Rocker. WFHB received an Arts Project grant from the Bloomington Arts Commission for this event.

Bloomington Arts Commission sets up new grant for emerging local artists

Oct 21, 2022 2:20 pm

Local artists can apply for the grant until Oct. 24.

The University Collections will debut the “Unity in Variety: The Works of Morton C. Bradley, Jr.” exhibition of geometric sculptures at 5 p.m. Oct. 21, 2022, at the McCalla Gallery, located at the corner of Ninth Street and Indiana Avenue. Each of the sculptures — multicolored, complex works made from metal, wood and paper — were created using a mathematical equation.

‘Life is math:' The University Collections to open 'Unity in Variety' exhibition Friday

Oct 20, 2022 3:15 pm

Morton C. Bradley's sculptures will be exhibited for the first time during Friday's reception.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Jena Malone star in "Donnie Darko." The Media Services department at Wells Library will hold a Halloween film screening starting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Radio-Television Building in room 245.

Free Halloween film screening to be held at Radio-Television Building Oct. 27

Oct 20, 2022 12:44 pm

“Trick ‘r Treat” and “Donnie Darko” will be shown.

Local country artist Hank Ruff singles out the saxophonist in his band Feb. 13, 2021, at the Bluebird for the audience to applaud. Local rock and indie bands will dominate the Bloomington music scene for the week of Oct. 20-26.

Local music scene: Oct. 20-Oct. 26

Oct 19, 2022 6:37 pm

House venues and bars will host musicians and bands across different genres.

Constellation Stage and Screen invites guests to the 17th annual screenings of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2022, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The 1975 cult-classic film has a vast history of audience participation during its screenings.

Constellation Stage and Screen to premiere 17th annual screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show

Oct 17, 2022 3:01 pm

The cult-classic film is known for its early LGBTQ+ representation and its interactive audience participation.

Indie musician Kevin Morby and his band performed Oct. 12, 2022, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. New York folk artist Cassandra Jenkins opened the show.

Kevin Morby, Cassandra Jenkins perform emotional sets at Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Oct 13, 2022 2:47 pm

Morby's performance was part of Amethyst House’s fundraising concert.

Organist Dennis James speaks to audience members at the start of his annual show titled "Dennis James Hosts Halloween" on Nov. 1, 2010, at the IU Auditorium. There will be events around town for all ages to celebrate Halloween.

Five events to attend on Halloween weekend in Bloomington

Oct 13, 2022 9:00 am

Enjoy a variety of spooky and kid-friendly events in Bloomington.