This weekend in Bloomington: park concerts, Spielberg films and an occult market
Brian RosenzweigFourth of July is in the rear-view mirror but summer is far from over. This weekend there's Happy Hour on the Lawn at Switchyard Park, a Midwest princess is coming to town and a wide selection of films and bands performing.
Enjoy harmonies and hops at Switchyard Park
Pull up a lawn chair, lay out your picnic blanket and sway to some free music this Friday 6-8:30 p.m. with Happy Hours on the Lawn at Switchyard Park. This month’s Happy Hour features performances from post-bop jazz band the Splattertones and jazz/funk trio JonyP at the Pavilion Lawn. Food trucks will hang around from Food Truck Friday (open 11 a.m.-9 p.m.) and a beer garden will offer draft and canned drinks in the Switchyard Park Pavilion. Switchyard Park is at 1601 S. Rogers St. Free.
Dance to a Midwest princess (and Canadian queen) at the Back Door
Missouri-native Chappell Roan’s meteoric rise to fame this year has earned her the title “Midwest princess,” but long ago, pop-music’s rising star was Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen. Both have become mainstays of gay bar’s dance floors, but on Friday, the two will go head-to-head at a themed drag show/dance party at the Back Door. Hosted by Indianapolis-based drag queen Ava Morningstar and featuring performances from Jess Love, Luna Magick and more, the night of friendly competition is sure to be a “femininomenon.” The Back Door is at 207 S. College Ave. Show begins at 9 p.m., dance party begins at 11. $10 cash cover, $12 with card.
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Catch three classic Spielberg flicks at the Bus-Chum
Steven Spielberg’s iconic run of movies from the 1970s to the '90s cemented him as one of the U.S.’ most beloved filmmakers. Many of the films remain hallmarks of summer movie nights. See three classic films — “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park” and “E.T. the Extraterrestrial” — this Friday through Sunday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park” begin at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, respectively, and “E.T.” is at 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 each, or $22 for a three-day pass, which can be purchased online at buskirkchumley.org/events or at the box office.
Cult-ivate witchy items at the “Midsommar Market”
No, not the midsummer market. This eclectic market at the Monroe Convention Center on Saturday gets its name from the 2019 horror film about an insidious cult in Sweden and brings all manner of witchy, occult and ritualistic items to browse and shop. Hosted by Bloomington metaphysical shop The Burnished Raven, the market will have educational information on how the midsummer holiday is celebrated in different cultures. The Monroe Convention Center is at 302 S. College Ave. The free event is from noon to 6 p.m.
Turn up the heat at WonderLab
It’s been a hot summer in Bloomington so far. Harness the power of that heat with WonderLab’s Summer Maker workshop on Saturday, where they’ll be demonstrating how to make and use a solar oven. One of the most ancient and primitive forms of cooking, solar ovens — which on Saturday will be made with the likes of plexiglass, aluminum foil, mirrors and more — are an interesting form of renewable energy and a cool exercise in physics. WonderLab is at 308 W. Fourth St., and the event is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $6 for members, $20 for non-members, with all materials included.
Don’t stop believin’ in a Journey tribute band at the Bluebird
The iconic '80s hair band may have gone their separate ways almost four decades ago, but hits like “Any Way You Want It” and “Don’t Stop Believing” have kept Journey a beloved act of the rock canon. See Kentucky-based tribute band Captured Louisville “faithfully” cover Journey’s greatest hits and deep cuts at the Bluebird this Saturday. The Bluebird is at 216 N. Walnut St. The 21-plus show begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10-$15.