It’s a busy time in Bloomington — students coming to Indiana University, area schools back in classrooms — and that means the entertainment options in the area explode with possibilities. This weekend you can choose to watch “Elvis” at the Buskirk-Chumley, participate in Pridefest, enjoy a movie in a park, attend the free Land, Sea and Air: On the Go in Broadway, Opera, and the Great American Songbook concert or help Bloomington Farm Stop Collective celebrate its fifth anniversary.
Elvis Presley night at Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Internationally recognized by Graceland and the Elvis Presley Estate, Matt Stone will perform as Elvis Presley at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the all-ages show. Tickets start at $41.30 per person. Go online to buskirkchumley.org, stop by or call 812-323-3020, ext. 1, for purchase tickets. All tickets purchased online will be sent as e-tickets to the email address associated with the order. E-tickets will be listed within your confirmation email.
Celebrate Bloomington Pridefest on Saturday
Bloomington Pridefest will take over East Kirkwood Avenue beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. Pridefest brings the community together with live entertainment, local vendor booths and activities celebrating inclusion and diversity. To join in on the festivities, head to Kirkwood Avenue and be part of the festival that will carry on until 11 p.m.
Food trucks, beerfest at Fowler Pumpkin Patch
For the first time, the Traveling Taste of Indiana Food Trucks and Beerfest will take over Fowler Pumpkin Patch, just over the Monroe County line in Greene County — from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Fowler Pumpkin Patch, 5060 N. Greene County Line Road. All ages are welcome. There’s free parking, free admission, live entertainment, family fun zones and multiple food trucks. Bring your lawn chairs, bag chairs or blankets and be ready for fun. No pets are allowed. The event is co-sponsored by Friends of Fred, which scheduled food and beverage trucks throughout Indiana.
Watch animated film Saturday at Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park
Bring a blanket, pack a picnic and join the crowd for free outdoor movie “Arco” in Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park, 812 W. Ninth St. Sponsored by Cicada Cinema and Bloomington parks, “Arco” is a 2025 French animated story about Iris. She’s a girl living in a future where life continues normally despite climate disasters and advanced technology. That’s until a boy named Arco drops out of the sky. He’s a boy from a distant, more peaceful future. Together they try to get Arco to his family and out of the clutches of three mysterious brothers who know where (actually when) he’s from. PG rated film, free for all ages.
Free concert featuring Broadway, opera, Great American Songbook
Come celebrate with music at the 16th annual free concert hosted by Carlson-Palmer Productions. Land, Sea and Air: On the Go in Broadway, Opera and the Great American Songbook will feature music in motion from Harold Arlen, Cy Coleman, Frank Loesser and Cole Porter. It happens at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23 at First Presbyterian Church, 221 E. Sixth St. Baritone Richard Lewis, of Bloomington, and Pittsburgh soprano Anna Singer will perform with pianist Robert Frankenberry. Donations will be accepted to benefit Fairview Elementary’s literacy and arts integration programs.
Indiana Toy & Comic Expo at convention center
The Indiana Toy & Comic Expo will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at the Monroe Convention Center. Vendors from across the Midwest — from comic book creators, toy creators, pop artists, comic book dealers and more — will be on two floors of the center. A cosplay contest and food trucks are part of the fun. It’s a family-friendly event at 302 S. College Ave. Admission is $8 per person, with kids age 12 and younger admitted free with a paid adult.
Celebrate Bloomington Farm Stop Collective’s 5th birthday
Bloomington Farm Stop Collective is celebrating its 5th birthday on Sunday, Aug. 23, with special events 1-6 p.m. Live music will be by Busman’s Holiday, David Davila and Friends, Hammer and Hatchet and Farmer Jam, let by the Farm Stop’s Eryn and Jono. Food and drinks will be available at Farm Stop Cafe, with an outdoor grill serving up dishes featuring area farmers’ food, and local beer will be on tap and there will be a full cafe menu.A dunk tank will be part of the fun, with all donations going to the Farm and Family Fund. There will be an apple tasting, a farmer table where people can play “Guess the vegetable,” sidewalk chalk drawing, face painting, a house plant sale for Healing Harvest and more, all at 902 W. Kirkwood Ave.
Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: 7 events happening this weekend in Bloomington
Reporting by Carol Kugler, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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By Carol Kugler, The Herald-Times | USA TODAY Network
