It’s almost the autumn equinox, and this weekend, Bloomington is full of events to help you take advantage of the summer-fall cusp. From four full days of Oktoberfest celebrations to outdoor swing concerts to a chance to stock your bookshelf ahead of cozy season, it’s a great time to be in B-Town.
Celebrate Oktoberfest early at two local breweries
It may not yet be the cozy sweater weather we typically associate with Oktoberfest, but you can still get an early taste of the German food and drink festival all weekend at two Bloomington breweries. First, on Thursday, Bloomington Brewing Company will be hosting its Oktoberfest, including savory bites from local favorite PappyShack and their recently in-season Bavarian-style Oktoberfest brew.
Then, Friday through Sunday, stop by Heartwork Brewing for their second annual Oktoberfest celebration. Featuring festbiers, limited edition steins, two days of curated German food catered from Chef’s Table, and Oktoberfest activities like masskrugstemmen and bierstacheln, it’s sure to be a joyful, if not a bit premature, kick-off to the autumn season. Prost!
Bloomington Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest is from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at 2234 West Industrial Park Drive. Free. Heartwork’s Oktoberfest is from noon to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday at 1703 N College Ave. Chef’s Table catering will be available Friday and Saturday from noon until food sells out. Free.
Get books for really (really) cheap at the public library book sale
One of the only downsides of supporting your local public library is that you don’t get to keep the books for yourself. But this weekend, you can stock up your bookshelves while supporting Monroe County Public Library during the biannual Big Book Sale at the downtown branch. Hosted by Friends of the Library, MCPL’s non-profit arm, the Big Book Sale will have big bargain prices (think $1.50 or less per title) on hundreds of books Friday and Saturday, plus a fill-a-box deal for $15 on Sunday.
The Big Book Sale is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Friends of the Library members get early bird access on Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Be sure to also stop by Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to score the remaining unsold items for free. The sale takes place in meeting room 1B/C at the downtown library branch, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave.
Catch a campy John Waters classic at the IU Auditorium
“Filth is my politics! Filth is my life!” declares drag queen Divine in “Pink Flamingos,” an uproarious, raunchy John Waters midnight film that’s become a cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ film canon and a recent addition to the prestigious Criterion Collection.
Filmed around Waters’ home city of Baltimore, “Pink Flamingos” follows notorious criminal Divine as she competes with a jealous suburban couple for the tabloid title of the “filthiest person alive.”This Friday, you can see the underground cult classic in its grainy, bizarre, filthy glory at the IU Cinema, who will be screening the movie for free.
“Pink Flamingos” will be playing at 10 p.m. at the IU Cinema, 1213 East 7th St. The event is free, but ticketed. Get tickets for free in advance at the IU Cinema box office, or pay a $1 processing fee for tickets online at am.ticketmaster.com/iucinema/buy.
Swing into the weekend with a jazz performance in the park
Enjoy a relaxing evening of jazz music with a free performance by the student-led ensemble Plummer Jazz Quintet, this Friday in Dunn Meadow. Featuring swing bands, jazz vocalists and more, this free event – the second to last of the “Swing in September” concert series, is sure to be an exciting way to kick off the weekend.
“Swing in the Park” is at 6:30 p.m. at Dunn Meadow on IU’s campus, at the corner of Indiana Avenue and 7th Street. The concert is free, and free parking is available past 6 p.m. at the Poplars Parking Garage at 415 East 6th St. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged.
Get a ‘weekend update’ with Colin Jost at IU Auditorium
The Saturday Night Live writer best known for cohosting “Weekend Update” has kept himself busy during SNL’s off season, hosting Pop Culture Jeopardy! and making stand-up stops across the country. This Sunday, he’ll be gracing the Hoosier state with a stand-up comedy performance at the IU Auditorium.
Jost will take the stage at 7 p.m. at the IU Auditorium, 1211 East 7th St. Tickets are still available starting at $50 and can be purchased at the Auditorium box office or online at am.ticketmaster.com/iuarts/buy.
Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: This weekend in Bloomington: Oktoberfest, SNL’s Colin Jost, Big Book Sale
Reporting by Brian Rosenzweig, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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