Hootenanny, Science Fest, pro wrestling: Things to do in the Bloomington area this weekend – The Herald-Times
This week, Bloomington has a wide assortment of events for all ages. Carve a pumpkin, explore astronomy, catch a live performance or take your dog on a neon-lit walk in the park.
Harvest Hootenanny set for Saturday
The second annual Harvest Hootenanny will be 4-11 p.m. Saturday on Ninth Street between Walnut Street and College Avenue. The all-ages event sponsored by Switchyard Brewing Co. will have food trucks, beer, wine and mulled cider. Wick’s Pies will be eaten in the pie-eating contest. There’s also a pumpkin carving contest, cornhole games and people will be able to make their own caramel apple. Kids can paint a pumpkin.
Live music will be by the Chicago bands Tedious & Brief and GIRL K, Mike Martin & The Beautiful Mess and headliner Mike Mains & The Branches. Tickets are $10 presale and $15 at the door. VIP tickets are $75. Youth ages 16 and younger are admitted free of charge, as are designated drivers. A portion of the proceeds will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana and Bloomington Playwrights Project. For more or tickets, go to switchyardbrewing.com/hoot/ or visit the taproom at 419 N. Walnut St.
Science Fest outdoors at IU
This year’s Science Fest will offer dozens of science activities in safely curated space outdoors on the Indiana University campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The annual event will have 21 free, limited-edition science cards that can be collected at select activities on Oct. 9 only. Everyone will be required to wear face masks while exploring astronomy, biology, bacteria in nature, bees, birds, brains, geometry, physics, chemistry, earth sciences and much more.
Science Fest will be outside near Dunn’s Woods with stations near Maxwell, Owen, Wiley, Kirkwood, Lindley and Bryan halls as well as outside Swain West and East near East Third Street. Other stations will be outside the Chemistry and Biology buildings. For more, go to sciencefest.indiana.edu/.
Pro wrestling show at armory on Saturday
Cheer and jeer at Rival Showdown Pro Wrestling’s “Relationship of Command” show Saturday night. The event will be at the Indiana National Guard Armory, 3380 S. Walnut St. Featured wrestlers Aeroboy and Tre Lamar are scheduled to spar in the ring in this all-ages show. Attendees must wear a mask during the event.
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If tickets are purchased online, attendees must be able to show their ID at the door before entry. On the night of the event, only cash is accepted for tickets sold at the door.
General admissions tickets are $20 while a front-row seat is priced at $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. and bell time is at 7 p.m.
To purchase tickets in advance, visit Eventbrite’s event listing at https://bit.ly/3AslWJz.
Howl at the Moon
Dogs and their owners, as well as animal lovers, can participate in Howl at the Moon at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St. The free event is a glow-in-the-dark walk of 1.5 miles in the park. Dogs must be leashed and have current vaccination. The first 50 days to arrive will receive a glow stick for their collars.
Concert about Matthew Shepard at Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Bloomington Chamber Singers, conducted by Gerald Sousa, will present “Considering Matthew Shepard” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. The Oct. 9 performance will be livestreamed as well.
Craig Hella Johnson´s multimedia production reflects on the events surrounding the 1998 beating and death of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Wyoming. This “fusion oratorio” incorporates a variety of musical styles.
Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 students and $200 for groups of 10. Tickets are available at the BCT Box Office or online at bctboxoffice.org/events/.
Theater-goers must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test to attend. Face masks are required indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
Other upcoming events
GEOLOGY ACTIVITIES: Lake Monroe will have daily programs Oct. 10-16 forEarth Science Week, with topics including geology story beads, digging for fossils, and a driving tour. For some, advance registration is required. Others are open to everyone without registration. Two virtual programs will air via Facebook Live. For more details, go to http://bit.ly/earthscience2021. For more, email Jill at jvance@dnr.in.gov or call 812-837-9967.
ARTIST OPEN HOUSE: The Charlene Marsh Studio and Gallery’s annual October Open House will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at 4013 Lanam Ridge Road, Nashville. Refreshments will be served. Visitors can tour the grounds of the farm and gardens.
SIT AND WATCH FOR BIRDS: Enjoy the sights and sounds of fall bird migration during the Big Sit! from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area near Linton in Greene County. The Big Sit! is an international event focused on recording all bird observations at one location over the course of a day. Participants are welcome to come and stay for as long as they like. DNR staff and experienced birders will be on hand to help guests locate birds. Participants should bring a portable chair and binoculars or spotting scopes if they have them. Learn more about the event and register at big-sit-goose-pond-fwa.eventbrite.com.