The Essentials have evolved from Essential Boogie, although still a dynamic experience; featuring original rock and blues, with a hefty helping of the boogie (chillun). The Essentials’ covers span a range from The Stones, Neil Young, Led Zeppelin, the Doors, and the Beatles to Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon; with all manner of stops in-between.

People & Animal Learning Services (PALS) invites community members to their annual fundraising event, the PALS Mane Event on Friday, May 19th, 2017 at Indiana University’s Alumni Hall beginning at 6:00 p.m. The Derby-themed evening will begin with a beer & wine tasting courtesy of local vendors and accompanied by a live band. The event will feature a mobile-powered silent auction, three-course dinner and live auction presentation hosted by Jimmie Dean Coffey, founder of Coffey Reality & Auction. Auction items include vacation packages, artwork, equestrian themed-items, and much more! All proceeds support the PALS mission of providing therapeutic equine activities to individuals with disabilities, veterans, and at-risk youth. Guests have the opportunity to not only support the PALS mission, but also learn more about the many benefits PALS’ programs provide to families throughout South Central Indiana. To purchase tickets, donate an auction item, or sponsor the event, email [email protected] or call (812)-336-2798, ext. 18. Guests must be 21+ years old with a valid ID to attend. Tickets are $70.00 and are on sale now. For more information, visit www.palstherapy.org/maneevent.

Sidney Bolan creates limestone carvings, inspired by nature, that enhance any indoor or outdoor environment. Her pieces range in size and complexity from simple carved stones to ornate and intricate scenes. All are practically portable, without a truck or crane. They range in price from $50-500. If you can imagine a time when you might want to give yourself or someone else a beautiful piece of art that is literally a piece of Bloomington, this is your opportunity.
Do not hesitate. The Venue has sold more of Sidney’s carvings than ever before, and she is busily replenishing our supply.

Horses, and All That Jazz, Water Colors by James Grabski
James Grabski earned his Bachelor’s and Masters Degrees from Indiana University, and for 27 years was the Dean of Management at Northwood University. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, lived in Europe and the Far East, and owned and operated a pub in England. With his diverse and rich life experience, Jim has now returned to Bloomington, and his first love, watercolor painting.
Jim’s choice of equine themes finds its roots in his experiences as a thoroughbred horse owner, and his jazz themes reflect his lifelong passion for Jazz.
Jim’s painting style represents a wide range of historic influences, including dynamism, modern abstraction, and more. He utilizes color and motion to create a sense of excitement in the stories his paintings tell.
We look forward to hosting you.
Join us.

Presented by Richard Holdeman, Senior Pastor, Bloomington Reformed Presbyterian Church, the talk will focus on the early-1800s anti-slavery group of Scotch Irish ancestry that had a profound impact on the founding and growth of Bloomington and Monroe County. The lecture is presented by the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission and Monroe County Historic Preservation Board in recognition of National Historic Preservation Month.

Hit musical, performed by Playhouse Community Theater, begins when Little Sisters of Hoboken discovering that their cook, Sister Julia, has accidentally poisoned 52 sisters, and they are in dire need of funds for the burials. The sisters decide that the best way to raise the money is to put on a variety show, so they take over the school auditorium. All ages show.

Nature topic: Pollinators
Musical act: Jason Burnfield (Scottish pipes)

The Blankenship Band: Original Americana Roadhouse Music.

Blair Crimmins began his current music career in Atlanta, Georgia, with a determination to bring Ragtime and 1920’s style Dixieland Jazz to new audiences. While playing small rock clubs around the Southeast he developed a sound that is at once modern while being deeply rooted in the past. Now four years, and five hundred shows later, he has toured the country playing large venues and has opened for acts such as Mumford & Sons and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. A multi-instrumentalist and music academic, Crimmins writes songs and arrangements for a classic New Orleans style horn section consisting of trumpet, clarinet and trombone. His debut 2010 release The Musical Stylings Of became a college radio sensation on WRAS Atlanta making him the most requested band on the air. In 2012 Crimmins showed his musical diversity by writing and recording the full score for the independent short film “Old Man Cabbage”. The following year, Crimmins was the critics pick for Best Song Writer of 2013 in Creative Loafing’s Best of ATL issue. His last album entitled Sing-a-longs! went to #21 on the EuroAmerican radio chart and earned him a nomination at The Georgia Music Awards for Best Jazz Artist. Blair Crimmins has now released his anticipated 4th studio album You Gotta Sell Something. The band will be touring through 2017 performing their newest songs from the record as well as old favorites from his past recordings.
“Atlanta’s genre blending ensemble Blair Crimmins and The Hookers have been creating a sound that is both unique and inspired for years. Crimmins himself began developing it some time ago, honing in on the magic of ragtime and the 1920’s, coupled with some Dixieland jazz. The fourth studio album from Crimmins’ impressive creative mind is due out in February of 2017, and we haven’t been this excited in quite some time.” – Impose Magazine