It's time for Pridefest! Also, decade dance parties, concerts in Bloomington this week
Find excitement around every corner in Bloomington this week. Dance through the decades, be scared out of your seat or celebrate Bloomington's Pridefest. See our list of family-friendly and adult-only events coming up soon.
Summer music in Switchyard Park
Grammy-winning bluegrass musicians Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway will perform Thursday, Aug. 24, along with Henhouse Prowlers, who will begin at 6 p.m. on the main stage in Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St.
Even before the bluegrass begins, food trucks will be open at about 4 p.m. The concert is free but there will be a fence enclosing the beer garden and concert area and you must be age 21 or older to enter. If you're outside the tent, you can still enjoy the free event. Bring outdoor chairs or blankets.
'90s dance party to celebrate 25 years of Upland
Upland Brewing Co. is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a free '90s dance party at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at the Upland Bloomington Brewpub. The celebration begins at 11 a.m., but headliner Fool House, "The Ultimate '90s Dance Party," doesn't perform until the evening.
All guests receive free commemorative steins. Those under age 21 are welcome, but they won't be able to share in the special beer tapping. There will also be kid-friendly activities, live music, DJs and a raffle of some "vintage Upland gems." Upland Brewing is at 350 W. 11th St.
Throw it back again — this time to the '80s
Also Friday night is an '80s dance party from 7 to 10 p.m. with the Windfall Dancers. The event is free, and begins with a brief class on '80s dance moves. Prepare to compete for prizes in costume and dance contests. Windfall Dance Company member Aaron Shinn will emcee.
Windfall Dancers is a nonprofit dance company in Bloomington that provides affordable instruction. Find the dance party at 1101 N. Dunn St.
Shark Week is over, but we've got 'Jaws' on the brain
It's been almost 50 years since "Jaws" brought teeth and gore to the big screen in 1975. At 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, IU Cinema is showing the thriller in 3D for only $5. Shark Week 2023 may be over, but movie fans honor Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" year-round. The theater is located inside the IU Auditorium at 1213 E. Seventh St.
SNL comedian coming to The Comedy Attic
Devon Walker, a comedian best known for his performances on Saturday Night Live, will host four shows at The Comedy Attic this weekend, Aug. 25-26. Get tickets now for a show at 7 or 9:15 p.m. on either Friday or Saturday. Student tickets are $15, and general admission is $20.
Walker has written for "Everything's Trash" and "Big Mouth," and he was named by Vulture as a Comedian You Should and Will know in 2022. See him this weekend at 123 S. Walnut St. in Bloomington.
'Best college town pride in the nation'
Bloomington's 10th annual Pridefest is returning to Kirkwood Avenue from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. Look out for food and drink vendors, live entertainers and interactive activities as Bloomington Pride hosts a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. Thrillist called Bloomington's Pridefest the best college town pride in the nation.
The Back Door will host pride events before and after Pridefest. The prequel, Big Gay Kickoff, includes a drag show and dance party Friday, Aug. 25, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tickets are on sale now: $20 for VIP (reserved seat), $15 for general admission at the door, and $12 for advanced general admission.
On Saturday, The Back Door is having a Pridefest party from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m. You can drink on the patio and then join the dance party that night at 9. Cover is $5 from 2-8 p.m., and after that it'll be $10.
Six Foot Blonde: Bloomington indie band at Bluebird
Six Foot Blonde will play a show at Bluebird Nightclub at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. The six-member band is based in Bloomington and blends indie soul and retro pop. They're inspired by artists like Sammy Rae and Tedeschi Trucks and have played in Indianapolis and Chicago.
For a taste of Six Foot Blonde's original music, try their EP "Tino's Place," which came out at the end of April. Buy tickets now for $10.
Documentary film about West Baden colored church at public library
"Reviving the West Baden Colored Church — A Labor of Love" about the First Baptist (Colored) Church in West Baden Springs will get its Bloomington premiere at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. The free film will tell the story of a Black community and its church that flourished in the early 1900s and declined in later years, and the work and challenges of extensive restoration that led to the church's revival. The documentary has been submitted to the Heartland Film Festival.
Bloomington Symphony Orchestra at Switchyard Park
See the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra for free at Switchyard Park on Sunday, Aug. 27, from 7-8 p.m. Before the concert, at 6, there will be a Musical Petting Zoo, where kids can get a close-up look at musical instruments. The orchestra's 54th season is called "Adventure."
Bring a chair and the whole family to 1601 S. Rogers St. to embark on a sonic adventure across the globe and into outer space.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Things to do in Bloomington, IN this week: Pride, comedy, Jaws
