This weekend in Bloomington: Stories told through film, music, crafts and research

Stories told through music, oral histories, crafts and film are on deck this weekend before Thanksgiving. Take a break from stressing about what Aunt Gladys is going to nitpick when she comes for dinner and get carried away by storytellers from across the spectrum.

Here's a sampling of what there is to do this weekend in Bloomington.

Explore Indigenous storytelling at the downtown library

Storytelling is a foundational piece of Indigenous Peoples and Native American culture. Listen to storytellers from the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Thursday at the Downtown Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. Free. All ages.

Rock out to new music at the Orbit Room

Bloomington's garage and punk rock band Rearview Rhonda and monolith rock band jfbrontosaurus will be joined at the Orbit Room Friday night by Los Angeles-Indy improvised electric guitar duo GoMWUSA (Guitars of Middle Western USA).

There may be mind-bending deconstruction. Some scream-singing is likely. There will definitely be hot dogs. Orbit Room is downstairs at 107 N. College Ave. Show at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $9 at https://www.orbitbtown.com/events.

Shop, sip, nibble at Vintage Souls Antique Market's Christmas event

Get your vintage holiday antiques and crafts, take advantage of discounts and giveaways, sip free hot cocoa and nibble free cookies while you get to know the 54 local vendors at Vintage Souls Antique Market from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. There will be a live performance of Christmas songs by Reese Tanner. Vintage Souls Antique Market is at 4545 West Ind. 45, at the corner of Ind. 45 and Airport Road. Free.

Build a house with Sugar and Spice's signature gingerbread

Craft the festive cookie house of your dreams from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday in Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union with Sugar and Spice. Hot chocolate and treats will be available to keep you fueled.

Cost is $75 for your first house and $30 for each additional house. Pre-built kits are $90 for the first one and $45 for each additional house. Reserve your spot by pre-ordering at go.iu.edu/sugarandspice.

There will be another gingerbread workshop Dec. 9.

Through Nov. 18: Simon Coronel, who fooled Penn & Teller twice, is back in Bloomington to trick audiences

Know your story: Black Ancestry Day

Dig deeper into your history by exploring how to research Black ancestry. Ja’el “YaYa” Gordon, a professional historian and genealogist, will be the featured speaker at "Know Your Story," presented by the Monroe County History Center, city of Bloomington and Indiana Recovery Alliance.

Gordon specializes in interpreting antebellum history, genetic genealogy, Descendant group research, and conducting oral history interviews. Gordon has over 20 years of experience as a researcher with a special focus on the Deep South antebellum/plantation history.

Catch Gordon's presentation at the history center or on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87114803830 from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Free.

Mike Adams at His Honest Weight in support of recovery with Amethyst House

Hooky songwriting and folk-rock share the stage in support of Amethyst House's work bringing attention to the need for services for those experiencing and recovering from substance use disorders. The 10th Annual Benefit Concert at the John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St., features Mike Adams at His Honest Weight, Rodeola, Damion and Shanda Sung.

The show is at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $15 and available from the Buskirk Chumley box office and online at https://buskirkchumley.org. Find out more about Amethyst House at http://www.amethysthouse.org/.

Noir-vember film at Upland Wood Shop

Dive into the perilous world of “long-haul boys,” who drive by night to bring their goods to the markets of America’s cities in the 1949 film "Thieves Highway."

Richard Conte stars as ex-G.I. Nick Garcos, a trucker bent on satisfaction from the man responsible for crippling his father — ruthless market operator Mike Figlia (Lee J. Cobb). When Figlia gets wise to his plan, Nick finds himself in a web of treachery and heartbreak. Cicada Cinema is proud to present this searing noir from master Jules Dassin.

Showing at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Upland Wood Shop, 354 W. 11th St. $8. All ages.

Reach Jill Bond at jbond@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Things to do this weekend in Bloomington, Indiana