FRIDAYS AT THE FORT
Free to the public, Arts for Lawrence’s annual Fridays at the Fort series will return May 25. Events are from 6 to 9 p.m. every other Friday until Aug. 3.
Six free concerts round out the series, with bands performing on the Arts for Lawrence show wagon at 9230 Memorial Park Dr. in Lawrence.
“Fridays at the Fort showcases a different band at each event,” said Lecia Floyd, program director at Arts for Lawrence. “There will be food trucks, the Pacers Fan Van, a kids’ zone, DJ and a beer tent. It’s definitely family friendly.”
To kick off the series, the first show May 25 will celebrate the city with “Lawrence Township Night” and will feature student musicians from various Lawrence Township schools, including the Belzer Popz Orchestra, the Lawrence Central Jazz Band, the Lawrence Central gospel group and the Lawrence North Jazz Band.
Other dates include:
- June 8: Premium Blend
- June 22: 45 RPM
- July 6: Jus’ta Band
- July 20: Mississippi Raglips & The Riverdogs
- Aug. 3: Queen Delphine & The Crown Jewels
FORT BEN FARMERS MARKET
Now in its second year, the Fort Ben Farmers Market will return June 7.
The market has grown since last year, from 15 vendors to nearly two dozen.
More vendors are being finalized. As of press time, vendors include:
Treasure From Trees, Devil’s Ridge Flower Farm, Hardwood Honey, Blue River Natural Foods, Hot Toddy’s, Yummy!, Porter Books and Bread, DNS Kettle Corn, The Amazing, Potato Chip Company, Market Square Popcorn, Hallenberg Farm LLC, Nature’s Mama, LoveBug Botanticals, Amazing Hazel’s, Grace & Truth Farms, Biltz Produce and, Greenhouses, Mallow Run Winery, WrapAroni, Nicey Treat, Circle City Kombucha, Blackhawk Winery and Vineyard, Indiana Farm Table and Tea Room, Maddie Smiles: Random Acts of Kindness.
The market will kick off the season with Superhero Day, where families and kids can dress up in superhero costumes and shop. Featured nonprofit Maddie Smiles will host a superhero photo booth and superhero crafts for kids. Table and Tea also will offer face painting and temporary tattoos.
A schedule of the June 7 market includes:
- 4 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 7 p.m. – Live music by Bobberlove
- 4:30 to 5 p.m. – Market Express Yoga Class for all skill levels on the green space. Class is led by Jillian Clawson and is free. Guests should bring a yoga mat.
- 4:45 p.m. – Author Maeve Lavery will host a live reading of “The Poop Book” under the large tree on the green space.
- 5 to 5:30 p.m. – Free class from Ray’s Trash Service by Suzi Denton on what can be recycled and how it benefits the planet.
- 5 to 6:30 p.m. – Live performances by Indy Tribal.
The market will run weekly on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. through Sept. 27. For more, visit the Fort Ben Farmers Market Facebook page.
TOAST THE ARTS
Toast the Arts is Arts for Lawrence’s oldest program. The series was established in 2008 with the idea that there would be events approximately four times each year.
“This Toast the Arts (May 31) is to celebrate the paintings done through our Arts in the Park project, which is supported by the Indiana Arts Commission,” said Judy Bryon, Arts for Lawrence executive director. “They (gave) us a grant to do arts in the park, and we picked the Fort Harrison State Park.”
The workshop in plein air painting took place earlier this month and was led by professional artists Cheryl Lorance and Greg Corrigan. Participants spent time outdoors painting scenery in the park. All paintings were then submitted to Arts for Lawrence for public viewing at the Toast the Arts event.
“It is always free to the community,” Byron said. “The way it was designed was to showcase a visual artist, a performing artist and a culinary artist, so we find someone in the community to provide food and music.”
Toast the Arts will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at Theater at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave.
SUMMER CAMPS
Offered four times through June and July, the Arts for Lawrence Summer Arts Camps are a week long and are for kids ages 6 to 14 to create visual art and take part in performing art.
Camps include:
- Amusement week, June 11-15: Featuring theater acts in mime and circus with Luis Oliva
- Exploration week, June 18-22: Featuring percussion instruments from around the world with Playground Productions
- Movement week, June 25-29: Featuring dance instruction with Dance Kaleidoscope
- Imagination week, July 9-13: Featuring songs and storytelling with OneVoice a capella and Storytelling Arts of Indiana
Each camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Registration is now open. Kids are welcome to take part in multiple camp weeks. Cost is $125 for one week of camp.