Get off campus, get downtown this weekend

While IU fills Welcome Week with events around campus in an attempt to bring students together after a long summer, there’s more to Bloomington than the campus. This weekend, downtown Bloomington is the place to be.

From international cuisine by local eateries to live music and craft fairs, the events give new students the opportunity to get a feel for the community. For those returning, it’s the chance to get reacquainted with Bloomington’s charm, and who can deny free admission to some of these events? Take a look below and start planning your weekend.

FRIDAY

1. Oleanna  
7:30 p.m.
Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center
Come see a two-character drama about the struggle between a university professor and one of his female students. Admission is only $5 with a student ID.

2. The Lights of Kirkwood
6 p.m.
The Venue
Come appreciate the paintings of Sayuri Helm, a woman whose artwork reflects her time spent studying all over the world. The Lights of Kirkwood is her first show in Bloomington, the place she now calls home, so come out to admire her work and welcome her to the community.

SATURDAY

3. Grant Street Jazz Festival
11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Grant Street between Kirkwood Avenue and Sixth Street, in front of Cafe Django
A community event for decades, the festival exhibits local jazz talent of all ages for no charge. Featured performances include those by IU Jazz Faculty Septet, Postmodern Jazz Quartet, Jazz Fables Quintet, Monika Herzig Acoustic Group, Craig Brenner Duo and many more.
Hungry? Grab something to eat and drink from vendors like Oliver Winery, Big Woods Brewing Co. and Cafe Django.

4. Flavors of Fourth Street
5 to 11 p.m.
400 Block of East 4th Street
Because Fourth Street is known for its international cuisine, what better way to try more than a dozen multicultural restaurant flavors than at this food sampling festival? Once your taste buds are satisfied, enjoy singing and dancing from scheduled street performers. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students, and food samples are $1 each.

5. Upland Brewery’s 15th Anniversary Carnival
4 to 11 p.m.
350 W. 11th St.
Enjoy 15 specialty beers in honor of local favorite Upland Brewery’s 15th anniversary. The carnival-themed celebration will feature Freakshow Foley, the World’s Strangest Strongman and Sword Swallower.
There will also be carnival games, great food and, of course, beer. Something else to enjoy? Free admission.

6. 25th Annual Salsa Contest
10 a.m.
Bloomington Community Farmer’s Market, Showers Plaza at City Hall
Think you know good salsa? Help the panel of expert judges decide by tasting different homemade salsas, as well as recipes made by Bloomingfoods chefs. Gregg Rago of Nick’s English Hut will lead a salsa-making workshop at 10:15 a.m.
Kick up the heat a little more by learning salsa dance from members of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. Want to enter your own recipe? Contact Marcia Veldman for more information at veldmanm@bloomington.in.gov.

7. Makevention
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bloomington Convention Center
About: Explore inventions from local and regional makers in this family-friendly event dedicated to the trending Maker Movement. This is an excellent chance to get in touch with your creative side, learn a new skill and mingle with some inventors. Be sure to bring a t-shirt or other pieces of clothing to the textile booth where you can up-cycle it into something new.

8. Gathering
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Blueline Gallery
About: Check out this one-day pop-up shop, where more than 30 local artists will display their work. Still hungry? Just walk outside to enjoy food from local vendors and live music.

SUNDAY

9. National Dog Day Celebration
1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
WonderLab
Dog owners and dog lovers, come to the WonderLab museum to play with dogs, learn about dog care and surround yourself with all things related to man’s best friend.
Admission is $7, and after playing with the dogs, check out the museum for no additional charge.

10. Krista Detor at Bryan Park
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Bryan Park
This is the last in the Bryan Park Concert series, so come out one last time to listen to musician Krista Detor sing into the night. Admission is free.

Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.