Weekly Downtown E-News 1/12/2007

DOWNTOWN ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The Downtown Business Council regular meeting will be Wednesday, January 17th, at 7:30 a.m. in the Star-Press conference room. Coffee and donuts will be provided. The group is nnot limited to businesses and merchants; residents, organizations and supporters of downtown in general are all encouraged to attend. Spread the word, bring a friend, and help take part in making Downtown Muncie the place to be!

JANUARY EVENTS:

13th - MUNCIE CIVIC THEATRE will hold open auditions on Saturday, January 13 at 1:00pm. Auditions will be on the main stage of Muncie Civic Theatre at 216 E. Main Street in downtown Muncie. Directors will be seeking actors for the following productions: SEUSSICAL: THE MUSICAL! (seeking up to 50 actors of all ages and experience levels - the roles of Horton & Gertrude are already cast); TV THEME SONG CABARET (seeking 3 men & 3 women who sing). Auditioners are asked to prepare a memorized one-minute monologue or speech of their choosing and a short song of their choosing. An accompanist will be provided.

15th - Muncie Children's Museum -Normally closed on Monday's, the Museum will be open on January 15, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with activities featuring African American artists.

17th - The Downtown Business Council meeting Wednesday, January 17th, at 7:30 a.m. in the Star-Press conference room. Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend.

17th - Wellness Wednesday are back at the Wysor Street depot, 9:00 am - 11:00 am. Delaware County Health Department staff will offer free blood pressure and glucose testing. Cholesterol screening is also available for a small charge. For questions, contact Angel Silvers at Cardinal Greenway, Inc. 287.0399 Wellness Wednesdays are offered every third Wednesday from January - October.

18th - Gallery 308 (formerly known as "MPG") presents the first " Living Art" program of 2007 featuring ceramic artist Ted Neal. Neal will discuss the ceramic arts in a 7 p.m. program which is open to the public at no charge. Gallery 308 is located at 308 East Main in downtown Muncie.

19-20th - Main Street Studio Theatre, 222 East Main Street, Muncie, presents "The Chairs " at 8pm. This production is rated PG. Reservations and ticket sales are available by calling 765-288-PLAY.

21st - Main Street Studio Theatre, 222 East Main Street, Muncie, presents "The Chairs " at 2pm. This production is rated PG. Reservations and ticket sales are available by calling 765-288-PLAY.

25-27th - Main Street Studio Theatre, 222 East Main Street, Muncie, presents "The Chairs " at 8pm. This production is rated PG. Reservations and ticket sales are available by calling 765-288-PLAY.

26-27th - Muncie Civic Theatre presents "Moon Over Buffalo" at 7:30pm. This production is rated PG-13. Reservations and ticket sales are available by calling 765-288-PLAY.

27th - Muncie Children's Museum Free Family Saturday. Free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome to spend the day at the MCM and enjoy our 18 hands-on interactive exhibits. Free Saturdays in 2007 are sponsored by the Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club.

28th - Muncie Civic Theatre presents "Moon Over Buffalo" at 2 pm. This production is rated PG-13. Reservations and ticket sales are available by calling 765-288-PLAY.

29th-March 5 Dance Classes at High St. United Methodist Church 219 S. High St. Classes offered: Latin 5:30-6:30; Beginning Ballroom 6:30-7:30; Beginning Swing 7:30-8:30. For more details: Melodie Carr, 765-286-8828 (h) or 765-749-9080 (c) or email melodie.carr@gmail.com.

JANUARY ONGOING:

Through January - The Artist Within will offer a "sneak peek" of work by the artists who will be featured in 2007, with an opening on First Thursday, Jan. 4, from 5 to pm.

Through January - Gallery 308 (formerly MPG) located at 308 E. Main St. features this month sculptor Alex Lathrop, and photographers Leslie Rodgers and Zachary Schlemmer. All are recent graduates from BSU's art department.

Through Jan. 29 - Gordy Fine Art & Framing features Pressed for Prints: Traditional & Giclee Holiday Exhibit, featuring 14 area artists. A First Thursday artists' reception will be held from 5 to 8 PM on December 7, 2006 at the downtown frame shop/gallery. Additionally, Brian and Genny Gordy will give a talk at 5:30 PM, Printmaking Methods & How to Start a Print Collection. At 6 PM, Greg Harty will give a talk on Giclee Printing at JackOs Camera Shop. Back at Gordy's, Ben Gordy will demonstrate the art of water gilding beginning at 6:30 PM. The public is invited to each presentation and to the artists. reception. Light refreshments will be served.

Through Jan. 22 -Minnetrista presents: It's Not Just a Game! Call (765) 213-3549 for details.

Beginning Jan. 22 - Cornerstone Center for the Arts begins its Arts Adventure program with classes for all ages. Online registration is currently being accepted at their website, www.cornerstonearts.org. New classes include: Scrapbooking, Calligraphy, the Cornerstone Youth Choir, Fashion Design, Salsa, several writing classes, and many more. Returning classes include: Ballet, Adult Tap, Martial Arts, Theatre classes for children, Youth Art, Drawing, Painting, Musical Theatre, and many more.

Every Wednesday - Muncie Children's Museum January Weekly After School Workshop - All About Insects. Children will get an in depth look at the characteristics and life cycles of these tiny creatures at the Museum's January After School Workshop. The weekly workshop is every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Contact the Museum at 286-1660 for pricing information and to make your child's reservation.

Through January - Muncie Children's Museum - Pre-School Clubs. Train Club meets on Tuesdays from 10:30-11:30 am. Dino Club meets on Thursdays from 10:30-11:30 am. Messy Stuff Art Club meets on Fridays from 10:30-11:30 am.

Through January - Danner's Books * Gifts * Yarn will be collecting donations for Animal Rescue Fund. Danner's is launching a year-long fund-raising campaign for twelve local charities. Danner's will collect funds and goods for a different local cause during each month of 2007. For more information vist www.dannersbooks.com.

UPCOMING IN FEBRUARY:

Muncie Civic Theatre ~ sign up now for the Winter Acting Academy. Classes begin in February and are 10 weeks long. Call for details, 765-288-PLAY.

Feb. 1-3rd - Muncie Civic Theatre presents "Moon Over Buffalo" at 7:30pm. This production is rated PG-13. Reservations and ticket sales are available by calling 765-288-PLAY.

February 1st-March 8th-Dance classes at Old Forest Park E.S. (Muncie/Delaware Co. Senior Center). Beginning Ballroom 6:30-7:30 and Beginning Swing 7:30-8:30. For more details: Melodie Carr, 765-286-8828 (h) or 765-749-9080 (c) or email melodie.carr@gmail.com.

Feb. 2 - Muncie Children's Museum - Grand Opening of Kangaroo Crossing, a hands on exhibit all about Australia - the land down under! This exciting exhibit will be at the Museum through April. Grand opening festivities begin at 3 p.m. as part of our February Friends & Family Fun Night. Admission is free from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Outback Steakhouse will provide free prizes and coupons for each family attending.

February 3rd - The 3rd annual Muncie Mission "Walk A Mile In My Shoes" begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the Horizon Convention Center. Participants will walk the one-mile route to the Mission's New Life Center at the corner of Liberty and Memorial. Food and hot drinks will be available both before and after the event. Tours of the New Life Center will be available after the walk is completed. Return transportation to the Horizon Center provided by MITS. For more information call Heather Davis at 288-9122 ext 7 or visit www.munciemission.org.

Feb. 14th - The Artist Within third annual "Valentine's Day Desserts and More" February 14th from 6-9 pm. For more information, visit www.theartistwithininc.com.

Jan. 31 through Feb. 24 - Mary Jo Andersen, Assistant Professor of Art, will be installing her recent sculptural artwork at Gallery 308, located at 308 E. Main (previously known as MPG).

Through February - The Artist Within Inc. will present "Wish You Were Here," Arizona photographs by Stephen Hartley, to be on display throughout February with an opening reception during "First Thursday", Feb. 1 from 5-8 pm. The upper level gallery will showcase the work of Ball State University senior Visual Communication majors. The exhibit will be a compilation of some of their best work featuring a variety of two dimensional and three dimensional pieces including conceptual design and product branding. An opening reception will be also be held on First Thursday from 5-8 pm.

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