Weekly Downtown E-News 1/19/2007

DOWNTOWN ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Artist Within will re-open on January 23rd, after being closed for building improvements. For more information on events and classes, visit www.theartistwithininc.com.

JANUARY EVENTS:

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.

20th - Minnetrista Cultural Center features: DIVE IN, An all day penguin event, party kicksoff at 10am~~even live penguins!! Call (765) 213-3549.

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.

24th - Heidi Hale will offer a jewelry making class on "Basic Wire" at The Artist Within. Class size is limited, and reservations are required. For more information 289-7895 or www.theartistwithininc.com.

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 on display at the downtown frame shop/gallery.

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 ARF (Animal Rescue Fund). Danner's will collect funds and goods for a different local charity during each month of 2007. For more information vist www.dannersbooks.com.

FEBRUARY EVENTS :

1st - First Thursday from 5-8pm featuring art gallery exhibit openings and artists' receptions, at various locations throughout downtown Muncie.

1st - Open House - The Lofts @ Mitchell Place. 301 South Walnut Street. Tour the remaining unsold units and see what everyone is talking about. 5:30PM-7:00PM. Call 765.730.1862 or at www.theloftsatmitchellplace.com for more information.

1st-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.

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.

2nd - Muncie Children's Museum - Grand Opening of Kangaroo Crossing, a hands on exhibit all about Australia - the land down under. 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.

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.

9th - Cornerstone Center for the Arts celebrates Black History Month with a Cornerstone Block Party 8pm to midnight. Adult Dance to music throughout the decades with DJ Marcus Clancy from 106.7 WTLC. This evening's event will take place in Cornerstone's Colonnade Room. Admission will be charged.

10th - Cornerstone Center for the Arts celebrates Black History Month with a SOUL-FUL Extravaganza 6-8pm. Come join us as we showcase local talent from the Community for this Family Oriented Variety Show. Confirmed participants include: Beth Leavell-Davis, The Colored Theatre, Veeda Hampton and many more. Food & Refreshments will be available for purchase from local vendors. Admission will be charged.

11th - Indiana Public Radio presents "All Things Chocolate," from 3-5pm at Minnetrista. Contest entry is free, but there is admission charge to enter the tasting.

11th - Cornerstone Center for the Arts celebrates Black History Month with a Community Bazaar, "Reel Moments" & The Freedom Bus. Come see what's available from local vendors, take a tour through the New Freedom Bus a civil rights exhibition presented by MLK Dreamteam and then stick around for movies for the entire family in the Edmund Burke Ball Auditorium. Popcorn, Hot Dogs and other refreshments will be available for purchase during the day. FREE ADMISSION.

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

17th - Mardi Gras in the streets of Downtown Muncie Indiana. For more information, call Downtown Development.

21st - Wellness Wednesdays every third Wednesday 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.

27th - RobinClamm will offer a class on "Sterling Wrap Bracelets" at The Artist Within. Class size is limited, and reservations are required. For more information 289-7895 or www.theartistwithininc.com

FEBRUARY ONGOING:

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.

Through February - Danner's Books * Gifts * Yarn will be collecting donations for Action for Animals. Danner's will collect funds and goods for a different local cause during each month of 2007. For more information vist www.dannersbooks.com.

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