Weekly Downtown E-News 2/17/07

DOWNTOWN ANNOUNCEMENTS: Muncie Gras, downtown's most talked about annual event, is taking place as scheduled this Saturday, Feb. 17th. Visit www.munciedowntown.com for the entertainment lineup and a list of advance ticket outlets. The whole family will find Mardi Gras fun at "Family Carnivale" from 6:30 to 8:30 this evening at Muncie Children's Museum.

FEBRUARY EVENTS :

16th - "Family Carnivale", 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Muncie Children's Museum, featuring Mardi Gras-themed games and crafts, music and face painting. Each child will get to create a ceramic magnet courtesy of The Artist Within. Visitors will also enjoy the 18 hands-on, interactive exhibits at the Museum. The Mayor's Youth Council, the Muncie Children's Museum and The Artist Within, 313 S. Walnut Street, are partnering to offer this family friendly event in downtown Muncie. A small admission fee will be charged, and all activities are included in the admission price.

16th - Carenza's Caravan will host a Hafla (party) from 8pm-Midnight at Carenza's Caravan, 702 S. Nichols, Suite 220. Live Music from 16th Century Rock Band il Troubadore, Vendors, Performances from belly dancers and poi (fire) artists. All ages welcome! Admission is charged.

17th - Mardi Gras, 7:00pm-2:00am, in the streets of Downtown Muncie Indiana. Multiple stages with performances by Jennie Devoe, The Souled Out Band, Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies is back!! Also featured this night will be Permacrush, Mud Eye Joe, Mike Martin and Friends, Spitshine, Shoe Shine Joe, and the Muddy Souls. Lots more: check them out at http://www.munciedowntown.com

17th - The Artist Within will be closed Sat. Feb. 17th during Muncie Gras setup; however, join us that evening for a private party for downtown friends and guests during Muncie Gras from 6 pm - midnight...call for reservations/info.

17th - Carenza's Caravan welcomes Belly Dance Superstar Moria at Carenza's Caravan, 702 S. Nichols, Suite 220. This is an all age event with live music, belly dance performances, vendors selling middle eastern items, and poi (fire) performers. Admission is charged.

18 - Gallery 308's Living Art program at 2 p.m. will feature an art appreciation workshop by Judy Wojcik and Genny Gordy. The free workshop is called "Looking at Art," and participants will produce an accordion book of art appreciation techniques. Space for the "Looking at Art" workshop is limited to 18 participants. Interested parties can register by calling Art Mart at 284-2919.

19th - Muncie Children's Museum will be open for Presidents' Day. Normally closed on Mondays, the Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Presidents' Day. Presidential trivia, games & crafts will be featured throughout the day.

20th - Muncie Young Professionals Group Steering Committee Meeting at The Blue Bottle, 206 S. Walnut St. at 5:15 PM All MYPG members are welcome to attend. For more information or to RSVP for an event, contact Traci Lutton at 765-751-9126 or tlutton@muncie.com

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.

24th - Muncie Children's Museum - Free Family Saturday - Free Admission all day. Don't miss "Music On The Move" with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra at 11 a.m. Free Saturdays are sponsored by Muncie Sunrise Rotary in memory of Pat Moore.

27th - Robin Clamm 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

27th - Muncie Young Professionals Group Business Meeting & Professional Development Presentation Carnegie Library, 301 E. Jackson St. at 5:30 PM. For more information or to RSVP for an event, contact Traci Lutton at 765-751-9126 or tlutton@muncie.com

FEBRUARY ONGOING:

Through Feb. 24 - Gallery 308 will exhibit sculptural artwork by Mary Jo Andersen, Assistant Professor of Art, in an exhibit titled "Wit ness" at Gallery 308, located at 308 E. Main (previously known as MPG). An opening reception for the artist is scheduled for February 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. Admittance to the reception and to the gallery is free.

Through Feb. 27 - Gordy Fine Art and Framing will feature "Drawings by John Gee," with an artist reception on First Thursday, Feb. 1, from 5 to 8 PM. Light refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend. John Gee is Associate Professor of Art at Ball State University.

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 - Muncie Children's Museum - After School Workshop - "Let's Create Paper Mache". Every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call 286-1660 for details and cost, or visit our website at www.munciechildrensmuseum.com.

Through February - 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. Registration is required. Call 286-1660 for details and cost, or visit our website at

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.

Through March 5th - Dance Classes at High St. United Methodist Church: Latin 5:30-6:30, Beginning Ballroom 6:30-7:30; Beginning Swing 7:30-8:30 for more details call Melodie Carr 286-8828.

Feb. 10 through M arch 11 - Minnetrista presents: Annual Juried Art Show and Sale. Call (765) 213-3549 for information.

Through March 31st - Dance classes at Carenza's Caravan Dance Studio. Call 717-2248 for info. Mondays: Body Toning 5:30-6:30pm, Tribal Belly Dancing 8:30-9:30pm. Tuesdays: Introduction to Belly Dancing 6:00-7:00 or 8:30-9:30pm. Wednesdays: Ballet/Hip Hop for children 5:30-6:15pm Hip Hop for ages 8-16 6:30-7:15pm, Hip Hop for adults 7:30-8:30pm and Salsa Solo 8:30-9:30pm. Thursdays: Body Toning 5:30-6:30pm, Introduction to Indian Dancing 6:30-7:30pm, Yoga 7:30-8:30pm. Sundays: Introduction to Belly Dancing 3:00-4:00pm or 6:00-7:00pm

Through April 29 - Muncie Children's Museum. Kangaroo Crossing exhibit - enjoy a trip to the "land down under". The Australian exhibit gives visitors the oppportunity to hop over the horizon and learn about Aussie life. Included with regular admission; free to members. For more information, visit www.munciechildrensmuseum.com.

Thru April 29th Minnetrista presents: Flip It, Fold It, and Figure it Out hands on exhibit. Call (765) 213-3549 for information.

Thru May 13th Minnetrista presents: The Magic School Bus Kicks up a Storm, a bilingual, hands-on traveling exhibit created by The Children's Museum of Houston and based on the best-selling Scholastic books and the ever-popular television series.. Call (765) 213-3549 for information.

UPCOMING IN MARCH:

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

1st - Muncie Young Professionals Group Downtown Wind Down. Join other MYPG members for a casual social mixer from 5:00 - 6:30 at the Fickle Peach, 117 E. Charles. For more information or to RSVP for an event, contact Traci Lutton at 765-751-9126 or tlutton@muncie.com

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.

5th - April 19th - Cornerstone for the Arts offers Arts Adventure Program for more details go to www.cornerstonearts.org or call Robby Tompkins 281-9503

9th - Muncie Young Professionals Group Leadership Lunch with Mayor Dan Canan 12:00 PM in the Horizon Convention Center Boardroom, 401 S. High St. Space is limited. RSVP required - no exceptions. For more information or to RSVP for an event, contact Traci Lutton at 765-751-9126 or tlutton@muncie.com

9-10th Muncie Civic Theatre presents Grapes of Wrath 7:30pm. Reservations and ticket sales are available by calling 765-288-PLAY.

11th Muncie Civic Theatre presents Grapes of Wrath 2:00pm. Reservations and ticket sales are available by calling 765-288-PLAY.

13th Muncie Civic Theatre auditions for Psycho Beach Party. For more information call 765-288-PLAY.

15th - Wishbone Gifts, Inc in cooperation with Doc's Music Hall is sponsoring a concert by Reverend Horton Heat. The Rev. is a rockabilly musician out of Austin, TX. The show will be March 15th at Doc's Music Hall with opening performances by Murder by Death and the Tossers. Tickets are available at Wishbone Gifts, Inc. or Doc's Music Hall.

15th-17th Muncie Civic Theatre presents Grapes of Wrath 7:30pm. Reservations and ticket sales are available by calling 765-288-PLAY.

Feb. 10 through M arch 11 - Minnetrista presents: Annual Juried Art Show and Sale. Call (765) 213-3549 for information.

Through March 31st - The Artist Within will feature the artwork of Lucinda Rarick of Muncie and Susan McCollum of Yorktown throughout March. Their show, titled "Companion Plantings", is an exploration of plants, both native and non-native. The opening reception is Thursday, March 1, 5-8 pm.

Through March 31st - Dance classes at Carenza's Caravan Dance Studio. Call 717-2248 for info. Mondays: Body Toning 5:30-6:30pm, Tribal Belly Dancing 8:30-9:30pm. Tuesdays: Introduction to Belly Dancing 6:00-7:00 or 8:30-9:30pm. Wednesdays: Ballet/Hip Hop for children 5:30-6:15pm Hip Hop for ages 8-16 6:30-7:15pm, Hip Hop for adults 7:30-8:30pm and Salsa Solo 8:30-9:30pm. Thursdays: Body Toning 5:30-6:30pm, Introduction to Indian Dancing 6:30-7:30pm, Yoga 7:30-8:30pm. Sundays: Introduction to Belly Dancing 3:00-4:00pm or 6:00-7:00pm

Through March 31st - Danner's Books * Gifts * Yarn will be collecting donations for "A Better Way." Danner's will collect funds and goods for a different local cause during each month of 2007. For more information vist www.dannersbooks.com.

Through April 29 - Muncie Children's Museum. Kangaroo Crossing exhibit - enjoy a trip to the "land down under". The Australian exhibit gives visitors the oppportunity to hop over the horizon and learn about Aussie life. Included with regular admission; free to members. For more information, visit www.munciechildrensmuseum.com

Thru April 29th Minnetrista presents: Flip It, Fold It, and Figure it Out hands on exhibit. Call (765) 213-3549 for information.

Thru May 13th Minnetrista presents: The Magic School Bus Kicks up a Storm, a bilingual, hands-on traveling exhibit created by The Children's Museum of Houston and based on the best-selling Scholastic books and the ever-popular television series.. Call (765) 213-3549 for information.

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