Weekly Downtown E-News 2/2/2007

DOWNTOWN ANNOUNCEMENTS: Normandy Flower Shop wants to remind everyone to order early for Valentine's Day, with FREE DELIVERY DOWNTOWN!"

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- 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.

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.

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.

9th - Gallery 308 will have an opening reception from 5 to 8pm for Mary Jo Andersen, Assistant Professor of Art. Anderson will exhibit her recent sculptural artwork in an exhibit titled "Wit ness" at Gallery 308, located at 308 E. Main (previously known as MPG). Admittance to the reception and to the gallery is free.

10th - Muncie Civic Theatre at 1:00pm. Auditions/Directors will be seeking actors for the following productions: HAIR (seeking 8 men & 8 women 18-40); AMERICAN SONGBOOK CABARET (seeking 3 men & 3 women who sing). Auditioners are asked to prepare a short song of their choosing. An accompanist will be provided.

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. Marie Williams-Hawkins from Ball State University will be moderater for a Question & Answer session following the movies. Popcorn, Hot Dogs and other refreshments will be available for purchase during the day. FREE ADMISSION.

12th - Bill Staines, nationally known folk singer/song writer will be in concert at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Muncie on February 12 at 7PM. Admission is charged, children under 12 are free.

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.

15th - Deadline for advertising in The Star Press' monthly downtown special section. For more information, contact Mark DiFabio at The Star Press, or email mdifabio@muncie.gannett.com. Send jpegs to Starpressads@comcast.net.

16th - The Artist Within: has partnered with the Muncie Children's Museum for "Family Carnival" Friday, Feb. 16th from 6:30-8:30 pm. Enjoy a family approach to the Mardis Gras celebration

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 in the streets of Downtown Muncie Indiana. For more information, call Downtown Development.

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 a 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.

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 - 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:

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's 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 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

UPCOMING IN MARCH:

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.

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

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.

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