Kids and teens
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 536 Fifth St., Columbus. Scheduled online: Earth Day Drop-in Gardening, 10:30 a.m., April 22; Captain Cash Grades 2-5, 3:30 p.m., April 26; Why Do My Feelings Have Feelings? (Coping During a Pandemic), 6 p.m., April 26; Plaza Storytime, 10:30 a.m., April 27; Virtual Family Game Night: Mad Libs, 4 p.m., April 27; Family Trivia: All About Spring, 4 p.m., April 30; Kids Virtual Fan Club: Star Wars, May 4; Patio Storytime, 10:30 a.m., May 4; Artistic Tuesday, 4 p.m., May 4; Teen Star Wars Day Scavenger Hunt, 4:30 p.m., May 4; D.I.G. Time, 10:30 a.m., May 6; Teen Fri-DIY: Chalk It Up, 3 p.m., May 7.
JENNINGS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 2375 State Road 3N, North Vernon. Scheduled: Save the Planet Escape Room, 6 p.m., April 22; Wild Things Story Time, 10 a.m., April 23; Friday Night Madness, 6 p.m., April 23.
BUILDER’S GUILD, Join the Bartholomew County Public Library’s Builder’s Guild and participate in building challenges, exchange ideas, and share creations in the virtual headquarters. LEGOs, K’Nex, Minecraft. All building materials and formats welcome. This is an ongoing program, so participate whenever you like. Email [email protected] to join or visit the kids page of the BCPL website for more information.
BCPL DIAL-A-STORY, all day, April 1 to 30. Starting April 1, you can dial 812-579-4123 to hear a story from a librarian — any time you like! Stories and other readings will be available for both children and adults. New selections will be available every Tuesday. In April, librarians will be sharing their favorite poems and rhymes in honor of National Poetry Month.
Music
A MOTHER’S DAY TRIBUTE TO BRAHMS, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., May 1, virtual or at Helen Haddad Music, Arts & Events Center, 315 Franklin St., Columbus. The Granny Connection is hosting the program, which includes violin and cello sonatas. Tickets are available both for “virtual” and “in-person” performances. Purchase tickets at grannyconnection.org.
DRUMS ON THE PLAZA, 6 p.m., May 7, Bartholomew County Public Library, 536 Fifth St., Columbus. Join us for a fun, high-energy evening with Southern Indiana Taiko. This local group delivers a dynamic show involving large Japanese drums and choreographed dance. Attend in person, bring your own chair, and social distance. You can also view at facebook.com/mybcpl. Rain makes this a FB Live event only.
Talks, lectures, classes
VET-TO-VET DISCUSSION, 5:10 p.m., Mondays, Mill Race Center, 900 Lindsey St., Columbus. Hour-long, facilitator-led group discussions with others who have served in the military. Attendees are able to share experiences with fellow veterans.
Sports, exercise, wellness
iCAN VIRTUAL 54, April 1 to 29, virtual. The Columbus Autism Network is pleased to once again offer an annual event to support and bring awareness to the local community. During the month of April, there will be a month-long, virtual 54-mile race. This event will allow individuals and teams to accumulate 54 miles to compete for prizes. Teams of no more than six and individuals can accumulate their miles by running, walking, cycling, or swimming. Participants must have a way to track miles and time, activity for the month must be submitted no later than April 29. For more information and to register: https://www.columbusautism network.com/ican-virtual-54
BLACKWELL PARK STORYWALK, April 1 to 30. The Bartholomew County Public Library, together with the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department, present “Unstoppable,” by Adam Rex and illustrated by Laura Park. The StoryWalk is located along the People Trail near the pollinator park.
DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS STORYWALK, April 1 to 30. This April, you can read “Saturday,” by Oge Mora, in the shop windows of downtown Columbus. The story begins in the window of Hoosier Sporting Goods at 611 Washington St. Follow the windows south to Third Street, and then head north to Viewpoint books. Brought to you by the Bartholomew County Public Library and downtown merchants.
BEGINNER PICKLEBALL CLINIC FOR ADULTS, 5:30 to 7 p.m., May 6, 13, 20, Donner Park pickleball courts, 17th and Sycamore streets, Columbus. Clinic is $45 per person. Pre-registration required. Rain make-up is May 27. The three-day clinic, for those 18 and older, will introduce the fundamentals of the game. Participants must attend each lesson since each subsequent day will build upon the previous beginner lesson. Equipment will be provided. Face coverings will be required. To register or for more information, call 812-376-2680 or visit columbusparksandrec.com
FIESTA FRIDAY SKATE, 7 to 9 p.m., Hamilton Community Center & Ice Arena, 2501 Lincoln Park Drive, Columbus. Join in for a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Come skate, make your own maracas, and enjoy the hot chocolate bar. Cost is $5 for kids, $5.50 for adults, and $2 for skate or scooter rental. Kids ages 4 and under are free with an adult admission.
PUBLIC ICE SKATING, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Hamilton Community Center & Ice Arena, 2501 Lincoln Park Drive, Columbus. Times are 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday (adult only), and Thursday. Cost is $4 per person and $2 for skate rental. Skate aids (scooters) will not be available. Call 812-376-2686 for more information.
SWIMMING FOR EXERCISE, Foundation for Youth, 405 Hope Ave., Columbus. Lap swimming, water aerobics, and public swim are available seven days a week. You must pre-register for current swim sessions. Information: foundation foryouth.com.
Miscellaneous
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 536 Fifth St., Columbus. Scheduled online: Earth Day Drop-in Gardening, 10:30 a.m., April 22; “The Year We Left Home” author interview, 6 p.m., April 22; All Book’d Book Club, 5:30 p.m., April 27; Get Lit! Book Discussion, noon, April 30; Cleopatra: The Last Pharaoh of Egypt, 6 p.m., May 3; Skill Builders, 1:30 p.m., May 5; Bring Back Butterflies and Bees, 6 p.m., May 5; How My Faith Helps Me to Connect with Just About Anybody, 6 p.m., May 6.
JENNINGS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 2375 N. State Road 3, North Vernon. Scheduled: Tea and a Book Club, 9 a.m., April 26.
ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., April 23, 24, 25, 30, May 1, 2, Willow Leaves Theatre, 326 Jackson St., Hope. WILLow LeaVes of Hope & Actor Studio of Hope presents “Elvis Has Left the Building” at dinner theater. The Colonel has racked up some debts and needs Elvis for a performance to pay them off. But Elvis is missing and the Colonel is trying to find an Elvis impersonator and takes desperate measures to replace a man who is irreplaceable. Cost is $30.00 per person, which includes a full dinner with dessert, drink, and play. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6 p.m., and the play starts at 7 p.m. Sunday matinee doors open at 12:30 p.m. For reservations, call 812-546-0640.
MUSICALS N’ MOVIES ICE SHOW, 7 p.m., April 23; 3 and 7 p.m., April 24; 2 p.m., April 25, Hamilton Community Center & Ice Arena, 2501 Lincoln Park Drive, Columbus. The Lincoln Center Skate Club’s presentation of the 2021 Spring Ice Show “Musicals N’ Movies” features a star-studded cast of local skaters of all ages skating to some of your favorite movie and musical hits. Tickets are free for children ages 4 and under, $5 for children ages 5-10, and $10 for ages 11 and up. Masks are required while inside the facility and socially-distanced seating will be followed. A limited number of tickets available. Call 812-376-2686 to purchase tickets or visit www.lcsccolumbus.org for more information.
PLANT SALE, 2 to 6 p.m., April 23; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 24, Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane, Nashville. The Brown County Friends of the Library will hold their annual Plant Sale, rain or shine, outside on the lower level of the Brown County Public Library. Free trees will be provided by the Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District. Selections include plants from Brownhill Nursery, Backyard Gardens, DesignScape and Kelp’s Greenhouse. Yard Art and books on plants and gardening will be available. For more information, call 812-988-2850.
CRUISE-IN TO HOPE, 5 to 8 p.m., May 7, Hope Town Square, State Road 9, Hope. Free and open to the public. Bring a chair and support local musicians and businesses. To-go food will be available from restaurants on the square. Prizes will be awarded for oldest vehicle, people’s choice, and musicians’ choice. Food and money donations will be accepted to support the Hope Food Bank and Cruise-In event expenses.
PAINT ON THE PLAZA, 10 a.m. to noon, May 8, Bartholomew County Public Library, 536 Fifth St., Columbus. Bartholomew County Public Library and the Columbus Area Arts Council invite you to join them outside on the library plaza to celebrate 50 years of the Large Arch in Columbus. Drop in any time between 10 a.m. and noon to make art. Art supplies and paper provided for those 12 and under. The first 100 children in that age group receive their own set of watercolors to use on the plaza and take home to keep. Adults need to bring their own supplies. Masks are required for anyone 8 and older.
ELKS LODGE BINGO, 6:30 p.m. Fridays and 12:30 p.m. Sundays, Elks 521 Lodge Bingo Hall, 4664 Ray Boll Blvd., Columbus. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m. on Sundays. The first game is at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays and 12:30 p.m. on Sundays. Open to the public. Information: 812-379-4386.
VFW POST 1987 BINGO, 5 to 9:30 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, VFW Post 1987, 215 N. National Road, Columbus. Doors open at 5 p.m. Open to the public.
VFW POST 1987 WEEKEND BINGO, 2 to 6 p.m., Saturdays, VFW Post 1987, 215 N. National Road, Columbus. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Open to the public.
COLUMBUS CHESS CLUB, 5 to 9 p.m., Thursdays, Lewellen Chapel, corner of Middle Road and Grissom Street, Columbus. Equipment is furnished. Open to chess players 18 and older. Information: 812-603-3893.
AMERICAN SEWING GUILD NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING, 9 to 11:30 a.m., first Saturday of the month, Sew Crazy, 5520 25th St., Columbus. Each monthly meeting focuses on learning a new sewing/creative skill or group sewing on a philanthropic project. Bring an interest in sewing and your latest project to show and tell. Sewing enthusiasts of all ages and skills are welcome. Contact [email protected] with questions.
Galleries, museums, exhibits
GALLERY 506, Columbus Indiana Visitors Center, 506 Fifth St., Columbus. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed on Sundays. The current special exhibit, courtesy of the Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives and Ball State University, explores Columbus’ seven national historic landmarks.
YELLOW TRAIL MUSEUM/VISITOR CENTER, west side of Hope Town Square at 644 Main St., Hope. The board recently announced the museum anticipates opening on May 4 with the anticipated hours being Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and also Saturdays tentatively 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This also includes the “Sunday Socials,” which typically meet the first Sunday of each month. At this current time, if an individual or a small group wants to visit the building, contact the museum at 812-546-8020 or Susan Thayer Fye at 812-343-3798. Please follow the Facebook page “Yellow Trail Museum/Hope Visitors Center” for events and exact dates and times of opening.
YELLOW TRAIL MUSEUM SUNDAY SOCIALS, 2 p.m., first Sunday of each month. All are welcome to have coffee and join in discussions about various topics from the community’s past, including stories about growing up in the community of Hope, Hartsville, Clifford or St. Louis Crossing. Free. Information: 812-371-7969.
ATTERBURY-BAKALAR AIR MUSEUM, located at Columbus Municipal Airport, 4742 Ray Boll Blvd., Columbus, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Special tours may be scheduled by calling 812-372-4356. The museum preserves the history of the former Atterbury Army Air Field which was later named Bakalar Air Force Base. Free admission. Visit the museum online at atterburybakalarairmuseum.org and on Facebook.
T.C. STEELE STATE HISTORIC SITE, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Due to COVID-19 and social distancing requirements, staff is offering special indoor tours — each with a maximum of 10 people — Wednesday through Sunday. These tours are included with site admission, but preregistration is recommended by calling 812-988-2785. Information: https://indiana museum.org/tcsteele.
IVY TECH GALLERY OF FINE ART & DESIGN, 4475 Central Ave., Columbus. Gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays. Information: 812-374-5139 or [email protected].
TRI-STATE ARTISANS, 422 Washington St., Columbus. Handmade retail gallery of more than 60 local artisans. Unique gifts, fine art, art classes for youth and adults, youth art programs, art parties and home parties. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Information: tsartisans.com.
JENNINGS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM, 335 Brown St., Vernon. Information: 812-346-8989, jenningscounty.org.
BROWN COUNTY ART GUILD ANNUAL PATRON & YOUTH EXHIBITS, Brown County Art Guild, 48 S. Van Buren St., Nashville. Offering a wide variety of art from both talented patrons and the next generation of artists. Visits are by appointment Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
THE REPUBLIC BUILDING GALLERY, 333 Second St., Columbus. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
411 GALLERY, 411 Sixth St., Columbus. The gallery is open by appointment by sending an email to Susana Villegas at [email protected]. A virtual tour of the current exhibit “In-Depth” is also available online at https://bit.ly/2N195rk.
HOOSIER ARTIST GALLERY, 45 S. Jefferson St., Nashville. Hoosier Artist Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Masks are required. Information: hoosierartist.net. The art of three artists is featured during April. Peter Rujuwa’s stone sculptures portray love and family unity in both human and animal species. Beth Parrock creates fused glass tiles and jewelry with natural stones, glass beads, and fused glass cabochons. Geoff Keller makes ink and pencil drawings of wildlife using thousands of extremely tiny dots on hand shaped wooden sculptures using aspen and other hardwoods.
BROWN COUNTY ART GALLERY, 1 Artist Drive, Nashville. Open daily, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Free admission and parking. COVID-19 protocols are in place, with masks required. A special exhibit now features the entire Indiana collection by Gustave Baumann. Paintings by more than 60 Indiana artists are also for sale. Information: 812-988-4609, [email protected], browncountyartgallery.org.
Ongoing
FABULOUS FIRST FRIDAYS WITH MISS POLLY, 12:15 p.m., the first Friday of each month. Viewpoint Books, 548 Washington St., Columbus. Information: 812-376- 0778.
FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, 405 Hope Ave., Columbus. The Boys & Girls Club is open to children ages 5-18. Information: 812-372-7867.
KIDSCOMMONS, 309 Washington St., Columbus. Ongoing activities are all free with museum admission. Information: 812-378-3046.
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