Here are 3 things to do for the weekend of June 7-9, 2024, curated by WGLT's Lauren Warnecke. You can find more coverage on our Datebook - Arts & Music page or by subscribing to WGLT's Weekend Scoop email newsletter, which goes out every Friday.
Take a ride on the steampunk train: Bloomington’s annual steampunk festival, Cogs & Corsets, taps into downtown Bloomington businesses more than ever: There’s art-making stations from Little Art School, accessorizing workshops with Inside Out Accessible Art, and a murder mystery hosted at Shake It Up, plus the usual teapot races, high tea at Eaton Gallery and live music, vendors and Victorian games aplenty. Friday and Saturday in downtown Bloomington; free entrance, some attractions are ticketed. cogsandcorsetsIL.com.
Guard down, collars up: Bloomington’s First Friday concert series continues with Catalina Wine Mixer, a ‘70s cover band which, fortunately, doesn’t take itself too seriously. Hear a pastiche of Yacht Rock, Soft Rock and Easy Listening—think Hall & Oats, Steeley Dan, Christopher Cross. Extra points for wearing Ray Bans and a Ralph Lauren polo with the collar popped. 7 p.m. Friday on the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts lawn; $5 admission or proof of purchase from a nearby business.
Play a didgeridoo: Take a deep dive Down Under with an interactive session on Australian culture—all through the lens of its most recognizable instrument. Performer William MacGavin plays a variety of didgeridoos as kids play, dance and act out a story together. 11 a.m. Saturday at Bloomington Public Library; free. Seating is first-come, first-served. bloomingtonlibrary.org.
