LOCAL

Area roundup: Enjoy Old Washington Street Festival, Muncie Symphony Pops this weekend

FROM NEWS REPORTS

MUNCIE — The Old Washington Street Festival will return for its 44th iteration 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, on East Washington Street between Madison and Hackley streets.

The East Central Neighborhood festival will feature free entertainment  including Victorian era vaudevillian amusements — a freak show, a beard contest and a burlesque show — as well as performances by rock, folk, rap, R&B and classical musicians, according to a release.

Food vendors will offer a variety of items such as fish and chips, walking tacos, candy, and the festival favorite ham and beans. A car show is scheduled for Saturday, and historic home tours will be offered both days. Artists, artisans and craft makers will sell their wares.

Admission to the festival is free. On-street parking is available in the area. Information: facebook.com/Oldwashingtonstreetfestival.

New MSO Pops Series opens with 'Music of Billy Joel'

MUNCIE — Muncie Symphony Orchestra's Indiana Trust Pops Series will kick off its 2021-22 season with “Michael Cavanaugh: The Music of Billy Joel” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at Emens Auditorium.

Michael Cavanaugh, star of Broadway hit musical "Movin’ Out," will join MSO Saturday for an evening of Billy Joel’s greatest hits, including “My Life,” “Just the Way You Are,” “Piano Man,” “You May Be Right,” and “A New York State of Mind.”

In partnership with Indiana Trust Wealth Management, Muncie Symphony Orchestra is expanding classical repertoire to include a series of live symphonic pops concerts, according to a release. Upcoming performances are:

  • Nov. 13, “The Music of John Williams," featuring some of the most beloved movie scores of all time. Nominated 51 times and awarded five Academy Awards, Williams is responsible for creating the scores for blockbuster films such as "Superman," "Jurassic Park," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Schindler’s List," "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Star Wars."
  • Dec. 4, “Holiday Pops," beginning the holiday season than with a yuletide Christmas celebration featuring children’s, high school and adult choirs, dancing elves, a special guest host and Santa himself. Selections will include “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “The Snowman,” “The Polar Express,” “Home Alone” and more.
  • April 30, “Glorious Gershwin.” a tribute to Broadway and opera music icon Ira Gershwin. An award-winning pianist who grew up in Indianapolis, Richard Glazier will play and reminisce about his friendship with Ira Gershwin, using rare footage and humorous anecdotes. Included are classic songs like “The Man I Love” and “Embraceable You,” and instrumental masterpieces like “Strike Up the Band,” “Concerto in F” and “Rhapsody in Blue.”

Tickets for the four-concert Indiana Trust Pops Series run $100, $85 or $65 depending on the seating section, according to the release. College students pay $20, and children (grades K-12) can attend for free. Tickets may be purchased online or over the phone at 765-216-0970. Single-performance tickets also are available.

Tickets/information: munciesymphony.org