Hoosier State Today

Bloomington is a vibrant community filled with activity. Each month there are numerous opportunities to enjoy and engage socially and civically. The City will provide monthly updates on what is happening in and within the City, and you will discover that no matter your interests or inclinations, there is something for everyone.

January Events 

Freezefest

Day & Time: Friday, January 20, and Saturday, January 21

Cost: Free Event

Location: Maker Way from Rogers to Madison and Madison from 10th to 11th Streets.

Details: The third annual Freezefest will take place from Friday, January 20, through Saturday, January 21, 2023. Gather your friends and family to experience exciting winter festivities, including magnificent ice sculptures on display, live carving demonstrations by internationally-recognized ice sculptors, a thrilling live ice carving battle, and interactive winter-themed crafts and games for kids. A chili cook-off will be held on Saturday at The Mill. More Freezefest-related events will happen throughout downtown Bloomington including Parks and Recreation’s Winter Palooza!  

Winter Palooza

Day & Time: Saturday, January 21, from 3-5 p.m.

Cost: $5/person

Location: Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St.

Details: Join Bloomington Parks and Recreation for this Freezefest event and a fun-filled afternoon of winter-themed crafts and activities. If there is no natural snow, we will create our own!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration

Day & Time: Monday, January 16, 2023, 6 p.m. for Reception; 7 p.m. for Program

Cost: Free and open to the public

Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington

Details: This is an annual community-wide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration. There will be music (African American Choral Ensemble and Fairview World Music), dance (IU School of Music Ballet Department), the Legacy Award presentation, and Georgia State Representative Park Cannon will speak to us about “Keep Knocking.” The 6 p.m. reception will have light appetizers for all. 

January Programs 

Winter Wander Challenge

Day & Time: January 1-March 31

Cost: $20/person; register by January 31 online at bloomington.in.gov/parks.

Details: Bloomington Parks and Recreation encourages physical activity of all kinds to help support healthy habits through the winter. Jumpstart your January and New Year’s goals by joining the Winter Wander Challenge and visiting 12 city parks or trails between January 1 and March 31! The first 40 participants receive the exclusive Winter Wander Challenge (adult size) beanie. Guided hikes and walks are offered by Parks and Recreation staff throughout the challenge. For more information about the Winter Wander Challenge, email emily.carrico@bloomington.in.gov.

Switchyard Park Drop-in Fitness Classes

Day & Time:

Tuesday, January 10, and Tuesday, January 24, at 7:15 p.m. (ZUMBA)

Tuesday, January 17, and Tuesday, January 31, at 7:15 p.m.  (Tai Chi)

Sunday, January 22, at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (Yoga)

Tuesday, January 24 at noon  (Mobility)

Cost: $10 per person per class

Location: Switchyard Park Pavilion, 1601 S. Rogers St.

Details: Bloomington Parks and Recreation offers indoor fitness classes at the Switchyard Park Pavilion. No pre-registration is required; just show up and pay $10 per person per class with cash or a credit card. For more information, email emily.carrico@bloomington.in.gov.

January Shoutouts 

Parks and Recreation Accepting Applications for Vendor Spaces at 2023 Art Fairs

The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department invites local and regional artists to apply to participate in the 2023 A Fair of the Arts art and fine craft fairs. Artists may apply to display and sell their original artwork at A Fair of the Arts by submitting an application online by February 24. There is a non-refundable $20 jury fee per application. The cost for selected artists to participate in A Fair of the Arts is $55 per Fair; commissions are not collected on sales. For more information about A Fair of the Arts, or to request an application or fill out an application online, visit bloomington.in.gov/afair or call Crystal Ritter at 812-349-3725.

Bloomington Community Farmers' Market Callout for Entertainment

The Bloomington Community Farmers' Market is seeking featured entertainment for the 2023 season at the Saturday and Tuesday Markets. Performance slots for Saturdays begin as early as 9 a.m. and end by 12:30 p.m. Tuesday Market performance slots can begin as early as 4:30 p.m. and end by 6:30 p.m. If interested, please complete an online survey that includes the months and dates you wish to perform. Farmers' Market entertainment scheduling begins in January! Take the online survey at https://bton.in/CrOas. For more information, contact Clarence Boone at clarence.boone@bloomington.in.gov. 

The Black History Month Black Market Registration Opens 

Business Registration Deadline: February 6, 2023 (Registration is open now.) 

Event Date: Saturday, February 11

Event Location: City Hall, 401 North Morton Street

Calling all business owners, creators, groups, and more to join us for the Black History Month Black Market. Highlighting Black-owned businesses, art, and organizations. Non-profits, Greek organizations, social groups, and info tables are also welcome to apply. To apply for admission into the Black History Month Black Market, fill out this form: https://bton.in/E_kjq

Nonprofit Alliance of Monroe County’s Meet the Media Roundtable Event

Event Date: February 15, 2023, 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Cost: Free

Event Location: MCPL Downtown Bloomington, Meeting Room 1B & 1C Combo

Are you a representative of a nonprofit interested in connecting with the local media? Join us for the Nonprofit Alliance of Monroe County’s 14th Annual Meet the Media roundtable event. Members of local media will give and hear one-minute pitches from local nonprofit representatives. Come prepared to present for one minute on the value of your nonprofit by sharing one story, idea, event, or success related to your nonprofit organization. Media panel representatives will provide feedback on each pitch and meet with nonprofit representatives in small groups for more in-depth questions and conversations. Representatives from Bloom Magazine, The Herald-Times, Limestone Post, WFIU-WTIU, and WFHB will be present. Participation is limited to 35 nonprofit representatives. Age 18 and up. Please register here: https://bit.ly/3hucyBB

Outstanding Black Leader of Tomorrow Nominations Being Accepted 

Nominations are open now and until February 7, 2023 

Eligible: Black/African American Adults 18-30 and Black/African American High School Students

Nomination Form: https://bton.in/Osb16

The Commission on the Status of Black Males (CSBM) Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow Award is given annually to two African American men and women, respectively from the following categories: high school and adult. The Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow Award is presented each year at the Black History Month Gala Celebration in February.

Commission on the Status of Women Seeking Nominees for 2023 Woman of the Year Awards

Nominations are open now and until January 20, 2023

Eligible: Women and girls who have improved the quality of life of other women through inspiration, community service, or professional accomplishments

Nomination Form: https://bton.in/bdj~i

The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women is seeking nominees for the 2023 Woman of the Year, Toby Strout Lifetime Contribution, Emerging Leader, and Young Woman of the Year awards. The 2023 awards will be presented during the Women’s History Month Luncheon in March 2023.  

Nominations should highlight the reasons why the nominee merits the award and how their community service has benefited women. Nomination forms are available online, at https://bton.in/bdj~i, in the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department, 401 N. Morton St, Suite 260, or by contacting Marissa Parr-Scott at marissa.parrscott@bloomington.in.gov.

2023 Neighborhood Grants

Now is the time for neighborhood groups to begin planning neighborhood improvement projects and organizing for neighborhood cleanups in anticipation of the March 2023 grant deadlines. All 2023 applications will be available on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Contact angela.vanrooy@bloomington.in.gov with questions. Learn more at: https://bton.in/ckXcr  

• Neighborhood Improvement Grants
  • Mandatory informational meetings: Tuesday, January 24, 2023, and Monday, January 30, 2023
  • Letter of Intent due: Monday, February 6, 2023.
  • Application deadline: Monday, March 20, 2023.
• Neighborhood Cleanup Grants
  • Application deadline: Monday, March 6, 2023
• Small & Simple Grants
  • Application deadline: rolling; January 3 to September 1, 2023, or until funds are depleted.

 

2023 Solar, Energy Efficiency, & Lighting (SEEL) Program

Organizations are invited to apply for participation in the SEEL program beginning January 18. Twenty energy efficiency and twenty solar grants will be available through the 2023 program, with application forms accepted on a rolling basis until the cohort application deadlines. Past participants in the SEEL program are encouraged to apply. More information about the program and the application form link is available at bloomington.in.gov/sustainability/seel. Questions about the program should be directed to sustain@bloomington.in.gov. The 2023 program is a collaboration between the City of Bloomington Department of Economic and Sustainable Development, MPI Solar, IFF, and Hoosier Hills Credit Union.

January Operating Hours 

Banneker Community Center

Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

City of Bloomington 

City Hall is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, except during holidays. Non-holiday City Hall closings are announced on the City’s home page and social media. City services can still be accessed online at bloomington.in.gov/services. City offices are closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 16. 

Twin Lakes Recreation Center Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

1700 W. Bloomfield Road

Daily non-member admission is $8

Twin Lakes Recreation Center is a sports, fitness, and recreation facility with a ⅛ mile indoor track, cardio equipment, free weights and weight machines, a functional fitness area, and five hardwood courts. Courts are open for pickleball Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn more about TLRC memberships and group exercise classes at twinlakesrecreation.com.

Frank Southern Ice Arena Hours of Operation

2100 S. Henderson Street 

General admission is $6 per person plus $3 for skate rental.

The ice arena is open daily, with general admission public ice skating available during scheduled times.

General Admission Public Ice Skating Schedule

Monday-Friday, 12-2:30 p.m.

Friday, 7-9 p.m.

Saturday, 1:30-3 p.m., 7-9 p.m., 9:15-11 p.m.

Sunday, 3-5 p.m.

Bloomington is a diverse, active, and vibrant community with many monthly events and programs. This list is only representative of City and city-related happenings. For a more comprehensive list, please visit the events calendar of Visit Bloomington at  visitbloomington.com/events/.

Original source can be found here.