More to Explore in Muncie at BSU Planetarium

Join us at Charles W. Brown Planetarium on Wednesday, July 22, at 10 AM for “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure”. Enjoy an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, find shapes in the sky, and find the North Star in this cross-cultural adventure with Big Bird, Elmo, and their friend Hu Hu Zhu from China.

Doors will open no sooner than 9:50 am. No food, gum, or drinks will be permitted.

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭:
Participants may purchase a $5 one-day parking permit* using this link (https://bsuparking.t2hosted.com/per/index.aspx...).

Select "Guest Login" and follow the prompts to complete your purchase. Permits may be purchased at any time before the event. This is a virtual permit. The vehicle’s license plate serves as the permit, so participants must drive the same vehicle they registered when purchasing the permit. If you need any additional help with parking, please contact ssears@munciemuseum.com.

*𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐝 $𝟓 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦. 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 $𝟎.𝟏𝟒 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

𝐁𝐮𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞: 
If you do not wish to park on campus, MITS bus routes 1, 14, and 16 will bring you nearby.
Route 14: Get off at “University at McKinley”
Route 1/16: Get off at “Riverside at McKinley”

This program is part of our More to Explore in Muncie summer series, provided weekly by the Muncie Children’s Museum. Each week, we’ll explore different locations around the community to offer FREE, family-friendly activities.

A special thank you to the Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation for supporting More to Explore in Muncie.

July 22; 2–4:30 p.m. or July 23; 6–8:30 p.m. | Center Building, Cantina 
Cost: $45 | Member Discounts Apply | Ages 14+ 

Discover the art of bookbinding in this hands-on workshop. Participants will learn the long-stitch binding method to create a soft leather journal with an exposed spine that allows for flexibility and durability. Each participant will create one 6" x 8.5" leather journal, with the option to add a leather strap closure. All tools and supplies will be provided. Preregistration is preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead. 

Happens on the following Dates:

• Jul 22, 2026, 2:00pm to 4:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
• Jul 23, 2026, 6:00pm to 8:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Minnetrista Museum & Gardens

July 25; 2–4 p.m. | Center Building and Wishing Well Lawn Cost: $18/Adult; $15/Child; 3 & Under Free | Member Discounts Apply Experience a tea party like no other, faerie-style, alongside fellow winged friends in the enchanting setting of Minnetrista. Enjoy a magical afternoon filled with games, a special craft, and—of course—lovely tea and treats. Costumes encouraged—wings, wands, and all things sparkly are welcome! Children must be registered with an accompanying adult. Preregistration is preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Pokey LaFarge

Critically acclaimed musician Pokey LaFarge and his band will be performing a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2026 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. This concert is sponsored by Defur Voran. Locals Jerry Barker & the Onion Cutters will open the show.

LaFarge never wanted to be an artist that had one gigantic record and then kept repeating the same thing over and over. His last three albums, including his newest, Rhumba Country, gives evidence that he is in no danger of doing that. 2020’s Rock Bottom Rhapsody, hailed as a “Best of 2020” by NPR’s Fresh Air, was dark, lean and melancholy, without horns or anything else that might interfere with the vocals and the lyrics. By contrast, 2021’s In The Blossom of Their Shade showcased Pokey’s positivity, capturing the vibe of a perfect summer afternoon soundtrack. And as with all his previous works, In The Blossom of Their Shade continued to mix and match a wide variety of styles and traditions, this time around drawing on sounds from hot swing, ragtime, country blues, and Americana, as well as incorporating influences from the Southwest, South America, and the Caribbean. And now, on Rhumba Country, his latest full-length, LaFarge revels in his newly heightened devotion to making music that channels pure joy. As Pokey immersed himself in the album’s creation, he once again began dreaming up a kaleidoscopic sound informed by his love of music from far-ranging eras and corners of the globe, including mambo, tropicália, rocksteady, and mid-century American rock-and-roll. Wherever his musical inspirations may take him, there is one thing you can be sure of – when Pokey LaFarge takes the stage, he will continue to entertain audiences everywhere with his unique mix of styles and dynamic showmanship. We are extremely pleased to be able to welcome Pokey LaFarge back to the Three Trails stage.

Muncie Stitch n' Bitch meets every Sunday! 🧶 We meet weekly at The Cup and we come and go from 3-6p. Everyone is welcome, with any kind of making! The Cup is in The Village, near the campus of Ball State University, at 1606 West University Avenue. Free parking is behind the café, enter the parking lot off of Dill Street by Be Here Now. Support our host venue with purchases from The Cup’s menu! ☕️🥯 Creativity and caffeine, that's our thing! 
 

Join us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472977992921700

Please join us for Cuplets, live “open mic” poetry at The Cup! 🎙️ Everyone is welcome! Read your words! Read the words of others! Come to enjoy others reading words! We are all looking forward to listening to everyone’s words! 

Cuplets is for fellowship, not critique. We all clap at all the poems and we want to make friends. You CAN sit with us, every 4th Sunday at 5p. The Cup is in The Village, near the campus of Ball State University, at 1606 West University Avenue in Muncie, Indiana - parking is in the back. Please support our host small business venue with your purchase from their menu as admission to Cuplets! ☕️ 🥯 

∙ Cuplets has a YouTube Channel! 🍿 Check it out:

YouTube.com/Muncie.Cuplets

∙ Cuplets Facebook Group:

Facebook.com/groups/1596819023887658

∙ The Cup is on Instagram:

Instagram.com/TheCupInTheVillage

Join us for our monthly Progressive Discussion Group to connect, converse, and collaborate with fellow resisters!

ABOUT THE SESSION

In this fast-paced 45-minute session, we’re ditching the buzzwords and getting back to the real-world tactics that actually drive growth. No fluff. No complicated theory. Just practical strategies you can use immediately — regardless of your company size or budget.

If your sales and marketing teams aren’t aligned, you’re leaving opportunities on the table. Let’s fix that right away.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER: DEREK McCLAIN

Derek McClain is the Vice President of Business Development at C1 Truck Driver Training bringing more than 20 years of experience across sales, marketing, and business development. Having worked on both sides of the table throughout his career, Derek blends practical, real-world strategy with tried-and-true fundamentals that still drive results today.

Outside of work, Derek is a proud husband and father/step dad to four amazing kids. He is also the founder of Young Cancer an organization dedicated to supporting those navigating cancer alongside their loved ones, and serves as an active committee member with the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA). An exercise enthusiast with a love for pushing limits, Derek has even survived skydiving — and lived to tell the story.

ABOUT INTERSESSIONS

It’s a fact. Marketing is constantly evolving. Join us for free interactive marketing sessions, powered by Intersection marketing + branding agency, as speakers dive into interesting and relevant marketing topics, tailored for professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to advance their marketing skill set. Meetings are held six times annually with ongoing content and discussions shared on our social media, email newsletter, and more.

8:00-8:30 – Networking + Breakfast
8:30-8:45 – Attendee Introductions
8:45-8:50 – Sponsor Spotlight
8:50-9:30 – Introduction to Speaker and Presentation
9:30-9:35 – Break/Refill on Breakfast
9:35-9:50 – Q & A
9:50-10:00 – Final Comments, Announcements and Adjourn

More to Explore in Muncie at Wonder Wooods

Join us at Mitchell Early Learning Center Wonder Woods on Wednesday, July 29, at 6 PM as we wrap up our FREE More to Explore in Muncie program.

Enjoy a guided tour of Wonder Woods, then stick around for free play as you explore the sensory garden, climbing structures, and more. It's the perfect way to celebrate the end of summer with an evening of fun, exploration, and discovery for the whole family!

Parking: Please park in the back lot near the Wonder Woods entrance.

This program is part of our summer series, provided weekly by the Muncie Children’s Museum. Each week, we explore different locations around the community to offer FREE, family-friendly activities.

A special thank you to the Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation for supporting More to Explore in Muncie.

Poster for event

July 30 marks Medicare's 61st birthday. Back in 1965, it took decades of organizing to get seniors guaranteed health care. We're picking up that fight and pushing to finish the job: health care for everyone, not just people over 65. Now is the Time for Medicare for All!

Join Muncie DSA and Muncie Resists as we deliver a letter (backed by over 335 organizations, including Indivisible and DSA National) to Rep. Victoria Spartz's district office.

Read the letter here: https://medicare4all.org/wp-content/uploads/Final_2026_M4A_organizational_sign-on_letter_335.pdf

What we're doing: We're showing up together, letter in hand, to make it clear this isn't a fringe ask. 90% of Democratic voters and 63% of all voters support Medicare for All. Our elected leaders need to hear that loud and clear.

What to bring: Just yourself! If you want to help make signs or bring a pen for signatures, that's a bonus, but not required.

Who's coming: This is a joint effort between Muncie DSA, Muncie Resists, and folks organizing out of Hamilton County. All are welcome.

America’s Hometown Band in Concert

“On the Road“ with America’s Hometown Band of Muncie  —  a family-pleasing lineup of concert band pieces.  Part of the “Albany Free Concert Series” in the outdoor amphitheater in Wildcat Park. A Free, Public event.  Free parking in the nearby Albany Elementary School lot. 

Muncie Stitch n' Bitch meets every Sunday! 🧶 We meet weekly at The Cup and we come and go from 3-6p. Everyone is welcome, with any kind of making! The Cup is in The Village, near the campus of Ball State University, at 1606 West University Avenue. Free parking is behind the café, enter the parking lot off of Dill Street by Be Here Now. Support our host venue with purchases from The Cup’s menu! ☕️🥯 Creativity and caffeine, that's our thing! 
 

Join us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472977992921700

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Three Tuesdays, August 4, 11, 18: 2:30-4 p.m.
Cost $55
Limited to 12 students
Reservations required
Please register online at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

This class is for anyone looking to preserve their memories, whether for personal reflection, to share with loved ones, or to publish. It's ideal whether you've already begun a memoir or are just starting to explore writing about your life.

You'll create a series of vignettes, short scenes or snapshots from your life, written in whatever style speaks to you: prose, poetry, dialogue, or even playwriting. No matter the form, the focus is on translating your thoughts into words, and this class will help you build that essential skill.

Over three sessions, you'll respond to writing prompts designed to help you "capture your life" on the page. You'll also have the chance to share your writing, ask questions, and exchange feedback and discoveries with the group.

This class is best suited for beginning and intermediate writers. Each class is designed to be repeatable, offering new prompts and insights each time you take it.

Instructor: Lylanne Musselman is an award-winning poet, playwright, and visual artist whose work spans poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction. Drawing on personal experience, memory, and emotional resilience, she explores themes of caregiving, relationships, and Midwestern life. She is the author of several poetry collections and chapbooks, including "It's Not Love, Unfortunately, Paparazzi for the Birds, Staring Dementia in the Face, and Open Up to Poetry: A Memoir and Manual", with a new collection forthcoming in 2026.

Her work has appeared in respected literary journals and anthologies and has earned multiple Pushcart Prize nominations. She serves on the executive board of the Midwest Writers Workshop, teaches at Indiana institutions, and leads workshops and readings across the state.

For August we are going to try our hand at gel printing on postcards! We'll turn them into notes of support for detainees at Miami Correctional Facility. No experience needed, we'll walk you through the process. We'll also have supplies on hand! Come make something beautiful that'll support our neighbors!

Turn your imagination into wearable art! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll craft a copper or bronze pendant using Precious Metal Clay (PMC)—a moldable clay made of real metal particles that transform into solid metal when kiln-fired.

Long Description

August 6; 2–4:30 p.m. or August 7; 6–8:30 p.m. | Center Building, Cantina 
Cost: $45 | Member Discounts Apply | Ages 13+ 

Turn your imagination into wearable art! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll craft a copper or bronze pendant using Precious Metal Clay (PMC)—a moldable clay made of real metal particles that transform into solid metal when kiln-fired. Learn how to cut, texture, and layer your piece while working with the clay in both its wet and green (dry) stages. Finished pendants will be kiln-fired by the instructor and ready to pick up the following week. All tools, supplies, and safety gear will be provided; please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Preregistration is preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead. 

Happens on the following Dates:

• Aug 6, 2026, 2:00pm to 4:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
• Aug 7, 2026, 6:00pm to 8:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

The Muncie Makers Market is a retail business incubator presented to the public through a community farmers market with fresh homemade food, locally grown produce, live plants, and handmade arts of all kinds. This is our ten year anniversary and we are happy to have had over 600 small businesses work with us. You’ll find the Muncie Makers Market outdoors every First Thursday at Adams & Walnut AND indoors every Third Thursday at MadJax Maker Force. We also set up at special annual events like Magic City Sip & Savor, Brink of Summer ArtsWalk, Fire Up DWNTWN, ArtsWalk, and Light Up Muncie. We develop local small business through education, connections, and events!  Please join us on Facebook and Instagram and please share us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627047027524961/ ;

The Songwriter Sessions

The Songwriter Sessions is a singer/songwriter showcase happening every month in conjunction with First Thursday in downtown Muncie, Indiana. The all-original showcase is hosted by members of The Fierce - Sally and Lyn Fierce, and Michelle Kinsey. This event is an intentional listening opportunity, allowing the talented artists to share the stories behind their songs and allow the listener to hear the magic of the words and music come together.

Turn your imagination into wearable art! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll craft a copper or bronze pendant using Precious Metal Clay (PMC)—a moldable clay made of real metal particles that transform into solid metal when kiln-fired.

Long Description

August 6; 2–4:30 p.m. or August 7; 6–8:30 p.m. | Center Building, Cantina 
Cost: $45 | Member Discounts Apply | Ages 13+ 

Turn your imagination into wearable art! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll craft a copper or bronze pendant using Precious Metal Clay (PMC)—a moldable clay made of real metal particles that transform into solid metal when kiln-fired. Learn how to cut, texture, and layer your piece while working with the clay in both its wet and green (dry) stages. Finished pendants will be kiln-fired by the instructor and ready to pick up the following week. All tools, supplies, and safety gear will be provided; please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Preregistration is preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead. 

Happens on the following Dates:

• Aug 6, 2026, 2:00pm to 4:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
• Aug 7, 2026, 6:00pm to 8:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

This is our annual community event that we have hosted for 12 years now. It’s fun for the entire family! The Bulldogs will perform their famous 50’s & 60’s Rock n Roll show. Food trucks, bounce house, dunk tank & a magician! There will also be a huge raffle and 50/50 to assist in our fundraising efforts for the Alzheimer’s Association. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket & have a blast! Feel free to also bring a classic car and enter our car show. There aren’t any dash plaques awarded as this is our way to give back to the community. If you would like to enter a classic car, please be parked by 4:30 in the afternoon and plan on staying for the entire entirety of the event that ends at 8:30. A meal ticket will be provided to the driver. We look forward to seeing you and having some fun!