Entertainment

By Dee McKinsey— Wide Range of Classes Being Offered MUNCIE, Ind. – The Spring Semester at Cornerstone Center for the Arts begins January 31, 2022 and continues through April 22, 2022. Cornerstone will be offering over 60 classes both in-person and virtually in the categories of visual arts, dance, movement, literature, martial arts, and wellness arts. Cornerstone also is offering some new classes: Virtual Classes Adult History of Dance I Adult History of Musical Theatre I In-Person Classes Adult Acting I Adult Improv I Adult Illustration I Adult Caricature I Adult Stained Glass I Adult Medieval Martial Arts I Teen…

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, Ind. – Local mother and daughter, Stacey and Lexi Shannon, have released their first book together, “Connecting with Grace: A Mother and Daughter Shared Journal.” Stacey, a freelance journalist and blogger for nearly 20 years, and her tween daughter, Lexi, saw a need for a faith-based approach to a mother and daughter shared journal. So they decided to create one together. “Connecting with Grace,” which is now available on Amazon for $12, has 50 different writing prompts and 10 one-on-one activities to help bring moms and their daughters closer together. Topics include funny experiences, relationships,…

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, Ind.—Think “The Office” meets “A Christmas Carol,” told in the style of “This American Life.” That’s how Jennifer Blackmer describes this year’s IPR Radio Drama, broadcasting live at 8 p.m. Dec. 17 from Sursa Performance Hall at Ball State University. And she should know. She wrote it. Blackmer is a professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance and the Director of the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry, both at Ball State University. And she’s no stranger to the IPR Radio Drama. “I’ve been involved in the Radio Drama ever since I first directed…

By Dee McKinsey— Event Last Year Held Virtually Due to Concerns About COVID-19 MUNCIE, Ind.— In the spirit of the holiday season, 104.1 HD1 WLBC is again hosting its annual Christmas Ornament Smash where selected participants —104 of them — get to smash a Christmas ornament and win prizes. Those prizes can be gifts, money, or $3,000 to spend at Walls Furniture and Mattress in Muncie. Five lucky children will begin the event by each being given a special gift that Santa knows they want and elves bring from the North Pole. Ornament Smash will begin at 6 p.m., Dec….

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, Ind.—The toussled hair. The childlike grin and sparkle in his eyes. The spreading of Christmas Cheer by singing loud for all to hear. The, um, pointy shoes and hat. It’s hard to imagine a better fit for the holiday production of “Elf the Musical!” than Ashton Freeman.  “I’ve always been a kid at heart,” Freeman said. “Many friends said I would be a good fit for Buddy and encouraged me to try out for the role. Plus I do have the right hair for Buddy!”   Indeed. Muncie Civic Theatre will present “Elf the Musical!” Nov. 26-28,…

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind. — Muncie Symphony Orchestra is inviting families to ring in the holiday season during its Indiana Trust Pops Series “Holiday Pops” concert on Saturday, Dec. 4. “Holiday Pops” will feature a mix of modern and classic Christmas songs, including selections from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “The Polar Express,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “White Christmas,” and more. The show will also include a playing of the short film “The Snowman,” with live accompaniment by the orchestra. Muncie Symphony Orchestra will be joined onstage by Ball State voice faculty and accomplished opera performers Jon and Elizabeth…

By Pat the Roaming Southside Turkey— HELO! Menie of YOO have seen me OWT on 29th STReett. Gobble, Gobble! (Ok enough of that.) My name is Pat, and I’m a turkey. Yeah, I know that sounds like the introduction to a 12-step program for you humans who are trying to give up something that’s bad for you. But consider it my introduction to you and what has become something very good for me. I am referring to being Muncie’s famous roaming southside turkey. “Unless you are some stupid ostrich who’s had its head stuck in the sand all its life,…

By Rev. Dr. Daren Hofmann— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Ball State Opera Theatre in collaboration with First Presbyterian Church presents Amahl and the Night Visitors on December 3rd at 7:30pm and December 4th at 3pm. Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors is a retelling of the Nativity story and the journey of the Magi from the point of view of Amahl and his mother who are on the brink of poverty. Performed in English in one 45-minute act, the opera was originally written for television and premiered on Christmas Eve 1951. Each show will be presented in the sanctuary of…

By Dee McKinsey— MUNCIE, Ind. – The annual seasonal presentation of the Children’s Nutcracker is set for Dec. 16 -18 at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 E. Main in the E. B. Ball Auditorium. On-line tickets go on sale Dec. 1 at MuncieBallet.org. “The Children’s Nutcracker is a holiday classic and wonderful family holiday tradition,” said Lisa Love, president and CEO of the Muncie Ballet Studio. “It is classical music and dance performed by children for children.” The Children’s Nutcracker is loosely based on the E.T.A. Hoffmann fantasy story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, about a girl who befriends a…