Entertainment

By Rick Zeigler— MUNCIE, IN—Critically acclaimed Americana/blues artist Cristina Vane and her band will be performing a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2026 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. This concert will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 8th  at Canan Commons (600 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. Locals Lovesick Moan will open the show. More than a mere practitioner of her craft, Cristina Vane has a breadth and depth of serious musical skill compiled from countless miles across all kinds of geography. On her third studio album ‘Hear My Call,’ the…

By J.R. Jamison— MUNCIE, IN — Every generation needs stories that remind us kindness still matters. That is the heart behind Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the production opening Muncie Civic Theatre’s 2026-2027 season, Creative Wonder Awaits, on Friday, Aug. 7. While audiences can expect dazzling sets and all the imaginative magic of Roald Dahl’s beloved classic, this production invites theatergoers to discover something even sweeter beneath the chocolate. At its center is Charlie Bucket, a young boy whose imagination and compassion ultimately prove more valuable than wealth or fame. In a world where cynicism often overshadows hope, the show’s…

By Amanda Holmquist, Executive Director, MDDP— MUNCIE, IN – Fire Up DWNTWN is celebrating five years of fire in downtown Muncie with even more excitement, featuring a lineup of brand-new attractions designed to send spirits soaring, get hearts racing, and give visitors even more reasons to join the celebration on Saturday, August 1, from noon to 10 p.m. Presented by Ivy Tech Muncie and produced by Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, the fifth annual festival will introduce model aircraft demonstrations, the first DWNTWN Duck Drop, a zip line, and an RC car racing demonstration. These new experiences will join a full…

By Rick Zeigler— MUNCIE, IN— 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 law firm Defur Voran and will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, July 25th  at Canan Commons (600 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. Locals Jerry Barker & the Onion Cutters will open the show. Pokey LaFarge’s previous appearances at Muncie Three Trails Music Series attracted some of the biggest crowds in our history, so we were anxious to have…

By Amanda Holmquist— MUNCIE, IN—Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 1, from noon to 10 p.m., as the 5th Annual Fire Up DWNTWN, presented by Ivy Tech Muncie and produced by Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, returns to downtown Muncie. The event is a free, full-day celebration for all ages featuring live music and entertainment on three stages, local food vendors, contests, games, and DWNTWN IDOL performances. The popular special shape hot air balloons return to fill the downtown skyline. Visitors can also enjoy tethered hot air balloon rides, get up close to balloon baskets, and experience the Balloon Glow Show…

By Rick Rick Zeigler— MUNCIE, IN— GRAMMY-winning bluegrass greats Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper will be performing a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2026 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. This concert is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County and will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, July 11th at Canan Commons (600 S. Walnut Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. The John Beatice Band will open the show. Widely considered the finest bluegrass fiddler of his generation, Michael Cleveland has been recognized 12 times as the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA)…

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN – This summer, Muncie is turning front porches into front-row seats. On Saturday, July 11, from 3 to 6 p.m., the Historic Old West End (OWE) will host the city’s first-ever Porch Parties, a free neighborhood music festival that transforms historic homes into one-of-a-kind concert venues and quiet streets into lively gathering places. Created to celebrate local music, our great neighborhoods, and community vibes, Porch Parties invites residents and visitors alike to stroll the streets, enjoy live performances from talented Muncie musicians – several of whom call the OWE home – and experience one of the city’s historic…

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— MUNCIE,  IN—The City of Muncie will celebrate America’s Independence Day with a number of spectacular fireworks performances. The official City of Muncie show will be aired by 104.1 HD1 WLBC and 104.9 WERK FM, with accompanying music, and will take place on the grounds of Muncie Central High School by the levee.  The show will kick off at 10 p.m. on  July 4th. There will be a mix of patriotic favorites with today’s family friendly music during the fireworks. There’s a special angle to the July 4th show at Muncie Central—a winner will be announced…

By Robin Insley—  CHANTILLY, VA —A rare original Bob Ross painting, Mountain Summit from Season 13, Episode 10 of The Joy of Painting, will be auctioned on June 30th with 100% of net proceeds to directly benefit WIPB-TV(Ball State PBS) in Muncie, Indiana.  The auction carries special significance as Bob Ross filmed 30 of 31 seasons at WIPB, making it the birthplace and long-time home of one of the most beloved television series in public television history. “Bob came to Muncie because WIPB welcomed him like family, and he gave them the key to sharing his special way of painting,…