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|  Thursday, July 31, 2008 |
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"The Merchant of Venice"
Aug. 2
White River State Park's Celebration Amphitheatre
Sometimes I go to an arts event or presentation and marvel at the amount of time and effort that has gone into making it happen. Then I try to forget those things because it really shouldn't matter to the audience how much time and effort has gone into something. What matters is the quality of what is delivered.
 So when you go to see Heartland Actors Repertory Theatre's free production of "The Merchant of Venice" (part of the White River State Park Family Arts Series), I encourage you not to think about how much time and effort the professional cast has put into creating this one-night-only, near-complete-text performance of one of William Shakespeare's most-referenced (but less often produced) plays.
Even the uninitiated know that it concerns the moneylender Shylock and his demand of a pound of flesh. Find out the rest when the classic is brought to life by some of Indy's best actors - including Chuck Goad, Ryan Artsberger and Diane Timmerman.
The show starts at 8 p.m. Arrive early for a good blanket space. For details, click here.
"De-Lovely"
Aug. 1
Indiana Historical Society
When Indy thinks summer outdoor movies, it tends to think Indianapolis Museum of Art.
But the Indiana Historical Society has its own outdoor summer movie series, which runs from the beginning of August through mid-September. The choices here tend to be more Turner Classic Movies than cult cool - and they all have a Hoosier connection. The Aug. 8 choice, "Citizen Kane," for instance, was edited by Indiana's own Robert Wise. Sept. 12 brings "My Favorite Wife," which stars Hoosier Irene Dunne. And Sept. 19 is the date for perhaps our most famous Hollywood-connected native son, James Dean, in "Rebel Without a Cause."
This week, to kick off the series, the IHS offers the 2004 musical "De-Lovely" - and there's a double local hit: Kevin Kline (who performed on stage at the Brown County Playhouse in his much-younger days) stars as Indiana's own Cole Porter.
Admission is free - unless you want to reserve a table. For details, click here.
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Toby Keith
Aug. 2
Verizon Wireless Music Center
Known for a string of country hits, including "How Do You Like Me Now," "High Maintenance Woman" and "Ford Truck Man," (guess who's a sponsor of the concert tour?) Toby Keith also is taking a stab at the acting world. His latest film, the comedy "Beer for My Horses," is due in theaters Aug. 8.
In the meantime, Keith will be doing what he does best. No, I don't mean feuding with the Dixie Chicks (Yes, he was the TK on Natalie Maines'
FUTK T-shirt).
Montgomery Gentry opens the show.
For details, click here.
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| "Book It"
Aug. 1-30
Harrison Center for the Arts
Literature is, of course, an art form. But what about books themselves?
 This exhibition makes that case. And, like all Harrison Center openings, its first evening always includes far more than just the work.
In addition to artists' books, the Aug. 1 opening includes a presentation by book art dealers Bill and Vicki Stewart (find more info on them here) and a talk by IU professor Tony White. Want to go hands-on? Visit the Harrison Center gymnasium for some interactive, scrapbooking-esque creative time.
For details on the show, click here.
Melissa Etheridge
July 31
Clowes Memorial Hall
Melissa Etheridge may be one of the best-known singers in America whose songs you can't really recall. Oh, sure, there was "Come to My Window," which earned her a second Grammy for Best Female Rock Performance in 1994. But how many of you remember the name of the song that won her an Academy Award in 2007?
That's not to slight her music at all. It's to say that, if you like her sound, there will be a lot to expose yourself to when she comes to Clowes Hall this week.
Another plus: With most students not yet at Butler, finding a spot in the parking lot will be a little easier than at most Clowes concerts.
For details on the show, click here.
Oh, and Etheridge won her Oscar for "I Need to Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth."
This week's contest
 Want to see "The Producers" at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre on opening night, Aug. 9? Of course you do.
We're giving away a pair of tickets to the Indiana regional theater premiere of the award-winning Mel Brooks musical. And all you have to do for a chance to win is enter here. We'll pull one name at random.
Just to make things interesting, in the response box, tell us your favorite moment from a Mel Brooks movie.
Your response won't help you win, but next week we'll offer a link to our favorite responses. For more information on the show, click here.
By the way, last week we offered a pair of tickets to the see jazz artist Brian Culbertson at the Madame Walker Theatre. The winner? Cindy Dashnaw. We also asked you to tell us something you think is funky. Your responses are here.
Oh, and make sure to visit www.ibj.com/arts for previews, reviews, blogs and video.
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"The Merchant of Venice." Don't be shy(lock). 
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