First Friday, Ed Asner, and more on A&E priority list

I'll be out of town this weekend. Make me jealous and check out one or more of these offerings.

Spirit & Place Festival

A smart move to kick off this year’s Spirit & Place Festival (a festival that, even after 19 years, folks still have trouble wrapping their minds around): A “Taking it All-In” opening-night event coinciding with IDADA’s First Friday. The event, held at Old City Hall, features music, food, beer, prizes and activities around the site. There’s also a chance to take a 15-minute cruise on the Transit Center Graffiti Bus—with surprises promised while on board. Other Spirit & Place activities this week include Billy Mills, the 1964 Olympic medalist and subject of the 1983 film “Running Brave,” Nov. 8 at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art; the pairing of singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer and writer Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso Nov. 8 at the Christian Theological Seminary; and a talk from Rev. Dr. Clarence Newsome, CEO of the National Underground Railroad Museum Nov. 8 at the Indiana Interchurch Center. Nov. 7-16 Various locations Details

First Friday

IDADA’s art openings around town include “New Paintings by Kyle Ragsdale” (Nov. 7-28 Harrison Center) featuring the Indianapolis artist whose work seems to be everywhere these days—on billboards, on Indiana Repertory Theatre’s posters, and, here, in an exhibition of new work at his home base, the Harrison Center. Meanwhile, Gallery 924 is transformed into a kind of fish bowl, blurring the lines between viewing and being viewed in “Do You Remember, the Fish? No, I Remember the Ice Cream” (Nov. 7-28), an installation by Michael Helsley. Various locations Details

Fall Chautauqua

Why am I suggesting you head out to Greensburg? Because actor Ed Asner is the special guest for Greensburg High School’s Fall Chautauqua. And that’s not all. Other speakers include Dr. George Wellington, founding member of the singing group The Wellingtons; baseball legend Carl Erskine; and Lauren Chapin of TV’s “Father Knows Best.” Greenfield High School Nov. 6-7 Details

Also this week

Actors Theatre of Indiana offers the local premiere of the show-biz musical comedy “Pete ‘n‘ Keeley” Nov. 7-23 at the Studio Theatre. Details

The Indiana State Museum celebrates one of the most acclaimed artists identified with the Hoosier Group in “William Forsyth: Only the Strong Persist,” Nov. 8-March 29. Details

George Benson plays the Palladium Nov. 9. Details

The interactive “Follow the North Star” program, in which patrons become fugitives along the Underground Railroad, returns to Conner Prairie Nov. 6-22. Details

“Last Comic Standing Comics” bring their stand-up to the Egyptian Room Nov. 6. Details

Alan Thicke hosts “Dancing Pros Live!” Nov. 8 at the Murat Theatre. “An Irish Christmas” follows with an early visit Nov. 9 Details .

Red Wanting Blue performs at the Vogue Nov. 8. Details

Central Indiana Dance Ensemble’s “A Night at the Barre” fundraiser Nov. 8 at the Indiana Design Center includes company dancers as well as performances by the Camerata Symphony Orchestra. Details

Sports Illustrated senior writer George Dohrmann speaks at the University of Indianapolis Schwitzer Student Center Nov. 12. Details