Priority list includes Summer Celebration concerts, film fest picks, James Taylor, more

Two major festivals and a legend in concert top the list this week. Enjoy.

Indy Film Festival.

As I said in my annual preview of the fest, “When you go to a multiplex to see a movie, chances are you’ve seen trailers, heard gossip or stars being interviewed on late-night TV, watched commercials, and/or read a bunch of reviews so you know if it’s ‘supposed to be good.’ When you go to a film festival, there’s a good chance you know little about the movie choices except a brief description in the program, a single still, and perhaps whatever you can distill from poster art (if there is a poster). For some, that might sound like a bad thing. But in an over-marketed movie world, ignorance can be, if not blissful, at least part of the excitement.” For some picks to get you started on your fest adventure, check out my full column here. Opening night film, July 16, is “Sleeping with Other People” starring Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie.

Indianapolis Museum of Art, July 16-26  Details

Summer Celebration

Music from Patti LaBelle, The Isley Brothers, and Backstreet, an artists and authors market, a spoken word café, a business conference, an employment fair, a luncheon honoring Anthony Anderson (TV’s “Black-ish”), Reggie Wayne, and Proctor & Gamble CIO Linda W. Clement-Holmes, a family fun zone, speakers including Hill Harper (“CSI: NY”) and Leigh Anne Tuohy (who was played by Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”), and an exhibition hall packed with booths are just part of the long list of events included in this year’s Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. 

Various locations    Through July 19    Details

James Taylor

“Fire & Rain.” “Carolina in My Mind.” “Sweet Baby James.” “Handy Man.” “How Sweet It Is.” “Shower the People.” “Mexico.” James Taylor has a lot to choose from when building a set for a concert. And he’s still making more music—and finding audiences. Consider that Taylor didn’t land a number one album on the U.S. charts until this year when, after 45 years of hit-making, his new recording, “Before This World” scored the top slot (ahead of whippersnappers Hilary Duff, Adam Lambert, and Nate Ruess). Expect both old and new to make the mix when he returns to Noblesville.

Klipsch Music Center   July 15   Details

Also this week

The West Central Quartet is the musical guest for Animals and All That Jazz, July 16 at the Indianapolis Zoo.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art screens “Shaun of the Dead” July 17.

On July 17, the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library hosts a Q&A with film producer/writer Bob Weide to launch the opening of an exhibition dedicated to Vonnegut's "Mother Night."

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” at Conner Prairie Amphitheatre July 17-18.

The David Sanborn Electric Band plays the Palladium July 17.

Josh Kaufman offers a concert as part of the Indiana Derby Festival at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino July 16.

Bassist Victor Wooten, winner of five Grammy awards, performs at the Jazz Kitchen on July 17-18.

Paris Combo returns to the Cabaret at the Columbia Club July 15.

The 1936 film“Things to Come” is screened July 18 at Garfield Park Arts Center with post-show commentary by Eric Grayson.

800 lb Gorilla, Sam Law, and I Dream in Evergreen perform at the third annual Jorgstock festival, July 18, at the Eiteljorg Museum.

Dave Matthews Band takes over Klipsch Music Center for two shows July 17-18.