Priority list includes Fountain Square hip-hop festival, Start with Art, more

Mandy Gonzalez

She was supposed to co-host Yuletide Celebration last year. But the actress/singer got called away to star in “Hamilton” on Broadway. Now, though, the star of “In the Heights” and a former Elphaba in “Wicked” is back for a double header. Not only will she be performing at the Cabaret on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, she’ll also provide the keynote for the Start with Art luncheon on Sept. 1. Aug. 31-Sept. 1  Indiana Landmarks Center Details

Chreece

Filling venues around Fountain Square, this hip-hop festival is back for a third year. More than 50 artists fill out the schedules, including Flaco and Ghost Gun Summer at the Hi Fi, Mathalus Young and Trajik at Pioneer, Clint Breeze and The Groove at the White Rabbit, and a full lineup beginning at 2 p.m. at Fountain Square Plaza. Aug. 26 Various locations Details

IDADA First Friday

With the Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association disbanding at the end of the year, we have yet to see how First Friday will be transformed. For now, the group has linked together another set of gallery openings for a one-night art hop. Offerings this time include a contemporary glass show at Gallery 924, “Controlled Chaos: Paintings Without a Brush” at Five Seasons Studio & Gallery, and “Flava Fresh 14,” featuring works by 50 contemporary artists, at the Indiana Landmarks Center Sept. 1  Various locations  Details

Also this week

Donald Fagen and the Nightflyers perform Aug. 28 at the Murat.

“Purple Veins,” a Prince tribute band, plays Conner Prairie Amphitheatre Aug. 31-Sept. 1. Zoso, a Led Zeppelin imitator, takes over Sept. 2-3.

Mr. Daniel leads to participatory concert designed for kids 1-7 at the Palladium Sept. 2.

Deep Purple and Alice Cooper team up for a Klipsh Music Center show on Aug. 30 while Lifehouse and Switchfoot make up the double bill at the Lawn at White River State Park.

John Mayer headlines Klipsch Music Center on Sept. 3.

Comic Nicole Byer, star of the MTV series “Loosely Exactly Nicole,” plays the Comedy Attic in Bloomington Sept. 1-2.