15 things to do in the Evansville area this weekend

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — This weekend and into next week is packed full of things to do in the Evansville area. There's a blues festival, a number of art exhibits opening up, wrestling, Juneteenth celebrations and even a prom.

1. W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival

The 28th annual W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival continues through Saturday with music and events scheduled through the day in Downtown Henderson.

There are 17 different bands slated to play with highlights including Zydeco night Thursday featuring Cajun music and food, Delbert McClinton, Dawn Tyler Watson Band, the Street Strut Parade and more for this all-free festival.

2. Music in the Park featuring Monte Skelton

The summer "Music in the Park" concert series kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday at Aikin Park Thursday night with Monte Skelton.

The concerts, sponsored by Vectren, are the second and fourth Thursday of June, July and August at six Evansville parks. The concerts feature live music and food and beer trucks and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and beverages for this family-friendly event.

3. A Visual Journey: From AIDS to Marriage Equality reception

The opening reception for A Visual Journey: From AIDS to Marriage Equality is 6 p.m. Thursday at the Evansville Museum with photographer Mark A. Lee present. The exhibit will be on display through June 27.

The traveling exhibition from the Indiana Historical Society celebrates 30 years of LGBT history as seen through the lens of Lee, an Indianapolis photographer. His photographs give visitors a front row seat to events, both public and private, that shaped the lives of many Hoosiers. It documents members of the AIDS community, past and present Bag Ladies, members of Pride and those who fought for marriage equality as well as paying tribute to some.

The reception is free and open to the public.

4. Art in Bloom

A two-day special exhibit, Art in Bloom, pairs works from the permanent collection at the Evansville Museum with live floral displays created by the area’s leading designers to interpret the individual works of art.

As part of Art in Bloom, the Museum Guild will host a tea at 11:30 a.m. Friday as a fundraising for the museum. Throughout the weekend there are a number of activities for all ages with awards for the exhibit given on Sunday.

For more details or about the exhibit visit evansvillemuseum.org/art-in-bloom.

5. The Painted Ladies opening reception

The newest exhibit at the Rumjahn Gallery features the work of six female artists — "The Painted Ladies."

The reception, from 5-8 p.m. Friday at the gallery at 310 Main St., features Sandy Barry, Jan Frazier, Iris Gentry, Cathe Hedgespeth, Marka Kroeger and Susie Rideout. The topics range from landscapes to portraits to still life scenes.

6. Bowling for Rhinos

Join zookeepers and Mesker Park Zoo staff in raising money to donate to rhino habitat conservation during Bowling for Rhinos from 6-9 p.m. Friday.

In addition to the bowling, at River City Recreation at 1050 S. Weinbach Ave., there will be a silent auction.

Tickets are $15 to $25 and available at Eventbrite.com.

7. 'Novem' screening

'Novem' is part of the WNIN Independent Film series in their new The Old National Public Theatre. Tickets for the two showings — 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday — are $10 and available at onpublictheatre.org/.

The film, which has won 14 film festival awards, tells the story of the music and experiences of a group of nine college students in 1973 after seven of the nine were killed.

8. WWE presents NXT Live

The Old National Events Plaza’s Exhibit Halls on Friday will be the site of WWE presents NXT Live. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Tickets are $23-$78 available online, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or at the Old National Events Plaza box office.

9. Fishing Derby

Audubon State Park's Fishing Derby is open to children 5-16 at the Henderson state park from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Three age-specific division groups will offer prizes for the biggest fish, smallest fish and most numerous caught. There will be a limited number of poles to use. Bait and prizes will be provided.

10. Franklin Street Bazaar

The opening day of the Franklin Street Bazaar is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday on the West Branch Library Lawn. The bazaar includes local farmers, artisians, crafters, food and live music.

Yoga is 9-9:45 a.m. Saturday on the lawn.

11. Juneteenth celebration

The Evansville African American Museum is hosting their Juneteenth celebration from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. The event is free for members and the cost of admission for others.

The day commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas and the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans throughout the former Confederacy of the southern U.S. It will include educational programs, food, fellowship and other activities.

12. Lyles Station Juneteenth Celebration

Lyles Station to Celebrate Juneteenth program is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Lyles Station Historic School & Museum -- one of the last remaining African American pioneer settlements in Indiana -- will celebrate the day with guest speaker Brandon Ragland, live music and food.

The event is free and open to the public. The Museum will be open for tours with paid admission. The Lyles Consolidated School is located 4 miles west of Princeton, Indiana, at the intersection of County Roads 100 N and 500 W. For more information, call 812-385-2534.

13. Pageantry in the Park

The Evansville Chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism hosts their annual Medieval Fair — Pageantry in the Park — at Wesselman Park from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The public is invited to step back in time and see armored knights battle for the honor of fair ladies. The Fair is free to the public and will include demonstrations of armored combat on foot by knights and men-at-arms, as well as swashbuckling fencing from the Renaissance.

14. Remember the Time, The Adult Prom

Looking for a chance to dress to impress? The Adult Prom is giving grown-ups a chance to redo their senior prom from 7 p.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Ramada Henderson, 2044 U.S. 41.

Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple for the 21-and-over event. The event is a "formal, red carpet affair where you can experience prom for your first time ever or relive your prom all over again." A prom king and queen will be crowned along with a prize for the best-dressed couple.

15. Evansville Symphonic Band

The Evansville Symphonic Band, conducted by Kim Fillingim and guest conductor David Smith, Superintendent of EVSC, will present its third concert of the season "Celebrating Our Heritage," at 7 p.m. Sunday in Central High School's auditorium.

Bonus items

Evansville Dust Bowl 2018

The annual basketball tournament -- Evansville Dust Bowl -- hosted by Young & Established and the Evansville Police Department is Monday through Saturday at the CK Newsome Center.

Organizers say the event provides a positive and safe environment for both youth and families to gather. It will include vendors, entertainment, giveaways, prizes and other activities.

For information regarding, volunteering, vendors, donations, registering teams, or sponsorships email youngxestablished@gmail.com.

Willard Midnight Madness

The genealogical event Midnight Madness is Monday through June 22 at Willard Library. It is five days and five nights of workshops, entertainment and research at Willard Library. All events are free and open to the public.