The Bloomington Early Music Festival will be held May 22-27 in a variety of locations. And the concerts are free. Free, I tell you.
Some will be glorious. You really should avail yourself of at least one of the 14 concerts and six workshops representing nine centuries of music-making.
OK, I will admit madrigals are probably my favorite, I was in my Indianapolis high school’s (Broad Ripple) small madrigals choir, and wish I still were. But early music is just so freaking splendid. And this year, many talented women, who have been secreted away for centuries, will get noticed.
Talented women in early times “were largely hidden, washed over, ignored,” said Suzanne Ryan Melamed, president of the Bloomington Early Music board of directors.
Growing up Hoosier: Brittany Ford continuing family’s legacy with standout softball season
If you’re worried that the festival is too highbrow for you, Melamed mentioned a lack of concert halls. Nary a one is on the schedule, she said, and I heard pride in her voice over the phone: “It’s not going to be uptight with everyone wearing black.”
Bloomington Early Music is offering too many programs for me to include all of them. I urge you to look at the website’s schedule at bloomingtonearlymusic.com. But here are a couple I will attend.
Dancing on the Square workshop is 2-4 p.m. May 23 on the courthouse lawn. “Party like it’s 1799!” says the marketing material.
I’m gonna. Why? Because, as the website suggests, I would like to know how to “succeed in 18th-century British society.” I have daguerreotypes of my British great-great-grandmother with her identical twin. They were born in 1801. So, really, 1799 isn’t that long ago. I’m looking forward to the “wild Highland reels and Georgian country dancing in a rocking historical dance party” on the Monroe County Courthouse lawn,100 W. Kirkwood Ave.
For those less inclined toward frolicking (like my dear husband) there’s: Sword Fighting & Other Theatrical Wonders workshop 2-4 p.m. May 24. Attendees will grab their foam swords and slash away, guided by a certified, professional stage combat instructor. Presented along with Stages Bloomington, this is at Lotus Education and Arts Foundation Firebay, 105 S. Rogers St.
In-person concerts will be livestreamed, and virtual concerts will be available for streaming until June 4.
More in music: ‘Someday Soon’ Judy Collins will perform at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Educational workshops are designed for kids, but those younger than age 9 should have an accompanying adult. The one exception that is not for kids: 21+ Tavern Hopping Through Time, 5 p.m. May 27 at Cardinal Spirits, 922 S Morton St.
For people who need better Wi-Fi connections to see streamed programs, the festival has thought of you, too. All virtual concerts will be screened at the Monroe County Public Library, 303 Kirkwood Ave., in Room 2A at the scheduled release time.
WHAT: Bloomington Early Music Festival 2022: Celebrating Women in Early Music
WHEN and WHERE: May 22-27. See website: bloomingtonearlymusic.com/festival22schedule.
MORE: Find the festival info at bloomingtonearlymusic.com and at facebook.com/blemf.
