• Indianapolis author Susan Neville and Bloomington poet Tony Brewer were recently honored with Lifetime Achievement and Literary Champion awards from the Indiana Authors Awards.
• Cumberland’s Blues, Beer & BBQ will be held on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 5-9 p.m. at 11623 E. Washington St. Enjoy free shows by the Blue Sky Dogs, Zach Day, and Gordon Bonham. There is food and beer available for purchase. There will be a second show on Sept. 28, so if you miss this one, you can catch it next month.
• The annual Cathy Thoman Memorial Howe/Irvington Block Party will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Irving Theatre and surrounding streets. Everyone is invited over for good food, music by Audio Diner, and more.
• Congratulations to the organizers and volunteers of the Irving Circle Concert Series. Every summer, these free concerts attract a nice crowd to listen to great music in a lovely neighborhood park. The last show of the season was Saturday, Aug. 17, and while a little rain fell, there was a beautiful rainbow afterwards. Hope to see everyone next year!
• The Indiana State Fair is now in the rearview mirror, and the winners of the Taste of Indiana competition were announced. First place went to Nitro Hog BBQ for their fried sugar biscuit n’BBQ with apple butter sauce. For the Toast of Indiana, Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard won Indiana Winery of the Year, and 4 Fingers Distillery in Indianapolis won Indiana Distillery of the Year. Circle City Whiskey Company won Best in Show for their straight rye whiskey. Congratulations to all the winners!
• If you are going to the Feast of Lanterns on Saturday, Aug. 24, you can park in the Circle City Industrial Complex lot off 10th St. or at Teachers’ Treasures parking lot at 10th near Woodruff Place. Nowland Ave. will be closed for the festival, as will Spades Park Library.
• East Side Art Club welcomes adults and seniors to a crafting session on Monday, Aug. 26 from 6-7 p.m. at the Warren Branch Library, located at 9701 E. 21st St. Bring your own supplies and enjoy an hour of sharing and creativity.
• The Fort Ben Farmers Market takes place on Thursdays from 4-7 p.m. at 8920 Otis Ave. Check out the local produce, baked goods, and more. Food trucks will be on site. While there, check out the Musical Swings!
• The Indiana Music History Project now has an audio kiosk at the gallery, located at Flanner & Buchanan on the lower level at 1305 Broad Ripple Ave. The gallery is open to the public Mon.-Fri. from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.and is chock full of memorabilia and other treasures.