Did You Hear About: Henry, Ailey and 50 Years of BRAF

I don't know about you, but I'm excited to have the Northern Hemisphere finally see the arrival of consistently warm weather, bringing with it the promise of sunnier days and, hopefully, happier times. What with all the global, cultural and economic problems currently weighing us down and keeping our anxiety cranked up to 11, we could certainly use a little more joy, fun and celebration to remind us of what matters most and to help keep us going.

So in the spirit of keeping us going, I bring you 3 outstanding arts-related endeavors to add to your social calendar and give you a bit of a boost when you need it most.

Let's dive in, shall we ...

Harrington is Henry V

Although Broadway is back and my love of theater will never die, the price tag to see some of the most captivating tales and shiniest stars on stage has not caught up to the current state of my wallet. So while MacBeth, Beetlejuice and The Music Man aren't doing Rush or Lottery tickets in an effort to recoup the financial losses of the past 2 years, you can find access to great theater via other methods.

Enter Donmar Warehouse.

I waxed effusive about Donmar's recent production available online in a previous blog post, so I'm happy to see them maintaining that desire for accessibility to great theater as our "new" normal tries to offer some semblance of ... well, normalcy. So last time, it was the revival of Constellations with an all-star cast. This time, it's Shakespeare's Henry V featuring Kit Harrington, Jude Akuwudike, Seumas Begg, and Anoushka Lucas, to name a few.

But instead of watching from home, this time you'll need to venture out to the other kind of theater and watch a great play on the big screen. That's right. On June 2nd, Donmar Warehouse's modern adaptation of the Bard's most beloved Henry will appear on silver screens internationally.

Unfortunately, then it becomes a matter of finding a theater near you that is showing this grand work, but if you're like me, you know it will be worth your while. After you've had the pleasure of seeing productions like Frankenstein come across the pond in a theatrical release and blow your mind, high expectations are where it's at.

50 Years at the Broad Ripple Art Fair

Yeah, I know I no longer call Indianapolis home, but what can I say? I love a good art fair, and since Broad Ripple was my old stomping ground for years, I cannot not feel compelled to cheer them on.

That's right! The Broad Ripple Art Fair is taking place this upcoming weekend of May 14 - 15 in my hometown, and it promises to be quite the shindig. The usual activities abound: great art for sell and showcase, amazing food & drinks to devour, a cavalcade of live music curated by the Indy Jazz Fest, and good times for all.

As a former volunteer, I know how much work goes into organizing this event, so I am sincerely bummed that I won't be able to be there in person to see it in all of its golden anniversary glory. Kicking off on Friday night with a special preview party, art lovers can gather at the Indianapolis Art Center to marvel, adore and purchase works by over 150 local, regional, and national artists.

Adult tickets are only $20 in advance and $25 at the door, but the VIP Full Weekend ticket for $150 comes with all the bells and whistles of the Preview Party, VIP Parking Pass, VIP Deck Pass, and both Saturday and Sunday access.

But if any of those price tags are wee bit too hefty for you at this time, you can always do what I used to do and volunteer to help at the fair. Each volunteer gets to enjoy the fair for free after they help out -- along with a T-shirt and some pretty cool memories to take home with you.

Ailey at Lincoln Center

So you love visual art and theater, but you say you're more in the mood for performing art that combines the beauty of music with the majesty of movement. Well, have I got just the thing for you!

This June, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns with four captivating programs that serve up just what we need when we need it. Over the course of 4 days, visitors and residents of the tri-state area can take in the brilliance of Ailey's artistic legacy while embracing the ingenuity of Ailey's newest works that promise to amplify the voices of a younger generation. From June 15 - 19, enjoy the creativity of one of the world's most renowned dance companies all within the treasured halls of Lincoln Center.

Experience the best of modern dance, from 20th-century masters Alvin Ailey and Paul Taylor to bold contemporary creators Aszure Barton, Resident Choreographer Jamar Roberts, and Artistic Director Robert Battle. As an added treat, all performances end with Alvin Ailey’s Revelations.

The price tag for the Thursday night gala is a bit steep (the lowest price is $750), but for those of us who prefer to pas de chat instead of hob knob, tickets to the actual dance performances are indeed a bargain. For as little as $29, you can welcome the return of Ailey to one of New York's most beloved artistic spaces all in the name of long-overdue joy, fun and celebration.

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