News release from the Downtown Improvement District:
Downtown is the Place to Be the Last Saturday in June
Any weekend downtown can be entertaining for families but the Last Saturday in June is particularly busy. June 29 is a great day for walking with butterflies at the Botanical Conservatory, learning about Allen County history or picking up local produce at two farmer’s markets. There are several galleries to visit and new exhibits to explore.
Unity Performing Arts Foundation presents A Tribute to Michael Jackson & Whitney Houston featuring the World Champion Voices of Unity Youth Choir directed by Marshall White. A matinee show and evening concert are planned.
Families are invited to come early for Last Saturday activities to a free magic show at the downtown Allen County Public Library from 2 – 4 p.m. Magic of Fort Wayne features a meet and greet with Ronald McDonald, a magic show and a tribute to magician Dick Stoner and special performance by a local ventriloquist. After the show, guests are invited to parade down to BuskerFest for more fun. Children must be accompanied by a parent and seating is limited so guests are encouraged to sign-up on the DID website: .
The 4th Annual BuskerFest will take place just two blocks from the library at Wayne & Calhoun Streets, downtown Fort Wayne on June 29, from 4 – 10 p.m. The free festival offers unique performances, food and activities. Family-focused performers start the stage line-up and the evening ends with fire dancers and lively music. Promoting local artists, BuskerFest will engage audiences with random and unplanned acts scattered around the festival grounds including stilt-walkers, mimes, facepainting, artists, magicians, jugglers, musicians and unicyclists.
BuskerFest and Rock the Plaza at the Allen County Public Library take place at the same time. Visitors can walk the two blocks between the two free events. For Rock the Plaza, bring your lawn chairs, a blanket, or dance the night away to music from some of the areas best groups. Bands include: Phil’s Family Lizard and Pink Droyd.
Learn more and get the full schedule of activities online at www.DowntownFortWayne.com, or artsunited.org/. A list of activities is also included below.
The Cultural District of Fort Wayne is a hub of activity every weekend but the Last Saturday is purposely full of artistic experiences for a variety of interests. Along with Arts United, Visit Fort Wayne, and the City of Fort Wayne, the Downtown Improvement District continues the Last Saturdays concept as an opportunity to promote community arts and cultural assets. Last Saturdays attracts visitors downtown to experience diverse social, arts, and cultural opportunities every month.
Last Saturdays
June 29, 20131.) YLNI Barr Street Market
Market offers fresh and unique local produce, plants, meats, baked goods and homemade crafts in a cultural setting. The YLNI Barr Street Market also has live entertainment for shoppers. For Last Saturdays, the Market expands into Barr Street and has more artists and vendors for an exceptional experience.
9AM – 1PM
302 East Berry Street
https://www.ylni.org/2.) Fort Wayne Farmer’s Market
The FWFM offers a variety of producer only vendors – Farm and Garden, Home-based Food, Natural Products, and Crafters. They strive to find a balance and good mix of food and product for the consumer.
9AM – 1PM
Corner of Barr & Wayne Street
https://www.ftwaynesfarmersmarket.com/3.) Stoner’s Funstore
Dick Stoner will give free magic demonstrations and show children how to do some of the magic tricks he sells in his fun store.
9:30am- 1 pm.
FREE
funnygoofycrap.com4.) The History Center
Half price admission: $2.50 for adults; $1.50 for seniors and students; ages 2 and under and History Center members free
302 East Berry Street
www.fwhistorycenter.com
(260) 426-28825.) Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
Butterflies with an African Beat
The Conservatory’s annual live butterfly exhibit returns, bringing with it the music of Africa! Showy butterfly specimens from the Old and New World join species imported from tropical Africa to mesmerize visitors as they get a close look in our display tent.
10am-5pm
$5 Adults $3 Children (ages 3-17) Free ~ Children age 2 & under Members free
https://www.botanicalconservatory.org6.) Science Central
Wild Minds: What Animals Really Think
Animals are smarter than you think! In Wild Minds-What Animals Really Think, you will discover surprising and impressive thinking skills in a variety of animals.
Will offer half price admission!
10am to 5pm
Half Price Admission! $4.00 children and adults, $3.50 for seniors, free 2 and under.
1950 North Clinton Street
260-424-2400
www.sciencecentral.org7.) Pranayoga School of Yoga and Health
Yoga Basics
This class teaches the fundamentals of yoga. Focusing on alignment of Postures, breathing, and meditation/relaxation in a non-threatening format that is perfect for the beginner to roll out their welcome(yoga) MAT wherever they are in the present.
Noon – 1PM
218 Pearl Street
Pricing on website
https://www.pranayogaschool.com/8.) Allen County Public Library & Downtown Improvement District present: The Magic of Fort Wayne
Magic show honoring Dick Stoner featuring Ronald McDonald, Dick Stoner, Terry Owens and Magic Mary. Show concludes with a parade to BuskerFest.
2PM – 4PM
Downtown ACPL
Free
acpl-cms.wise.oclc.org9.) Downtown Improvement District presents: BuskerFest
A Celebration of the Street Performer! Come downtown to Wayne & Calhoun Streets and One Summit Square to enjoy a festival featuring street performers, magicians, fire dancers and buskers of all kinds. No act is too eccentric!
4PM – 10PM
Free
https://downtownfortwayne.com/buskerfest/10.) Arts United Center
Voices of Unity Youth Choir: Alive Again
Unity Performing Arts Foundation presents A Tribute to Michael Jackson & Whitney Houston featuring the World Champion Voices of Unity Youth Choir directed by Marshall White.
2PM and 7:30PM
TICKETS: $16 for Adults, $11 Seniors & students, $6 Children 12 & under
303 East Main St.
www.upaf.com11.) Artlink
-f-Stops Here: Photography Exhibit
– Fiber Invitational
12noon-6pm
Suggested donation $2
300 E Main St.
www.artlinkfw.com12.) Chihuly at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art
Chihuly: Secret Garden & The Chihuly Effect: Pushing the Boundaries of Studio Glass
Dale Chihuly has changed the face of glass design and inspired other artists during his long career. In two connected exhibitions, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art is able to showcase glass artwork not generally found outside of larger cities
This exhibition will require an extra $7 ticket above the normal admission charge for viewing.
311 East Main Street
www.fwmoa.org13.) Fort Wayne Museum of Art
– AFROS: A Celebration of Natural Hair by Michael July
-Brilliant Optics: A Spectrum of Mediums and Color
-America’s Spirit: Evolution of a National Style
-The Myth of the Avant Garde: American Styles at the End of the Century
311 East Main Street
$5 adults, $3 students, $10 families, free for members.
www.fwmoa.org14.) Rock the Plaza at the ACPL
Join the Allen County Public Library for Rock the Plaza each Saturday evening from June 1 through August 31. Bring your lawn chairs, a blanket, or dance the night away to music from some of the areas best groups.
Bands: Phils Family Lizard, Pink Droyd
6PM – 10PM
900 Library Plaza
FREE
acpl-cms.wise.oclc.org15.) Cinema Center
Midnight Movies Series: Evil Intent
Every Last Saturday, Cinema Center shows cult and genre films.
437 E Berry St
11:59pm
$5
260.426.3456 (FILM)
www.cinemacenter.org16.) Hall’s Gas House
Music by Joe Stabelli
6pm – 9pm
No cover
426-341117.) Music at Club Soda
Francie Zucco Quartet
9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
No cover
426-3442