TODAY
FADING LIGHT: Get out for a first or last look at two art exhibits exploring light because they will go dark after Sunday at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, 311 E. Main St. The exhibits are “The Quiet Light: Photography by Dayne Bonta,” and “Ida Lorentzen: Places and Spaces 2012.”
Hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. today. Hours other days are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (except open until 8 p.m. Thursdays), and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Members can enter one hour earlier Tuesday-Saturday.
Admission is free today. Regular admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kindergarten-college students, $10 for families, and free for museum members and military personnel and their families. Admission is also free every Thursday and Sunday. For more information call 422-6467 or go to www.fwmoa.org.
FRIDAY
JAZZ IT UP: Enjoy the evening air and the big band-style jazz of the New Millennium Jazz Orchestra when it performs 6:30-8:30 p.m. by the fountain at Jefferson Pointe shopping mall, West Jefferson Boulevard and Illinois Road. Admission is free.
LADIES' NIGHT: The amazing women musicians of Cherish the Ladies will play a range of Irish music at 8 p.m. at Foellinger Outdoor Theatre, 3411 Sherman Blvd.
Originally formed in 1985 for a series of concerts saluting the rise of female musicians in a previously male-dominated Irish music scene, the group has continued on its own, producing more than a dozen albums. Led by whistle and flute player Joanie Madden, the band has played at Foellinger theater a few times previously — to the delight of area Celtic music fans.
Admission is $12. Tickets are available at www.fortwayneparks.org, 427-6000, or 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays at the Parks & Recreation Department office, 705 E. State Blvd.
BLAST FROM THE PAST: The music of Motown, early rock and disco share the spotlight with a solid story as the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre's production of “Dreamgirls” continues at 8 p.m. at the Arts United Center, 303 E. Main St.
The musical follows a group of young women, “The Dreams,” who are trying to break into the music scene in the '60s. Additional shows are 8 p.m. Saturday and Aug. 10 and 11; and 2 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 12.
Cost is $26 adults, $18 age 23 and under; $22 Sunday senior matinees. Tickets are available at the Arts United Center box office noon-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday, as well as one hour before show time. Or call 424-5220 or buy tickets online at www.fwcivic.org.
SATURDAY
COUNTRY CELEBRATION: The duo Montgomery Gentry headlines the music lineup for the Country Fest '12 concert at Headwaters Park, Clinton and Superior streets. Also scheduled to perform are Lee Brice, Colt Ford, Dustin Lynch, Jana Kramer, Due West and Maggie Rose.
Gates open at 1 p.m.; the music starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are $17.50 each in advance for ages 4 and older. Admission will be $25 the day of show, if any tickets are left. Last year's event sold out. One child age 3 and younger gets in free with each paying adult.
Tickets are available through Glenbrook Hyundai, Schaefer's Indiana Turf, The Neon Armadillo, Lucky Harley Davidson, Radio station WQHK, K-105.1-FM, or at www.ticketmaster.com.
To read our interview with Colt Ford, turn to Pages 8-9T.
FUN'S BREWIN': Sample craft beer from more than 45 breweries during the Brew Haven 2012 festival from 2-6 p.m. at Trion Tavern, 503 Broadway St. in New Haven. Members of the MASH Fort Wayne home brewing club also are expected to bring at least 50 of their own handcrafted beers.
Advance tickets are $35 and include unlimited samples, a souvenir glass, a meal and water. VIP packages for $60 include all of the standard ticket privileges, plus entry an hour before the public, a commemorative Brew Haven 2012 T-shirt and a glass-holding lanyard. Designated Driver tickets for $5 include a meal and unlimited soft drinks.
Tickets are available at the Trion Tavern (cash only) and online at www.brownpapertickets.com.
ROCK IT: Little Logan and the Instigators, Frankly Scarlet, Plaxton and the Void and Krimsha perform 6-10 p.m. in a free Rock The Plaza concert outside the Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza.
SUNDAY
AMAZING STORY: Author William Heath will discuss the life of William Wells during a free lecture at 2 p.m. at The History Center, 302 E. Berry St. Heath, who also will hold a book signing, wrote the novel “Blacksnake's Path: The True Adventures of William Wells.”
Heath spent 12 years researching the life of Wells, who was captured by the Miami Nation of Indians in 1784 at age 13 and who spent the rest of his life moving between Native Americans and the U.S. government. He died during the Fort Dearborn Massacre in 1812.
A Miami Indian Heritage Days event 1-4 p.m. Saturday will feature local Miami tribe member Katrina Mitten demonstrating Native American bead work. The event will take place at the Chief Richardville House, 5705 Bluffton Road, which this spring was designated a National Historic Landmark.
Admission for Saturday's Miami Heritage Days event is $7, adults; $5, students and seniors ages 59 and older; and free, ages 2 and younger. Admission includes the chance to visit the Chief Richardville House.
WEDNESDAY
UNDER THE BIG TOP: Enjoy the antics and animal acts as the Piccadilly Circus performs shows Wednesday through Aug. 12 in the parking lot at Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave.
This edition of the circus is called BLAST!, and it includes plenty of comedy along with circus thrills, it says on the coliseum website, www.memorialcoliseum.com.
Acts scheduled to perform include the world's largest herd of performing camels; a 9,000-pound Asian elephant that rolls along on top of a ball; dancing zebras; acrobats; motorcycle daredevils; and more. People can come early to enjoy a fun zone with elephant, camel and pony rides, as well as a free petting zoo.
Show times are 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Aug. 10; 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11; and 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m. Aug. 12.
Ticket prices range from $8-$48, with a Pizza Family Fun pack available for $60 only on Wednesday and Aug. 9. Tickets are available at www.thefuncircus.com or at 1-877-373-0477. Tickets are not available through Ticketmaster or the coliseum ticket office. Parking is $4, main lot, and $8, preferred lot.
