The History Center recently announced the schedule for their 2024-25 George R. Mather Sunday Lecture Series.
Taking place on the first Sunday of each month, outside of December, at 2 p.m. at The History Center, 302 E. Berry St. The free series kicks off Sunday, Oct. 6, with Michael Wolf’s presentation, The 2024 Election in Context.
This lecture will highlight how the 2024 election is unique in many dramatic ways. That said, even the dramatic shifts highlight how the strange rules of our elections actually fit this year into long-term historical trends. Tracking the change and historical consistencies of the American electorate and political parties provides an important perspective of American democracy moving forward.
The rest of the series includes:
Nov. 3 — Andrew Downs: A Cautionary Tale of ‘Truth’ In Legislation
Jan. 5 — Nancy Carlson Dodd: Picturesque Lindenwood Cemetery
Feb. 2 — Roberta F. Ridley: His-Story, Our Story, and Fort Wayne
March 2 — Suzanne LaVere: Spectacles, Politics, and Patriotism: Cultural Uses of Joan of Arc in Fort Wayne and Beyond
April 6 — Curtis R. Sylvester: Genealogical Research Using Church Records
May 4 — Alec Johnson: History and Impact of Landscape Architecture in Fort Wayne
June 1 — Allison DePrey Singleton: Tracing the Paths: Indiana Migration and Discoveries.
Festival of Trees returns for 40th year
Embassy Theatre recently announced their popular fundraiser The Festival of Trees returns from Wednesday, Nov. 27, to Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Founded in 1984, Festival of Trees supports ongoing operational and restoration efforts for the Embassy Theatre Foundation.
Lobbies of Embassy Theatre and the former Indiana Hotel will transform into a wonderland of decorated trees of various sizes and shapes and a broad array of themes.
Admission includes visits with Santa (on various dates and times) and entertainment on stage including the Grande Page pipe organ as well as youth choirs, and dance performances.
Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. with pricing being the same as last year: $10/adult, $5/ages 1-12, and children under 1 are free.
The festival kicks off during Downtown Fort Wayne’s Night of Lights on Nov. 27 from 6-9 p.m., followed by 3-7 p.m. on Thanksgiving, with a screening of the 2018 animated film Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch at 4 p.m. The rest of the schedule is 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Monday, Nov. 29-Dec. 2, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday-Wednesday, Dec. 3-4.
Leadership change at Science Central
After 17 years, Martin Fisher has decided to step down as the executive director at Science Central.
Under Martin’s leadership, Science Central improved their financial situation while providing visitors across the region with fun, STEM-based hands-on educational experiences, improvements to the building and exhibits, and instituting regular traveling exhibitions.
“Our visitors and sponsors will be in good hands as Science Central moves forward,” Fisher said as he works with the board of directors on a replacement. “We have an incredibly skilled and talented staff who provide informal science education experiences to our visitors, a committed Board of Directors, and sponsors and partners who recognize our value to the cultural fabric of northeast Indiana.”
Local bands sought for annual Goldstock
The annual Goldstock music festival, put on by Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Gold Top Records, is accepting audition videos for a variety of talented musical acts.
Auditions are due by Friday, Oct. 4, from a diverse group of musicians (not limited by age, genre, or location). Original songs are not necessary but encouraged.
From the submissions, a team of judges will select four bands as well as up to 10 solo singer-songwriter acts to perform at the festival.
The festival date will be announced soon and will take place in late November to early December.
Submit your video to https://bit.ly/GTAuditions.
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