The city’s first Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area officially opened in downtown Fort Wayne just in time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Sunday, May 5. 

A DORA allows patrons to purchase alcoholic beverages from authorized vendors and retail outlets to carry and consume them inside the DORA boundaries. 

The downtown DORA generally extends along Calhoun Street and Harrison Street between Promenade Park and Parkview Field, and includes most nearby restaurants within a block of the corridor. 

Signage containing a map of the DORA is posted throughout the district and at its boundaries. Signage is also visible in the proposed designated retail permittee and vendor locations. 

Participating businesses and vendors include The Landing, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, PNC Plaza, JK O’Donnell’s, Dash-In, 816 Pint & Slice, Tolon, Copper Spoon, The Sidecar, Mercado, Papi’s Pizza, Nawa, Proximo, teds Snack + Bar, Night Train, Dana’s, Bistro Nota, The Porch Off Calhoun, and Marquee.

A second DORA is awaiting city approval for the Electric Works campus.

Broadway at The Embassy season unveiled

If you can’t make it to Broadway, Embassy Theatre is bringing Broadway to you.

The Embassy recently announced their 2024-25 Broadway at The Embassy season, beginning Oct. 1-2 with Ain’t Too Proud: The Life & Times of The Temptations.

The season continues with the Tony-winning Best Musical Chicago the Musical on Dec. 10-11, Hadestown and its Grammy-winning album on Feb. 18-19, the Tony-winning Best Musical Dear Evan Hansen on March 21-22, and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical on May 27-28, 2025.

Packages for renewing subscribers have already begun. New subscriptions will be available Monday, July 8, at fwembassytheatre.org/broadway or by visiting their box office. Sale dates for individual shows will be announced at a later date.

“The new season offers rich diversity, a little classic Broadway, and newer shows never seen in this region,” said Embassy President and CEO Kelly Updike.

Headwaters Park hosts ’90s Night

On Saturday, May 11, ’90s Night returns to Headwaters Park from 7:30 p.m. to midnight for those 21 and older. 

The event will feature live music from Under the Covers and DJ Trend will play your favorite ’90s hits. There will also be food trucks, a full bar, beer pong, cornhole and flip cup, as well as a $100 prize for best outfit. 

Colts gauge interest in girls flag football

The Indianapolis Colts and USA Football are willing to provide financial and logistical backing for PAL to start a girls flag football league this fall. 

 However, prior to this investment, they are requesting how many people would be interested in signing up.

 If  you or somebody you know has a daughter who would be interested, you may fill out a form at https://forms.gle/wQdEFpBAUmQgKttW9.

Fort Wayne in Bloom competition returns

Experience the beginning of the warmer seasons during the fourth annual Fort Wayne in Bloom: Nature’s Awakening, a spring window decorating contest presented by Downtown Fort Wayne. 

Downtown businesses can embrace  nature’s awakening by incorporating elements such as birds, butterflies, and greenery into their window displays. 

There will be two juried categories: Most Thematic and Best “Instagrammable Window.” There will also be a People’s Choice winner based on online votes. You can vote at downtownfortwayne.com/bloom. 

Winners will receive a Downtown Fort Wayne Yiftee Gift Card. Each voter will also be entered to win a Downtown Yiftee gift card, but just one vote per IP address. Voting ends Sunday, May 19, and winners will be announced by Friday, May 24. 

Fire & Light present Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof tells a beautiful story of family and tradition. 

Fire & Light Academy’s high school troupe performs the show 7 p.m. May 16-18, plus a 2 p.m. matinee on May 18, at USF Robert Goldstine Center, 431 W. Berry Street. 

Tickets are available at tickets.artstix.org.

News and Venues covers Northeast Indiana’s music and arts organizations, venues, and colleges, from large to small. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.