Purdue Fort Wayne has released their upcoming season, and it includes a fun and eclectic lineup that’s sure to appeal to fans of musicals and drama.

The season kicks off in late September with performances of Flora the Red Menace, the first musical of Broadway icons John Kander and Fred Ebb, the dynamic duo who went on to fame with their musicals Cabaret and Chicago. Flora was a star-making vehicle for Liza Minnelli, and it runs at Williams Theatre from Sept. 27 through Oct. 5, with five evening performances and one matinee.

In November, PFW stages Ghetto which will be part of the extensive arts offering around the remarkable Violins of Hope being brought to Fort Wayne thanks to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. But with many of the area arts organizations programming around the exhibit, PFW’s Ghetto is sure to provide one of the highlights of the event.

Grease will take the Williams Theatre stage from Feb. 28 until March 7.

And the season closes with Dracula: An Act of Destruction from April 24-May 2.

Holders of season tickets (which are available now at pfw.edu/tickets) will also receive tickets to two special performances at the Studio Theatre with The 24 Hour Plays performed on Dec. 7 and The Penelopiad taking the stage March 20 and 21.

Get in a pickle festival

Fans of festivals can pretty much camp out every weekend at Headwaters Park this summer since each weekend brings something new and completely wonderful to our schedule of events.

But circle your calendar now for one of the best summer festivals anywhere. And if you think that’s an exaggeration, then you haven’t watched the Food Network.

The St. Joe Pickle Festival takes place this year from July 18-20 in St. Joe, Ind., and will include many of the events which have drawn hundreds to the festival every year. With an Art & Photo Show and the Crafts & Vendors tables, there’s something going on each day, but it’s Saturday when things really get going.

The popular Pickle Pepper Poker People Walk takes place in the early morning hours on Saturday, and kids can decorate pickles for the Pickle People Contest at noon that day. Free kids activities take place Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday from noon to 9 a.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.

And of course Sechler’s Pickles will be on hand selling its wide variety of pickles, relishes and salsas. It’s a great place to stock up on some incredibly large jars of pickle products for all those summer cookouts.

Support the zoo

The annual zoo fundraiser, an adults-only evening of wine and beer sampling, is now called Zoofari, and it’s coming back to the busy Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo on Aug. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Still featuring a wide variety of wine, beer, and tasty bites provided by 50 area establishments, the event provides a somewhat quieter zoo experience with the absence of the adorable tykes who make many summer visits to the zoo a bit more chaotic.

Walking through the zoo and enjoying all the animals who make our zoo so special, visitors can enjoy the surroundings as well as music from the Aloha Brothers.

Admission to the event helps to support zoo operations, conservation, education, and animal care programs.

VIP tickets are $150, and offer fewer lines with an early admission of 5 p.m. Regular admission tickets are $75 for admission at 6 p.m.

Ticket purchase includes all food and beverage samples. Tickets go on sale July 1, and the event typically sells out quickly, so don’t dawdle.

For more information, call (260) 427-6831 or email development@kidszoo.org.

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