Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman will speak at Grand Wayne Convention Center as part of Common Bond on Thursday, May 2, a fundraiser for local nonprofit Erin’s House for Grieving Children.

Freeman will shares his unique insights on leadership, teamwork, overcoming adversity, and achieving your goals. 

From coaching in one of the most coveted positions in sports to being a father of six, Freeman will share his journey and how he inspires and empowers individuals to strive for excellence and the pursuit of greatness.

Common Bond is a cherished tradition for Erin’s House helping to raise funds to further their mission.

“Our Common Bond event each spring joins friends, families, coworkers, and now sports fans together to enjoy an inspirational message and support youth grieving in our community,” Executive Director Debbie Meyer said. “We always look forward to sharing about the Erin’s House mission at this meaningful event each year, and we are ecstatic to have coach Marcus Freeman’s support this year.”

Tickets are $150 and can be purchased by going to erinshouse.org/common-bond.

Fort Wayne on mission to attract visitors

Fort Wayne and Allen County are on a 10-year mission to become a premier destination for visitors. 

To accomplish this, they’re establishing a tourism master plan to put special focus on underserved areas and improve the quality of life through economic revitalization, community engagement, sustainability, and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage. 

The plan will prioritize foundational improvements, downtown Fort Wayne, group business, regional tourism development, riverfront development, and tourism product development. 

For more information, go to visitfortwayne.com/tourismmasterplan.

Free yoga at Promenade Park

Bring your yoga mat to Promenade Park for free yoga on the riverfront once a month in Park Foundation Pavilion. 

All skill levels are welcome for this class led by instructor Chelsea Vona of Discover Yoga. Yoga mats can be provided if you do not have your own.

Classes are scheduled to take place on the second Sunday of each month, with the next being March 10 from 10-11:30 a.m.

More time to catch The Prom

First Presbyterian Theater and Fort Wayne Youtheatre have collaborated on the Fort Wayne premiere of the musical The Prom

The musical centers on four eccentric Broadway stars who are in desperate need of a new stage. So, when they hear that trouble is brewing around an Indiana small-town prom after a female student tries to bring her girlfriend to the dance, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue … and on themselves. 

The show premiered March 1 at First Presbyterian Theater and runs two more weekends through Sunday, March 17.

Call the Arts Tix box office at (260) 422-4226 or go to artstix.org.

Local artists featured in Indiana State Museum

Running March 9-June 23, Indiana State Museum will present the exhibit IN the Abstract: Art from Northern Indiana.

IN the Abstract highlights the museum’s ongoing commitment to showcasing contemporary art by Indiana artists,” said Mark Ruschman, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites senior curator of art emeritus. 

“More specifically, this exhibits represents the diversity of artists working in northern Indiana, sharing their personal stories and reasons for making art, and shining a light on what makes their work unique.”

Adapted and expanded from a 2022 exhibit at Fort Wayne Museum of Art, IN the Abstract features a variety of two-dimensional pieces, including paintings and fabric works, as well as three-dimensional sculptures of ceramic, metal and even natural materials.

Local artists featured include Austin Cartwright, Sayaka Ganz, Nazar Harran, Justin Johnson, George Morrison, Sara Nordling, Maurice Papier, Erin Patton-McFarren, Michael W. Poorman, Audrey Riley, Theopolis Smith III (Phresh Laundry), and Cara Lee Wade of Fort Wayne; Hannah Burnworth of North Manchester; and Mary Pat Wallen of Warsaw.

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.