In an effort to bring together southeast Fort Wayne residents through art, Arts United and NIPSCO have announced the 2024 recipients of the Community Connections: Southeast Arts Project Grants program. 

The grants will provide funding to support arts and culture projects in southeast Fort Wayne. 

This year’s recipients are:

Bridge of Grace Compassionate Ministries Center — $5,000 for three cultural celebrations in partnership with Levan R. Scott Academy.

Fort Wayne Dance Collective — $5,000 to continue and expand the Dance for Community partnership at Renaissance Pointe YMCA, southeast Allen County Public Libraries, and McMillen Park Community Center.

Fort Wayne Urban League — $2,700 for a summer STEAM camp partnership with Fort Wayne Civic Theatre and artist Lyndy Bazile.

MLK Montessori ­— $5,000 for Nature’s Creations program with artist Lyndy Bazile during the seven-week STEAM camp.

Northeast Indiana Positive Resource Connection — $5,000 for a mural installation by artists Phresh Laundry and AfroPlump on the agency’s building.

Rachel Kesar, Idee Fixe Music Corp — $4,500 to expand the East Allen Community Youth Band program.

Steve Manus (Overcoming Through Music) — $5,000 for Soul Day Festival featuring family activities and live performances.

StudioLife Tour — $5,000 for Music Seminar Tour, a weeklong event for teenagers focused on the music industry.

The Shepherd’s Hand Community Outreach Center — $5,000 for the partnership with Fort Wayne Children’s Choir to continue the First Steps in Music for infants and toddlers program.

Vincent Village — $2,750 for a summer youth at program for young residents who have experienced being homeless.

Vwazen — $5,000 for establishing a photography studio with Vwazen, an art space in southeast Fort Wayne.

Ballet dancer’s piece premieres in St. Louis

Principal dancer with Fort Wayne Ballet’s professional company, Saki Morimoto, has had one of her choreographed pieces selected for performance in the St. Louis Contemporary Dance Festival on June 15.

The festival will include jams, classes, and resource sharing culminating in an evening performance, talk back and reception.

The evening performance will feature 8-10 choreographers — a mix of regional and national artists, selected through an adjudicated, competitive process with a focus on choreographers emerging with a powerful voice, diverse perspectives and willingness to push the boundaries of contemporary dance.

Morimoto has been a member of the FWB professional company six years and has presented her choreography multiple times as part of the ballet’s Love Notes studio and regional performances. 

The piece selected as one of 10 being performed in St. Louis is “Are you ready?” which premiered this season at Fort Wayne Ballet’s Love Notes performances in February.

Fort Wayne Ballet’s Talbot Rue and Abby Zinsser will be dancing the piece for its St. Louis premiere at the festival.

Free kickboxing workout at Promenade Park

If you’re looking a a fun workout, 9Round instructors have been leading free monthly exercise classes at Promenade Park. 

Participants are welcome to bring their own mats, jump ropes, and hand weights, but these items are not required.

Classes are on the second Sunday of each month from 9-10 a.m. in the Plaza at Promenade Park, weather permitting. In the case of inclement weather, classes will be moved inside to the Park Foundation Pavilion.

The next class will be Sunday, June 9.

Pride ambassador pageant is June 7

The 2024 Fort Wayne Pride Ambassador Pageant will be Friday, June 7, from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. at After Dark Nightclub, 1601 S. Harrison St. 

The 2023 Pride ambassador, Koko Licious, will be stepping down and be joined by some of your favorite queens and kings. 

This event is 21 years and over with a $6 cover. 

The winner will represent Fort Wayne Pride for the next year, including headlining the 2024 festival, July 26-27 at Headwaters Park. 

No shortage of locally sourced food options

Northeast Indiana is home to many farmers markets, many of which feature locally produced goods and entertainment provided while you shop. 

Among your options are: 

Allen County Marketplace — 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, and Sept. 14 at 1010 Carroll Road.

The Farmers Market at Winona — 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through October at Miller Sunset Pavilion, 705 Park Ave. in Winona.

Ft. Wayne’s Farmers Market — 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 27 in Dynamo Alley at Electric Works.

Hardy’s Farm Market — 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday through Oct. 31 at 4525 Knoll Road.

Leo-Cedarville Farmers Market — 4-7 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 26 in downtown Leo-Cedarville.

New Haven’s Music, Market & Munchies — 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays, July 10-24, at Schnelker Park in New Haven.

Salomon Farmers Market — 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 4 at Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Road.

South Side Farmers Market — 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through mid-December at 3300 Warsaw St.

YLNI Farmers Market — 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 24 at corner of Wayne and Barr streets.

YLNI Wednesday Farmers Market — 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays through July 31 outside The History Center.

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.