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7/10: Facing Frida: A Multimedia Exhibition in Three Parts Opening Reception @ Art Vortex Studio “Facing Frida is a collaboration of Latinos en Blono, Go Piñata, hej creative, and Art Vortex Studio. The opening reception will include a meet-and-greet with the artists and refreshments.
“Facing Frida” was born in part from the dual-language photo exhibition, “Lele, la muñeca mexicana - Lele, The Mexican Doll," by artist, journalist, and Mexican mom Yolanda Alonso of Latinos en BloNo hosted at Art Vortex Studio from September to November 2025.
The exhibit features the visual explorations of three local women responding to the work and life of Frida Kahlo in ways specific to their artistic practices and lived experience. Coinciding with the week of Kahlo’s birthday (July 6, 1907) and extending through Latinx Heritage Month 2026, this dual-language exhibition offers opportunities to consider the sur/realism of life, love, language, lore, and more through portraiture, paper, and photography.
Other dates to view Facing Frida: A Multimedia Exhibition in Three Parts include First Fridays August 7, September 4, and October 2 from 4-8 p.m., Saturdays July 11, July 18, July 25, and August 8, with a closing reception on October 17 from 10am - 2pm, and by appointment."
7/11: Prarieland Punishers vs St. Chux Derby Crew "Prairieland Punishers Roller Derby returns to the Interstate Center in Bloomington for a double header on Saturday, July 11th! Join the Punishers Thunder in Bloomington as they take on St. Chux Derby Crew followed by a fun K-pop Demon vs. Hunters scrimmage featuring skaters from all over the Midwest. Doors Open at 4:00, first whistle at 5:00!" For tickets & more information visit this link.
7/15: Pride Night @ Miller Park Zoo "Join us for Pride Night at Miller Park Zoo, a free, family-friendly celebration of the LGBTQ+ community! This event is being held in conjunction with Prairie Pride Coalition, Miller Park Zoological Society, PFLAG Bloomington-Normal, and Normal Public Library. Enjoy free after-hours zoo access, special activities, and a welcoming atmosphere for all. Featuring crafts and activities from both libraries, a drag queen story time, opportunities to learn more about and support the local LGBTQ+ community, and lots of animals!"
7/18: Skate Park Saturdays @ Fairview Skatepark "Skate Park Saturdays at Fairview Skate Park in Normal is the current initiative of the BN Hub of Illinois Humanities Envisioning Justice in collaboration with Crib to Crib Skateboarding Co. in Downtown Bloomington. Skate Park Saturdays honors the BN Hub's commitment to “Wellness is Crime Prevention,” inspired by the words of Illinois artivist King Moosa, and emphasizes the importance of engaging in and nurturing third spaces in the spirit of community resilience. Skate Park Saturdays take place from 10:00am-1:00pm on the first and third Saturdays of each month from March - September (weather permitting. There will be no SPS on July 4)." For more information visit this link.
7/23: Strong Towns Presents: Courtyard Urbanism: Building Cities for Families @ McLean County History Museum "Join Strong Towns BloNo (STB) in the Museum's historic courtroom on Thursday, July 23, for a design charette and keynote presentation.
Charette is a French word for a collaborative design process. This charette, focused on community engagement, will begin at 5:00 p.m. STB is asking for input on a community-driven design vision for the future of Downtown Bloomington. This exercise seeks to create holistic alternatives to the current state of downtown development. Furthermore, it strives to formulate a future vision for the Downtown Bloomington Transitional District. Said district includes several of McLean County's most historic properties.
Noah Tang, STB's President, believes the accompanying keynote will help continue the momentum for Downtown revitalization. The keynote presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.
Dr. Alicia Pederson's presentation explores how to create more family-friendly neighborhoods through incremental, human-scaled development. Pederson is the founder and director of Courtyard Urbanist. Their work aims to bring courtyard blocks to American cities. This is accomplished by reforming the public systems needed to turn large sites into walkable neighborhoods with many buildings and owners. Pederson will be available to answer questions from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. following the presentation."
All month long: Punkrocker: Music and Activism in the Heartland, an exhibition by Sonny Garcia at Coffeehouse "This exhibition presents black-and-white photographs as both veil and mirror to our times, created in response to the rise of an American fascist regime. The images capture the local resistance-its rage, beauty, and solidarity-spanning generations, faiths, and identities. Born from a lifelong love of punk sparked at 16, when Sonny Garcia first dove into a mosh pit at an Uptown Normal show in the 1980s, his work channels punk's raw defiance and radical love for community."
Follow Sonny on Instagram here. |
